The Atlanta Falcons aren't fazed by their recent struggles against the Saints
 

The Atlanta Falcons don’t see any sense in letting themselves get enraged over the fact that they’re 3-13 against the Saints since quarterback Drew Brees arrived in New Orleans in 2006.

They simply respect New Orleans’ recent hegemony, attempt to block it from their minds and put confidence in offseason developments they’ve orchestrated as they prepare to face Brees and the Saints for a 17th occasion, this time to open their 2014 campaign at home at noon Sunday.

“Obviously, we have a lot of respect for them; and certainly, I have a ton of respect for Drew — I think he’s as good as it gets at this position and has played at a high level for a long time,” Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan said Wednesday of the MVP of the Saints’ victory in Super Bowl XLIV as well as the player who’s thrown for the NFL’s most passing yards (10,339) and second-most touchdowns (82) since 2012.

“(Yet) I don’t think it’s something we’ve worried too much about — what’s happened the last couple of years. Really, what it comes down to is this week and what we do this week.”

Falcons coach Mike Smith echoed that tune, insisting, “What happened in the previous six or seven years is going to have no bearing on the game being played on Sunday.”

Instead, what the coach who has a 3-9 mark versus the Saints since taking over the Falcons in 2008 hopes will begin reversing the course of an increasingly lopsided NFC South rivalry is a commitment to beefing up the lines on either side of the ball. What a quarterback who’s suffered defeats in five of his eight career match-ups with the Saints makes him believe could alter the story a bit is the return of a star receiver he largely did without last season.

Read more: The Atlanta Falcons aren't fazed by their recent struggles against the Saints | Saints | The Advocate — Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Re: The Atlanta Falcons aren't fazed by their recent struggles against the Saints
 

I agree Mike, except for similar outcome, they have nothing to do with each other.:bng:

Mike Smith echoed that tune, insisting, “What happened in the previous six or seven years is going to have no bearing on the game being played on Sunday.”

Re: The Atlanta Falcons aren't fazed by their recent struggles against the Saints
 

They still suck.

Re: The Atlanta Falcons aren't fazed by their recent struggles against the Saints
 

I feel like we are underestimating the falcons just a little bit. Let's not forget that they too are better at home. Not to mention after the disappointing season they had last year and getting another weapon back on offense they are poised to create a disappointment at some point this year for all of the teams that look past them. I'll bet Payton will be second guessing himself after this one and wish he had not let Bailey go. Can't wait to see the defense in action.

Re: The Atlanta Falcons aren't fazed by their recent struggles against the Saints
 

I think going into THIS game, the Saints are just better at most aspects than the Falcons. Anything can happen in a division game in their house, so the Saints need to come out and set the tone early.

Re: The Atlanta Falcons aren't fazed by their recent struggles against the Saints
 

If the Saints lose to the failclowns because we didn't sign a 36 year old CB that could only manage to make it onto the field in a single pre-season game, (and promptly managed to get himself injured), then we might as well fold our tent now!

The only way the failclowns will beat the Saints is if we help them with sloppy play, penalties, turnovers, missed tackles, etc.

Re: The Atlanta Falcons aren't fazed by their recent struggles against the Saints
 

That's probably one of the reasons we've been struggling to beat the Saints. Yeah, it's water under the bridge, but Jesus, at some point you have to get pissed off.

Re: The Atlanta Falcons aren't fazed by their recent struggles against the Saints
 

7 Years does have a bearing on this season. Same coach and QB have been carving you up and they are back again.

Re: The Atlanta Falcons aren't fazed by their recent struggles against the Saints
 

I'm nervous/anxious for every game.

The Fail-clowns though, they bring out a special - I don't know - Desire, maybe?

All I know is a win against the Clowns is soooooo much sweeter and good. A loss to the clowns, well that's like a bad burn. It hurts like hell when you do it and it is continually there to remind you how much it sucks.

But hey, maybe that's just me. :doh:

Re: The Atlanta Falcons aren't fazed by their recent struggles against the Saints
 

With more weapons and a much better defense that's got their back :bng:

Re: The Atlanta Falcons aren't fazed by their recent struggles against the Saints
 

I think the Saints are a matchup nightmare for Atlanta. But I hope the defense is watching those two receivers. Shoddy and Julio can be damn good. Hester is still fast. I'm sure RR has a plan.

Re: The Atlanta Falcons aren't fazed by their recent struggles against the Saints
 

Huh... really? Not phased? Not even a little bit?

So that whole "getting tough" routine, based on all the butt hurt over the one run-of-the-mill bang bang play (from which any other QB just gets up and keeps on playing) that happened on the first game of last season, that is just a charade?

My ass. This Sunday's game is going to make or break the Clowns' season.

Re: The Atlanta Falcons aren't fazed by their recent struggles against the Saints
 

TR you're right. And it's all the rage on local radio here in Atlanta- how this is "just the first game......not a make or break.....not the biggest game of the year".

Folding pre read by the fans. I love it.

Re: The Atlanta Falcons aren't fazed by their recent struggles against the Saints
 

The fans don't play this game... the players do. Quite frankly, I am a bit apprehensive about this one... opening on the road against your biggest rival.

Lets hope the Saints come out ready to play. If not....

Re: The Atlanta Falcons aren't fazed by their recent struggles against the Saints
 

The Falcons always play us close. They very easily could've won our first matchup last year and they ended the season like 4-12 right? Trying my best to be objective, I see our offense having a distinct advantage against their defense, but I could also see Julio and Roddy White causing our secondary some real problems. Looking at the game as a Saints fan, I think the Saints are way better than the Falcons and I wouldn't be surprised by a blowout. Devin Hester is not a great WR and a healthy Colston and Graham plus Cooks and our improved running game is way too much for the Falcons D which has a suspect secondary and can't rush the passer.

Re: The Atlanta Falcons aren't fazed by their recent struggles against the Saints
 

Some of ya'lls attitudes are what get us in trouble in games like with the Rams! :)

Re: The Atlanta Falcons aren't fazed by their recent struggles against the Saints
 

But that's an apples and gorillas comparison. There are two defensive phases that can down any offense: stopping the run and pressuring the QB, especially up the middle. The Rams front 7 have the ability to do that in spades, especially because their front 4 can create tremendous pressure without blitzing. In Rams games as of late, Brees has been on his back, rushed, and throwing out of balance. The results are easy to see.

The thing is that the Falcons have none of this. Last year QBs had a collective 100+ passer rating against that defense. And it just didn't get much better in the offseason. On the other hand the emergence of Armstead and the upgrade from DLP to Goodwin (backed by Lelito) along with Grubbs and Evens being healthy has solidified the Saints offensive line.

On the other side the return of Jones and White to health is problematic. However, remember that a defense that can stop the run and pressure the QB can neutralize any offense. The Saints have an upgraded backend and a rush with Gallette, Jordan, and Hicks that can get to the QB. The Falcons' offensive line, which was below average last year at best, only improved slightly in the offseason with the addition of Matthews and their free agent guard from KC whose name I can never remember. Then they lost Baker once again during camp. You can have the best receivers in the world, but a QB cannot throw to them from his back.

The NFL is all about matchups. The Rams are a tough matchup for many a team in the league for exactly the reasons that I outlined above. The Falcons, not so much.

So it's like comparing apples... and gorillas.

SFIAH

Re: The Atlanta Falcons aren't fazed by their recent struggles against the Saints
 

Seriously? Our attitudes as fans is the problem as to why the team struggles every so often?

Maybe we should all start watching game film and preparing for the game, just like the players do... :rolleyes:

Re: The Atlanta Falcons aren't fazed by their recent struggles against the Saints
 

What a load of crap!
I have never seen a coach be in another coaches' head like Payton is in "Master Of Panic" Mike Smith's.
I have been waiting for the day when they finally lead him away in a straightjacket.

Re: The Atlanta Falcons aren't fazed by their recent struggles against the Saints
 

I agree with you to an extent...
that game in Atl last November showed that the Falcons can still get up for the Saints and show heart & emotion even when their season is over. Other than that blowout when Brees broke the record, the games are always close.

My point is that the Falcons are pissed off, but the past 5-6 years they have been getting outplayed (and outcoached). Emotion only goes so far.
I expect a war on Sunday.

Re: The Atlanta Falcons aren't fazed by their recent struggles against the Saints
 

We're so in their heads. It's like a compulsive liar, who doesn't even know he's lying anymore...

Re: The Atlanta Falcons aren't fazed by their recent struggles against the Saints
 

Very true.
For recent evidence watch Matty in the pocket after the KV hit. Completely unnerved, maybe got 1-2 reads before he threw it into the stands prematurely.

Re: The Atlanta Falcons aren't fazed by their recent struggles against the Saints
 

I would normally agree, but watch the footage of Bailey in that game. The ball was purposely kept away from him because the quarterback knew be is an ALL PRO player. If this were just some average run of the mill player I would agree, but this is Champ freakin Bailey!!! 12 straight appearances in the pro bowl, and a 7x all pro cornerback. This isn't just some old dude off the street we are talking about. In all fairness he did not get enough playing time in pre season. Definitely a better player than Baptiste or Dixon. Not sure what Sean saw in Dixon, but let's hope it pans out because be had a great player and gave him up on an unproven who is 6'0" and 195lbs with a grade of 4.85 in the draft, is a leaky tackler, very tight hipped, and recorded a poor 4.59 20yard shuttle time, which indicates very limited lateral agility. Also, he will most likely be moved to free safety when out doesn't pan out for him as a corner. Bailey had a 3.79 20yard shuttle just to put things into perspective.

Champ Bailey
Champ Bailey - CB - Georgia - 1999 NFL Combine Results

Brian Dixon
Brian Dixon Draft Profile

Re: The Atlanta Falcons aren't fazed by their recent struggles against the Saints
 

17 years ago... And the reason Bailey didn't get any playing time was because he was battling injuries.

I'd rather a young healthy player who has shown potential over a past his prime injured one. QB's aren't scared when you're sitting on the bench...

Re: The Atlanta Falcons aren't fazed by their recent struggles against the Saints
 

Bailey didn't get to play. Geeze, but your right. Perhaps we should have done that with Vilma, and Sharper too? Hmmmm, would have been a very different team.

Re: The Atlanta Falcons aren't fazed by their recent struggles against the Saints
 

Doesn't matter, why argue... It's done, he's cut...

Re: The Atlanta Falcons aren't fazed by their recent struggles against the Saints
 

I've seen delusional fans before but this is ridiculous.

Re: The Atlanta Falcons aren't fazed by their recent struggles against the Saints
 

As long as the Saints don't become complacent. I am looking for our defense to be very tough and the offense to bust it open.

Re: The Atlanta Falcons aren't fazed by their recent struggles against the Saints
 

I for one am concerned about this game. Is it a make or break game? No. But if we lose this game we need to beat the bucs week 5 and start out 4-1. And the Bucs will need to start out 2-3 as I believe its us or them that wins the south. The division trends and the 2015 schedule being so winnable for us has me concerned that we need to sweep them two years straight here and they have followed our placement every year. If we sweep them next year then there is no way we finish below them. So I feel we need to pull off the sweep again or we better hope three south teams are in this year.

Re: The Atlanta Falcons aren't fazed by their recent struggles against the Saints
 

I'm just going to point out that we picked Vilma up when he was 26...

Re: The Atlanta Falcons aren't fazed by their recent struggles against the Saints
 

And even though Sharper was 34 when we signed him, he didn't miss a game or snap all season long, bailey couldn't even go through walkthroughs he was injured so often

Re: The Atlanta Falcons aren't fazed by their recent struggles against the Saints
 

Well, it's time to sound the ram horn, ride down into the valley and remind them who's at the top of the food chain in this division, in this conference, in this league...

http://blackandgold.com/u/5271-albums2-picture793.jpg

Re: The Atlanta Falcons aren't fazed by their recent struggles against the Saints
 

If you were a close personal friend of mine this is what I would tell you. It's an uncomfortable truth because there is nothing that can be done in a draft, free agency, or on the practice field.

The Falcons have been out owned, GM'd, coached, and played by the Saints for a while now. It's systemic and until you change the head, the management, the product will continue in the same way. I've the same opinion of the Texans for the last few years.

On paper both teams pieces look right, but that doesn't translate to championship performance for either team.

Kubiack and Smith are good winning coaches but neither has next tier championship potential.

QBs were/are good but not great.

In a season when you were undefeated and we were stinking it up with out a head coach the Falcons couldn't pull it off.

Honestly when we play it's a big game, it's nearly a playoff game for both teams and Smith/Ryan preform similarly in both instances resulting in similar outcomes.

Nothing personal intended, we were in that boat for a while as well.

A lot of people are focusing on new players and healthy players for you this season, who I see is that your going to miss Gonzo. He was your goto scoring machine in a way that you have yet to replace.

Good luck Sunday.

Re: The Atlanta Falcons aren't fazed by their recent struggles against the Saints
 

Just like that we need 4-1.

Re: The Atlanta Falcons aren't fazed by their recent struggles against the Saints
 

Anyone believe in 4-1 after watching our defense play

Re: The Atlanta Falcons aren't fazed by their recent struggles against the Saints
 

i as i said tape is out on the defense and no adjustments made. happy with anything above a 16 rating. by the way why is it when turn overs are stressed. tackling suffers?

Re: The Atlanta Falcons aren't fazed by their recent struggles against the Saints
 

Great for them; they have won 4 in the last 17 games... Won't be the first time we've split with them and still won the division... :bng:

Re: The Atlanta Falcons aren't fazed by their recent struggles against the Saints
 

Browns
Vikings(home opener for us)
Cowboys
Bucs(home)

It is possible it can happen if we win this week.