Author Archives: John Manasso

Final: The Streak Is Over

By John Manasso | Published: January 3, 2010
BLOGGER’S NOTE: For stats and play-by-play information, check out the official Falcons-Bucs game center on NFL.com. As the Falcons entered a new chapter in team history, perhaps the enduring image will be that of running back Jason Snelling breaking tackle after tackle, twisting and turning away from Tampa Bay defenders on a 22-yard, fourth-quarter run that [...]
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Third Quarter: A Tenuous Lead

By John Manasso | Published: January 3, 2010
A pessimist would look at the Falcons’ third quarter — one in which they dominated yet failed to score — and would start to worry about the Buccaneers’ two-play, 80-yard touchdown drive from the team’s first meeting. Because as much as the Falcons have dominated the game, they lead by only 10-3 entering the fourth [...]
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Halftime: Falcons Turn It Around

By John Manasso | Published: January 3, 2010
This game was starting to shaping up a lot like the Falcons’ 10-7 win over the Jets a few weeks ago, with neither offense truly able to get on track. However, the Falcons’ offense hit its stride on the last three series of the half to pull ahead 10-3 at the break. With the Falcons’ defense [...]
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First Quarter: Mistakes Hurt Falcons

By John Manasso | Published: January 3, 2010
Hardly an offensive explosion to start the game. The Falcons have hurt themselves with mistakes on offense and special teams, while the defense has continued its excellent play of the last two games as the Birds trail by 3-0 at the end of the first 15 minutes. But we enter the second quarter with both teams combining [...]
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Pregame: What Might Have Been

By John Manasso | Published: January 3, 2010
Today on this last day of the regular season, I’m wondering about what might have been. Looking at the standings as the day begins, it looks like if the Falcons beat Tampa Bay to finish 9-7 then they won’t have missed the playoffs by much. A 10-6 record will have been necessary at a minimum – potentially [...]
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Inactives: Bryant Active; Two Linemen Out

By John Manasso | Published: January 3, 2010
Some interesting names are on the inactive list today for the Falcons in the season finale: place kicker Steve Hauschka and defensive linemen Jamaal Anderson (chest) and Thomas Johnson (knee). That means that Matt Bryant, the former Tampa Bay kicker, likely will be well enough to kick against his former team despite the hamstring injury he [...]
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Final: Falcons One Win Away From History

By John Manasso | Published: December 27, 2009
Both Tony Gonzalez and Matt Ryan stated on Wednesday that one goal to end this season would be to finish with a winning record, giving the franchise its first back-to-back winning seasons since the team began playing in 1966. The Falcons now stand one win a way and next week’s opponent is the lowly Tampa Bay [...]
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Third Quarter: The Rout Is On

By John Manasso | Published: December 27, 2009
With two touchdowns in the third quarter, the Falcons appear to have put this one away. They lead 24-3 entering the fourth. That will likely set up next week as a chance to finish the season with three straight victories and a winning season — which would give the franchise its first back-to-back winning seasons in its [...]
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Breaking News: Bryant’s Return Questionable

By John Manasso | Published: December 27, 2009
If you thought you just saw defensive end Kroy Biermann taking that last kickoff, it’s because you did. Place kicker Matt Bryant has a hamstring injury and his return is listed as questionable. So the Falcons are currently without both their punter (who also is the holder on field goals and extra points) and their place [...]
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Breaking News: Gonzalez Out, Koenen Questionable

By John Manasso | Published: December 27, 2009
Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez has an injured calf and will not return, it was just announced in the press box. Gonzalez, a 13-year veteran, entered the game leading the Falcons in receptions with 78. He has played in all 15 games this season and leads the NFL in Pro-Bowl voting. In addition, punter Michael Koenen was ruled to [...]
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