Football Atlanta - Online
www.FootballAtlanta.com
Atlanta Falcons
News
The latest news
stories and features on the Atlanta Falcons
College Football SEC Page College Football ACC Page
Georgia Bulldogs Page Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets Page Sponsors
Falcons Freeze-Cam
By Don Stone - Football Atlanta
The Cam Newton Show was
interrupted at the Georgia Dome on Sunday by an opportunistic Falcon
defense.
This guy is truly a marvel to watch. Its obvious that
he's going to be something special in coming years in the NFL. And, his
presence in the backfield is going to insure that the Panthers won't be a
doormat for long, unless you're talking about the ones at Georgia State.
But, that's another story.
Time and time again, Atlanta had players all over the
elusive quarterback only to watch him squirt away and wind up a dozen yards
downfield. John Abraham would be zeroing in on Newton only to see him
step right or step left and zap a pass to one of his receivers.
Cam completed 21-of-35 passes for 237 yards. He also
ran for a touchdown, doing a Deion celebration dance in the end zone in
tribute to his childhood hero, Deion Sanders, who was being honored
at halftime with his Hall of Fame ring. Newton Fnished with 60 yards rushing
and that score on five carries in the losing effort.
But, turnovers continued to be the Heisman Trophy
winner's fatal flaw as he put the ball in the hands wearing red and black
three times.
In his defense, the first two picks were more bad luck
than bad passing. The first was on a tipped end-zone pass. The second on a
great defensive play by Falcons DT Corey Peters on an ineffective
screen attempt. The third was on a meaningless last second pass at the end
of the game, picked off in the end zone by Falcons FS Thomas DeCoud.
Newton's first game played in his hometown was bitter
for the proud player who only lost one game in his final two seasons in
college and had never lost two games in a row in his entire playing career.
Now, Carolina sits at three straight losses. But, the Panthers have been in
every game, playing teams like the Saints and Packers tough, only to have
key interceptions take them out of it. The electric QB has more
interceptions (nine) than touchdown passes (seven).
The win was a crucial one for Atlanta, who had already
lost two games in the conference and one in the division...key elements in
end of the season tiebreaker scenarios.
Good news continued to come a few hours later as New
Orleans lost at Tampa Bay 26-20. The Saints are now 4-2 with the other loss
to Green Bay. The Bucs now, surprisingly, lead the division at 4-2 as well,
but with wins over both New Orleans and Atlanta, hold the tiebreaker in both
situations.
The Falcons are right behind at 3-3.
A tough game on the road lies ahead at Detroit, who
just lost their first game of the season to San Francisco. The 5-1 Lions
hold much local interest as the state of Georgia has been a pipeline to
their talent pool in recent years. Bulldog quarterback Matthew Stafford
and Yellow Jacket receiver Calvin Johnson have been a potent combo
for Detroit. A bye week will follow for Atlanta.
