The Patriots entire OFF strategy is to use their passing OFF and multiple WR sets to spread the DEF. Keeping your DL bunched close together gives you an advantage against the run. However, having your DL bunched up makes it more difficult to rush the passer. The PATS try to get you to spread your DL, which creates natural rushing lanes for their RB’s. As far as run blocking, I don’t think their OL is as good as ours. Our OL made us the NFL’s #2 rushing OFF, even though teams stacked the line of scrimmage and dared us to pass, especially early in the season.

If you have big DT’s and DE’s that aren’t very mobile or agile, they’ll spread you out and take disadvantage. When you have the speed, quickness, agility and mobility of our DL rotation, you can make mistakes, or get out of position, and still recover. The only thing last yrs DT GJackson successfully chased down was the snack tray.

Here’s what separates this yrs DT’s from the DT’s of the last few yrs. In the past, we had what was considered our best DLinemen starting, and there was a drastic dropoff when we started our DT rotations. This yrs DT’s are pretty much evenly matched in size, speed, quickness and mobility, so there won’t be much of a dropoff, if any, when we start our DT rotations.

With our DL rotation of DE’s JAbraham, CDavis, JAnderson, KBeirmann, LSidbury and DT’s TLewis, PJerry, JBabineaux and VWalker, our DL should be able to consistently get pressure on anybody, including TBrady. Our DEF will be young and somewhat inexperienced, but we’ll be too deep and talented at every position, and too well coached, not to be good.

Unca’ Bob, You are fastly becoming the man with your football intellect. Enjoyed the article about ATL ranked third in NFL rankings. I am not being negative, but I don’t see ATL 3rd. I see somewhere between 7-10. They have the ability to finish up 3rd or even better. The defense has some young players. We gotta see what they can do. Also, I want to see the OL play as they did before. Kind of not being a one year wonder.
The bye week info is important. That will be the most important factor for this team’s success. When you have 2 weeks to get healthy and game plan for an opponent, that can be deadly. ATL has to worry about their mental game. I like the first 3 games before ATL’s bye. 3 good teams to set the pace for the season. ATL can take the bye and focus on the remaining season, not just their next opponent. With the 3 games ATL will have played, they should definitely understand their strength and weakness’s going forward from the bye.

Ken, as always outstanding posts. I too agree that the defense is being set up more for pass defense and man coverage. I feel you always have more options in man. You don’t have to guard a space and keep eyes on the QB. That was a nice breakdown on the PATS offenses and what they are trying to do. It goes right along with Unca’ Bob’s post. The complexity of the PATS offense is that they are so versatile and multidimensional. They look at what your defensive game plan is and adapt. They have different styles not only in their RBs, but also their WRs. Don’t forget their TEs though. They also can be deadly. When you have as much talent on offense, the TEs are usually the after thought. They won’t see as many passes their way.

D3, I am starting to lean your way on this game.I had picked ATL to win 24-21, I think on a last sec. FG. I think this game will be hard fought by whomever the victor is. I can see ATL getting down early. Especially with all the new parts on defense, and it still being only the third game of the year. We will need a MVP effort from Turner and Norwood. I just don’t see the running lanes from NE. I think Gonzo is huge in this game. We will need him and HD underneath. Short passes are good as a 4-5 yard run. We just need to keep the chains moving, get first downs and run the clock. That and we can not miss on scoring opportunities. Make each one we get count, because there want be many. I would sacrifice points in this game to keep Brady and co. off the field. That’s why I had the score low. We talk about how balanced ATL’s O is. I would like to see 65%-35& rush to pass. If that’s not possible, then I would like to see Gonzo around 10 catches but under 10yds. per. See where I am going? I want 10-15 play scoring drives. I want every possession to last 4-5 min. at a minimum. I know that’s a lot to ask, but that’s the only way I see a victory by ATL. I think our pass defense will be exposed if Brady and co. are on the field alot. Getting a good sustained rush on Brady will be difficult. Unlike Cassell, Brady knows where the hot reads are and will not hold the ball.

Unca’ Bob, D3 & Ken Strick very good breakdown and analysis on the Pats. Ken Strick you raised a point which I think is a very important one. The key to our performance against the Pats will be if by week 3, our defense will be able to gel. Remember, we have a few new pieces and one of the worst things you can have is people missing assignments due to a lack of chemistry. However, I am optimistic that Smitty and this very able coaching staff will be able to have us playing solid D by week 1. Hopefully we can have all rookies signed and in camp so they miss none of the sessions and will have a good read on their assignments.

Keep it going guys. I’ll be out until tomorrow. I’ll be visiting some family. Hopefully I’ll get the chance during today to take a quick peek into the Bird Cage.

Go Falcons!!!

Nuff respect everytime!!!

I think it’s because they employ a vertical passing OFF, much like the old Raiders of the past that ADavis is desperately and unsuccessfully tying to revive, and they don’t do a lot of checkoffs and/or quick hitters. Our DEF is being constructed with the speed, quickness and athleticism it takes to compete against the Patriots type of OFF. Except for VHutchins, who’s rated more as a cover 2 CB and an excellent nickelback, all of our CB’s are known for their speed, quickness and man cover skills. The same can also be said for our OLB’s and safeties.

The addition of TE TGonzalez makes our passing OFF just as deadly and versatile as the Patriots, without having to go to 3 and 4 WR sets like they do. We’ll also have a much more dominant rushing OFF. Unlike them, TE TGonzalez allows us to switch to our no huddle OFF, without substituting, and become even more effective. Their 3 TE’s had 43 receptions collectively, while TGonzalez had 96, so they aren’t as effective when they switch to the no huddle without substituting for their TE’s. WE WILL MATCH UP VERY WELL AGAINST THE PATRIOTS. THEY’LL HAVE JUST AS MUCH TROUBLE WITH OUR OFF AS WE’LL HAVE WITH THEIR’S. THE ONLY QUESTION MARK FOR THE FALCONS WILL BE HOW WELL OUR DEF PERFORMS, SINCE IT HASN’T BEEN TESTED YET WITH THE NEW ADDITIONS. The Patriots will be an excellent test for the Falcons going into our bye week. They’ll let us know where we stand, what we have to work on, and we’ll have 2 wks to get it done.

jason – love that recipe. That will be done very soon at the Locale. I’m going on a strick Bobby Flay Grilling Recipe Menu this summer and that one’s right up my alley.

Ken Strick – good point on our new look DL rotation. There’s definitely a good chance that if we can put some pressure on the Golden Boy, then we’ll have a great fighting chance to knock off the Pats @ Foxboro. If we do knock them off, then who knows what the season holds. If they keep in Fred Taylor, he will definitely serve as a much better blocker than Mauroney out of the backfield.

Nookah – what’s up my Marley-ian brother to the North? Great stat research on the Pats. I think Brady, Moss, and other Vets on that roster are starting to realize that their window is closing on perennial Super Bowl runs year in and year out, and will come out swinging this year. Fred Taylor adds a new dimension with some gas left in the tank. He will have the same effect that Corey Dillon had in helping them to a Super Bowl Title.

angry – agreed on RB Depth Chart. It definitely looks like we’ll be keeping both as the majority of teams carry 5 RBs.

WR – good breakdown of Evil Bill. As usual the Patriots are favorites for winning the Super Bowl. Adding Fred Taylor and that masterful draft day should give them at least 2-3 years for Brady and Moss to win another title. This is a big game for sure, and if we steal this one than who knows how high we can fly.

Dean21 – I’m all for a tailgating meet-up for sure. Just work with Sarah B and let’s get it cranked and rockin’. Might have to take MARTA on that one so I can sober up on the train ride back.

Unca’ Bob – nice analysis on the Patriots mulit-dimensional OFF. I think Fred Taylor will add a huge boost to their already powerful offense. Mauroney is on the serious hot-seat after not living up to big expectations. I know because he has been a serious bust on my Fantasy Football Teams. I think our DEF will recover, but that they will get in a deep hole early on and not be able to make up for it. On that part of the schedule, the Bears and Giants are really the only ones that truly scare me. Romo and the Cowboys are jokes, IMO.

Falcons OFF vs Patriots DEF & Final Prediction Match-ups, Roster Spot Analysis, and tons more fun coming soon……..