Falcons: 5 things we learned from the Charger game
Cornerback Brent Grimes had a rough day with Vincent Jackson. (CURTIS COMPTON/AJC).
THE DOME — The key will be getting the proper perspective on what happened to the first team defense in this one.
San Diego’s Philip Rivers and his set of fleet receivers made some incredible plays on third down. The one-handed grab by Vincent Jackson along the sideline over Chris Houston was remarkable.
But here are the five things we learned from this one:
1. RE-TOOLING THE DEFENSE: The defense has a long ways to go. Granted it was Rivers and the Chargers vaunted passing attack — without L.T. or Antonio Gates — but you can’t allow teams to continually convert on third downs. Just in the second touchdown drive alone, the Chargers converted on third-and-8, third-and-18, third-and-17 and third-and-24.
2. REDMAN IS NO. 2: Chris Redman’s showing in the second half was the best play of any of the backups QBs this offseason.
3. YOUNG GUNS: Defensive end Lawrence Sidbury and cornerback Chris Owens were cited by coach Mike Smith as players who jumped out at him in the normal course of the action.
4. HOW BAD IS J-ROCK HURT: He didn’t return as a precautionary
We have to find out if William Moore came back too fast from knee surgery. He suffered a hamstring injury against the Chargers. (CURTIS COMPTON/AJC)
measure. If he’d torn something he would not have been allowed to return to the sideline with that plastic airbag contraption on around his left knee.
5. BOOKER CAN GET OPEN STILL: Back up wide receiver showed that he could get open at age 33. He had six catches for 62 yards, included a 21-yarder on a nice seam route.
Not sure what they can do, but I think we better be on the look out for some major changes on the defensive side of the ball.
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104 comments Add your comment
Dennis
August 30th, 2009
2:29 pm
I’ll be glad when we hire two corners and stop playing with only nine defenders. Even if they’re not “shutdown” corners.
Speaking of “shutdown” corners in their own minds, saw Randy Moss looking at old MeAngelo in his rear view mirrors all night long.
JeanE
August 30th, 2009
2:37 pm
I also wondered who J-Rock was, never heard him called that before. Defense looked exactly like I thought they would: pathetic. Get used to it. If Dimitroff had said to Arthur, we need to pay to keep Fox, he would’ve. That’s on the GM. We will live to regret that decision. Both corners are way too short to match up with the tall, elite receivers of this league! And please, for the love of God, just cut J. Anderson & lets move on! On a brighter note, Yeah, Finn!!!! Woo hoo! Redman looked great, he’s got 2 locked up. Sorry, DJ, I like you but you are too erratic. The offense looks super but we won’t be able to score enough points every week to keep up with all the point our porous defense will allow!
dan
August 30th, 2009
2:58 pm
Redmon showed me a lot. He’s clearly the number 2# guy, and I feel that we can win games with him if Ryan goes down for a few games.
Our defense is all speed and was out of position too much. I think Dimitroff realizes that we have slim pickings on D and drafted a good bit on that side of the ball. It’s just going to take them a few weeks to gel.
tom
August 30th, 2009
3:07 pm
The D needs alot of work, but I agree its fortunated SD showed the Falcons weakness right now. Ryan had some good passes, but also got away with at least one that should have been a sure interception. Two of the passes Rivers made were perfect throws that any corner would have had trouble with especially the one handed catch, that one was something, but Houston needs to keep these receivers in front of him, he looked really beat all game.
Redmans throw for the win was absolutely perfect over two defenders and right on the money, an exciting end. Anyone see anything from Middleton as a corner, hes a classmate of my daughters so we are routing for him to get a shot?
Matlanta Mauler
August 30th, 2009
3:08 pm
Singletary commented to bring in a shut down corner off the waiver wire. Aren’t the 2 mutually exclusive. Jamaal is the least of our worries. We do need secondary help and you are not going to get them off waivers so trading ala the Foxworth trade last year, may be our only option
Falcon 8211
August 30th, 2009
3:21 pm
with the exception of lofton the whole defense looked bad. TD needs to work some magic because the defense needs help. seen lots of arm tackles need to go back to tackling 101. grimes big heart but not a starter @ CB. TD call Chris McAllisters agent now before it is too late.defensive line needs more pressure up front QB’s have all day back there. Mike Smith please help this defense .
Dshep
August 30th, 2009
3:50 pm
Dude, Chris Lofton missed 4 tackles and missed the angle on the screen that went for a touchdown. Lofton did all of the things wrong that people screamed about with Brooking. You must not have watched the game.
TRAV
August 30th, 2009
4:52 pm
GET TONY GILBERT MORE TIME ON THE FIELD!
welikebaseball2
August 30th, 2009
5:01 pm
Well, here’s a couple things Lofton did that Brooking never did: He actually broke up a pass in coverage. Are you serious? No way you can compare the two. Brooking, at this stage of his career, is a shoestring/pile-on tackler at best. We haven’t even seen the best from Lofton…who, by the way, is a more ferocious tackler by far.
FHZ
August 30th, 2009
5:11 pm
They became too comfortable at home…lol. You could see a loss of focus. They were running into a wall of blocks, and they could not find the ball even if it was platinum. The Chargers knew what they were doing.. It was a business trip for them.
Dshep
August 30th, 2009
5:48 pm
I agree Lofton hits harder than Brooking but he needs to wrap up and take better angles. If you do not agree with that, “I will say again” you must not have watched the game. As for Chris Houston, he will always be a liability to this team if he lets recievers get behind him. The great catch that was made on 3rd and 18 would not have even been thrown had Houston done his job. I am so glad TD is drafting players now instead of McCay. McCay’s Arkansas love is killing our defense w/ JA and CH!
Dennis
August 30th, 2009
5:52 pm
Uh, ’scuse me for bein’ confused, but if one were a true shutdown corner, why would he be on waivers?
KeithBrooking
August 30th, 2009
5:54 pm
There’s your proof fellas. Time to start eating that crow. Go Cowboys!!
Falcon 8211
August 30th, 2009
6:07 pm
hey ledbetter see if falcons made contact with chris mcallisters agent. thanks
Nite Owl
August 30th, 2009
7:14 pm
DOL, keep up the good work.
This is like watching an anthill after it’s been poked.
Nite Owl
August 30th, 2009
7:21 pm
Not that you fine people are ants to me or anything, but everyone’s going in a million different directions.
TD and Smitty will figure it out. We did stuff the run, when everyone was griping about that two weeks ago. Now, we’ve got to get to work on the pass rush and pass defense.
But when the bullets start flying, we’ll put our best people on the field. You’ll see our best pass rushers, better blitz packages, and you won’t see Chris Houston on an island very often, I’m guessing.
Yikes. Better get out, I’m about to get covered in ant bites.
bass stringerfish
August 30th, 2009
7:40 pm
D Led. Thanks for the game link. Can’t buy a paper in Utah.
atl.unc.aub
August 30th, 2009
7:41 pm
Not saying i saw alot but i have seen more from JA the last two games then the rest of his career. I know i am in the minority but i am not ready to give up on him just yet. Grimes is not a starting corner, wasnt last year, isnt this year, and wont be next year. Also, i am very disappointed in the development or lack of in Chevis Jackson and Chris Houston. At the beginning of last year i was very excited about our two young corners, still going to be optimistic about our young defenders though including JA.
atl.unc.aub
August 30th, 2009
7:47 pm
Falcon8211-Man, adding him to our D would make a HUGE impact,imo. Love your idea. He has to be the best corner out there right now. No doubt that TD knows he is available too. How much you think he wants?
Rusty
August 30th, 2009
8:05 pm
SW Dekalb has 2 freshmen and 3 sophomore DB’s better than this GARBAGE the Falcons are putting out there.
Nite Owl
August 30th, 2009
8:32 pm
@Brian F.:
That little mouse button on your computer clicks to other websites, right? Please find one and leave us the hell alone.
Diehard ATL Fan
August 30th, 2009
9:17 pm
IT
WAS
A
PRESEASON
GAME.
2008 Detroit Lions 4-0 Preseason. 0-16 Reg season.
Falcon 8211
August 30th, 2009
9:45 pm
atl.unc.aub, think he is a perfect fit he played for smitty in baltimore before smitty went to jacksonville so he already knows our scheme. i know he needs to knock the rust off but could catch up in time for the opener in miami. might can get a deal since he is coming off knee surgery .we a least need to work him out and see if anything is in the tank.
A Realist
August 30th, 2009
10:06 pm
Grimes and Houston are JUST TOO SHORT to be effective in the NFL against a decent receiver with any kind of size/height. Hopefully TD can find someone capable of playing with the big boys off the waiver wire within the next two weeks. I know it was only a pre-season game, but one would hope that the CBs would not have been constantly beaten all night long on those third and long situations.
504ever!!!!!
August 30th, 2009
10:20 pm
The falcons suck and will lose every game to the saints this season!!!!! Recognize royalty when yall see it!!! Losers!!!!!! Lmao!!!!!
Who Dat!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
504ever!!!!!
August 30th, 2009
10:22 pm
Do the dirty bird!!!!! Lmao!!!! Laaaaaame!!!
Who Dat!!!!!
Dshep
August 30th, 2009
10:23 pm
(504ever) REALLY? How can you be a Saints fan and say that. If you were any other team, (except the Raiders)I could understand. Its the FREAKIN SAINTS, I mean AINTS!
Dshep
August 30th, 2009
10:27 pm
(A Realest) Please understand that Houston is not short. The dude is a physical speciman. He just does not have the mental capacity to get where he needs to be. Grimes is short, but if he had Houston’s physical ability, he would be all world.
JimDawg
August 30th, 2009
10:36 pm
Here is an idea for helping the secondary, trade DJ Shock to Denver for Champ Bailey, Bulldog for Bulldog. After watching Denver tonight, it might be a perfect fit for DJ since he isn’t going to be no. 2 for the Falcons. Champ is a strech, but maybe they have a good backup they will part with.
Dshep
August 30th, 2009
10:44 pm
Champ may be worth a little more than DJ. Just a hunch!
504ever!!!!!
August 30th, 2009
10:52 pm
The aints?? We’ll see who’s talkin when we walk all over yall 45-7 @ the dome on Monday night football!!!
Do the dirty bird!!!!!!! Lmao!!!!
Who Dat!!!!!!
Rusty
August 30th, 2009
11:01 pm
Lets just pick up the first 3 DB’s to get cut. Will be an improvement from what we got now.
Rusty
August 30th, 2009
11:05 pm
Put Shokley back there. Hell see if Barry Bonds is available. He wouldnt get burned that bad.
Troy
August 30th, 2009
11:11 pm
Drew Brees just called and says he sees nothing wrong with the Falcons defense, don’t change a thing!
Falcon 8211
August 31st, 2009
7:10 am
troy, if you think thomas and smitty are not shopping for cb you are crazy.
Baba O'Riley
August 31st, 2009
8:44 am
“They’ve only been calling him J-Rock for 8 years”. Who is “they”? and when would the average fan hear “them” call him by his nickname.
Jerry
August 31st, 2009
9:02 am
I cant believe our GM and coach smith said they were shocked at our defensive play. Neither of our safeties should start for any NFL team and I’m quite confident that 2 instate colleges have more athletic lb’s than our Falcons. No consistent push from our d-line made our week corners look worse than they may be. Ive been saying all off season we need more than draft help to improve this defense. I’m not just now jumping on our defense , no bandwagon b.s. from me we stink on that side and our golden boys should have known better than to wait this long to try and fix it.
Jerry
August 31st, 2009
9:20 am
Oh and diehard NOBODY gives a flip that we lost a preseason game. We got b-slapped time and time again on D and said thank you can I have some more. I’m a season ticketholder and pissed because we have a super bowl caliber O and are so terrble on defense and I mean not even close to being average on d. I’d b-slap Blank if I could I’m so pissed.
SWAMI
August 31st, 2009
9:24 am
I PREDICT:
The Falcons will only win 6 games this year.
Matty Ice will have a horrible year. His arm is already being exposed,
and Roddy White will revert to being the Q-Back killer that he is.
BVG will be exposed as the horrible pro-coach that he is. He will be gone next year.
But hey; wait till next year…lol
SWAT Native
August 31st, 2009
10:28 am
DOL,
Thanks for adding a little team flava by referring to Jerious by his J-Rock nickname. I’m surprised that so few people had heard it before. The guys that sit behind me at games always call him J-No, and I’m always tempted to tell them, “naw, it’s J-Rock”.
One thing I noticed at the Chargers game was that Abraham was trying to be a more vocal leader like he said he would in the article the other day. He spent a few minutes chewing out the rest of the defense after that long screen pass that led to the touchdown.
lynn candy cain
August 31st, 2009
11:22 am
man i hope our offense stays on the field for looonnnggg drives, cuz our D is awful…plain and simple..
Deborah
August 31st, 2009
12:08 pm
I am tired of hearing that Grimes is too short and Houston doesn’t have the mental capacity to play. Do you so called fans ever have anything nice to say? I would think the coaches are aware of what needs to be done and it will be taken care of, but you house coaches need to keep your hurtful comments to yourself.
Philliephanphorliphe
August 31st, 2009
12:37 pm
So this J-rock fellow is solid as a rock but has a banged up knee? Seems like he needs a new nick name. J-Aircast
YUP!!
August 31st, 2009
1:45 pm
Some of ya’ll need some cheeze with your whine.
Joey Harrington
August 31st, 2009
2:00 pm
Exclusive: Favre, Vick At Top Of Jersey List
Published: Monday, 31 Aug 2009 | 12:16 PM ET Text Size By: Darren Rovell
Sports Business Reporter
Perhaps the most interesting jersey sales list of all time has hit our desk at CNBC. It’s the NFLShop.com’s best selling jersey list from April 1-August 28.
Brett Favre Vikings jerseys now top the list at No. 1, even though the jerseys only became available when Favre signed with the team a couple weeks ago.
And despite being passed over by big retailer Dick’s Sporting Goods DICKS SPORTING GOODS INCDKS
22.21 -0.60 -2.63% NYSE
Quote | Chart | News | Profile
[DKS 22.21 -0.60 (-2.63%) ], Michael Vick’s Philadelphia Eagles jerseys sold well enough to make their debut at No. 4.
Also of interest is the fact that Michael Crabtree jerseys are in the top 20 even though the Texas Tech wide receiver is still holding out.
Here’s the entire list from sales on NFLShop.com from the NFL’s first four months of the fiscal year.
1. Brett Favre, Vikings
2. Jay Cutler, Bears
3. Troy Polamalu, Steelers
4. Michael Vick, Eagles
5. Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers
6. Tony Romo, Cowboys
7. Mark Sanchez, Jets
8. Tom Brady, Patriots
9. Adrian Peterson, Vikings
10. Eli Manning, Giants
11. Terrell Owens, Bills
12. Peyton Manning, Colts
13. Hines Ward, Steelers
14. LaDainian Tomlinson, Chargers
15. Jason Witten, Cowboys
16. Larry Fitzgerald, Cardinals
17. Joe Flacco, Ravens
18. Matt Ryan, Falcons
19. Aaron Rodgers, Packers
20. Michael Crabtree, 49ers
Hmmmmm………Vick is ahead of:
Mannings
Brady
Romo
Roethlinberger….
Matty Ice way down at #18 – that sucks
oldbrave
August 31st, 2009
2:03 pm
guys lighten up it was a freaking preseason game
FAN OF FALCONS SORRY
August 31st, 2009
3:23 pm
THE FALCONS ARE TERIBLE! SAN DEIGO BEAT THEM ALMOST AS BAD AS THE EAGELS WILL WHEN THE KING RETURN TO THE DOME! AUTHUR BLANKS IS SCAIRED OF MV7! THE FALCONS ARE SORRY!
over here
August 31st, 2009
4:02 pm
saw the game your BD’s look like the saints db’s of last year,an they were 8-8 so get ready,8-8 for the dirty birds if your lucky,teams have game film on your 2nd year coach too.roddy white back to his normal self dropping passes again,you had fun last year last back to the norm for the ATL
JG
August 31st, 2009
4:57 pm
Ok,
I am not sure what people are watching,
But Kroy Bierman is around the ball on every play. For a sixth or seventh rounder the guy plays his heart out. I would Play him over Jamal and rotate him with Davis, Sidbury and Abraham. The Guy has a motor and doesnt stop.. Our defensive line will be fine, I can already see Peria improve, he got in the Back field a bunch of times.
Phillup Rivers is a Pro Bowler and did a great job of handling the ball.
But we made it easy for him with our corners. Houston has been getting burnt for Three Years now. The Ball practically hits the back of his Helmet everytime and he never turns around because he is playing catch up. Grimes is a scrapper but too small. If they are gonna get beat let’s get Owens in there and get him same gametime experience..
Chevis is a dissapointment he showed so much potental in the Dime and Nickel and really hasn’t stepped up..
Dont Hate Bierman his sack totals doubled Jamal Andersons when you compare there rookie seasons.. Remember he was a rookie last year, He will only improve and he is a back up.
oscar capello
August 31st, 2009
9:54 pm
Falcons corners sucked big time one suggestion to TD, place a call to Pac-man Jones, he wouldn’t be any worse than Houston and Grimes will come on the cheap too and wants to show that his a changed man after sitting out for a while.