Falcons’ secondary makes “progress”
D. J. Shockley (left) and John Parker Wilson (right) could both end up sticking with the Falcons. But one will have to end up on the practice squad. (CURTIS COMPTON/AJC)
In wake of another porous performance by the first team defense, the team was bending over backwards to make a point about the “progress” they made against Baltimore from the San Diego game.
Defensive backs Brent Grimes, Chris Houston and Erik Coleman all mentioned the “P” word after the game.
Head coach Mike Smith is apparently talking a “baby steps” approach
Chris Redman, Wilson and Shockley. (CURTIS COMPTON/AJC).
with the young defense. You know, the you’ve got be able to walk before you can run, type stuff.
“I saw some very good things,” Smith said. “I thought we played the run, for the most part, extremely well. I thought we showed improvement in terms of third down efficiency. Even though it’s not where we want it to be. We improved from the previous week. We were able to put pressure on the quarterback.”
The Falcons did get four sacks.
JERRY STOUT: Rookie Peria Jerry made his second straight start.
“Peria did a nice job,” Smith said. “Peria has just continued to get better and better. His play has improved.”
Former North Gwinnett Bulldog Jason Cook scored against the Falcons. (CURTIS COMPTON/AJC).
THE SECONDARY BLUES: Looks like the Falcons have to play a bunch of zone defenses again this year. The defensive backs just didn’t hold up in man-to-man coverage in the preseason.
“I think they improved from the San Diego game,” Smith said. “I think there is room for improvement. I think that after that first drive, we had the pass interference penalty in that first drive, we went out and had four three-and-outs after that. I thought we played some good defense. We only allowed 4 yards on the next four Ravens series. Four net yards. That’s a positive.”
BEIRMANN SHOWS UP: Defensive end Kroy Biermann had one of the sacks and apparently will get the first shot at the designated passer role in what will likely be a six-player rotate on the defensive line behind John Abraham and Jonathan Babineaux.
“We are still working on a lot things,” Biermann said. “We are still becoming a team, working to unite and be good. We had some good stuff on the run, some good stuff on the pass. But we definitely need to keep working and keep getting better.”
The Falcons want to be an aggressive, risk taking unit. If the pass rush can get home, the corners won’t be in coverage for that long.
“That’s the kind of defense we are working to be, a get-after-them defense,” Biermann said. “Run you down and then hit you. Get after you. We were aggressive and we will continue to be aggressive.”
Tye Hill (left) talking to Erik Coleman on the sidelines. Hill should be able to help in the secondary. (CURTIS COMPTON/AJC)
RYAN LIKED TUNE-UP: Quarterback Matt Ryan felt the offense had a productive preseason.
“Offensively, I think that we’ve done some things well,” Ryan said. “\We’ve tried some new things in the preseason which I think will carry into the regular season. Individually, I think guys have gotten better.”
But the big question is can the offense become a high-octane unit, while the young defense is working things out.
“We were able to score some points and move the ball offensively over the preseason,” Ryan said. “But again that’s the preseason, again it’s all about what we do from here on out. Our focus is to prepare for the Miami Dolphins and score as many points as we need to win.”
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86 comments Add your comment
icndark
September 5th, 2009
4:48 pm
Panic! Panic! Panic!
Where’s the cut list?!
Oh My!
Chillax!
Chicken littles!
Geez!
Unca' Bob
September 5th, 2009
5:03 pm
icndark,
Get a grip. the actual time is 6:00. In my best Elmer Fudd, what a Moroon.
Dennis
September 5th, 2009
5:31 pm
Grimes must have some pictures of somebody they don’t want out…
The offense will have to score about 93 PPG to win.
richbrave
September 5th, 2009
9:57 pm
Unca’ Bob:
As best I remember that was BUGS BUNNY.
sportaree
September 5th, 2009
10:19 pm
After reading all this mess, I see some of that schism stuff starting to happen with you good fans. Many of you have a good feel for the game sadly some of you do not. Progress is a word that means “to move forward”. Don’t worry boys and girls, this team will be just fine.
Take Good With Bad
September 5th, 2009
11:48 pm
Be patient with the short guys a decent pass rush will solidify that weakness until help arrives or until sombody plays taller LISTEN UP COACH /PASS RUSH/AND ZONE DEFENSE.LISTEN UP MY FELLOW FALCON FAN THAT DONT KNOW HOW TO GIVE THIS SHORT REBUILDING PROCESS TO MATURE I HAVE GIVEN YOU A NEW NAME FALCONS BANDWAGON JUMPERS (2009) so keep on crying we TRUE FALCONS WILL CALL TOU ALL OUT.
truth serum
September 6th, 2009
12:36 am
I am the king of bible verses. If I could just find my old dusty version of the book of Koran. It has to be around here somewhere.
tbhawksfan
September 6th, 2009
3:38 am
One of the problems is that everyone seems to be taking the past season for granted. The Falcons over-achieved last season, they are still in their new regime re-building process and it’s foolish to base the team on last years results. Are we an 11-5 team right now? The team is progressing, it takes time. Success is reaching and maintaining a high level.
Let the guys do their job and enjoy the entertainment.
Chaos
September 6th, 2009
4:44 am
Take good with bad said it best, all u fake fans need to go! The season is new everyone is tied and we have as much chance at winning it all as anyone, damn what the so called experts say. Anyway what I will be rooting for frist this year is to beat that “back to back” winning season thing. Anything after that will be great. You see I’m a real fan and I love my falcons win or loose, because I was born in the ATL! Fair weather fans, take a hike!
Farmer
September 6th, 2009
11:00 am
TD needs to trade for a top CB now. That will fix the entire secondary. Give him Duanta Robinson’s digits. JA give me your ex’s digits!
OldFan
September 6th, 2009
12:30 pm
At this time last year our offense was “progressing” but I remember thinking, “Wow, these guys are just a notch off”. It looked like they just needed more time to gel.
I admit, I am no expert but I have not gotten that same warm and fuzzy feeling while watching the defense this preseason. Defense seems a lot harder to evaluate. So, I am waiting until after the 1st real game to make up my mind this year.
I MUS WRITE
September 6th, 2009
4:29 pm
Come on Kurt what exactly did jpw do to earn the spot….He played well for a rookie but his performance and Shockley’s mirror each other which is why he got the job over DJ. After 3 years i thought DJ would be better but he still looks like a rook. JPW throws a nice ball and seems to “git it” I believe he will be Matt’s back up and we can finally say gud bye to Redman…….
Houston and grimes are Charles Dimry all over again, I thought owens would be better than he is -he looks lost out there ala Houston……….. Hill should by week2 or so now all we have to do is get mccalister under contract.
Props to the bruise brothas JERRY and The Beirrman….. Jamal Who hahahahahah- he needs to be rotated at UT- i think Biermann get atleast 8 sacks this year and Jerry maybe 5….. Did i mention i hat JA98, as a matter of fact he should give his number to Bierrman that 71 is horrible. Go Birds lets kick sum Dolphin azz nex week AYYYYYYEEE!!!!!!
Big Ray
September 6th, 2009
9:26 pm
I’m not too surprised about Shockley getting cut. To be fair, I think he was victimized by a number of dropped passes, but as IMUS put it, the guy never looked better than Wilson. In fact, Wilson looked better than I thought he would. I figured he’d get cut and if Shockley stayed healthy, he’d have the spot all sewn up, maybe even be second string. But it was not to be.
I thought Robert Ferguson would get the nod over Marty Booker. Wrong again. And lastly, I figured Vance Walker would hang on to a spot. But I guess not. The good thing is that our defensive line guys are growing fairly rapidly. I have no idea what will become of Jamal Anderson. I know this: Kroy Bierrman looks better than both Anderson and Davis. Wow. I can’t wait to see what he and Sidbury look like in a couple of years…
By the way, did anybody catch that preseason game between the Dolphins and the Saints? Those sorry Saints couldn’t score until the 4th quarter. Gee, I guess they’ll go 4-12 for the season….heh heh heh…
Big Ray
September 6th, 2009
9:33 pm
NFL.com has an article by Vic Carucci that talks about five NFL teams that might need to be in panic mode. The Tampa Bay Bucs are on the list. The Falcons aren’t. ‘Nuff said.
Big Ray
September 6th, 2009
9:38 pm
Latest news :
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — The Atlanta Falcons today agreed to terms with defensive back Brian Williams.
Williams, 5-11, 202 pounds, enters his eighth season in the NFL having previously played with the Minnesota Vikings (2002-05) and Jacksonville Jaguars (2006-08). In 107 career games (93 starts), he has totaled 484 tackles (387 solo) 18 interceptions, four sacks, nine forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and 94 passes defensed.
Last season, Williams started all 16 games and compiled 89 tackles and two interceptions while adding seven passes defensed.
“Brian Williams is a veteran player who gives us versatility in the secondary with the ability to play both cornerback and safety,” said Falcons General Manger Thomas Dimitroff. “Adding Brian to our roster is consistent with our plan to improve our team when the opportunity presents itself.”
In 2007, Williams started opposite to Rashean Mathis and led the Jaguars with 14 passes defensed while setting a team record with an interception in three consecutive games. His best statistical year came in 2003 where he collared 80 tackles, five interceptions for 205 return yards, three sacks and 20 passes defensed.
Sounds like a good pick up to me. See? Dimitroff is NOT an idiot.
Big Ray
September 6th, 2009
10:00 pm
Kind of hated to see Thomas Brown cut. I liked that guy’s running style.
Eric C.
September 6th, 2009
10:50 pm
Why didn’t JAX keep Williams?
E43
September 6th, 2009
11:31 pm
Take Good With Bad- i broke it down coz ive already had to fight with folk about why this and why that… FALCONS BANDWAGON JUMPERS (2009)? call me what you want but ive been here and i aint going nowhere…
Falcon 8211
September 7th, 2009
9:21 am
I had faith in TD. Williams should be a good pick-up. instant starter. Eric C. williams would not lower his salary for the jags. HE already knows smitty system should be ready for miami. i’m with u e43 we do not want bandwagon people just us diehards.
"Class of 80"
September 7th, 2009
9:35 am
Enter your comments here
Joe Profit #23
September 7th, 2009
9:44 am
sorry, new at this and just wanted to throw in a short comment to the naysayers.
it was the preseason…throw it out…totally vanilla defense with many experiments on the d-line. the real falcons take the field sunday.
i’ll take third and 15, 18 and 24 yards to go any day during the regular season. TD and CS haven’t shown you what’s coming on the “D” until game one.
it’s not going to be nearly as bad as most are complaining about.
Miami, coming off an 11-5 mark will be the first to find out what it feels like to be pressured…FINALLY!
Falcons will come out on top and miami won’t be scoring more than 24 in the first of many falcon wins.
this also coming from a fane since 66 when i first moved to the ATL.
we are fine and will only get better as the season progresses…
leo
September 7th, 2009
11:42 am
Enter your comments here Last year I predicted 10 wins and you all laughed real loud (rookie quarterback), This year Dimtrov did nothing, zip, nada, nothing to help the secondary. Let veterans go, for the worst secondary I’ve ever seen. I am writting this year off. 7-9. See ya next year.
leo
September 7th, 2009
11:42 am
Enter your comments here
Barry
September 7th, 2009
1:25 pm
Hey Y’all:
Don’t panic. These Falcons, on defense, especially in the secondary, are getting in “ONE HEARTBEAT!!!” mode. When they do, I say by the 5th game, the leauge have better watch out for these “YOUNG GUNS”. AS Coach Smith says, “THE PROCESS” is at work. Therefore, let’s just sit back and watch this team continue to grow into an absolute “WINNER!”
THIS IS GOING TO BE A FUN AND EXCITING SEASON WATCHING THE YOUNG GUYS AND NEW PLAYERS TURN INTO “ONE HEARTBEAT!!” I can hear it now: “THUMP!! THUMP!! THUMP!! THUMP!!! The “PROCESS” continues.
NOW, ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL!!!??????
GO FALCONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is a SECRET from a FALCON FAN. TELL EVERYBODY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
…………………………..ONE HEARTBEAT, BABY!!!……………
Alan
September 7th, 2009
6:14 pm
Leo, when you come up for air at the end of the season let me know how it felt to live in nay sayers land and not the real world.
E43
September 7th, 2009
7:17 pm
BARRY. i like your mentality… we need more like u at games…
craig
September 7th, 2009
10:00 pm
i bet all you guys who are doubtin the falcs also said that atlanta would go 5-11 last year and you see what happened so all im saying is why predict when you do not even know whats going to happen yet.
Big Ray
September 8th, 2009
12:57 am
E43,
I’m with you. Falcon faithful to the end. Haters beware. That sticky stuff on your teeth and that bad taste in your mouth after predicting a Falcon demise last year? Oh yeah, you’ll be having the same problem this year. I hope you’re hungry…
Big Ray
September 8th, 2009
1:00 am
Craig,
They are straight up fools. They can’t explain how ol’ “Noodle Arm” helped this team that was supposed to go winless to 11 wins. They hate it so bad, it makes their little nappy heads hurt. After watching a supposedly weak team with no chance, they are willing to stick their little pencil peckers on the line again and say we’re going to lose. It’s so funny, I’m about to crack a rib from laughing.
Where’s Big Sleazy830? The Saints got their blocks knocked off by the Dolphins in preseason. “Back to Life, Back to Reality”….blah, blah, f’in blah…
Big Ray
September 8th, 2009
1:01 am
Leo,
Good. Do us a favor and take BigSleazy830, Falcons Sorry, Bad News, and the rest of Jerry’s Kids with you.
Ken Strickland
September 8th, 2009
9:28 am
JOE PROFIT#23-I don’t know if you’re the real Joe Profit, but you definitely know football and what to expect during preseason. That’s more that a lot of our fans who are already in panic mode and ready to jump off the bandwagon can say. I’ve gotten a lot of flack from fans for saying our secondary will be fine, CB CHouston will be fine, DE JAnderson won’t cause us to lose any gms and preseason is not an indication of things to come.
BIG RAY-have you noticed how BIGSLEAZY69 and all of his other simular personalities make constant references about MRyan having a weak arm and JFlacco having a cannon? Yet, they avoid mentioning that MRyan and his weak arm outperformed JFlacco in every passing category, and he did it without the benefit of a pass catching TE. MRyan, not JFlacco, won ROY honors and a Probowl selection as an alternate. Yet, these/this fool(s) are all totally focused on something as trivial and subjective as perceived arm strength and using that, and that alone, to judge the 2 QB’s. I guess when you don’t have much to work with, you do what you can. Oh, by the way, isn’t it about time for these clowns to start designing those paper bags that’s become so popular and necessary for anyone that’s a Saints fan? Or do they plan on going nogsalgic and wearing the same ones they wore last yr? IT REALLY DOESN’T MATTER, IDIOTS CHOICE.
BIGSLEAZY830(and all of your imaginary friends)-while you’re putting down the Falcons and QB MRyan, please answer this question. HOW CAN A TEAM THAT HAD THE #1 RATED OVERALL OFF, THE #1 RATED PASSING OFF, THE 2009 STARTING(STRONG ARMED)PROBOWL QB, FINISH LAST IN THE DIVISION AND MANAGE ONLY 8 WINS? Back to life, back to reality, heh, heh, heh.
Mannin the Mirror
September 8th, 2009
10:28 am
@Big Ray: Your true colors are showin… not a pretty sight.
WHAT THE.......!!
September 8th, 2009
10:43 am
I DIDN’T KNOW YOU COULD SCOUT DB’S AND CB’S FROM MUNCHKIN LAND! OUR SECONDARY IS TOO SHORT! THE AVERAGE WIDE OUT IN THE LEAGUE IS SIX FEET PLUS. THE TALLEST MAN IN OUR SECONDARY IS 5-11. AND SOMEONE PLEASE TELL ME WHY J-ANDERSON IS STILL A FALCON? I STILL HAVE FAITH IN MY COONS THOUGH. AND THEY NEVER REALLY GAVE SHOCKLEY A REAL CHANCE. BUT HE ALSO THROWS TOO HARD.
Ken Strickland
September 8th, 2009
11:59 am
BIG RAY-Have you noticed how BIGSLEAZY69 and his imaginary friends consistently focus on the alledged advantage QB JFlacco has in arm strength and the fact Flacco won a playoff gm? Have you also noticed how they go out of their way to avoid comparing any individual awards the 2 QB’s have received, or their individual stats? There’s a very good reasoon for that, and it’s because MRyan, not JFlacco, received ROY and Probowl honors and his individual stats are better in every category.
I’d like to ask BIGSLEAZY AND HIS FRIENDS 2 questions. (1) HOW CAN A TEAM THAT LEAD THE NFL IN TOTAL OFF, HAVE THE 2009 STARTING(STRONG ARMED) PROBOWL QB, FINISH LAST IN THEIR DIVISION AND WIN ONLY 8 GMS?
(2) DO ANY OF YOU CLOWNS PLAN TO DESIGN NEW BAGS TO HIDE YOU FACES FOR THE UPCOMING SEASON, WHICH SEEMS TO BE A NEW ORLEAN SAINTS TRADITION, OR WILL YOU GO NOSTALGIC AND WEAR THE SAME ONES YOU WORE LAST YR? HEH, HEH, HEH.
Ken Strickland
September 8th, 2009
12:13 pm
JOE PROFIT#23-I don’t know if you’re the real Joe Profit, but you certainly do have a solid grasp on preseason and it’s effect on the Falcons. I’ve tried to tell those fans who are in panic mode that this was an evaluation process and our coaches were trying to find out what we can and cannot do well and who they can count on to get it done. Well, I’ve received a lot of flack from those who like to spend their time pointing fingers and blaming everyone and everything in an attempt to justify their personal insecurities. At any rate, welcome aboard.
Big Ray
September 8th, 2009
10:30 pm
Maninthemirror (gee, I couldn’t imagine who you might be),
You don’t like what you see, then stop looking. Stop following me, stop stalking, and stop posting as me. And buy a concordance so that when you read your bible and pretend to be what you clearly aren’t, at least this time you’ll understand the words.
Ken Strickland,
Some people just won’t quit. They’re sick, or something. No cure for that sh!t either, apparently. I guess being intelligent is a curse. For some reason, it makes some people automatically assume you’re white or something. Weird….
Yeah, I notice our resident naysayers are what you call statisticians of convenience. They’ll conveniently throw out stats that see to bolster their argument, but are in fact somewhat misleading. And they’ll conveniently leave out stats that damage their argument. Pretty transparent. Kinda like truth serum. Heh…