5 things the Falcons need to fix over the bye week
Pro Bowler Roddy White has been working underneath a lot. Do the Falcons need to send him deep more often? (Brian Williams/AP)
IN THE AIR ON THE WAY TO HARTSFIELD-JACKSON — It seems like there is never a good time for the bye week.
But the fourth week of the season is too early.
The Falcons get to stew for two weeks before heading out to San Francisco to face the upstart 49ers.
Here are five things the Falcons need to fix over the bye week. (We’ll get the official list when Coach Mike Smith speaks later today. But for now, we can start with my list!)
1. Find the running game: Pro Bowl running back Michael Turner has rushed for 65, 105 and 56 yards. Miami
Pro Bowler Michael Turner has 65 carries for 220 yards (3.5 per carry). (Brian Williams/AP)
and Carolina targeted Turner, but New England did a good job of playing keep-away in the third quarter. When the Falcons did get the ball for a second time in the second half, they were down two scores and needed to pass. Don’t know if the holes are not there or if “The Burner” is not hitting the holes fast enough. But that’s something the Falcons need to sync up quickly.
2. Solidify the run defense: After the bye, the Falcons will see Frank Gore, Matt Forte, Felix Jones and Marion Barber over the next three games. They will need to get much stiffer against the run. Trey Lewis had a rough day in his first action since suffering a knee injury in 2007. On Fred Taylor’s 8-yard touchdown run, Lewis didn’t hold the point of attack and was pushed back several yards by New England center Dan Koppen and guard Stephen Neal.
3. Get the pass rush cranked back up: The defensive line has been shut out in the sack department over the last two games. They need to dial it back up. John Abraham and Kroy Biermann had two sacks in the opener. Linebacker Stephen Nicholas has the only other sack. If they find out the line can’t get home, then blitz more. Safeties Erik Coleman and Thomas DeCoud had good blitzes in each of the last two games. Nicholas can get home, too. Corners would be left in coverage more, but at least they’d be taking the fight to the opposition. .
Cornerback Brian Williams kept a Randy Moss TD off the board here. (Brian Williams/AP).
4. Find out if Tye Hill can help: By the time the Falcons play again, it will have been five weeks since the trade with St. Louis for Tye Hill. That’s plenty of time for him to get acclimated in the “system.” Doesn’t seem like it should be that hard. Although, Chris Houston, Brian Williams and Brent Grimes have been solid, it’s time to find out if Hill can help. If he can cover man-to-man, then the Falcons would be able to unleash more blitzes.
5. Get Roddy White the ball down the field: The Falcons have to take more shots down the field. White has been regulated to underneath possession receiver through three games. A few more shots will get folks out of the box, too. If White and Michael Jenkins are streaking up the sidelines and Tony Gonzalez roaring down the middle seam, one of them will be open. White has seen 26 passes come his way. He’s caught 15 for 119 yards (7.9 yards per catch). His longest catch of the year went for 17 yards.
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243 comments Add your comment
NFL GAME PLAN
September 28th, 2009
7:38 pm
Frank Wren
Sure after your sister give me my 5 bucks back
Sautee
September 28th, 2009
7:39 pm
Mr. Hughes,
about this: “Houston is not playing poorly.”
Houston DID indeed make two good plays that helped save the game.
But, before that, he lost contain on 3 different running plays. All he has to do is make the runner go inside. Just hold his spot. That’s HIS responsibility. But he wanted to be a hero so he lunged inside and lost contain. Three times. Two for first downs.
No excuse for that. THAT was the “poor” part.
Matt "Never going to win a playoff game" Ryan is a BUSTTTTTTTTT
September 28th, 2009
7:42 pm
Time to list that scrub right between Joey Harrington & Ryan Leaf
BUSTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT
t larry
September 28th, 2009
7:42 pm
You guys are depressing. Were not going to win 16 games. We played New England at home.
The falcons will be fine this year, so don’t jump off the band wagon just yet.
I could use some humor about now, so bring back FALCONS SORRY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
D.Ellis
September 28th, 2009
8:02 pm
Ryan is good to go. He is a very good QB. Have to get Roddy more involved. Need to be creative to get him the ball…..reverse/WR screen? anything like that. Hey we got beat by a better team. They outplayed us. Outcoached us. And it showed. Tip your hat and take hte off week to get ready for the next one. Come out blazin and go to 3-1.
AS far as the 72 million doallr bust comment that is last year old…..I would call the #1 pick in the draft…..being banded from the league for 2 years….to relative backup behind a 3rd round pick Kevin Kolb a bust.
Oh and you gotta hand it to Flacco…..dude has been playing lights out!
Falcons are a very good team that the ceiling is very high for improvement. Young RB/Young D/Young QB/YoungWR. Ceiling is high.
GO Falcons
D. ELLIS IS GOING TO CRY.....BOO HOO HOO
September 28th, 2009
8:14 pm
Webster’s dictionary definition of “bust”:
“A failure; a flop”
Therefore, if you can’t win playoff games (meaningful games), you are a failure: a flop, please refer to Websters
Sautee
September 28th, 2009
8:22 pm
Joe Montana, the best QB ever, with the most championships, lost SEVEN playoff games.
I guess he’s a seven time bust.
Nice logic.
D.Ellis
September 28th, 2009
8:25 pm
from #1 pick in the NFL draft….to backing up Kevin Kolb….to 0-2 passing with 7 rushing yards……..I’ll cry all right Bad New/VS2……cry tears cause I’m laughing my behind off.
“the inventor of the wildcat” hahahahahahahhahahaha
Matt "Never going to win a playoff game" Ryan is a BUSTTTTTTTTT
September 28th, 2009
9:17 pm
3-6 Career Road Record
No playoff wins
2004 & counting
BUSTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT
geno
September 28th, 2009
10:02 pm
the falcons season and future was lost when they got gonzales…..ALL PRO TIGHT ENDS DONT WIN CHAMPIONSHIPS….(Heap, crumpler, whitten, gates)…Wide recievers win championships…(ward, Buress, moss, harrison, etc)….the great coaches know this little secret( Bellichek, coughlin, cowher) …average coaches never learn (phillips, mora, reeves, and smith…………sorry folks, but thats reality.
The Fix
September 28th, 2009
10:36 pm
Decoud’s stone hands hurt us this game. You got to catch those picks. Need to work on Defence hands too.
Thomas
September 28th, 2009
11:26 pm
The Fumble by The Burner changed everything, plus that bogus call on Jenkins killed us. The replay show that the DB was hooking Jenkins arm, and so that should never have been called. The Oline is not getting off the ball like they did last year, therefore it appears that turner is not hitting the hole quick enough. Our Draft picks this year may be as bad as last years picks were good.
Fin
September 28th, 2009
11:27 pm
Man…it’s scary! All these “coaches” here saying what needs to be done, who to blame etc. If you expected the Falcons to go undefeated, then you need some serious counseling. We lost to a better team..it happens in the NFL from time to time. Let’s all relax! We have the bye week to get some people healthy so they can be out there on the field when we play the 49ers in two weeks. Looks like they will be without Frank Gore who is reportedly going to be out a minimum of three weeks.
If VanGorder doesn’t make it, why not get John Fox as a potential defensive coordinator replacement. Doesn’t look like he is going to make it through the season with Carolina and then he can focus on just defense.
To everyone who keeps dogging out Roddy. How many passes did he drop. I remember the one where he fell coming out of the break and maybe one other.
Let’s keep in mind, we are undefeated in the division and that’s the most important record to look at right now. It’s only 3 games into the season…everyone needs to take a breath!
Boo Boo
September 28th, 2009
11:59 pm
The results are now in. The Atlanta Falcons have beaten two teams with a combined 0-6 record. How many more losers (after the second Carolina game) are left on the schedule?
E43
September 29th, 2009
3:46 am
some of you are making pointless arguments and singling out people so ill just put down some stats pros+maybe cons
DEFENSE
ypg2008 24th 2009 24th despite loosing milloy foxworth brooking boley grady etc
pas2008 21st 2009 22nd
run 2008 25th 2009 24th
OFFENSE
ypg2008 6th 2009 23rd
pas200814th2009 16th
run2008 2nd 2009 23rd not good turners coming out weak, so is norwood but he lacks curries on tge flip side he almost had 100yds rec.expect improvement. this dont really mean anything if were winning.
yes some of the teams we play are poor this year but they aren’t exactly the lions/raiders/rams
GEEZER FROM AUGUSTA
September 29th, 2009
7:59 am
Is it me or does Turner the burner look slower than molasses? Sure he had 105 yards against Carolina but 28 carries to to get there. Heres hoping the real burner will be better and back for SF in 2 wks! GO JN!!!
Sautee
September 29th, 2009
10:32 am
geno,
“ALL PRO TIGHT ENDS DONT WIN CHAMPIONSHIPS…”
Yeah, right. Tell it to Mike Ditka, John Mackey and Dave Casper.
Barry
September 29th, 2009
10:47 am
Hey Y’all:
Like Orlando ledbetter, here is what I saw Sunday and that needs improvement.
1. RUNNING GAME.
When Turners has the ball, it appears he is “tipping” through the holes. He is not “blasting” through the holes with authority, looking to hurt somebody, like he did last year. I hope he is not getting soft on us. Come on baby, you know you can run better than what you have been doing.
2. PASSING ATTACK
Where the heck is the down field passing? I do not care if they are defending it. Attack the defense anyway. Make them play the game. The worst we can get is a pass interference against the defensive guy trying to stop the pass. We have great receivers. Do not underestimate them. Let them earn their keep by making plays on the ball, and the quarterback making plays throwing accurate passes. CHALLENGE THE DEFENSE. We played too “PASSIVE” offensive football Sunday. The Patriots were lousy. We should have killed them in the passing game. We gave them that game.
3. DEFENSIVE LINE
Since the season started, I watched the defensive line. They appear to be caught up in individual battles with the oppositions offensive linemen, too long. Many times they are standing fighting the line men while the running backs run right pass them. They appear to be not looking into the backfield while they are fighting their man. They have to pay more attention to activities in the backfield while they are pushing and fighting their man. STOP THE INDIVIDUALS BATTLES. The offensive lineman have suckered you into helping them keep you out of the play. LOOK INTO THE BACKFIELD MORE WHILE YOU ARE FIGHTING YOUR MAN SO THAT YOU CAN MAKE A PLAY ON THE QUARTERBACK AND RUNNINGBACK MORE EFFECTIVELY!!!
4. SECONDARY
The secondary is getting stronger and stronger each week. They are starting to look good. The young guys are getting into their groove. They are starting to play with a little “SAWAG” and confidence. I can wait to see them bu week 5. I believe they will be our strength coming down the stretch.
5. SPECIAL TEAMS
Good as always. We are going to breal a punt or kick off fro a touchdown real soon.
Thsis is my assessment of what we, the Falcons need to do to tune up our heart to get into “ONE HEARTBEAT!” mode. Minor adjustment to clear out our heart valve and we will be just fine after the bye week. As I said before, by weeek 5, we should be clicking on all cyclinders. And that is no joke. These guys are “JELLLING”. They are together as the “PROCESS” continues. They are “JELLING” in “ONE HEARTBEAT!!”. This thing is just getting started!!!!
GO FALCONS!! IMPROVE DURING THE BYE WEEK IN “ONE HEARTBEAT!!” We are down with you. LET’S DO THIS!!
SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is a SECRET from a FALCON FAN. TELL EVERYBODY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
…………………………”ONE HEARTBEAT, BABY!!……………..
GregT
September 29th, 2009
2:43 pm
The Falcons got outplayed and outcoached in every phase of the game against NE. I don’t know what’s wrong with Turner. It seems like he has lost a step. They need Norwood back. Roddy has to quit dropping passes. The defense is a disaster. Jamal Anderson does nothing except get called for roughing the passer, giving NE a first down. Randy Moss abused our short cornerbacks. DeCoud has hands of stone. He had a couple of sure interceptions hit him right in the hands. The only thing that kept the Falcons in the game was the fact that Brady was a little off with his passing. Otherwise, it would have been 42-10. Falcons do not look like a play-off team, right now.
Laser
September 29th, 2009
6:22 pm
The big difference in the game was the pats throw to their Fall of fame receiver randy Moss 20 times, The stupid falcons only threw to their
Hall of fame TE Tony G once, late in the 4th Qtr.How stupid can you be ?
tim
September 29th, 2009
7:36 pm
BLITZ! BLITZ! BLITZ!
Jock from collegepark
September 29th, 2009
7:37 pm
I really want to say is that it is good to see so many fans that acually know football. Too many times I’ve read comments from people who apparently never experienced any aspect of playing the sport.
westside j
September 29th, 2009
9:47 pm
Enter your comments here
westside j
September 29th, 2009
9:51 pm
Enter your comments here
good job fbd. Marion B.
thats funny. if 20 is has such great ability let him go perform in the circus. play c. jackson
Brian Jones
September 29th, 2009
10:22 pm
I would like to see a three wide out set with gonzo at the traditional T.E. spot hitting the middle seam routes.Roddy and Mike going deep post and B-Fin hitting the middle fly.Do this a couple of times and it would be assured the safeties and corners and at least one D backer would pull off and open up some routes for Turner.
neil cullinan
September 29th, 2009
10:26 pm
Enter your comments here
When you lose your #1 draft pick(who was selected to ’stuff’ the run and pressure quarterbacks, the team is not going to be able to fix the problem……..The Brain Trust’ recognized the need for a run stuffer who could also pressure the Quarterback ‘last’ season which is why they drafted Jerry.
Jerry was a very risky pick precisely b/c of his history of knee problems. But the Falcons felt they had no choice. They took the chance on Jerry b/c the team need was so great…..and now our #1 pick is lost for the season to a knee injury.
I fear the Falcons have suffered a near ‘death blow’…Every opponent will quickly recognize the obvious: the Falcons cannot handle the run……nor can they pressure the quarterback from the inside..
With the loss of Jerry, we are suddenly looking like a very mediocre team. I fear 2009 will quickly become a ‘very’ long season….
E.K.
September 29th, 2009
10:38 pm
NO thomas decoud was horrible, u dont drop 2 ints and get praised for it. thats unacceptable. we need playmakers on defense and a ninja blitz package. and better play calling. JA98 sucks he hit brady as if brady was a brick wall. lol put sidbury in PLEASE.
No. Ga. bob
September 29th, 2009
10:46 pm
Enter your comments here There are a lot of goof blogs here that will probably never get read by anyone with the Falcons. So here’s my wasted words…..ONLY ONE CATCH for GONZALES!!!!!! From what I saw that was the only time Ryan went to him and he got it. I thought that among other things that he was to be a dIversion to get TURNER FREE. SOMEBODY IS NOT COACHING. He not only could have done that but he also would have had more catches.
Slide Rule
September 29th, 2009
11:16 pm
As to Turner’s “not hitting the hole fast”, a guy named Jim Brown wasn’t rally known for his quickness, and he often looked like he was skating, rather than picking his feet up when he ran. Greatest power back I’ve ever seen by far. Played 9 years in the NFL and led the league in in rushing in 8 of them.
Tony L
September 30th, 2009
1:15 am
Falcons running game needs to be carefully reevaluated. Although Michael turner is considered a good running back, he is a little slow to get off with speed. The NFL defensive lines are getting speedier and to have success we need take off speed . Although once he gets moving and finds a hole or an opening, he does get good yards. He needs to be able to dodge the defensive line and be able to go side ways if he had the speed to take off and dodging ability but he does not. He is always trying to run inside where he gets in problem. We need another big name running back to compliment Michael Turner and have success with the running game.
Tony L
September 30th, 2009
1:29 am
I was disappointed by the defensive line and Abraham for not enough pressure or sacks on Brady all through the game. In fact Patriots defensive line was far more successful in applying pressure on our offensive line and Ryan. In order to have success against elite teams like patriots, the battles have to be won on the line of scrimmage and I believe we were losing that right from the start. In order to win the division we will have to win some games on the road against some of the elite teams like Patriots.
Tony L
September 30th, 2009
1:33 am
Some calls made against the Falcons were bad. I was surprised that the officials were blind not to see holding going on all through the game by Patriots against Falcons.
Carlton
September 30th, 2009
1:35 am
Enter your comments here
Lets get away from making Tony G our TOP RECEIVER. Last year we were 11-5 without him!
Both Roddy and Jenkins signed big contracts so PLEASE MATTY AND COACH SMITH, get back throwing The Duke to the receivers FIRST!!!
I love Turner, but he has been tipping around lately in the backfield.. like you know who…T.J.Duckett!
Go Harder and Punish those tackler’s with those big Jamal thighs!!!!
By the way baby,,,we are 2-1!!. CAROLINA AND TAMPA ARE 0-3…YEAH BABY!!!
NES
September 30th, 2009
2:43 am
I just watched the game on My DVR and I’m not sure if half the people posting on this blog watched the hole game. Turner was getting 4-5 yards everytime he touched the ball but people say he is tipping gimme a break. The bottom line is when you get behind you become one dimensional. Ryan, White, and Turner all looked good we just got outplayed. They made sure we didn’t have a chance to score by keeping the ball trhus keeping our offense on the sideline.
This game also was taken over by the officials. JA98 could have creamed Brady but he pulled up and they still call the penalty. Decoud should have caught both interceptions but on the second one he was interfered with.( slapped on the helmet when the ball was coming down.) Abe was held the entire game and I saw at least two block iun the backs that were not called.
And what game are the matt ryan haters watching. He completed at least three passes on a rope of more than 20 yards. He is not the problem.
Chris Houston needs to be more aggressive. B. Williams blitzes Bradsy has to get rid of it fast and Houston is playing 7 yards off the receiver. That’s easy as pie for Brady and Moss. If you Blitz jam the receiver and make it a more diffic ult throw for the QB.
Finally, we should be fine against San Fran. All we have to do is stop the run because I. Bruce won’t beat us and they have no deep threat. If we get to s. Hill we should be in great shape. And I’m Gone.
FALCON SORRY
September 30th, 2009
9:18 am
THE FALCONS ARE SHOWING THEIR TRUE COLORS- YELLOW!!!!WHAT A BUNCH OF SISSIES
THAT SHOWED UP IN NEW ENGLAND!!COACH SMITH WAS LIKE A LITTLE GIRL COACHING
HYSTERICAL THROWING THE RED FLAG LIKE A FOOL WHEN EVERYBODY IN THE STADIUM KNEW HE WOULD LOSE THE CHALLENGE.NOW THEY ARE CRYING CAUSE THEY ARE GETTING COMPLAINTS ABOUT THEIR SORRYNESS!! TAKE NOTES AUTHOR BLANK !!
YOU WILL NEVER BE LIKE NEW ENGLAND !! YOUR JUST NOT GOOD ENOUGH . LIKE HOME DEPOT WILL NEVER BE AS GOOD AS LOWES THE FALCONS WILL ALWAYS BE A SECOND CLASS FRANCHISE. YOU ALREADY TRYING TO MUZZLE THE UNHAPPY FAN BASE I SEE!!
DEC 6, YOU WILL REALLY NEED TO USE THAT FALCON FILTER!!! ON YOUR SORRY FALCON MESSAGE BOARD !!
reality
September 30th, 2009
9:25 am
Boo Boo is right . The Falcons only beat 2 winless teams.Onme of them, Carolina we barely beat
because our dummies Finneran and Grimes volleyed the ball to a Carolina player in the endzone on the hail mary. Not exactly stellar performance. The Falcons coaches and organization should man up! Censoring critics and sticking your head in the sand about your glaring weaknesses will not work. Did anyone hear Tom Brady whine about all the criticism he was receiving in New England after the first two games? And he has 3 super bowl rings! Just next time, Falcons, DON’T KISS THE RINGS !!!!!!!
Osama bin Laden
September 30th, 2009
9:30 am
What is this I hear of Atlanta Falcons censorship? Even I have no trouble getting my voice heard.
ABlank
September 30th, 2009
9:31 am
Look, I paid alot of money for this team and I’ll be dammed if I will allow you people to criticize my efforts! If you don’t like it don’t come to the games !!
George W Bush
September 30th, 2009
9:34 am
There is nothing wrong with a little censorship if it helps you achieve your goals-flushing America down the toilet.huh huh huh Freedom of speech isn.t in the 10 Commandments.
Who cares about the Constitution ?
Rev Hal
September 30th, 2009
9:35 am
I have beenj to Butte Montana. I like it in the Butte.
Robb 4242
September 30th, 2009
9:37 am
I like it in the Butte more than you Hal ! Yall come see me on the Falcons message board so we can hook up. I am a fat old girlman .
Sarah Palin
September 30th, 2009
9:39 am
I told that Arthur Blank to silence his critics. I knew he would find a use for those death panels I have been talking about. Gotta go….it’s time to take my meds.
Falcons diagnosis : sissyhomotosis
September 30th, 2009
9:44 am
The entire Falcons organization was afflicted with the terrible infection known as SISSYHOMOTOSIS. The disease causes the liver to turn yellow and its victims behave like
they are frightened and disoriented. As of yet there has been no cure found, though its hapless
victims scurry around aimlessly pretending their affliction does not exist. Quite sad.
The poor Falcons were last seen sashaying around like a bunch of girl scouts in mini skirts and heels.
Bill Bellichek
September 30th, 2009
9:46 am
Thanks guys for coming to Foxboro. We needed a bottom feeder, easy prey to right the ship.
Come back anytime you want to kiss my rings again !! ha ha ha ha ha LOSERS!!!
Bill Bellichek
September 30th, 2009
9:47 am
Oh Thomas,
you can come out from under the desk now
Bill Clinton
September 30th, 2009
9:51 am
I must say IT was real hardwatching the Falcons this week . I love me some p_ _ _ y
and there was plenty on the field Sunday.
Robb4242
September 30th, 2009
9:52 am
I am ready to come out of the closet now.
Foo Foo Falcons
September 30th, 2009
10:35 am
Falcons ballet classes start Wed. Don’t be late. You can see Michael Turnover tip toe thru the tulips
Droppy White will hold out for more tights and ballet shoes…only to drop the ballerina so as not to break a nail. Their home economics and interior design film watching are Thurs.
Both are open to the public.
Campbell's soup
September 30th, 2009
10:39 am
At Campbell’s, we are rolling out a new flavor soup. It’s called “Falcons Chicken Noodle Soup”
It is very bland with chicken, lilly liver, rice CRISPies, and lots of NOODLE arm Matt Ryan.
It will leave you feeling worn out, tired, and cowardly.
Will
September 30th, 2009
10:46 am
How about setting up the wildcat offense with Turner and Snelling in the backfield and Norwood as a 3rd or 4th wideout? That’s getting your best offensive players out on the field? And since Norwood is concussed, we could have speedy Eric Weems fit the slot until Jerious returns. That would REALLY dial up the pressure on opposing defenses!