Smith is pleased with Dunta Robinson’s play at cornerback
FLOWERY BRANCH – Falcons coach Mike Smith insisted that cornerback Dunta Robinson is fine.
But it seems like since returning from the concussion he suffered on the hit he put on Philadelphia’s DeSean Jackson that he’s been a little bit off. It might just be a matter of getting the right cleats.
In his first game back against Tampa Bay, Mike Williams scored on a 58-yard square in. Robinson said he slipped in coverage, which gave Williams enough room to turn the route up the field.
The same thing almost happened against Green Bay in the first quarter. Robinson came up on Greg Jennings and appeared to slip. He missed the tackle and Jennings turned what should have been a short gain into a 30-yarder.
Robinson plays a tough brand of corner. He comes up and smacks folks in the run/screen games. He takes playing his area with the utmost seriousness.
“Dunta is playing well,” head coach Mike Smith said. “He’s very active.”
Smith is not troubled by the plays Robinson gave up to Williams and Jennings.
“Again, when you’re playing at that corner position that’s a hot spot,” Smith said. “It’s probably the toughest position to play in the National Football League. Both of our corners are out there, you’re out there on an island.”
Robinson, who was the Falcons’ big pick up in free agency (six years, $57.5 million) has 33 tackles and no interceptions.
“I think that Dunta’s played very well,” Smith said. “The skill set that he brings is his physicality. We’re pleased with the way that he’s been playing for us. He’s a force out there at the corner position.”
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101 comments Add your comment
DR. FALCON
December 2nd, 2010
10:05 am
DESPITE COACH SMITH’S REMARKS, DUNTA ROBINSON NEEDS TO STEP UP HIS PLAY! WE MIGHT AS WELL HAVE KEPT CHRIS HOUSTON! ARE YOU KIDDING ME? NO INT’S OR SACKS, THRU 11 GAMES? THATS WHY WE SIGNED HIM WITH THAT BIG CONTRACT! TO MAKE PLAYS! LUCKILY, OUR OFFENSE IS BALL CONTROL, TO MASK OUR PROBLEMS IN THE SECONDARY! I BEG TO DIFFER, COACH SMITH DUNTA ROBINSON IS NOT FINE! WE NEED MORE PLAYS IN THE MONTH OF DECEMBER!
FrontRow
December 2nd, 2010
10:10 am
Hmmmm….so we could have gone with Chris Owen? Did you see the last TB game? Let’s see if TB can do that when #23 is on the field.
take it from me.
December 2nd, 2010
10:14 am
I thank danta is fine,and grimes plays big for a small corner,but gives up to much to the big receivers! we need a pass rush to take pressure of the corners.we should have picked peppers up when he was there for the taking,now the bears look unbeatable on defence,and could end up in the superbowl instead of the falcons…..Defence wins superbowls……i could be wrong,but that play in the GB game were we sent 8 men back to cover the pass was kind of the telling tale.
North FLA Falcon
December 2nd, 2010
10:15 am
I watched the game last night from NFL network and the thing that scares me about our defense is MISSED TACKLES. Too many whiffs, bad angles, or tackles with your hands or the shoulder. This is the “DeAngelo Hall” school of (not) tackling. Wrap the guy up!
Ueeediot
December 2nd, 2010
10:23 am
There is no stat that I know of for “number of times burned for a TD”
You can however look up and find the Falcons defense has given up 209 points overall.
Ueeediot
December 2nd, 2010
10:26 am
Front Row, thanks for refreshing my memory.
Agreed that hit changed the game…not just ours either (unfortunately).
This team has fight that I havent seen before. Even the 98 team didnt have this kind of fight in them.
FrontRow
December 2nd, 2010
10:35 am
No, the ‘98 team just beat 14 teams into submission and lost 2 blowouts.
This team seems to have every opponent measured. I am willing the bet the d-block sideline conversation during the Eagles game went a little like this: “one of you guys needs to step up and knock one of those smurfs into next week”.
I’m sorry but when little fast guys are running free, you do EXACTLY what Dunta did.
FrontRow
December 2nd, 2010
10:43 am
FYI smurf = little fast guy that lays down or runs out of bounds to avoid the big hit.
See – DeSean Jackson.
Snelling Fan
December 2nd, 2010
10:55 am
I don’t care. That hit he laid on D Jackson says it all. He is exactly the kind of guy this team needs.
waynester
December 2nd, 2010
10:55 am
I agree that the back end is still a weak spot on our Defense but lots of folks are after Lofton for failing to make what would have been a circus grab while totally ignoring the one that hit DeCoud in the chest in the 4th Quarter. That would have truly been a back breaking pick but he dropped it and STILL had the nerve to showboat because he knocked it down. All ya’ll getting after DR and Grimes and ignoring DeCoud doesn’t compute. Overall, the unit as a whole has improved but individually we still have some weak spots to address (after we win the SB, of course)….
Brian Hunt
December 2nd, 2010
10:57 am
The only thing we need to know about Robinson is that the team he left now has the worst pass defense in pro football, and the team that he plays for now is better than they were last year. The Texans are going to miss the playoffs because they can’t stop anybody. Who doesn’t think that they would like to have him back?
The problem in Atlanta is the inconsistent pass rush. We need for somebody to step up opposite Abe on the pass rush.
Reality Check
December 2nd, 2010
11:22 am
Falcons secondary vs Eagles
You know the answer.
True Falcon Fan
December 2nd, 2010
11:24 am
Good hit by Snelling also the during the first quarter early minutes of Baltimore game- Snelling “nailed” “RAYRAY”
It was beautiful too!
GO FALCONS
FrontRow
December 2nd, 2010
11:25 am
Not ignoring that one waynester just forgot about that one. So far this year, IMO, DeCoud is the weak link (and doing the most showboating). Never mind Moore dropping the kill shot in the Rams game or etc, etc, etc
So we upgraded – last year Houston, this year DeCoud. My point is the YOUNG D is still learing how to kill. Yeah I want to see Lofton make that pick – in the playoffs.
Sarah B
December 2nd, 2010
11:28 am
This is Hilarious! Enjoy Falcon Fans…
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=fleming/101202&sportCat=nfl
Chop Buster
December 2nd, 2010
11:39 am
First thing is Dunta needs to put on some different cleats if he is constantly having slipping issues. Personally, I’d like to see him be more physical with the receiver on the line. He can also use his physicalness to keep the quick passes from turning into big gains (30 yard Jennings gain). I just don’t want to see Tampa’s young receivers running throughout our secondary and our guys are playing 10 yards off. If we have to use our LBs to bump them within the 5-yard limit then so be it, but we need to disrupt our opponents’ routes. We can’t jump routes and take the ball if we’re playing too far off. That’s what the zone is designed to do–allow you to face the QB and see the route developing. Let’s lock Tampa down this week. And for God sake get some pressure on Freeman. Go Falcons!!!
waynester
December 2nd, 2010
11:49 am
Sarah
That was funny–I especially liked the “Trading Places” reference–one of the funniest movies of all time…
ATL Shawty
December 2nd, 2010
12:02 pm
Hey Fans wanna hear something really crazy, guess what other sports team is using the ” Rise Up ” slogan this season. The Los Angeles Clippers! Check out their website, are you kidding me these guys look like a JV High School team , they should not to be mentioned in the same breath as the Falcons!
collegedude
December 2nd, 2010
12:10 pm
DOL, looking forward to hearing you at the Falcon Nation Charities Lunch with Legends as you emcee the event on Dec. 7th. Should be a fun day with former Falcon greats Steve Bartkowski, Bobby Butler, and Todd Weiner all receiving the 1st annual True Falcon awards as voted on by Falcon fans. The True Falcon award is in recognition of former players dedication to the Falcons while playing for the team and also their dedication to the community both while playing and after their playing days have ended. Check out http://www.falconnationcharities.org/2ndlunchwithlegends.html for more information about the event.
Supes
December 2nd, 2010
12:26 pm
He’s been fine against the run…but he’s gotten torched against the pass for big plays…and so far the money he is being paid does not reflect what the falcons are getting on the field. He is not a lock down corner in the NFL.
People wanna blame Grimes, but he at least has the ability to stay close to the WR and get some picks.
Here is the biggest hint that Dunta is not a top tier lockdown corner….other teams aren’t afraid to repeatedly throw at him…
D. Orlando Ledbetter
December 2nd, 2010
12:40 pm
collegedude – Thanks. I’m looking forward to it. I’ll be blogging about the luncheon tonight or tomorrow. Hope we get a good crowd!!!
ATL Shawty
December 2nd, 2010
12:59 pm
Everyone in the ATL knows why our corners never look like probowlers every year. Besides Abraham, we have no pressure up front. All the QBs in the league look average when they have to hurry their throws & can’t get into a rhythm. Matty can’t win us any games, laying flat on his back. Whenever we generate a solid pass rush we look like a Superbowl team.
jay
December 2nd, 2010
1:27 pm
Grimes would be a great nickel corner, but he’s too small to be a starter. I love the kid, but I hope we look to upgrade in the summer.
Falcon James
December 2nd, 2010
1:40 pm
What?? Smith think Robinson play is fine??? What game is Smith watching? Robinson look overrated and overpaid!! My 6 year old could cover better than him. DeAngelo Hall look better than him. Bryant could cover better than him. He stink to high heaven. Smith get a grip!!!
You kiddin' me?
December 2nd, 2010
1:55 pm
What’s Smith supposed to say to the media? Do you think he’s going to trash the guy? “I’ve got no idea why we gave him such a big contract. He couldn’t cover a blister with a blanket”. Why would he trash the guy, creating controversy, especially when we’re 9-2?
We signed Dunta to improve our pass defense. The opposition tends not to throw to his side, but when they have (especially since the concussion) he’s fallen down on the job. Bottom line is that our pass defense is not significantly better.
Now, pass defense comes from having a good pass rush, and ours has been mediocre, especially when we only rush 4. Abe and Babineaux have been productive, but Kroy seems better suited to a 3rd down roll. I’m guessing starting tends to wear him down too much. Either that or bulking up to defend the rush has slown him down. Either way, we need more production from the defensive line.
Sarah B
December 2nd, 2010
2:03 pm
Get the Dude new shoes with good cleats and maybe he’ll stop slipping on plays.
Samuel
December 2nd, 2010
2:10 pm
Do you think Coach Smith is going say Dunta’s not up to par? I bet next year drafting a corner will be one of the Falcons top goals. Believe me they are hoping he Robinson improves, but the bottom line is the coaching staff knows it’s weaknesses and strenghts. Nobody is shaking in their boots because this guy is on the field. They know what to expect from Brent Grimes and his smallish frame. This guy grimes is an over achiever. Say what you will about him, he makes plays.
marcus
December 2nd, 2010
2:17 pm
dunta does come up and make open field tackles but on the other hand i would like to see a few int’s from him teams have been looking at grimes side more but this last few games i’ve seen teams going at dunta more when he gets his chance he need to make them pay for it
marcus
December 2nd, 2010
2:20 pm
yeah may be some cleats that say i got payed now make some plays
marcus
December 2nd, 2010
2:23 pm
theres a lot of good corners come out in this years draft but i say we get one in the second round this year
Parker
December 2nd, 2010
2:31 pm
My coworkers and I just noticed that B. Grimes covers the run as good as Robinson and plays coverage better. He’s not get all that $ ! We still need another guy.
Spud Webb
December 2nd, 2010
3:03 pm
Head-Mo-Fo, you’re 7 am post, I couldn’t agree more. Bring him up and let him bump and run more often, get the most out of the investment. He loves being physical. Lol, the texans are MISSING him badly. The guy is good.
Saints1Fan
December 2nd, 2010
3:33 pm
D-Robinson has never been a shutdown cornerback. He is a run stopping cornerback. Go back and watch the tape versus the Saints game when D-Robinson made a great tackle of Devery Henderson, who bobbled the ball and missed it because of the tackle. Even on that play, he was beat deep. He was brought in to stop teams like Carolina and Tampa Bay in the South, because they are physical running teams.
Ken Strickland
December 2nd, 2010
4:20 pm
For the most part, OFF’s have not made a habit of throwing at CB DRobinson. He’s also coming off a concussion and has to be a bit rusty and out of shape. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with our starting CB’s or secondary that a consistent pass rush can’t cure.
When your DC can’t come up with a way to consistently get to the QB, or limit the time he has to go through his progressions, why would you blame the secondary for not being able to shutdown 3-4 receivers, some of which are Probowl caliber?
There has to be something wrong with our overall DEF scheme or approach when DL, who’ve previously demonstrated their ability to rush the passer, are suddenly neutralized as soon as the become starters. And while some of you are questioning CB DRobinson’s abilities, would you rather have former CB CHouston back instead?
BOB
December 2nd, 2010
5:35 pm
Has any NFL team won the Super Bowl with a 5′6′ starting cornerback ?
DHunt
December 2nd, 2010
6:20 pm
I haven’t seen one mention of the real reason why Rogers was able to get off that last pass. Bierman spun into the middle of the field, lost contain and he had all that open space to work with. That happened on every three man rush. The ends have to keep contain better, make Rogers flush into a defensive teammate instead of the wide open area they were supposed to be covering.
But the sun even shines on a dog’s behind every now and then. Every team in the NFL makes plays. every DB gets beat. As long as we continue to make the one more play that matters each week, we’ll be just fine. This whole defense is improving each week. They will take another step forward in Tampa.
Tim Parker
December 2nd, 2010
6:38 pm
My only complaint is when we have our opponent down we are playing prevent in long passing situations, or what I like to call, “prevent you from winning” defense. Also, I would like to see us really drum the Tampon Bay defense Sunday by running the ball down their throats. I love seeing us go Four Horseman and would like to see more of it.
jerry
December 2nd, 2010
6:50 pm
Smith is not going to say he is lousy. That would make his boss, Mr. Dimitroff look bad. Dunta can do that himself.
jerry
December 2nd, 2010
6:52 pm
@Tim Parker…Do you think they can just run the ball down their throats just because you want them to? This is not one of the great teams of all time, believe it or not.
Mac
December 2nd, 2010
8:42 pm
I Would Like To Know What “smitty” Is Smoking?? D.Robinson Has Got To Be The Biggest $57M BUST This Town Has EVER Seen!! I Venture To Say He Will Be GONE By Season’s End!
Week After Week He Gives Up The Big One And Gets Called For Pass Interferance On A Regular Basis!
DrJ
December 2nd, 2010
9:13 pm
All I want to know is if Fox is going to call our 10 Milliion $ Man Dunta or Donte?
E
December 2nd, 2010
11:53 pm
The Biggest issue with the Falcons is first pass rushing; poor coverage and very poor tackling in the open field. If these things does not improve they want make it far in the playoffs. The great teams at this point of the season does a evaluation of their team if they have a shot at a super bowl run would make a trade to get them to the next level and win the entire thing.
Miles D
December 3rd, 2010
5:10 am
Just remember this Falcons fans! Dante is just coming off of a MAJOR KNEE INJURY!! I’d take Dante over D-Hall any day! Even though, Hall is having a good season with the skins! Most times it take a couple years before you really get your legs under you when coming back from those type injuries! Other than that he has been solid! Though he could get better on 3rd down route recognition! LOL
FHZ
December 3rd, 2010
8:19 am
If it wasn’t for Dunta, Abraham would not have 8 sacks, nor would the other D-Linemen have their…1 sack collectively..
Every consistently good NFL defense does not have a “Shut-down CB”, and this defense does not call for one.. It’s a cover 2, Zone-blitz, Zone dog defense.. The Falcons LBs and secondary spy the plays in front of them, and hit people.
Dunta Robinson and maybe FS Decoud are the “Pressure Valves” that stop even the most mediocre of NFL offense from bursting The Falcons bubble with long scores like previous seasons. If you really watch this team without bias you know that it must be Dunta that is providing The Falcons D-Line with 20 seconds to (finally) pressure the QB…(And they still do not as often as they should).
The can’t get to the QB…. Maybe their defensive staff are playing players at the wrong times or downs..
The Falcons have 4 interchangeable DTs, and 1 DT who also plays DE.. So what?
Sit rookie DT Corey Peters, and activate DE Sidbury. He was the fastest DE in The 2009 NFL Draft.
Sidbury is The Falcons only hope to add to their pass rush at this point.
Fastest DE in street clothes ever week.. (so that 5 DTs can “rotate”?) I could understand more, if The Falcons were (Top3 against the run), but they are not.
I really do not see a Super Bowl appearance unless some changes are made, or some player “grows” or steps-up his game further than expected. Maybe it’s a young DT like Peters. Maybe it is Weatherspoon at LB.
Even if The Falcons have Home-Field advantage:
Giants QB Eli Manning would pass deep on them when WR Hakim Nicks returns (Falcons probably do not face deep passing in practice.. They are not use to covering it.
Philadelphia Eagles
Green Bay Packers
Just because The Falcons are barely holding leads, doesn’t mean that what they have is sufficient on defense.
Its the The Falcons offense that is not turning the ball over, and is burning-up game clock before the other team gets a shot.
Falcons are prime for an upset loss in The GA Dome in The NFL playoffs because they did not do enough, or are starting players who cannot place pressure on the opposing QB.
#NFL News and Notes – December 3, 2010 | The Other 31
December 3rd, 2010
8:45 am
[...] Falcons head coach Mike Smith is pleased with the play of cornerback Dunta Robinson, reports D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta [...]
Steve
December 3rd, 2010
10:34 am
Everyone is complaining about Dunta Robinson’s stats but you all have to realize that he plays a position where stats are pretty much irrelevant. Don’t compare him to a Darrele Revis because they play in two totally different systems. Revis has a very good pass rush which helps him out and makes him an even better corner. If he played in our system and had to play off the ball like Dunta im pretty sure he would get beat sometimes too. oh yea, and to make things clear, the best cornerback in the league is nnamdi asomugha, check out his stats, he hardly has any picks every single season because no one throws at him.
RM
December 3rd, 2010
10:40 am
He is way over-rated and overpaid. The only hit he has made all year resulted in a 15-yard penalty and a first down. The D is definitely better but there are still a lof of holes in the secondary. Don’t even get me started on Shorty…
welikebaseball2
December 3rd, 2010
12:45 pm
I hear you guys calling Dunta overrated. In terms of the league-view, he’s barely rated…so how could he be overrated? You could make the argument that he’s overpaid, but overrated? Hardly. Think on this: When there’s talk among the analysts about the top corners in the league, his name doesn’t surface. He’s considered a solid cover corner around the league, but not a shutdown corner. What I’m saying is, I believe he’s lived up to what the league has come to expect of him. It’s just that Falcons fans have higher expectations, & rightfully so considering what he’s making. As for him “getting beat,” even your shutdown corners are going to get beat from time to time. As for the lack of INT’s, he hasn’t had many balls thrown his way. QB’s have chosen to pick on Grimes. With all due respect to Grimes, I’d do the same thing were I an opposing QB. The popular stats don’t show how few times they throw to Robinson’s side of the field. Honestly, I think his side of the field should be the least of our worries regarding the secondary.
willie
December 3rd, 2010
1:10 pm
I like Dunta, but our pass defense is clearly a problem. The numbers don’t lie….27th in pass yards allowed and 21st in pass TDs allowed. It is hard to imagine going all the way with those numbers. I do like that we are stout against the run, though.
yo mama
December 3rd, 2010
6:01 pm
i am impressed with robinson. we could have chris houston back? do you want him, heeell noo! grimes gets picked on more, gets mis-matched, but teams are not throwing his way, and maybe three 3 td’s have been scored on him. but houston was giving up several per game. dunta is fine, we need more pressure on QB, like a julius peppers. thats all we lack on this team right now, no monster DE.
and i am out!