7 reasons to ‘Back away from the ledge’
Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones said he looked up too late for the ball. (Associated Press)
BIRDLAND – Here are my seven reasons to back away from the ledge.
I’m sensing that the Falcon Nation did not have a very good weekend after the 34-16 loss to Pittsburgh on Saturday night. (I went to see my neighbor/season-ticket holder George. He normally likes to talk Falcons, but he was paying bills. Anybody would rather talk football than pay bills!)
It seems like folks are ready to jump off of buildings and bandwagons. Why? The Falcons, the defending NFC South champs, haven’t even reached the season-opener yet.
I watched the game again on the NFL Network on Sunday and came away with
The Vince Lombardi Trophy on display at the Super Bowl. (D. Orlando Ledbetter/AJC)
seven reasons to back away from the ledge:
- Jacquizz Rodgers can run without blocking. He made guys miss in the backfield and still was gaining yards. So, hmmm, what would he do with some blocking?
- Chris Redman can’t play quarterback without blocking. The reserve line made him look bad. Tight end Marquez Branson almost got Redman decapitated on one play. However, I don’t know what Redman was thinking on the pass to Kerry Meier. He tried to thread the needle with two defenders surrounding Meier? That’s how 95-yard touchdown returns happen.
- The Falcons have two punt returners. Eric Weems and Dominique Franks are electric on punt returns.
- Who’s the referee who called pass interference on tight end Tony Gonzalez? We need to check his ref card.
- The Falcons threw 42 passes in the first half because they were working on their no-huddle attack and pass protection. Normally, they would have worked on the no-huddle during OTAs.
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward (86) tries to break a tackle by Arizona Cardinals cornerback Roderick Hood (26) during the first quarter of the NFL Super Bowl XLIII football game, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009, in Tampa, Fla. The former UGA standout is now an accomplished ballroom dancer, too. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
- It was Pittsburgh. They’re usually pretty good. I heard they’ve won at least a couple of those shiny Vince Lombardi trophies.
- Julio Jones will make that catch next time.
Here’s the rewind story from the game:
Most starters played deep into the third quarter, but the Falcons were thumped 34-16 by the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday night at Heinz Field.
The defeat dropped the Falcons to 0-3 in the exhibition season.
“We made way too many mistakes offensively, defensively and special teams,” Falcons coach Mike Smith said. “We gave up too many explosive plays there in the first half.”
What we learned
1. Pass defense must improve. Pittsburgh’s Ben Roethlisberger, who was on pace to throw for 428 yards, shredded the Falcons’ pass defense. On a 77-yard touchdown pass to Antonio Brown, Brent Grimes nearly made a spectacular pass breakup at Pittsburgh’s 45, but it was a score nonetheless. The swift Brown split safeties William Moore and Thomas DeCoud and outran them to the end zone. On a 44-yard TD pass, Brown was flanked to the left with Dominique Franks in coverage. He ran a post and got behind Franks. Roethlisberger stepped up in the pocket inside of defensive end Ray Edwards, who was on the ground, and threw to the end zone.
2. Julio Jones is fast. The fleet receiver can get open deep. He zoomed past Pittsburgh’s star safety Troy Polamalu, but dropped the pass in the end zone. “I looked early and put my head down, trying to make up some ground,” Jones said. “I just looked too late when I got to the end zone. That’s no excuse. I still have to make that play.”
3. Edwards will help the pass rush. Edwards did not record a sack in his debut with the Falcons, but he had some good pressure. With the Steelers worried about the perimeter rushers, John Abraham and Edwards, defensive tackles Jonathan
Matt Ryan completed 22 of 42 passes for 210 yards with a TD and an interception in a loss to Pittsburgh. (Associated Press)
Babineaux and Vance Walker broke free for sacks. Edwards and Abraham switched sides several times, with Edwards rushing from the right and Abraham rushing from the left. The Falcons also dropped Edwards into coverage at least three times. It’s reasonable to conclude that the Falcons didn’t sign him to a five-year, $30 million contract because of his coverage skills.
Injury report
No injuries for the Falcons were announced during the game. However, Smith said a couple of players left the game with injuries and did not return. Center Todd McClure (knee) was among them. Smith said he’d have a full report on Monday. Defensive tackle Corey Peters (knee), cornerback Dunta Robinson (hamstring) and defensive end Lawrence Sidbury (ankle) did not play. Peters likely won’t play against Baltimore in the exhibition season finale, while Robinson has a shot. Both have been rehabbing with the training staff.
The numbers game
42
The Falcons threw 42 passes in the first half. They wanted to unleash the passing attack and get a good read on Garrett Reynolds and Mike Johnson in pass protection against the Steelers’ vaunted 3-4 defense. Both held up well in their battle for the starting right guard spot.
23
Kicker Matt Bryant made all three of his f
These two have to get the pass defense figured out. Here, Falcons defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder emphasies a point with head coach Mike Smith during defensive drills with players in the first padded practice at training camp in Flowery Branch on Monday, August 1, 2011. Curtis Compton ccompton@ajc.com
ield-goal attempts from 23, 30 and 46 yards. He has made all eight of his field-goal attempts in the exhibition season and, dating back to last season, Bryant has converted 23 straight field-goal attempts.
13
The number of players who caught passes against the Steelers, including Kevin Cone, the former Georgia Tech receiver, who had one catch for nine yards.
Sound bite
“Those are some of the plays that we just need to make. It was good really on both ends. We kind of got the ball to the right spot. We just have to come down with those. Julio has made those plays before in college and he’s going to make plenty of those plays for us.”
– Quarterback Matt Ryan on Jones dropping a deep pass in the end zone.
Loose ends
Ryan completed 22 of 42 passes for 220 yards with a touchdown and an interception. His 10-yard touchdown pass to Roddy White was his third of the exhibition season. … Eric Weems set up the Falcons’ lone touchdown drive with a 48-yard punt return. … Jones was the team’s second-leading receiver with five catches for 59 yards. … Running back Jacquizz Rodgers led the team in rushing with 38 yards on seven carries. … Wide receiver Harry Douglas, who’s having a strong exhibition season, had three catches for 31 yards and had a touchdown-saving tackle. … Safety William Moore led the team in tackles with six. … Tight end Tony Gonzalez was called for offensive pass interference to nullify a 2-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter.
What’s next
Atlanta (0-3) plays Baltimore (2-1) at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the Georgia Dome. The Ravens defeated the Redskins 34-31 on Thursday.
–D. Orlando Ledbetter, The Atlanta Falcons beat blog
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196 comments Add your comment
AtlantaDude
August 29th, 2011
8:28 am
Start Jaquizz
Mike is Back
August 29th, 2011
8:29 am
DLED, it obvious now what we need….we gotta get Samuels from the Eagles. Even if Robertson was healthy…which I doubt will happen for an entire season…WE NEED A VET LIKE SAMUEL…to shore up the DB position…it’s a problem that’s not going to go away.
Jimmy Crack
August 29th, 2011
8:33 am
It must be the XBox generation or FFL unleashed stat hounds looking at a preseason game.
“Brady isn’t producing right now! Bench him for Orton, he’s playing the Bengals!”
Not reality. Every season for every team is a crap shoot with injuries unknown and DID YOU KNOW that the football never bounces the same? You doomsayers need a hug or a drink or something.
ezra
August 29th, 2011
8:34 am
I think the Falcons should draft some 5′8″ receivers. The big guys just cant catch the ball or get open soon enough.
ezra
August 29th, 2011
8:35 am
Yeah with shorter receivers Matt Ryan can not throw the ball 4ft over their heard and expect them to catch it.
Dr. Warren
August 29th, 2011
8:36 am
And yet real Krispy Kreme doughnuts are available right here in Shanghai, the home of every pirated and knock-off product imaginable. Oh, the ironies.
Karl
August 29th, 2011
8:36 am
Bosher can’t seem to get kickoffs in the endzone like most other NFL kickers. That could be a problem.
SirReal
August 29th, 2011
8:53 am
D Led,
I dont know what the fuss is all about. The 1st unit offense looked pretty good except for the miscues. Ryan throws to Douglas a little lower and we have a touchdown. If the ref stops his stevie wonder impersonation then Gonzo has a TD. We were in this game and responded well being down 10-0. The D line is stout. We saw that on the goal line stance and they will get more pressure this year. I see it already. This was the defending AFC champs. It happens. I dont see the Bears fairing as well for a full 60 mins. Their D is aging and their O-line is swiss cheese. We’ll be fine.
phil
August 29th, 2011
8:54 am
Willy
August 29th, 2011
6:37 am
The Colts are 4-24 during the last several pre-seasons but usually find a way to win when it counts.
****************
We aren’t the Colts.
We’re the Falcons.
Defensively, we aren’t any good. Remember that Green Bay game early this year? Yeah, that one. We were exposed as pretenders then and ain’t nothing changed since then other than adding a sore-legged DE. What you just saw Saturday is sadly only a sign of what’s ahead.
I’m not falling for this team’s crap anymore. I’m done with it. I think we’ll be lucky to go 9-7 this year, but 8-8 is more likely. Sad.
Run4ever
August 29th, 2011
8:59 am
OK, hope I’m wrong, but I thought the Falcons were basing their pass game on establishing the run. It seems no one is talking about the O-line and the business of power running-wearing down the defense, then opening up the passing game. Unless-it’s a secret. I know Micheal Turner can and will run, but he’s not now, because other teams are focusing on stopping Matt Ryan and the passing attack. But the run will be in full effect on game 1 in Chicago.
El Bravo
August 29th, 2011
8:59 am
My 5 questions from last week were answered loud and clear: 1) Ray Edwards was mostly ineffective. Hopefully is just rust. 2) Turner continuous to look very slow. I doubt he will average 3 yards per carry this year. 3) The Falcons showed no imagination on offense sticking to base personnel and standard play calling for the most part. Thee offensive output was exactly what you would expect against the Steelers. 4) The revamped O-Line was manhandled all night. We were totally unable to run the ball which is supposed to be the staple of our offense. 5) Our d-backs were abused all night long. Our chances of stopping the top air attacks in the league are very dim…
Bozo the Troll
August 29th, 2011
9:05 am
A lot of you guys are tough critics. This is largely the same team that went 13-3 last year and won the NFC South. In areas where we are different, I think it’s a pretty clear upgrade. If you want to jump ship now, that’s fine, but this team is going to be very good this year. Go watch baseball…
Ed
August 29th, 2011
9:05 am
Ugh… A comments section is useless if your comments are never posted. No bad language, no personal shots, fairly short.. I don’t get it.
DHunt
August 29th, 2011
9:17 am
DLed you have to stop catering to all the carpet bagging, haterade pouring, transplant fans of other teams that come on here and disparage the Falcons. Real Falcons fans don’t bother to post over here because the trolls are just out of control.
Julio has one drop on a long ball that he outran a bit, now he’s a bust with drop issues, Really? O-Line was manhandled all night, yet Ryan was not sacked, Really? Falcons starters were on pace for almost 500 yards passing and over 100 rushing, but the offense didn’t do anything, Really? Ray Edwards plays part of one half and you can see that he is going to be useless the whole season, Really?
Intentionally dishonest is the most courteous description I can give most of this negative nonsense. The other descriptions wouldn’t get past the censor bot. When the team is winning all year, maybe the real fans will drift back over here because the trolls will be back in hiding like last year.
Tyrone Shulaces
August 29th, 2011
9:19 am
Wow. Ok, that was a Falcons game? Whew, I thought I was watching the Food Channel, what with all the Burnt Toast everywhere.
PMC
August 29th, 2011
9:25 am
One reason to be less than enthused is just how bad the depth players look. I know they have 10 extra guys this year, the cuts today and tomorrow should be very simple, but seriously, the high draft picks like Mike Johnson and Joe Hawley etc. All this line depth they’ve had, they haven’t done squat. Sidbury was a project, he’s going to be someone elses project after not making the team for what will be now 3 years.
The teams that are winning in the playoffs consistantly are KILLING the draft. We’re taking UDFA’s like Matt Bosher in the 6th.
I know they’ve had some hits, Ryan, for one and Corey Peters I feel like are knowns definately but so far Jerry’s been hurt… Spoon has been largely all bark and no bite; hopefully Jones is really good he looks it thus far. The secondary picks at corner haven’t looked good at all. The offensive line picks including Baker could all be improved. We heard all summer about Valdez, yeah he’s getting cut. This has been the luckiest team in the world healthwise, and they have 0 depth. The bench can’t play at all.
Guys, the Eagles are NEVER going to trade us Asante Samuel. They’re trying to win the super bowl and we’ve already traded the picks they would want for him.
PMC
August 29th, 2011
9:28 am
They are still winning at least 10 with the top 53, but they couldn’t weather a season like Green Bay did last year and a big part of that is the whiffing that’s been going on in the last few drafts.
Call it like it is
August 29th, 2011
9:28 am
They will have a good year, not a great one, but the Falcons are just not in the top echelon of the NFL, and changes made in the off season haven’t brought them any closer. New England, Greenbay, the Steelers are just playing a different game and the Falcons once again will not be in the big game, not even close.
Doesnt mean I want support them, but the talent level is not there.
Don't feed Aints trolls (It isn't 2009 anymore)
August 29th, 2011
9:30 am
Some of you are so thick headed I wonder how you survive in the real world. Do you understand that the staff were evaluating the pass protection. That was more important to them than anything else. That is why they threw 42 passes in one half. If you are judging the team based on these games, you are ignorant about football.
Don't feed Aints trolls (It isn't 2009 anymore)
August 29th, 2011
9:36 am
It just boggles my mind how some of you post the stuff you do. Turner washed up? So, in 8 months he went from leading the conference in rushing to being done? Yeah, you guys are smart. We don’t have enough talent on the team? We are the ONLY team to be ranked in both top 5 scoring offense and defense. That was with the talent we had last year. I think anyone would agree we have more talent this year.
TheeFalcon
August 29th, 2011
9:37 am
Hey DLed! Do you think the Falcons have more important plays than the ones they’re showing us?
Hardy Falcon
August 29th, 2011
9:38 am
The Falcons try to fix the Defense that has a GIGANTIC HOLE in it with a splinter repair. The defensive backs are short and undersized. TD didn’t learn anything or forgot it when he was in New England
SAMUEL
August 29th, 2011
9:43 am
I don’t see alot of weaknesses on this football team. However one in particular would be the Falcons secondary. And if it doesn’t shape up by game three, I believe Demitroff will address it sooner than later.
Don't feed Aints trolls (It isn't 2009 anymore)
August 29th, 2011
9:51 am
I really don’t get why they don’t pick up another veteran corner. I am not talking Asante Samuel. He costs more than we can afford. I am just talking about someone good enough to cover most teams 3rd best receiver without giving up gigantic plays. I just don’t see what they see in Owens or Franks.
That being said, DeCoud had a really bad game. He isn’t a pro bowler, but he usually isn’t that bad. Grimes was playing the whole field. He was trying to make plays against guys he wasn’t even covering. I don’t really put much blame on him. I think he was trying to make up for Dunta not being there.
Even without another corner, we are still a top 5 scoring team, so we will be ok. We don’t need a great defense, just a good one.
Step
August 29th, 2011
9:57 am
Turner is a Krispy Kream doughnut. Now as far as the short passing game to Turner, we could throw a box of doughnut to him, I’d bet he’d catch them and make yardage. Start Jaquizz Rogers!!!!! I agree with “Mike is Back” get Samuels for philly!!! We need help in that secondary!
Don't feed Aints trolls (It isn't 2009 anymore)
August 29th, 2011
9:59 am
We were top 5 in points allowed last year. That is really the only stat that matters on defense. I don’t expect that to change. Smith plays a bend but don’t break defense. It drives some people crazy because they can’t see deeper than what the media tells them to see. As long as we are top 10 in points allowed, this will be a very very very good team.
Don't feed Aints trolls (It isn't 2009 anymore)
August 29th, 2011
10:01 am
Yes, a doughnut who led the conference in rushing 2 out of the last 3 years… including last year… that you know, just ended 8 months ago. Thanks for paying attention
SawThat1nce
August 29th, 2011
10:07 am
The Falcons will be at least 12-4, this season.
D Rules
August 29th, 2011
10:11 am
The Falcons are loaded–they are just holding everything back in these practice games and don’t want to give anything away. When the real games start, this offense will explode with points! The falcons should easily win the division. New orleans and tampa don’t match up.
Don't feed Aints trolls (It isn't 2009 anymore)
August 29th, 2011
10:15 am
Its not so much that they are holding back… they just have a different approach to the preseason. They are using these games as evaluation tools because they did not have OTAs. That is why I don’t understand why people are freaking out. You don’t throw 42 passes in a half unless you are looking at something specific. You don’t sacrifice plays to look at something specific if you care about your preseason record. I really don’t understand why that concept is difficult for some of you.
PMC
August 29th, 2011
10:19 am
They will pick up a veteran CB this week or next week after the major roster cut downs.
HJones
August 29th, 2011
10:27 am
D Rules,
The Falcons have not held anything back. It is the same team as last year with the same pathetic offensive strategy and predictable play calling. We will not have a running game against any of the better teams with Michael Turner at running back and his dedicated blocker Ovie Mughelli. I am a Matt Ryan fan and he passed 42 times for about 225 yards when he should have had over 400 yards with that many passes. He didn’t purposely miss passes to evaluate other players.
HJones
August 29th, 2011
10:28 am
Dled, What the hel@ is wrong with this filter? It will not let a 5 sentence paragraph post.
Don't feed Aints trolls (It isn't 2009 anymore)
August 29th, 2011
10:34 am
I hope you are right PMC… it would just be a precautionary measure, but it would be nice. I don’t think they will though. They seem to be determined to make Owens or Franks fit the bill, no matter what.
Larry
August 29th, 2011
10:39 am
Please release my completely related, appropriately written, “on topic” comment, Mr. Blog COP, whomever you are!
Chop Buster
August 29th, 2011
10:44 am
PMC I totally agree with you. We pick our depth players like they are backups instead of guys that could come in and compete against the starter. The lack of talent is so subpar I say they shouldn’t even be playing in the NFL. I guess our coaches are so good at coaching UDFAs up that they could turn anyone into a baller–NOT! They can’t even get our starting secondary to play consistently.
D man
August 29th, 2011
10:45 am
Two things are obvious to me.
1. This offense will score 20+ points every week against any team in the NFL.
2. We still can’t defend the pass.
Please Thomas, go get some cornerback help. I have been saying this for over a year now. We are one shut down corner away from winning the Superbowl.
PlanB
August 29th, 2011
10:48 am
I just spent about 15 minutes typing a post agreeing with SAMUEL and Don’t Feed about getting a CB. What happened to it. I said good things about the team and no vulgar language.
mountain_jim
August 29th, 2011
10:50 am
Another vote for TD getting some more veteran CB help. We don’t have much chance against the spread-the-fielders like GB and Philly without better CB play. And the Dline still is not getting enough pressure, and the blitzes rarely work, and expose our CBs.
9-7 with this schedule and these coordinators will be about the best I can hope for…
PlanB
August 29th, 2011
10:51 am
DID YOU SEE THE SCREEN PASS!!!!! Beautiful!!!
RUDEDAWG
August 29th, 2011
10:57 am
Can we please get some freaking Db’s! Moore is the only one with potential, im tired of people hyping up Grimes; stop playing! Fustrated with the talent and coaching on defense.
Tell it like it is
August 29th, 2011
11:05 am
I for one,or own the Falcons bandwagon.The play of the QB looks mush improved compaired to last year,more arm strenth,and quickness.The o-line pass pertection looks better,and the run blocking will improve.The WR are some of the best in theNFL headed by Roddy White,Jones and co.The offence should be one of the best in the NFL.The defencesive line looked strong vs Steelersin first half with starters in.the defencesive backfield looks like were we need work at,im confident the Falcons will adjust, and wright the ship in that problem area before the season opener. Make no mistake about it,this team is a Superbowl contender,the preseason record means nothing.I am excited and ready for a Superbowl run!
JSS
August 29th, 2011
11:10 am
You guys are hilarious! This is “Snarky Central” at its best! The anti-Falcons crowd were not hiding from this blog last year. Ledbetter had the filter set on “High” and rarely ever checked the filter. People just stopped bothering and just stopped by after the January 13th bloodletting to say “I told you so!”
Turner has no problem consistent blocking cannot cure. Ryan is Ryan, he supposed to be highly accurate but is still sailing the out pattern into the bench when uncovered receivers are there for the taking. I like Jones, Rodgers, Douglass, Weems, and Grimes. White is special, but still has those moments, but so did TO in prime… Gonzalez, well I’ll leave that one alone… Let the myth have its day… The rest of this team is going to have to make a miracle leap… I called last years season after the Patriots team whipped them in the real test game. So go ahead name call, turn red, turn blue, say they are experimenting. But like DeCoud you’re chasing instead of leading…
Brian Hunt
August 29th, 2011
11:14 am
Good blog D.Led.
Chandler going Deep..
August 29th, 2011
11:29 am
JSS, good stuff! ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
D-Led, I have to repectfully disagree with your assessment that this Falcon team will defeat the Eagles.. The real dirty birds have been dismantled 8 of the last 9 in head to head matches with Philly.
And these defeats have been beatdowns! Falcons last won with you know who @ the helm? The great won will feast on that secondary on Sunday night 9-18-11 @ 8pm on NBC!
I will take your advice and cut the other blog some slack.. They deserve each other..In fact lets just ignore them and the excuses as they come forth……Let the games begin! Enough said………
Chandler going Deep..
August 29th, 2011
11:30 am
respectfully^^^
dl
August 29th, 2011
11:38 am
And so what the Steelers aren’t NE. NE cheated most of their winning years by recording plays. They played very good last year and still didn’t make it to the super bowl. Bottom line is that the Steelers outplayed the Falcons and they did the same last year. The Falcons still have a way to go before being an elite football team. I am a Steelers fan but and I think Jones played very good.
Hollywould
August 29th, 2011
11:42 am
Dang folks, chill out. let’s play some real games and then see what happens. One thing I don’t like is the punter/kickoff guy (although he did make a great play on the opening kickoff) If he cannot get the kickoff out of the end zone that is trouble. Punts not good either.
J.J.M.
August 29th, 2011
11:52 am
This team still doesnt know how to throw a screen pass which is pretty sad
Don't feed Aints trolls (It isn't 2009 anymore)
August 29th, 2011
11:57 am
If they were willing to throw the ball 42 t i m e s in a game to evaluate pass protection and to decide which guard to start, what makes you think they didn’t tell Bosher, who is known for a strong leg to kick it short to evaluate the coverage there too?
Some interesting stats through the first three games.
Matt Ryan is ranked 3rd in passing yards
Harry Douglass is ranked 5th in receiving yards
Brent Grimes is tied for first for INTs
No other team in the NFC south has as many players as we do on the leader boards
We also have the second ranked rush defense
Not saying you should put a lot of stock in it, because it is preseason. But, it is not as doom and gloom as some of you paint it.