7 things wrong with the Falcons
Sporting Atlanta's version of the cheese heads, the ice heads Chris Elliott, Brian Sutton and Danny Boswell (left to right) cheer for Falcons quarterback Matt "Matty Ice" Ryan as he takes the field to play the Green Bay Packers at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta on Sunday, Oct. 9, 2011. Curtis Compton / ccompton@ajc.com
FLOWERY BRANCH – The Falcons (2-3) will try to circle the wagons against Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers (1-4) at 1 p.m. Sunday at the Georgia Dome.
The one thing that sticks out from our chats with Falcons coach Mike Smith this week is notion that the coaches and players have to work together to right their ship.
“It starts with the coaching staff and the players,” Smith said. “We’re only going to fix this together. We’re not going to fix this individually. It’s not one person, it’s not one thing.”
Man, it sure isn’t one thing. Here’s my little list of 7 things that need some fixing.
- Penalties. They have 32 penalties through five games after being the least penalized team in the league last season with 58 penalties. Tyson Clabo’s holding made sense under the “you can’t let the quarterback get killed” doctrine. Roddy White’s penalty made sense, too. He was complaining about the late hit – that wasn’t called – when Ryan took a pop while sliding. The illegal substitution and illegal formation penalties are pee wee football penalties. Those are the ones that must be eliminated.
Matt Ryan calls an audible at the line of scrimmage during 1st half action against the Packers. Curtis Compton / ccompton@ajc.com
- Where’s the Ice Man? Quarterback Matt Ryan is not playing well (seven touchdowns, six interceptions). He had his fourth-lowest passer rating (53.6) in four seasons against the Packers. He had a 49.3 on Dec. 28, 2008 in a season-finale 31-27 win over St. Louis, a 46.6 against New Orleans in a 35-27 loss on Nov. 2, 2009, and 29.3 in the second game of his career, a 24-9 loss to Tampa Bay. The Falcons are 16-0 when he has a passer rating of 100 or more. They need the razor-sharp 100-point man going forward.
- Pass defense. The secondary is still hemorrhaging yards. They are giving up 294.2 yards per game which ranks 28th in the league. Chicago’s Jay Cutler (312), Seattle’s Tarvaris Jackson (319) and Green Bay’s Aaron Rodgers (396) have all passed for more than 300 yards against the Falcons. (If Jermichael Finley doesn’t have two drops, Rodgers would have passed for more than 400 yards.)
- Pass rush. Defensive end Ray Edwards, signed to help the pass rush, only has one sack and John Abraham is battling another groin injury. Edwards acknowledged that he has been slowed by knee surgery that he had during the lockout. “It’s getting better and better each week, and it’s starting to show in my play,” Edwards said. Also, Edwards, who was signed to a six-year, $30 million contract, eased into a new role. With Minnesota he rushed solely from left end. The Falcons flip-flop their ends depending on the matchups, so he’s played some left and right end. “I’ve adjusted,” Edwards said. “Actually, my first sack came from the right side. I definitely have adjusted to it.” Perhaps the Falcons need to drop the whole notion of harassing the quarterback and actually getting them on the ground.
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Packers kicker Matt Crosby nails a long field goal over the reach of Falcons defensive end Ray Edwards. Curtis Compton / ccompton@ajc.com
Protect the Ice Man. The offensive line, with one new starter, has given up 14 sacks and 35 quarterback hits. However, they have given up only one sack in the last two games.
- Run game: Michael Turner rushed for 100 yards against Chicago and 114 against Philadelphia. The “Ground and Pound” attack has sprung Turner for 20 yards against Tampa Bay, 70 against Tampa Bay and 56 against Green Bay.
- Third down woes. The Falcons are allowing the opposition to convert on 46.3 percent of their third downs, which is 30th in the league. Curtis Lofton has a plan. “Put pressure on the quarterback,” Lofton said. “Get sacks. Sacks equal great coverage and great coverage equals sacks. We have to just keep working together and playing together as a team.” Ask if he could pinpoint the issue, Lofton said, “It’s a combination of different things.”
–D. Orlando Ledbetter, The Atlanta Falcons beat blog
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347 comments Add your comment
Nostradamus
October 13th, 2011
2:05 pm
My name is Nostradamus. I can see into the deep future and predict and tell you it. Falcons 2011 season will go 12-4 and win the NFC South again. Falcons will face SF in divisonal round and WIN. Falcons will play GB in the NFC conference game in GB and WIN. Falcons will face NE in Super Bowl in Indianapolis in Feb 2012 and sneak a WIN by 3 points. /end of prediction
Chandler going Deep..
October 13th, 2011
2:07 pm
First 5 games 79QB rating= POOR……………..
enough said….
Chandler going Deep..
October 13th, 2011
2:09 pm
Dimitroff=Billy Knight!!!!
Awesome JSS!
two arrogant butt holes
JSS
October 13th, 2011
2:09 pm
and my unicorn poops rainbows!
Nostradamus
October 13th, 2011
2:12 pm
My name is Nostradamus. I can see into the deep future and predict and tell you it. Falcons 2011 season will go 12-4 and win the NFC South again. Falcons will face SF in divisonal round and WIN. Falcons will play GB in the NFC conference game in GB and WIN. Falcons will face NE in Super Bowl in Indianapolis in Feb 2012 and sneak a WIN by 3 points. /end of prediction.
Jalen
October 13th, 2011
2:14 pm
Playcalling on defense on 3rd downs is TERRIBLE. We will stop them for negative yards on first down, no gain on 2nd down, then on 3rd and 12 we will give up the first down WITH EASE. Its gotten to the point where I expect it. It has happened over and over and over the first 5 games of the year. Teams know what we are doing on 3rd down and they are killin us. Usually its a simple play right down the middle of defense for about 15 yards with not a defender in sight.
Blue
October 13th, 2011
2:15 pm
Missed a HUGE one, and I am NOT a Ryan hater…actually like him. But he cannot throw the deep ball and stretch the field. He misses guys when they have a step on throws that Brees, Rodgers, Stafford and even sometimes Romo make.
Jalen
October 13th, 2011
2:16 pm
Playcalling on offense has got to change too. Why do we have to run Michael Turner up the middle EVERY time on first down. Then have a 2nd down play of 3 yards, then be stuck in a 3rd and 7 or 8? Happens all too frequently. Entire coaching staff needs to reevaluate their playcalling tendencies.
Chandler going Deep..
October 13th, 2011
2:20 pm
Happy Birthday Jerry Rice!!!!!
49 years young!!!!
Can still play…
kreedham
October 13th, 2011
2:22 pm
Didn’t have time to go through 5 pages so excuse me if this has been mentioned….but OUR PUNTER STINKS!
Chandler going Deep..
October 13th, 2011
2:23 pm
The miss throws are killing the offense, and hurt his #1 deep threat..
Lack of pocket presence is deadly too..
Sit Turner. Time to put some quicks in the backfield
Glenn
October 13th, 2011
2:24 pm
I can think of more than 7 things, but sticking with 7 I’ll go with
1. Dunta Robinson, Worst corner in the NFL
2. Matt Bosher, worst punter ever at any level.
3. Michael Turner. The burner is out of gas. Slower than my Grandmother with a fake hip.
4. Matt Ryan, to him a deep ball is 15 yards.
5. Roddy White, can’t catch.
6. The entire O line
7. The entire D line.
If I had more I would add BVG and MM.
Chandler going Deep..
October 13th, 2011
2:24 pm
I am certain we will go 12-4 and go deep into the playoffs. I have faith in this team even at 2-3 now.
Greg Moundine
October 13th, 2011
2:25 pm
Just heard Reggie Wayne may be tradded to Buffalo!
Glenn
October 13th, 2011
2:25 pm
Yeah… I agree… We will go 12-4.
Greg Moundine
October 13th, 2011
2:26 pm
…and Robert Mathis to Jets!
Greg Moundine
October 13th, 2011
2:26 pm
Yeahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh buddy! 12-4 Falcons here we come!
Go Falcons!
Chandler going Deep..
October 13th, 2011
2:27 pm
Heres my list of 7:
Blank shooting Blanks
1.Blank
2.Blank
3.Blank
4.Blank
5.Blank
6.Blank
7.Blank
ENOUGH ALL READY CGD! lol
Chandler going Deep..
October 13th, 2011
2:29 pm
Hey Greg..CUT IT OUT!!!! DONT PUT WORDS IN MY MOUTH!!!!^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Georgia Falcon
October 13th, 2011
2:30 pm
Fact…. As mentioned above we “could” go 12-4 taking only 1 more loss to NO or HOU, however we got to get back to 2010 Falcon football… We’ll see starting Sunday. If we win… we have a HUGE game to look forward to going up to DET… If we can win that one too… I might start trusting in 12-4.
Chandler going Deep..ORIGINAL
October 13th, 2011
2:30 pm
your are delusional if u believe this squad is going 12-4…….but this is Georgia..What else is news…
Greg Moundine
October 13th, 2011
2:32 pm
Go Falcons..Chandler going Deep. I made statement about R. Wayne, but someone is typing my name on last comment at 12:26pm
Chandler going Deep..ORIGINAL
October 13th, 2011
2:33 pm
i mean lets be serious this team going 12-4? you have a better chance getting a train ran on you by the entire falcons cheerleading squad.
MGD
October 13th, 2011
2:33 pm
As far as the team development, we should be way ahead of for example Detroit. Look where they were 2 yrs ago, last year, and NOW! (Is it 4-0, or 5-0)? We are @ 2-3. Coaching, coaching, and nothing but coaching!! Promises, promises every year. The list goes on: Falcons, Hawks, Braves, Thrashers (before), UGA, etc. Disgrace, shame of this city.
###.
October 13th, 2011
2:35 pm
Got it Greg..We’ve been sabotaged by some D3 fanatic…lol
Jay Dubu
October 13th, 2011
2:37 pm
Falcons’ problems can be summed up in a list of four things:
1 – Coaching
2 – Defense
3 – Offense
4 – Special Teams
There’s the list in order of priority.
The Curse of Atlanta
October 13th, 2011
2:37 pm
people you need to understand this city is cursed beyond reasons of belief…. georgia dome was built on top of a 1800 grave yard… look it up yourself… this is why we will never win.
DiableBlanc
October 13th, 2011
2:38 pm
/agree with madfalc. Notice how GB adjusted to Atlanta’s tactics both offensively and defensively? Notice how ATL failed to do either against the Packs? Don’t usually think firing coordinators is the best thing but these issues have been a glaring problem for a while.
Mark Kingston
October 13th, 2011
2:41 pm
Situation is clear as a sunny day. Our offense fails to adjust after the half. Our punter is garbage and couldn’t kick a shoe off his foot. The defense is also garbage but majority of the time is manageable and put us in a situation where the offense can win.
CGD..
October 13th, 2011
2:41 pm
Atlanta was also burnt to the ground on purpose..I believe its the only City in the USA that has ever happened to?
Maybe onto something…It cant be coincidence that this town cant win anything in pro sports….
Oh by the way the REAL MATTY ICE now plays QB for Detroit! lol
OPEN YOUR EYES
October 13th, 2011
2:43 pm
GUYS AS A FALCON FAN WE HAVE TO REALIZE THAT THE FALCONS ORGANIZATION AND WE THE FANS ARE APPARENTLY ON THE SAME PAGE. 90% OF THE PEOPLE ON THIS BLOG DON’T EVEN LIKE OUR OFFENSE, WHICH IS A RUN FIRST AND PASS LATER OFFENSE. 90% OF THE PEOPLE ON THIS BLOG WOULD PREFER A WEST COAST OFFENSE AND/OR MIKE MULARKEY GONE! BUT THE BOTTOM LINE IS THAT MIKE SMITH WON’T CHANGE WHAT HE IS DOING WRONG AND WE ALL KNOW THAT.
THAT’S THE ON THING THAT REALLY PISSES ME OFF ABOUT MIKE SMITH. HE ALWAYS PRETENDS THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG, WHEN IN REALITY IT IS A BIG MESS!!! HE IS JUST TO SCARED TO ADMIT THE WRONG THEY HAVE DONE!!! WE ALL KNOW THAT IF WE DON’T CHANGE SOME THINGS ITS GOING TO BE A LONG YEAR FOR THE FALCONS. BUT WATCH, JUST WATCH ON SUNDAY!!!! I GUARANTEE YOU IT WILL BE THE SAME BULLS**T WE HAVE BEEN SEEING THE WHOLE YEAR!!!!!
DO YOU GUYS REMEMBER 2 WEEKS AGO WHEN WE BARELY BEAT THE SEAHAWKS, AND THEIR KICKER MISSED THE FIELD GOAL???? MIKE SMITH WAS CELEBRATING AND REJOICING ON THE SIDELINES AS IF HE JUST WON A SUPER BOWL!!!!! FIRST OFF WHY THE HELL ARE YOU SO HAPPY TO BEAT A NON-PLAYOFF CONTENDER???? SECOND, YOU SHOULD EXPECT TO BLOW OUT THESE TYPES OF TEAMS!!!! THIRD, IF THAT WAS BILL BELICHICK HE WOULD HAVE CHEWED OUT ALL THE PLAYERS AFTER THE GAME AND HAD AN EMERGENCY MEETING!!!!!
MIKE SMITH IS A LOW EXPECTATION TYPE OF COACH, WHO PLAYS NOT TO LOSE!!!!! HE IS A PATHETIC MAN AND I WILL HAVE NO SYMPATHY FOR HIM IF HE LOSSES HIS JOB!!!!
Jay Dubu
October 13th, 2011
2:45 pm
If the offensive line protected Matt better, he’d have a bettter QB Rating. He becomes shell -shocked after a sack and/or pressures.
The soft zone defense is the best the Falcons cand do, because they do not have any DBs that can cover man on man. When you have 7 – 8 guys dropping back in coverage, you make it easy for the opposing O-Line to block you. It becomes 5 O-line players againt 3 rushers.
Mark Kingston
October 13th, 2011
2:46 pm
I agree with OPEN YOUR EYES… Mike Smith is a cheerleader… He needs to man up and put on a game face and stop acting like a little B1tch.
CGD..
October 13th, 2011
2:46 pm
Coach Smith=Jim Mora the 3rd w/o a Championship appearance..
Falcant
October 13th, 2011
2:49 pm
Its sad that Cam Newton already is a better QB than Matt Ryan. Secondly, Carolina wins Sunday, ignting a downward spiral for our season!!!!
james
October 13th, 2011
2:50 pm
im from FL and coming to ATL for the game on sunday…. Where is some good places to take some chicks home after the game? gotta keep thinking positive…
D. Orlando Ledbetter (Moderator)
October 13th, 2011
2:52 pm
Always next year guys…
RISE UP... haHAHA!
October 13th, 2011
2:55 pm
what do falcons do…??????????????
rise down.
lame fail cons.
Benny Birds
October 13th, 2011
2:58 pm
Everybody please read Madfalcon comment. He’s saying it all. Let’s make some adjustment
hiramsaint
October 13th, 2011
3:00 pm
dol- due to time constraints you were forced to pick only seven. whats the real tally ? and why wasn’t coaching mentioned ? the players can only do what they are coached to do . look at the turn around with the rams , lions and 49 ‘ers and the fall of the vikes and a few others. ya gotta mention coaching if you want to keep it real!
devoted fan
October 13th, 2011
3:00 pm
Why there is always success up north? Celtics, Bruins, Red Wings, Pistons,Flyers, Mets,
Yankees, Penguins Steelers, Colts, Ravens, Patriots etc., even sometimes the south (Saints, Panthers, Heat). But never Atlanta, in any sport. (except of the Braves, once a long time ago WHY, WHY, WHY?
The Curse of Atlanta
October 13th, 2011
3:03 pm
devoted fan… Thank William Tecumseh Sherman for the Curse of Atlanta and burning and killing many people….. We are cursed. Point BLANK period.
The Curse of Atlanta
October 13th, 2011
3:04 pm
Notice we got back-to-back winning seasons finally down in TB… if that was in our HOUSE we still wouldnt have a back-to-back winning season.
Thanks Lester!
wins-by-a-link
October 13th, 2011
3:16 pm
Takem off the grill I think they are done!
loss-by-a-link
October 13th, 2011
3:18 pm
wins-by-a-link not done yet… its only medium-rare at the moment…. the birds will be well done after sunday.
CGD..
October 13th, 2011
3:19 pm
Maybe if Georgia swings from a Red State to a Blue State, these Sports Franchises may have a serious upswing? lol……naw
Sick & Tired Of Being Sick & Tired
October 13th, 2011
3:19 pm
7 Things Wrong With The Falcons
1) Coaching & Schemes
2) Coaching & Schemes
3) Coaching & Schemes
4) Coaching & Schemes
5) Coaching & Schemes
6) Coaching & Schemes
7) Coaching & Schemes – no ability to adjust during the game….need I say more??????
Original Falcon Now on Bench due to HIGH Priced SEATS
October 13th, 2011
3:24 pm
Boys and Girls, IT IS TIME TO call it a year and play for next years NUMBER ONE PICK!!! oh yeah, King Arthur paniced and traded away all our picks… .??? What now? I have a great answer!!! Sell the team King Arthur to folks who want Atlanta to be able to come to the games again. New Management time.. Get rid of the Profiteer.
YESWECAM
October 13th, 2011
3:28 pm
Carolina will roll past Falcons in this one. Falcons 13 – Panthers 28
NOWECAMT
October 13th, 2011
3:30 pm
Falcons win. Falcons 31 – Panthers 10