Falcons’ offense has become more explosive
Atlanta Falcons' Jacquizz Rodgers (22) celebrates his touchdown catch against the Carolina Panthers with teammate Joe Hawley (61) during the third quarter of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 11, 2011. AP
FLOWERY BRANCH — The Falcons’ plan to add more “explosive” plays appears to be paying off.
Last season, the Falcons had only 32 pass plays of 20 yards or more — the team’s definition of an explosive play — which was 31st in the league. They had just six plays of 40 yards or more last season, which ranked 22nd.
Through 13 games, they have 46 pass plays of 20 yards or more, which ranks ninth overall in the league. Quarterback Matt Ryan has eight plays that have gone for 40 yards or more, which ranks him tied for eighth in the league.
The Falcons used two explosive plays from key additions to fuel their 24-0 second-half rally in the 31-23 win over Carolina on Sunday. Julio Jones had a 75-yard touchdown catch and running back Jacquizz Rodgers had a 31-yarder for a score.
“The rookies are just some more weapons that we are trying to add to this team to get us to the next level,” running back Michael Turner said. “They came up and played big. They did a great job scoring touchdowns. That’s what we needed and they came through in a critical situation.”
Overall, the Falcons have 55 plays – including nine runs — of 20 yards or more.
Wide receiver Roddy White leads the team with 13 explosive plays. Turner, Jones and wide receiver Harry Douglas each have 10.
Tight end Tony Gonzalez (eight), Rodgers (two), wide receiver Eric Weems (one) and running back Jason Snelling (one) have the other explosive plays.
“We like to think we can move the ball on anybody,” Gonzalez said.
Rodgers’ touchdown catch against Carolina was the first time Ryan had thrown to him down the field.
“We knew when we kind of rolled out of the pocket, they kind of lost touch with the running back,” Ryan said. “To be honest with you, they covered him pretty well. They had the linebacker back there pretty deep. ‘Quizz’ did a great job of running to that spot and I just tried to put it up out there. He made a great catch.”
–D. Orlando Ledbetter, The Atlanta Falcons beat blog
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116 comments Add your comment
jake
December 13th, 2011
5:24 pm
Second!
Falcons’ offense has become more explosive. | NFL Online News
December 13th, 2011
5:26 pm
[...] Atlanta Falcons This entry was posted in Atlanta Falcons and tagged become, explosive, Falcons’, more, offense. Bookmark the permalink. ← DeMarco Murray done for the year (The National Football Post) NFP Power Rankings (The National Football Post) → [...]
SeenThisBFalcon
December 13th, 2011
5:39 pm
Getting ready to make that run…GO Falcons!!!! Rise Up!!!!
Brian F.
December 13th, 2011
5:49 pm
Explosive plays is not this teams problem. The loss of Ovie is starting to rear it’s ugly head because of this offensive lines inability to actually block someone on a consistent basis. Until they get this problem straightened out, this Falcons team will not go far. Our center is too old and is definitely not the player he used to be. Our guard play at times is non existent. Our interior O line is overall very weak. This will eventually be this teams undoing. Get it fixed TD.
ijonathan
December 13th, 2011
5:50 pm
Another stat indicating the more explosive play this year is Ryan’s YPA…a pretty anemic 6.5 last year to a more respectable 7.3 so far this year. Still not huge, but that 0.8 increase in YPA is quite meaningful.
Sunny
December 13th, 2011
5:57 pm
explosive against bad teams …Lol
This wilts when they play good teams.
Sunny
December 13th, 2011
5:58 pm
Bunch of fans living in wonderland when this team beats a bad team then back to reality when they face quality teams.
Pre-mature celebration
Brian F.
December 13th, 2011
6:00 pm
Who’s Celebrating ? There is nothing TO celebrate.
Sunny
December 13th, 2011
6:01 pm
Even if this team qualifies for wild-card and gets into play-offs. NO CHANCE IN HELL WILL IT WIN IN PLAY-OFFS.
This will be worse than disaster in dome.
Aint's aint the one
December 13th, 2011
6:13 pm
Sunny…………..Kick rocks!
Firsttimer
December 13th, 2011
6:24 pm
They could have even more explosive plays with a little imagination from Mularkey. Run somebody besides Turner sometimes. Mix it up by bringing in Snelling and for a change of pace Quizz. Throw more inside slant routes to Julio, went for long touchdowns both times they called it. Stop trying to make him Megatron attempting to out jump opponents in the end zone. Try more screens and dump off passes to Quizz. Involve Harry D earlier in the game and not just when you need to move the ball downfield quickly in the last minutes of games. Stop throwing high percentage passes on third and one and run the ball. If OC used all his weapons all the time, this team could put up 30 + almost every game.
SeenThisB4
December 13th, 2011
6:24 pm
Explosive plays? Last I saw, they couldn’t convert a 4th and a foot, and now they’re an explosive team?! Uh-huh! Can you say “delusional”? G E A U X S A I N T S ! ! !
RobbE33
December 13th, 2011
6:27 pm
All they need to do is gel in December, hang tough and anything can happen. By the grace of Arthur we’re not Philadelphia.
Not a Falcon fan
December 13th, 2011
6:31 pm
If the Faclowns make the playoffs, they will choke !!!!!!! Matty-ice cold with a 0 and 2 playoff record.
technofalconeer
December 13th, 2011
6:36 pm
need to run more consistently I think mike cox has done a good job seems we panic re the run if we don’t get greater than 5-6 yds on a run on first down or e get a good run and then we pass immediately. we can RUN the ball give it to turner behind cox and let it roll! no defense wants to consistently run into michael turner
whodat70816
December 13th, 2011
6:38 pm
SeenThisB4….you crack me up.
I’m not sure why Falcon fans are so eager to see Matt Ryan choke in the playoffs again.
Nique
December 13th, 2011
6:42 pm
How about we give Mike Johnson a chance at RG??? We drafted him to play guard but yet 2 Tackles & a Center get a shot & he’s still yet to get a chance, why is this the case??? Solidifying that RG position will open up the door for us to get more explosive plays!!! That & Matt hitting a few more of those down field routes & Julio holding on to/coming down with a few more of those jump balls, learing to use his body better & spacing along the sideline.
Dirty Bird Nation
December 13th, 2011
6:45 pm
Seattle last year, Those Aints showed what they are Made Of!
Main Man
December 13th, 2011
6:45 pm
The Falcons should utilize Douglas and Rodgers more in the passing game. They need to incorporate more screens and slants !!! Very seldom do they throw passes where the receiver can catch it and continue running.
Day One Fan
December 13th, 2011
6:49 pm
@nique, MJohnson is on the IR.
Dirty Bird Nation
December 13th, 2011
6:49 pm
Just think what a decent offensive co0ordinator would do with the players that is here on offense. Un-fortunate we have someone who doesn’t have a clue how to attack a defense and use the players that are here on offense. FIRE BOTH CO-ORDINATORS.
SeenThisB4
December 13th, 2011
7:02 pm
SAINTS the undisputed 2011 NFC South Champions, even before they clinch it!
Michael M.
December 13th, 2011
7:15 pm
@ SeenThisB4……………….What’s this rumor going around about Saints having whistles on the sidelines in the titans game the Saints barely got by in.
SeenThisB4
December 13th, 2011
7:27 pm
It’s called “Making Excuses” Y’all know that, y’all do it all the time. Fans have the right to whistle, as long as they don’t use an actual whistle. We got a fan that can whistle unbelieveably loud! The titans got taken down by one of our fans, in their own house!
Oh and the titans have a winning record, as opposed to the can’thers. At least the Saints never trailed the titans. I hear that some teams have fallen behind the can’thers by as much as 14 points. Shameful.
whodat70816
December 13th, 2011
7:31 pm
Atlanta last year. Those Failcants showed what they are made of.
whodat70816
December 13th, 2011
7:34 pm
@Michael M….it was the Whistle Monster….LOL
Michael M.
December 13th, 2011
7:37 pm
ahhh okay thanks for clearing all that up………. but go ahead with your early celebrating cause our team already has been there and done that
Michael M.
December 13th, 2011
7:38 pm
and oh yeahhhh…..that was last year whoda
bobwhite
December 13th, 2011
7:49 pm
WHEN the birds play a COMPLETE game..I will get excited..until then..kiss my grits!
SeenThisB4
December 13th, 2011
7:50 pm
And Michael, who would you rather face in the wildcard round? Dallas, Giants or San Francisco? And yes, I’m making a big assumption your team even earns a wildcard berth.
Jimmy
December 13th, 2011
7:56 pm
Despite all the haters complaining about our QB and our offense,
somehow we’ve managed be rise into the top ten in plays over 20 yards.
Hmmm…
I guess that tells you what all the “expert” fans really know.
Michael M.
December 13th, 2011
7:56 pm
May as well play the best of all three of those Teams and get the 49er’s……..you go in the playoffs you may as well take on the best and not hide behind another Team’s skirt hoping they will get them and knock them out of it for you…………..why is not what this is all about ? To find out who the best is ?
SeenThisB4
December 13th, 2011
8:00 pm
Don’t worry Michael’ your team will face the best in 13 nights.
Greg Mendel
December 13th, 2011
8:02 pm
I’m not sold on imaginary explosive plays until the Falcons make more than two in a game. A Turner 1-yard loss followed by a completed 3-yard pass — again and again — is not explosive. Allowing the opposing quarterback all day to pass is not explosive. Completing a pass is not explosive.
We have Roddy, Douglas, Julio, Gonzo and Rodgers. If there’s no explosion with them, it means the offensive line is implosive or the OC is inept. It could mean Matt Ryan is a dud. He may not be “elite,” but he’s a damn good quarterback. I just don’t think Ryan is the problem. His no-huddle success suggests the opposite.
Michael M.
December 13th, 2011
8:05 pm
You know something, you could possibly be right but you know something else……if this Atlanta Team can come into NO and play all game like they did in that 2nd half this past Sunday, I am afraid your Team is going to be in a whole world of trouble.
I know what you already going to say, ” It wont happen”………..lets just wait and see what does happen and not make assumptions ahead of time.
SeenThisB4
December 13th, 2011
8:15 pm
@Michael: No assumption for that game. But for the last game, your team’s second half performance had a major contributing factor called: Carolina.
Greg Mendel
December 13th, 2011
8:16 pm
@SeenThis B4 — NO and Brees are terrific. No team can even threaten them. Just ask the Titans. Or the Rams. Don’t count your chickens B4 the final 2-minute warning.
Michael M.
December 13th, 2011
8:19 pm
You too funny….guess we have another Carolina this week too huh ?and just maybe the week after your team will be the other Carolina….you never know from week to week in a football game..things can change in blink of a eye.
SeenThisB4
December 13th, 2011
8:24 pm
No, you never do know. But there are trends and stats. 10 of the last 12, is both a trend and stat.
@Greg: Get to the part that means something.
Michael M.
December 13th, 2011
8:40 pm
Well, don’t care how others feel and think about this Football Team but I am proud of them because they have surely went through Hel* and back since that 1998 run with Coaching changes and QB problems and the past several years they got into a pretty good thing with winning a lot of games and getting to the playoffs and they keep adding talent to the Roster each year.
Its a hard road to get to the end and win that Superbowl, and theres not that many different Teams that have made it out of the NFL. You just have to hang in there with em and stay with it until it ends and hope it all works out .
SeenThisB4
December 13th, 2011
8:47 pm
? Need a handkerchief there Mike?
Michael M.
December 13th, 2011
8:51 pm
lmao….You might the week after next !
later taterhead
yeahsure
December 13th, 2011
8:55 pm
I hope the coaching staff has finally realized that having Baker on the field equals disaster. I don’t want to sound cliche but that Houston loss might do us some good in the playoffs. We wont let the same thing happen next time we are in a loud environment on the road.
Firsttimer
December 13th, 2011
9:08 pm
SeenThisB4 just called his team the best. The best in what league? The llast time I checked there was only one undefeated team. Now that’s dilusional.
Nativebird
December 13th, 2011
9:16 pm
What’s up with Mike Johnson? We drafted this guy what? 2nd or 3rd round pick off the Alabama nat’l championship team, and have shelved him ever since…and suddenly we have Sam Baker (”the sack matt ryan maker”) playing right guard? Are you kidding me? No one wants to talk about it, but this O-line has been a travesty this year. Harvey Dahl leaves and it falls apart? I love the Falcons, I’m a lifetime fan, and yes, I like them being “relevent” as weeny as goal that it is, but calling the Atlanta Falcons “explosive” is like calling Tim Tebow a Hall of Fame passer. Yes, both can intermittantly look that way….but ultimately…over time, they prove to you that they simply are not.
phil
December 13th, 2011
9:42 pm
Can we please fire someone?
Ted
December 13th, 2011
9:44 pm
Saints fans love to pick on who we play, but don’t they realize we play almost identical schedules? LMAO. Shows how dumb they really are. They lost to the Rams (2-11 team) for crying out loud! Get outta here! We beat the teams we are supposed to beat unlike them. Less we forget, we are better than our 8-5 record. Believe that. You can easily go back to all of our losses and point our key plays that gave away the game.
Ted
December 13th, 2011
9:51 pm
The only teams the Saints played that we didn’t was the Rams (gulp) and the Giants. While we played the Seahawks (Saints seem to struggle with them too) and the Eagles. The Saints and Falcons played the same teams otherwise. My goodness when will they wake up?! I don’t think the Saints are all that. They’re good but so are the Falcons. The Falcons NEVER trailed the Titans for your information Seenthisb4, we beat them handily, and the game really wasn’t as close as the score indicated. If you watched the games, you’d see that. Dumbazz.
ijonathan
December 13th, 2011
10:25 pm
For those frequent blog experts (like CHOKE) who promulgate the meme that “Ryan is nothing without Turner” and that “Ryan owes all his success to Turner” and “Turner is the Falcons MVP”, etc….Aside from what we see with our eyes, that Turner isn’t “all that”, how do you explain these stats?
In 5 Falcons losses:
Turner: 73 carries, 316 yards, 4.33 YPC
Ryan: 124 completes, 225 attempts, 55.1%, 1434 yards, 6.37 YPA, 5 TD, 7 INT, 69.0 rating
In 8 Falcons wins:
Turner: 181 carries, 752 yards, 4.15 YPC
Ryan: 164 completes, 254 attempts, 64.6%, 2040 yards, 8.03 YPA, 18 TD, 5 INT, 104.8 rating
So, if you take these stats at face value, Turner plays “just as well” in the wins as the losses — his running efficiency/production has little bearing on the outcome. Ryan, on the other hand, has performed like a borderline scrub/clipboard holder in the 5 losses, and put up hall of fame/elite stats in the 8 wins.
Of course, these are stats, and they wouldn’t be stats if you couldn’t poke holes in them. Holes like…if you remove the first Chicago game when Turner was a highly effective 100 yards on 10 carries, his YPC in the remaining 4 losses falls to a quite awful 3.43. However, his YPC remains a quite pedestrian 4.15 in the 8 wins…certainly not at a level where you could argue he is a meaningful presence.
I’m sure y’all will dispute these stats in other ways, but they are what they are. This year, it isn’t even close which of those two players has a bigger influence on Falcon wins and losses. It ain’t “the burner.”
PMC
December 13th, 2011
10:27 pm
They can say the work stoppage didn’t affect them but it’s clear that it did. A lot of new pieces on this offense combined with new parts on the offensive line have delayed the growth of the offense, but it’s still coming along. They made great strides last week in the second half. Mike Smith coached teams are obviously going to be resilient. That has been their hallmark. The urgency and focus simply hasn’t been where it needed to be all year. Something clicked last week though. They got a crack in the wall and dug their way through to the light. I think that second half will give the players a lot of confidence in themselves going forward and it will serve them well in the upcoming contests.