The Horror! Defensive Wrap vs Lions
Weak Start! Falcons-Lions Defensive Wrap
DEF made Brown Look Like Barry Sanders (Daniel Mears/ The Detroit News)
Only a Preseason Game, but…..
Ok, ok we all know that it’s just a preseason game, but the overall defensive was pretty atrocious across the board, except for a few solid performances by a couple of individual players. Although it was the second and third team defense gave up the points that led to the Lions trumping our Falcons, our first team defense looked sub-par at best and terrible at worst. All the worries Falcons fans had going into the season have been exacerbated and increased in one preseason game. The defensive line push was pretty anemic, our linebackers looked a touch slow and disoriented, and our defensive backfield allowed quarterbacks Daunte Culpepper, rookie Matthew Stafford, and Drew Stanton to methodically march down the field mostly at will. Another fact that added to the misery had to do with who the Lions had, or didn’t have, lining up last Saturday. Arguably their best player, Calvin Johnson, didn’t suit up, Culpepper hasn’t been in top form 2004, and they trotted a great number of rookies such as Aaron Brown and Derrick Williams, who looked like all-stars. That’s not even including the detail that Kerry Colbert had stone hands and dropped at least three passes that would’ve been solid gains.
Many Subs and Coaches Get Some Tape
It certainly was only one game and it doesn’t count in the long run. Coaches were looking to see how players would react in given situations and get live tape on them in order to make their appropriate judgments and critiques of the players. The defensive side of the ball saw tons of subs in the game and getting everyone in live game situational play. Remember, the Steelers didn’t win one single preseason game and went on to have the best record in the NFL, home-field advantage for the playoffs, and won the Super Bowl. The only issue is that our Falcons are a long, long ways away from the Steelers in the process, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. A look at positions:
Defensive Line
Although, the Falcons return 3 out of starters on the defensive line, there are questions marks all across the line including who will replace Big Grady’s large presence, depth issues, and the marked target on Jamaal Anderson’s position. Abraham had some good pressures, which ended up being some of the only good pushes on the first team defense. Fans know what Abraham can do, so there was no need for him to dominate. Babineaux had a solid but not great game, and the fans also know what he’s capable of next the Abraham on the left side. The announcers said that Peria Jerry was starting, but Thomas Johnson seemed to be in on most of the Lions first drive. Jerry was double-teamed much of the night and seemed to struggle many times throughout the night. Trey Lewis looked good in the small amount of action he saw, in particular showing great hustle and quickness tracking a running back all the way down the line across the other side of the field to make a solid tackle. Vance Walker and Jason Jefferson seemed to have a pretty average game, but nothing fantastic. The play of the night came when Thomas Johnson surged through the line on 3rd and short deep in the red zone to hold the Lions to a field goal. Johnson is going a long way on locking up a roster spot, whether we keep 4 or 5 defensive tackles on the roster. Culpepper, rookie Stafford, and Stanton had plenty of time to throw the ball around and drive down the field at will. What was your impression of the defensive tackles? Thomas Johnson a lock for a roster spot? Peria Jerry’s lack of performance concerning?
Jamaal Anderson certainly didn’t alleviate the fears and anxiety that many Falcons hold for him. Anderson looked a bit slow and seemed to lack the fire and edge that it takes to be a successful, head-hunting defensive end in the NFL. Anderson continued his reputation of always being a step or half-step behind on getting a sack or good pressure. Anderson didn’t seem to possess the fire of simply bull-rushing opposing tackles and using his natural skill set. One particular instance saw Anderson do a hop-skip and try to jump around an offensive lineman, when he could have easily run through the player, or at least tried. Chauncey Davis didn’t seem to do a whole lot better, but he didn’t get drafted number eight overall either. Kroy Biermann and Lawrence Sidbury seemed to get pretty decent penetration in limited time they saw on the field. Overall, the defensive line got no pass rush, continuing an issue the Falcons had a lot of problems with last year. Who would you rate the defensive ends in the game against the Lions? Is Anderson pushing your patience?
Linebackers
Star of the Night on D (Robin Buckson/ The Detroit News)
The linebacker were one of the bad spots on the field on Saturday. Mike Peterson looked particularly bad when he had a good read on a rushing Daunte Culpepper, but was burnt to the sidelines by the QB, who’s not exactly a spring chicken. Curtis Lofton looked lost at times, probably due to his missed practice time. Stephen Nicholas had some bright moments, but also had a few plays that resulted in poor reads at times. Coy Wire seemed to have a good night, getting good pressure on a few blitzes, but didn’t look particularly great in pass drops. Tony Gilbert of course stole the show with his beautiful interception return for a touchdown. Gilbert showed great reading ability and turned on the burners to get into the end zone. It will be shocking to see Gilbert not get a roster spot. Robert James didn’t impress too much and looking really bad on one play when rookie RB Aaron Brown juked him out of his ankles and made him look silly. Spencer Adkins didn’t stand out. Is Peterson the right fit at OLB, or is he past his prime? Should Gilbert get a chance at OLB?
Defensive Backfield
Good First Night (Julian H. Gonzalez/ Detroit Free Press)
Chris Houston of course got hurt, which is never good for a preseason game. Fans will certainly monitor his health very closely as training camp progresses. Brent Grimes had a good night making several plays throughout the game that his size wouldn’t necessarily dictate. If he has the inside track for the starting spot, his performance continued his ascent. Chevis Jackson had an overall solid, but not great night. Chris Owens showed a ton of ability in his first preseason game as a rookie making several nice plays, and showing a great intensity and fierce style in run support. Owens should earn a lot of playing time this year based on first impressions. Tony Tiller and Glen Sharpe didn’t make the necessary plays to climb the steep mountain of earning a spot, at least not yet. Von Hutchins also had a pretty average performance as well. The defensive combo of DeCoud and Coleman showed a good chemistry, but looks to take some time to work out the kinks. Antoine Harris had a good night on special teams, but had a pretty horrid night at safety. The worst of the night came with Eric Brock, who had the unfortunate situation of getting burnt several times by rookie Aaron Brown, making him look like the next Barry Sanders running and catching. Culpepper, Stafford, and Stanton picked the secondary apart with seeming ease throughout the game. Based on your first impression, will Owens start at some point this year? Grimes a lock to start? Does the secondary overall concern you?
Doesn’t Count….Yet
So it was just a preseason game, and in the long run it doesn’t mean anything, but the overall defensive performance looked pretty bad, from the first team defense all the way through the 3rd team subs. Chris Owens showed us what Thomas Dimitroff saw when he took him in the third round, Tony Gilbert had a great performance, and Thomas Johnson had a fantastic game to continue his drive towards a roster spot. Jamaal Anderson’s seat got much hotter, Peterson needs to shake off the rust, the safeties got some work to do, and our first round draft pick needs to pick it up.
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152 comments Add your comment
Sarah B
August 18th, 2009
11:46 pm
HA!!!! Again a classic block on “first”!!!!
Sarah B
August 18th, 2009
11:47 pm
See everyone tomorrow. I’m beat after the travel.
Sarah B
August 18th, 2009
11:53 pm
Is that twice I have heard Thomas Johnson’s name?? I know I am behind. But am I wrong??? I’ll check in tomorrow. I gotta crash, been through a delay, then Air Tran turned it into a non-delay, hurry and rush to board… thank God. Arrivedd at home about 9:45. Gotta go will watch the DET. game tomorrow night. Luv you guys….
SB – Out…
Ed-Covington
August 19th, 2009
1:56 am
Preseason or not, giving up 450 yards to the Lions is a disgrace. Doesn’t matter if we win or lose, really; but I think that we all expected a better performance from the defense. The Steelers may have gone winless in the preseason last year, but I bet their defense never gave up over 450 yards to anybody. As you said, we made rookies and players from an 0-16 team look like all-pros. Detroit was looking at plenty of people, too; probably more since they have a lot more questions on offense than the Birds. Worst play of the game was JA putting a spin move on a running back instead of just running him over. Of course, by the time JA had finished his move, the ball was gone. Just a step behind, as usual. In another article today, Hamilton talks about teaching JA some new moves and techniques. What did they teach him last year? The wrong techniques? Or did they just finally admit that he’s not the pass rusher that Richie McKay thought he would be? Also, I love Chauncey Davis as much as anyone, but don’t be fooled by his sack numbers. JA is still a better run defender than CD. Maybe it would be best to just move JA inside and use CD, Bierman and Sidbury at DE in a rotation with Abe. I would still worry about the run defense on the left side and when Abe is on the sidelines. Bierman looked good against the run on Saturday, but I worry about his size.
Overall, evrybody gets a big “D” for the lions game.
LBs: This was the year Nicholas was supposed to break out; he hasn’t. Peterson was going to be a big upgrade over Brooking; he wasn’t. Lofton was going to be even better in his second year, he didn’t show it. Loved to see Tony Gilbert succeed, even if I am a Tech man.
DL: Only Abraham, Bierman and Thomas Johnson showed up. CD and JA we discussed. Jerry and Sidbury looked absolutely lost on several plays, I believe that Sidbury was offsides twice. Didn’t see much of Trey; Babs, Walker and Jefferson did nothing special, even against the Lion scrubs.
Dbacks: Torched by three rookies?(QB, WR, & RB) and Dante Culpepper? abd whoever the other Lion QB was? If Colbert could catch and Calvin had played they might have put a 50 on the Birds. What will they do against Breez, Steve Smith and the other QBs and WRs in our division? Really a scary proposition.
I am and will always be a Falcon fan and just hope that Mike Smith and Brian van Gorder and Ray Hamilton will hve everyone ready to play in three weeks. I just believe that we were all led to think from Dimitrof’s success with the offense last year that we would see the same from the defense this year. Peterson is no Michael Turner, Jerry is no Sam Baker, etc. I just don’t see any of these draft choices and free agents making a significant improvement this year over what we had last year. I know we will be much better next year, but how many more years does Tony Gonzales have left? Maybe William Moore’s return and another couple of weeks of practice will make a difference. I certainly hope so. Go Birds!! (Please excuse any spelling or grammar errors; it’s very late and I need to get to bed, I know this is a long response, but D3 asked for our opinions and these are mine. Thanks, D3 and all BirdCagers!)
Ed
August 19th, 2009
4:23 am
Good breakdown D3 over what will surely become a hot topic over the next several weeks if not longer. This defense is much more in line what we all expected last year when everything turned to gold. As Ed – C said “we will be much better next year” and this defense may see a significant dropoff from last year’s production.
JJ
August 19th, 2009
7:33 am
Welcome back Sarah B.!
Denis Leary is giving greeny an aneurism on mike n mike, hillarious!
JJ
August 19th, 2009
7:35 am
D3, great analysis, again!
YUP!!
August 19th, 2009
8:31 am
YUP!!! One “PRE-SEASON” game time to throw in the towel…..the season has went down the drain.
2008 Detroit pre-season 4-0 and lost every game in the REGULAR season.
2008 Steelers 0-4 in the pre-season won the superbowl.
Hum…….I’ll take the steelers route. GO FALCONS!!!
Ric Roc
August 19th, 2009
8:31 am
Why is everyone calling this a good analysis?? In actuality, it was pretty piss poor. The first and second team defense allowed 3 points…ooohhhhh lawdy!!! Those three came on DET’s first possession, which was aided by defensive holding call against Brent Grimes on third down; a screen pass; and a QB scramble when Dante Culpepper was able to allude the pass rush and gain a few yards before a savvy TD-saving tackle by Mike Pete. And John Abraham spent most of his night dropping back into coverage, instead of rushing the passer.
I’m not sure what game you people were watching. So what our third team and fourth team reserves got torched by an inspired DET bunch looking to make an impression and a roster?? No one’s happy about it, but no reason for all this gloom and doom speak.
You talk about no pass rush but Culpepper and Stafford were hurried and flushed from the pocket aplenty in that game and Culpepper isn’t exactly Dan Marino in the pocket. The guy isn’t MV7 either, but he can move. I saw plenty enough speed by Mike Pete to chase him out of bounds after a three yard gain.
You people, including D3 and D-Led, are seriously bugging if you’re judging our defense off the sloppy play of 3rd and 4th stringers from the first preseason game when there was no preparation whatsoever for the opponent prior.
Ric Roc
August 19th, 2009
8:46 am
All this b/c our third and fourth string couldn’t stop their third and fourth string?!? Boo frigging hoo…
Seriously????
Ric Roc
August 19th, 2009
8:52 am
I’m more disappointed in the fans’ and writers’ reaction than the performance of some reserves that likely won’t make the roster: Tony Tiller, Glen Sharpe…maybe Robert James, just to name a few.
So our LBs look slow…when compared to whom? Kevin Smith and Aaron Brown? Both guys run sub-4.4 forties…what and how many LBs do you know that can do the same?
For no pass rush, the Dante and Matthew were flushed from the pocket and picking themselves up off the turf after a hit quite often…what game were you people watching?
D3
August 19th, 2009
8:56 am
Good Mid-Week A.M. Cagers! Hope everyone’s off to a good week as we roll towards defensive redemption against the Rams, even though Marc Bulger is out, so we may not get a true look.
Bird Cage Editor’s Note – Unfortunately due to time constraints, I’ll be going to a post every other day at this point. Too many nights of heading to bed a little late has forced me to do it this way which is all good, b/c I’ll still hit 4 a week. Once a week I’ll also be hitting a Fan-Centric blog that will focus on the fans experience, as well as the nuts and bolts of the Falcons. Something I’ve been meaning to do anyway.
Have a great day and I’ll pop back in soon.
CBrass
August 19th, 2009
9:06 am
D3,
Again great job!!! These other AJC bloggers need to step there game up.
As I’ve stated before JA hasn’t shown and didn’t show me anything on last Saturday. If I do not see anything on Friday I’m really going to start to put the BUST label on him. I know he’s only being playing the position for a couple of years and this is not officially the start of the season but enough is enough. He’s getting paid god knows how much to put the QB on his a$$ and he can’t even get a finger on him. There is only so much that can be taught the player HAS TO GET THE JOB DONE!!! It may not be fair to label him as a bust…he should have never been taken that high in the draft but being drafted so high comes with high expectations. If we can’t any pressure on the QB the secondary is going to get picked.
As for Peterson that guy looked like he is waaaaay passed his prime and has gotten terribly slow. Maybe he will show us something on Friday. I think Lofton will be fine mainly because he miss practice time nursing his sore hammy. Gilbert was the only bright spot(At LB) due to his pick-6 off of Stafford(who by the way look very good). I was really shocked to see that Jerry was already drawing double teams. Owens looked sharp especially on the run. He got there quickly and made the tackle once he was there. That holding call in Grime was horrible. The pass break up that he had was awesome. From what I saw he played very physical and wasn’t pushed around.
Again D3 great job!!!
Sarah B,
Glad to have you back girl!!!
BIRDMAN
August 19th, 2009
9:33 am
GOOD MORNIN CAGE PEOPLE
Great blog D3.Thanks for all your hard work geting all this together.Don’t no a lot about who is better here and who’s worse there .To me the D looked like a bunch of kids not knowing what to do .I like what you said Ed,C about the Steelers probably not givein up that many yards ,your porbably right.
Almost makes you think that all the D sucks .And if they could be traded for some of the other teams left overs we would be better off.But I know that ant the case.They must do better tho.You can bet that the Dolphins are gona be watching all the tapes on these games and there lookin at all the week spots our D line has and how to use that aginst us .Right now there thinkin they can run all over this D and they are right.I.m sure we will get better and it may take a year are so for this D to get good.But this year our O is gona have to work there tail off to keep us in the games.Good thing we are blessed with good O.I just don’t see them getin a whole lot of breaks
Thanks to you all and I hope you all havea Blessd day
KEEP …IT…COMEIN …GUYS
Coop
August 19th, 2009
9:36 am
Ric Roc – I was watching the game with the SLOW LB that couldn’t catch Culpepper (who isn’t running a sub 4.4). The 3rd and 4th string did get blown up, but I didn’t see our starters stopping too much when they were in. I’m a homer like everyone else, but I’m not blind.
JA98 has to show more, or he won’t start game 1 at DE.
Owens will eventually start over Grimes.
LBs will be OK, but I wouldn’t mind seeing Gilbert or Wire over Peterson.
In the end, the entire D wins or loses based on the D line. Gotta get a push, AND the DEs and LBs MUST contain when there is a push.
YUP!!
August 19th, 2009
9:44 am
WHAAA! We got beat in the pre-season!! GROW UP CRY BABIES!!! I guess all the players are in the corner of the locker room crying about a pre-season lose. How about waiting and see how the team progresses through the entire PRE-SEASON then you will be able to make an EDUCATED opinion.
Jim n Buckhead
August 19th, 2009
10:51 am
While im not going to take too much from one preseason game which i really didnt think the Falcons played that good in any aspect…I mean they missed an extra point…but what really got me was on a 3rd long to end the game there was an assignment missed that left the QB to run almost 15 yrds straight up field…now when you also remember back to last years playoff game when the middle was open for the Cards to ice the game……on D they need to work this out..
Unca' Bob
August 19th, 2009
10:54 am
D3,
Coach Smith has stated the Falcon Defense gave up 125 yards in the first half. They also only allowed 3 points. In the second half we gave up 329 yards and 24 points. The entire game was nothing but an evaluation of each player. The Coaching Staff now has another tool to help with their decision making. Elam missed an extra point so I feel that we should, just prior to abandoning ship, hang him from the yardarm.
SeminoleWarrior
August 19th, 2009
11:13 am
Good morning Cage…
First, CB is on target. The PREMIER blog continues to raise the game. D3, another outstanding effort.
Back in a few to break it all down.
blord
August 19th, 2009
11:15 am
Since there was no real gameplan going into the Detroit game the defense doesn’t scare me much yet. It they have a poor showing this week I will be a little more concerned but the main thing is how they look in the third game. I would like to see more of a pass rush. That is the only real thing that came out of this past weeks game that could be worrisome. Thomas Johnson made a nice play but if he ends up being a starter for us that may be a really bad sign. I am so tired of JA98. He just doesn’t seem to understand when to use what move. I think that is what leaves him just short of making plays sometimes. I liked Ownens a lot though. Gritty player who likes to tackle. He gave up a touchdown but was right there and it took a perfect throw and nice catch to beat him. That is all you can ask for in a corner. He will start at some point I think either by preformance or by injuries to Grimes or Houston.
BIRDMAN
August 19th, 2009
11:17 am
Mornin Unca Bob
You are right we all need to slow douwn and wate on a few more games.Just guess we are wanting to see the best way to early .
Thanks Man.I look foword to the friday game.
Thanks Sarah for letin me know the station.
KEEP IT COMEIN……GO …..BIRDS
Stirg d'Nahsif
August 19th, 2009
11:17 am
(I don’t know why I’m nibbling on that bait. Its boring here.)
No one is crying about losing a preseason football game. Who cares about a loss in a week 1 preseason game? Before anyone else assumes that us loyal everyday fans (not the ones who dip in every-now-and-then to post a negative comment) are crying about losing the game, let me remind you where the disturbance lies. We are disturbed by the first team play during the first quarter. We are disturbed by the slow, weak play of Peterson; the bone-headedness play of Anderson; the lack of “urgency” that TD is desiring. For those that don’t understand, let me define TD’s version of “urgency”. It simply means “right now”. Why wait until week one of the regular season to let the dogs out (again, no pun intended)? Do we really want to wait until game 4 of preseason or game 1 of regular season to evaluate Anderson’s worth; or determine that Peterson is just too old? No. I say we put them out there, right now, at full-max, so we can make our decisions come trade deadline and cut-day.
I watched NY Giants play this preseason and it looked like their defense played with urgency. Carolina’s defense (with Peppers) played with urgency. New Orleans looked good and is playing with urgency. Everybody is playing for “the right now” except us. We want to wait until the bye week of regular season to turn on the burners. Well, let me remind you of who we play before the bye-week: Miami, Carolina and New England, all which are playing with “urgency”. If we don’t take the opportunity to play with “urgency” during preseason, we’ll be 0-3 before the bye-week.
The time is right now, ladies and gentlemen. As Ike said to Tina, “We got the right songs, in the right place, at the right time. Now, I need for you to get your ass out there on that stage, right now.”
CBrass
August 19th, 2009
11:20 am
SW,
How’s it’s going my man? What’s up with Bill out in the Atlantic? What path is he gonna take?
YUP!!
August 19th, 2009
11:22 am
Stirg d’Nahsif………….WHAAA!!!!!
SeminoleWarrior
August 19th, 2009
11:34 am
CBrass, Bill is a monster and is looking to possibly get even stronger. It appears poised to spare the mainland US which is a darn good thing trust me. We are watching it closely though.
Stirg, you picked up right where we left this issue on Sunday. And you are exactly right. Champions do not relent…they push themselves all the time. Urgency and intensity are need. Well stated. I’ll have your back in a little while when I too release my thoughts.
tyler
August 19th, 2009
11:40 am
JA is what he is. Ever since we drafted him I have felt he does not have the great quickness to be a pass rusher. They can teach him all the moves they want but he is not going to get any faster. He does play the run well, and thats all we will ever get from him; along with a few coverage sacks.
Not to concerned with Jerry yet, but this team can not afford ANOTHER first round DL bust. He did show some quickness and that is a good sign.
Sidbury showed quickness on a couple of his rushes, but could not make a play.
Owens IMO was very impressive for a first NFL game. He looks like a playmaker, which is what every team has to have in the NFL.
CBrass
August 19th, 2009
11:46 am
SW,
I read earlier that it is now classified as a category 4 storm!!! Glad to see that it will not be a direct hit on the mainland if it’s going to get stronger.
Stirg d'Nahsif
August 19th, 2009
11:53 am
What’s up, Seminole Warrior, CBrass, Unca’ Bob, e’erybody? Even you, YUP!!! (sorry; I don’t debate ignorance).
COOP, I agree. Owens will eventually start; but I think he’ll start earlier than anticipated. We’re still not conscience to the severity of Houston’s injury, number one; and number two, I think both Owens and Grimes demonstrated more “urgency” to play than any other cornerback on the team. Do we start two undersized cornerbacks? Yes; if they are playmakers.
Anderson, simply put, needs more time to mature. I know patience for his maturity is near-’bout exhausted but the man switched positions late in his amatuer career. I say that we keep him in for run support and bring him out, for the likeness of Sidbury, in obvious passing downs. We have a pretty good run-support corps: Abraham, Lewis, Babineaux, Anderson, Pete, Nicholas, Lofton, Owens, Grimes, DeCoud and Coleman.
Dawson Devitt (D3)
August 19th, 2009
12:01 pm
Great Mid-Week Day Ladies and Gents! Good banter going back and forth. Let’s dive in……..
Sarah B – Great to have you back. You got some catching up to do.
Ed-Covington – Agreed. That “spin-move” by JA was pathetic.
Ed – Thanks for the props. I think we’ll be OK eventually on DEF.
JJ – Thanks brother. Are you having Golf Major withdrawals yet?
YUP! – I understand your frustration , I think a lot of us are simply bringing up issues that need to be addressed. I would hesitate to say that we are as far along as the Steelers, regardless of record.
Ric Roc – So let me take your “analysis” of my writing. First of all their opinions of my breakdown are just that “their opinions”, so I can’t speak for them. I mentioned several times that it is just a preseason game. If you feel that our first team defense was top-notch than that’s certainly your opinion. I, along with several other fans, felt that it was a pretty weak showing by our retooled defense against a team that went 0-16 for the first time in NFL history, that was supposed to feature an influx of speed, athleticism, and striking ability. We agree that it mainly was our 2nd and 3rd team that got blown out, but that’s not too encouraging either since their 2nd and 3rd teams were in as well. Just a difference of opinion.
CBrass
August 19th, 2009
12:02 pm
Stirg,
I’m dong good. Just enjoy some lunch at the moment. Your band have any shows coming up?
BIRDMAN
August 19th, 2009
12:06 pm
I just started here in the cage and I’m glad it’s here.I’m just starting to realy learn this game .I’ve always been a fan of the birds and football .Some of my coments to you ,GOO ROO’S, may seam stuped.But like I said I’m here to learn and to just hear something about this team I’m so fired up about.This is the best site I have found about our team the NFC south and just all of football all together .I think some of you Men and Lady’s are very smart on your opinions.But I plan on bein here for a long time,if the Lord willing, and I will throw in my little coments from time to time.Win or lose ..This is why I say Keep it comein ,couse its great to read.
Bless you all
CBrass
August 19th, 2009
12:11 pm
Birdman,
I felt and still feel the same way. The people here is awesome and will not look down you for not being as knowledgeable about the game as they maybe. Glad to have you here love your excitement about the game and the team!!
Stirg d'Nahsif
August 19th, 2009
12:12 pm
Yes, CBrass. Outside of our regular, weekly gig at the Detroit Pub, we have two shows approaching for a Veteran’s organization, doing a stand-down and a private party on a boat down river.
CBrass
August 19th, 2009
12:16 pm
Stirg,
That’s awesome!!
YUP!!
August 19th, 2009
12:19 pm
I will leave it up to the coaches as to what must be done.
Agreed 3rd and 4th qrt. was horrible but I’m not willing to say this defense is in the toilet based on that.
Now if the entire 1st string goes down then I might worry. I’m sure this week will be better. I have confidence in the coaching staff to make the adjustments that’s needed. Let then figure out who needs to play when and where. Fan first……coach never.
Stirg d'Nahsif
August 19th, 2009
12:24 pm
Thanks, CBrass. In this time of hustle, music seems to be the mainstay in this depressed town. Motown lives on, though. As soon as we develop a webpage and I complete this MySpace and Facebook group page (been working on it for weeks), I’ll foward the addresses so you can watch video and sing-a-long…lol.
CBrass
August 19th, 2009
12:40 pm
Stirg,
Please do. Would love to listen and sing-a-long…LOL
YUP,
“Fan first……coach never.” That’s well said. No one here is trying to be a coach. I think we(the cage family) are so afraid that the negative comments made about our D may have had some truth to them with the way that things went on Saturday!! Glad to have you here in the cage.
SeminoleWarrior
August 19th, 2009
12:45 pm
CBrass, not sharing lunch…(pouting here.LOL).
Great comments on the post by our esteemed CEO. I’m not going to add much more to what has already been said. Personally, I unloaded enough on the defense Sunday so I will give them a pass today. But I will leave the Cage fam with the following thought from my 16 Aug 09, 4:02pm post.
Aggression, attitude, and focus MUST be critical for this team to be a force this season. I knew that this was an evolving process on defense and thus, my 9-7 second place finish prediction in the division a few months back. I still stand by that prediction. We will get better for sure but there is no doubt that much work remains.
Ed-Covington
August 19th, 2009
12:48 pm
To all of you who are being critical of us for being critical of the defense: we all know it was the first preseason game, we all hope that it improves. D3 asked for our opinions with specific questions. What were we all supposed to say? “It’s the first preseason game and doesn’t matter”? That would have been a really entertaining blog, wouldn’t it?
SeminoleWarrior
August 19th, 2009
12:53 pm
YUP!! If I am trying to be a coach, so be it. I’m a lifelong fan who take GREAT pride in his Falcons. And I have earned the righ to be as critical as I can be. the 3rd and 4th teams are supposed to look funky. You are correct my friend, evaluate them and hope to see improvement. But it was the horrid lack of effort by too many WHO would be STARTERS that shocked us this past weekend.
As Stirg stated so well again this morning, you did not see the starters for the the G-Men, the Kittens (aka Panthers), the Saints, and the Steelers come into their games with a “happy go lucky approach”. As Herm Edwards would say, play to win the game.
This defense is young. We need the leaders to set a tone NOW!! Attitude, approach to the game, and intensity in the game are CRITICAL.
That my friend is what is in question at this moment.
In Smitty I trust; we will see progress on Friday night.
SeminoleWarrior
August 19th, 2009
12:55 pm
D….d. I’m sorry Cage. I fell for it didn’t I?
Unca' Bob
August 19th, 2009
12:57 pm
Falcons coach Mike Smith said he will play the rookies and younger players early against St. Louis to see how they fare against the Rams’ better players
BIRDMAN
August 19th, 2009
1:01 pm
KEEP
IT
COMEIN..!
GO
BIRDS..!
SeminoleWarrior
August 19th, 2009
1:06 pm
UnCa Bob (Semper Fi my brother)
A wise approach by Smitty. Got to establish that critical depth!
He should also flip a coin; Heads, Shock get the entire first half; Tails, Redman gets it. JPW is practice squad bound. I know a lot of people are calling for Redman to be cut but I do not think it is likely unless he totally collapses. And that is not likely; he does have more starting experience than anyone on the roster except MR.
Stirg d'Nahsif
August 19th, 2009
1:08 pm
I can go along with 9-7, Warrior. That was my prediction when we discussed it in the offseason. Aggression, attitude and focus must be addressed THIS WEEK, with “urgency”. Without it, we’re doomed.
The pundits who support the lackadaisical play of our defense, I’ll give you that. I’ll give you the fact that the players may be saving themselves for week 1 of regular season. So, instead of speaking on behalf of anybody else, I’ll just tell you about me. Pre-season, regular season, post-season, off-season, winter season, four seasons, season salt, season all… I don’t care. I am not about to give my opponents bragging rights. That’s just the competiveness in me. I will talk smack at the card table. Its more than just a game; its competition. The first team defense should feel awful, at the very least, for their lack of “urgency” in that game.
YUP!!
August 19th, 2009
1:21 pm
I said I was no coach. If anyone on this board wants to play that game fine with me. I just don’t see the point in getting all crazy over the first pre-season game.
If some don’t have a problem with giving your opinion on how bad they sucked, why is is a problem for some of you to get upset that 1 pre-season game really doesn’t get me all worried.
Again I look back at the Steelers last year 0-4 pre-season SUPERBOWL CHAMPS!!
Unca' Bob
August 19th, 2009
1:25 pm
Cagers,
I have not seen the game, but lack of effort is not acceptable. Not in preseason, or any other time.
SeminoleWarrior
August 19th, 2009
1:26 pm
With you 1000% Stirg….The best are the best because they never quit.
If I could speak to BVG, I would give him two pieces of advice. I learned them many years back while attending the NCO Academy (military leadership school). They are from one of America’s finest battlefield commanders, General George S. Patton. Trust me, there is NO ONE capable of questioning the successes of his team!! I took them to heart a long time ago, used them as a leader myself (thank, General (RIP)) and they are still alive and well within me today.
“I always believe in being prepared, even when I’m dressed in white tie and tails.”
A good plan, violently executed now, is better than a perfect plan next week.”
CBrass
August 19th, 2009
1:29 pm
SW,
LOL don’t pout you didn’t miss much!!
Unca' Bob
August 19th, 2009
1:32 pm
SW,
I would like to see the QB area cleaned up also. M Ryan does not need many reps and DJS and CR do. Play ‘em.
SeminoleWarrior
August 19th, 2009
1:34 pm
Cage
Looks like Chris Owens will get much more time to show his stuff. Breaking news indicates that Houston is out for Friday’s game.
CBrass
August 19th, 2009
1:40 pm
Stirg,
I agree you have to bring it very game. Just because it the preseason doesn’t mean the D can just take the day off.
SeminoleWarrior
August 19th, 2009
1:42 pm
Stirg, again I agree.
If I could share two pieces of advice with the defense, especially BVG, I would offer two concepts of leadership I took from some readings I did while attending the NCO academy a long time ago.
Draw your own opinions from the following quotes by General George S. Patton. At times, you could question the man’s methods, but you could NEVER question his dedication to the mission, which was always in focus, and the results, which were always undeniable. The thoughts:
“A good plan, violently executed now, is better than a perfect plan next week.”
“I always believe in being prepared, even when I’m dressed in white tie and tails.”
Unca' Bob
August 19th, 2009
1:44 pm
With CB Chris Houston missing time with a hamstring injury, CBs Christopher Owens and Chevis Jackson have seen the most action in his place.
SeminoleWarrior
August 19th, 2009
1:45 pm
You have to bring it..Champions do not take time outs!!
SeminoleWarrior
August 19th, 2009
1:47 pm
LOL…CBrass. Okay. Same here…a PBJ sandwich.
SeminoleWarrior
August 19th, 2009
1:50 pm
Bulger is also out with an injury this week. Kyle Boller and Brock Berlin get the action for the Rams. I think that it also means we will see alot of the Rams running game. Just what we need to evaluate the progress upfront.
CBrass
August 19th, 2009
1:51 pm
SW,
It was a little bit more that..LOL
SeminoleWarrior
August 19th, 2009
1:57 pm
No CB, the PBJ was MY lunch. Thus my pout. I was lazy today. Saving for later. Think I may pick up some BBQ ribs for the shift tonight.
CBrass
August 19th, 2009
2:02 pm
SW,
I got ya. BBQ ribs sound lovely haven’t had any in forever!!!
Coop
August 19th, 2009
2:07 pm
SW and UB – Agree with both on playing time for QBs. But SW, you mentioned that you think CR will stay due to starting experience. If (big IF) DJ could show he can handle the load, then I think we’d be safe letting CR go. If not, then we might consider letting DJ go. Either DJ’s ready to be the #2 or not. In my mind, being #2 is the only way he makes the team. I know about the injuries, but I’m not in favor of keeping a 3rd year 3rd stringer and sending the rookie to the practice squad. If DJ isn’t ready to be the #2 now, what will another year as #3 do for him? If we hope JPW will become the #2 one day, then make him the #3 now. the most important thing is to have a competent backup behind MR, but to me, either CR or DJ has to go. The only exception would be if JPW is totally incapable of being the #3.
SeminoleWarrior
August 19th, 2009
2:17 pm
Coop, I see you and agree. But two points. Smitty vcalues experience at the key points. MR was an exception to the rule because he proved to Mad Mike that he was the man early and that was that.
The #2 QB position is Redman’s to lose. I think that the Falcons will keep Shock regardless of how this all plays out. Shock is a local favorite and popular with fans. And, going back to my Seneca Wallace references of over the weekend, Mad Mike could implement a “modified” wildcat that would suit Shock well. JPW will be allowed to grow on the practice squad under the tutelage of Coach Musgrave and Mad Mike. And I’m with you, if he can show something over the next three weeks, I say give him a shot at the #3.
SeminoleWarrior
August 19th, 2009
2:41 pm
Well Cage, it’s that time. Time to head off to the office, monitor some showers and storms as well as keep an eye on a mean fellow named Bill.
Great discussion as always. D3, what more can we say? You are the man!!
Sarah, glad you are home safe my lady. CBrass, rolling with you is a joy each day.
Stirg, UnCa Bob, Coop, Birdman, Ed-C, and the regular Cage cast. Much luv for ya! You bring it and you bring it strong. That’s what I’m all about. If Nookah pops in later, tell him to drop us a Nesta moment.
And we may have to call in Nancy Grace on the MIA, WR.
If you are at your crib, keep chilling. If you are work, at home, or on the move towards where you lay your hat, be safe as you roll.
Let someone you care for know that you DO care, and remember, Divine willing, I’ll see you on the other side. Peace and God Bless!!
ONE NATION…FALCON NATION.
Coop
August 19th, 2009
2:45 pm
SW – Unless DJ gets real playing time in the reg season, he’ll never leap CR in your scenario. You say Smitty likes experience. I’m not sure I completely agree, but for sake of the arguement, OK. I don’t think Red’s limited regular season experience is enough to put him ahead of DJ if they are perfroming the same in camp and preseason. Either you have faith Shock can run #2, or let him go. I can’t see keeping an extra QB just for wildcat. Plus, I think they use Norwood for wildcat.
I love DJ too. I’m a UGA grad and big time homer. But I am for the team as a whole. I want CR to go to free up any money we might use to sign or keep players. I’m pulling for DJ to come out and show Smitty that CR is expendable.
BIRDMAN
August 19th, 2009
3:07 pm
Great reads once again
Quetion . Do ya’ll think we will pick up another player are two.On the D side before its all said and done.? Thanks SW for the input its always a slam to read ,have a good one my man.
KEEP ..IT …COMEIN…!!!
CBrass
August 19th, 2009
3:24 pm
Birdman,
You raise a great question. If the coach do not like what they see do you guys and girls think that they will trying to find someone after the cuts are made?
Coop
August 19th, 2009
3:55 pm
CBrass – Yes. Look at the Ferguson/Booker signings at WR. TD and Smitty will definitely look to fill perceived holes. My question is who is out there that could help us if the D line doesn’t show improvement???
CBrass
August 19th, 2009
4:14 pm
Coop,
That’s that’s my main concern. There may not be anyone out there.
Ed-Covington
August 19th, 2009
4:16 pm
Birdman & CBrass:
As I posted last week, there always seem to be some surprise cuts by other teams and they are normally the first cuts (coaches will say to give that player an earlier chance to catch on with another team). I’m sure with TD’s scouting department they will be watching the waiver wires carefully for any player they believe will improve the team. Does everyone realize that we are going into this season with no questions whatsoever about the starting offense? How many teams can say that? There are not even any extra kickers in camp. The preseason will be all about the entire defense (except Abe, Babs and Lofton), depth on offense and the return game. Not to beat a dead horse, but I guess that is what disturbs us most about the defense’s performance last week. Every move (except TG and one draft choice) during the off-season was made to improve the defense. Nearly every position is up for grabs and should bring out the competitiveness in the players. This should lead to maximum effort on everyone’s part to win a spot on the team. Didn’t see it last week. Go Birds!! Thanks again for the blog D3.
BIRDMAN
August 19th, 2009
4:48 pm
YOU SAID IT
Not a lot of concern about the O .The O looks real good .The kicking and return didnt look that good last week.And the D looked like they were all stoned.Maybe it was just a bad day .Maybe all these new guys had butter flys in there stomoch.And maybe ,I hope, they will look better this week.One thing I notice in last weeks gme was that Colbert droped 3 passes that would have been big yarders if cought.And if they were cought it could have been a lot worse loss. And the QB,s runing the ball up the middle ! They gota stop that. Ya’ll keep it comein.
GO….FALCONS…!!!
BT
August 19th, 2009
5:24 pm
Lofton on the Falcons’ D: “We’ve upgraded at every position”
Flowery Branch — The first question to Curtis Lofton: Should Falcons fans be worried about this defense?
Let the record reflect that his one-word answer is prefaced by a one-beat pause and a glare that could shatter plate glass. The one-word answer: “No.”
Curtis Lofton is the new leader of a remade defense. To be kind, there were moments in Detroit on Saturday when the D appeared less than fully formed. The Falcons yielded 454 yards against a team that finished 0-for-2008. Lofton’s take: “I’ve never seen a preseason game that counted.”
And that would, under different circumstances, be the operative reaction. To shrug. To say, “Hey, it’s preseason.” But when you’ve changed starters at five positions, shrugging comes a bit harder.
Thomas Dimitroff, architect of this reconfiguration, actually does shrug when asked about the exhibition opener. And then the general manager says: “We gave up 128 yards in the first half. Our subs were kind of running around after that.”
The Falcons will not be as good defensively in Week 1 of the regular season as they figure to be in Week 12. Dimitroff: “With time and reps, we’ll get to the point where we’re in lockstep. That just comes with being together longer.”
Lofton: “As a defense, you always want to peak at the end. You don’t want to peak in the first game.”
That won’t happen. That shouldn’t happen. But the schedule is so front-loaded — first three opponents: Miami, Carolina, New England — that a defense still finding its feet might well be knocked off its feet. But the Falcons knew that going in. Dimitroff and Mike Smith did their clearance on aging guys with2009 in mind, yes, but also with 2010 and beyond.
As the Falcons exited Phoenix after their playoff loss, Dimitroff had one word in mind. “Urgency,” he says now. (Indeed, “urgency” is to2009 as “process” was to 2008 in Falconville.) “We want opportunistic players who are going to fall on the football when it rolls out.”
Lofton recalls having an even more specific thought. “The No. 1 thing we needed to upgrade?” he says. “The pass rush. [Rookie Lawrence] Sidbury is going to help. [Rookie Peria] Jerry is going to help.”
The aim was to get faster across the board. Has that happened? “We’ve definitely gotten faster,” Lofton says. “Mike Peterson is more athletic and faster than our linebackers [Keith Brooking and Michael Boley] last year. Our defensive tackles are faster. We’ve upgraded at every position.”
Dimitroff: “Even in the dog days of August and training camp, these guys are showing that urgency.”
Cohesion will take a bit longer. But that’s to be expected. This is still — buzzword alert! — a process. This defense didn’t finish24th among 32 NFL teams in 2008 by being a finished product. It needed an overhaul. Dimitroff did the redo. And the Detroit game?
Lofton: “Everybody’s got to start somewhere.”
And it isn’t as if new guys know it all the first time out. Lofton was a rookie last season. He recalls his first preseason game in Jacksonville: “I was so nervous. I was messing up calls in the huddle. I ended up just running to the ball.”
He turned out OK. Started 15 games, was second among all rookies in tackles, is now so entrenched at middle linebacker he’s considered a cornerstone.
And if worst comes to worst, Curtis Lofton will put guys in the right spot himself. One glare should do the trick.
BT
August 19th, 2009
5:39 pm
Atlanta Falcons: Sights and Sounds from Camp, 8/18/09
August 19, 1:31 AMAtlanta Falcons Examiner Daniel Cox
The Atlanta Falcons starting cornerback Chris Houston sat out practice again on Tuesday, still nursing a sore hamstring.
Head Coach Mike Smith is taking a cautious approach with Houston, saying on Tuesday morning that the health of his players on September13, the first regular season game, is his bottom line, not so much the preseason.
“We are going to monitor Chris day by day to try and get him back,” Smith said. “Our main goal is to be as healthy as possible when we play that opener on September13. We are going to be cautious with all of our players.”
However, there may be a hidden gem at cornerback on the team, ready to step in in an absolute emergency.
During non-contact offensive drills Tuesday morning, quarterback Matt Ryan, along with many other first-teamers, served as defensive stand-ins while the second and third teams walked through plays. Ryan read one route perfectly, jumping in front of the receiver for the interception. Wide receiver Michael Jenkins also showed good pass rush ability.
Smith used a good portion of the morning practice working on red zone and two-minute offenses. The defense played stout as the units marched down the field. Smith, serving as the referee, more than once called questionable penalties against the defense to allow the offense to continue to move the ball.
Safety Erik Coleman ended the first team’s drive with an interception in the end zone. Practice closed with the third team’s turn. The first-team defense, lead by free safety Thomas DeCoud on the sideline, booed Referee Smith on more than one occasion, expressing displeasure with some of his penalty calls.
All in all, Smith was pleased with the work accomplished Tuesday.
“We wanted to do some work in the red zone and we had a good session,” said Smith. “We also wanted to work some two minute (drills), so we finished up the practice with that. I think we did the things we wanted to get accomplished.”
As has become the case on an almost daily basis, Defensive Coordinator Brian Van Gorder had the quote of the day. During one particular offense vs. defense drill, Van Gorder admonished his squad to “be the hammer, not the nail.”
Drawing a crowd
The Falcons entertained various VIP guests on Tuesday and at one point during practice much of the crowd huddled near the offensive line and defensive line drill, lead by two of the team’s more vocal coaches, Offensive Line Coach Paul Boudreau and his defensive counterpart, Ray Hamilton.
The session was intense as the defensive linemen practiced applying pressure in the backfield against o-linemen. First-round draft pick Peria Jerry ripped off the entire right sleeve of his undershirt during one of his turns. It didn’t seem to matter to him, since he’d beaten his man and was in the backfield when it happened.
Coach Smith has been happy with Jerry’s progression through camp, especially during last Saturday’s loss to the Detroit Lions, but continues to say there’s a steep learning curve for the rookies.
“I thought Peria was very explosive off the ball,” Smith said Tuesday. “We saw flashes and spurts where he did some really impressive things. He is going through that learning curve that all of our rookies are going through. I think he is going to become more and more comfortable over these next three weeks.”
Getting noticed
Second-year defensive tackle Thomas Johnson, in his first season with the Falcons, had already caught Smith’s eye before Saturday night’s game and he continues to surprise the team’s coaching staff.
“He is a very explosive player,” Smith said last Wednesday about Johnson. “He can really get off on the ball. He’s one of our strongest and heaviest players. He’s done a lot of really good things so far in camp.”
Johnson got the start on Saturday against the Lions and again didn’t disappoint, coming up with a goal line sack of Detroit’s quarterback, Daunte Culpepper, ending a drive and forcing a field goal.
“That was awesome, man,” Johnson said when asked about his sack. “I just got penetration. I tried to get my hands on the center, he avoided me. The guard tried to cut me; I avoided the cut and fell on the sack.”
The Memphis, Tennessee native is possibly one of the most humble players on the team. He repeatedly points to the coaching staff and the players around him as reasons why he’s playing well. He’ll go to great lengths to stress how impressed he is with his fellow members on the line.
“There are some great guys on the defensive line,” he said, emphasizing “great.”
Smith said Tuesday the Middle Tennessee State product has continued to impress.
“Thomas is a guy that has played in some preseason games before. He hasn’t been on a 53-man roster, but he is very explosive and has done some really good things as well. We want to get a rotation in our defensive line.”
The secret to speed
Fourth-year running back Jerious Norwood shared one of the secrets to his blazing speed on Tuesday and it’s not fishing, which is one of his passions.
His secret: long distance running.
“In the offseason I really don’t do much speed training,” Norwood said. “I just do a lot of long distance running to keep my endurance up.”
BT
August 19th, 2009
5:41 pm
Atlanta Falcons: Sights and Sounds from Camp, 8/18/09
August 19, 1:31 AMAtlanta Falcons Examiner Daniel Cox
The Atlanta Falcons starting cornerback Chris Houston sat out practice again on Tuesday, still nursing a sore hamstring.
Head Coach Mike Smith is taking a cautious approach with Houston, saying on Tuesday morning that the health of his players on September13, the first regular season game, is his bottom line, not so much the preseason.
“We are going to monitor Chris day by day to try and get him back,” Smith said. “Our main goal is to be as healthy as possible when we play that opener on September13. We are going to be cautious with all of our players.”
However, there may be a hidden gem at cornerback on the team, ready to step in in an absolute emergency.
During non-contact offensive drills Tuesday morning, quarterback Matt Ryan, along with many other first-teamers, served as defensive stand-ins while the second and third teams walked through plays. Ryan read one route perfectly, jumping in front of the receiver for the interception. Wide receiver Michael Jenkins also showed good pass rush ability.
Smith used a good portion of the morning practice working on red zone and two-minute offenses. The defense played stout as the units marched down the field. Smith, serving as the referee, more than once called questionable penalties against the defense to allow the offense to continue to move the ball.
Safety Erik Coleman ended the first team’s drive with an interception in the end zone. Practice closed with the third team’s turn. The first-team defense, lead by free safety Thomas DeCoud on the sideline, booed Referee Smith on more than one occasion, expressing displeasure with some of his penalty calls.
All in all, Smith was pleased with the work accomplished Tuesday.
“We wanted to do some work in the red zone and we had a good session,” said Smith. “We also wanted to work some two minute (drills), so we finished up the practice with that. I think we did the things we wanted to get accomplished.”
As has become the case on an almost daily basis, Defensive Coordinator Brian Van Gorder had the quote of the day. During one particular offense vs. defense drill, Van Gorder admonished his squad to “be the hammer, not the nail.”
Drawing a crowd
The Falcons entertained various VIP guests on Tuesday and at one point during practice much of the crowd huddled near the offensive line and defensive line drill, lead by two of the team’s more vocal coaches, Offensive Line Coach Paul Boudreau and his defensive counterpart, Ray Hamilton.
The session was intense as the defensive linemen practiced applying pressure in the backfield against o-linemen. First-round draft pick Peria Jerry ripped off the entire right sleeve of his undershirt during one of his turns. It didn’t seem to matter to him, since he’d beaten his man and was in the backfield when it happened.
Coach Smith has been happy with Jerry’s progression through camp, especially during last Saturday’s loss to the Detroit Lions, but continues to say there’s a steep learning curve for the rookies.
“I thought Peria was very explosive off the ball,” Smith said Tuesday. “We saw flashes and spurts where he did some really impressive things. He is going through that learning curve that all of our rookies are going through. I think he is going to become more and more comfortable over these next three weeks.”
BT
August 19th, 2009
5:44 pm
Getting noticed
Second-year defensive tackle Thomas Johnson, in his first season with the Falcons, had already caught Smith’s eye before Saturday night’s game and he continues to surprise the team’s coaching staff.
“He is a very explosive player,” Smith said last Wednesday about Johnson. “He can really get off on the ball. He’s one of our strongest and heaviest players. He’s done a lot of really good things so far in camp.”
Johnson got the start on Saturday against the Lions and again didn’t disappoint, coming up with a goal line sack of Detroit’s quarterback, Daunte Culpepper, ending a drive and forcing a field goal.
“That was awesome, man,” Johnson said when asked about his sack. “I just got penetration. I tried to get my hands on the center, he avoided me. The guard tried to cut me; I avoided the cut and fell on the sack.”
The Memphis, Tennessee native is possibly one of the most humble players on the team. He repeatedly points to the coaching staff and the players around him as reasons why he’s playing well. He’ll go to great lengths to stress how impressed he is with his fellow members on the line.
“There are some great guys on the defensive line,” he said, emphasizing “great.”
Smith said Tuesday the Middle Tennessee State product has continued to impress.
“Thomas is a guy that has played in some preseason games before. He hasn’t been on a 53-man roster, but he is very explosive and has done some really good things as well. We want to get a rotation in our defensive line.”
The secret to speed
Fourth-year running back Jerious Norwood shared one of the secrets to his blazing speed on Tuesday and it’s not fishing, which is one of his passions.
His secret: long distance running.
“In the offseason I really don’t do much speed training,” Norwood said. “I just do a lot of long distance running to keep my endurance up.”
BT
August 19th, 2009
5:48 pm
Sorry about the double post and it being somewhat of a long read, it was good stuff though.
Sometimes, I get good hang time on the post with them not showing for around 5 minuites or so, in spite of doing several F5`s to refresh the board.
BT
August 19th, 2009
5:58 pm
Chris Owens isn’t kidding about the informational overload facing most NFL rookies.
It’s not just that they must practice, study, condition, eat and sleep the right way. They also must excel in their roles on special teams.
For Owens, an Atlanta cornerback and a third-round draft pick from San Jose State, winning a starting job in the Falcons’ base defense isn’t his only goal.
“I’m on kickoff coverage, kickoff return, I’m the gunner on punt and I’m the hold-up guy on punt return,” Owens said Tuesday with a big smile. “It’s more fun than I can explain.”
To average fans, it might seem more glamorous to line up opposite Steve Smith or Randy Moss in man coverage, but Owens knows his new coaches expect much more.
Owens doesn’t know if he will start Friday when the Falcons (0-1) visit St. Louis (1-0) in a preseason matchup. His objective at this early stage of his career is cross-training.
“The capacity of information they give you, mentally and physically, is taxing,” Owens said. “But what makes this so exciting and fun is that, in another way, it’s easy. I love the game, and that’s what I do. If you love the game, it’s easy.”
Coach Mike Smith indicated earlier this week that Atlanta has yet to settle on a starter at left cornerback, a position Domonique Foxworth held last year before signing as an unrestricted free agent with Baltimore.
Von Hutchins, who signed a three-year deal with the Falcons in March 2008, missed all of last season with a foot injury. Brent Grimes, who’s trying to win the job breaking camp for the second straight year, is another possibility.
Owens, though, could win the job with a good preseason, and if does, he will credit his morning regimen.
“Every day it’s something different on the field and in the meeting room, but I have a routine that helps me a lot,” he said. “Waking up, eating the same thing for breakfast and then going to bed at a certain time, all that helps me max out a routine.
“Three eggs scrambled well with cheese on top. Pineapples and strawberries and other berries. That’s the ticket.”
Hutchins also intends to win the left-side job after getting signed as a free agent with Atlanta following a 2007 season of starting 15 of 16 games in Houston two years ago.
A big part of earning snaps in the secondary, however, is proving your value “across the roster,” which Hutchins is showing in phases of special teams.
“They expect everything out of you, and you should expect even more from yourself,” Hutchins said. “The kid Owens can do a lot, but so can a few other guys out here. My goal is to win a job (at left corner) and to do anything else that’s asked of me as a football player.”
The Falcons have starting right cornerback Chris Houston out with a strained hamstring, so Chevis Jackson, a third-round draft pick last year from LSU, is expecting to take snaps at that spot against the Rams.
“I’m just going to go out and make some plays,” Jackson said. “You never know what’s going to be asked of you, either on defense or on special teams.”
Ken Strickland
August 19th, 2009
6:22 pm
Before some of you get all bent out of shape over the DEF’s performance in our preseason loss, please take the following into consideration. Before judging the DL and LB’s, you first have to know what the coaches were trying to accomplish. Based on last yrs problem with stopping the run, it would make sense for them to direct the DLineman to concentrate on stopping the run.
I don’t think our coaches made rushing the passer a big priority against the Lions. Our coaching staff isn’t focusing on evaluating the DEF at this early stage of the preseason, but rather individual DEF players. Remember, we’re only replacing one DLineman, GJackson, from last yrs DL. I find it very hard to believe we can’t effectively replace an overweight, slow, immobile, past his prime DT out of a stable of younger, quicker, faster, more mobile and athletic DT’s.
With a dominant OFF like ours, our DEF doesn’t have to be dominant, or even close to being dominant. It only has to be better than last yrs, and that’s a given. We’re attempting to replace 4 of 5 DEF starters that had become one dimensional due to age, injury and/or personal issues, with players that are younger, quicker, faster, more versatile and athletic.
BT
August 19th, 2009
8:00 pm
Ken Strickland-
I am certainly not bent about the defensive performance.
Been saying all along wait until the 3rd preseason game to form any assessment other than just watching how some individuals do in some situations.
I agree, with you and Curtis Lofton when he says they are faster and better at every position.
Based on that, there is no doubt in my mind we will see an improved product.
CBrass
August 19th, 2009
9:05 pm
Just wanted to say a huge CONGRATULATIONS to the Warner Robins Little League Softball World Series Champions!!!
Sarah B
August 19th, 2009
9:09 pm
Wow! Watching the Vick interview I recorded on 60 Minutes Sunday. Maybe he does realize he screwed up. Good luck Mike!
Sarah B
August 19th, 2009
9:15 pm
What??? Have I been blocked??? Where is my last post? Nothing offensive… Gonna watch the DET. game now.
Sarah B
August 19th, 2009
9:17 pm
Yep blocked!
Dawson Devitt (D3)
August 19th, 2009
9:22 pm
Quickly, sorry Bird Cagers for the blog monster roared his ugly head in a quick hurry. Who knows. All posts should now be released.
CBrass
August 19th, 2009
9:24 pm
Sarah B,
I watched the Vick interview also and I agree he has finally realized that he screwed up.
Sarah B
August 19th, 2009
9:25 pm
Hey CBrass glad to be back!
CBrass
August 19th, 2009
9:26 pm
Glad to have you back. How were things with the family?
Sarah B
August 19th, 2009
9:28 pm
It was all good except my parents think I’m still 10…
CBrass
August 19th, 2009
9:30 pm
It’s said that they will never let you grow up. I guess it’s true.
Coop
August 19th, 2009
9:31 pm
Cage, thanks for all the great talk and welcoming me in. I feel like I hit the jackpot. Been reading for a while, but making my first post about Vick, then everyone’s welcome and acceptance has made this a GREAt experience for me.
Now, I hope and beleive that the team will be better (as I think most of you do). I think I, like others here, fear what they saw (even though preseason) and became VERY apprehensive. Most of you are like me and have been fans for 20, 30, even 40 years. We’ve NEVER seen a good season followed by a second. Every time the future has looked its brightest, we get the rug pulled out the hardest. Had the team gone 6 -10 last year, we might have said, “heading in the right direction”. The 11-5 is almost a cures. ‘Cause now we’re hoping for playoffs… and wins in playoffs. At the same time, I can’t help but fear a losing season.
All this to say, when I worry about a preseason game, it’s based in nearly 40 personal years of living and dying with this team. I am sooooo hungry to NOT have my heart broken AGAIN. So when I watch our team sleep walk through EVEN a preseason game… I’m worried. I hope it’s all training. But the Falcons are NOT the Pats, Steelers, Eagles. They haven’t earned my understanding during the preseason yet.
CBrass
August 19th, 2009
9:32 pm
I see my post where I agreed with on you MV#7 may have to eaten. Anyways I finally believe it when he say he’s sorry for what he did.
Dawson Devitt (D3)
August 19th, 2009
9:39 pm
Great Mid-Week Day Bird Cagers! Hope everyone’s getting pumped about defensive redemption as we head towards Friday @ St. Louis. Only thing is that Marc Bulger is hurt, so it may not be the most true indicator, but let’s see. Good convo’s going on today regarding the defense.
Many have certainly argued that many of us are over-blowing this entire analysis because its just preseason. That surely is an understandable opinion, because you don’t get preseason Lombardi trophies. The Pittsburgh Steelers did go 0-4, but even I, being a huge homer, have a hard time saying that we’re really close to being as far along as the Steelers are in the process.
Maybe its due to the fact that we’ve been working ourselves into a serious frenzy about the upcoming season since February, and our first glimpse at our new retooled DEF was less than stellar. There were solid performances throughout the D, but we just looked kind of off kilter, to say the least. Our first team D did play pretty well, but there’s major room for improvement if we expect to give our OFF a chance against the Pats, Panthers, Saints, Eagles, Bears, and Giants.
The fact about the loss coming due to our second and third stringers is true, but they had their second and third stringers in there as well, so so that says at the minimum we have a SERIOUS issue with depth.
Boxcarar
August 19th, 2009
9:46 pm
A little off topic but do the Falcons get cap relief in the amount that the Eagles pay MV?
Dawson Devitt (D3)
August 19th, 2009
9:55 pm
CBrass – Thanks for the props as always. JA’s days seemed to be getting smaller and smaller with many fans. We knew this would happen if he didn’t produce.
BIRDMAN – Thanks my man. Great to see you here in the Bird Cage on a regular basis.
Coop – That was the point I was trying to make as well on the starters. The subs did get blown up, but many of our first teamers looked slow, lost, or both.
Jim in Buckhead – Very good point. Glad to have you here in the Cage.
Unca’ Bob – Thanks for that tidbit from Coach Smitty. I some of us, like me, have been hypercritical because we’ve been discussing the season for a long while.
Seminole – Thanks as always my man. You’re like me, we can’t make too many excuses for why our defense looked REALLY bad. We got whipped by the rookies from D-Town.
Stirg – Exactly the point I intended to make. There are other DEF’s across the league that COULD use the same excuse, but they’re not because they don’t need to.
blord – Good analysis. JA needs to do something in a hurry, really just for the fans, because the coaches obviously don’t feel the same quick hook. Love Owens and his play. He’ll be playing a lot this year methinks.
tyler – Nice comments. No one’s seat is warmer than JA’s. All the reasons why he HASN’T performed have been discussed ad nauseum, but at what point do those excuses get used up.
YUP! – I completely see your points. And our first string will be fine, but our depth is in serious question at this point. Something many of us hoped would be a strength this year.
Ed-Covington – Exactly. Just wanted to put the questions to you all on what you thought of the DEF performance and your feelings on the future.
Coop
August 19th, 2009
9:57 pm
Had a good post, but seems to be lost. Quick hit… love you guys and suffered too long to give the D the benefit of the doubt. EVEN in preseason.
Boxcarar
August 19th, 2009
10:17 pm
Must be the monster,so I will rephrase my question. A little off subject but do Falcons receive cap relief for the amount that the Eagles are paying our old quarterback?
BT
August 19th, 2009
11:22 pm
Boxcar-
No, only if he decided to give back the some money he owes.
Then they would be credited that amount.
BT
August 19th, 2009
11:36 pm
D3-
Do you mind elaborating on exactly where you perceive a lack of depth?
Boxcarar
August 20th, 2009
12:09 am
Thanks, BT.
Ken Strickland
August 20th, 2009
12:23 am
COOP-in the past, whenever we’ve had a winning season, ownership would refuse to resign key FA’s. Dan Reeves, serving as both HC and GM, put together a Superbowl team, then traded or refused to resign key player after key player. When Rankin Smith was the owner, he was notorious for refusing to spend money to resign key FA’s. We’ve also been victimized by injuries to franchise players like QB MVick and RB’s JAnderson and WAndrews.
The way this OFF is constructed, an injury to franchise players like QB MRyan or RB MTurner wouldn’t automatically cause this team to have a losing season, but it would limit it’s overall success. With our vaulted rushing OFF, and the added dimension TE TGonzalez adds to our passing OFF, DEF’s can’t tee off on QB MRyan with all out blitzes. That lessens the probability of him getting injured. TE TGonzalez” addition, and our much improved passing OFF, would prevent teams from stacking the line of scrimmage to stop RB MTurner, like last yr. That also lessens the probability of him getting injuried.
Instead of stressing out and judging our DEF’s overall ability after only one preseason performance, we should wait and measure the DEF’s steady improvement from gm to gm. Remember, last yr our OFF operated on one leg and didn’t reach it’s full potential until after our bye week. We could very likely see the same thing happen with this yrs DEF.
Ed
August 20th, 2009
2:41 am
My take on our D is we have eleven players on the field that have varying degrees of skill. Unfortunately because of having to replace 50% of last years defense they are not playing as a unit. Whereas a Mike Peterson can bring a lot of leadership and other intangibles, he needs help covering up when he’s in pass coverage as one example. With so many first and second year players, not having a Milloy to lead and help teach these young guys how to play as a team is hurting us now. Lofton is being looked upon as the new leader and he’s only a second year player. We are missing that “in his prime” stud defensive player in the back 7 to be our anchor and make it all work. If Falcons can withstand the initial onslaught of our opening schedule, this D should grow as the season goes forward and become very good.