Atlanta Falcons: Birds Escape vs. Panthers
No Caption Needed (AJC)
It was an ugly, ugly win, but the Atlanta Falcons stayed perfect with their come from behind win against the division rival Panthers. Even though it wasn’t pretty, the Falcons showed some serious resolve in finding a way to win when they weren’t playing their best. The bottom line is that the Falcons are 4-0 and they beat a division rival primed for a good game after being embarrassed on Thursday Night Football and having 10 days to prepare for them. A look at the miraculous win…………
Matty Ice
It’s been said a million times over, but the cool-as-ice quarterback willed his team to win against absolutely impossible odds. Having to drive 99 yards in less than a minute with no timeouts is the stuff legends are made of. Backing up to the end of his endzone, he chunked the ball 60-65 yards in the air and Roddy White made a huge catch. He engineered the drive against impossible odds and this one has to rank up there with one of the best. The guy is taking the step before our eyes and did all this despite getting beat to death and sacked 7 times.
Roddy Clutch
Roddy Clutch (AJC)
Julio Jones has gotten a lot of the hype about the next great wide receiver, but Roddy White is the one who to turn to when you need to make a play. Julio Jones has gotten the TD catches to date, but Roddy finally got both the yards, touchdowns, and huge plays. Not only did he help rescue the game with his amazing catch, he also had a fantastic touchdown catch where he had to adjust mid-air to haul in the pass. Jones may be the future,
The Second Matty Ice
Enough can’t be said about someone who may get overlooked on an offense loaded with weapons and that’s Matt Bryant. Matt Ryan already has the Matty Ice nickname, but Matt Bryant has been absolutely money in clutch situations since he’s been here. Luckily, he hasn’t been needed for a game-winning field goal until Sunday, but making those unbelievable comeback drives mean nothing if your kicker can’t finish the deal.
The OL Nightmare Returns
Was it just a mirage or was there some credence to the offensive line actually looking better in the first 3 games? Right now, statistics have to fall on the side of it being just one bad game against a very hungry defense. And maybe it had something to do with the Panthers scheme seeing something in their 10 days of preparation to confuse Ryan and the offense. But this much is certain: it was a complete nightmare on Sunday, leading to 7 sacks and bringing all those bad feelings about the offensive line roaring back in terrible fashion. Ryan was sacked almost double in one game (7 sacks) that he had in the first three (4).
Sam Baker has always been the lightning rod of criticism, but the left side of the line is doing OK with Baker having a good year and Blalock always being the solid rock with little to no issues. The problem, as many all knew, was the right side of the OL. It comes from a somewhat surprising place in Tyson Clabo. To be sure, Garrett Reynolds is getting the job done but is surely not dominant in the least and still doesn’t project as a long-term option. Clabo has given up a majority of the sacks this year all on his own and has looked downright terrible all year, going back to preseason. Maybe it’s his age catching up or maybe he’s just missing a solid force next to him at right guard, but he’s simply not getting the job done. They made a change with Sam Baker last year, how long will they give Clabo? Lamar Holmes looked just fine in preseason and many Cage members would love to see Clabo move inside to RG (where his size could potentially dominate) and Reynolds move back to his old natural position of right tackle. Todd McClure hasn’t been the worst, but he had some problems on Sunday, as many fans thought would happen as the season wore on. Is the nightmare here to stay or was it just one bad game?
Time for an OL Change?
Gotta Stop the Run Better (AJC)
As mentioned above, the offensive line has to get the benefit of the doubt so far in that they did a pretty good job in the first three weeks (even though their run blocking was weak). However, how long will the coaching staff give this OL before a change is made? Last year, Sam Baker got some opportunities in different spots but was yanked in favor of Will Svitek and Joe Hawley, respectively. Same goes for Garrett Reynolds. As fans discussed in the preseason, the likelihood was very great that the same offensive line with so many problems in 2011, would start exactly the same in 2012, with literally no changes made. Sure enough, that’s been the case. If this becomes a trend, fans will at least want to see something change on the OL, including getting looks at Peter Konz and Lamar Holmes, and maybe moving Clabo inside to right guard?
Worries at LB
The Panthers exploited one of the Falcons biggest weaknesses in defending the run. The option-give that Newton did was hard for the Birds to stop. Their outside linebackers, Sean Weatherspoon and Stephen Nicholas, have been outstanding, but they’ve operated mostly in the nickel defense. The base 4-3 defense include middle linebacker Akeem Dent and he didn’t have the best of days on Sunday. It’s way too early to make a call on Dent and his future since he’s basically a rookie getting his first live snaps, but it does need to be addressed. Throw in the fact that the Falcons are razor thin at linebacker anyway and it may be time to take a look at one of the defensive ends, like Kroy Biermann, at OLB, allowing Spoon or Nicholas to move inside.
Trap Game or Cause for Slight Concerns?
This game had trap written all over it. The Falcons were flying high. The Panthers were humiliated on national TV. Their sophomore Super(interception)Man was called out. The Panthers had 10 full days to prepare for the Falcons. The Birds had a short week in traveling back from the west coast. It may not have been a trap game, but the Falcons surely weren’t at their best and the Panthers knew the importance. On the positive side, the Falcons won a game ugly and that’s all that matters.
However, potentially on the negative side, as longtime Bird Cage member Unca’ Bob said, we may be benefitting from a pretty easy spot of the schedule. We’ve played and won 4 games, but 3 of them have been against the roundly considered weak AFC West. The other was against an NFC South team with 2 losses to show, one of them being a blowout. You can’t control your schedule and the Falcons have won the only games they’ve played, but this game brought many fans back to Earth a little bit and realized there are a ton of areas to improve upon.
Turner the Stud
Turner the Stud (AJC)
Often beleaguered Falcons running back is showing an rebirth the last two weeks with excellent performances against San Diego and Carolina Panthers. Turner has made some fans (heavily including this author) to eat some major crow. And it will happily be done. Turner may not be the best fit for the offense going forward, but he’s still a major cog on this team filled with explosive offensive weapons.
Sometime You Have to Win Ugly
The title says it all and an ugly win is better than the prettiest of losses or as some call them “moral victories.” The Falcons played their worst football of the year in all aspects and they met a team playing with a major hunger knowing the importance and having plenty of time to prepare. The Falcons found a way to win and that’s a testament to this team’s character in finding ways to win and special seasons are made up of those.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
848 comments Add your comment
Unca' Bob
October 8th, 2012
1:16 pm
To the high passes. It’s only a thought, but here goes.
I would think that open-air grass fields should have a ridge running down the center from goal post to goal post and slanting toward the sidelines for drainage. In a domed stadium there would be no real need to drain, and therefore would be more level.
Like I said…Just a thought.
Matty Bicep
October 8th, 2012
1:24 pm
Unca, as good a theory as I have ever heard. I wonder if they practice on grass before out door games. I would image they have to, really, no way this could be overlooked?
Big Lou
October 8th, 2012
1:42 pm
Paddy O
Yes you did. I remember that post. In glad you see the upside of this defense.
I mean think about it. They held RG3 to zero touchdowns, I repeat ZERO touchdowns. They were going into the game averaging 30 points a game. He officially had the worst QB rating of his career.
Of course we can nick pick on the run defense, but if you have looked at the tend… it is a bend, but not break team. They will get yards, but they will tighten up on scores.
8th in the league in points allowed. 1st in turnovers. This D is legit.
Big Lou
October 8th, 2012
1:44 pm
The flowery branch is a grass field, correct?
Bird Nation
October 8th, 2012
1:47 pm
Snacktastic: What sucks the most is that their only punchline comes by comparison of Super Bowl rings. By my account, no team has been more overrated and yet underachieved as much as the Cowgirls.
My question to you all is this: Could it be that as Def. coordinators and head coaches get more game film, they are picking up on certain tendencies? Or is it that it’s taking more time for them to grow into our new Off. coordinator’s style of offense? Possibly we’re winning on pure talent alone? Whatever the case, I hope the issues get addressed during the upcoming bye week in week 7. My poor nerves may not be able to stand another nail biter. lol
waynester
October 8th, 2012
2:03 pm
The surprise has worn off our new schemes and other teams are getting a handle on us, yet we continue to pull out WINS!
I feel stupid defending such a poorly executed play, but again, no matter who is in at fullback–they’re going to be a check-down receiver–with Polite out, Hawley had to pick up yet another position on short notice. I believe it was Roddy after the game that said (paraphrasing) “the funny thing was– he was catching them all in practice”…so we actually game-planned some dump-offs to Hawley–we just didn’t execute them….
Greg Mendel
October 8th, 2012
2:15 pm
Good points, Cagers. Bird Nation touched on stuff I’ve been thought about. It makes me nervous too, but what gives me hope is that a lot of problems ARE being addressed and corrected. Plus, the players and coaches seem to be working together to solve problems. They’ve all got egos, but I think the two biggest egos left at the end of last season. I like the 2012 attitude.
snacktastic
October 8th, 2012
2:15 pm
@Bird Nation: I think the Birds have learned the new schemes well enough to win, but are still a few games away from dominating on a regular basis. Smith mentioned last week that he thought we were still leaving plays on the field on both sides of the ball, and I agree that that’s what keeps these close games from turning into blowouts. But we’re on the cusp. The bye week will work wonders for this team.
Bird Nation
October 8th, 2012
4:00 pm
Greg Mendel
Speaking along the lines of egos, I don’t know what that was on the sideline between JJ and Robiskie but I do know that it seemed to light a fire under Julio that I don’t recall seeing since he’s been in a Falcons uniform. If he can play like that from here on out, it wouldn’t matter who’s calling plays for or against us, we’d be a team to be reckoned with for the rest of the year.
DHunt
October 8th, 2012
4:08 pm
On the question of MR2 holding the ball too long, I have a couple of theories. Considering we almost never get the camera angles to really analyze how things develop downfield, I freely admit these are just guesses based on circumstantial evidence.
On almost all of Ryan’s deep passes we see receivers having to slow down, wait, and adjust to balls. This could be a matter of miscommunication, but it happens too often and it happens to both deep threat receivers. People, myself included, used to say this was an issue of arm strength. I realized last year that it was actually a case of Ryan not releasing the ball early enough. When a WR gets even with almost any DB (corner or safety), that DB is beat on the deeper route. Period. Seems like MR2 likes to see his receiver running free before he feels comfortable releasing the pass. It’s not as much of a factor on shorter passes, although I’m starting to see a trend where Matt is waiting for receivers to make their breaks rather than anticipating them. Ryan has always had a laser on the short passes, which was why the long passes seemed so off. How can you drill the passes under 20 yards, yet float so many over 40 yards? Strange right? But on the deep ball, it only seems to float, because the receiver is having to pull up an wait for it.
If Matt was to release the ball a full second earlier, and lead the receiver, the completion percentage on those deep balls would skyrocket. He also needs to lead them back into the field of play, rather than put so many deep balls on the sideline. I think that comes from having conservative coaching, but he shouldn’t have to worry about picks on the deep ball if he just puts it where only his receiver can get to it over the top.
Falcons route combinations are also a bit sloppy. I saw several occasions where with only two players in pass patterns, their routes went too close to each other, thus allowing a single safety or a corner playing deep thirds to react to EITHER receiver. The redskins did the exact same thing on the D-Rob interception yesterday, as he was able to come off his man and step in front of a receiver he wasn’t even covering. At least the Skins were in a 5 WR set when that happened, so they can be forgiven somewhat for having two receivers in such close proximity. To Matt’s credit, he will usually not try to make those throws where defenders are clustered around his receivers, although he whipped a couple into coverage like that yesterday.
DHunt
October 8th, 2012
4:15 pm
Take away the blown coverage TD and the defense held the Washington offense to 3 points. Add to that the two or three opportunities we had to get close and at least score three, and this game was nowhere near close. We dominated the Redskins on both sides of the ball, and only our mistakes made their defense look like it was competing. The only thing the Redskins did well yesterday was Albert Morris. Babs missed him several times in the backfield, and the entire D-line and Linebacker corps needs to work on shedding blocks and getting to the ball carrier. It’s worth noting that the Redskins didn’t try to run at Ray Edwards, instead choosing to go up the middle or to whatever side John Abraham was on. It’s also worth noting that while running games usually get stronger later in the game, our run defense got stouter, and Morris did noting from midway through the 3rd quarter on
Wabe
October 8th, 2012
4:22 pm
Again, BL, we can agree to disagree here.
But, 12 yards per carry isn’t anything to nitpick about. Yeah, it’s more difficult to contain an explosive back when you’re dealing with a mobile QB, which is why I want to wait and see how our run defense will stack up with other backs as the season goes on. But, Morris was absolutely killing us on those tosses.
Again, you can consider it ‘nitpicking’ now. But, when you run into a Niners team or a Bears team in the playoffs that wants to run the ball and play good defense, we’ll need that run defense to be stout.
Just my 2 cents. It’s gotta get fixed. Can’t keep letting these backs gash us.
falcon21
October 8th, 2012
4:28 pm
DHunt, totally agree that Ryan does wait a little too long to release the long pass. I’ve seen it many times.Release a little sooner and he hits them in stride. JJ should have made that catch yesterday but he would have been down at that point, if he catches it in stride he scores,
JB Falcon
October 8th, 2012
4:45 pm
There’s been a lot of speculation on MR holding the ball so long. Everything I read leads me to believe the skins simply played good pass defense. Someone said they played a lot of zone, which allowed them to double team Roddy and JJ. Ergo, Gonzo had single coverage, piece of cake for him to get open. HD had a few good catches also.
Bird Nation
October 8th, 2012
4:49 pm
DHunt
Solid points. It’s also worth noting that there have been a substantial amount of missed tackles all the way around. Very uncharacteristic for a Mike Smith coached team.
Paddy O
October 8th, 2012
5:16 pm
historically, Ryan appears NOT to have good footing on grass fields – especially wet ones, and tends to air mail a lot of throws – for whatever reason – back foot slipping?
Paddy O
October 8th, 2012
5:20 pm
regarding Hawley, they apparently cross trained him to play FB; and as Roddy said – in practice he caught the ball. Seems a bit sad with Snelling & Quizz that we would appear to be so desperate, but . . . .
falcon21
October 8th, 2012
5:23 pm
Before anyone says I am hating on JJ, believe me, I am not. The man came on strong yesterday. I’m proud he is a Falcon.
Screen Pass
October 8th, 2012
6:24 pm
“My question to you all is this: Could it be that as Def. coordinators and head coaches get more game film, they are picking up on certain tendencies?” – Bird Nation
A safe assumption but every DC will take into account many factors when deciding their gameplan against us. One can theory craft against average talent vs our skill players/ O-line, our production and problems from past schemes, and basic statistics to get a feel for what an opposing DC faces and why they might choose certain plans.
We had BVG as our coach for 4 years here so that BBDB game plan the Skins used yesterday should not have been foreign to us at all…well except Koetter. This could explain why Ryan in the no huddle carved it up and moved so well right before halftime. Ryan in the no huddle has more freedom of play selection thus since he practiced for 4 years against that very style of defense, twas no sweat for him. The other possibility is that a 2 min drill offense tends to attack a defense in exactly the way a BBDB’s vulnerabilities concede yards versus big plays.
Today is my relax and enjoy the win day, if you are truly interested in such discussions feel free to ask more questions.
Wings
October 8th, 2012
6:33 pm
Unca’Bob – “I would think that open-air grass fields should have a ridge running down the center from goal post to goal post and slanting toward the sidelines for drainage. In a domed stadium there would be no real need to drain, and therefore would be more level.”
Is the field in the Dome flat? I know the outside fields are slanted. I was thinking about that ridge last week.
SOMEBODY NEEDS TO TELL THE TRUTH
October 8th, 2012
6:51 pm
Ryan is fast becoming top 3-4 QB in the leauge. If I can echo DHunt, he’s missing one very important attribute of an elite quarterback, that would be hitting his receivers in stride. I can’t remember the last time I’ve seen Ryan connect with his receivers in stride for a long gainer, or TD. If anyone reads this and disagrees…please attach video link.
I am not entirely placing blame on Ryan, maybe the past offensive coordinator, or the new one, don’t beleive in go routes/seam routes, we do alot of post, slant (skinny post) routes. If anyone’s wondering why we haven’t been hitting on all cylinders in the passing game the last couple of weeks, it’s called film study. We’ve put enough stuff on tape the first three games that allowed the Panthers and Redskins to scheme to slow our air assault. Coordinators (defensive) are smart and capable, I’m kind of surprised we didn’t get schemed in the 2nd or 3rd game.
Koetter, earn your money! Call appropriate pass routes to counter the zone defense we’ve encountered the pass couple of weeks. If using Hawley is the best you’ve got…
Screen Pass
October 8th, 2012
6:55 pm
“Good points, Cagers. Bird Nation touched on stuff I’ve been thought about. It makes me nervous too, but what gives me hope is that a lot of problems ARE being addressed and corrected. Plus, the players and coaches seem to be working together to solve problems. They’ve all got egos, but I think the two biggest egos left at the end of last season. I like the 2012 attitude.” – Greg Mendel
Nothing to get “nervous” about…unless lessons are not learned and adjustments made. There were a couple disappointing issues from yesterday but there is much time to correct them. Hopefully Koetter is not a stubborn jackarse like MM was.
I noticed you mentioned military history yesterday. I have dabbled a bit in WW2 stuff, mostly unit histories and OOB type stuff as I play CM a bit. There are plenty of military people here, you or others might enjoy this ( http://www.combatmission.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=273&Itemid=459 ) “game”. The Combat Mission series is a great battalion/ company level simulator, give it a try it is pretty cool.
I was playing around with the Sun Tzu qoute thing, but since a few put them up I’ll play too;
“Know your enemy and know yourself, find naught in fear for 100 battles. Know yourself but not your enemy, find level of loss and victory. Know thy enemy but not yourself, wallow in defeat every time.”
“What the ancients called a clever fighter is one who not only wins, but excels in winning with ease.”
“All men can see these tactics whereby I conquer, but what none can see is the strategy out of which victory is evolved.”
Unca' Bob
October 8th, 2012
8:11 pm
SOMEBODY NEEDS TO TELL THE TRUTH
October 8th, 2012
6:51 pm
If anyone reads this and disagrees…please attach video link.
I, er um, You brought it, you prove it.
Unca' Bob
October 8th, 2012
8:25 pm
Wings
October 8th, 2012
6:33 pm
Dern if I know, but it did seem like something fun to throw out.
Matty Bicep
October 8th, 2012
8:31 pm
I think a Matt v Matt superbowl would be pretty cool….But I agree about Ice and his deep throws, he never seems to be able to do what Cousins did yesterday, find a blown coverage and hit the guy in stride for at TD. I have seen him just barely overthrow countless receivers, and even last week, I almost got into a pissing match with someone (don’t remember exactly who) when I suggested Ice’s pass might have contributed to JJ barely stepping out of bounds on the long pass in the Carolina game…But yea, I have noticed he just dues not seem to make that play much at all.
Unca' Bob
October 8th, 2012
8:38 pm
Matty Bicep
October 8th, 2012
8:31 pm,
You are correct. He did not do what MR2 did yesterday. Your talking about two intersections aren’t you?
Matty Bicep
October 8th, 2012
8:57 pm
Unca, I knew that was coming as soon as I hit submit…But you know what I am talking about, I really have not seen Ryan hit a guy in stride who took it to the house since…..His first NFL pass….But look at Eli’s SB winning passes, not exaclty text book hitting guys in stride…Really, it is not that big a deal.
Unca' Bob
October 8th, 2012
8:58 pm
My bad. It’s that pillow thingy again. Everyone enjoy your evening, and above all, be safe.
Why is it no one wants to talk with me?
Paddy O
October 8th, 2012
9:02 pm
ay, interesting tidbit from tony G article: “i know i could play another 2 years” quote from the ageless wonder himself. So, perhaps 95% has been dialed back to 65%?
Matty Bicep
October 8th, 2012
9:03 pm
But for those who attribute his lack of success of hitting guys in stride deep due to his holding the ball to long I say baahullst. He I have seen ice overthrow that pass too. Like I said, it is just not his strong point.
Unca' Bob
October 8th, 2012
9:06 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9gtPCny-UM
DHunt
October 8th, 2012
9:08 pm
To be honest, I really think yesterday’s sluggish offensive performance was far more about our execution that it was about the scheme we ran or the one Washington ran against us. If a team is willing to let you move the ball up and down the field 8-15 yards at a time, it makes little sense to stubbornly throw into two and three deep coverage. Especially with a team like ours that should be able to score on anyone, anytime from the redzone. Keep giving Julio, Gonzo, and Roddy shots at the endzone, or let MT33 catch a loose edge like yesterday.
And for the record, the Hawley passes to me seemed just a bit of wasted effort. In no way do they reflect badly on Matt or Joe. There simply have to be better options with all the talent on this team. Something like that makes sense to catch a defense off guard, like maybe in a goal line situation or really needing a first down. It’s not like he was wide open on either pass, and without being wide open it’s not going to be a very productive play. The first time he was actually in to block, and there wasn’t anyone for him to block so he leaked out on his own. The second time was planned. Both times he was going to get lit up had he caught the ball. Neither time did we really need five yareds that badly. Why risk having a big lumbering guy like that taking hits to his lower legs (you know ain’t nobody crazy enough to try to tackle him up high) and potentially injuring a guy we may need on the O-Line sooner or later? I’m sure he looked fantastic during practice. Damn near everbody looks fantastic in practice.
Paddy O
October 8th, 2012
9:11 pm
I seem to remember a finger tip catch by RW84 last year for a TD; that is pretty close to in stride. I tend to think our WR don’t run too many crossing patterns – except I remember HD against NO last year carving them up pretty well. Personally, it appears to me that the game plan we used in the 1st game has been altered – essentially been smitty balled a bit; so that Mike Turner is more integral. I realize balance is important, but I key on moving the ball. The coverage of JJ & RW84, while Tony G ate them alive for 100+ yards, – and, if we had completed those passes to say Snelling instead of Hawley – would have given us even better production. From watching our games when Ryan actually runs the offense, I am not sure opposing teams have enough talent to keep up with our guys – somebody every play is open – preferably, 67% of the guys in a pattern need to be open. Tony G had a GREAT day. Last week, RW84 had a gigantic day. Turner also played VERY WELL last week. Keep ‘em guessing. I still say it is inarguable that JJ was at fault for stepping out of bounds.
Matty Bicep
October 8th, 2012
9:14 pm
Unca, there were two balls that were thrown over 30 yards. Againt the colts, and against the Bucs. On both throws, JJ has to make pretty big adjustments and went to the ground to make the catch.
Paddy O
October 8th, 2012
9:16 pm
UB – that footage of JJ indicates we are NOT using him properly thus far. He blows past the colt defenders like they are wearing concrete shoes.
Matty Bicep
October 8th, 2012
9:20 pm
Yes pad, the finger tip catch was in stride, I don’t remember the distance of the pass…but it was not in the 40 yard range I don’t think…Again, the deep ball is not Ice’s strong point, he ain’t Matt Stafford where he can rope it for 45 yards out. On the OB play, I agreed to disagree until i can see it again, but even if he got the 2nd foot in, his momentum was pulling him OB…i don’t understand why that happened if the ball was anywhere near the sideline.
D3
October 8th, 2012
9:21 pm
Finishing up new post………..
RE: Matt Ryan Stride Thingy — I don’t like to throw this word around lightly because I’m as critical as anyone of our Birds, but this “in stride” debate seems to be a little bit of nitpicking. JMHO. Kirk Cousins had a beautiful stride pass for a TD, and followed it up with two interceptions to lose the game. I defer to the X and O experts, but it seems a more WCO setup plays to the “hitting in stride” passes. JMHO.
Almost done with new post……………
Matty Bicep
October 8th, 2012
9:25 pm
Dhunt, agreed, I think they just played tampa 2 all day, so Ryan took what they gave him, hence, Gonzo putting up absurd numbers. I also noticed one of the great deep passers of our generation, Tom Brady, went underneath all day yesterday to WW.
falcon21
October 8th, 2012
9:32 pm
I agree with what you said D3 but ever now and then I would like to see Matt release the ball a little sooner on the deep throw. Anyway, I still would not trade Matt Ryan for any other QB in the NFL, he can and does get the job done!!! Matt is one of the best.
Matty Bicep
October 8th, 2012
9:32 pm
Agreed, it is nitpicky, but I also believe it has nothing to do with him holding the ball long yesterday, that is just him going back through his progressions due to him not liking what he is seeing. Game was closer than it needed to be by giving up 14 easy points.
falcon21
October 8th, 2012
9:44 pm
MB @ 9:20, JJ was unaware of where he was on the field, he should have got both feet inbounds with ease. As I said before agreeing with PaddyO, he is not much more than a rook so the field awareness will come with time but it should have been a catch.
Screen Pass
October 8th, 2012
9:44 pm
“RE: Matt Ryan Stride Thingy — I don’t like to throw this word around lightly because I’m as critical as anyone of our Birds, but this “in stride” debate seems to be a little bit of nitpicking. JMHO. Kirk Cousins had a beautiful stride pass for a TD, and followed it up with two interceptions to lose the game. I defer to the X and O experts, but it seems a more WCO setup plays to the “hitting in stride” passes. JMHO.
Almost done with new post……………” – D3
C’mon now D3, M. Ryan is clearly not finding all those blown coverages. There are prolly 5-6 each play and his poor eyesight just can’t find them. I mean, even if certain posters gave him the treasure map he needed to find all these blown coverages, his noodle arm couldn’t get the ball in that exact 1inch window to take advantage of it. Those kind of skills only seem to be present in back-up 4th round draft picks
.
Screen Pass
October 8th, 2012
9:45 pm
BLOG monster check number 300456
falcon21
October 8th, 2012
9:47 pm
It was not my convo. my bad.
Greg Mendel
October 8th, 2012
9:51 pm
D3:
With respect, I’m not sure the Matt Ryan Stride Thingy is necessarily nitpicking or irrelevant. I say this, partly because I think Paddy O’s comment has merit, and because YACs don’t seem to amount to as many yards as I thought they used to or should. I may very well be wrong, but I think I’m seeing much more catch the ball, get hit, fall down, mission accomplished.
That may just me my own failing powers of observation. But Unca Bob’s YouTube link showed not only instances of Jones catching in stride, but catching at an angle that allowed him to twist out of a tackle and run.
I don’t presume to know what any of this means, and I don’t fault Ryan in any way. I just think I’m seeing more catch-and-stop (not that I’m complaining about catches) than I used to.
But, once again, I’m entering early codgerhood. And I coached soccer.
Matty Bicep
October 8th, 2012
9:52 pm
Again, I am not talking about getting both feet inbounds, I am talking about that ball being in a place where he catches it in stride and brings it to the house. I don’t get the feeling that pass was thown that well….since we are on the in-stride topic as we want for D3s new blog.
Matty Bicep
October 8th, 2012
9:55 pm
It is an arm stregnth issue. The longer it takes to get there, the earlier you gotta throw it. But really, the strongest arms in the NFL are Stafford, Cutler, and Vick….Neither of them won a playoff game last year either…So there ya go.
D3
October 8th, 2012
9:56 pm
NEW POST UP CAGE FAMILY! —
See you all over there……….. http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-falcons-fans/2012/10/08/atlanta-falcons-birds-edge-past-redskins-and-to-5-0/
Enjoy!