Atlanta Falcons: Birds Grind Out Tough Win vs. Bucs
Falcons Earn Hard Fought Win Over Rivals
Falcons Earn Tough Win (Brian Blanco)
The naysayers will keep finding ways to doubt the Falcons and their close wins. As Terry Bradshaw said today, “the Falcons are winning, but they just aren’t dominating.” Strahan chimes in that if they play too many close games, they may eventually lose one, maybe in January.” The fact is that the Falcons beat a very good division opponent who’s been one of the hottest teams in the NFL on the road, while still not even coming close to playing their best football. Sure, it wasn’t pretty at times and downright ugly others, but overall the Falcons won another tough game on the road, improved to 10-1 (which is still tied for the best record in the NFL), and essentially own a 4 game division lead with 5 games to go. A short week lies ahead in yet another enormous game, this time to the rival Saints, who handed the Falcons their only loss. A look at the Falcons big win over the Bucs………..
Huge Win Over a Streaking Rival on the Road
Some still say the Falcons aren’t winning big enough or dominating, but the fact remains that they are winning and have done so 10 times out of 11. There are those that continue to believe the Falcons are a House of Cards and that’s somehow projecting to another playoff failure. However, you can’t have it both ways and sing the praises of a team that’s one of the hottest in the NFL and when a win is achieved, it somehow wasn’t pretty enough. This wasn’t the Cardinals, Panthers, or Raiders, it was a division opponent who’s been playing really good football lately. Of course it wasn’t always pretty, but the Falcons overcame two turnovers and plenty of missed opportunities to get it done yet again. This time it was against a tough team on the road.
Samuel Gives a Heroic Effort
Julio's Career Day (Brian Blanco)
Most believed that the trade for Asante Samuel would lead to a much needed infusion of attitude and swagger the Falcons have sorely missed. Well, that surely has had a good impact, but the former All-Pro cornerback turned in an effort worthy of heroic proportions. With the Falcons either clinging to a tiny lead or having to come back to win the game on the road, Samuel willed himself in the game while visibly being injured. Several times it was possible to think that he may have separated his shoulder and be out for the year. He gutted it out through pain and suffering knowing how important the game was and epitomized heart and effort. He dropped a few potential interceptions, but seeing the amount of pain he was in, it became completely understandable. If anyone wondered about Samuel’s ability to back up his boisterous personality on the field, all those questions were answered with authority and then some with his gutty performance.
Super and Stout Run Defense
The belief among many was that rookie running back phenom Doug Martin would run laps over and around the Falcons porous run defense. It’s been a struggle pretty much all year and Martin has been tearing up the league the last few weeks. The Falcons defense bowed their necks and found a way to corral and stop the streaking running back. Martin did score two touchdowns, but the Birds held the former Boise State RB at 50 yards on 21 carries. Only the Washington Redskins held Martin to fewer yards (33) and that was only on 8 carries. Twice the defense kept the Falcons in the game after two costly turnovers and played a huge role overall in the game. They may not be a dominant defense just yet, but they are getting it done when they need to, especially regarding points and keeping hot players in check.
What Will it Take?
Time to Give Quizz the Rock (Reinhold Matay)
No point in beating a dead horse, but it’s impossible to ignore the elephant in the room. What will it take for Coach Smith and OC Koetter to give Jacquizz Rodgers the start and the vast majority of carries over Michael Turner. Smith and Koetter are “gradually” giving Rodgers more looks and he’s not disappointing. He had 49 yards on 10 carries and chipped in another 2 catches for 30 yards. And that’s not even including the huge return that Rodgers had to set up the game winning drive. This is not to say that Turner doesn’t have a place on the team, but as Cage Member Paddy O suggested, perhaps the Falcons should look to use Turner in more goal-line situations the way the Steelers did with Jerome Bettis towards the end of his career.
Maybe it’s unfair to just compare the numbers, but Turner averaged a meager 1.3 yards, gaining 17 yards on 13 carries, and that’s including a long run of 9 yards. Again, it might not be his fault as much as poor run play-calling, but it’s time to hand over the keys to Jacquizz Rodgers as the Falcons primary back. It doesn’t mean that Turner shouldn’t see the field anymore, but the evidence has also become insurmountable. Remember that it was Coach Smith himself who proclaimed that Rodgers was not exclusively a 3rd down back long ago in preseason.
Better Pass Rush
The Falcons only came away with 2 total sacks (one by Biermann and the other by D.Robinson), but they pressured Josh Freeman very well on Sunday. They didn’t seem to get to him too much early on, but the they surely did as the game wore on. Many times it was seen that Freeman was getting hit as he released the ball and having to pick himself up after the play. In fact, at least one of the would-be picks came after Freeman was getting hit while throwing the ball. John Abraham was getting his usual pressure and Jonathan Babineaux seemed to almost exclusively play defensive end much of the time. Young guns Cliff Matthews and Travian Robertson were both seen getting decent pressure as well, a welcome sign. It was also good to see Corey Peters come back in the game after leaving with an injury. Some of the blitzes seem to get picked up a little too easily, but that’s just going to happen sometimes. The blitz and sack by Dunta Robinson was a thing of beauty.
Defense Makes Some Big Stands
Pass Rush Better (Reinhold Matay)
As mentioned earlier, the Falcons defense still won’t be confused with being dominant. However, they are making some big stands lately to keep the the team in the game, many times after offensive mistakes. The Cardinals game saw the defense save an offense in major meltdown mode and they made some enormous stops against the Bucs that could have easily led to a much more difficult game. And remember that this is only Mike Nolan’s first year at the helm and while there’s surely a ways to go, this defensive is showing excellent progress. They held the Bucs to 3 points after Matt Ryan threw an interception. When Ryan was pummeled by a Bucs defender and fumbled the ball away, the defense again held them to a field goal. They also held the Bucs to a 56 yard field goal attempt, which they missed. If the Bucs cash in a touchdown many of those times, this may be reporting a second loss.
Props to DRob
Dunta Robinson has been one of the fans and critics favorite lightning rods since he signed the eye-popping contract as a free agent cornerback back in 2010. Many called him a free agent bust and a major overreach in a weak free agency class to simply fill a gap. While Robinson hasn’t been an All-Pro cornerback, he has looked much better this year and had a very tough and gritty game against the Bucs. He’s one of the few defensive players that will deliver a huge hit that many of the best defenses possess. Robinson had a bone-crunching hit on Doug Martin, popped up, and seemingly might be done for the day. He went and got check out and returned soon afterwards and help lead the defense to a big win.
Struggling Safeties
What has happened to the Falcons safeties that looked like world-beaters the first few weeks? It was a good talking point throughout the off-season on which player or what position would benefit the most from Mike Nolan’s new scheme. While the safety position wasn’t the highest on many fans lists, some thought that it could see a major improvement. Some thought William Moore might elevate his game to a Pro Bowl level and Thomas DeCoud could get back some of the early magic he flashed in 2009. Early on, it looked as though those premonitions may come true. DeCoud and Moore were all over the field, making interceptions, knocking down passes, and delivering big hits.
Smith Looks Serious (Brian Blanco)
Recently, however, they have both looked less than stellar. Moore hasn’t necessarily done poorly, but he’s not having the same impact he was in the beginning. DeCoud, on the other hand, has looked pedestrian at times. He’s often seen getting caught out of position, using shoulder bumps on players instead of giving big hits, and sometimes looking downright awful in coverage. It’s surely not all their fault as many other positions have had their own issues and that’s likely having a negative impact on them. Some of it may have to do with the front 7 having problems against the run and thus inching closer for run support. Whatever the reason, it would be very nice to see the safety tandem get back to their early season form.
Walking Wounded at Cornerback
Thankfully the Falcons have found Robert McClain to step up and in an otherwise huge gap left by a slew of injuries to the Falcons cornerbacks. Brent Grimes was lost for the year in game 1 vs. the Chiefs and Asante Samuel has been banged up the last few weeks. Dunta Robinson left for a spell on Sunday, but returned later. There’s a sense of concern on the depth chart after McClain as Christopher Owens and Dominique Franks are next on the list and are surely not the model of consistency. While McClain has been the best surprise of the season, this is a position that will have to have some infusion of talent, whether through the draft or in free agency. They don’t necessarily need starting quality, but definitely need some better depth.
Blown Opportunities
The Falcons had plenty of chances to put some distance between themselves and the Bucs on Sunday. The Birds of course got the ball first as they always do and had a nice opening drive bog down yet again for a field goal. Of course there was the botching of the red zone opportunity to end the 1st half when Julio Jones caught a pass on the 4 yard line, where Coach Smith seemed more concerned with eating up the clock than scoring a touchdown. Matt Bryant misses a chip-shot field goal to get the lead at halftime. After the break, the defense holds the Bucs to a field goal and the Falcons promptly score a touchdown with an 80 yard strike to Jones. The defense gets a three and out to give the offense the ball back and big chance to gain some separation. What does the offense do? Only go three and out themselves with a rather pitiful play selection. Even though you can’t fault the defense very much, they did have the Bucs backed up to their goal-line at 1st and 21, only to let them drive all the way down for a touchdown. At the end Matt Bryant essentially misses a game-ending field goal. It’s a little nitpicking because they ultimately won the game, but the Falcons have to learn to stop squandering so many opportunities to gain some separation when they have the chance.
Will this Falcons Team Ever Fully Click?
Will they Ever Fully Click? (Brian Blanco)
Fans keep talking about how awesome this team will be if everything clicks for one game and how they could be unstoppable. If the offense hits on all cylinders, the defense continues it’s excellent progression, special teams is on point, and coaching doesn’t bog down in too much conservatism, it could be a beautiful sight. The Falcons have obviously done some good and great things throughout the season, but rarely have all the phases been hitting at once. It seems each week that one of the phases takes their time off (defense earlier in the season, offense more recently). The Birds know better than anyone how important it is to be hitting the right gear at the right time and there’s still plenty of time, but the window is drawing more narrow as the season hits the final push to the playoffs. If this team can all click in at once, the ultimate goal could truly be in sight.
Bird Cage Stalwarts Turn
1) Simple Bomb – what’s your thoughts on the Falcons road win vs. the Bucs: huge win on the road vs. a streaking team or still making it too hard on themselves?
2) How about Asante Samuel’s gutsy performance. Could it be a rallying point of sorts?
3) Was the stout run defense a blip or sign of good things to come?
4) Will Smith and Koetter ever turn over the keys to Jacquizz Rodgers as the feature back?
5) Is the running back position the main thing holding this offense back from being great?
6) Was the pass rush better overall or more having to do with Josh Freeman’s errors?
7) What’s your thoughts on the defense overall this season, particularly of late?
8.) Is the Falcons defense having to keep the team in the game too much?
9) Has Dunta Robinson improved enough for your liking?
10) What’s going on with the Falcons safeties lately?
11) Time to panic on CB depth just yet?
12) Can the Falcons stop blowing opportunities to get separation on their opponents?
13) Will the Birds ever click into gear all at the same time?
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1,178 comments Add your comment
Big Ray
November 28th, 2012
4:29 pm
Zoomie ,
My bad….I’m slow. Went back and skimmed over a few posts. I’ll hazard a guess….you think I was baiting you. I wasn’t. If I wanted to argue with you, I’d address you by your blog handle. But if you’re looking for such a date, you could always take it up with the namesake of his second largest upper arm muscle group…he’ll be your huckleberry…that’s just his game….
Zoomie
November 28th, 2012
4:49 pm
In case you haven’t noticed, I’ve purposely steered clear of that edge of the field. I detest huckleberries . . .
Nookah
November 28th, 2012
4:56 pm
Big Ray,
Thanks for the feedback Bro. I conur as far as Mularkey is concerned
Arno
November 28th, 2012
5:01 pm
Zoomie raises an interesting point @ 10:55. Although I don’t get that dried flower arrangement on their helmets, for me the Saints/Falcons rivalry was fun for many years. We had common enemies like the 49rs. I had a best friend from Mississippi, a lifelong Saints fan, and we enjoyed ribbing each other (I say enjoyed, past tense). It wasn’t until last year, after I watched the Saints play the Giants in New Orleans, that the fun turned to disgust. It wasn’t football– it was gratuitous smack. The look on Eli’s face said it all: “What’s wrong with those guys– just get me out of here.” I was not surprised at all when the bounties were exposed. For me it was particularly satisfying that it was the good ol’ 49rs who knocked them out of the playoffs.
Although there is 50% turnover in their starters, the Saints are still chewing on that stale gum of 2009. They will continue to smack that gum in our faces until we beat them.
Zoomie
November 28th, 2012
5:15 pm
“Although I don’t get that dried flower arrangement on their helmets . . .”
It’s the Fleur-de-lis, the “lily.” It’s just missing the depiction of the “liver” that should be painted right next to it.
Shotgun
November 28th, 2012
5:26 pm
Falcons are close to greatness. I can feel it. Let’s just hope the coaches(offensively) stop experimenting and play to their strengths.
Their defense has improved a great deal this year. And, if the Tampa Bay game becomes a trend, then the Falcons will be in superb shape on that side of the ball.
The run game needs to be addressed immediately and I hope Smith starts learning from the failed attempts. Saints is the team to get that run game going. Also, if they are going to make changes on the offensive line… it should be this game, too. Saints defense is a bit slow on the edges. Let’s hope we take advantage of that with sweeps, ect.
Smith needs to throw away the conservative mindset this game. The Falcons need to destroy the Saints tomorrow. It will greatly help their confidence and give them momentum into the rest of the regular season.
I hate to say it, but Thursday night is HUGE. It’s an omen of what will come.
If this season is truly different from the rest, the Falcons needs signature wins(already Philly, Denver, and Tampa). The Saints beat down would be the biggest signature win there is.
DHunt
November 28th, 2012
5:32 pm
And Jason Babin gets his most fervent wish. Will be taking his talents to the Sunshine state… and on the Jags team, he may be the only thing left that actually merits the term “talent”
SOMEBODY NEEDS TO TELL THE TRUTH
November 28th, 2012
5:44 pm
Jags ranked 26th in the league in offense…signing Babin is just what they need for their final race to the BOTTOM.
JB Falcon
November 28th, 2012
6:14 pm
Big Ray, I hear ya on the numbers. I too wish MS would put the charts away every now and then. I’m sure his statistics have provided some stability in our team but they have also cost us. Statistically, the fourth and one last year against the Caints said we should have made it. Statistics say a family should have 2.2 children and nobody has done it yet! Sometimes you just have to go with your gut.
JB Falcon
November 28th, 2012
6:22 pm
DHunt, that waiver system is cracked. I’m sure Babin was dying to go to a winner like the Jags. The whole deal will go down as a brilliant move by MM.
SPS
November 28th, 2012
6:43 pm
At least we don’t have to worry about facing Babin in the playoffs
John Waynesworld
November 28th, 2012
7:10 pm
Since nobody tells the truth anymore, it is entirely possible that this is all a waiting game and Babin desperately wants to play for the Falcons and Smitty, who he may have met in the 2011 Pro Bowl when Smith was the HC for the NFC and Babin represented Tennessee in the AFC. Heck Babin and Smitty could be once a year fishing buddies for all we know. So basically anything’s possible.
John Waynesworld
November 28th, 2012
7:11 pm
Never mind, geez.
Matty Bicep
November 28th, 2012
7:22 pm
Babin was scouted pretty hard by TD and Smitty before he signed with the Feebles, not to mention they had to game plan against him…. So, they know him well.
I was wondering of MM has a deal with TD since TD knew he could never get past waivers…. and maybe we will see a trade this offseason…..the love of MMs life, .MT33 for JB? hmmmm.
Big Ray
November 28th, 2012
7:25 pm
In case you haven’t noticed, I’ve purposely steered clear of that edge of the field. I detest huckleberries . . .
Ha! To be honest, you don’t post as much as some of us other addicts (yes, that is what we are) so I haven’t followed a great deal of what you say. But you have my attention now, most particularly with the crack on the Taints choice of floral arrangements and internal organs….good stuff…
JB Falcon
November 28th, 2012
7:52 pm
JWW, the way I understand it is that Babin was a FA the same time RE was and they went with Edwards? (Worst move TD has ever made) Didn’t Babin have 18 sacks last year and RE 3.5?
Either way, I don’t think Babin will be a Falcon. The guy is 32 yrs old and will probably retire from the Jags, taking it easy.
MontanaDawg
November 28th, 2012
8:02 pm
SI summed up the Falcons perfectly…”The Falcons are simply cutting it too close, too often in 2012, and that should make Atlanta fans feel like they’ve seen this movie before. The Falcons are 7-1 this season in games decided by a margin of seven points or less, roughly the same results they experienced in close games in 2010, when their 7-2 mark in such situations sparked them to a 13-3 record and the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs. Not that it did them any good in the postseason, with visiting Green Bay blowing out one-and-done Atlanta in the divisional round.”
Wake me up if they make it past Round 1….
Big Ray
November 28th, 2012
8:20 pm
Don’t know what happened with Babin, other than the fact that he was looking to get paid (like most guys).
Thing is, he had a heck of a year last year. That was last year. He’s not doing a whole lot this year. So the question one must ask is this…who gets their snaps cut if Babin were to come here?
Personally, I have little use for him UNLESS the plan involves Biermann moving to LB and playing a bunch of snaps there. But that doesn’t work unless a) we go back to a 4-3 with three LBs out there, or b) we’re going to a 3-4 defense….in which case I’d be looking for a bigger guy than Babin to man one of the DE spots.
So I don’t see where he fits.
Big Ray
November 28th, 2012
8:25 pm
JB ,
Yeah, it was quite the mistake. Babin is (in retrospect) clearly a better player, even this year. That said, Babin probably wouldn’t have changed last year’s results or even this year’s.
I am not happy to have found how much of a thief Edwards was but to be really honest….I’d have been more upset if this was a DT we’re talking about.
Speaking of which Peria Jerry is questionable for tomorrow night’s game. And I could care less.
D3
November 28th, 2012
9:20 pm
Good Evenin’ Cage Family! — Been trying to get in and rap before the big game tomorrow night because I won’t be live-blogging for I’ll be seeing our Birds stomp down some swamp trash.
1) Simple Bomb – what’s your thoughts on the Falcons road win vs. the Bucs: huge win on the road vs. a streaking team or still making it too hard on themselves?
Right after the game I wanted to be a little hard on the Falcons and be a little too much negative nellie, but I stepped back for a second and realized what this team has done this year and the fact that, regardless what the final score was, this was a big game to win against a red hot Bucs team. In fact, they were everyone’s favorite new “IT” team. The Bucs have always had talent. Unlike the Panthers and sAINTS, I’ve really always respected their drafts as they many times take guys that us here in The Cage advocated.
I still think that we’re making these games entirely too hard on ourselves, but we found a way to win yet again. It was ugly for sure, but this wasn’t the bottom-feeding teams like the Cards, Raiders, or Panthers that we’ve struggled with. This was a big win on the road. This is not a surefire determiner for success in the playoffs, but I want these Falcons to be peaking at the right time. It seems as though in 2010 we peaked about month too early and really started to struggle as the playoffs got close. We have 5 games to go and a good time to start hitting peak form. The Giants and the Packers hit it right at the perfect time. Same as several other sports, such as baseball.
Wabe
November 28th, 2012
9:23 pm
Big game tomorrow night…
It’s the Saints, that’s all that really needs to be said. I don’t care about their record or any of that other garbo.
I wanna see us lay a smackdown on them the way they did to us on MNF last season in the Superdome. I want there to be no question that we’re the better team. I wanna diminish any chance they have of making the postseason. I want them to be the game we look back on at the end of the season to say, ‘we clinched the NFC South after we beat them chumps’.
I wanna dominate. Like 50-0. Or 60-0.
But in all seriousness, I wanna dominate.
D3
November 28th, 2012
9:33 pm
And one more thing before I hit the pillow……….
You’re getting these swamp trash players such as Shanle and Lofton saying it’s not a rivalry. I know this pretty well since I’ve suffered on the same BS from the GA-FL rivalry. The Falcons-sAINTS have played for a long time, 86 times in fact. All we hear from the swamp trash and Pat Y is that the Falcons have lost 11 of 13……yada, yada, yada, yada. They love throwing this fact the same as they loved saying Florida had won 16 out of 21 as someone magically decided when the perfect cutoff date was for their special number. All we heard for years and years and years. And guess what? The Dawgs beat them last year and upset them this year when they were #2. Wonder if we’ll hear anymore about Florida dominating the rivalry next year?
Let’s take a look at these special numbers all these knuckle-draggers are throwing around……..
First of all let’s look at their 11 out of 13 BS. They love that magical cutoff with Sean Payton coming to town regardless of whatever was happening with the Falcons. Why not go back one more year when we swept them? That makes it 11 out of 15. Go back even another year and you have another split, which puts us at 12 out of 17. Sure, the recent history has swung there way and there’s no denying that. It happens sometimes in long-standing rivalries. 2 of the years they love including was 2006, which was lil’ Jimmy Mora’s last year collapse. The other was 2007 and do we really need to go there?
So just some final facts on the “non-rivalry” that the bitter, crybaby, douchebag loser Lofton says………
All time series: Falcons 46 – sAINTS 41
Largest Victory: Falcons 62 – sAINTS 7
Longest Streak: Falcons 10 games (1995 – 1999)
Postseason Series: Falcons 1 – sAINTS 0
Sure, they’ve had our number a little lately, but this @sshole Lofton is too busy crying his wittle eyes out because his wittle feewings were hurt when Atlanta thought so little of him that they were willing to offer him next to nothing and go with an unproven 3rd round draft pick that most people thought was a reach. Yeah, that seems to be working out pretty well, eh? How’s the switch to a 5-6 team where you’re the captain of the worst defense in the NFL?
JB Falcon
November 28th, 2012
9:40 pm
Wabe, we’re al with you. Chill and wait, just like the rest of us.
D3
November 28th, 2012
9:45 pm
Wabe — Totally concur. I’m going in assuming it’ll be yet another nail-biter, but the situation sets up pretty similarly from last year. The first game was a nail-biter that the away team won. The Saints are leading the division and we’re wobbly just trying to make the post-season, and sure enough…bam, they whipped our @ss. You’ll hear no crying from me on that one because they deserved to win because they smoked us and embarrassed us bad. So, time to return the favor. However, I’m going in completely assuming it will be a BS close game as always, mainly because we can’t put it all together. Boy, sure would be nice to have another Philly, Denver, or San Diego game tomorrow night.
D3
November 28th, 2012
9:55 pm
Montana — Welcome to the Cage. But that’s one seriously pessimistic outlook buddy.
Big Ray / RE: Babin — Completely agree. It was one of those deals where, yeah, sure if we can get him for dirt cheap for the rest of the year, than who wouldn’t like some DE help for the final playoff push. But really, I’m taking the Edwards release as a blessing for guys like Cliff Matthews and Massaquoi (I’m excluding Sidbury because he might as well be released tomorrow for his inability to get on the field in 3+ years). I liked what I saw out of Matthews on Sunday. Sure, he only played 12 snaps. He was getting good push and collapsing the pocket, even if he wasn’t quite there. And since you and I are probably in agreement about needing a big boy DT in the worst way, did you see our rotation buddy DT Vance Walker’s snaps?…..48 snaps, 84%. I like Walker, really do, but he’s no frontline starter. Jerry is gone, Robertson is making his move, and adding a new big boy DT could give us a beast of DL going forward, either moving Babs to DE as he’s been, or having the following: Peters, #1 Draft Pick Big Boy DT (such as Bama’s Jesse Williams or UGA’s John Jenkins), Babs, Travian Robertson, Vance Walker. Yeah, let’s roll. Oh yeah, and sign DE Michael Johnson via free agency.
Chop Buster
November 28th, 2012
10:03 pm
Apparently Saints players have tweeted their bus got egged at Atlanta’s airport as they boarded. Oh-Oh!
Chop Buster
November 28th, 2012
10:07 pm
https://twitter.com/TheJimmyGraham/status/273968126264217602
D3
November 28th, 2012
10:09 pm
One final point regarding the “running back situation” as described by Smitty…….
I have no problem with the committee and Turner being a part of the committee, but here’s where the problem comes in:
Play Percentage Chart
Jacquizz Rodgers – 31 snaps, 52%
Michael Turner – 23 snaps, 38%
Jason Snelling – 12 snaps, 20%
So looking only at the snaps, we can say, “hey, it’s all good Smitty is changing and giving the bulk of carries / touches to Quizz after all, right?”………..No wrong.
Look at the touches:
Turner – 13 carries, 3 rec = 16 touches
Rodgers – 10 carries, 2 rec = 12 touches
Snelling – 0 carries, 3 rec = 3 touches
Those percentages calculated come to Turner 52%, Rodgers 39%, Snelling 9%
I know this is a little nitpicky here, but my point is that regardless of how many snaps any of the three get, when Turner’s in the game there’s a very good chance he’s getting the ball, whereas we can’t say the same about Rodgers or Snelling, even though they’re more productive. I do admire Smitty for that “glacial pace change” that BR has mentioned, but let’s just switch the touches with Rodgers and Turner and I’ll be happy, that’s all.
Finally it,…….
Nite ‘all!
D3
November 28th, 2012
10:11 pm
Chop — Too funny. Or maybe Sir Drops A-Lot just dropped them on the bus since he’s dropped more passes than any receiver in the league.
Chop Buster
November 28th, 2012
10:18 pm
D3, now that is funny!
DHunt
November 28th, 2012
10:24 pm
People who continue to ASSume the 2012 Falcons are the same as the 2010 Falcons are really mot paying attention. That 2010 team played it’s best football to get to 13-3. The 2012 team is playing below the standard that even our worst critics know we can play, and winning anyway. The 2010 team had two mediocre coordinators who didn’t make any adjustments at any time. The 2012 team can and will do whatever it takes to win. The 2010 team didn’t have Julio Jones. 2012 Falcons have the best receiver tandem (or threesome) in the league bar none.
The Falcons get no credit for being a more mature team, with more experience, and showing more depth, and the ability to win games more than one way. Other teams, that have obviously lost a step (like the Giants with almost a total lack of a running game now) but everyone wants to believe they are the same team that won two Super Bowls.
Can’t wait until we get to the Super Bowl (while Lofton sits at home and cries in his Cheerios), and all the talking heads have to go back over the film and recognize all the great things this 2012 Falcons team has done to earn each and every victory.
Big Ray
November 29th, 2012
6:46 am
Dhunt – Good post.
You’re right about the maturity factor and what not. That, and some veteran leadership. Sean Weatherspoon has taken this defense to a different level under Mike Nolan, and nothing was more gutsy than the play of Dunta Robinson against Tampa, along with Asante Samuel…especially his final play in the endzone. Wow….
Big Ray
November 29th, 2012
6:49 am
D3 ,
Agreed on Cliff Matthews. Dude needs more burn, as does Travian Robertson. Speed up that Apprenticeship program a few notches.
I’d definitely take a big DT in this upcoming draft. Only question is whether we should add a OL player first, then a DT in the second. What do you think? I know we have Holmes and Konz to work with already, but that’s just two guys and we don’t seem to know what to do with our PS and UDFAs when it comes to that. Valdez and Bryce Harris come to mind.
I thought SW had an interesting suggestion to go with Stepfan Taylor (RB) in the first round….and while I always respect what he has to say and usually agree with most of it in draft conversations….I just can’t get behind that one right now. I’m still thinking OL and DL….war is won in the trenches.
Big Ray
November 29th, 2012
6:56 am
Lofton is still bitter. Because in the end, he still didn’t get paid what he felt he was worth, so he’s got no swag (and Tampa realized Mason Foster is as good or better in the long term)….his is a dying breed…a run stuff-only MLB who is not a playmaker of note. Those are no longer the lynchpin of a defense.
And when I say that, here’s a perfect example of playmaking below…and consider that Lofton has played every snap possible while healthy for the Saints. Dent gets to play probably half that number of snaps.
Lofton – 4 tackles behind the line of scrimmage (known as “stuffs”)
Dent – 5 tackles behind the line of scrimmage.
Just sayin’….I think our money was well spent.
Big Ray
November 29th, 2012
7:09 am
http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/8682399/falcons-qb-matt-ryan-become-franchise-first-mvp-espn-magazine-interview-issue
A good read…
Big Ray
November 29th, 2012
7:25 am
sAints have major problems at RT. Bryce Harris (who was once on our PS) broke his leg (I think he did it on purpose, lol…ok not really) getting in there last week as the 3rd RT they’ve had. Zach Strief might play, but he’s not fully healthy by a long shot. And they have nothing else besides some dude that used to be a bouncer at a bar in L.A.
We should be finding ways to take advantage of this…
Chop Buster
November 29th, 2012
7:55 am
BR (6:49)-”I’m still thinking OL and DL….war is won in the trenches.” I couldn’t agree more. We haven’t built our lines the right way, instead we’ve been putting band aids on it. I hope that Nolan lets TD and Smitty know how imperative it is we fix the DL once and for all. We haven’t had a real front 4 pass rush since probably the 1998 DL.
Wings
November 29th, 2012
7:57 am
Big Ray it wouldn’t be fair to take advantage of that situation.
BAZINGA!
Chop Buster
November 29th, 2012
8:00 am
Big Ray the Taints seem to like taking Falcon players. I see that they even have Raphael Bush now. Anyway, I hope we don’t let them dictate as they did the last game. We need to get pressure up the middle either with a LB blitz, or DL stunts along with the edge rushers. And for God sake our DL need to put their hands up when he throws the ball. The guy is tip-toeing to get the ball down the field. Also, we need to play Brees’ trio (Colston, Moore and Graham) tight if we’re going to give our guys a chance to get to Brees. We all know that without Brees the Taints are just another team–and not a good one at that.
SOMEBODY NEEDS TO TELL THE TRUTH
November 29th, 2012
8:50 am
Also, we need to play Brees’ trio (Colston, Moore and Graham) tight if we’re going to give our guys a chance to get to Brees. Chop Buster
I agree CB, but with one caveat. IMO, we blanket Graham, they can’t beat us with the other two (Colton, Moore). 49′ers minimized him (Graham) in their win.
Zoomie
November 29th, 2012
8:51 am
Again, in the interest of being fair, I have to give credit where it’s due.
I’ve bagged pretty hard on Clabo since last season. He’s really stood out as a liability on the right side, getting pushed around in the run game and whiffing his blocks way too often in pass protection. On the whole, he’s had a much better year in pass protection. However, against TB he had a strong showing in the run game. Maybe he just works better on the move as opposed to being a power blocker. With the methods they used to get the ball to Quizz and Snelling, he was on the move much more, picking up his blocks in space. Maybe he and Konz are just starting to get it together.
I’ve thrown quite a few curses at Clabo over the last two seasons, it’s only fair that I give him credit when he turns in a good performance.
Tonight, I’ll definitely keep an eye on the O-line to see if the Falcons are starting to gel on that right side. Of course, Ken Strickland seems to be the resident expert on O-line play. I’d be interested to read his observations and opinions on the subject.
Chop Buster
November 29th, 2012
9:21 am
Somebody: historically Lance Moore has been another issue for the Falcons defense to resolve. I don’t know why Dunta just doesn’t light him up sneaking across the middle like Goldson did.
Zoomie: all I know is they need to give McClure help up the middle. The Taints DL has been jail breaking through our A Gaps–that’s why Ryan hasn’t been able to step up and Turner gets submarined before he can take a step. Taints DL has been exploiting this since last year.
snacktastic
November 29th, 2012
9:32 am
Two GAME DAYs in one week? I thought Christmas was next month.
The Falcons, like the fans, can only put up with being beaten by these Aints for so long. Today, I think they’ll hit that much harder and be that much more focused, and we’ll come up with a convincing win.
Falcons 38, Saints 24.
SeminoleWarrior
November 29th, 2012
10:09 am
What’s up my Cage Family…
Again, thanks for all the care and concern during my recent loss. Been busy as all hell getting back into the groove of things. But slowly but surely, like death and taxes, I will be back to full stroke in very short order.
Can clinch a playoff berth tonight in the Dome. And I think we will get it done. It is time for the Falcons to make the statement they need to make on the big stage.
Zoomie
November 29th, 2012
10:14 am
“Zoomie: all I know is they need to give McClure help up the middle. The Taints DL has been jail breaking through our A Gaps–that’s why Ryan hasn’t been able to step up and Turner gets submarined before he can take a step. Taints DL has been exploiting this since last year.”
Didn’t think about that. Maybe Clabo’s doing better because they rotated more help his way, weakening the middle. I haven’t really noticed a huge problem with MR2 not being able to step up in the pocket, I just think his pockets are a little more fleeting, in general, than we’d all like to see. I’ll go back and check on that middle rush, and watch for it tonight.
I think it’s obvious that McClure’s better days are behind him, and he’s playing more due to what he brings to the game cerebrally, as opposed to physically. If the Aints exploited the middle last game, I’d expect an adjustment for this one. It should be a no-brainer, as the Aints end-pressure isn’t really the stuff of legend.
Heck, you never know in a game of this magnitude. Those Aints DE’s may really step it up. Maybe they’ll take some Viagra or something . . .
SeminoleWarrior
November 29th, 2012
10:15 am
Now, to my Cocoa Mel alter ego.
The TeePee will stand with the Stepfan Taylor selection. Those that know how the TeePee rolls will tell you that we are very careful when we initiate our attachment to a particular player. And when we are on a wagon very early in the draft board process, we are usually very strong about that guy.
While I understand the feelings of several of my Cage brethern regarding the OL and the DL, I am confident that the inability to effectively run the football is a greater issue for the team than the trenches at this moment.
We can resolve the issues in the trenches with minor modifications in the scheme. I will say that we need to do a better job of acquiring talent in the OL/DL arena.
But right now, this team has a very good QB. We have a very god pair of WRs. We will need to look for a TE if TG88 retires next spring (will discuss that in a later posting). But the MOST pressing need on offense now is a quality running back. I love Quizz but he is a third down and situational specialist. Little man is not capable of being the long term answer. But give me Taylor and Quizz as a one-two punch…..LOOK OUT!! Power and explosion on demand. It will be a lethal addition to an offense that is already one of the league’s greatest emerging threats.
SeminoleWarrior
November 29th, 2012
10:21 am
The OL does need some modifications. I personally think it is a year late. Konz would be playing center for the Falcons if I had my way. Dude was the best center in the past draft and it is where he should be playing. We should have drafted a TRUE guard in the third round and groomed that young man to step in as the season progressed or for sure in 2013.
I still think we missed a golden opportunity in not moving Clabo inside and acquiring a tackle. So, we can make some adjustments along the OL in the offseason. The TeePee will address that in later postings.
But for now…the Stepfan Taylor Falcon draft train is on the tracks. Best player available at a position of CRITICAL need for the Falcons. Plain and simple.
If you have one (position and player), I’m all ears.
Chop Buster
November 29th, 2012
10:22 am
Zoomie – “Those Aints DE’s may really step it up. Maybe they’ll take some Viagra or something . . .” LOL, I see you heard that segment as well.
SeminoleWarrior
November 29th, 2012
10:24 am
Zoomie, Konz is the answer to the center issues.
Konz, Blalock, and Clabo inside would form a very impressive wall, a secure pocket, and a nice drive element in the ZBS, thus facilitating an improved rushing attack.
SeminoleWarrior
November 29th, 2012
10:31 am
If the Falcons are determined to stay more power blocking than ZBS, then I have an OL draft piece that would be worth a look.
From the same OL that gave us Peter Konz, I would offer the man that played next to him at guard and filled in for him at center when he was injured. That man is Travis Fredrick. A massive man at 6′5 and 335 pounds, he is a BEDROCK at the guard position. Again, the Blalock/Konz/Fredrick trio would provide a power interior for the Falcons. This would give us a OL along the lines of the Giamts rather than the effective ZBS mode of the Texans.
Again, stay tuned. But there are two nuggets for you. Stepfan Taylor at RB and Travis Fredrick at OG (moving Konz to center).