Atlanta Falcons: Birds Lock Up Home Field
Our Birds wrapped it up and they did what they had to do tonight. We dominated early and often and it’’s time to make waves in the off-season! Much more to come very soon……….
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E43
December 27th, 2012
9:45 pm
“Now, I do get the debate about offensive flow and all that, but WTF, we are 13-2, that has to count for something, right?”
Yes, but I do think they over-pass sometimes. Especially with passes below 5 yards. I think they lead the league in those according to Gruden. Question becomes, “Is this a recipe for another below 200 yards passing offseason by Ryan?”. Denver, San Fran and Seattle are the only teams that can give the falcons style a problem in the playoffs. Otherwise, the Superbowl is theirs to lose.
falcon21
December 27th, 2012
10:07 pm
I don’t really give a darn about what Gruden says. When you don’t run the ball well and we don’t, you throw the ball short. It seems to be working!
Matty Bicep
December 27th, 2012
10:15 pm
Agreed, the short passing game is a manifestation of our inability to run the ball, and it is successful to date, but what is different this year is teams must respect our deep ball. Ryan does have a respectable passing yards per attempt, so I don’t the the reliance of the short pass as that much a detriment.
E43
December 27th, 2012
10:58 pm
“I’d like to see Rodgers get the number of snaps and touches that Turner usually does before even trying to make this argument. Otherwise, it’s just straw…”
Im pretty sure our tailbacks don’t get enough touches on the ground. They rank 26th. If you flip Rodgers and Turner around, you still have too few carries unless you give Rodgers a significant increase. Increasing the rushing attempts is only one step to an equation the staff probably sees different. My expectations on Rodgers are based on what he has done. I’m not willing to say that Rodgers will be the sole beneficiary of more carries.
“WTH is the argument with Julio/Roddy? I don’t get it.”
They should both be pro bowlers. They both have 15 ypc in totally different situations. If Cruz is out, there is no excuse for roddy to not be in there. 4th and 5, that ball is going to roddy. We know Matt can do without Julio. Well never know if Matt can do without Roddy because he will get old before he ever gets injured. Injured because hes old, whatever floats your boat.
Slant Pattern
December 27th, 2012
11:22 pm
“I would love to see Matt Ryan get MVP. But lets face it unless he wins a Super Bowl this year he has 3 are 4 others that will get it before him . And will probably have at lest 1 ahead of him if he does. Not that I agree with that it’s just the way it will be.” – Birdman
I agree the award will most likely go to P. Manning if the media has its way and to A.Peterson if fans get theirs. Thats the way it looks but you never know, Ryan is having a good showing on this poll thingy. If Pat Y, Sando and a few other talking heads can figure out the truth…maybe the others come around too.
Slant Pattern
December 27th, 2012
11:30 pm
“SP, Matt Ryan has this team on his shoulders, we will go as far as he carries us. As for MVP, hell yes he deserves it, will he get it? No. We can all see what he can do and does do but the NFL is in love with Brady and the Manning’s.” – falcon21
The way the media and other teams fans have disrespected our team, basically shat on us all year, it gets tiring to see our own fanbase doing the same. Whether M. Ryan truly deserves it at this point is moot to me, it is a way to send a “FU” to the people that shat at us. I usually like the Falcaholic site but I read on the SB Nation board they voted Brady for MVP. I don’t how or who decides that but I saw at least one of their main writers arguing for fricken A. Rodgers. How and why should anyone respect us when our own “talking heads” don’t? Sad to have to even ask that.
Slant Pattern
December 27th, 2012
11:35 pm
“This is why you’re the man.” – BR
Compliments from our “glorious leader”!!
I don’t deserve the honor you bestow.
( I thought maybe you would get a sparring partner out of that ordeal, we need to go “fishing” more often! )
falcon21
December 27th, 2012
11:51 pm
Total BS, SP, Matt Ryan has totally earned the MVP, we know it as well as many others. We are not New York, Green Bay or New England. We are a southern team and will not get any respect. If we kick everyones ass from here on out, they will respect us!
Slant Pattern
December 27th, 2012
11:55 pm
“I’ve seen some mocks where Barrett Jones falls to us. If so, I’d take him in a heartbeat. Haven’t scouted DTs yet” – Coop
I just did a little snooping to start to get a feel for things. It seems way to soon as the stats for guys are all over the place, need the combine results to get halfway accurate measurements. The J. Cooper guy from Tar Heels ( I think ) had excellent footwork but was listed at just 295 lbs. Another site had him at 310 which might make him more intriguing then another Hawley type with movement but lacking power. They ( http://draftbreakdown.com/rankings ) don’t have films up for everyone yet, but this is a good place to get film for O-line guys as they usually don’t get alot of fan film to work with. I thought number 61 ( his name starts with S and has 2 E’s in it I believe), a backup RG? on the Alabama line looked better than some of the bigger named guys…at least in the way too little bit I looked. If the 3rd and 4th round O-line guys aren’t that far behind the “top dogs”, it might make things easier to decide at least.
falcon21
December 28th, 2012
12:13 am
Nice link SP, I’m not gonna start guessing just yet.
Birdman
December 28th, 2012
7:06 am
Morning Cage
This Pro bowl thing . Roddy probably did not get it this year because of the things he say’s at times and because he is another Falcon. .. That said He deserves it . I love having this Man on our team .
I think we can get by or past any team out there if our Men are coached up to the game and give it there all. Seattle being the worst of the group then Green Bay and then Manning. But they can beat these teams
Birdman
December 28th, 2012
7:08 am
Worst .. Meaning hardest
Big Ray
December 28th, 2012
7:21 am
Im pretty sure our tailbacks don’t get enough touches on the ground. They rank 26th. If you flip Rodgers and Turner around, you still have too few carries unless you give Rodgers a significant increase. Increasing the rushing attempts is only one step to an equation the staff probably sees different. My expectations on Rodgers are based on what he has done. I’m not willing to say that Rodgers will be the sole beneficiary of more carries.
Personally, I think we go after another RB to platoon Rodgers with. He’s shown enough, I think, to confirm that not only can he be successful, but he fits our evolved offense. That said, we could spend a high pick on a “complete” feature RB. But I don’t think we will. I think we spend less on a guy who can work as an alternate. I just don’t see us continuing with the 1-2 tandem of Rodgers and Turner. Then again, what do I know….
They should both be pro bowlers. They both have 15 ypc in totally different situations. If Cruz is out, there is no excuse for roddy to not be in there. 4th and 5, that ball is going to roddy. We know Matt can do without Julio. Well never know if Matt can do without Roddy because he will get old before he ever gets injured. Injured because hes old, whatever floats your boat.
I agree for the most part. Roddy over Cruz for sure. That said, Matt has done okay without Julio, but “ok” isn’t cutting it.
I think we all know know how important both WRs are (Julio and Roddy). They do some of the same things, but they still play different roles. One plays off of the other.
You need a 1st down? Roddy is your guy. He gets more first downs than Julio does, he’s still the #1 guy. The point isn’t really whether Matt can do without one guy more…or less…than the other. The point is that this offense can’t be what we need it to be without either guy. Roddy knows the ins and outs of the game, he’s the veteran with the best chemistry with Ryan (other than Gonzalez, obviously). Julio is a 2nd year man who is still very much learning.
And yet….Julio has the most receiving TDs of the big three. More than both savvy veterans. 10 of Ryan’s career high 31 TDs.
Can’t live without any of them and expect to win big games. All three WRs/TE should be Pro Bowlers.
Big Ray
December 28th, 2012
7:32 am
I’m not willing to say that Rodgers will be the sole beneficiary of more carries.
Actually, I agree. But this is why I said “snaps and touches.”
Rodgers brings another dimension to the table, one neither Turner or even Snelling brings.
Not only does Rodgers make people miss in space, but he is so natural when catching the ball. Unless the play is busted from the start, the guy WILL get yardage.
The trick to having him in the game is you can do so many things. The defense KNOWS what is going to happen when Turner is in the game. He’s either picking up a pass-blocking help assignment or he is running between the tackles. Draw plays rarely work unless they are immediate (no delay) because he needs to get a running start and have a clear/obvious hole. He doesn’t run well out of the shotgun at all. Catching a pass – dude better be wide open and have clear space to get a few yards’ running start.
Rodgers runs well on draws, catches well out of the backfield or even as a slot receiver. His stop and start speed is very good. While he doesn’t run as powerfully as Turner does (when in the 2nd level, that is), but he runs with a good bit of power for someone his size and never gives up on the play.
Feature back? Maybe not, but unless the defense sniffs out the formation, they don’t know what Rodgers will be doing. That’s the element he brings. It’s never as simple as “give him 18-20 carries and he’ll give you 80+ yards.” That is no longer the offense we are running. Have to think beyond the pure ground game, and I think that’s where the struggle has been with the CS.
Big Lou
December 28th, 2012
9:08 am
E43
You fail to realize the true issue of the run game, and why Turner doesn’t fit in the scheme. It’s not the blocking, it’s the formation. The power I does not fit the vertical passing set up Matt Ryan brings or the help the ineffectiveness of the Oline.
The key is to run from the shotgun formation, which would keep the defense on its heels. You can fake the run and throw, run sweep, check down, reverse, quick slant… the list goes on. Not to mention, you give Ryan a better chance to survey the field.
We can argue the effectiveness of the Oline till we are blue in the face, but they do preform better through the Shotgun. Turner cannot run from that formation and that’s why he isn’t a good fit. He’s also sh!t in catching the ball check down wise. Don’t only look at Turner’s run production versus Rodgers, also look at the passing.
Our offense is limited with fatty in there. That’s the REAL argument. The rest is strawman, IMHO.
Big Lou
December 28th, 2012
9:10 am
Big Ray is correct. That’s the issue with fatty Turner.
SOMEBODY NEEDS TO TELL THE TRUTH
December 28th, 2012
9:19 am
I see there’s some very early pre-draft scouting going on in the areas of OLinemen…and RB’s. I’ve done a little browsing me-self. I agree with some very astute cage posters, that the OL prospects are noticeably weak compared to recent drafts, IMO, end rushers are few and between as well. Quality DT’s and RB’s, IMO, are plentiful.
I agree, we will probably draft a DT in round one…and if the getting is good, we will, IMO, exercise our draft options and pull the string on another DT in the later rounds. As far as runningbacks, there’s know guarantee Smith will part ways with Turner, we (fan base) assume it’s a no-brainer…I’ m not convinced as much as others that M. Turner will be cut loose. But, if Turners days are numbered in an ATL uni…I see us going after a back cut in the mold of a M. Turner (not quite as heavy though). Smith seems to like backs with a certain stout (fire hydrant build), backs that don’t put the ball on the ground. IMO, he seems to shy away from the speed merchants, you know… backs like Titans Chris Johnson.
So, with that said. I’ve glanced at some early draft scoring and predicted draft positions of some notable RB’s.
Alabama’s Eddie Lacy could be there in the 4th round (maybe 5th) for the taking. He fits, IMO, the style of runningback I think Smith likes. Tell ya the TRUTH…I wouldn’t be disappointed at all drafting Lacy.
SOMEBODY NEEDS TO TELL THE TRUTH
December 28th, 2012
9:46 am
…and when we do take OLinemen in the draft, probably wouldn’t be a bad idea to start looking at the strenght and conditioning (how many bench press reps, ect..) of the linemen we take. The last couple of linemen we’ve drafted, maybe with the exception of Holmes, but Hawley, Johnson, Konz…and some UFA (Valdez) all have a weak, flaccid build.
Strenght, probably outweighs size as the most important attribute in drafting an offensive lineman. IMHO.
SPS
December 28th, 2012
10:11 am
Late comment on the Roddy snub: His stats merit being selected, but at the end of the day, the pro bowl is a popularity contest – based on votes and not stats. I just think he rubbed a number of people the wrong way with his interviews and tweets. I’m fine with him, but I can see where it may have cost him some votes. No biggie anyway, if none of them can play because they are in NOLA instead.
Unca' Bob
December 28th, 2012
10:13 am
Let’s see. MR2 was ten for ten off play-action passes last week with three TDs. Could it be the run game is more about perception than it is yards? All our backs are equally bad running the football.
Unca' Bob
December 28th, 2012
10:16 am
TRUTH,
Footwork,agility, and technique should come into play at some point.
Zoomie
December 28th, 2012
10:33 am
@ Big Ray’s December 27th, 2012: 3:24 pm
This is a man who gets it. It’s not about fear, it’s about recognizing how a particular team’s strengths matches up against another’s weaknesses.
You only forgot to mention the Sea Chicks’ mean, fast, aggressive D-line matched up against the Falcons’ often underperforming O-line.
Sell out to stop the run. Play aggressive O, get a 2 TD+ lead, make the Sea Gulls play from behind and force a passing game. I think their weakness is the two-pronged running attack with Lynch and Russell. Shut that down and the Sea Gulls are quite beatable.
Oh yeah, and make sure Turner gets at least 25 carries.
(That was a joke, people; but will probably happen anyway . . .)
BIG DOG
December 28th, 2012
10:39 am
No Brainer on who Falcons should take with 1st round pick.
http://youtu.be/mqJRd3mN01w
BIG DOG IN THE HOUSE
Pietas81
December 28th, 2012
10:41 am
Ummmmm the game was over a week ago and still no column………..
I wish my job worked like that
BIG DOG
December 28th, 2012
10:49 am
If Gonzalez stay Falcons still must Draft Tyler Eifert, it would be Beautiful if Gonzalez stay and mentor him for 1year.
BIG DOG IN THE HOUSE
BIG DOG
December 28th, 2012
10:52 am
Pietas81 – This the Dog House Brother don’t be calling D3 out like that, JUST DAM
If not like it leave.
BIG DOG IN THE HOUSE
Joshua malavenda
December 28th, 2012
11:19 am
Here a very Intersting article that might lower the anxiety of our recent playoff issues:
http://m.bleacherreport.com/articles/1457110-atlanta-falcons-have-new-attitude-for-2012-playoffs-wont-exit-early-this-year
Slant Pattern
December 28th, 2012
11:48 am
“Strenght, probably outweighs size as the most important attribute in drafting an offensive lineman. IMHO.” – Somebody NTT Truth
First off, nice to see Cage active again. I can’t really agree or disagree with this statement yet. Last year was the first year I put alot of time into looking at and learning O-line drafting. My thoughts so far is this is easily the hardest position to decide about, there are so many variables involved. Guys that are the perfect blend of strength and balance but still quick and agile go in the top 10-20 easy, after that you get the guys that are mixes of different strengths and weaknesses. I looked up the number 61 Alabama guy ( http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=90423&draftyear=2014&genpos=OG ), Anthony Steen was his name. In these videos for C. Warmack and B. Jones ( http://draftbreakdown.com/players/chance-warmack ) you can also see him in action. I would love to hear someone else’s opinion on him, he looks to get nice push in the run game, fairly mobile on pulls, and soaks up bull rushes well. He keeps his head on a swivel and seems very aware of the game around him. He is not “great” but looks at least solid to above average in all important aspects. He looks to have more “power” than many rated above him. He isn’t on anybody’s radar yet and might go later rounds, defintely intriguing to me.
John Waynesworld
December 28th, 2012
12:27 pm
Even though we are a 13-2 team, we have so many positions of need in the upcoming draft. Without discussing the crap shoot that is free agency, just look at the positions that we could pick…TE, RB, DE, DT, OT, OG, LB, and even CB.
CB is an interesting problem. With Grimes coming off his franchise tag and requiring a big contract and Asante and Dunta aging, we may need to start looking for a potential starting CB sooner than later. We may have found a diamond in the rough with McClain, but with potential injuries it will always be a position of need.
I still don’t see any late first round OLBs/DEs that wouldn’t be gone by the bottom of the draft, unless we are talking about C.J. Mosley or Dion Jordan. Alex Okafor is another possibility as a pure DE, or one of the other perennially overrated D linemen from LSU. For a 1st round pick D line just doesn’t seem too solid of a pick (bust alert!) compared to if we spent the #1 on a proven gigantic TE or a road grading (and probably #1 rated) OG.
I am hoping this time around we go for a RB in the 2nd Round, as there are no blue chips in this next draft, but several multi-tool guys with very high upside. That is good for us because that means the best RB in the draft could be any of the top 5 and a few will fall well into the second round simply because 1) many teams already having solid RBs and, 2) all the new emphasis on the passing attack (and defending against it). Many teams will be grabbing all the pass rushers, CBs, WRs, and O linemen they can find, leaving some quality RBs for teams lacking a rushing attack (like us?) to choose from in April.
13-2 and so many problems! HAHAHAHA
Birdman
December 28th, 2012
1:18 pm
I don’t think an RB is going to be the first pick . But I do think this is the last year for Turner
Nookah
December 28th, 2012
1:30 pm
Greetings Cagers!!
Big Dog, 10:39am post. I too would love to see Eifert in a Falcons uni. That boy is the perfect “88″ clone.
It seems we are already warming up for the draft. Any thoughts on taking Marcus Lattimore and waiting on his rehab? CS and TD are good at drafting players with injury history.
I will not even get in the Roddy to Pro Bowl banter. Roddy is a pro bowl receiver, he’s just not a natiuonally popular receiver. As someone said before, the pro-bowl is a popularity contest and so is the MVP to a certain point. The national media is in love with Peyton Manning and he is is not even in my top 3. Let’s be honest, Denver was a playoff team last year. Our guy will not be seriously considered until he wins a playoff game or 2. Win the SB and he’s in. Let me borrow Warren Sapp’s favouritte expression…”it’s that simple.”
Go Falcons!!
Pietas81
December 28th, 2012
1:40 pm
Big dog -
D3 stated “much more coming very soon” yet it’s been over a week. I’d say it was more of an observation than an attempt to call someone out. If DLed did the same thing people would be all over him.
Regarding your comment about leaving, there’s no need to be aggressive. It’s obvious from your name that you have self esteem issues, I’d suggest that you focus on yourself and leave others be. With that being said, Go Falcons, Superbowl bound!!
Nookah
December 28th, 2012
1:41 pm
Cagers, a quick link on MT33.
http://atlanta.cbslocal.com/2012/11/14/atlantas-michael-turner-not-living-up-to-his-contract/
falcon21
December 28th, 2012
1:46 pm
81, D3 does one hell of a job and don’t get paid. DLed gets paid, take your BS to his blog!
Nookah
December 28th, 2012
1:48 pm
Not sure if this was posted before but an intersting read, another perspective I guess.
http://thepenaltyflagblog.com/blog/should-the-falcons-release-michael-turner-after-2012/
Nookah
December 28th, 2012
1:49 pm
falcon21, word!
Nookah
December 28th, 2012
1:50 pm
Birdman, you are right we won’t be selecting a RB early but we do need one as part of our succession planning. Rodgers, IMO, will not be an everydown back.
JB Falcon
December 28th, 2012
2:14 pm
21 tops 81, lol.
Lot’s of talk about MT and can’t say I disagree. Will he stay or will he go? Who knows! The thing is, our team has evolved and we do not depend on him like we used to. AP wouldn’t do nearly as well behind our OL so it figures we’ll concentrate more on that than a RB. Like BM said, we can pick up a RB later.
Pietas81
December 28th, 2012
2:59 pm
“21 tops 81″
It appears the math from the members is about as good as the grammar.
It’s readily apparent that you guys are in a whole different league than me so I’ll leave you guys to do your thing. Just promise that you’ll try to act civilized, show some effort with your grammar, and try not to throw any fecal matter at each other………
John Waynesworld
December 28th, 2012
3:01 pm
I also agree about not taking a RB in the 1st Round, unless EVERY team passes on the top RB. Then there would be a temptation for sure, and who in this town would fault them? Not me, as (at times) I have witnessed what a ZERO rushing attack looks like. Picking an RB with our #1 probably won’t happen though, as Giovani Bernard should be gobbled up by someone without a top 10 pick, like the Chargers, or someone that desperately needs one and has a top 10 pick, like Detroit. The other RBs coming out are intriguing and most likely to be picked shortly after the 1st Round…
Joe Randle – OSU……………1351 yds / 14 TDs*
Eddie Lacy – Bama……………1182 yds / 16 TDs*
Stepfan Taylor – Stanford…….1442 yds / 12 TDs*
Mike Gillislee – FLA………….1104 yds / 10 TDs*
Jonathan Franklin – UCLA……1734 yds / 13 TDs*
Monte Ball – Wisc……………..1730 yds / 21 TDs*
Le’Veon Bell – MSU…………..1648 yds / 11 TDs*
* Denotes 2012 stats
I really like the 3-Down Stanford RB (we like smart guys!). Down the list, although a fine player, I would steer clear of Ball because of his mileage. I think he stayed a year too long in college. Additionally, I know there are other freaks of nature like Kenjon Barner who could be had in later rounds, but we need someone who can catch and pass protect right out of the gate.
falcon21
December 28th, 2012
3:20 pm
81, you are welcome on this blog, we are all friends here. D3 does the best he can do with having a real job and trying to keep this blog going. We are here for our Birds..
Unca' Bob
December 28th, 2012
3:23 pm
Pietas81,
D3 has some personal matters to be addressed at present. That’s way more important than this blog.
Big Ray
December 28th, 2012
3:34 pm
The key is to run from the shotgun formation, which would keep the defense on its heels. You can fake the run and throw, run sweep, check down, reverse, quick slant… the list goes on. Not to mention, you give Ryan a better chance to survey the field. </em.
Exactly. Small wonder that this is exactly what the Patriots have done so often with Tom Brady….
Big Ray
December 28th, 2012
3:35 pm
It appears the math from the members is about as good as the grammar.
As in “Falcon 21″…..reading and interpretation being fundamental…..
Big Ray
December 28th, 2012
3:37 pm
Or if you prefer, 21 is higher than 81 on a list of rankings with #1 being the best and going from there…..don’t walk into a room and assume you speak the same language as the people you see until you’ve heard them talk for a little while….
Big Ray
December 28th, 2012
3:38 pm
Regarding your comment about leaving, there’s no need to be aggressive. It’s obvious from your name that you have self esteem issues, I’d suggest that you focus on yourself and leave others be.
You get all that from a blog handle? Presumption is worse than assumption in some cases. Hope you aren’t a psychologist or pyschiatrist….or a stock broker….
Big Ray
December 28th, 2012
3:42 pm
Ummmmm the game was over a week ago and still no column………..
I wish my job worked like that
It’s not his job. He does this for free, and we all benefit from it (as does the AJC). It is amazing the amount of opinion you have on something you know so little about.
That said, his job is educating today’s youth…and taking care of his family.
Perhaps you think this is less important than having a column up for you to read.
Or perhaps you are merely orating from your anal orifice. Personally, self esteem issues are preferable to THAT sort of physiological malfunction….
Wings
December 28th, 2012
3:48 pm
In other words Pietas81: STFU!!!!
Big Ray
December 28th, 2012
3:51 pm
It’s readily apparent that you guys are in a whole different league than me so I’ll leave you guys to do your thing.
“I” is preferred to “me” as far as pronouns are concerned, particularly within the context of your sentence.
It’s obvious from your name that you have self esteem issues, I’d suggest that you focus on yourself and leave others be.
You may want to replace that comma with a semi-colon. And I don’t mean the colon that apparently is the origin of your cognitive process.
D3 stated “much more coming very soon” yet it’s been over a week.
Missing a comma. Inside the quotiations, please.
Got anymore to say about grammar?
Yes, I’m a peckerhead.
When D3 gets attacked unjustly, that is.
Big Ray
December 28th, 2012
3:53 pm
Zoomie ,
I can’t believe I forgot to mention the Seattle D-Line. They’ve been a nightmare for teams like the 49ers and Packers, two teams with some very capable offenses.