Roddy White’s day shows Falcons the possibilities
This one-handed grab was one of Roddy White's 11 catches, two for TDs. (Curtis Compton/AJC)
Nothing like a little drama, right? The Falcons turned a 24-3 lead into a 25-24 deficit and suddenly nobody at the Georgia Dome knew whether they were a Super Bowl contender or a genetic mutation from the Marion Campbell era, returning for a haunting.
But they won, and it’s important to remember how they won. They were aggressive. They attacked. They didn’t run an offense like you would throw a dart. They ran an offense like you would fire a bazooka.
Remember this game. Because if the Falcons go on to make something special of this season, it will be partly because of the lessons learned in Sunday’s frenetic 39-32 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals.
Matt Ryan threw for 299 yards and three touchdowns. He even passed on third and short. Roddy White had the kind of game Jerry Rice used to have: 11 catches covering 201 yards, two touchdowns and a two-point conversion — those last eight points giving the Falcons the lead back immediately following a third-quarter, 22-point meltdown. He couldn’t be stopped.
“We’ve been doing some good things with the offense but today we took a lot of shots down field,” White said. “We were more aggressive with the play-calling and it paid off.”
Behold, the offense.
Falcons coach Mike Smith is old school. He’s all about physical play on defense and running the ball on offense. That’s fine to a point. The problem here is that the Falcons have weapons that at times haven’t been fully utilized.
It also has seemed that Ryan has been kept under wraps more in season three than he was in season one. Whether that has been the decision of Smith or offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey, or just perception, can’t be certain. But there’s little question what we saw Sunday is not what we’ve been seeing lately. In the last three weeks, there were unimpressive victories over San Francisco and Cleveland and an ugly loss at Philadelphia.
Criticism of the offensive philosophy and play-calling grew as loud as it ever had been since the latest regime took over. And, yes, some of it was internal.
When asked jokingly if players had been standing outside coaches’ offices carrying torches, wide receiver Brian Finneran smiled and responded: “No, but I’m sure they heard the rumblings.”
The Falcons didn’t need a completely new offensive identity. They just needed to improve the old one. There’s no reason to be an eight-track offense in a digital world.
How much better does the running game get if a defense knows Ryan is willing to come out firing?
Appropriately, White was the centerpiece Sunday. He should be the centerpiece every week. As Smith conceded: “He’s probably been our best player through the first seven games. I don’t think there’s any doubt about that.”
The Falcons believe White is an elite receiver. It’s why they gave him a six-year, $48 million contract last year. When there are that many zeroes on a contract, you should expect performances like this.
On the third play from scrimmage, White burned the Bengals for 46 yards on a crossing route. Two plays later, on second and 12, he caught a high bullet from Ryan for 18 yards at the Bengals’ 14, setting up the game’s first touchdown.
White opened the second quarter with his best catch of the day. Going against Adam “Pacman” Jones in single coverage down the right sideline, he made a one-handed grab of a Ryan throw for a 23-yard gain at the Cincinnati 33. Later in the quarter, on third and one from the Bengals’ 43, White again beat Jones in single coverage for a touchdown.
“That was a huddle call [by Ryan],” White said. “We haven’t thrown the ball out of that formation all year. That was our shot.”
White played a role in the blown lead. With the Falcons ahead 24-19, he made a catch but was stripped by Jones, who returned it 59 yards for a score. But Ryan drove the Falcons right back, finishing an eight-play touchdown drive with an 11-yard pass to White. Moments later, White leaped through the ozone for a two-point conversion.
“Hopefully,” center Todd McClure said, “this is a formula for success that we can use every week.”
Now there’s a concept.
♦
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244 comments Add your comment
dean
October 24th, 2010
8:02 pm
Edit: Like St. Louis taking Tampa Bay to the brink…
MalibuGT
October 24th, 2010
8:04 pm
It doesn’t surprise me that the 43 yard touchdown pass was a Ryan call in the huddle. Still not sure why Mularky doesn’t open things up
B-Rad
October 24th, 2010
8:10 pm
Ur alias doesn’t bail you out you knee walking slug of a hanger on…stand and be recognized… and then, at the ‘end of the day’…there’s always Pittsburgh! hahahahaha you are the gutless coward that the paperbag represented all those years B4. Get it?????? hahahahahaha
Ueeediot
October 24th, 2010
8:11 pm
There is a difference between dropped passes and passes missed by the QB.
Please point out the drops. All Ive seen is Mr Sticky Hands
GO…G-O
JSS
October 24th, 2010
8:11 pm
Dean…
repeat your 8:01 post again (everyday)
MightyQuinn
October 24th, 2010
8:14 pm
Haven’t seen any mention of Smith going for it on fouth down in the second quarter when a chip shot fg was a gimme and EVERYONE thought thats what was gonna happen because the game looked like it was gonna be a blowout. Cajones grandes and foresight, indeed.
JASon
October 24th, 2010
8:15 pm
I could tell after last week on this blog that people are finally realizing that the Falcons’ strength is when they are aggressive on offense. I was very positive about the result today, I think that most teams probably would have lost that game. Roddy White is our player of the year- I said it after san francisco in week 4. Matt Ryan is showing what kind of a leader he is when allowed to be aggressive on offense. The only thing I am worried about is that our coaches revert back to the ball control type of game again. I am almost sure they will. And break our hearts.
UGABugKiller
October 24th, 2010
8:18 pm
Ueeediot… very correct. Can’t blame Roddy for the times Ryan hasn’t put the ball where it’s easily caught.
There are maybe only two wide receivers NFL GMs would take over Roddy White today (Larry Fitzgerald and Brandon Marshall). That’s it.
He’s the Real Deal Holyfield. He’s the bees knees.
But again, he’d be much less than what he is now without The Snake Devil’s brother and Joe Horn getting after his @$$ in 2007.
Also, having Ryan throw you the ball as opposed to other QBs Atlanta has employed during his career helps, too.
Drifter
October 24th, 2010
8:24 pm
I didn’t recognize that team that came out after halftime. They made the Bengals look good. But unlike the Falcons of old, these Falcons fought back and got the win…impressive.
Ueeediot
October 24th, 2010
8:26 pm
There was an article in the AJC (I think) right after Roddy got the big contract explaining how the Falcons staff had shown up at Roddy’s house one morning, woke him up, sat down at the kitchen table and had a little ‘come to jesus’ meeting. It was explained at the time that the Falcons already knew the people that Roddy was hanging out with and they were not there to tell him what to do…BUT…if you want to keep your job and get the big contract, you need to change the people youre with. Roddy said that internally, he was already ready to make those changes anyway and the Falcons just helped him along.
Since he has gotten the big money, Roddy has turned into big money on the field. Cant wait until the draft comes around and we can get a legitimate slot and help him out even more.
Wonders if Greg Childs from Arkansas will come to the NFL this draft…
MightyQuinn
October 24th, 2010
8:33 pm
Just to be clear, let us remember that Roddy damn near dropped a perfectly thrown pass on the TD bomb, guys. It goes both ways.
UGABugKiller
October 24th, 2010
8:34 pm
Ueeediot… don’t you think it’s more important to get the franchise LT and a bullrushing DE this team so desperately needs?
5150 P.O.A.D.
October 24th, 2010
8:34 pm
Dean
I quit betting on sports years ago too. I will play Hold’um, but if a REF is involved I ain’t betting on it. Vegas would be broke on people that have figured out you ain’t getting rich on sports betting.
lombardi
October 24th, 2010
8:35 pm
Great win. Now keep it up dammit.
Alfred Jenkins
October 24th, 2010
8:35 pm
Roddy is good, but not the best Atlanta ever had.
Whopper Dawg
October 24th, 2010
8:35 pm
Impressive to come back and win, unimpressive that we had to do so.
The Falcons thought they had the game won at half and mailed in the third.
The Falcons thought (and maybe the coaching staff too) that the Eagle game was won before the coin toss.
To be an elite team, they still have to get their head right.
Did Jerry play? Never heard his name and box score shows nothing – that guy is a big time bust. He hasn’t done a thing.
Alfred Jackson
October 24th, 2010
8:35 pm
You can say that again.
Mr Charlie
October 24th, 2010
8:37 pm
I don’t know if Jerry is a Bust, nose tackles don’t get a lot of glory. Got to watch the tape to evaluate him, and since our D has been OK to this point, I have to assume he is doing fine.
5150 P.O.A.D.
October 24th, 2010
8:37 pm
Billy “White Shoes” Johnson
Mr Charlie
October 24th, 2010
8:38 pm
I think with Ocho sending Gifts, and Terrell being Terrell, Roddy had a little extra incentive. Just shows what he is capable of.
Ueeediot
October 24th, 2010
8:39 pm
UGA,
I dont know if you can keep drafting LTs? I agree Baker isnt the answer. I will also continue to hope Baker gets better. He played a little better today, but still let Ryan get pressured and get hit once.
As for a DE, I agree that with the probable departure/decline of Abraham its time to make a move this offseason for a DE, but I guess we will have to wait until closer to the draft to see who the best available player will be come draft day and what the FA options will be.
Junior Miller
October 24th, 2010
8:40 pm
And Gonzo is not the best tight end the Falcons ever had either.
JSS
October 24th, 2010
8:42 pm
No Roddy still has drops… Had them in Pittsburgh, Cleveland, SF, and the Philly game… But he has been big, like I said, at he seems to be trying every play now…
JSS
October 24th, 2010
8:46 pm
Willie Martinez…
This team is going to have a 60% different Offensive line next year… Contracts are expiring…
Tweets that mention Roddy White's day shows Falcons the possibilities | Jeff Schultz -- Topsy.com
October 24th, 2010
8:48 pm
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by ReidAdair, Jeff Schultz. Jeff Schultz said: Roddy White’s day shows Falcons the possibilities http://bit.ly/clZ3VH [...]
tjhook
October 24th, 2010
8:50 pm
But I believe if healthy, TE Alex Higdon (1988) would have been better than Junior Miller. And the gold standard of tight ends prior to Alge Crumpler and Tony G.
Ueeediot
October 24th, 2010
8:51 pm
http://fantasynews.cbssports.com/fantasyfootball/players/updates/523103
Updated 10/21/2010
“He still leads the NFL in targets with 69 and has yet to drop a pass this season, catching 43.” as of 10/21
I didnt see him drop anything today either and had another 11 recps.
Ueeediot
October 24th, 2010
8:53 pm
best receiver in Falcons history is now a two man race between Roddy White and Terrance Mathis.
IMHO, your name has to be in the Falcons record book to be considered.
ryan
October 24th, 2010
8:54 pm
Saints lost to the Browns Brees 4 INTs Falcons defence and secondary still needs work Vance Walker looked good and what can say about Roddy White and Burner Turner awesome .
Ivan
October 24th, 2010
8:56 pm
Note: There’s a reason I described Roddy as “arguably” the best receiver the Falcons have had.
JSS
October 24th, 2010
8:56 pm
@ Tjhook…
Jim Mitchell is the all-time gold standard for Falcons TEs. “Meat” had speed, hands, and was misfortunate to have played with clueless QBs and coaches.
JSS
October 24th, 2010
8:59 pm
Falcons WR all time…
Rison, Jenkins, Burrows, White (Raising), Mathis, Mike Pritchard (underrated)
Ueeediot
October 24th, 2010
9:02 pm
Can anyone tell me who the offensive coordinator was under Leeman Bennet?
JSS
October 24th, 2010
9:07 pm
I don’t include White Shoes because he was under utilized in the Falcons passing game…
Junior Miller
October 24th, 2010
9:07 pm
You can’t leave the Alfreds out of any all time great falcon receivers.
JSS
October 24th, 2010
9:08 pm
One just fired Jimmy Raye was Bennett’s OC
Ueeediot
October 24th, 2010
9:09 pm
thanks JSS
The Ghost of Norm Van Brocklin
October 24th, 2010
9:09 pm
Good win, but I need a drink to consider what might have happened if Cincy had not fumbled when they were relentlessly – I said re-lent-less-ly – driving down to tie the score late in the game.
I’m as happy as anyone to see us at 5-2 as the boys get a bye week, but we’re 1 fumble(Cindy) and missed field goal (N’awleens) from being 3-4 at the break.
BirdDawg24
October 24th, 2010
9:09 pm
well well, i ve got to give the defense some credit. decent game ! except the 3rd quarter. if the falcons werent way ahead at that time this game wouldve been gone.you cannot give up that many points in a quarter. but they did play well for 3 . there were flashes of brillance early in roddy whites career. i kept thinking if he could just work at it he would be great. he has and he is. outstanding catches today.great job. and give matty ice some credit too.
Junior Miller
October 24th, 2010
9:09 pm
Can leave out Tony Martin. He got us farther than any receiver ever did.
JSS
October 24th, 2010
9:10 pm
@ Junior…
That is Alfred Jenkins on my list… It sure isn’t Michael Jenkins!
Junior Miller
October 24th, 2010
9:11 pm
Ghost, It is the NFL, a W is a W. You can point to about 85% of NFL games and say “what if”.
Junior Miller
October 24th, 2010
9:12 pm
JSS. LOL
falconfan 24-7
October 24th, 2010
9:12 pm
Great article, Jeff. Roddy White is a gamer.Mike Jenkins stretches the field for us. When Mike was out, teams would double team Roddy.The passing game will continue to mature with the return of Mike.
Today, we actually threw the ball on first down !I could not believe it. We need to throw on first down my often. According to the NFL experts you have a 90% chance of a completion when the ball is thrown then. Joe Montano and Steve Young are Hall of Famers mainly because they both threw very often on first down.
Oddly enough, today our passing game opened up our running game.Normally in the NFL it works in the reverse order. Murlarkey had a excellent game plan today. Go Falcons.
JSS
October 24th, 2010
9:13 pm
Tony Martin was not as fast Michael Haynes… If Martin could have shed his drug dealing friends, he been here long enough to qualify… He hurt us more than Eugene Robinson (long term)…
falconfan 2986
October 24th, 2010
9:14 pm
The Falcons showed risilence and heart today. I am so proud to be a Falcon fanatic.
BirdDawg24
October 24th, 2010
9:15 pm
alfred jenkins , alfred jackson , wallace frances, The Big Ben Trio. Bartkowski airing it out . those were the good old days.
Junior Miller
October 24th, 2010
9:15 pm
Haynes was a burner, but he did not run good routes, or have great hands….True about Tony Martin. It was too bad he never could move forward.
ryan
October 24th, 2010
9:16 pm
Andre Rison and Burt Emmanuel .
Junior Miller
October 24th, 2010
9:17 pm
Don’t forget about William Andrews, and Gerald Riggs. pounding the ball. But even with all that, they could never have 2 decent seasons in a row.