It’s only preseason, but this secondary needs major work
This touchdown was way too easy for Michael Bennett. (AJC photo by Curtis Compton)
It’s preseason, and preseasons can mislead. The 2008 Detroit Lions were 4-0 when it didn’t count and 0-16 when it did. That said …
If the regular season is going to resemble Saturday’s first half, Mike Smith is going to have white hair soon.
Whoops. Too late.
You don’t often see a coach yelling at his men during an exhibition, but Mr. Smith held forth at some length after his team allowed the Chargers’ second touchdown of the first half. (There’d be another — touchdown, not tirade — to come.) What was especially galling to the old defensive coordinator was his team’s uncoordinated approach to third-and-long. You’re supposed to stop the other team on third-and-long. Indeed, the ability to stop the Cardinals on third-and-16 is one reason Keith Brooking now works for Dallas.
But Brooking had nothing to do with these defensive whiffs. This was the new D, the faster D, the one linebacker Curtis Lofton has called “upgraded at every [open] position.” I’m thinking Smith and Brian VanGorder might not hand out many A’s after this half. Maybe nary even a D-minus.
We stipulate by saying this: The Chargers are good. They can make an opponent look sorry. But the 2009 Falcons aren’t supposed to be just any opponent. They’re supposed to be a force themselves. And they’re going to be, at least on offense. The defense? Let’s call it a work in progress, and until Saturday we had no idea just how far it needs to progress.
The Falcons’ first two exhibition games were against Detroit and St. Louis, both of which were terrible last season and will be awful again. Detroit moved the ball against the Falcons’ reserves in the second half, but general manager Thomas Dimitroff dismissed it by saying, “Our subs were running around.”
This was first-team against first-team, and it was a mismatch. The Chargers gained 281 yards in two quarters, 255 of them passing, seemingly 250 of them over cornerback Chris Houston. (OK, I exaggerate. Slightly.) And here was the truly frightening stat: San Diego was 7-of-8 on third-down conversions, and each of those seven conversions was third-and-7 or longer.
On the series that set off Smith, the Falcons failed on third-and-13 (Houston beaten), third-and-18 (Houston again), third-and-17 (Houston yet again) and finally on a third-and-24 screen to Michael Bennett on which Lofton took the wrong angle and Mike Peterson missed a tackle. When the dizzying sequence finally subsided, Smith sought Houston first and then his whole defensive crew. And he spoke at length.
Loading ...We knew when the Falcons dumped five starters that the early stages of 2009 might be bumpy. What we witnessed Saturday was a somersault down the Snake River Canyon. The offense is going to be splendid, but trying to win every game 42-40 is a hard way to go, for the simple reason that sometimes the other guy will get the ball last.
And we’re only two weeks from the opener against Miami, and after Miami comes Carolina, and after Carolina comes New England. If the Falcons can’t stop the Chargers on third down on a Saturday night in August, how might they fare come September?
A year ago Dimitroff assessed his defense in preseason and signed two defensive backs — Domonique Foxworth and Jamaal Fudge. Foxworth wound up starting. I’m thinking there might be a signing or two announced in Flowery Branch this week, and I’m thinking anybody who arrives won’t be told, “We see you as a nickel back.” I’m thinking there’s a real opportunity for some unemployed cornerback here.
What’s Bruce Pickens doing these days?
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188 comments Add your comment
Nativebird
August 30th, 2009
8:47 am
Can we please just say it? If Brent Grimes from Shippenburg State is your starting LCB, you’ve got problems. As much as I and everybody loves the kid’s “athleticism” and enthusiasm, and as much as I’m sure he looks GREAT in practice, and competing against the likes of Glenn Sharpe and 2nd year man Chevis Jackson (starting nickel, you put him on ANY other NFL roster and he is competing for the Scout Team.
Foxworth PROVED last year that in this league, you MUST go out and spend some money at corner.
bigeasy830
August 30th, 2009
9:01 am
Mark Bradley, I said it before OTAs and I stick by it, the Falcons should have resigned Foxworth. He played lights out football for the Falcons in the second half of the season. He really came into his own. I do not know how he performed at Denver but he was very good as a Falcon. Houston and Grimes were burnt like toast last season, put some of you Falcons fan expected different this season for some reason. They should have paid Foxworth. He was a steal for 17 mil. I think Jamal will be cut also. He looks decent at times then he looks terrible most of the other times. You Falcons fans cannot be happy with that performance. Your team was beaten badly in the first half then San Diego took their foot off your throat and played guys that will be cut by next friday. I was telling a friend that Matt Ryan looked like he had more zip on his passes, then he floated those last 2 passes and looked like a weak armed chump again. Maybe he was just trying to force it and make something happen because it was near the end of the half. His short passes are great, great anticipation and good zip on them but anything over 25 yards flutter on him. The will not be opening the season against detroit and Kansas City. This year Miami, Carolina and New England. If you lose that Miami game at home, and I believe they will, you will start out 0-3. You better get that first one. Then week 4 in SF the most improved team in the second half of last season is no easy task. And also your rookie D-lineman Peria and the 6th Round pick Trey Lewis are not looking good at all. You have some serious issues Falcons you will not go over .500 trying to win shootouts. But anyway, the Falcons suck.
Falcons will be 4-12 in 2009
“Back To Life, Back To Reality”
Ryder
August 30th, 2009
9:05 am
I seem to remember a team last year with no secondary and defense to speak of making it to the Super Bowl….oh that’s right, the Cardinals!
Relax people, as long as Atlanta’s offense is clicking it won’t matter what the defense does. I would be more concerned about Turner and Gonzalez being non-existent against the Charger defense last night. They have work to do.
Alan
August 30th, 2009
9:10 am
Not a great showing by the defense or the Falcon fans. Suck it up as a learning experience and have faith, there is good raw material on the team and I’m sure some more will be forthcoming if anything better comes along.
bigeasy830
August 30th, 2009
9:15 am
It is just preseason, but I believe this San Diego game proved that he Falcons did not upgrade at every position on defense as some of you know it all Falcons fans have posted. Speed is important but, instincts are more important. A fast player with no instincts must use his speed to try to recover from a mistake, and in the NFL everyone can run its not like colleg or high school here you can succeed off your athleticism. The instincts of Brooking and Malloy allowed them to be in position to make plays. They read the play before the ball was snapped. Like when i once sat in center field at a Braves game. I was amazing how Andruw Jones looked like he was moving to where the ball was hit before the batter hit it. That is an attribute that cannot be coached. Brooking and Malloy had those attributes. Sure they lost a step with age, but they brought so much more to the table. Grady was a space eater as well. I think this season will be more like the 1999 season. Great anticipation by the Falcons fans to be meet with disappointment. That 1999 season Reeves cut all the veteran players that got him to the Super Bowl.
falcon
August 30th, 2009
9:17 am
Has Chris Houston ever broken up a pass while playing for the Falcons? He always seems to have his back to the QB while trying to catch up to the receiver. He never seems to get there. I don’t think he’s quick enough to play CB at the pro level. At least Grimes is in the camera shot most of the time and going for the football. Houston appeared to be only going thru the motions out there last night. I was glad to see Coach Smith come over and get in his face when Houston returned to the bench. Dimitroff has got to find a few new faces for the Atlanta defense. We clearly don’t have the horses we need.
Dawggy Style
August 30th, 2009
9:18 am
As much as I am concerned about our defense at the moment, let’s remember the good things: (1) Bobby Petrino is a quitter, (2) DeAngelo Hall is a Redskin, and (3) Mike Smith has spent way too many years in the NFL as a successful defensive coach to tolerate this kind of crappy play. Things will be better sooner rather than later!!
vafalconfan
August 30th, 2009
9:21 am
Foxworth took less money to play near his home. The Falcons could not sign him. Our corners are horrible and Grimes should not be starting on any NFL team.
bigeasy830
August 30th, 2009
9:25 am
Dawggy Style in pro sports tomorrow is not promised you win now or you may not win at all. Free agnecy destroyed that buld a team in the draft and I got this player for so many years as long as he stays healthy. No, bud, you win now, plain and simple. The falcons did a very good job last season, but imagine if Roddy was still a hold out. Most fans did not even imagine the brief hold-out he had. Things like that happen in pro sports. Everyone will have a decent season sooner or later. That the dominant franchises, My Steelers, New England, The 49ers of the 80, The Cowboys of the 90s, make very sound personnel decisions. letting Foxworth go and trading Laurent Robinson for a sack of beans is not sound.
Alan
August 30th, 2009
9:37 am
Brooking and Malloy are gone, quit crying and get behind the new talent, most have to learn, few are gifted to step into a position and be sucessful immediately. Example-Roddy White versus Matt Ryan, now look at the both of them.
jj
August 30th, 2009
9:55 am
the falcons played last night?
clthurman
August 30th, 2009
10:00 am
Alan I think we already are ” behind” the new talent(you’re kiding right with that word) its just the opposing receivers usually have them “behind” them. Quit sucking up and call the Falcon Think Squad out and get us some help or we will be the 2008 Saints.
26.2
August 30th, 2009
10:05 am
I think Thomas D. needs to trade for a good NFL cornerback. He drafts well enough to where we could overcome the loss of a second round pick. If we draft a toplevel cornerback in next years draft chances are he will need a full year or two to develop anyway.
Dawggy Style
August 30th, 2009
10:05 am
bigeasy830 – I guess that’s why Mike Smith is the reigning NFL coach of the year and you’re just a fan whose favorite team (Steelers) is the current Super Bowl Champion. Was your “favorite team” the Patriots, Colts, 49ers, Cowboys, Redskins, Bucs, Broncos, et al. in the years they won as well?
37YearBravesFan
August 30th, 2009
10:13 am
Came in on the game (from the Braves’ pounding of the Phils) to see no stopping on third and long, and was really shocked by how bad it was (Falcs inability to stop the Chargers).
They need help quick.
nhe
August 30th, 2009
10:14 am
No one here seems to realize that Phillip Rivers is one of the only QBs in the NFL that can make those 3rd and long throws – he was zipping it. In game 1, if Pennington tries to make those throws, they’ll be a lot more time to recover. Rivers is rare – not even Brady or P Manning have that arm.
So, I’m not nearly as concerned about 3rd and long as I am about defending a screen pass.
I blame BVG and the linebacker coach for not getting our linebackers in better position to cover RBs out of the backfield – and this goes back to last year. Where the heck are we??? Our LBs are no where near the RBs – that is a coaching issue!!
And yes, please lets let go J Anderson – its just time.
WPinAZ
August 30th, 2009
10:16 am
Birdy……I couldn’t have said it any better. You covered it COMPLETELY. I thought it was just me, but it seems to me the Falcons haven’t been able to defend a screen pass for at least the last 3 seasons, maybe 4. However, it has sank to an all time, EMBARASSING low. PITIFUL. If I’m an OC game planning against the Falcons, I’m scheming a heavy dose of screen packages, and I’m going to run them to death until they stop it……which by review of game film from the last few seasons, they have no clue how to.
The Prophet
August 30th, 2009
10:18 am
Hey TD! Fire BVG ,d cut the whole secondary THIS WEEK or 4-12 will be this seasons outcome!!!
Bad News
August 30th, 2009
10:20 am
Posted by ESPN.com’s Pat Yasinskas
Long ago, I learned not to read too much into preseason games. I saw Tampa Bay teams coached by Sam Wyche look good in the preseason and then hit double-digit losses in the regular season.
But I am going to take one thing seriously out of Saturday night’s preseason game between the Falcons and Chargers. That’s the Atlanta defense.
It didn’t look good at all and that’s a growing reason for concern. We all knew the Falcons would be entering this season with five new starters on defense and that means there is going to be some transition.
But shouldn’t we be seeing some positive signs by now? Probably. But we haven’t. In the only preseason game that really matters (because the starters play a fair amount), Atlanta’s defense struggled. Yes, San Diego has a good offense, but LaDainian Tomlinson wasn’t even playing. It didn’t matter because the Chargers barely ran the ball.
They were throwing it and throwing it very well. In the first half, the Chargers had somewhere around 250 passing yards. That’s not good news for any defense and every offensive coordinator the Falcons face in the regular season will be watching the video blueprint of how to carve up Atlanta’s defense.
The Falcons aren’t going to go out and blow up their defense at the end of the preseason. They’re going with what they’ve got and that’s a little scary. They could have gone out and grabbed some blue-chip defensive backs in the offseason. But they didn’t.
They’re going with Brent Grimes and Chris Houston as their starting cornerbacks and Erik Coleman and Thomas DeCoud as their starting safeties, for better or worse. If the Falcons are going to make the best of this, they need to do some of the same things they do with their offensive line. They don’t have a tremendous amount of talent there, but they make the most of it because they hide their weaknesses.
They need to do the same thing with the secondary. The best way to do that is with a pass rush. They’ve got an elite rusher in John Abraham, but they need more than that. They need third-year pro Jamaal Anderson to step up from the very start of the season. Anderson was a top 10 pick in 2007 and he’ll be on the bench if he doesn’t start quickly.
The Falcons have Chauncey Davis, Lawrence Sidbury and Kroy Biermann as alternatives to Anderson. One, or some combination, of all those defensive ends will have to step up or the secondary really might be in trouble.
Atlanta Falcons, Sam Wyche, LaDainian Tomlinson, Brent Grimes, Chris Houston, Erik Coleman, Thomas DeCoud, John Abraham, Jamaal Anderson, Chauncey Davis, Lawrence Sidbury, Kroy Biermann
Bad News
August 30th, 2009
10:22 am
Enter your comments here
Bad News
August 30th, 2009
10:24 am
Pat Yasinskas says:
Long ago, I learned not to read too much into preseason games. I saw Tampa Bay teams coached by Sam Wyche look good in the preseason and then hit double-digit losses in the regular season.
But I am going to take one thing seriously out of Saturday night’s preseason game between the Falcons and Chargers. That’s the Atlanta defense.
It didn’t look good at all and that’s a growing reason for concern. We all knew the Falcons would be entering this season with five new starters on defense and that means there is going to be some transition.
But shouldn’t we be seeing some positive signs by now? Probably. But we haven’t. In the only preseason game that really matters (because the starters play a fair amount), Atlanta’s defense struggled. Yes, San Diego has a good offense, but LaDainian Tomlinson wasn’t even playing. It didn’t matter because the Chargers barely ran the ball.
They were throwing it and throwing it very well. In the first half, the Chargers had somewhere around 250 passing yards. That’s not good news for any defense and every offensive coordinator the Falcons face in the regular season will be watching the video blueprint of how to carve up Atlanta’s defense.
The Falcons aren’t going to go out and blow up their defense at the end of the preseason. They’re going with what they’ve got and that’s a little scary. They could have gone out and grabbed some blue-chip defensive backs in the offseason. But they didn’t.
They’re going with Brent Grimes and Chris Houston as their starting cornerbacks and Erik Coleman and Thomas DeCoud as their starting safeties, for better or worse. If the Falcons are going to make the best of this, they need to do some of the same things they do with their offensive line. They don’t have a tremendous amount of talent there, but they make the most of it because they hide their weaknesses.
They need to do the same thing with the secondary. The best way to do that is with a pass rush. They’ve got an elite rusher in John Abraham, but they need more than that. They need third-year pro Jamaal Anderson to step up from the very start of the season. Anderson was a top 10 pick in 2007 and he’ll be on the bench if he doesn’t start quickly.
The Falcons have Chauncey Davis, Lawrence Sidbury and Kroy Biermann as alternatives to Anderson. One, or some combination, of all those defensive ends will have to step up or the secondary really might be in trouble.
Atlanta Falcons, Sam Wyche, LaDainian Tomlinson, Brent Grimes, Chris Houston, Erik Coleman, Thomas DeCoud, John Abraham, Jamaal Anderson, Chauncey Davis, Lawrence Sidbury, Kroy Biermann
JohnD
August 30th, 2009
10:26 am
The point was made best above. Grimes would be fine as a nickel corner; Houston might be tolerable as a 2nd corner. The fact that they are all forced to rotate up and the pass rush has been non-existent are as big a problem as the corner play. I’m as concerned with how Laurent Robinson torched the secondary last week – as I am that Jackson, Chambers and the other 6′4+ San Diego receivers. San Diego is probably one of the top 4 AFC teams when healthy.
bigeasy830 – Your points may be valid, if made in later October. I’m pretty sure the Steelers aren’t too concerned with losing the Redskins in preseason. The Foxworth point is made – but the suspicion here is that TD will address the corner situation.
The problem is the Saints and the Panthers look good – combined with a brutal schedule – makes a playoff run look tough right now.
MightyQuinn
August 30th, 2009
10:35 am
Ok, how many third and longs did we get them into? And if we fix the third and long problems then we win the first half (which was all that mattered). Other than the secondary, the pass rush was weak and it is more important than ever to get TD’s in the red zone and not FG’s. So there is lots to work on in the next couple of weeks.
Bad News
August 30th, 2009
10:36 am
As bad as the defense is, everybody is not getting the blame fairly. The leader of the team is the quarterback. Did anybody watch the game? He gift wrapped 3 PICK6!
Are you kidding me? If that was Vick he would have been blamed more than the sorry defense. I have said all alone, the GM is not that good and it is showing by all the off season moves he made in a bad way.
I keep telling you people the tight end was not last season’s problem – it was the quarterback. He nearly threw 3 picks and once again, his redzone percentage failed miserably.
If you have a NOODLE ARM you will not be successful in the redzone! They drafted the wrong guy. Take Flacco on the other hand, in his dress rehearsal for the regular season – what does he do? Only go 23 for 28 with lasers all over the field. Ryan’s idea of a laser is a 20 yard lob. Did everyone see how he had to heave and loft that pass in the 1st quarter to Roddy and it was short and almost got picked off.
Like I keep saying, he was bailed out all season by Turner and Roddy White, and against very weak teams, but San Diego was a start to what will be a very long season. He will not just have a sophomore slump, he will be exposed and will be a reserve within 2 more seasons.
Falcons4Ever
August 30th, 2009
10:39 am
We all knew the defense would be the weak link. I am suprised TD din’t do something about our bad CB’s. I never like Houston, Just another Arkansas failure in my book to go along with Anderson. Looking back maybe we should have drafted a CB in the first round instead of DT. Might as well put Owens and Jackson on the field. They can’t look any worse than Houston and Crimes. I agree, we need to do something. Winning 42-40 will be tough to do weak in and weak out but that looks like what we’re going to have to do. Is there any good CB in next years draft?
Confused
August 30th, 2009
10:47 am
Ok, is Milloy still available? We need him. The Falcons need to go to the country universities and get those cotton growing, farm guys that are built like horses to play football. The chargers players were HUGE guys. They made the Falcons look like ants. We need strength and speed. The Charges used one hand to hold back a Falcons player, it was ridiculous. Take a boxing class or something.
Jay
August 30th, 2009
10:57 am
Maybe the problem is Van Gorter, or would some Dawg fans blame
the falcon’s weak defense on Willie Martinez.
James
August 30th, 2009
10:58 am
The falcons biggest problems start off with the front 4 and if these guys play with passion then the corners with play a little better.The front 4 really is the key in a 4-3 defense because with pressure it gives the secondary a little more time to stay with their man or in the play.It going to be a long season and I don’t see much they can do.They should had paid foxworth and got rid of Anderson.The falcons will now lose to weaker teams and lose majority of the games against better teams.I see them going 2-4 in the division and 7-9 over all because of the offense.The offense is good but also need some improvement and it will give them 7 wins.The defense is a mess lol.
BugKiller
August 30th, 2009
11:06 am
Again, a Vick Fan comes on the blog and shows his complete ignorance.
Other than cries of “noodle arm,” Bad News has nothing of any kind of substance to say.
He doesn’t know ANYTHING about football. Last night, to counter his supreme ignorance, I asked him a few football-related questions, about WHY Ryan was late on one pass to Roddy White near the endzone, what the defense did, what route Roddy ran, what number was Roddy in Ryan’s progression, and why Ryan was late getting to him…
… and did Bad News answer? Does Bad News actually know ANYTHING about football?
Nope. He’s just an ignorant Vick Fan who doesn’t know anything about football (three in the same, really) hating on Matt Ryan.
The one almost-INT where it looked like Ryan threw to no one in the middle of the field? Seems to me that when I rewound my DVR, what did I see? Couldn’t have been Turner running up the seam, but failing to turn his head as his QB threw the ball his way.
Ryan WAS late on a few throws, but the lateness had NOTHING to do with arm strength and everything to do what the SD defense did after the snap.
But I wouldn’t expect someone as ignorant as Bad News to understand any of what I’m talking about.
Scooter
August 30th, 2009
11:06 am
McKay set the Falcons back atleast to years with the draft that brought in Jamal Anderson and Chris Houston. They both are bust. Its hard on a team when your #1 and 2nd round picks in the same draft suck. I dare say our defense will finish at the bottom of the league. Not only are our corners bad but our linebackers, exception of Lofton, are just as bad. Nicholous, another McKay draftee, couldn’t start on most good college teams. We’re in trouble big time. 8-8 with this defense and schedule will be tough.
tree rollins
August 30th, 2009
11:08 am
Defense was horrible as we have been expecting. We traded all the defensive veteran starters’ money for Tony Gonzalez – you get what you ask for. Now we know just how awful this defense can (and likely will) be!! No surprise here – we all knew it.
Now here’s what concerns me even more. Matt Ryan and Roddy White missed badly on timing patterns at least twice last night. That really worries me. Is Roddy just not ready because of the holdout or what??
Dennis
August 30th, 2009
11:10 am
Wanted: Two MAN SIZED cornerbacks. Only two weeks to complete the hiring process and get your new uniforms. Apply ASAP at Falcons HQ, Flowery Branch, GA. Relocation expenses paid by employer.
tree rollins
August 30th, 2009
11:17 am
Defense was mortgaged to get Tony Gonzalez. Now there is no defense. Meanwhile Roddy White can’t get on the same page with Matt Ryan on the timing patterns. They had at least 2 attempts at timing patterns last night where one of them was completely off base – and we all know which one was probably the culprit (that just got a huge new pay raise).
nhe
August 30th, 2009
11:19 am
Guys, guys, guys, again – no one is factoring Phillip Rivers here. He is the Chargers best offensive player and made great throws. We’re not going to see those kinds of throws on 3rd down again this season. Volleck got a touchdown against us largely because of our cluelessness against the screen pass. After that, nothing really happened.
The worst mistake we could make in the next two weeks would be to put all of our attention on making our corners better to the exclusion of learning to defend a screen pass, and addressing our curious DL rotation.
f Jamaal Anderson is not out of the rotation by now, then my respect for this Falcons hierarchy will go down – they’ll become just like every other mediocre organization who gives playing time to players because of the money they’re making rather than the plays they’re making.
Dire D
August 30th, 2009
11:25 am
Yes, the secondary looked pathetic. Sliced and diced by Phil Rivers like an Iron Chef with a ginsu knife. Even worse, Owens and Moore were both injured and Chris Houston was exposed as he was repeatedly burned on 3rd and long…is that knee still bothering him? Brent Grimes looked terrible…no way he should be a starting corner in this league…have you watched him try to tackle? We are in trouble folks. Blame the rush a little, but the fact is these corners need to make plays and make them when it counts. This game shows they are not capable of man coverage against bigger, better receivers.
The other piece of terribly bad news is Norwood going down. Mark, Any update on Jerious this morning? I thought Ryan looked good…14-20 not bad at all…very efficient. Yes, he threw a few wobblers, but overall anyone complaining should put a sock in it.
Overall, the defensive line and linebacking corp looked anemic…except for Lofton I didnt see much from anybody. JA98….pu-eeeeh! I’ve been trying to lay off this guy…to wait and see when/if he was going to step up. I’m now in the camp that says as a DE he is a 2nd teamer at best. While he spends his time trying to put his “moves” on an o-lineman the opposing QB has all day to sling arrows. And he has no motor…how many times you see him slouching along after a play moving downfield? Start CD….I love Bierman…the guy has a motor…let him use it…he never gives up on a play!
Dawggy Style
August 30th, 2009
11:28 am
Bad News – You really don’t believe that Matt Ryan is a liability for the Falcons, do you? The guy stepped into a ridiculous situation last year in the post-Vick, post-Petrino debacle and directed a stellar season. Roddy White owes the rest of his well-paid career to Matt Ryan, so stop harping about three interceptions that didn’t even happen!
NoleRick
August 30th, 2009
11:32 am
As a “glass half full” kinda guy, at least we got really exposed in preseason. This game confirmed what most of us were thinking anyway. So no need to panic. Lets just hope that TD and Co. will bring in better personel or make some necessary adjustments.
I just kept thinking what in the world will Tom Brady and Drew Brese do this secondary….”lawd hammercy” its gonna be brutal.
David
August 30th, 2009
11:34 am
Yes, the corners aren’t good. That said, there needs to be some blame scattered across the defensive line. Are the corners for the Pats very good? The Colts? The answer is no. But the defensive line on both of those teams gets to the quarterback, and neither of those teams relies on just one guy to do it (Colts — Mathis and Freeney in a 4-3, similar to the Falcons; Patriots — Adayleus Thomas, used to have Mike Vrabel, and I’m certain will have some other linebacker this year).
Bottom line: You can have the best corners in the world, but if all you’ve got is John Abraham getting doubled on every play, it isn’t going to work. Perei Jerry, even if he is only a rookie, has to step up immediately. Lawrence Sidbury, even if he is only a rookie, has to step up immediately. And we (and the coaches) have to stop relying on Jamaal Anderson finally becoming a formidable end, because at this point in his career, I think it’s clear he won’t be.
I have no issue with cutting Keith Brooking when we did. That said, I mentioned many times last year that without a pass rush, without the ability to stop the run up the middle, it won’t matter who we get at safety, corner, or linebacker. The defense starts and ends at the defensive line, and we have one of the worst, if not the worst, lines in football (off the top of my head, the only teams I can think of with worse d-lines than us is the Rams and Lions).
Kane337
August 30th, 2009
11:36 am
A see a bunch of Falcons fans crying a lot over a pre season game. F’n relax. Let’s give the coaches the benefit of doubt and see how these guys perform against the Dolphins. Save all the panicking and crying until then.
Wanbli
August 30th, 2009
11:39 am
I think it has been said here eloquently by all. But I said these same things when the Falcon High Command (FHC) let go the 5 starters way-back-when, and, opted to forego the Free Agency Signing period too, and, use the draft specifically to rebuild–why rebuild the league is a fast-pace win now league one can’t rebuild a whole unit maybe an individual but that is “in a hurry too” pace see Mark Sanchez. The FHC passed on the 3 USC LBs and had a chance at Rey Mualuga(sp) instead opted for Jerry..? the FHC had to do this becuz they l ocho-cinco’d theyselves by let-going the 5, including the NT Grady; also let-go was 2 vet. LBs, and, this not 2 overlook la Foxworth issue, nor forgetting the Anderson-bust projecto, now in full vogue review–so their they were in the draft room and had to choose eitherway they were snakebite–I would’ve opted 4 LB’s…even at that their were plenty of DT/NT types still on the board; no comp picks either, other teams not only had more picks 12 but futures too one of those teams the Falcons play in gm 3…NE. This is DT mentor outsmarting the protege wunderkid….so facing a looming task with an even bigger looming task the regualr season with the 4 toughest schedule, it doesn’t et any worse than this–we are already bailing and screaming now in pre-season….
billy stover.
August 30th, 2009
11:40 am
I don’t know about the falcons.From what I seen last night they will be lucky to win 8 games.Some body better fire up BVG. I never have liked him as a defensive coordinator. There is no fire there.The defense suuuuucks.
GEORGIADAWGG
T-Rock
August 30th, 2009
11:40 am
I watched the first Falcons game in 1966 and 99% of the Falcon games since and let me say that defensive performance last night in the first half with the supposed starters was pathetic. The Chargers could have told the Falcon defense what plays were coming and they still wouldn’t have stopped them. Somebody tell our defense that the screen pass wasn’t invented last night it has been around for a good while. To allow the Chargers to convert so many 3rd and forevers in a row is a professional joke!!!! I heard that the Falcon defense scrimmaged against “air” last week and “air” scored two touchdowns and a field goal. Chris Houston couldn’t cover a stop sign.
Unless some people on defense step up and “grow a pair” and make a play every once in a while we better hope to win games 61 to 60. We don’t expect our defense to be Pittsburg Steelers with Mean Joe Green we just want them to be able to slow somebody down. Right now Andy, Barney, Goober, Gomer, and Howard Sprague could score on us. Oh well, it looks like the back to back winning seaon jinx is here to stay.
Glanville
August 30th, 2009
12:01 pm
Foxworth was too expensive — Owens will be starting by week 4
Secondary is below avg; but you must have pass rush in NFL–
Offensive game plan was very vanilla; we will see wrinkles againt the Fins
Peterson appears to be a disappointment
Von Hutchins is either still suffering from his injury or lost it
P Jerry is still young; d-lineman take a while to develop, but he must come through
I believe staff was counting on Moore to push DeCoud but injury set him back
Biggest Concern: no pass rush absent a blitz; Abraham will be doubled all the time
bigeasy830
August 30th, 2009
12:08 pm
I want you people to understand something. I am a Falcon hater this is true. I use to be a Falcons fan this is true. I am no longer. But , I am a realist. I try to see it as it is and not how i wish it to be. Example, I love the UGA BULLDOGS, but with Willie Martinez as DC and Bobo as OC we will never win it all and we are in trouble next week against OSU. But back to the Falcons, when I made comments a few months ago about the Falcons letting Foxworth go, I was called nasty names by most of you. When I made comments about the Falcons should not let all the vets on defense go, I was called nasty names again. Now, sure I say it in a way to agitate you. But that is what I do. But, I am also being a realist. I said it some months ago, the biggest loss of personnel was going to be Foxworth because it didn’t look like TD was even trying to find a replacement. Grimes and Houston showed last year that they just can’t get it done. Foxworth played almost lock down at his corner position in the last half of the season. Now, vafalcon you can post that he took less money to play at home all you want to, but in profession sports money talks and bull walks, the Falcons did not make the same offer that the Ravens did. The Ravens outbid the Falcons. I think it has become apparent to the type of team that TD and Arthur will run. They will invest the money on the offense, when teams like the Ravens invest money on the defense. Don’t that seem to be the trend over the last couple of seasons for the Falcons. They most find a balance. Those 2 CBs just will not cut it this season and I like a few others knew it before it became painfully obvious to many of you. The Falcons play too many good teams with good, tall, fast, athletic WRs with good QBs throwing the ball to them. Remember the Saints scored points in bunches and could barely go 8-8 against a very weak schedule last year. Against a schedule like this year, you have to score and play defense to win games. Also you saw Mike Smith ripping his defense in the first half. Lawyer Malloy or Keith Brooking would have been ripping them and it would have meant more from a player showing some real leadership, ALA, Malloy ripping Matt Ryan in the first half of the first Tampa game last year and Matt Ryan responding by playing very well in the second half of that game. I believe that was the moment that set the tone for your whole dream 2008 season. You have to have soldiers like that when you are going into battle against the teams on your schedule this year.
Falcons will be 4-12 in 2009
“Back To Life, Back To Reality”
bigeasy830
August 30th, 2009
12:13 pm
badnews, we all know who your are, what’s happening man. This is going to be a wild season. When will your alter ego return or have you retired that name. I know you are also the Falcons Ticket Operator, man your post are so funny, pure genius baby. keep giving it to them. My main man Falcons Sorry where you at boy.
Holla
Greg
August 30th, 2009
12:18 pm
Great comments. Did you watch the SD O-line pass-block when we rushed 4 or 5? Rivers could have had 10 seconds to find a receiver if he had wanted it—sadly, he only needed about three seconds to find an open receiver with five yards of separation from Houston or Grimes. Grimes adjusts/catches up pretty quick, but with two 6′5″ receivers, what is he supposed to do? You can’t coach-him-up to be taller. Moral: you can’t play effective pass defense in today’s NFL with two small corners. Period. And we ought to be very glad we didn’t have to watch Nicholas try to cover Gates. That would really have been ugly. If we had last year’s schedule, I’d say we might win 10 on the strength of the offense; but with this year’s schedule, we’ll be lucky to get 8. Finally, did anyone think, as I have for a while now, that Snelling runs more effectively than Jerious?
bigeasy830
August 30th, 2009
12:20 pm
Badnews, BVG tried to generate a pass rush with the blitz and stunts but when you do that you open yourself up to draw plays and screens. The other team know the falcons have only one pass rusher and thats Abraham and he is not an every down lineman anymore. You are so right they do not have any talent on defense. BVG is a very good coordinator, but he can do only so much. He has absolutely nothing to work with. With the older talent he had last year he adopted the bend but don’t break philosophy, but near the end of the season he was making those Blitz calls like he did at UGA. It was as if he was reading the opposing team mind at times. I love BVG as a Defensive coordinator, but TD has really handicapped him talent wise.
bigeasy830
August 30th, 2009
12:28 pm
Greg I like Norwood, but he has a hard time staying healthy. I thought the Falcons should have spent no later than a 3rd round pick on a back-up RB. You have to have 2 good RBs in this league and Norwood is good but he is fragile. Now if you think Snelling is the answer so be it. He did have a very good career at VA. I am a UGA Fanatic but D.J is not the long term answer as a back-up QB nor is the aging Redman. The Falcons will soon need to invest a draft pick of no later than the 3rd or 4th round on a quality back-up QB that they can develop.
moboman
August 30th, 2009
12:32 pm
No doubt this is a big evaluation game for TD and Smith, and final decisions are being made about people who arent getting it done. No doubt the braintrust is reviewing last nights weaknesses and will act accordingly to upgrade the D. Dont forget this is a preseason game and its purpose is player evaluation. These guys arent stupid, and will go with the horses that pull their weight, and replace the ones that dont. I personally believe we will miss Milloy more than Brooking. Redmond definitely sealed his fate last night.
PMC
August 30th, 2009
1:05 pm
Well articulated Mark, I have nothing to add. I sure hope we can outscore people this year.