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
Boo Boo
August 30th, 2009
1:25 pm
I blame Bradley. He jinxed the Falcons by predicting they would go 10-6, win the division, and go back to the playoffs on the heels of their first ever back-to-back winning seasons. In the pretend world, Grimes and Houston are All-Pros. If only Bradly had predicted 4-12, then Grimes and Houston would have grown 2-4 inches and made it a point to prove Mark Bradley wrong. You made their bed, now they will go lie in it the wrong way.
Sage of Bluesland
August 30th, 2009
1:30 pm
Poor crabapplejoe, he’ll never get over the fraud (Brooking) finally getting booted out of Flowery Branch, where he must have thought he had a job-for-life, considering all of the feel-good community things he did! It’s funny, really!
At least I saw Peterson actually take a blocker on and NOT give any ground, forcing the runner back inside. I never saw the precious Hometown Hero stand up a blocker at the point of attack. Never saw it at Tech and certainly never saw it on Sundays (now, against the scrubs in training camp, good ol’ Keith played with ‘unbridled aggression’–and how the sheep lapped it up!)…Never…
Like I said, addition-by-subtraction.
Ray
August 30th, 2009
2:13 pm
The corners looked like GT corners v/s UGA and the missed tackling/safties looked like Ga’s vs GT last year.
Terry
August 30th, 2009
2:14 pm
Chris Houston is AWFUL! What is that joke doing in the nfl? That was some of the worst defending I’ve ever seen.
crabapplejoe
August 30th, 2009
2:16 pm
“At least I saw Peterson actually take a blocker on”
Yeah, I saw him playing footsie with his blocker as Sproles went right down Highway 53 for the first Charger TD….untouched….then he used his fantastic “speed” to grab Bennetts shoe laces as he went in for the second TD….talk about a fraud. LMAO at our “saviour”….but I hear he did do some good “trash talking”. LOL
bravehawkfalcon
August 30th, 2009
2:28 pm
greg “Defense wins games and this defense sucks. Hell San Diego was playing without their two best offensive players…TE Antonio Gates and L. Tomlinson…the Falcons will not win 7 games…book it..season over before it gets started…one bright spot…I will be able to get cheap tickets to an NFL game because the stands will be empty by mid season.”………………….WHOA BUDDY!! Its still preseason ya know lol.
bravehawkfalcon
August 30th, 2009
2:31 pm
“A work in progress”is a huuuuuge understatement…….
Bad News
August 30th, 2009
2:48 pm
I don’t get you people. All this blaming the secondary. It’s true they are bad, but we knew that going into the season. What I don’t understand is nobody on this blog seems to concerned about the quarterback – the leader of the team.
Are you really satisfied with his performance, the dress rehearsal for what is to come during the regular season? He was terrible in the redzone, just like last season where he ranked 24 out of 32 teams.
Everybody on the blog were making every excuse in the book, stating it was the tight end play or lack there of. Then the GM responded by landing a hall of fame tight end – problem solved right?
Wrong – dead wrong. His redzone performance yesterday was pathetic! Like I have been saying all along, the redzone failure was not the past tight ends, it was the quarterback. It’s the quarterback’s responsibility to get the ball to the receivers and tight ends.
How many drops did they have? They had very little drops, which means the qb was not getting the ball to them. How can it be the tight end problem, when the ball is not delivered to them.
For God’s sake he hand delivered 3, count them, 3 potential PICK6 passes yesterday against the 1st, 2nd and 3rd units of the Chargers. Redman out performed him big time.
So where is the outrage for Ryan? Where is the outrage that was directed at Vick? Nobody said the defense was the problem – it was all Vick. Why no outrage for a qb that has so many weapons but nearly threw 3 PICK6? Is it his skin color? Somebody help me out here.
It will only get worst with the 4th toughest schedule, a different team each week, no Detroit or Kansas City to bail him out this year.
It’s going to be a very long season, 2007 all over again.
Barry Jay
August 30th, 2009
2:49 pm
After watching the abuse our secondary received Saturday, I sure hope we can pick up two CB’s when teams make their cuts. Our receiving corps looked pretty good…I wonder if we might package a trade with picks for a good DB. If we don’t, the jinx will remain intact.
Barry Jay
August 30th, 2009
2:54 pm
Bad News: Yawn. Vick is gone. Ryan is a second year qb and will have growing pains. Come back and talk to us in two years. If Ryan still looks like you claim he did Saturday, we’ll proclaim you the All Wise–All Powerful QB Guru of the World. Right now you just sound like a bitter hack with a Vick axe to grind.
long time falcon
August 30th, 2009
2:56 pm
WE DO NOT NEED LAWYER MILLOY. geez. Do some of you people even know whats going on? Milloy can only play the strong safety position. Eric coleman is our starting strong safety and he led the team in tackles last year from the FS position. Coleman is one of the few bright spots on our defense. He is a tackling machine and has twice the range of lawyer milloy. How the hell is milloy going to help? Our problem is lack of pass rush and terrible cornerback play. Strong safety, the only position milloy could play, is actually a strength with coleman, not a weakness. If were going to get secondary help we need a corner not a safety!
Barry Jay
August 30th, 2009
3:01 pm
Greg, I thought Snelling did outperform Norwood. Actually, I question Norwood’s value to the team because he is not used enough to be effective. Perhaps we should seek to trade him for defensive help. I would think he has some value because of his speed.
Once "Recent" Reader
August 30th, 2009
3:09 pm
I was here last year for first time as “Recent Reader” thus the change of name to Once “Recent” Reader. I defended the selection of Ryan rigorously throughout the avalanche of nay-saying and ridicule. I am not an “I told you so” type of guy . . . .but boy how things have changed. As MB replied – 14 for 20 with TD and no “official” INTs is nothing to sneeze at!!! Glad the perception of Matt Ryan has changed enough that he can be criticized for having a pretty good stat night – but not exceptional results!
Bad News
August 30th, 2009
3:18 pm
Barry J
Nice try, but my friend let me refresh your memory. In 2002, which was Vick’s 2nd year in the NFL, at age 21 and guided a team with far less talent, into a snowy ice cold Lambeau Field and did not no qb before his time – land the hall of fame and legendary Brett Favre his 1st playoff lost in that stadium.
So Barry, please save that he is too young noise. Unless of course you are admitting that a Vick in his 2nd season is far more superior than Ryan in his 2nd year (at age 24).
Help me out here – is that what you are saying?
Once "Recent" Reader
August 30th, 2009
3:30 pm
Here is a quote from the Packers & Falcons Playoff Game BadNews: “Michael Vick didn’t put up impressive numbers or make any game-breaking plays, but he continually escaped from the Green Bay pass rush and made plays when it appeared there were none. He completed 13-of-25 passes for 117 yards and one touchdown and added 64 yards on the ground.” It was a 27 – 7 victory and that is all that matters for a fan of the Falcons. But it seems to have been more of a Team victory. Hey I rooted for Vick too!! Liked him a lot . . . .but different style of QB than Ryan so won’t try and compare them. However, the traditional “pocket QBs” seem to have a better track record in Super Bowls in recent times . . . .maybe even in All Times.
big worm
August 30th, 2009
3:35 pm
i am very concerned about secondary hey pacman will fill two position and just maybe he can return to his titian days i say we gamble.
pass 60% fan
August 30th, 2009
3:36 pm
test
shadykraft
August 30th, 2009
3:47 pm
Why do you people want Malloy back so Bad? Have you all forgotten about that sissy tackle attempt on the far sideland against the Cardinals that ended up going for a td? um yea. We definatley need to get things dialed in on the secondary, Grimes looks like a little person. I know he can jump really well and he did make some great plays last year but he did seem a second late and a foot short last night. We can have a weak defense last year and just plan on scoring a ton but we had to settle for a cupla fg’s last night. I know it’s preseason and all, I’d just love to see the defense tidy things up a bit and then peak at the right time. (we may get smacked around a little bit early. Thanks Mark. I trust the weekend treated you well.
ATLfan2009
August 30th, 2009
4:02 pm
Its funny to see all the people who either jump ship (fairweathers) or find excuses. Did the defense play well last night? No. But if the boat has a leak you don’t burn it down and buy a new boat. What you do is, fix the leak! I don’t care who you are in this league if you don’t pressure the QB then the secondary will give up yards. It looked like they were playing prevent D on most 3rd and longs. Not to mention of the 4 (3rd and long) conversions, 2 of the catches were miracles. I think that looking into bringing back Lawyer Milloy would be a good start just don’t use him in man coverage sets. Move Coleman back to FS. Derrick Brooks might be an option, but linebacker isn’t a dire need right now. Chevis Jackson has to step his game up, PERIOD. The rookies will take time to develop. Chris Owens can be a good corner in this league, plus they should look into using him on Punt Returns, he is too fast not to use. The real question is will William Moore ever be healthy or is he another Jimmy Williams.
Jesse Tuggle
August 30th, 2009
4:02 pm
Yes, If Vick was in the game he would have been 4for4 with four shovel passes and 1 yard rushing and we would be talking about how much better our defense looked than our Offense.”Kudos” to Redman
Luis
August 30th, 2009
4:05 pm
The defense is all around horible. Perry Jerry is yet to be seen (expected since hes a rookie), linebackers are not stopping the run or playing decent coverage in the middle of the field and the corners are way to short for these tall WR’s. We ned help ASAP!!!. Chris McAlister and Deltha O’neal are still out there and unsigned!!!. Dimitroff, go on and call them asap. I know you want to stay young but a 1 or 2 year deal shouldnt hurt. They may not be top quality but at this moment, anything is better than what we got.
darrell starks
August 30th, 2009
4:20 pm
DEFENSE BACKS STARTER PAC MAN, CHRIS MCALLISTER, COLEMAN, WILLIAM MOORE.
BACK UP OWENS, CHEVIS JACKSON, GRIMES AT NICKEL, MILLOY, AND THE OTHER I DONT NO WE ARE IN SERIOUS TROUBLE IF WE DONT MAKE CHANGES.
GO FALCONS!!!!!!
Never Ever
August 30th, 2009
4:22 pm
I have nothing nice to say about the Falcons defense so I wont say anything EXCEPT there are a lot of self professed Bulldog fans that would love to have BVG back. Be careful what you ask for cuz you just might get it.
darrell starks
August 30th, 2009
4:28 pm
How much money does dunta robinson want,TD i would pick up the phone and call houston texas just to see whats up.
GO FALCONS!!!!!!
darrell starks
August 30th, 2009
4:32 pm
Chris houston might get cut dont be surprise.
GO FALCONS!!!!!!!!
Bad News
August 30th, 2009
4:34 pm
Jesse Tuggle didn’t you get forced to retire
tjhook
August 30th, 2009
4:35 pm
Has anyone considered that Nicholas was ineffective because he is playing the wrong side? He performed much better at WLB earlier in his career because he has speed and does a good job chasing down runners? Peterson has Coach Smith’s ear because of the past relationship but Nicholas would do a better job than him.
The safety play was average because they are not totally in sync yet. I miss Malloy but am willing to give this duo a chance (if no improvement happens, then lets revisit a Malloy signing because we need to at least provide some intimidation in the secondary, a trait that will allow the defense to blitz more).
Finally, does anyone remember Matt Stewart? He was a good outside linebacker for us. Good run stopper, especially good at making plays in the backfield. He’s with Dallas now, but maybe the Falcons could consider trying to pick him up and reintroduce him to Strongside linebacker. The Pokes could use a wide receiver and many of ours looked good last night. (I thought Marty Booker was toast until watching him last night. Finneran better look out!!)
Barry Jay
August 30th, 2009
4:40 pm
What is the deal with Dunta Robinson? What is going on with Deltha O’Neal and Chris McAlister? Does anyone have any stats on them?
Bad News
August 30th, 2009
4:40 pm
Leave the defense alone, we all know the real problem. When they start earning 72-million dollar salaries, then that is a problem. The qb is vastly overrated and in my opinion a bust that benefited from Michael Turner and Roddy White.
The bum couldn’t even hit Roddy White and Tony Gonzalez when it mattered most – he chokes bigger than eureka vacuums.
Was it the fault of the defense that led to 2 interceptions and a safety against the Cardnals?
Redman should be the starter. Ryan’s performance is pathetic! He will never be able to hold Joe Flacco’s jock strap, more like hold his clip board though
tjhook
August 30th, 2009
4:41 pm
Stephen Nicolas should be playing on the weakside. He’s very good at pursuing ballcarriers and stopping ballcarriers in the open field. Not so much as stopping at the point of attack. But Peterson may be good at neither. His play at WLB is not worth the time to watch. I hope Smith looks past their friendship and at least see how Nicolas could do at the spot.
Does anyone remember Matt Stewart? He’s with the Cowboys now but I believe he would be worth bringing in to play some strong-side LB. He was always strong at the point of attack and could do what Wire does currently only with more bulk. He’s been hurt the past couple of years, but we need a run-stopper in the LB corps.
Jamal Anderson is trade bait. Maybe Dallas is interested.
Finally, how did everyone feel about the receiver play last night?! Booker looked pretty good, as did Weems. Finneran may be in trouble (or also trade bait – Dallas again)
Mike Vick Curse
August 30th, 2009
4:48 pm
I told you fools I am the greatest player the Falcons ever had! You idiots thought it was so easy to win playoff games and have back-to-back winning seasons.
It has been 5 seasons since the Falcons last won a playoff game and that was by me! You clowns will never win another playoff game – you have been cursed!!!!!!!!!!!!!
chele
August 30th, 2009
6:53 pm
hey mr blank no disrespect to you, but preseason games are for evaluating and assesing team players, not winning. I would have rather liked to see the falcons lose and not see our CB’s get outplayed, than to win the game and see and how our CB’s got smashed. And besides, there was a time in the game in which our 1st string defense were playing their 2nd and 3rd string offense and we still had defensive struggles.
Mike F
August 30th, 2009
7:44 pm
Everyone on the Falcons’ roster made it into this league. Regardless of the D’s performance, very few of us here on this thread could make it as far as they have, no matter what the payscale. But that being said, I recall Jerry Glanville’s remark to a ref… and it still holds true: ‘N-F-L, that means Not For Long’ and at this level of play, there are a few on our D roster that are Not For Long unless they spin up one helluva show this Thursday.
kevin kaeto
August 30th, 2009
8:23 pm
where is ty law, chris mcalister or pac man jones…. deion sanders, tim mckyer, brian jordan, scott case, jessie tuggle please report to flowery branch asap!!!!!!!
kevin kaeto
August 30th, 2009
8:46 pm
it was some big time free agents we missed out on: dre bly, brian dawkins, foxworth, ellis hobbs, lito sheppard, ken lucas, ricky manning, marlon mcree, darren sharper, shawn springs and gibril wilson…. not to mention, deangelo hall was a free agent.. even with his temper, he still can cover better than those duds we have now at corner…
Billy Goat
August 31st, 2009
8:13 pm
A really bad defense negates a really good offense!
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