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
Sage of Bluesland
August 29th, 2009
10:56 pm
Losing Brooking, our precious Hometown Hero, was addition-by-subtraction (considering he was the 2nd highest paid LB in the entire league last year! Yes, I know how hard that is to believe).
However, the entire secondary is pitiful–and Nicholas is nothing…
And, of course, Jamaal Anderson is turning into a bust of epic proportions…
The next several drafts will be all about defense, it appears…
Mr. A
August 29th, 2009
11:11 pm
C.B.S. Please quit showing Arthur Blank on the sidelines!! Enough already! His ego already can’t fit on the screen!!!!
RobertNAtl
August 29th, 2009
11:12 pm
Second.
dooley
August 29th, 2009
11:15 pm
i hate to say it, but we may actually NEED Pacman. Wow, i can’t belive i sad that, but our corners are definitely in need of upgrading. And just a thought, but i believe Derrick brooks could really help us.
Rich
August 29th, 2009
11:15 pm
We need Lawyer Milloy – now
"Mr. Falcon"
August 29th, 2009
11:18 pm
This secondary is awful. I am very concerned. The offense does not look very good either. Ryan threw three passes that should have went for seven for the defense. The line backers look slow.
Cedrick (Arlington, TX)
August 29th, 2009
11:20 pm
Thank you Mark Bradley but some heat where it is needed. The DB’s were really out played even if it is a preseason game. I am a great falcon fan but I am worried about have to have a shoot out every game to win plus some of the teams we play (like New England-Randy Moss) have tall dangerous WRs.
BugKiller
August 29th, 2009
11:20 pm
What would we do with Lawyer Milloy?
Safety play was actually very good.
The problem BEGINS at defensive end.
The problem continues in that Houston is not a No. 1 Corner… yet, and Grimes is nothing more than a Nickle, not a No. 2.
The ONLY mistake Dimitroff has made was not matching the offer to Foxworth. Foxworth makes the defense MUCH better by having Houston be the No. 2 and Grimes the No. 3.
Also, Smith and BVG need to cut Anderson tomorrow. His lazy play and lack of understanding on how to play his position filters into the WHOLE defense and is making the scheme break down from the tip of the spear.
He’s terrible and has done NOTHING to deserve his current position, or any position, on this team. He’s horrible.
Bill
August 29th, 2009
11:21 pm
I’ve been saying all along this defense will keep the Falcons 8-8 at best.The Falcons.In addition to Tom Brady did you see Drew Brees light up an Oakland defense with decent corners?
The Falcons streak will continue this year.It will be broken the following 2 years when Dimitrioff gets better personel in here.
"Mr. Falcon"
August 29th, 2009
11:24 pm
I did not see anything positive from the safeties.
BugKiller
August 29th, 2009
11:24 pm
Also… methinks Smitty goes a little Belichick on his defense and has them play a full half in the final game, which is usually a yawner.
MightyQuinn
August 29th, 2009
11:25 pm
One or two of those plays were the result of all out blitzes that didn’t get there. If our secondary is going to stink we need to get to the qb early and often. And we didn’t tonight. I completely agree we need to be scouring the waiver wires and quickly. It also needs to be said that if this is our reality this year, the offense needs to put 7 on the board every time in the red zone.
Dominique Foxworth
August 29th, 2009
11:26 pm
Hhahahahahhahahahah! Bruce Pickens! Love it mark. Remember Highway 22…Charles Dimry! He was never as bad as Houston was last night! That said:
No Pass Rush
No Coverage
No Clue!
Yes, Derrick Brooks can help. So can Pac Man. And just for shiits and giggles, give Pickens a call. He can’t be worse than Highway 23!
BugKiller
August 29th, 2009
11:27 pm
You didn’t see Coleman come knife in and get what had to be the only 3rd down stop of the night?
It was the corners getting burnt (most of the times due to poor pass rush).
I think I saw one bad play by the safeties (in the third or fourth quarter, on the long play up the seam to the tight end).
Otherwise, the safeties were pretty good.
"Mr. Falcon"
August 29th, 2009
11:27 pm
The problem with our defense I lack of effort and intensity. They are going to hold this team back. I hope the Falcons can win at least 9 games. After watching them play tonight that seems like a stretch.
King Arthur Blank
August 29th, 2009
11:28 pm
Hey I am a billionaire, I own the team, and its my stadium. I can walk the sidelines with my ego anytime I want to. Plus I want everyone to see how tan I am and to admire my $3000 Armani suits. Did they get a close up of my pencil moustache on TV? By the way, who won the game?
john
August 29th, 2009
11:29 pm
The first-team defense suuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuucks, from the D line to the secondary, and the CBs are horrible, horrible, horrible. TD has got to find some help on the waiver wire or wherever or it is going to be one loooooooooong season.
Dion
August 29th, 2009
11:29 pm
I heard someone say earlier that the addition of Foxworth last year was after pre-season. After watching tonight’s game (mind you it is only pre-season) but C.Houston got torched as well as Grimes on many occasions. 4 straight 3 and forever’s. We cannot play like that in the regular season and expect to win a lot. Good luck VanGorder. I hope we’re ready by the 13th!!!
BugKiller
August 29th, 2009
11:30 pm
Pat Yasinskas over on ESPN.com seems to also find fault with Anderson and the Falcons pass rush for not helping the secondary enough.
If I were the Falcons coaches, there is no way in Hades that Anderson is even allowed to start the season.
Why risk it? Go with Davis, who’s much better anyway. Why the wait?
Dion
August 29th, 2009
11:31 pm
I think C. McAlister is still available!!
MightyQuinn
August 29th, 2009
11:34 pm
Man, Mark, I’m bummed! Didn’t know you were blogging live tonight. I would have been there!
Blogger from Hell
August 29th, 2009
11:39 pm
Mark: Why did they ditch Foxworth and do nothing to replace him? Is there a story there that we do not know about from last season?
JOHNNY B
August 29th, 2009
11:40 pm
Losing Foxsworth is really showing now. Hopefully the falcons brass can pull off another miracle pick up like last year. It’s hard to catch the proverbial “lightning in a bottle” but to pull it off twice in 2 years at the same position?
I, like many others, wonder why we didn’t match the offer for Foxworth when we had the room. Not having that veteran leadership in the secondary is showing too. I’m at work and couldn’t watch the game but i have to ask, where is the safety help on these long 3rd catches?
Who is the leader of this secondary? Where is Von Hutchins who this front office did sign last year?
Thank godness it’s still pre season but I see A LOT of “work in progress” ahead for this group.
Darrin "The Vent King"
August 29th, 2009
11:42 pm
We should call it the seconary, cause there’s no “d” in our secondary. We should have paid D. Foxxworth the money. Man, this was as hollow a victory as it could have been.
mountain_jim
August 29th, 2009
11:42 pm
Ryan’s throws were often weak tonight, and in his in-game interview he did not seem to indicate he was aware of how many bad throws he had. Should have been intercepted several times, and threw soft and behind way too often. Where is that stronger arm he has been developing?
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
11:43 pm
The Falcons would have had to pay Foxworth $4 million a year to keep him. And that’s for a guy who was deemed expendable by Denver last preseason.
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
11:44 pm
If I had to guess — and this is just me guessing — Anderson will not be cut. He won’t be a starter, but he’ll be on the squad.
Adam
August 29th, 2009
11:45 pm
Brent Grimes looks like a kid playing with men; and our “good” cornerback, Chris Houston, looked pathetic. Rivers had all day to throw and it looked like the Falcons were only playing with one linebacker.
This game was a wake-up call. There are problems EVERYWHERE on the defensive side of the ball. Plus, the Chargers didn’t even play with Gates! What the heck is this defense supposed to do with this terrible secondary going up against an elite level? I’m pretty worried.
"Mr. Falcon"
August 29th, 2009
11:46 pm
They should have paid Foxworth!
Pacman
August 29th, 2009
11:47 pm
Can You say Pacman Pacman Pacman?
Defensive Detective
August 29th, 2009
11:49 pm
I wouldn’t cut Anderson but I wouldn’t start him either, make Davis the starter, also need to start Safety Moore, CB Owens, and start LDE Davis and the team gets better right away
Realist
August 29th, 2009
11:50 pm
Pretty sure the Foxworth pickup last fall was a trade, not a free agent signing.
"Mr. Falcon"
August 29th, 2009
11:50 pm
Jamal Anderson is lazy and dumb. He as no idea how to play football. His foot ball I.Q. is probably lower that his sack total. He makes NO positive impact for the Falcons at all.
JOHNNY B
August 29th, 2009
11:51 pm
This is the same Denver whos rancid Defense couldn’t keep them in a game down the stretch last year in spite of having one the most potent scoring offenses in the league? The same Denver with shut down corner Bailey?
Sorry, Denver might have seen him as expendable but I don’t think the Falcons had that luxury relying on to many 1st and 2nd year guys.
Is 4 million over reaching for a corner who more than proved his value on the field last year?
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
11:52 pm
Foxworth was a trade, Realist. But he’d lost his starting job in Denver, as I recall.
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
11:53 pm
I well remember Charles Dimry. I was there the day he limited Jerry Rice to five touchdowns.
JOHNNY B
August 29th, 2009
11:55 pm
I think I just said “pick up” and didn’t specify how they aquired him…regardless, should have signed him again.
RightGuardMan
August 29th, 2009
11:58 pm
Everybody knows that defensive players are stupid. Mean and fast, but supremely stupid. So what they do is try to think too much too soon in the season. Give them time and they’ll revert to mindless instinct. Then they’ll make plays.
Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2009
11:59 pm
It would have taken $17 million guaranteed, which is a lot for a cornerback who isn’t an All-Pro. Just saying.
BugKiller
August 29th, 2009
11:59 pm
Johnny B… I agree with you big time.
You’re worth what you’ve proven on the field, at least, or what someone wants to pay you at most.
The Falcons messed up in not matching Foxworth’s contract with Baltimore. The ONLY mistake Dimitroff has made so far.
But a HUUUUYOOOOGE mistake, as Ed Norton might say.
"Mr. Falcon"
August 29th, 2009
11:59 pm
Did anyone else think Ryan looked pretty bad tonight?
Falcon4Life
August 30th, 2009
12:01 am
From what I have heard, we will have a pretty big cap hit if we cut Jamaal right now…..to the point that we probably would not be able to add a corner to help. If we keep him on the roster until next year, the cap hit is much more friendly and hopefully we can afford to go get another corner……..You know, T. Dimitroff looked like a genius last year…..if he could somehow get a team to take Anderson for a decent corner then he should win exec. of the year again.
And I am all for signing new corners…..these guys are just awful.
Mark Bradley
August 30th, 2009
12:01 am
This wasn’t a great Ryan performance. But 14 for 20 with a touchdown and no interceptions (though a cinch INT was dropped) isn’t nearly awful.
David
August 30th, 2009
12:02 am
Houston is flat terrible – and Grimes…well it’s hard to not love his moxie, but he’s just overmatched by taller receivers. And since he’s only about 5′ 5″ – most receivers are taller.
At least Grimes displays effort and passion – which is more than we can say for Houston. He too is overmatched by taller players, but he also seems careless and lost in his approach. Houston has to realize that his job is in jeopardy. Soon, Chris Owens will be given more chances to play against 1’s. And there has got to be a better answer on the street somewhere — I hope!
Falcon4Life
August 30th, 2009
12:04 am
Mr Falcon, I though Ryan did not have one of his best games. He should have been picked off at least twice by Jammer but I guess thats why he is a DB and not a WR. Im not to concerned about it, I think they will work out the bugs on offense, I am worried about the D though.
"Mr. Falcon"
August 30th, 2009
12:04 am
Mark, me made some mistakes, that is not what worries me. His passes did not seem to have a lot of zip on them. He seemed to be floating passes. He could have easily had three interceptions.
"Mr. Falcon"
August 30th, 2009
12:05 am
Correction HE
crabapplejoe
August 30th, 2009
12:07 am
Rich wrote: “We need Lawyer Milloy – now”
No, the safety play was not our biggest problem tonight. It was our OLBs and corners. Peterson was horrible…..both of the first Charger TDs went right down “highway 53″. The corners got beat like dogs (no pun intended!) on 3rd & everything…by both Rivers and Volek. Instead of looking for Milloy’s phone number you might want to look for KB56’s…..at least he’s still in the league and starting for an NFL team….Milloy is lost is space…as he was in the Arizona game…LOL
RightGuardMan
August 30th, 2009
12:08 am
The defense will lose more games than an erratic Ryan.
Birdy
August 30th, 2009
12:09 am
Obviously there is work to do and Mark has already pointed out most of the proper culprits.
However, there is one more thing left to be said and I hope the defenders take it to heart:
This getting beaten by every — and I mean EVERY — screen play has to stop. It needs to be a point of personal pride and job security for all involved, from the Dlinemen to the Linebackers to the Defensive coaches and coordinators to the head coach and GM, to stop a screen play — ONE SCREEN PLAY — for 2 yards or less.
Did you folks know that a defensive player can grab a RB behind the line of scrimmage and darn near tackle him, with no penalty, as a means of breaking up the rythm of a screen play? I saw for years Patrick Kerney sniff out a screen play as the runningback tried to peel off a fake block of him. Kerney would halt his rush a go defend the screen.
It is on Brian van Gorder, his coaches, the Defensive Ends, and Thomas Dimitroff to end this farce of giving up big yardage to every no-named RB someone decides to throw a screen to.
If the players can’t defend a screen, we need to get some who can. If the coaches can’t teach how to defend a screen, we need new coaches. If the GM can’t find players in America who can defend a screen then we need a new GM.
What I have seen in three preseason games with regards to defending screens is embarrassing, humiliating and unacceptable. It is not the most complex play to defend. The DLine needs to watch the RBs and adjust, There is nothing cheaper than for a QB to be let off the hook following a sack by letting him dump off a screen to conver 3rd and long. Everyone knows it is coming. The Falcons do. The opponents do. You can be sure Miami is practicing screens right now. So are Tampa and New England.
We made a rookie in Detroit look like Barry Sanders / Gale Sayers because we cannot / will not defend screen passes.
The Atlanta Falcons need to man-up and stop a screen play at some point, or this season will be a franchise-worse. Forget back-to-back winning seasons if you can’t defend a screen play. Let’s see what the guys are made of.
crabapplejoe
August 30th, 2009
12:15 am
Sage of Bluesland wrote: “Losing Brooking, our precious Hometown Hero, was addition-by-subtraction”
So how impressed were you with Mr. “Upgrade” tonight?…I believe that the first two Charger TDs went right down “Highway 53″…..but he did have “swagger”…and I’m sure he “trash talked” Bennett as he grabbed his shoe laces on the second TD…and, by golly, his dreadlocks looked marvelous!….and I won’t mention him getting beat in pass coverage by 250 pound third string FBs who will be selling MetroPCS plans in two weeks…..LMAO at the “upgrade”
darrell starks
August 30th, 2009
12:17 am
Sorry a$$ chris houston please no more, and thomas decoud please this guy is not and nfl starter.
GO FALCONS!!!!!!
neil
August 30th, 2009
12:22 am
Good article Mark. I am quite concerned with the falcon’s secondary. Chris Houston is a SOLID #2 but we are asking too much of him to cover the opposing team’s best receiver. By default he HAS to since we have no one better. Not re-signing Dominque Foxworth really hurt us, and I see no other option but to looking over the scraps of who gets released by other teams and hoping to find gold like we did last pre-season. It’s gonna be a looong season if we don’t get our secondary shored up. Teams like the saints twice, philly, ne, chi (by virute of their QB) and even mia with an efficient pennington will absolutely destroy us if we don’t get this fixed soon. I am very concerned, did however love the pass rush we exhibited and they are going to have to keep it up. Like they say the best cornerbacks play on the best teams who get to the QB.
Beautiful Monte
August 30th, 2009
12:27 am
Jamal Anderson sucks ALMOST as much as Mark Bradley.
darrell starks
August 30th, 2009
12:34 am
We will be good but this team has a long way to go on defense, my biggest disappointment is the defense no one made plays up front or in the back field, the only players that played well was peterson and coleman thats it with the lack of intensity we showed over all on defense this coaching staff have to step up especially def. cordinator.
GO FALCONS!!!!!!!!
Atlanta Falcon
August 30th, 2009
12:40 am
Mr. Falcon,
I am not worried about Ryan. He hasn’t had much exposure to the 3-4 so hopefully he’ll take something away from it like he always does. He had pretty good stats for an off night. I’ll take it. Plus, remember this is preseason they aren’t always going to bring their A+ game, he may have been working on something. Should have been picks is a silly debate, because well they weren’t picks so why worry? I didn’t see the game so I don’t know about his “zip” but I have seen some good arm strength on him before so like I said, not a concern.
The defense is a huge concern. But like I said, it is preseason and some teams are just night and day regular to preseason team wise. This is why we play the games boys.
I still say the Falcons are a 11+ win team.
GO FALCONS!
darrell starks
August 30th, 2009
12:40 am
TD WORK YOUR MAGIC AND BRING IN CB AND PLEASE NO MORE THOMAS DECOUD AT SAFETY.
GO FALCONS!!!!!!!
Mark
August 30th, 2009
12:40 am
One good thing we did have linebacker sighting #50 need help.The conerbacks are awful they don’t know what to do they were so out of position to do anything.Not worried about the offense.Falcon get you 5 CB from the final cuts of other teams they will be better than what we got.
Boo Boo
August 30th, 2009
12:45 am
Is it too late for the Falcons to join the Canadian Football League? Their defense would be great in a league that punts on 3rd down, and has a field 110 yards long.
ted johns
August 30th, 2009
12:48 am
byron leftwhich dree brees jake the snake it’s gonna be a long year.
Brent S.
August 30th, 2009
12:53 am
WHAT IN THE WORLD DO THE FALCONS SEE IN CHRIS HOUSTON?????????????? He was burned THREE straight times on 3rd and longs. Every time Phillip Rivers needed to convert a 3rd and long, he threw it to Houston’s side, and EVERY TIME, the receiver caught it!!!!!!! PATHETIC, PATHETIC, PATHETIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I told EVERYONE at the end of last season, that he was NOT a no.1 CB. He IS a mediocre No. 2 AT BEST!!!!!!!!!!!! Please don’t start him!!!!!!
Everybody, get off of Matt Ryan for crying out loud. He didn’t have to dazzle anyone tonight. I am thankful for the display that Chris Redman put on. I believe that Shockley will be the odd man out, but that is just my humble opinion. GO BIRDS!!!!!!!!!!
Boo Boo
August 30th, 2009
1:00 am
Mark, How many games did Foxworth play last year? Seems he was hurt at the start of the season and took a while to get playing time. How many times did he start? Was he the one who shut down the Cardinals, on our way to the Super Bowl? Oh, wait, we didn’t make it to the Super Bowl.
jb4falcons
August 30th, 2009
1:01 am
Well, there is no question our D got lit up tonight. The db;s need some help and there is a lot of reason for concern. It truly begins up front. Without the pass rush, they will get burned more times than not. It all starts with applying pressure and taking the QB out of rhythm. Don’t just pick on the new guy;s, I didn’t here Abraham’s name called either. Some passion on September 13th would help,
darrell starks
August 30th, 2009
1:01 am
Can any one answer this is chris mcalister and pac man still available if so bring them both in that will solve our problem day 1 plus we need milloy to groom william moore.
GO FALCONS!!!!!!!!!!!
Birdwatcher
August 30th, 2009
1:01 am
Quickness and athleticism don’t make up for DBs who are 6 inches shorter and 50 pounds lighter than the receivers they’re supposed to cover. Add no pressure on the QB and you have the recipe every opponent will use against us. We did stop the run, only to be disappointed on 3rd down over and over…
Ryan wasn’t as sharp as usual finding open receivers vs. throwing into double coverage. And why would we call a pass play for Jerious Norwood on 3rd and 6 while we use the best tight end in football to block in the backfield?? I hope Jerious is O.K.
On a more positive note the HD Screens are FANTASTIC.
David
August 30th, 2009
1:02 am
Is it time to panic? What do we do to fix the defense? Is it too late to get a good corner?
obomaisaclown
August 30th, 2009
1:03 am
if we go with 2 qb say goodbye to an ex ga. and ex bama qb!
Atlanta Falcons Talk » Blog Archive » It’s only preseason, but this secondary needs major work
August 30th, 2009
1:03 am
[...] http://blogs.ajc.com/mark-bradley-blog/200…eds-major-work/ Source >> Atlanta Falcons Blogs Posted August 30th, 2009 in Atlanta Falcons Blogs. [...]
Brent S.
August 30th, 2009
1:03 am
WHAT IN GOD’S NAME DO THE FALCONS SEE IN CHRIS HOUSTON??????????
Whopper Dawg
August 30th, 2009
1:08 am
mark,
Below please see my exert from my post on your column yesterday. That pretty much is the deal. I haven’t seen the San Diego game yet (recorded it), but I knew it was coming. I don’t know if you saw New England and Washington, but New England can hang 60 on us if they want.
From yesterday
Offense will be really good assuming no injuries. Unless they are really holding something back, defense is really going to be a problem, really don’t see much pass rush, rush defense or pass defense and we haven’t played anything which can remotely be described as a good offense yet.
Deano
August 30th, 2009
1:11 am
No pass rush, God-awful secondary…Dimitroff has stripped down our defense. Heaven help us if we get any injuries! And what’s up with Petersen, did he even show up last night? Am very worried right about now. Need leadership on defensive side of the ball…is Milloy still out there? He might set a few guys straight.
Falcons-Fans-R-Ignorant
August 30th, 2009
1:16 am
Pacman? NO.
D. Brooks? Are you kidding?
What the Falcons need is a pass rush someone to compliment Abraham, because Anderson is horrible. He actually tanked a sure sack tonight. Being a true Falcons fan, I have tried to give him a chance, but he’s terrible. The whole line save for John is a joke. We miss you Grady.
Whopper Dawg
August 30th, 2009
1:17 am
Mark,
Please see my exert from my post of yesterday. I haven’t seen the game yet (recorded), but a blind man could see this was coming. Foxworth was the only guy that made plays in the secondary last year. If you had kept him and just drafted Sidbury and kept Grady, you would be miles ahead.
Please see below:
Offense will be really good assuming no injuries. Unless they are really holding something back, defense is really going to be a problem, really don’t see much pass rush, rush defense or pass defense and we haven’t played anything which can remotely be described as a good offense yet.
Big Ray
August 30th, 2009
1:34 am
Yes, the secondary looks bad. No, it won’t look like this all year long.
Remember one thing Lofton said: you don’t want to peak this early on. You want to get better and peak as the seasons wears on.
If things look really bleak (again, why would you put the defensive pressure all on the secondary), then rest assured that Dimitroff will make a move to keep the Titanic from sinking. But how many times are we going to face San Diego and like offenses? Exactly. Patience. This isn’t a Super Bowl run. This is still a rebuild.
And guess what? If you “escape” with a win….it’s still a win…
Henry D.
August 30th, 2009
1:36 am
As bad as I hate to say it, this defense looks so bad that Van Gorder may be in over his head as a DC in the pros.
This whole defense is pitiful.
jeffrey d
August 30th, 2009
1:43 am
I was there, Mark, and I was just about to throw on some dreads and play corner. Chris Houston was terrible.
On a brighter note, this was my first Falcons game ever (I’d been to the Georgia Dome twice, but Georgia was playing both times) and the experience was incredible. The Falcons/GA Dome staff made it very easy to have fun and get pumped up/get loud.
Now if we could just get the people at Turner to quit playing Gwen Stefani whenever a Brave reaches first base.
jeffrey d
August 30th, 2009
1:46 am
As bad as I hate to say it, I think Henry D. may be right.
David Smith
August 30th, 2009
1:47 am
Our defense took a major step back tonight. Chris Houston continues to get lost in coverage at times (several times tonight) and, refuses to turn his head to locate where the ball is being thrown (his job is in jeopardy right now). Our d-line was manhandled all night long which allowed Philip Rivers and, his backups to pick apart our secondary (Our pass rush was non-existent). This may have been a preseason game but, it definitely exposed our defensive weaknesses on national television something that Mike Smith and his coaches need to fix before September 13.
Kyle
August 30th, 2009
2:01 am
The offence will be fine but the defence is at best two to three years away. Smitty could have stopped off at midtown and picked up 11 homosexuals with rainbow Falcon helmets and they wouldn’t have done any worse than what I saw tonight. If the offence doesn’t out score in a game this year consider it a loss…..a big loss.
Cornerback Tryouts in Flowery Branch This Week!
August 30th, 2009
2:10 am
I dont care if Dominique Foxworth was cut by Denver or Kalamazoo last year the guy played his ars off last year. Chris Houston is outmanned and Brent Grimes is too short! All you have to do is throw jumps balls against these guys and they are beat. You cant let 5 or 6 3rd and 12 or 3rd and 24 get completed and most of what I saw looked like a bunch of overmatched cornerbacks….all cornerbacks get burned but 7 or 8 times in a row….All that says is these guys are not up to the job! We need some 6 feet cornerbacks with skills on this team or we can only hope to outscore everyone and that just does not seem possible 10 to 11 times out of the year…….I believe in Dimitroff and I think by Tuesday we will be hearing about some moves…….at least I hope….
militant marker
August 30th, 2009
2:11 am
I can’t believe people are saying our secondary just didn’t put up the effort, they just aren’t good players, period. Houston and Grimes haven’t shown anything since they’ve been here and neither have the other neophytes. We don’t have a pass rush outside of Abe and let’s not forget the Chargers dropped like 3 picks in the first half against our starting offense.
Obamawilldogreatthingsforusa
August 30th, 2009
2:26 am
Our team is in trouble. Matt Ryan did throw several passes behind his targets. He even overthrew one to his deep threat who was double teamed in the first possession. I understand that you can’t spend an exorbitant amount of money for one player, but you should be able to find some bigger corner backs with some talent. Everybody else seems to have some. This was definitely a hollow victory that won’t count anyway.
froggy
August 30th, 2009
2:32 am
Plenty of good comments here.
Houston has not progressed, he’s regressed. Very clearly not the answer, but right now the options are nonexistent. Yep, bet you will see corners getting TD phone calls this weekend.
Agree that Grimes plays with all the passion you could hope for, but he’s just too small. He can be right on a receiver but cannot prevent the reception because of his height. Next.
Lofton made some mistakes, but overall looked great. He is a linebacker in every sense — looking to blow you up. The other LBs — I’m starting to wonder if Peterson is just a smack talking version of Brooking — lots of blather, but not much production.
Biermann played more snaps than I can ever remember in a game, and is much improved against the run, btw. JA98 seemed to play very little in the second half. And did Chauncey Davis make one play tonite? Not that I remember.
Pretty clear that Smitty was irate at the defense. He spent lots of time back there getting his point across, it was good to see.
Disagree that our safety play was good or even acceptable. No way. We missed tackles (one flagrant one) and, perhaps more importantly, we don’t jack up anybody. If I am a receiver from an opponent watching tape of this game, my takeaway is 1) They don’t cover very well, and 2) After I make the catch nobody is going to make me pay. Bottom line, we need a thug in the secondary to put the fear of God in some people. Lawyer had diminished skills, but he would send a message that nobody else in the secondary now is sending.
Big B CH 99
August 30th, 2009
2:37 am
the one thing that gets lost in the bad defense of the first half is that Lofton actually looked good, he was making plays all over the field. Does anyone else think that Tony Gilberts needs to be starting at OLB instead of backing up Lofton at Mike (MLB). Our best 3 LB’s are definitely Lofton, Peterson, & Gilbert, Nicholson has shown me nothing this preseason.
Ryan wasn’t great, but he wasn’t bad either, got lucky a couple of times, but boy Redman looked real good, definitely the # 2 guy, sorry UGA’s but Shockley ain’t even close to Redman, & after 4 yrs who does TD & CMS think has more potential to develop into a backup, Shockley or Wilson who’s only a Rookie.
Duce88
August 30th, 2009
3:02 am
Birdy – Great point about the screens, couldn’t agree more. Every third and long I was yelling “Screen” at my TV, how much more obvious could it be? I thought the whole idea of the defense was to be young and fast. Where was that?
TB
August 30th, 2009
3:15 am
OK, I was at the game and the defense was definitely frustrating. But, first of all this is pre-season. Teams can look in pre-season and hardly win in the regular season or vice-versa. If memory serves, we looked really good when Harrington started in the pre-season for us. That is why I’m all for keeping 4 pre-season games. Teams aren’t ready for these games to count. I bet a lot of veterans may have a hard time getting themselves motivated to play their best when they know it doesn’t count yet too.
That said, the biggest problem with the defense tonight anyway looked like Chris Houston. I know he was recently injured in training camp, and I was wondering if he wasn’t 100% recovered or back into the swing of things. I mean, he can’t be that bad can he? If Grimes isn’t the other starter, who is? Chris Owens? Chevis Jackson? Actually, looking at the replay tonight on NFL Network, it looks like a lot of them were confused with the scheme or their assignments. Hey, the defense can only get better from here, right? Tonight’s game will give the coaches a lot of tape to show them specifically what we need to work on and I think Smith will be very vocal with the team. I think making so many defensive starters play the 2nd half showed them how serious he is. And for Anderson, did he even play much tonight? I thought I saw Davis most of the time through my binoculars.
clthurman
August 30th, 2009
3:18 am
I’ve been blogging on this here AJC before the draft and I was villified by Dimitroff is God idiots by suggesting, no make that insisting, that our secondary is heinous. Not paying Foxworth was an unbelievable misstep by this organization when they knew they were gonna what amounts to a total do-over on the defense. And Bradley what did Foxworth do to you to make you not like him so much. Your sarcastic quips whenever someone gets to the facts about the whole Foxworth salary scenario makes you appear to be what many on this board knows is you don’t know much when it comes to building winning football teams. Not signing Foxworth was a mistake, be a man and just admit it. Our linebackers save for Lofton are a joke. Coleman cannot do it all and what was the Falcon brass looking at come draft day to think that after a playoff season it would be a good time to just expunge players and HOPE to pick up replacements on the side of the ball where we could least afford to. Did they really thnk that what they had in Grimes, Houston, Nicholas, Decoud, Wire, Fudge and all the other smurfs would get it done better? Cuz if they were so good why the F’ In Hell didn’t they play ahead of the guys we got rid of or in Foxworth’s case couldn’t afford. WE DO NOT HAVE AN NFL CORNER ON OUR ROSTER THAT CAN COVER ANY RECEIVER MUCH LESS ELITE RECEIVERS. Now I don’t claim to know all the answers, but I do know Grimes + Steve Smith= 7. And can someone answer me the question of who the hell is Von Hutchins who we paid money for? Hey Mark maybe you can sarcatically quip on that question. Don’t worry we don’t expect much from you just like we won’t expect much from this pathetic defense.
Dr. Warren
August 30th, 2009
3:25 am
The secondary has been the Falcons weakness for its entire history, aside from D. Sanders, Rowland Lawrence, and a couple others. 8-8 sounds reasonable this year. Great offense, terrible defense–it evens out. I do suspect the defense will get better by the final 1/4 of the season–and its youth will be a bonus late in those games.
SC
August 30th, 2009
4:00 am
The conventional wisdom has been that the Falcon’s offense will be able to carry an inexperienced and perhaps inadequately talented the defense. Given last night’s performance, that’s difficult to believe.
Did I actually see JA98 attempt a belated *submarine* move on the third-and-long-screen-for-a-touchdown play or did he just fall down?
Norton
August 30th, 2009
6:42 am
Horrible defense,nonexistant secondary,recipe for disaster.
Saint Mike
August 30th, 2009
7:08 am
I’ve seen this team before: The 2008 Saints. All offense and NO defense. Enjoy the shootouts and just hope your team has the ball last. But, sorry falcons fans no playoffs this year, not with that secondary.
Alex H.
August 30th, 2009
7:38 am
In the Falcons brass I trust. Let’s be patient folks. Many great teams over the years have looked very sub-par during the preseason. Our birds are still 2-1 despite the “lousy” play that many of you are mentioning. The Falcons have a system and process in place. They also have several new faces. It will, naturally, take some time for the defense to gel. I suspect that they will be much improved week to week during the regular season. I could care less about pre-season. Go Falcons!
Dalton Falcon
August 30th, 2009
7:44 am
Look at the bright side. They played really well on 1st and 2nd down and most teams in the NFL they will stop on third and long most of the time. The defensive line and linebackers do look improved but yes the secondary, especially the corners, have me concerned. What I don’t understand is, the Falcons keep saying that then corner spot opposite of Chris Houston is open. Well it looks to me like Chris Houston’s job should be open. With that said, I am going to give Dimitroff, Mike Smith and Van Gorder the benefit of the doubt for now but 8-8 looks like more likely for this season due to the schedule and young defense.
Putting On The Foil
August 30th, 2009
8:03 am
The corners were terrible last night, maybe some due to weak pass rush, maybe some due to Chargers loaded pass offense. And it’s intuitively obvious that Jamaal Anderson is a liability, that we could use another linebacker, and that Peria is a rookie. We might also want to direct some of our displeasure toward Van Gorder as well. What has he done for us lately? Offense still looks good, although it sputtered a little. Redmon, as I said a few weeks ago, is number two for a reason so we can all get past this love affair of Shockley with all it’s excuses. Hopefully we can get some help off the waiver wire this week or next. Maybe another Foxworth type will be out there.
greg
August 30th, 2009
8:08 am
I said earlier that they would be 8-8. After watching last night with that terrible defense I change my mind. Remember that SD did not play two of its best offensive players. 7 and 9 will be the record and no back to back winning seasons. Pathetic.
Putting On The Foil
August 30th, 2009
8:15 am
The corners were terrible last night, maybe some due to weak pass rush, maybe some due to Chargers loaded pass offense. And it’s intuitively obvious that Jamaal Anderson is a liability, that we could use another linebacker, and that Peria is a rookie. We might also want to direct some of our displeasure toward Van Gorder as well. What has he done for us lately? Offense still looks good, although it sputtered a little. Redmon, as I said a few weeks ago, is number two for a reason so we can all get past this love affair of Shockley with all it’s excuses. Hopefully we can get some help off the waiver wire this week or next. Maybe another Foxworth type will be out there for the taking.
66GT
August 30th, 2009
8:25 am
A 100 + passer rating is “not Bad ” Mark, don’t be like everyone else and expect perfection. AS far as the basis of your article ….DEAD ON!! after 1st quarter I said to my Buddy while at the game that, “The Secondary is going to kill us this season”.
greg
August 30th, 2009
8:26 am
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.
Jimmy
August 30th, 2009
8:41 am
Typical M. Petersen, show boats after a routine tackle while SD was moving at will down the field for a two touchdown lead before the half. Glad he is not in Jax any longer! Have fun with him!
Bwill
August 30th, 2009
8:42 am
What this falcon defense lacks are play makers…. From what I see we only two playmalers on the defensive side of the ball… Abraham & Lofton. If Abraham doesn’t get any pressure, well then the Falcons aren’t getting any pressure. Our pass rush is basically non-existent for large parts of the game. And when you have a secondary that is for a lack of a better word “Weak” as ours you can’t expect them to cover for any extended period of time on a consistent basis. Anytime your #1 corner (Chris Houston) looks they are taking part in an infomercial of a how-to tape on passing & receiving… I would say thats a pretty bad sign with the teams we have on the schedule… I know Tom Brady can’t wait til week 3 LOL… I hae faith that Dimitroff will address the situation before too long though.
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.
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!
Atlanta Falcons Talk » Blog Archive » Atlanta Falcons Trade Seventh Round Pick For CB Tye Hill
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The Falcons are looking good? Famous last words | Mark Bradley
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