Dimitroff: “It’s going to be a very busy two weeks”
Saturday's revelation: Brent Grimes is beaten. (AJC photo by Curtis Compton)
In the grand scheme, maybe Saturday’s exhibition was the right game at the right time. The Falcons themselves weren’t just surprised by what transpired; they were shocked. But it happened 15 days before the first for-real game, which means there’s still time for some last-minute shopping.
Afterward, general manager Thomas Dimitroff said: “It’s going to be a very busy two weeks.” He would say no more, but the message seemed cleared enough: This is the man who found Domonique Foxworth and Jamaal Fudge near the end of preseason 2008 to prop up his secondary. There seems a strong need to do something similar now.
The Falcons liked everything about cornerback Chris Houston in training camp: His preparation, his attitude, his play. But something happened in Saturday’s first half: Houston yielded one big play on third down, then another, then another. If a guy’s going to be your No. 1 cornerback, that can’t happen. Even No. 1 corners get beat — all corners get beat — but they can’t let one bad play put them on the back foot the rest of the night.
The Falcons must now determine if Houston has the toughness to shrug off a big gainer and keep playing. He seemed to lose his edge against the Chargers, and if he’s incapable of regaining that edge from one play to the next the Falcons need to know it now.
Dimitroff watches the waiver wire. He knows who’s unsigned. (Chris McAlister, to name one former stellar cornerback. But he’s coming off knee surgery.) He knows other teams must make cuts, too. The trade for Foxworth seemed insignificant at the time, but he wound up starting.
Loading ...The Foxworth/Fudge acquisitions didn’t resonate at the time was because almost nobody figured the 2008 Falcons would be good enough for such late transactions to matter. There’s much more pressure on Dimitroff to do something now. This team is coming off a playoff run and has added an All-Pro tight end. The Falcons believe their future is bright, yes, but that includes the immediate future.
As Mike Smith, who tried hard to accentuate the positives, said Saturday: “We’ve got a lot of work to do … It’s not one unit; it’s a team defense. It starts up front and goes from the linebackers to the secondary, and there was not one group that succeeded on third-and-long.”
That could, and I expect will, mean more time for rookie Lawrence Sidbury at end. It could also mean a move not just for a DB. Derrick Brooks is unsigned, and he played linebacker at a fairly high level for a really long time. (Heck, Lawyer Milloy is unsigned, though I can’t imagine the Falcons taking him back.)
The Falcons aren’t necessarily looking for someone to play the next five seasons. They require someone to help them through the first couple of months of a difficult schedule. They learned Saturday night that they’re still in need of outside help. But better then than on the afternoon of Sept. 13.
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189 comments Add your comment
Chef montuer
August 31st, 2009
10:23 am
Should have kept Mike Vick & had him play corner. saints gonna put 50 points up on falcons
Ed
August 31st, 2009
10:26 am
One final thought. Use Finneran in the secondary. Good hands, good size, excellent attitude.
Coons Fanb
August 31st, 2009
10:31 am
Who is more ignorant: one who believes the Germans bombed Pearl, or one who didn’t see Animal House? Tree Rollins doesn’t know squat either.
Football expert
August 31st, 2009
10:35 am
To all you knuckleheads! Football is a team sport. Everyone has to execute in order for total team success.
The Falcons will be fine, their defense will be a weakness but hopefully the offense can provide consistent ball control to keep them off the field.
The Falcons will have back to back winning seasons!
willdave
August 31st, 2009
10:43 am
On a more positive note, how about my buddy Chris Redman becoming Mr. Clutch on Saturday night? Completed just about all his passes. Ran 11 yards for that touchdown. Then threw for one on on fourth down with seconds left to win the game. No doubt now that he is our no 2 QB, although that never should have been questioned in the first place.
same old Falcon and fans
August 31st, 2009
10:50 am
They spent 45 million on a QB and they knew they need defensive help for years. The people in Atlanta always want offense when every body know it take defense to win the big game. all you hear is passer rating and all that BS. you need 3Th down stops less point scored. New people same thinking offense in front office. The key is defense Atlanta and they never get it because of the way they think!!! You draft tell you thinking. now the GM is out looking for spare part he is no better than the last GM he just got lucky last year bank on it!!! 6-10
what???
August 31st, 2009
10:54 am
Damn you people are stupid. you want to trade all of our future draft picks and fix the secondary. No wonder this team is a perennial loser. This team is going to need some time to develop these young guys and a couple more solid drafts. Chill the F out!
Chef montuer
August 31st, 2009
11:02 am
All would be cool if mv7 were still here
KingB404
August 31st, 2009
11:04 am
HOUSTON there is a problem!!!!!! It is time to part ways, and get some solid secondary help. Houston is “Shell-scocked” right now, and Grimes is tough but not the answer.
Rico Carty
August 31st, 2009
11:04 am
Jam kind of reminds me of that other can’t miss, top DE darft pick of the Falcons from years past — Aundray Bruce. The only difference is that Jam is actually worse than Bruce. Also, B Grimes has the heart but is just too small to play CB in the NFL. He is listed at 5′10”but that was measured with the old Spud Webb yard stick rescued by the Falcons before the old Onmi was imploded. Chargers receivers man-handled him throughout the game. Its going to be a long season if we don’t shore up the D. I don’t casre how many points we score, D wins championships.
Diamond Jim
August 31st, 2009
11:19 am
Everyone agrees. If the Falcons don’t score at least 24 points /game it will be a very long and (losing) season. The pass rush was non-existent. That accounts for the time necessary for the long pass routes to be run. Then the extra-short DBs will never be able to stop those 6′4″ receivers. A really stout pass rush will eliminate a lot of those long 3rd down conversions!!
Get someone to help Abraham from the other side or from the tackle position and most of these problems will go away. It will be a lot easier to get a really stout rusher from the wire than a really good cornerback. Selah
Bullish-on-the-Falcons
August 31st, 2009
11:21 am
Please don’t draft from Virginia Tech or Arkansas ever again. While I’m on the topic of colleges, let’s try Shockley at corner. Since he played at UGA and thus is the end-all, be-all Falcon, he should have no problem playing corner and in fact making the Pro Bowl.
Most importantly, why are the Falcons perennially the worst team at defending screen passes? Ronnie Brown can’t wait until week 1 after seeing that performance. Deangelo Williams / Jonathan Stewart week 2.
#1 Falcon Fan
August 31st, 2009
11:37 am
Mike Smith got it right when he said “It starts up front”…no pass rush. I was at the game and Phillip Rivers had all sorts of time to throw on those 3rd and long plays. Your pass defense, your CB and your secondary are only as good as your pass rush..and we had NO pass rush. Our first 3 games are against teams that can score points..if the Falcons don’t make a move on defense..we could be starting the season 0-3, because our offense will not be able to out score every team we play..at some point.. our defense is gonna have to force a punt or turnover and get off the field on 3rd down. We need help with the pass rush, and we need help at CB…should have kept Foxworth!!!!
Jeez, settle down
August 31st, 2009
11:47 am
This is hilarious. You guys have got to start taking your medicine again.
Last year was a bit of a fluke. The Falcons were greatly improved, but probably not as good as their record indicated. They are still in a 3-year process, and all indications are they are on the right track for 2010/2011. Anyone who panics and starts lopping heads after a bad preseason game at this point in the process is a lunatic.
Tom
August 31st, 2009
11:56 am
The Falcons need to get out of the 5′9″ DB’s mode, these guys just can’t hang with NFL pro-type receivers who range 6′1″ to 6′5″…It just does not work,..There good in College and maybe there great at tackling but you need guys who can get up at the point of the ball where the receiver is catching it, these short guys just can’t bet there, it’s not there fault, there simply over matched. With the Schedule the Falcons have they will be lucky to go 9-7 unless major changes are made on D..and that may not be enough.
Wanda
August 31st, 2009
12:15 pm
Some of ya’ll need to chill. The point is look who won the game. I loved looking at San Diego sidelines. They were in complete shock.
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO FALCONSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!
slow roller
August 31st, 2009
12:40 pm
Short and weak cornerbacks won’t cut it. Foxworth was really good, shoulda held onto to him.
tree rollins
August 31st, 2009
1:02 pm
Chris Redman looked fantastic on a positive note – we’ve locked in our backup QB. Now back to that defense.
Thomas Brown from UGA looks good also. Hope they let him become the kickoff return guy.
Hubert
August 31st, 2009
1:11 pm
As I said after last season, the biggest defensive problem the Falcons have is Chris Houston. He actually puts out some in practice =, but when gametime comes he is a slacker. He has everyone on the Falcons coaching staff confused. Even my 10 year old grandson told me when I asked him what was wrong with the Falcon defense said” “the problem is Chris Houston. He doesn’t play strong. Just enough to keep the coaches confused as to whether he is any good or nor. Best move is to cut Houston and go after a decent cornerback from somewhere.
Tom
August 31st, 2009
1:12 pm
To. S. Roller..
I agree.. D. Foxworth had just started to peak and now he is some where else, just hard to believe..He was the D. Falcon for the future and would have played a big role..I watched this guy really come into his own last year, shame he want be here. We have got to get taller with these D.B’s in order to have a chance with these tall receivers. I really hate to see the numbers N.E.’s receiving corps will put up on these guys and you know especially who i am talking about, unless he gets hurt before we play them.
John
August 31st, 2009
1:25 pm
The Falcons should have drafted Rashad Johnson from Alabama. They could have gotten him in Round 4. We need depth in a precariously thin secondary.
Tom
August 31st, 2009
1:31 pm
To B. Grimes.
If that was you that posted i wish you the best and you maybe better suited for Punts and kick offs. I think NFL Coaches will be forced to go after taller D.B.’s in the near future. You know what Randy Moss can do and he is not the only one. If you were 6′2 instead of 5′10″ i think that extra 4″ would really help you out but you have to live with what you have. You really have to use that first 5 yds to get them off there route, thats if the Refs will let you. I have seen them call that one when there not suppose to. Makes a person wonder if a L. Backer shouldn’t hit them at the line and then loop and you pick them up after a count of 2.
Good luck to you.
Edward
August 31st, 2009
1:47 pm
DO NOT CHANGE ANYONE, WE WON THE D GAME, CORNER AND GRIMES WILL BE FINE, THE CHARGERS ARE JUST THAT GOOD BUT NOT BEETER THAN THE ATL FALCONS.
A COUPLE OF LUNG EXERCISES FOR THE TEAM AND WE WILL BE OK, IT IS HARD FOE OUR TEAM NOT TO TRY AND LOOK ALL OF THAT IN THOSE 3D UNIFORMS,(SMILES) GO FALCONS BUT HEY WE PAY YOU MILLIONS NOW PLAY LIKE A LUMBER JACK OR GET THE AXE.
charles
August 31st, 2009
2:00 pm
Norwood will cotinue to get knocked out if he keeps dropping his head before contact. Noticed everytime impending contact he will bow down to the defender. If he looks up he may see him and be able to side step the defender
Charles
August 31st, 2009
2:28 pm
Let’s all take a deep breath and remember that this is the PRE-season. We aren’t getting much of a push up front (especially when the first string is on) because those guys know they’re starters. They’re protecting their bodies…this, unfortunately, leads to lots of time for QB’s and disaster for CB’s. Yes, Houston looked miserable. But I’d like to see him with the support of a real pass rush. I’m all for going out and getting someone, but this won’t be a defensive team. We are going to have to put numbers on the board in order to win.
P.S. We still won the game. As a life long Falcons fan, I’m grinning that we’re all pissed off after a victory. I like it. But perspective is in order. The starters aren’t going to risk injury to prove they can win a pre-season game.
H
August 31st, 2009
3:32 pm
It seemed obvious to me that Vincent Jackson committed offensive pass interference against Grimes on one of his two circus 3rd down catches Saturday. I haven’t seen many push offs that bad in a while. And how often do guys make one handed grabs after a 180 degree spin mid air. Come on, SD played well. ATL defense is fine. Obviously they’ve got work to do, but that doesn’t mean kick em to the curb. We all learn from mistakes and gladfully we are exposing those for ourselves early before the season. No worries Falcs. We’ll tear up the league this year. I think we’ll even take down NE in Foxborough. Stay humble and hungry that takes us farthest.
Brian
August 31st, 2009
3:48 pm
So, I was out of town and didn’t get to see the Falcons / Chargers game. Who won the game?
bigeasy830
August 31st, 2009
4:55 pm
Ken Strickland your tone seem a little SALTY. Could it be because I told you a few months ago before the draft, after the draft and before OTAs the defense would suck. Could it be that i told you the team would miss Foxworth. Could it be because you are the main one doing all the name dropping about who the falcons have on the team and that the defense would be better because the got younger and faster at every position. HAHAHAHAHA. It is only preseason KEN, but that defense will suck in the regular season as well. Also, I have told you over and over that I am not a Saints fan. I was born and raised in South Georgia. I am partial to the Steelers have been since the late 70’s. Even though I am not a Saints fan, the Saints will have a better record than the Falcons this year. The Falcons suck, and it appears that you have finally realized it, but if you and the rest of these people haven’t you will once the regular season begins.
Falcons will be 4-12 in 2009
“Back To Life, Back To Reality”.
ATL Fan
August 31st, 2009
5:00 pm
Remember those sage words: “was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor…Hell no, and it’s not over now”(and please no absurdly obvious comments about the Japanese bombing Pearl Harbor-go watch Animal House). It is still preseason, we are assessing talent and getting prepared for the regular season.
There is still time to make necessary adjustments to schemes and personnel.
falcon49
August 31st, 2009
5:20 pm
It’s amazing how so many otherwise reasonable human beings go so high or so low from 1 or 2 pre-season games. Yes our defense needs a B-12 shot and quick, we may get help right away & we might not. But at least we have people in place who know this & will try everything in their power to add some talent. They did a great job last year but they aren’t miracle workers. Whether we get better on defense or not, give TD & MS credit, I think they will both be around for the long haul. If you are a fan of this team then hope for the best, instead of running them through the shredder before the season even starts!
T.D.
August 31st, 2009
5:44 pm
a LOT OF THE COMMENTS ON THIS THREAD SHOW HOW LITTLE YOU GUYS REALLY KNOW ABOUT THE WHOLE NFL, CHRIS McALLISTER IS A PROBLEM PLAYER WITH HORRIBLE WORK ETHIC, WHY ELSE WOULD HE BE UNEMPLOYED IN SEPTEMBER? DAUNTE ROBINSOM IS THE ANSWER.
ONE POSITIVE ASPECT IS THAT IOUR D IS YOUNG, AS THE SEASON GOES ON THEY WILL CONTINUE TO GET BETTER, ITS NOT LIKE WE HAVE A DEF. FULL OF VETERAN GARBAGE, THEY WILL CONTINUE TO GAIN KNOWLEDGE AND EXP AS THE WEEKS GO BY.
ballking
August 31st, 2009
6:05 pm
Nobody in the league has shut down corners, its the hardest position in the NFL to play because of the quantity and quality of the wideouts, big, fast, long, with overly protected quarterbacks throwing. Lets face it the league wants more scoring ala arena league. Solution, consistent pressure from front four on QB to keep the score down. There are no quality corners at this stage to be acquired unless a team has just drafted one. All the quality corners are either wideouts or playing basketball.
Quillian
August 31st, 2009
7:16 pm
I’m not sure why houston is still there in the first place after getting torched all last season. He should have been cut last year. He has the necessary speed but doesn’t know how to turn around and see the ball which is the main reason he keeps getting burnt. We need to get rid of this guy ASAP!! I know this staff will make the necessary moves.
did you
August 31st, 2009
8:14 pm
I am baffled by some of these ridiculous posts. How in the world can people criticize the job Dimitroff has done over the past two seasons.
I think people forget the state of the franchise prior to 08 when most publications picked the falcons to be the worst team in the league. I know ATL is starved for a championship but do you really think people can turn over an entire roster in order to be a consistent winner in just 2 years. Trust me I’ve seen first hand the impact TD had on the Patriots run and with more control here the results have been even quicker than expected. Forget about Foxworth, he had an awful attitude and wanted ridiculous money for a 3rd corner on most teams. All our stars on O are locked up and now they can start to address the D. If you Dimitroff haters think the organization is in worse shape than when he took over you need to put down the pipe.
Jimmy Jam
August 31st, 2009
10:59 pm
Yeah, we all know if you cannot get off the field on thrid down you will not be playing in January, point blank period. The DB’s are taking the fall for this but for WR’s to be able to run 20 yard routes down field means the DL was not doing their job either. Like Coach said, it was a total defense collapse.
I say if you want to pick up D help, just watch the waiver wire and check out the guys coming out of Pittsburgh, New England, Tampa, Baltimore, Indy, etc., not Houston. These guys are being cut because the guys ahead of them are just that good, but could definitely play in this league.
Just an opinion, I welcome yours.
Brad
August 31st, 2009
11:29 pm
Thanks for the blog. TheSD game just underscored the Lions and Rams games. Can you have this much youthh and have a potent defense? Not without playmakers and we’re light. Peria is a new player–moderate start, I guess–but we haven’t seen a whoa play. The only rookieto makea play that caused a Yikes was Sidbury. We knew LB and the secondary were weak–we knew lots of new faces–we knew losing Foxworthy, Brookings and Boley were gonna hurt. There were economic and development decisions made. I’m good. They’ll hit the wires–do what they can. Playmaker are hard to find.
G-money
September 1st, 2009
12:21 pm
All of you who believe that ‘our defense will get better as the season progresses’ better think again. As the season goes on they will get bruised, battered, tired, injured and end up looking worse than they do right now. This is the time of year where our team is healthiest, and should be showing ALOT more than they are right now. Yes, i know ‘it’s just pre-season’ but that excuse will only last until Miami and their 6′4″ recievers come to town and blast through our secondary. A major trade for a #1 cornerback may be the only way we have back to back winning seasons.
G-money
September 1st, 2009
12:28 pm
I would love to see TD pull off a trade for Champ Bailey….but the Broncos other corner, Goodman, looks pretty darn good too. I never have liked Dunta Robinson, and McCallister is out of the question after major surgery. I look around the league for someone we could possibly grab off the waiver wire this week, but i’m sorry to say…there’s just not much out there in the way of a proven upgrade. Christopher Owens looked impressive the other night, but in this era of ‘win now’ football, it may be too early to throw him into the fire.
falcon49
September 1st, 2009
4:50 pm
Can’t think of too much more that needs to be or can be intelligently said on this subject. We wait, have faith and see what the brass comes up with.