For the Falcons, the ‘D’ in ‘defense’ also stands for ‘dud’
One photo of John Abraham tells us all we need know. (AJC photo by Curtis Compton)
Since Oct. 24, the day the Bengals had scored 32 points in the Dome, the Falcons’ defense had been more consistent than their star-spangled offense. (Five offensive Falcons to the Pro Bowl, only one defender.) It had held Baltimore to 21 points, Green Bay and New Orleans to 17. It was becoming the fleet and fierce unit general manager Thomas Dimitroff had envisioned as he was building.
Suffice it to say that TD the GM never envisioned what happened Saturday. Nobody did. Nobody could have.
A defense that didn’t yield more than 32 points in any game this regular season was overrun for 42 points — in the first three quarters. The D had made a big early play, Stephen Nicholas forcing a Greg Jennings fumble that Brent Grimes gathered. That enabled the Falcons to take a 7-0 lead. That would also be the last time over the next five Green Bay drives that the Packers didn’t score a touchdown.
Five possessions, five scores. The first four came on drives of 81, 92, 80 and 80 yards. (The final series spanned a mere 50.) The Packers’ Aaron Rodgers didn’t complete every pass, but he came close. Through three quarters he had passed 31 times, completing 27. He’d thrown for 330 yards in 45 minutes.
Rodgers had treated the Falcons’ secondary as if the signing of Dunta Robinson had never been consummated, as if Brent Grimes hadn’t developed into a big-play cornerback, as if nothing that occurred this regular season had been anything more than a sweet dream.
Alas, this was reality, stark and sobering. In a playoff game against a top-class quarterback, the Falcons’ newly tailored defense was made to seem shabby. The pass rush couldn’t get there, and nobody downfield could cover or tackle or do much of anything.
It was so bad that the Falcons, who’d led 14-7, ventured into the final period down by 28 points. This from a team that had, with Matt Ryan as its quarterback, lost only one Dome game before falling to New Orleans on Dec. 27. That night was disappointing, but not because of the defense. This night, by way of contrast, was so crushing as to make us wonder if the defense is indeed, as Dimitroff suggested this week, rounding into a championship unit.
Could Brian Williams have meant that much? He’s the Falcons’ fifth defensive back, the nickel man. He played in every regular-season game but hurt his knee against Carolina on Jan. 2. He couldn’t go Saturday, and into the nickel stepped Christopher Owens. Falcons defensive backs have had worse nights over the years — remember Charles Dimry against Jerry Rice? — but there haven’t been many. And Robinson and Grimes weren’t any better.
Credit Rodgers and the Packers for seizing on Williams’ absence. That said: Should losing your nickel man reduce a defense — a defense that ranked No. 5 in the 32-team NFL in points yielded — to rubble? If five possessions garner 35 opposing points, can you really be said to have a defense at all?
No, the offense wasn’t very good, either, and Matt Ryan was terrible. (His end-of-the-first-half interception will live in infamy.) But few offenses could have kept pace with the ravenous Packers this night, and certainly Mike Mularkey’s grind-it-out game plan is poorly suited for a point-a-minute game. This loss can be shared by all, but the defense was first — or, put more precisely, last — among equals.
But what now? Is this game a signal that the defense cannot hold up under duress, or was it simply one wretched night under the glare of the postseason? Thomas Dimitroff has some decisions to make, and they won’t be easy calls.
By Mark Bradley
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813 comments Add your comment
nash
January 16th, 2011
12:23 am
somebody should have called the police because the falcons got maimed tonight. What the packers did was completely criminal. Where were the APD when you needed them or, the marta cops or, the national guide. Author Blank should call the cops because the defense was stealing money tonight. If I couldn’t get mail all week long someone tell me how in the world did the Defense mail this one in to night. How could could Matty Rice mail so many INTERSEPTIONS IN TO THE PACK. This game sucked. HOW about those Hawks
Najeh Davenpoop
January 16th, 2011
12:23 am
Here’s the Falcons’ last playoff win.
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-game-highlights/09000d5d801b7e24/Falcons-47-Rams-17
Happier times.
rooster
January 16th, 2011
12:25 am
Enter your comments here
Egbert, I gotta tell you buddy, if you’re old enough to remember 44 years back, then you’re old enough to know that losing a football game is not an embarrassment to the city.
MM
January 16th, 2011
12:25 am
Same song, different verse. One and done.
St. Richt
January 16th, 2011
12:25 am
we have a ring, like I said, you need an education. Thats what you need. And you have no clue who you’re talking to calling me a KKK member. If you saw me you’d realize how ignorant a comment that is.. And by the way, I’m not sure who ALT is but ATL hasn’t won any super bowls and neither had the Aints until last year. And they won’t win one this year either, punk.
pmc
January 16th, 2011
12:25 am
This team is borderline unathletic. They get no love because the Still have so little talent. Matt just ist capable. Its always something with this team.
The pack is on 5th string.
TD has some explaining to do.
Baron Samedi Papa Legba
January 16th, 2011
12:25 am
Let this be a lesson to you all…God don’t like ugly. The energies of balance and truth have cursed the Falcons and their fans for “making fun” about New Orleans and Katrina.
Disgusted
January 16th, 2011
12:25 am
@Mark Bradley – which is why they completely, totally, absolutely, definitively, decisively, utterly, and with conviction played like crap the entire night.
You can’t throw the ball to the opposing team, let them catch ball after ball, run practically unopposed, and expect to win… Heck, the stadium emptied of Falcons fans at halftime – been there, done that, “maybe next year’. 44 years of mediocrity and counting.
Chuck
January 16th, 2011
12:26 am
That’s all you got? You really are seven! WEAK! Beating you down is as easy as Green Bay beating down the Falcons! You just make it so easy!
LakeDawg
January 16th, 2011
12:26 am
Hate to say it, but the coaching staff that kept its cool all season choked tonight. Might not have won anyway as GB is a better team, but the coaches didn’t stick with the “process.” BVG blitzes three times on the first series and a slant pattern scares him so bad that he rushes three the rest of the night. This after being successful with the blitz against Drew Brees.How did that strategy work out? One would think after getting torched all of the first half BVG would try something different. What did he have to lose? Also, on Ryan’s pick six everyone (including GB) KNEW the Falcons were going to throw an out pattern. GB was waiting on it. Kick the damn field goal! Even if you miss you’re still in the game. But Smitty panicked because they were down going into the half in a playoff game. That was the ball game right there.
Tom Brady
January 16th, 2011
12:26 am
Matt, I’m awfully flattered that you want to be like me. You dress like me and hold post-show press conferences like me and you’re growing your hair long. Now, just put the team on your back and win like me and you’ll be there. Because you’re an okay quarterback, but you’re no me, not even close.
Enjoy your time off. And get a haircut!
Holy Smoke
January 16th, 2011
12:27 am
Bradley is a dud
Chuck
January 16th, 2011
12:27 am
St Richt is the b!tch in Rex Ryan’s foot fetish videos!!!
Who Dat!
January 16th, 2011
12:28 am
Been saying it all year…Falcons are good, but not good enough to beat strong offensive teams. Packers, Saints…etc. Ball control type offenses will some very close games, but not against playoff teams that can score. Once you’re behind, you’re not built to play catch up. I am not surprised of the outcome. A healthy Saints team would have done the same. Learn from it Falcons…
Truth 66
January 16th, 2011
12:29 am
Falcons have improved each of the last 3 years and will continue but some changes have to be made. Been a fan for over 40 years and seen the good and the bad. But all year my complaints have been the same and they were highlighted tonight. 1 Defensive coordinator not being more efficient. Heck even Troy aikmen pointed that out. 2 Falcons offense is reason defense was able to be more efficient by eating up most of the time. Not tonight. 3 Turner is good this offensive line requires a faster back. and Matt ryan needs to learn to move to the side and get out of that damn pocket.
Falcons2010
January 16th, 2011
12:29 am
Officially rooting for the Patriots to wipe the floor with the Packers … or maybe even the Bears/Seahawks
St. Richt
January 16th, 2011
12:30 am
Chucky Cheese, read your last post and then tell me who is seven again? You’re up past your bed time.
Kickndanuts
January 16th, 2011
12:30 am
Matt Ryan in 2 playoff games he has 2 pick 6’s. He will be one of those great regular season QB’s and always suck in the Playoffs.
pmc
January 16th, 2011
12:30 am
We are so far away its embarrasing
Dan
January 16th, 2011
12:30 am
Bama 13 you have the intelligence of someone 13. what are you doing on this message board anyway. you surprised that bama was not playing on Monday night? leave the saints alone. we have respect for the falcons. they have a good coach and and a good team. we have respect for the nfc south.
St. Richt
January 16th, 2011
12:31 am
Chucky, you’re also not very funny. Keep you day job if you have one- I don’t think you have a future in stand up.
Chuck
January 16th, 2011
12:31 am
Tired of making St Richt my whipping boy, so I’m going to bed. Can’t wait to hear the excuses Tuesday morning! SO sorry it’s a holiday weekend because the wound won’t be so fresh Tuesday morning!
Beerman
January 16th, 2011
12:33 am
The team that boasted it couldn’t loose at home and lost their last 2 at home. I always knew they’d choke. Matty Ice wasn’t so nice. Still no SB ring heh….maybe next year.
Gary_S
January 16th, 2011
12:33 am
Good game guys. You had me worried for a little while.
Chuck
January 16th, 2011
12:33 am
You’re about as mentally challenged as Sarah Palin, St Richt. AND YOU STILL DON’T HAVE A RING!!!!! BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Stop crying, little girl!!!
pmc
January 16th, 2011
12:33 am
Worst playoff defense in the modern era.
A. mceachern
January 16th, 2011
12:33 am
Well, what can you say, you suck like the the braves and bobby cox, live up to the hype, oh excuse me you still suck!!!!!!
Saints1Fan
January 16th, 2011
12:34 am
I’m looking for the little kid named Truth, Frozen Rope, Mountain Falcon, and any other clown who doubted what I told them last week.
renton
January 16th, 2011
12:34 am
neemosacs hows it going bro fancy meeting you here. It looks like the party left here and went back to NOLA its Carnival time , hey ATL bring yall money and come party with us , dont let a 48 point whooping get you down.
the u
January 16th, 2011
12:35 am
they are a good football team that played a bad game at the worst time. norwood coming back will help with the speed we need. RISE UP take a breath and RISE UP
DoninAcworth
January 16th, 2011
12:35 am
It could have been worse…I could have been there!
we have a ring
January 16th, 2011
12:36 am
NEW ORLEANS WON THE SUPER BOWL LAST YEAR. HOW MANY HAVE ALT WON???
RL
January 16th, 2011
12:36 am
funny how everyone wants to blame Ryan. The whole team played like crap. Turner, White, Gonzalez, Grimes, and Owens especially all stunk. #1 seed went straight to their heads. Game plan was way too conservative. Hopefully they will use this as ammunition for next and not let it get into their heads.
Vick's Dawg
January 16th, 2011
12:37 am
Matty Slush…Matty Slurpee
ATL Native
January 16th, 2011
12:39 am
I would still rather be an Atlanta Native and home to losing teams than be from some lame city like Green Bay or Pittsburgh.
A. mceachern
January 16th, 2011
12:39 am
Forgot got one thing who was the last ACC QB to win Super Bowl?
CAPTAIN Kirk
January 16th, 2011
12:41 am
Hey ST RICHT!!!!!!
how long have you been seein this defenisve back meltdowns!!!?? man you’re right on the money with your post> 1981, 1991 vs Skins even though Deon played well that yr, 1998 in SB vs Elway..the famed Eugene Robinson noight on the town lookin fer a hooker, gets released from jail then gets torched by Elway????
Man you’re a kindred spirit..I moved away to AR in 08 after 32 yrs rootin for the Birds and seein these meltdowns yr after yr coachin satff after coachin staff..
and then they miss a draft pick, shun Clay Matthews and draft PERIA JERRY!!!!!!! has he even played…..
I think this orgainization focuses on black defensive athletes, irregarless of talent as it puts fannies in the Dome???.. other than Tuggle & Deon..over the decades theyve stunk
rememeber Aundray Bruce?? who was sposed to be the savior????
FACTS
January 16th, 2011
12:41 am
@ the u Norwood are you f…king kidding
Dan
January 16th, 2011
12:41 am
As a Saints fan we have to look forward to next year. Now the Falcons have to also. There should be nothing else to say. Saints didnt take care of business and neither did the Falcons. what happened last year means nothing. there will soon be another champion. and, i will not dimish their effort. stay professional saints and falcons fans. We are not worthy this year.
Tim
January 16th, 2011
12:41 am
Same old Falcons. Can’t get it done when it really counts. Matt Ryan has basically average talent. He’ll get 200-225 yards/game. 250 on a good day. Rodgers is a real pro quarterback. He’s probably the best QB in the league right now. And Ryan is going to the Pro Bowl and Rodgers isn’t. Nobody on this board would rather have Ryan over Rodgers right now. Obviously, the Falcons aren’t going to part ways with Ryan. But don’t look for this team to go much farther than they did this year. They might make the playoffs and might win one game. No more though. Sort of like the Braves and the Hawks.
JB
January 16th, 2011
12:41 am
We need a playmaker on Offense!!!!
Najeh Davenpoop
January 16th, 2011
12:41 am
“Forgot got one thing who was the last ACC QB to win Super Bowl?”
Brad Johnson
renton
January 16th, 2011
12:42 am
Frank are kidding PLAYOFFS?? really PLAYOFFS????? hahahahahahahahahahhahahaha their can be only one and that is the SAINTS!!!!! next year
Saints1Fan
January 16th, 2011
12:43 am
RL: Man, you and a few of your other fans are in complete denial. That wasn’t a conservative game plan. That is how your team played all season. Its amazing that you only hear about conservative game plans when you lose. Your team is not a quick strike team, no matter how much you believe they are. Gnnzalez is not gonna break a long run, neither is Jenkins. Roddy is your only threat and you can double team him and take him away.
GaCracker
January 16th, 2011
12:43 am
The Packers had no running game. Why not blitz every play, and mix them up while playing tight press to the WR’s? If you are going to get beat, do it by using an agressive and attacking defense, not a “prevent” defense which does what is says, i.e. prevents defense!
we have a ring
January 16th, 2011
12:43 am
HEY DAN ,WHO ASK YOU? WE HAVE A RING. HOW MANY DO ATL HAVE?
TCCB
January 16th, 2011
12:44 am
Bradley, I am not shocked at all. I have watched this team all season luck up and win many games. They beat the Packers and the Ravens early in the season when both teams were missing many starters and both games were close games the NFC south is a weak Division and a team with a 13-3 record on this side of the NFC is the best of the worst teams. Tonight we saw the Falcons fall to that BIG BOY BANGING Real Champions Win WHEN it MATTERS the 6th seed beat down the well rested homefield 1st seed. Champions Win at home or on the raod. The Falcons lost to the Packers tonight and that Ravens team that I saw Playing the STEELERS today would kill the Falcons in a rematch also!!!
Saints1Fan
January 16th, 2011
12:44 am
PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: Drew Brees is still better than Aaron Rodgers.
renton
January 16th, 2011
12:44 am
Why is John Abraham so down on himself???? He had a great game didnt he??? That picture is priceless, I might frame that sh*t up and put it on my wall.
AkBad504
January 16th, 2011
12:45 am
Can ya’ll say “One and Done by 20 Points”, all you FunnyBirds should feel bad! Aaaaawwwwwww poor baby