On the shifty Jacquizz Rodgers and the shifting Mike Smith
"Sometimes I go for it, Greg, and sometimes I don't." (AP photo)
This post is an adjunct to the game column, which can be found here.
1. Jacquizz Rodgers injected some needed sizzle. Owing to his size (5-foot-6, 196 pounds), he’s often dismissed as a change-of-pace back, but his 49 yards on 10 rushes made him the star of a slightly upgraded ground game. Michael Turner had another in a series of indifferent games — 13 carries for 17 yards. On this day, however, the Falcons didn’t go as Turner goes (or doesn’t go). Rodgers gave them speed on the flanks and made the Buccaneers’ defense honor at least the concept of the run. He nearly outgained the heralded Tampa Bay tailback Doug Martin, who carried 21 times for his 50 yards. Could the Falcons have found their new feature back? It’s too early to make that leap, but this game was an indication that options exist beyond Turner.
2. Mike Smith got conservative at the end of the first half. The Falcons’ coach had his offense had his team wait until 22 seconds remained in the half to call timeout ahead of a third-and-11 play at the Tampa Bay 19. That might have been sound strategy, except that Matt Ryan found Julio Jones for 15 yards to the 4, meaning that the Falcons had cut it too fine. In trying to leave the opponent no time to respond, they left themselves too little time (15 seconds) after the conversion that didn’t yield a score. Ryan missed Jones on first-and-goal and threw it away on second down, leaving four seconds for Matt Bryant to try a 22-yard field goal for the lead. Which he missed. Ouch.
3. The same Mike Smith got daring near the end of the second half. Just when you think you’ve got Smitty pegged, he’ll make you rethink. With a minute left and the Falcons ahead by a point and the Buccaneers out of timeouts, the Falcons threw on third-and-18 from the Tampa Bay 37. An incompletion would have meant the Bucs could have gotten the ball back with roughly 50 seconds remaining. Asked if he worried about an incompletion, Matt Ryan said: “Every time I take a snap, I think I’m going to complete it.” Sure enough, he did — to Tony Gonzalez for seven yards. And now the Falcons had Bryant try a 48-yard field goal with 13 seconds left, when a pooch punt might have been the safer play. Bryant missed again, giving the Bucs the ball at their 38 with eight seconds to play. The game ended with Josh Freeman’s pass being batted away in the Falcons’ end zone. Whew.
By Mark Bradley
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136 comments Add your comment
itpdude
November 26th, 2012
12:21 pm
I still say the Falcons need to keep a smash-mouth football-base. Yeah, Ryan has the air-weapons, but a lot of those passes are exponentially easier when the secondary stays honest with the threat of a hearty run-game.
Wish Smith would use Snelling more in the first quarter if only to beat up defensive lines and get them softened for Turner and Rodgers.
Predatory Lender
November 26th, 2012
12:24 pm
More pitches around short yardage needs and please punt the ball with 12 seconds left next time. Good grief!
Gatorman
November 26th, 2012
12:39 pm
I’ve always thought Michael Turner was one of the better back in the NFC, but he has lost a step and slowed down in general. With the many speed backs in coming out of college, it might be a good idea to draft one and cut Turner free. Maybe he will get invigorated and do well for another team. The other need is defensive backs and they Falcons do not have any top quality ones. Their allstar cornerback may not return from the injury, so they may need many.
LuellaStevens
November 26th, 2012
12:42 pm
I think the Falcons should trade Michael Turner to the New Orleans Saints for Chris Ivory. That would help our running game and give Turner a new lease on life. New Orleans will do it because every time they get a superstar, they always get rid of them because N.O. is too cheap to pay their superstars market value. Examples are Joe Horn, Robert Meecham, Reggie Bush–I can go on and on. Every time N.O. gets a bona fide superstar they wont keep them because they wont pay them market value. I think if the Falcons can zero in on Chris Ivory and somehow acquire him, the Falcons will begin an awesome dynasty here in Atlanta.
Old Bucky Cunningham - Frick Freak
November 26th, 2012
1:03 pm
Hire coach Smith at Tech!!
The Truth
November 26th, 2012
1:12 pm
I like Michael Turner, but like the 49ers, we’ve got to go with what can do us the most good.
Our O line is just okay. We need speedy backs who can get around their average run blocking. Put Rogers and Snelling in. They are shifty and tough. We can get more bang for the buck.
Turner does great when there is a open hole. But when the hole collapses, so does he.
Van Brocklin
November 26th, 2012
1:20 pm
For those of you that watched the game closely, can anyone explain why the Falcons ran the ball so much but never used it to set up the play action pass? Also, how hard is it to read Matt Ryan’s audibles at the line of scrimmage. Whenever he shouts “kill” at the line he is audibiling to a running play. What’s up with that?
Dirtybirdsin'12
November 26th, 2012
1:25 pm
I personally liked the call to kick the field goal. Matt Bryant is normally a reliable kicker. Had the kick gone in, the Falcons would have kicked the ball out of the end zone and TB would’ve had the ball at the 20 needing a td with 13 seconds and no timeouts. I like the odds in that scenario better than them having the ball inside the 5 needing a fg. I’m sure the Panthers would agree with me. As for the rb situation, I’m positive that a Turner replacement/ Quizz compliment will be found this offseason through the draft or free agency. I don’t want Moreno. We don’t have Central Michigan on the schedule for him to make a highlight reel. Moreno’s never been able to run well in the NFL, and based on the fact that he wasn’t even active until Mcgahee went down, I don’t think he’s a good locker room guy either. If Latttimore comes out, he’ll probably be available in the 3rd or 4th round, and I’m sure that there are a few under the radar guys who can be had in the middle rounds of the draft who will find success if given the oppurtunity. Obviously I’d take Dwyer if he can be acquired for a decent price, but I doubt that Pittsburgh is willing to let him go just yet considering he’s been their best back this year by a fairly wide margin.
SawThat1nce
November 26th, 2012
1:33 pm
Drew Brees had 5 touchdown passes yesterday, is that another record that he has broken?
Billy (not Martin)
November 26th, 2012
1:39 pm
Michael Turner is too slow comming off the ball.
I slow-mowed several of his cariies yesterday.
He is 8 yards in the backfield and Matt literally took 4 steps back to him each time andTurner only moved about a yard and half at the most forward before he got the ball.
The holes were there but quickly shut down before he got to the line.
Too slow turner.
Stock Pile
November 26th, 2012
1:40 pm
I swear, it seems like Michael Turner looks where the defense line is congregating and run straight into that stockpile for a 1 yard gain (worst case, loss of yards).
Mask of False Bravado
November 26th, 2012
1:56 pm
Turner has become the sacrifice bunt by the ptcher with one out. He serves no purpose but to advance the game by 1 down.
Samuel
November 26th, 2012
2:24 pm
The hot back should be featured for that game. Being said that, the Falcons have the luxury of having three backs that all bring something to the table. We know if there’s no hole Turner is not going to be productive. He’s basically a north and south runner. with Quizz he can create something and make you miss in open space. Snelling catches well out the backfield and brings power and a little more speed than Turner. So the offensive line has to move people off the ball and the running backs have to figure the rest out…..
sam
November 26th, 2012
2:27 pm
Michael Turner has one year left in his 6 year deal for $5M. I doubt anyone’s going to pick that up, so I don’t see him going anywhere. Let’s just hope he drops some weight in the off season and the coaches can find some type of meaningful role for him. That would be next year, as in pre-season. This year we’re trying to win a championship so it’s time to go with Rogers and Snelling and quit giving away downs.
Brendan
November 26th, 2012
3:06 pm
I’m just happy the Falcons won. People forget that when this team plays badly, or down to the level of their opposition, they often lose. That hasn’t been the case this year. 10-1 is way better than 7-3, which is what our record really, truly could be. Let’s be happy that with these wins, Atlanta might secure home field advantage.
I’m not entirely sure, but if the Falcons beat the Saints on Thursday, I think that clinches the division. If it doesn’t, it surely forces Tampa Bay to run the table to catch us.
Brendan
November 26th, 2012
3:11 pm
Sam, let’s not forget that Michael Turner should have fresh legs, come playoff time. He cannot say, “I’m worn out from all my carries during the year.” That could be a good thing for us, come playoff time. I, personally, think the Falcons are looking at a 1st round bye, even if they wind up the # 2 seed. That rest could be essential in the Falcons drive for a prospective run at the NFC Championship.
To me, the best team in the NFC is San Francisco, followed by Green Bay. Then it’s arguably Atlanta, but some suggest NYG, Tampa Bay, or even the Saints. For Atlanta to earn their respect, they’ll have to beat teams like the Packers, Giants, and 49ers to reach the Super Bowl. And if they do, then they’ll get that respect.
I hope New Orleans does NOT make the playoffs. I’d prefer not to see them again, or the Buccaneers, for that matter.
ppeck
November 26th, 2012
3:37 pm
That little shovel pass to Turner for a TD was a nifty move. Gonna see more of that kind of thing. If Turner get a sliver of daylight he is gone. Getting him that hole is hard. Quizz is impressing me more and more as I watch him cut and dice on those open field plays and screens. Fun to watch.
I bet the Falcons have some plays set up for the postseason that no one has ever seen. Hope one of them is a naked bootleg from Ryan to the end zone for a TD !
Defense wins Titles
November 26th, 2012
3:57 pm
Hello! You play to win the game. l love the 2012 Falcons. Their coaching staff, coordinators, gameplan to beat the particular team we play that week. l would take 19 – 0, with 19 one point wins every time. Defense the opponents’ Offense. Take what the opponents’ Defense gives us and score enough to win. Falcons have great playmakers. Just let them play. Falcons change from week to week. That makes it tough for opponents to prepare for us. Go Falcons, just 8 more 1 point wins to Super Bowl Title.
listless
November 26th, 2012
4:45 pm
Are the falcon coaches the only ones who can’t see Michael Turner is pathetic?
EVERYONE I talk to thinks Turner’s tippytoe style reminds them of a girl playing.
Wink
November 26th, 2012
5:05 pm
The run game will have to improve, granted we are 10 – 1, but we need more quick toss plays to backs, Turner needs the time to get that load moving. Pretty sure he is not the answer, two years ago yes, not now.
Are the Falcons O-line still using the “legal” chop blocks in the run game? Defenses use to hate to rush us, I believe the coach of that technique is no longer with the team. Maybe that is why our run game has suffered the last two years???
Jay Dawg
November 26th, 2012
6:21 pm
Got to do something about the RB position. Turner cannot make a cut in the hole. Too slow and too easy to bring down.
Sean
November 26th, 2012
7:24 pm
I wouldnt cut Turner’s carries out all together, he’s still got some gas in the tank…well, he’s running on fumes. But I did like what they did early in the past 2 games. Split the carries between Cheeseburger Turner and Pop Quizz (with a little dose of Snelling.) It was effective and for some reason, Turner seems to run better once he sees someone else out there about to take his job. But for the life of me, I cant understand why they keep handing the ball to Turner over and over and over…drives m completely bananas!
LOL at The Aints
November 26th, 2012
9:39 pm
JSS November 26 Nothing Smith does is “baffling.” New Age Barney Rubble is tuning up for the post-season…
Shut up Dimmwit,, who cares what you think,, Your’re an Idiot. LOL
2 > 7
November 26th, 2012
9:47 pm
MNF: Self proclaimed Dynasty vs Self Ad buying Superbowl Champs.
Wow, must see TV.
LOL at The Aints
November 26th, 2012
9:48 pm
In other news, how about those Aints! LOL
A True Fan
November 26th, 2012
10:27 pm
Everyone here is worried about the wrong things. We win, people complain. We lose, people complain and want some ones head on a platter. The Falcons are winning, that is all that matters. Who cares what the media thinks. Who cares what the Monday (wannabe) Coaches think. They are winning. BIG or small, a win is a win. Enjoy the season, enjoy the progress of our great team. Cheer loud and strong, beat the Aints and lets get another thursday night win. Rise Up Falcon Fans this is our year. DEAL WITH IT!!!!!!!!!!
LOL at the Aints
November 26th, 2012
10:36 pm
2 > 7, JSS, is that you LOL, Why, i Do believe it is. LOL
2 > 7
November 26th, 2012
10:38 pm
What? I thought JSS is a troll.
SawThat1nce
November 26th, 2012
11:30 pm
Like I said earlier five touchdown passes thrown by Mr. Brees.
SawThat1nce
November 26th, 2012
11:34 pm
What is the record for the most pick-6s thrown by a QB in a single game?
I would like to see Brees get that record, also.
Whopper Dawg
November 27th, 2012
6:30 am
A back that can actually move laterally. Looks different doesn’t it. Now imagine one that is 210 and 6′2″ and can catch.
Note to TD, they are out there. You passed on several in this last draft for what?
PlanB
November 27th, 2012
8:01 am
Dianne
November 26th, 2012
10:38 am
I just love it when all these armchair coaches think they know more about how to coach our team than the man who took us to 5 back-to-back winning seasons and the current 10 & 1 season. Guess we know why he draws his money as a coach & these guys don’t.
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Dianne just doesn’t get it that we have the priviledge of seeing the game and then getting to make our decision. We learn from watching the game, and from that we post our thoughts. In 11 games, MT has created a record for his 2012 season. It’s not good. You don’t have to be an NFL coach to see that. Doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result is not smart.
PlanB
November 27th, 2012
8:04 am
PS – I think MS is phasing MT out. At least I hope so.
Claude Humphery
November 27th, 2012
11:13 am
JUST WIN ‘BABY’
Robert
November 28th, 2012
8:06 am
Quizz played ball for 4 years with my son and at 8 years old everyone knew he was going to play on sundays. At 5 years old the 10 year old kids had trouble catching him before he even started to play football. All they have to do is feed him the ball and magic will happen.
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[...] sleeper waiver wire pick for running backs would be Jacquizz Rodgers. Last Sunday Rodgers outgained Michael Turner. Rodgers had 10 touches for 49 yards. He also [...]