9-25: Falcons Walk the Plank

First off let me apologize for the long wait... Things got suddenly really busy this week, but this is no time for the excuse, it’s time to talk some FALCONS FOOTBALL!!! There wasn’t really much action to speak of so let’s jump right into to the recap.

RECAP

We start this game similarly to the way the Falcons have started every game of this young 2011 season, SLOW on offense, do largely to the protection of the offensive line. On Atlanta's first possession of the game they are forced into a long third down, 3rd and 13 to be exact.. The Falcons approach the line in shotgun Ryan drops back and is introduced to the young Bucs defensive line SACK/FUMBLE and recovered by Ronde Barber on the 17 yard line.

The Atlanta Falcons defense has been improving every week, after the Buc's defense forces a turnover Thomas Decoud... The same Thomas Decoud that some fan wanted to run out of Atlanta after a horrible showing in week one where he dropped to easy interceptions, INTERCEPTS a pass by Josh Freeman and give the Atlanta the ball back two plays after losing it themselves. Atlanta, again find it hard to move the ball against one of the youngest teams in the NFL and are forced to punt after only gaining 16 yards.

The action, or lack of action, continues as both teams swap punts. Then finally something amazing happens, one of the team start to get rolling, unfortunately it’s not the Atlanta Falcons. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers string together a nine play drive that results in a 49 yard field goal giving Tampa the lead with just over a minute left to play in the first quarter. (0-3) On Atlanta's ensuing possession Matt Ryan finds his favorite receiver Roddy White for a 22 yard gain, two plays later he finds Julio Jones for an 18 yard gain. Now its 3rd down and Matty Ice looks deep and finds Roddy again for 30 yards down to the Tampa 14 yard line, but that’s when the magic stops, the drive stalls at the 8 yard line and on trots kicker Matt Bryant to tie the score at 3 all. (3-3)

Too bad for Atlanta, they had give the ball back to Tampa, who marched down the field on a 12 play drive and Josh Freeman pounds his 6 foot 6 inch 240 pound body across the goal line for the touchdown (3-10). It’s more of the same from Atlanta, two plays into the response drive the offensive line collapses and Matt Ryan, who has been sacked 13 teams in 3 weeks (this game included), is introduced to the ground. Ryan must not be feeling well this season because again he coughs up the football and Tampa adds another field goal. (3-13). How does the Atlanta Falcons answer? They use the remaining time to put together an 8 yard drive down to the Tampa Bay 25 yard line and then Matt Ryan throws the ball to a wide open.... Ronde Barber. to end the Half.

Starting the 3rd quarter Tampa receives the kick and steals 8 minutes off the clock and adds another field goal. (3-16) Atlanta on the other hand, has their best quarter of the game thus fair, a promising drive ended with a sack on 3rd down, but didn’t turn the ball over which is a step in the right direction.

With 10 minutes left in the 4th quarter, The Atlanta Falcons come to life and when Matt Ryan bombs a pass deep down field to JULIO JONES for a 49 yard completion on the next play Ryan finds Tony Gonzalez for the 10 yard score. (10-16) The Falcons defense, forced a punt and the Falcons offense comes back onto the field with almost 8 minutes on the clock. The Falcons open up in their no huddle package and moves the ball down to the Tampa 5 yard line. On first down, Matt drops back and is sacked for a loss of 10 yards. 2nd down and 15 Matt targets a wide open Roddy White..... but Roddy takes his eye off the ball and it slips through his fingers, INCOMPLETE. 3 and 15 he again targets Roddy but too falls incomplete and the Atlanta kicks the field goal with 4:06 left on the game clock and a full rack of time outs. (13-16) The Falcons defense gets Tampa into 4th down and 1 yard to go. . . Raheem Morris coach of the Tampa Bay Bucs, who has never beaten Atlanta, leaves his Offense on field, as time ticks down Josh Freeman begins a series of dummy counts and draws a defensive lineman offside’s... First down. The Falcons fall short on the comeback victory and heads off the field a disappointing 1-2.


Offense

The Atlanta Falcons offense has been, for lack of better words, HORRIBLE this season. Matt Ryan is one of the premier young QB's of the NFL and this season he has not lived up to the things that fans expect of him, due in large part to the play of the front five. Tom Brady wouldn’t be Tome Brady if he didn’t have the offensive line to keep him up right. However, Matt Ryan did throw for 330 yards and a Touchdown with 47 attempts, but he also gave the ball away 3 times (two of sack fumbles and an interception when he had extreme pressure up the middle. No, that’s not a typo; Matt threw the ball 47 times. Needless to say if the line isn’t protecting Matt, they aren’t opening up many holes for the running backs, the Falcons returned 4 of 5 starting linemen from last season, so it is unclear what has caused the sudden melt down. Atlanta was built to run the ball to set up the pass but due to falling behind they only ran the ball 15 times for 30 yards, and Turner had 20 of those yards on 11 carries.

Offensive Notables and Player of the Week

The line was still the worst aspect of the offense, allowing 4 sacks and 4 qb hits and uncountable qb pressures. Head Coach Mike Smith has taken notice of the short comings of the front five and had vowed to do whatever it takes to get it corrected. There wasn't much of a running game but Turner rushed for 20 yards, Matt Ryan had the best game he could besides being under siege most of the game... Julio Jones recorded his first 100 yard game as a pro with 115 yards on 6 catches. Roddy White had a typical Roddy-like day with 9 catches and 140 yards although he was targeted a ridiculous 17 times and didn’t record a score. Tony Gonzalez was targeted 8 times but was only to make 2 catches for 18 yards and the only Atlanta touchdown of the game.

Player of the Week: Julio Jones 6 catches 115 yards 0 touchdowns. The rookie recorded his first 100 yard game of his career against one of the best corners in the NFC South Aqib Talib.


Defense

For at least once, no matter how much some fans want to blame them, the Defense was not because for the teams loss. Sure you can say they should have gave up less points, but when the offense gives the ball away 3 times and you hold the team to 1 touchdown and 3 field goals you have done pretty much everything you can do as a defense, Not to mention that when you have a team with Matt Ryan, Turner, White, Jones, Douglas, and Gonzalez you are expecting the offense to score more than one time. Also the defense recorded two interceptions; however they did not record a sack for the second straight week. The only issue with the defense was at the end of the game when a line man jumped off sides and ended the game. In situations like that you have to be mentally sound and be prepared for the opposition to use everything they have to secure the victory.

Defensive Notables and Player of the Week

As said before the defense played a sound game. I’m starting to notice that Lofton and Spoon are in competition to see who leads the team in tackles, being that those two are perched at the top of the stat sheet for the 3rd straight week, both recording 11 tackles. Thomas Decoud must have taken his benching to heart because he recorded 9 tackles, an interception and a pass deflection. William Moore also had an interception.

Player of the Week: Thomas Decoud 9 Tackles, 1 interception 1 pass deflection. After being placed in a weekly competition by Mike Smith, with James Sanders, and being benched, Thomas answered the call and showed determination to be one of the best young safeties in the NFL.

Preview

ROAD TRIP!!! In week 4 the Falcons will travel to Seattle in another "Battle of the Birds" to face the new look Seahawks. Last season Atlanta clinched a playoff spot against the Seahawks with a victory. This season, there isn’t much on the line this early but a loss could spell disaster for Atlanta falling to 1-3 in a division with the Saints and Bucs and Conference with the Packers, Eagles, Bears, and dare I say it LIONS. A victory is much needed for the team some predicted as the eventual 2011 Super Bowl Champions.

9-18: Falcons Soar Late Over Eagles

Good Afternoon Readers, With all of the Headlines all around the NFL world reading "He's Back" and "Vick's Return to Atlanta", American's "Games of the Week" lived up to the hype, Atlanta vs. Philly, high scoring affair and the perfect way to end a long Sunday of football. Let’s get into the recap.

RECAP

Atlanta's first possession stalled at the ATL 45 yard line after a 3rd down sack by the new eagle Cullen Jenkins, but on the ensuing possession for Philly the defense steps up and shuts the Eagles down with a three and out sending all-pro kick returner Eric Weems back to field the punt at the Atlanta 43 yard line and returns it to the positive side of the field for the Falcons at the Philly 38 yard, a 19 yard return. Eight plays later Matt Ryan finds his go to receiver Roddy White for a 2 yard, toe tapping touchdown in the back of the end zone (7-0).

Philly comes roaring back picking up first down, after first down, march down the field to the Atlanta 8 yard line. The it finally looks like the defense has them stopped; its 3rd down, Vick rolls left and tosses the ball to his electrifying receiver #10 in the corner of the end zone AND..... He drops wide open pass. Its fourth down and the Georgia Dome erupts, but wait.... there is laundry on the field, last week’s defensive player of the game, John Abraham was lined up in the neutral zone when the ball was snapped, automatic first down. Two plays later, the secondary blows coverage, 5 yard touchdown pass to Maclin. (7-7)

On Atlanta's next to possessions they are forced to punt and the Eagles kick a field goal to go ahead by 3 with 6:46 left in the first half (7-10). Then the Eagles start to march again down the field to the Atlanta 14, and that’s when Vick breaks out the pocket and gives the Georgia Dome something they are accustomed to seeing from the Ex-Falcons. He scrambles up the sideline for 7 yards, two plays later; he gives the fans, one more taste of what they had been seeing for the 8 yard that Vick dressed up in the Red, Black, and White. First down and goal to go, 2009 first round draft pick defensive tackle Peria Jerry bust through the Eagles line, Vick Fumbles the ball and its scooped up by new comer Ray Edwards and he rumbles 64 yards before he is hauled in by the speedster DeSean Jackson. Four plays later Matty Ice hooked up with perennial pro-bowler Tony Gonzalez for an amazing one handed touchdown catch. It was such a spectacular catch that the replay official wanted to watch it over and over again. I’m joking, due to a new rule that all scoring plays have to be reviewed it took a while to confirm the score, but it was eventually upheld and the Falcons took a 14-10 lead into the locker room at the half.

The Eagles received the opening kickoff, so the Falcons received the kick off at half time only to go three and out and give the ball back to Vick and the eagles high powered offense. On first down from the Philly 40, down by four points, Vick dropped back to pass and INTERCEPTION!!! Newly signed corner back Kelvin Hayden (formerly of the Indy Colts) returns it two yards to the 49 yard line and two plays later Ryan finds none other than Tony G for a 17 yard touchdown. (21-10). That’s when things began to unravel for the Falcons, The Eagles put together a quick four play, 70 yard drive (21-17) and grabbed an interception which the offense turned into another four play scoring drive (21-24) as it started to feel like the air had been sucked out of the Georgia Dome. After a series of punts Philly continues to pour it on late in the 3rd quarter with touchdown run from LeSean McCoy. Some good news did come from the Falcons, in the form of bad news for Eagles fans, Vick took a shot to the head from his right tackle and did not return to the game. (21-31)

Heading into the 4th quarter down by 10, a beaten and battered Matt Ryan delivers a 1 yard TOUCHDOWN pass to Ovie Mughelli to bring the Atlanta Falcons within three points of the Vick-less Eagles. The Falcons defense forced a punt, after a holding call on Joe Hawley, who is filling in for the still injured Todd McClure, its 1st and 17 from the Atlanta 13, and The Burner Turner takes the handoff up the middle and is full steam ahead down to the Philadelphia 26 yard line where he was knocked out of bounds by Rodgers-Cromartie after a 61 yard dash, which was a major turning point of the game. Five plays later the Falcons had taken the final lead 35-31 with 4:48 left in the game. The Falcons hold to win bringing their record to 1-1.

Offense

The offense was much better than last week but still only collected 318 yards from the air and ground combined, that’s 128 less than the Eagles. Matt Ryan passed for 180 yards but did toss a career high four touchdowns in this game. Turner ran for 114 yards which is the same total number the team averaged last week in Chicago. My major concern is that Matt Ryan is still getting hit, even though he was hit only 6 times in this game, those hits really got home and it was apparent that Matty Ice was starting to melt down in the unstable pocket. The offensive line performed just as bad as they did last week, which doesn’t surprise me because there is no possible way to get any worse. They allowed 4 sacks which is technically better than the 5 they gave up last week, but considering that they only gave up 23 all of last season which is about 1.4 a game. They have a boat load of work to do along the front five. Mostly on the left side where Sam Baker, the tackle that was taken in the first round of 2008, was blown up time after time by Trent Cole who had a monster game feasting on the 4th year pro.

Offensive Notables and Player of the Week

For the second straight week Tony Gonzalez led the team in receptions with 7 for 83 yards. Turner, who is looking good this season receiving out of the backfield, had a reception for 32 yards which was second most and Roddy had 3 receptions for 23 yards and a score.

Player of the Week: Tony Gonzalez- 7 catches, 83 yards and 2 touchdowns


Defense

Last week I was a bit irate with the horrible tackling of the Atlanta Falcons and this week the defense took Samuel Jackson message to heart and they did in fact RISE UP! Although they did give up a few big plays all in all they didn’t give them much after the first contact. The defense did force three turnovers and got some good hits on the QB similar to last weekend. Even new players like Big Play Ray and Kelvin Hayden put their prints on some big plays for Atlanta. It was nice to see Jerry comeback and have his presence felt with Babs out taking care of that knee injury from last week.. I listened to DeSean Jackson (who received a vicious hit from Robinson last season) interview after the game and he said Dunta Robinson was they type of player who goes for kill shots, my response to that is... Its always something, a wide receiver who puts on a show for the fans on and off the field is a diva, and a defensive player who doesn’t shy away from contact is a dirty player. So does that make someone who complains about how the game is played on the field a DeSean Jackson? The hit on Jackson last year was not an illegal hit, Dunta Lead with his shoulder and made solid contact with Jackson’s chest... This year on Maclin there was a little head contact but all it does is prove that he can take a hit and Jackson....Well, should be used only on deep routes and kick returns.

Defensive Notables and Player of the Week

The Falcons did not register a sack this game, but new defensive end Ray Edwards had a better game this week than he did last week, he had two tackles, a tackle for loss and a fumble recovery that he returned for 64 yards, putting Atlanta in scoring position. Lofton and Spoon both had ten 10 tackles. Lofton who wanted to be a 3 down linebacker is showing that he is well on his way, on one play Lofton dropped back into coverage and was just about a half of a second late on intercepting a pass. Kelvin Hayden and James Sanders both received extensive playing time and according to NBC Sanders started the game over DeCoud.

Player of the Week: Stephen Nicholas- 4 tackles. I’m sure you’re wondering how a linebacker with 4 tackles is player of the game. That’s because he made open field tackles and none more important than the one he had on Jackson on the reverse and the other that had had on the punt return when it appeared Jackson had found a lane to the game winning touchdown.


Preview

Bring in the Division Rival, Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Last week the Bucs received a scare when the Vikings held the lead with the final minute on the clock, but managed to score with 34 seconds left to secure the victory and in prove to 1-1 like the Atlanta Falcons. This is Going to be the first divisional game played in the south this season and will put the winner in first place in the division. If the Falcons want to come out of the Pirate Ship with their second victory of the season they are going to have to run the ball and limit Tampa's chances to come back and win with The Come-Back Kid they have at QB. Atlanta won both games last year, in large part the play of All Pro Corner Brent Grimes who had clutch interceptions in both games to secure a victory for the Atlanta Falcons.

9-11: Mauled at Midway

Lets start by honoring the lives lost on September 11 2001, the lives that were given to protect the liberties and freedoms belonging to citizens this country, and the people who dedicated their lives to protect the United States from terrors both foreign and domestic.

Recap

The Atlanta Falcons walked into Solider Field looking to start the season off with a win against the Chicago Bears after a opening loss last season to the eventual AFC Superbowl representative Pittsburg Steelers. The game started off with the both teams exchanging field goals, and the Falcons forcing a Chicago three and out. On the ensuing possession for Atlanta, Matt Ryan, while trying to escape the pressure, looks for Tony Gonzalez but instead he finds Brian Urlacher for an interception, which resulted in a 56 yard touchdown pass to Matt Forte. The Bears add two more field goal taking a 13 point lead into the locker room at the half. (16-3.)

Chicago won the opening toss so Atlanta gets the ball to start the second half. The first two plays by the Falcons Ryan looks for Gonzalez with the first pass falling incomplete and the second being caught for a 9 yard gain. On third down, Ryan hands the ball to the work horse Michael Turner and he bursts up the middle for a monster 53 yard gain and is tackled at the Chicago 32 yard line by Jennings. The eleven play 88 yard drive later stalled at the 7 yard line and the Falcons settle for a 25 yard field goal by Matt Bryant field goal making the score (16-6.)

The Bears only need 7 plays to take the ball right back down the field 92 yards for another touchdown. Matt Forte runs for a huge gain of 27 yards and Devin Hester catches a screen pass and takes it 53 yards down to the Atlanta 1 yard line and Jay Cutler, despite much offseason criticism delivers a pass to his tight end for the one yard score. (23-6)

The Atlanta Falcons offensive line struggled the entire game, after the touchdown pass to Speath, the offensive line collapses causing Ryan to be sacked and stripped by Julius Peppers and Urlacher returns the fumble 12 yards for yet another bears touchdown. (30-6)

Atlanta did have a bright spot on defense; it came with about thirteen minutes left in the game. John Abraham, who had two sacks in this game, got a good rush on Cutler, jumped and batted the pass into the air and it is intercepted by Kroy Biermann and it’s returned for a 50 yard touchdown. The Falcons failed on the two point conversion, bringing the game to its final score (30-12), starting the season off 0-1 for the second straight season.

Offense

Over the course of the shorthanded offseason due to the NFL Lockout fans listened to the coaches and players alike express the want of more explosive plays. It doesn’t take a football genius to understand that if a the oppositions defense is getting consistent pressure on your quarterback with only their four defensive lineman there isn’t an opportunity to develop any plays down the field because the other seven players are back in coverage. With Todd McClure out recovering from a minor knee operation; the line was horrible in the season opener, allowing 5 sacks and 11 hits on Matt Ryan. Matt threw the ball 47 times completing 31 of those passes for 319 yards. Anyone who knows the Falcons understands that, while Ryan is a very good QB, putting the ball in the air close to 50 times is not what the team was built around, but allowing 14 points off of 3 turnovers left them no choice but to take the ball off the ground.

Offensive Notables and Player of the Week

Atlanta turned in a pretty good game on the ground, despite minimal opportunity, rushing for 110 yards on only 14 combined carries for three running backs. The Falcons prized rookie receiver Julio Jones caught 5 passes for 71 yards, putting him between Tony Gonzalez who also caught 5 passes for 72 and Roddy White who leads the team with 8 receptions and 61 yards.

Player of the Week: Michael Turner- 10 carries 100 yards, 3 receptions 40 yards, 1 fumble.

Defense

The renovated defense recorded 3 sacks and an interception, which was returned for a touchdown. However the problem many fans may have with the defense during the game, TACKLING! The Falcons missed a number of tackles many of which resulted in big plays and touchdowns, for example the Matt Forte touchdown reception. The former first round pick, Sean Weatherspoon attempted to push Forte out of bounds instead of wrapping up, the Chicago running back bounced off the feeble shove and scampered to the promise land.  

If the saying is, you play defensive back because you can’t catch well enough to play wide receiver, then Thomas Decoud really proved that to be the case, after he twice missed opportunities to pick off Jay Cutler and give the struggling Atlanta Falcons offense the ball back. This performance by the Falcons isn’t acceptable, especially if they want to repeat as NFC South. Everyone knows that the offense may score the points but the defense wins championships.

Defensive Notables and Player of the Week

(No this isnt John Abraham, but he is the
reason why Cutler looks like he got
hit by a mack truck)

The Defense played the game out of position on many plays, over pursing and missing tackles which aided the Bears in their victory. Sean Weatherspoon leads the defense in tackles with 10 total (9 solo) 2 tackles for loss and one pass defense. Middle Linebacker Curtis Lofton registered 8 solo tackles and a pass defense.

Player of the Week: John Abraham- 2 sacks, 4 tackles and 2 QB hits 

Week 2 Preview

In week 2 Atlanta opens up the Georgia Dome for the return of Michael Vick and the fire powered offense of the Philadelphia Eagles, after coming off a week one victory over the Saint Louis Rams they look to start the season 2-0. The Georgia Dome will be rocking for the first home game of the season and a showing similar to the season opener will be unacceptable as the Atlanta Falcons look to avoid an 0-2 start for the first time in the post Vick Era. The offensive line of the Falcons should be greatly improved with the return of Todd McClure at center allowing for Matt Ryan to have time to look down field for those explosive plays that had fans watering at the mouth after the off season build up. Hopefully the defense will be up to the challenge of stopping the Eagles in their tracks in this much anticipated battle of the birds.