OK, let's talk Falcons.

[Hammock Parties]

This is a serious thread. Not trolling.

PFF has some very good insight into what we're facing Week 1.

https://www.profootballfocus.com/blo...ngals-falcons/

Atlanta Falcons – Three Things of Note

1. Attack, Attack

There’s little doubt, from what’s been unveiled in both preseason games to date, the Falcons intend to discard their “conservative” tag with utmost haste. It was never actually said on the day I was in camp, but it felt as if they were almost embarrassed by the conservative offense installed by Mike Mularkey (the run, run, pass and repeat game plans, the lack of deep attempts and paucity of screens) and hankered for the much more aggressive philosophy employed by division rivals, the Saints.

On their first four drives the Falcons ran only four times while passing 21 and consistently looked to stretch the defense down the field. Initially, substandard execution and some clever blitzes held them in check but on the last drive they were equally as potent as they showed early versus the Ravens last week.

On that possession a wide receiver screen to Roddy White got them moving, highlighted by a superb downfield block by Tyson Clabo on Terrence Newman. A crossing route from Michael Palmer for 20 yards followed, with a Ryan fake to the left leaving both linebackers (Thomas Howard and Vontaze Burfict) miles out of position. After slot corner Jeromy Miles diagnosed a quick pass to Harry Douglas well, making a tackle for a loss it was time once more to get Julio Jones in the game. Firstly a slant featuring two missed tackles (Nate Clements and Reggie Nelson) and then a 30 yard go, dropping tantalizingly just out of reach.

Three completions finished things off; 16 to White with Newman looking lost, 23 to Jones on a post despite decent coverage from Clements and a short lob to a falling Lousaka Polite.

Through it all Ryan looked calm, in complete control and most of all very accurate in his execution. This could indeed be the year he moves his play to the next level.

2. A Hybrid Affair

Atlanta began in a traditional 3-4 defense, played the very next play with the same personnel but lined up in a 4-3 and rotated between the two thereafter.

In the 3-4, Peria Jerry played the nose with Ray Edwards and Jonathan Babineaux flanking him. Stephen Nicholas joined John Abraham standing up at the line with Sean Weatherspoon and Mike Peterson filling the inside linebacker roles.

In 4-3, both tackles played over the guards and Abraham put his hand in the ground; Peterson played the Mike (a role likely to be filled by Akeem Dent when he returns from injury).

Jerry generally made life difficult for Kyle Cook picking up a hurry and, towards the end of the first quarter, getting outside his block to tackle Brian Leonard for no gain.

Another player showing his skills was Abraham. Going against a fine tackle in Andrew Whitworth he blew past him to pressure Dalton after three plays earlier getting inside him to stop Cedric Peerman for no gain.

While it’s probable these two players will flourish (and there was also a few flashes from Edwards too) the linebackers may well take longer to acclimatize. Donald Lee left Nicholas for dead on a seam route and both he and Peterson looked slow to fill in the running game.



3. Three into two

The only thing about the corners that’s currently easy to define is what happens in nickel; here Dunta Robinson plays the slot, Brent Grimes plays RCB and Asante Samuel plays LCB. In base it’s in the air with all three players taking turns at the two roles. I’m not sure if this is just an open competition or the way that the Falcons intend to play once the real action starts.

The good news is, barring Samuel getting beaten badly by A.J. Green on the deep go route; all three played well, particularly Robinson. We’ve been notably harsh on Robinson over the last few years but this new role (and a little competition) may bring out the best in him. He was very aggressive closing down Andrew Hawkins and also defended a pass to Armon Binns with ease. Grimes was feisty as ever and until the Green debacle Samuel had been fine too, although one dubious tackle on Donald Lee showed certain things never change.

Quick thoughts:

The Falcons are definitely going for broke on becoming a pass-first offense. They're gonna come into Arrowhead looking to score early and often. Gonna be very, very interesting to see how we defend that.

Didn't even realize ATL has Grimes, Robinson and Samuel. That's a really nice set of corners. Robinson wasn't great last year, but if he's playing nickel now, it's different.

[BossChief]

Originally Posted by -King-

I don't fear falling behind. With our run game and their poor run defense, we should be able to dictate the game from the get go.

The only thing that concerns me, like milkman has said, is a close game coming down to the last few possessions.
Posted via Mobile Device

If Flowers isn't in tip top shape, the run game wont be enough.

I hope I'm wrong.

[Just Passin' By]

Originally Posted by BossChief

Who cares about their safeties coverage abilities?

I bet we don't even attempt a pass over 20 yards all game.

What worries me is they have a decent set of coverage backers and three good corners.

If we fall behind by 14, Cassel is gonna get exposed against teams like Atlanta.

I don't think they can cover Charles and Moeaki with linebackers. Do you?

[RINGLEADER]

Originally Posted by BossChief

If Flowers isn't in tip top shape, the run game wont be enough.

I hope I'm wrong.

Still burns me that we didn't re-sign Carr. Young, shut-down corner that we could have afforded.

I know he wanted to be a Cowboy, but I agree with the concern above...

[Fritz88]

You think Routt will cover White or Jones?

You very funny.
Posted via Mobile Device

[BossChief]

Originally Posted by Just Not Gettin' It

I don't think they can cover Charles and Moeaki with linebackers. Do you?

They have a couple backers that are very fast and diagnose plays extremely well.

Weatherspoon runs a 4.5 and Cassel will need to know where he is at all times...or Spoon will make him wish he did.

[BoneKrusher]

Originally Posted by Fritz88

You think Routt will cover White or Jones?

You very funny.
Posted via Mobile Device

yep, he's no Carr

[BossChief]

Originally Posted by Fritz88

You think Routt will cover White or Jones?

You very funny.
Posted via Mobile Device

Routt is a lot better than most here give him credit for.

When he was a lcb for Oakland, he was one of the best corners in football.

[BossChief]

Originally Posted by BoneKrusher

yep, he's no Carr

Just about every non biased grading website out there ranks Routt above Carr.

Let's give the kid a chance.

I know some here will get a good laugh at this, but whatever.

I went to a friends house to play madden a few days ago and looked Routts rating up and they were phenomenal.

One of the best corners in the whole game.

Take that for what it's worth (not very much)

[Nightfyre]

What I would like to see:
Defensively: Man up on the outside with Flowers and Routt and leave Lewis over the top to help them out. Mix up blitzes with two of the three linebackers - Hali/Houston/DJ. If they add a tight end to block Hali, blitz with Berry. Hit Matt Ryan early and often.

Offensively: Open the game with a play-action deep pass to Baldwin down the sideline. Use the run game to both sides of the field to control the clock, keep the defense fresh and use play action to keep the safeties honest.

[BoneKrusher]

Originally Posted by BossChief

Routt is a lot better than most here give him credit for.

When he was a lcb for Oakland, he was one of the best corners in football.

if i remember correctly he gets a lot of PI calls against him.
anyone have those stats?

[L.A. Chieffan]

We got this. Cassell is going to blow people away with his performance the first week of the season.

[Fritz88]

Originally Posted by BossChief

Routt is a lot better than most here give him credit for.

When he was a lcb for Oakland, he was one of the best corners in football.

Routt is good. I like him but even with Carr, these two WRs are a lethal combo.
What I count on most is Romeo giving Ryan a hard time just like he does with Manning and Brady.
Posted via Mobile Device

[BoneKrusher]

Originally Posted by BossChief

Just about every non biased grading website out there ranks Routt above Carr.

Let's give the kid a chance.

I know some here will get a good laugh at this, but whatever.

I went to a friends house to play madden a few days ago and looked Routts rating up and they were phenomenal.

One of the best corners in the whole game.

Take that for what it's worth (not very much)

but Carr was our own, i think he should have been kept around.

[BoneKrusher]

Originally Posted by L.A.Chieffan

We got this. Cassell is going to blow people away with his performance the first week of the season.

been looking for Cassel to prove me wrong for over three years, i cant wait.

[BossChief]

Originally Posted by BoneKrusher

if i remember correctly he gets a lot of PI calls against him.
anyone have those stats?

All Raiders get a lot of penalties...it's why they always lead the league in them.

I don't expect Routt to stop getting flagged, but I expect our coaching staff and the color of his jersey to drastically impact how much he is flagged.

I hope I'm right.