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.

[tonyetony]

I just finished watching the the first half of the Bengal-Falcons game and the Falcons have definitely adopted a pass pass pass offensive philosophy.

Playing good man corner and jamming Jones and White at the line will be key and should force Ryan to take more time to go through his progressions. It looks like Ryan is being coached to get rid of the ball very quickly to cover up their mediocre OL.

If we keep them under 20 I'll be ecstatic but never underestimate the power of the 12th man.

[bricks]

The key will be pressuring Ryan the whole game. Hali & Houston have to bring it.

[Simplicity]

Originally Posted by tonyetony

I just finished watching the the first half of the Bengal-Falcons game and the Falcons have definitely adopted a pass pass pass offensive philosophy.

Playing good man corner and jamming Jones and White at the line will be key and should force Ryan to take more time to go through his progressions. It looks like Ryan is being coached to get rid of the ball very quickly to cover up their mediocre OL.

If we keep them under 20 I'll be ecstatic but never underestimate the power of the 12th man.

I'm going to have to agree with tony here. What I've seen in both PS games for the Falcons' was Matt Ryan throwing, and Matt Ryan throwing right away. Tamba and Houston are going to have to get there fast to break up passes.

[bricks]

How are the Falcons offensive tackles?

Anybody know anything about Sam Baker & Tyson Clabo?

[Direckshun]

Originally Posted by bricks

How are the Falcons offensive tackles?

Anybody know anything about Sam Baker & Tyson Clabo?

Clabo is solid on the right side. He's about a nickel less talent than Winston. Atlanta broke the bank, RT-wise, to resign him.

Sam Baker is a lower-half LT in this league, however.

[bricks]

Originally Posted by Direckshun

Clabo is solid on the right side. He's about a nickel less talent than Winston. Atlanta broke the bank, RT-wise, to resign him.

Sam Baker is a lower-half LT in this league, however.

Thanks for your input.

I kinda feel good about the matchups.

Hali vs Baker....me think advantage Chiefs

Houston vs Clabo....don't know? Gonna have to wait & see on that one.

*I bet they double up on Hali though. At least it'll take away a TE option in the passing game.

[Direckshun]

This game will be the real test for our interior, starting with Toribio.

I doubt the Falcons (or anybody) can run on our ends. But I think you can still run up the gut on us. Toribio did get beat a couple times along the interior against the Cards, so we're going to need a big game from Belcher and DJ, make sure they are in the right assignments.

The Falcons have two big backs they love using. My guess is they will try to establish that. If we can't effectively snuff it out, and our offense can't move the ball, they will force us to overreact to it.

Then Julio and Roddy go to work, and it's game over.

On offense, I'd say try to strike early very quickly. Bowe and Baldwin out wide, and force the D to either overreact to them and work McCluster and Breaston in short-yardage, or go for broke.

If that doesn't pay immediate dividends, I put the weight of our offense on the OL's shoulders and run ball down their ****ing throat.

[Agent V]

If Tony tries dunking the crossbar, someone should stuff him.

[Hog's Gone Fishin]

Originally Posted by Direckshun

This game will be the real test for our interior, starting with Toribio.

I doubt the Falcons (or anybody) can run on our ends. But I think you can still run up the gut on us. Toribio did get beat a couple times along the interior against the Cards, so we're going to need a big game from Belcher and DJ, make sure they are in the right assignments.

The Falcons have two big backs they love using. My guess is they will try to establish that. If we can't effectively snuff it out, and our offense can't move the ball, they will force us to overreact to it.

Then Julio and Roddy go to work, and it's game over.

On offense, I'd say try to strike early very quickly. Bowe and Baldwin out wide, and force the D to either overreact to them and work McCluster and Breaston in short-yardage, or go for broke.

If that doesn't pay immediate dividends, I put the weight of our offense on the OL's shoulders and run ball down their ****ing throat.

Pretty much agree with this. We need to get up early and control the clock and force them to be one dimensional. Let the crowd take over and get some false start penalties. I'm just worried Routt will be targeted and the 50 yard penalties he will cost us.

[Bewbies]

I expect Atlanta's D to improve with Nolan in town. Their o-line, especially the interior, is not good. In fact, it's bad. The biggest complaints from fans down here is that, and the non-existence of any pass rush.

The strangest thing about them is that they love the 3 yards and a cloud of artificial dust. Even though they have such a sick group of WR's, and such broke dick RB's...I personally think Atlanta is the most boring team in football to watch. And lucky me, I get to watch em all the time.

[O.city]

Cassel is gonna have to make a play or two, but run the ball and rush the passer.


If you get after Ryan, he gets a little shaky.

[Direckshun]

Originally Posted by Bewbies

I expect Atlanta's D to improve with Nolan in town. Their o-line, especially the interior, is not good. In fact, it's bad. The biggest complaints from fans down here is that, and the non-existence of any pass rush.

The strangest thing about them is that they love the 3 yards and a cloud of artificial dust. Even though they have such a sick group of WR's, and such broke dick RB's...I personally think Atlanta is the most boring team in football to watch. And lucky me, I get to watch em all the time.

That's great news.

We already have the advantage in the run game at the tackles with Dorsey/Jackson.

We need to seal that middle, and Toribio may or may not be the man for that.

Good to hear ATL's interior is soft. Because they have the perfect backs for ball control.

[Direckshun]

Originally Posted by O.city

Cassel is gonna have to make a play or two, but run the ball and rush the passer.

If you get after Ryan, he gets a little shaky.

Ryan has torched the Ravens and the Lions so far this preseason.

Ryan's poised to take a huge jump forward.

[O.city]

Originally Posted by Direckshun

Ryan has torched the Ravens and the Lions so far this preseason.

Ryan's poised to take a huge jump forward.

Yeah, thats why we are gonna have to constantly stay after his ass.

[Deberg_1990]

Falcons 21 Chiefs 17