Falcons Team Report: Inside slant Sep. 9, 2008

[Wild Bill]

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Falcons report: Inside slant Sep. 9, 2008

The Sports Xchange

Inside slant · Strategy and personnel · Notes, quotes

Falcons running backs Michael Turner and Jerious Norwood rushed for a team-record 318 yards behind a revamped offensive line.

Turner, who spent four years in San Diego behind the great LaDainian Tomlinson, had a 22-carry, 220-yard performance in his first game with the Atlanta Falcons and scored two touchdowns.

Norwood, running with determination that he had not shown his previous two seasons, had 93 yards on 14 carries and a touchdown.

The backs were running behind a young and inexperienced line. Center Todd McClure, who was making his 97th consecutive, is the resident veteran and anchor.

Left tackle Sam Baker is a rookie. Left guard Justin Blalock is a second-year player. Right guard Harvey Dahl was making his first start and right tackle Tyson Clabo just his 21st.

Both Dahl and Clabo were undrafted free agents who'd made their way to the starting lineup with a nasty attitude and fierce competitive spirit.

In Turner and Norwood and this feisty line, the Falcons appear to have a run game that should help kick-start their rebuilding process and alleviate some pressure off of rookie quarterback Matt Ryan.

Falcons report: Notes, quotes Sep. 9, 2008

--Detroit appeared well on its way to getting up from the 21-0 haymaker the Falcons threw to open the game.

Instead of running out the clock with 1:32 left in the first half, the Falcons tried to run their two-minute offense, but two incomplete passes stopped the clock and gave Detroit enough time to cut the lead to 21-14 at halftime.

The Lions had the ball to open the second half and drove down to Atlanta's 38-yard line, when S Lawyer Milloy made an acrobatic interception of a pass intended for Detroit WR Roy Williams, who was open.

Instead of the score being tied 21-21 and a sense of doom engulfing the Georgia Dome, the Falcons got a field and added a Jerious Norwood touchdown to make it 31-14 with 5:57 left in the third quarter.

"In the locker room at halftime, we were just saying that defensively we were up first and that we had to do something to change the momentum," Milloy said. "It just so happened that I got the opportunity."

--LT Sam Baker, the Falcons' less heralded first-round pick from Southern California, had a solid showing as the line paved the way for a team-record 318 yards rushing.

"It was great, those other four guys were leading the way and I was just following those guys," Baker said.

However, Baker did get beat by Detroit DE Dewayne White for sack.

Falcons coach Mike Smith gave the line credit for the record rushing output.

"When you run the ball like that, you've got some guys up front that are blocking," Smith said. "I thought our offensive line blocked well. I thought our receivers were a part of that equation as well."

--Offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey earned the nickname "Inspector Gadget" in Pittsburgh for his penchant for calling effective gadget plays.

He's clearly going to have some fun with Jerious Norwood this year. On one play, Norwood was lined up a quarterback.

Another time, Norwood looked like he was supposed to pitch the ball back to QB Matt Ryan, but when he saw a defender he took off on a 17-yard run.

Falcons report: Strategy and personnel Sep. 9, 2008

PLAYER NOTES

--CBs Chris Houston and Brent Grimes both had rough days against Detroit WRs Calvin Johnson and Roy Williams. Johnson has his best day as pro, catching 7 passes for 107 yards, mostly over Houston. Williams had three catches for 47 yards and a beautiful catch over Grimes for a 21-yard touchdown pass. Recently acquired CB Domonique Foxworth will get quickly integrated into the defense.

--DE John Abraham had three sacks in the season opener. He limped off the field twice, but his ankle injury was not serious.

--DL Jamaal Anderson played three different line positions. He lined up a left end, and both defensive tackle spots.

--RB Jerious Norwood lined up at quarterback on one play. Another time, Norwood looked like he was supposed to pitch the ball back to QB Matt Ryan, but when he saw a defender he took off on a 17-yard run.

--LB Keith Brooking made his 113th consecutive start, moving him past long-time center Jeff Van Note into second place all-time in Falcons history. Bob Whitfield holds the record with 123 consecutive starts from 1992 to 2000.

REPORT CARD VS. LIONS

PASSING OFFENSE

B-plus -- The Falcons didn't ask QB Matt Ryan to carry the load, but when it came time to keep the Lions off balance, Ryan was special. Ryan showed his accuracy on the first pass of his NFL career, when he hit WR Michael Jenkins on that skinny post for a 62-yard touchdown pass. He made another big-time throw to Ben Hartsock, after eluding some rushers, drilling a pass between defenders for a 17-yard gain.

RUSHING OFFENSE

A-plus -- Thunder and Lightning. Michael Turner went for a team record 220 yards and Jerious Norwood, running as hard as we've seen, added 93 yards on 14 carries. They helped to combine for a team-record 318 yards rushing.

PASS DEFENSE

C-minus -- CBs Chris Houston and Brent Grimes battled Calvin Johnson and Roy Williams. Yeah, they received a lot of help from safeties Erik Coleman and Lawyer Milloy, but they didn't allow the Pro Bowl caliber receivers to single-handedly beat the team.

RUSH DEFENSE

A -- The Lions wanted to establish the run but couldn't after they fell behind 21-0 in the first quarter. With Big Grady Jackson leading the way, the Falcons held the Lions to 62 yards on 21 carries (for a paltry 3.0 per carry average).

SPECIAL TEAMS

A -- Adams Jennings did a good job returning punts and didn't make any unnecessary fair catches. Norwood almost busted a kickoff return.

COACHING

A -- Coach Mike Smith knows he doesn't have the most talented roster in the league, but he's demanded that they play hard, nasty and mean. The Falcons have bought into Smith's program and caught the Lions off guard when they bloodied their nose early and then stood up to a meek comeback effort.

[Josh Affonso]

good read, thanks!

[Tandy]

Really great assessment - I totally agree with the scores except special teams - I would give that a B+ (but that's my opinion) and I think we can improve there. Pass rushing needs lots of help, but I really like Grimes and Houston. Houston has to learn to play the ball - turn your head, Chris!

[nobkowski]

Thanks for posting Bill. My only difference of opinion with them, is that Detroit's comeback wasn't meek. They had come back from 21 down and were driving to tie it up. The int. by Milloy changed it up. That gave us a before and after the int.

before

after

[formul8or]

The only things I don't agree with are "Norwood running with a determination now" because I think he has always run like this and "Jennings didn't make any unnecessary fair catches" because he fair caught on like the 10.

[Trouble]

Very good read... thanks!

LB Keith Brooking made his 113th consecutive start, moving him past long-time center Jeff Van Note into second place all-time in Falcons history. Bob Whitfield holds the record with 123 consecutive starts from 1992 to 2000.

This deserves a extra thread all to itself and is a great stat. The rightful heir to the tuggle thrown has earned it.

[SetzerFalcon]

However, Baker did get beat by Detroit DE Dewayne White for sack.

That was Blalock.

Thanks for posting this Wild Bill. Nice to see something positive about us

[Emmitt]

That was Blalock.

Thanks for posting this Wild Bill. Nice to see something positive about us

definately was Blalock. Baker passed him off to Blalock so that he could get the outside blitzer. It was a timing issue. I will get cleaned up....

[falconfansince66]

That was Blalock.

Thanks for posting this Wild Bill. Nice to see something positive about us

I remember this play: it was a stunt by the RDT and RDE on Detroit's defense. The DE went inside ahead of the DT going outside. Baker picked up the DT but Blalock missed what should have been his assignment. I'm sure they'll work on this and it's good that it happened now so it could be addressed.

The right side of the line (Dahl, Weiner/Clabo) was an inpenetrable fortress! They were absolutely awesome!

[ebonymonk]

Thanks for the read.

[bigmildog]

Thanks that was a good read. I totally agree with the clock management at the end of the half. It was a great game to be a Falcons fan though!

[1989Fan]

I remember this play: it was a stunt by the RDT and RDE on Detroit's defense. The DE went inside ahead of the DT going outside. Baker picked up the DT but Blalock missed what should have been his assignment. I'm sure they'll work on this and it's good that it happened now so it could be addressed.

The right side of the line (Dahl, Weiner/Clabo) was an inpenetrable fortress! They were absolutely awesome!

for sure. Harvey Dahl is quickly becoming one of my favorite players. I hated for years how soft our OL was. I remember when we got killed up in Chicago and the players were punking Vick and the OL during the game and after. I was so p#ssed that they didnt do anything about it during that game, or in any game after.

Dahl is an animal, so is Clabo and their intensity is spreading throughout the whole OL. And Baker is just great. The dude even looks the part. Big ole lumberjack looking mofo....farmers tan and all, that is what an offensive lineman should look like.

[Knight of God]

LINK

Falcons report: Inside slant Sep. 9, 2008

The Sports Xchange

Inside slant · Strategy and personnel · Notes, quotes

Falcons running backs Michael Turner and Jerious Norwood rushed for a team-record 318 yards behind a revamped offensive line.

Turner, who spent four years in San Diego behind the great LaDainian Tomlinson, had a 22-carry, 220-yard performance in his first game with the Atlanta Falcons and scored two touchdowns.

Norwood, running with determination that he had not shown his previous two seasons, had 93 yards on 14 carries and a touchdown.

The backs were running behind a young and inexperienced line. Center Todd McClure, who was making his 97th consecutive, is the resident veteran and anchor.

Left tackle Sam Baker is a rookie. Left guard Justin Blalock is a second-year player. Right guard Harvey Dahl was making his first start and right tackle Tyson Clabo just his 21st.

Both Dahl and Clabo were undrafted free agents who'd made their way to the starting lineup with a nasty attitude and fierce competitive spirit.

In Turner and Norwood and this feisty line, the Falcons appear to have a run game that should help kick-start their rebuilding process and alleviate some pressure off of rookie quarterback Matt Ryan.

Falcons report: Notes, quotes Sep. 9, 2008

--Detroit appeared well on its way to getting up from the 21-0 haymaker the Falcons threw to open the game.

Instead of running out the clock with 1:32 left in the first half, the Falcons tried to run their two-minute offense, but two incomplete passes stopped the clock and gave Detroit enough time to cut the lead to 21-14 at halftime.

The Lions had the ball to open the second half and drove down to Atlanta's 38-yard line, when S Lawyer Milloy made an acrobatic interception of a pass intended for Detroit WR Roy Williams, who was open.

Instead of the score being tied 21-21 and a sense of doom engulfing the Georgia Dome, the Falcons got a field and added a Jerious Norwood touchdown to make it 31-14 with 5:57 left in the third quarter.

"In the locker room at halftime, we were just saying that defensively we were up first and that we had to do something to change the momentum," Milloy said. "It just so happened that I got the opportunity."

--LT Sam Baker, the Falcons' less heralded first-round pick from Southern California, had a solid showing as the line paved the way for a team-record 318 yards rushing.

"It was great, those other four guys were leading the way and I was just following those guys," Baker said.

However, Baker did get beat by Detroit DE Dewayne White for sack.

Falcons coach Mike Smith gave the line credit for the record rushing output.

"When you run the ball like that, you've got some guys up front that are blocking," Smith said. "I thought our offensive line blocked well. I thought our receivers were a part of that equation as well."

--Offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey earned the nickname "Inspector Gadget" in Pittsburgh for his penchant for calling effective gadget plays.

He's clearly going to have some fun with Jerious Norwood this year. On one play, Norwood was lined up a quarterback.

Another time, Norwood looked like he was supposed to pitch the ball back to QB Matt Ryan, but when he saw a defender he took off on a 17-yard run.

Falcons report: Strategy and personnel Sep. 9, 2008

PLAYER NOTES

--CBs Chris Houston and Brent Grimes both had rough days against Detroit WRs Calvin Johnson and Roy Williams. Johnson has his best day as pro, catching 7 passes for 107 yards, mostly over Houston. Williams had three catches for 47 yards and a beautiful catch over Grimes for a 21-yard touchdown pass. Recently acquired CB Domonique Foxworth will get quickly integrated into the defense.

--DE John Abraham had three sacks in the season opener. He limped off the field twice, but his ankle injury was not serious.

--DL Jamaal Anderson played three different line positions. He lined up a left end, and both defensive tackle spots.

--RB Jerious Norwood lined up at quarterback on one play. Another time, Norwood looked like he was supposed to pitch the ball back to QB Matt Ryan, but when he saw a defender he took off on a 17-yard run.

--LB Keith Brooking made his 113th consecutive start, moving him past long-time center Jeff Van Note into second place all-time in Falcons history. Bob Whitfield holds the record with 123 consecutive starts from 1992 to 2000.

REPORT CARD VS. LIONS

PASSING OFFENSE

B-plus -- The Falcons didn't ask QB Matt Ryan to carry the load, but when it came time to keep the Lions off balance, Ryan was special. Ryan showed his accuracy on the first pass of his NFL career, when he hit WR Michael Jenkins on that skinny post for a 62-yard touchdown pass. He made another big-time throw to Ben Hartsock, after eluding some rushers, drilling a pass between defenders for a 17-yard gain.

RUSHING OFFENSE

A-plus -- Thunder and Lightning. Michael Turner went for a team record 220 yards and Jerious Norwood, running as hard as we've seen, added 93 yards on 14 carries. They helped to combine for a team-record 318 yards rushing.

PASS DEFENSE

C-minus -- CBs Chris Houston and Brent Grimes battled Calvin Johnson and Roy Williams. Yeah, they received a lot of help from safeties Erik Coleman and Lawyer Milloy, but they didn't allow the Pro Bowl caliber receivers to single-handedly beat the team.

RUSH DEFENSE

A -- The Lions wanted to establish the run but couldn't after they fell behind 21-0 in the first quarter. With Big Grady Jackson leading the way, the Falcons held the Lions to 62 yards on 21 carries (for a paltry 3.0 per carry average).

SPECIAL TEAMS

A -- Adams Jennings did a good job returning punts and didn't make any unnecessary fair catches. Norwood almost busted a kickoff return.

COACHING

A -- Coach Mike Smith knows he doesn't have the most talented roster in the league, but he's demanded that they play hard, nasty and mean. The Falcons have bought into Smith's program and caught the Lions off guard when they bloodied their nose early and then stood up to a meek comeback effort.

This is a vry talented team...very underrated as well.

[FalconFanForLife]

NICE read and great post - thanks for the info.

Yeah Baker DID NOT get beat - they just got the blocking assignment a little mixed up. That will happen to any line.

The game was fantastic and will always be in my all time Falcon great games list. But I have to really disagree with running that 2 minute drill at the end of the half. When you have a 2 touchdown lead and 1:45 left in the half with the ball on your side of the field, you DON'T run the 2 minute drill trying to pass downfield. We could have lost the game right there. If they would have just run the ball 3 times, there would only have been almost no time (if any) on the clock.

The game would have been perfect IHMO except for that one area. Honestly I was going nuts when I say Ryan trying to hurry on second down.

I think it was one of the dumbest coaching decisions I have ever seen. But hey we won and that is all that counts.

[Theyhateme : )]

Well, this kinda sums up everything I've seen created on the boards. Good Read! I'm not so sure I agree with the C- in the pass rush area. Three sacks and an interception sounds like above average pass rush.

[Wild Bill]

definately was Blalock. Baker passed him off to Blalock so that he could get the outside blitzer. It was a timing issue. I will get cleaned up....

True! Good point.

[Stryka]

A. Jennings was terrible on punt returns AGAIN. He averaged 3 yds per return. H. Douglas could do that and we could pick up another RB who could play ST or return some punts.