FalconsWill Have A Killer Defense This Year

[Falconsfan567]

The Falcons will have a killer defense this year that will finally take a lot of pressure off of Matty Ice and the offense and let them just go out and play ball without worrying about trying to score on every possession. Why can I say this with full confidence?

Think back to the season opener last year against the Dolphins when we got to see a healthy Peria Jerry for a full game. Now remember that the Dolphins had a pretty good o-line last year. Jerry took up blockers and crushed the middle of the pocket leaving 1-on-1 blockers on the outside for Abraham and Biermann. They took full advantage racking up 2 sacks each and causing havoc for the Dolphins offense. We forced 4 turnovers in that game. We came within the final 5 minutes of having a shutout in that game.

Now fast forward to the final 4 games last year when Owens and Grimes were the starters at corner. We shutdown and the Saints, Jets, Bills and Bucs. And I don't want to hear a **** thing about rookie QBs and such. The Jets were in the AFC Championship game last year and we beat then on the own field. We totally shutdown their running game when everyone else couldn't.

The Falcons defense will be the backbone of a 13-3 season that allows the Falcons to win the NFC South this year!

[Carter]

If we stay reasonably healthy then I think we will have a surprisingly good season. We're carrying a lot of momentum from last season and this will be Matt Ryan's 3rd year, which is when most QBs starting putting it together... which is scary to think about with Ryan cuz he's got it together pretty well already.

The x factor for the season will be whether or not our key guys stay healthy. And it will be very important to find and maintain the right balance at positions like corner and defensive end.

Peria Jerry means more to our defense than people realize and Spoon should provide an immediate presence on defense. He could be the most instinctive player on defense for us.

[Falconsfan567]

That is very true. But even if we have an injury or 2 we should finally have enough depth this year to pick up the slack unlike the last 2 years.

[blkbigdog35]

Hey man I'm totally excited about our defense this year as well and your right if we can give our offense plenty of snaps then we should most definitely be in the SUPER BOWL.

[Falconsfan567]

My prediction is the Falcons go 13-3 and take the division and who knows what happens in the playoffs?

[Karst41]

Last year I despised our secondary.

This year TD and Co. have made great strides to turn this around.

Barring injuries, my prediction is that these guys will need some time to gel

and after the bye week, we could be treated to some shut down coverage.

Drafting Spoon was huge for our secondary.

[vafalconfan]

If we stay healthy I think we can surprise some people. I also think VanGorger's play calling will have a lot more to do with it. Last year it seemed like the last 4-5 games he called a more aggressive game and the players seemed to respond. Players have fun when their coach turns them loose. I hope we get back to that with a supposedly improved secondary.

[Carter]

Last year I despised our secondary.

This year TD and Co. have made great strides to turn this around.

Barring injuries, my prediction is that these guys will need some time to gel

and after the bye week, we could be treated to some shut down coverage.

Drafting Spoon was huge for our secondary.

Our problem in the secondary last year was that we couldn't find a good mix for our corners of who to play and where after Williams got hurt. I'm really not sure if they felt a sense of necessity to have Houston in a starting role or what, but once we started using Grimes and Owens more it really seemed to work better. Decoud came on strong and Coleman had his good and bad moments.

I think Dunta is a great addition. With Owens improving, I think we'll have a good set of corners there. Still not sure if Grimes or Jackson should be the go-to guy for nickel, though. Chevis showed so much promise in his rookie season, but he seemed to regress last year and he never really put anything together on the field. Grimes on the other hand has the heart of a lion and he really really lays everything he has to offer out there on the field. He just doesn't have the size to consistently match up in those nickel situations like Chevis does... but that won't matter if Chevis continues to blow his assignments like he did last season.

I agree that adding Spoon is a big thing, not just for our secondary, but our defense in general. He is a very versatile player and I really believe he'll be an impact player for us. And on the Mizzou note, I'm interested to see if Moore comes on the field ready to play... he also could be a real impact player for us if he plays up to his ability. It's gonna be tough to crack in between Decoud and Coleman, but I think Moore will eventually take Coleman's place anyways. Will be interesting to see.

[trubirdfan4life]

if our schedule plays out the way it looks on paper right now...we could very well have a 13 win season....I am saying 12 wins but 13 will do just nicely!

[Falconsfan567]

if our schedule plays out the way it looks on paper right now...we could very well have a 13 win season....I am saying 12 wins but 13 will do just nicely!

Yep. There is only 1 game I am positive about that we will lose and it's the road game against the Saints. They were so tough last year at home and that's not going to change this year. I can't pick the other 2 games I think the Falcons will lose but I see no reason 13-3 can't be done this year.

[Herr Doktor]

I think our D will be much improved. I also like the fact that we seem to be strong in the defensive back field for a change. Much deeper, so even if we are hit with the injury bug, we have enough bodies to get things done. I still say we need another DT. But I am in the minority on that. I would also like to see one more LBer. Someone who can play a few positions and a vet.

But, I think we have to be better.

[Falcons 'til Death]

Last year we finished 10th against the run and 28th against the pass. I'd say we cut those numbers in half: from 10th to 5th, and from 28th to 14th. That should give us a middle of the road defense that should be good enough to get us deep into the play-offs.

I think our offense can score on anyone and if our defense can post those type of numbers and especially improve the 3rd down numbers, we should be golden.

[Carter]

We'll be stout against the run this year. I think Jamaal moving into the rotation at tackle will be a lot better for our defense than leaving him to play at end. He's a real big guy and he plays the run very very well. He may even find a little more success in the pass rush department because the o-line typically has its smaller guys on the interior, particularly at center.

Hopefully Peria stays healthy for us. He's gonna be the difference maker for our pass rush, allowing our ends to get more pressure when we only rush 4.

[Falconsfan567]

For years we had to deal with sorry secondary play and getting picked apart by Quarterbacks. But I think we finally have the makes of a stud secondary. Robinson, Owens, Moore and Decoud with Williams as the Nickelback. Sounds like greatness to me!

[REV.2000]

For years we had to deal with sorry secondary play and getting picked apart by Quarterbacks. But I think we finally have the makes of a stud secondary. Robinson, Owens, Moore and Decoud with Williams as the Nickelback. Sounds like greatness to me!

WE'RE GETTING A LOT MORE PRESSURE UP FRONT, WHICH ALWAYS HELPS A SECONDARY. PUT ENOUGH PRESSURE ON Mr. BREES, AND WATCH THE DOMINO'S FALL.

[innovativefx]

I'd say we are on pace to have a good D this year... but have potential to improve a lot with all this young talent.

[blkbigdog35]

I'd say our defense looks promising but VG is going to have to get a little bit more creative on playcalling before we can be that killer defense. However we do have the talent to be a Top 10 defense.

[Falconsfan567]

I'd say our defense looks promising but VG is going to have to get a little bit more creative on playcalling before we can be that killer defense. However we do have the talent to be a Top 10 defense.

I really like the much more aggressive style we've shown so far!

[blkbigdog35]

I really like the much more aggressive style we've shown so far!

I like it but we have showed the cover 2 look quite a bit as well. With our game with the AINT's though we have to be very smart and disciplined.

[nuccah]

I like it but we have showed the cover 2 look quite a bit as well. With our game with the AINT's though we have to be very smart and disciplined.

I think it was in the gameplan, don't expect much blitzing this week outside of the occasional extra man. We've played two QBs that could be prone to making mistakes and inaccurate throws so we blitzed them as much as we could.

[Carter]

Really liking Biermann starting at DE. He's been getting consistent pressure and even notched a big sack when we needed it against Pittsburgh. Still looking for Abe to be more of a factor, though he has notched a sack.

Looks like Weatherspoon is the real deal... he and Lofton have been laying some lumber, leading on tackles by a good margin. Moore is also looking stout in the secondary. I think we've got ourselves some good young guys to grow into great defenders.

Overall much happier with our d-line performance... I think it has really helped our secondary in coverage as well. There haven't been too many plays that the QB just had time to stand there and make his reads.

This game against the Saints will be a big test to that end though... Brees can pick apart a defense, so we'll have to be on point from start to finish.

[blkbigdog35]

I think it was in the gameplan, don't expect much blitzing this week outside of the occasional extra man. We've played two QBs that could be prone to making mistakes and inaccurate throws so we blitzed them as much as we could.

I totally agree with you. I just like being more aggressive because the guys seem to be more able to make big plays on defense but I know we could give up big plays as well.