Thoughts on Falcons?

[nolafan33]

First the good:

- I know they gave up the run to win the game in OT, but I was impressed by the Falcons run D. If you look at the numbers you obviously won't see it, but I think they did enough for me to put this in the good category. The long run in OT was unfortunate and a breakdown, IMO. Of course though, the Falcons knew the Steelers would want to run the ball and loaded the LOS in the game.

- Special teams, the Falcons have been known for good special teams and today was no different. Koenen consistently put the Steelers in bad field position. He's good.

The bad:

- Matt Ryan continues to lock onto his recievers and it cost him late in the game. I just didn't see any improvement from Ryan today. He still had a number of off target throws and doesn't seem to have much velocity on his throws down field.

- The Falcons want to be a running football team but there was nothing today. It was against Pitt, but you saw this last year also. The OL has to be more physical and open up holes for Turner or this team isn't going anywhere.

- Pass defense didn't look improved. Dunta Robinson didn't play up to his contract, he gave up quite a few plays and that one where he turned around and allowed Ward to gain 8 or so more yards was embarassing. Though it was his first game as a Falcon so I won't judge too much. Grimes gave up a big play and Coleman wasn't great in coverage. Falcons have to go back to work here.

Anything else to add?

Edited September 12, 2010 by nolafan33

[bossFALCON™]

D-

i felt good about our defense. our run D did pretty good considering that pittsburgh came into the game wanting to run the ball and we stopped them for the most part. their oline averaged 333 lbs while our dline averaged 283 so as the game went on i knew they were going to get us blocked and break a decent sized run sooner or later, just didn't think it would be to win the game in OT.

it was hard to judge our secondary because of who we were playing. they looked better than last year IMO but it's hard to really say playing against pittsburgh. we didn't give up a lot of deep balls but then again neither team ran a lot of deep pass plays so, eh. i'll have a better feeling about where we're at after week 3/4.

O-

this game kind of proved what a couple of us have been saying for a few years now; our oline is really good against bad/average defenses but they struggle against good defenses. we got NO push in the run game through the first half and ryan was running for his life a lot of the game. hopefully they'll play a little bit better going forward.

i think ryan played a solid game overall considering he was in a hostile PIT enviornment (on opening day nonetheless), with no run game, questionable blocking and he was playing against a great D. i think we were trying to force the ball to TG for the 1,000th catch a whole lot early, but once we chilled out on that **** and started focusing on moving the ball we were ok.

we went to the well one to many times with the roddy play on the sideline. i was thinking we should have gone with a stop and go with a good pump fake at one point late in the game to see if we could make them bite and hit roddy deep. didn't try it though and that was kind of frustrating.

ST-

i hope bryant steps up this year and starts playing better. it seems like we miss one kick a game every single game. koenan had a rough game, but he's been one of the better punters in the NFL since like 04 so i'm not too worried about him.

overall its really disappointing to lose, but at the end of the day it was week 1 and there's a whole lot of season left.

[sean weatherspoon]

one thing in your good section that you over looked is Roddy white...how can he not be under the good category?

Dunta robinson isnt the answer...the signing was a reach and hines ward made him look like a fool today.

michael turner in his career has 1 100 yard rushing games against 3-4 defenses and that was on 31 carries. if you want to stop turner run the 3-4 defense, simple as that. i think we pick up a good versatile back in the draft next year, turner just isnt reliable.

[sean weatherspoon]

one thing in your good section that you over looked is Roddy white...how can he not be under the good category?

Dunta robinson isnt the answer...the signing was a reach and hines ward made him look like a fool today.

michael turner in his career has 1 100 yard rushing games against 3-4 defenses and that was on 31 carries. if you want to stop turner run the 3-4 defense, simple as that. i think we pick up a good versatile back in the draft next year, turner just isnt reliable.

[Tom Servo]

Things learned:

Roddy White is in midseason form already.

Our defense overall is much improved.

Matt Ryan needs to stop trying to make Tony Gonzalez happy.

Michael Turner needs to either wake up and stop tippy toeing around, or retire.

Matt Bryant is the answer at kicker. If he were, we'd have won the game 12-9.

I'm pretty irritable.

[nolafan33]

one thing in your good section that you over looked is Roddy white...how can he not be under the good category?

Dunta robinson isnt the answer...the signing was a reach and hines ward made him look like a fool today.

michael turner in his career has 1 100 yard rushing games against 3-4 defenses and that was on 31 carries. if you want to stop turner run the 3-4 defense, simple as that. i think we pick up a good versatile back in the draft next year, turner just isnt reliable.

Sorry your right, I just overlooked Roddy.

[bossFALCON™]

this new board sucks ***

[Laugher]

Thoughts?

Lets see maybe they shouldn't be licking their chops after the Saints performance.

[Tom Servo]

That play where Dunta Robinson was turned around... i swear, i called him chris houston due to seeing the number. it was a freudian slip.

[SaintRay]

That play where Dunta Robinson was turned around... i swear, i called him chris houston due to seeing the number. it was a freudian slip.

Today Robinson played exactly the way he did in Houston. But he even exceeded himself when he forgot to touch Hines Ward when he slipped to the ground. Robinson is going to play 1 game lights out and 2 you're gonna scratch your head. It's why the Texans didn't offer to re-up him.

[nolafan33]

Today Robinson played exactly the way he did in Houston. But he even exceeded himself when he forgot to touch Hines Ward when he slipped to the ground. Robinson is going to play 1 game lights out and 2 you're gonna scratch your head. It's why the Texans didn't offer to re-up him.

Yep, elite or shutdown corners just don't hit the market.

Robinson proved to just be exactly who we thought he was today. Should be interesting to watch him next week.

Edited September 13, 2010 by nolafan33

[saintsbandwagon]

Unless they play for the Bills

[sean weatherspoon]

good against bad/average defenses but they struggle against good defens

this has to be the dumbest assessment ive ever read on these boards? we run good on bad defenses. and run bad against good defenses? nah **** brah thats why one is a good defense and the other is a bad defense

[SaintK]

this has to be the dumbest assessment ive ever read on these boards? we run good on bad defenses. and run bad against good defenses? nah **** brah thats why one is a good defense and the other is a bad defense

im pretty sure he meant your OFFENSE SUCKS!

Why i think that you say? BECAUSE THEY ******* SUCK!!!!!!

[SaintRay]

I know it's early in the season and things can change, but I'd say the Falcons look much like last year's team right now. Concerns at QB, WR, O-line, D-line and CB. They will likely win 9 or 10 games, but no way they are going to make a deep run in the playoffs as everyone is predicting all offseason. Based on the 1st 8 games on your schedule, I can see you guys going 4-4.

Edited September 13, 2010 by SaintRay

[SaintK]

I know it's early in the season and things can change, but I'd say the Falcons look much like last year's team right now. Concerns at QB, WR, O-line, D-line and CB. They will likely win 9 or 10 games, but no way they are going to make a deep run in the playoffs as everyone is predicting all offseason. Based on the 1st 8 games on your schedule, I can see you guys going 4-4.

OUCH!!!

[nolafan33]

Next week is huge for the Falcons. If they don't win that game, well this board is never gonna run again.

[radio24]

I thought the falcons played horrible.

Obviously you can find slivers of hope here and there but the fact is, the falcons were pre-season favorites to win the division and challenge for the nfc championship.

Not that it can't happen but it won't happen with the team that played yesterday.

Pittsburg's D is good but teams like the pats, bengals, saints, and colts would spread that offense out and challenge the safeties all day.

Ryan sucks. Why isn't he calling the shots on the field(audibles and shifts)like other youngs qb's? i.e. Rogers, Shaub, Flacco, **** Freeman looked more in control of his offense yesterday than Ryan.

I never understood all the hype about Ryan other than his mechanics are good but for all the training, game film, leadership videos he watches, all that seems to matter little once the ball is snapped. Then he drops back and hopes the play develops as it was designed as opposed to reading the safeties for opportunites.

Also, the playcalling Blowed. Where was the screen?

Good luck next week against a good defensive Cardinals teams.

[Dirtybirdn@tion]

Good ---

Defense looked great

Bad----

The Falcons O-line

Ugly ----

The fact that you let a third string QB beat the Atlanta Falcons.....

Above AVG. teams wouldn't let that happen.

It's not the end of the world but, makes for a ****** opener....

If we are 1-2 by week 3 I'll be REALLY concerned.

That Pitt. Defense is nasty....

[REV.2000]

I know it's early in the season and things can change, but I'd say the Falcons look much like last year's team right now. Concerns at QB, WR, O-line, D-line and CB. They will likely win 9 or 10 games, but no way they are going to make a deep run in the playoffs as everyone is predicting all offseason. Based on the 1st 8 games on your schedule, I can see you guys going 4-4.

THEY CALL THIS:

"FOOT IN MOUTH DISEASE!"

[SaintK]

This seems laughable now!

These threads always come back to bite you in the azz... :ph34r:

HOW? the only thing he MAY b wrong about is you were able to run the ball the next two weeks then shut it down again against the 9ers.

Your pass D is still not good! Ryan still stares at his reciever!

[Fleur de Brees]

HOW? the only thing he MAY b wrong about is you were able to run the ball the next two weeks then shut it down again against the 9ers.

Your pass D is still not good! Ryan still stares at his reciever!

Yeah this is pretty much undeniable at this point, though I fully expect WFL to keep trying. Denial is his speciality

[nolafan33]

This seems laughable now!

These threads always come back to bite you in the azz...

How can it "bite you in the azz?" It's basically a review from ONE game. Doesn't have anything to do with the other three.

[st. diehard]

How can it "bite you in the azz?" It's basically a review from ONE game. Doesn't have anything to do with the other three.

Not to mention the call on Dunta. From what I've read, he hasn't exactly shined yet.

I didn't see the game. Is it true he was taken out at one point?

[HarmonWages]

I think the Falcons have been pretty good the last 2 years and seem to be improved this year. They look a little more solid in their play overall, better on defense, and have a little more experience at QB this year now that Ryan has 2 full seasons under his belt. I know little about their depth so, if they have a little depth on their roster to absorb injuries, or manage to stay really healthy, they should have a good year.

I do however think they will eventually have to find another weapon somewhere to get where they want to go. I think some of the better defenses will be able to handle their offense on most Sundays unless the Falcons play flawlessly. I think they could use a threat either opposite White or a 2nd TE that can stretch the field, or maybe some kind of game breaker or matchup problem coming out of the backfield. Turner looks to be hitting the line/hole extra slow this year.

Edited October 5, 2010 by HarmonWages