The Falcons Defense is Set Up for Long Term Success

[Peyton]

This would have sounded like an incredibly foolish comment to make last year, but it is apparent now: The defense is set up for long term success and the great majority of the question marks left on this team for the future are on offense.

I mean look at the defense

SS - Moore - The guy is finally healthy and looks like a guy that is going to be there a long time.

FS - DeCoud - The guy has a few detractors but he is a quality young player that is holding his own and still getting better

CB - Robinson & Grimes - one big physical corner and one great cover corner that compliment each other well. Both look locked in for a long time.

Even at the nickel the Falcons appear set for years with Chris Owens.

At defensive tackle, the Falcons have one of the best in the league in the prime of his career and 2 very promising young players, as well as the converted JA, who is playing very well in his new role. And Vance Walker isn't a slouch either.

At LB, Weatherspoon is already a stud and Lofton will be the heart of the defense for the next decade.

At DE, Bierman looks like a guy that will hold down one spot for years and Abe still has a motor.

Really, when I look at this defense, I see it as set at 9 out of 11 positions for years to come, and that is absolutely incredible. The only two question marks on this defense for the future are:

Where is our next stud pass rushing DE going to come from to replace Abe?

Is Stephen Nicholas the answer to replace Mike Peterson, as he will certainly need to be replaced after this year.

That is an incredibly short list of questions.

On offense, there are a lot more question marks.

Just on the line alone, almost every singe position is a question.

Will the Falcons be able to or want to resign Dahl and/or Clabo?

Is Baker going to hold up at LT?

How much longer does McClure have left and is Hawley going to be the answer?

Then you go around to the skill positions and you get a lot more questions:

How much longer is Tony G going to play?

How much more mileage does Turner have with his bruising style?

Will the Falcons ever find a number 2 WR to appropriately copliment Roddy White?

So.....kind of interesting. I think at the end of 2008, us fans thought the offense was going to carry this team for the forseeable future.

To me, just the opposite appears to be true.

And you know what, I bet that is the way that TD and Mike Smith likes it.

[vel]

I think because of those points this coming draft will be offense heavy. OL WR change of pace RB will be addressed early

But that is a great thing that we are at least fully set on one side of the ball for this offseason to allow us to focus on getting that offense even more explosive. I just want linemen that can block a 3-4 defense

Edited October 15, 2010 by vel

[JD dirtybird21]

The defense does look pretty solid, but there is always room for improvement. Mike Smith and Dimitroff won't stop until we have a top 5 defense that is compared to Pittsburgh. But as far as our current roster, I agree that most of the defenders are locked in more than the offensive players.

[madman88]

This would have sounded like an incredibly foolish comment to make last year, but it is apparent now: The defense is set up for long term success and the great majority of the question marks left on this team for the future are on offense.

I mean look at the defense

SS - Moore - The guy is finally healthy and looks like a guy that is going to be there a long time.

FS - DeCoud - The guy has a few detractors but he is a quality young player that is holding his own and still getting better

CB - Robinson & Grimes - one big physical corner and one great cover corner that compliment each other well. Both look locked in for a long time.

Even at the nickel the Falcons appear set for years with Chris Owens.

At defensive tackle, the Falcons have one of the best in the league in the prime of his career and 2 very promising young players, as well as the converted JA, who is playing very well in his new role. And Vance Walker isn't a slouch either.

At LB, Weatherspoon is already a stud and Lofton will be the heart of the defense for the next decade.

At DE, Bierman looks like a guy that will hold down one spot for years and Abe still has a motor.

Really, when I look at this defense, I see it as set at 9 out of 11 positions for years to come, and that is absolutely incredible. The only two question marks on this defense for the future are:

Where is our next stud pass rushing DE going to come from to replace Abe?

Is Stephen Nicholas the answer to replace Mike Peterson, as he will certainly need to be replaced after this year.

That is an incredibly short list of questions.

On offense, there are a lot more question marks.

Just on the line alone, almost every singe position is a question.

Will the Falcons be able to or want to resign Dahl and/or Clabo?

Is Baker going to hold up at LT?

How much longer does McClure have left and is Hawley going to be the answer?

Then you go around to the skill positions and you get a lot more questions:

How much longer is Tony G going to play?

How much more mileage does Turner have with his bruising style?

Will the Falcons ever find a number 2 WR to appropriately copliment Roddy White?

So.....kind of interesting. I think at the end of 2008, us fans thought the offense was going to carry this team for the forseeable future.

To me, just the opposite appears to be true.

And you know what, I bet that is the way that TD and Mike Smith likes it.

all good points. but also dont forget blalock, his contract ends this year as well, plus nicholas ends this year to, i reall am trying to figure out wat they are going to do with that OLB spot.... #2WR as well.... we actually will hae a luxury of picking in the first round next year unlike any before...

[raysnill1]

to make an argument for Nicholas, I rarely see him out of position & he's a sure tackler. I wouldn't be mad if it was him playing along with Lofton & Spoon. I haven't seen much of Sid this season but we really need another high motor pass rushing DE & we'll be good for years to come.

[Peyton]

to make an argument for Nicholas, I rarely see him out of position & he's a sure tackler. I wouldn't be mad if it was him playing along with Lofton & Spoon. I haven't seen much of Sid this season but we really need another high motor pass rushing DE & we'll be good for years to come.

I think Nicholas has played great and I think he is a better option right now than Peterson. I just don't know why the coaches don't feel that way.

[paulitik]

Yeah, you are absolutely right. We are loaded in the secondary and DL. I could see us possibly drafting another OLB and DE, but after that barring injuries (knock on wood) we are set.

I don't think Mularkey will be around in the next couple years. I know as long is Smitty is our coach we will always focus on having a power run game, but I see Musgrave taking over as the heir apparent and evolving our passing game. I can see us having more of a WCO style offense. I think our next few drafts will reflect that. I wouldn't be suprised to see our OL revamped, a new change of pace RB and a few more recievers (including a TE, of course) come through the draft the next year or 2.

[Tim Mazetti]

Will the Falcons ever find a number 2 WR to appropriately copliment Roddy White?

Jenkins has >50 catches the past three years. Fixed, or no?

Nice thread, though. This team has unheard-of depth for a Falcons team.

Edited October 15, 2010 by Tim Mazetti

[raysnill1]

I don't think Mularkey will be around in the next couple years. I know as long is Smitty is our coach we will always focus on having a power run game, but I see Musgrave taking over as the heir apparent and evolving our passing game. I can see us having more of a WCO style offense. I think our next few drafts will reflect that. I wouldn't be suprised to see our OL revamped, a new change of pace RB and a few more receivers (including a TE, of course) come through the draft the next year or 2.

just think what could have been if Norwood wasn't so fragile & Kerry Meier wouldn't have got hurt. I think Meier is gonna develop into that other reliable sure handed receiver Ryan needs after TG retires, & I like that Palmer kid. we got the talent to literally monkey stomp teams but we just don't have that killer instinct yet. maybe Musgrave has it

[Tim Mazetti]

Jenkins is no threat though, that's what we're lacking, but now with Harry back in the slot, that may be exactly what we were lacking.

You mean no deep threat, I think. Agreed, but I hope you are correct about HD83 on the field with the Two WR.

[Peyton]

Will the Falcons ever find a number 2 WR to appropriately copliment Roddy White?

Jenkins has >50 catches the past three years. Fixed, or no?

Nice thread, though. This team has unheard-of depth for a Falcons team.

With all the attention defenses give Tony and Roddy, I jut think the Jenkins should have been a lot more productive last year.

I mean it's well documented that Jenkins career high receiving yardage for a single game is 83 yards, and that is after 6 years and 5 years as a starter. No WR in the history of the league has ever had so many starts with one team without having a 100 yard game. And dude hasn't even come particularly close.

I'd just like the Falcons to have a WR that can make a team pay for putting a safety over Gonzo and a safety over Roddy.

[Tim Mazetti]

With all the attention defenses give Tony and Roddy, I jut think the Jenkins should have been a lot more productive last year.

I mean it's well documented that Jenkins career high receiving yardage for a single game is 83 yards, and that is after 6 years and 5 years as a starter. No WR in the history of the league has ever had so many starts with one team without having a 100 yard game. And dude hasn't even come particularly close.

I'd just like the Falcons to have a WR that can make a team pay for putting a safety over Gonzo and a safety over Roddy.

I and ABFalcon02 hope HD83 is this player. But is Jenks getting the looks or is he playing some kind of a role that limits his looks/throws/catches? I do not know this. What say you?

[Peyton]

I and ABFalcon02 hope HD83 is this player. But is Jenks getting the looks or is he playing some kind of a role that limits his looks/throws/catches? I do not know this. What say you?

Yes, I think his playing a role that limits his looks/throws/catches. It's the "Not Open" role.

I think the guy just doesn't have the agility necessary to be a productive WR, and he doesn't make up for it by being the kind of guy that can win a lot of jump balls, although he should be able to, seeing as how he is 6'4.

[Tim Mazetti]

Yes, I think his playing a role that limits his looks/throws/catches. It's the "Not Open" role.

Haven't noticed that.

[maxatlanta]

Jenkins gets open, he's just had some really big drops. If he can get that fixed we're good to go.

Also, Grimes isn't locked up. He will be a UFA either after this season or next. Funny how Dunta seems like a big bruising CB now that we've gotten to watch him play 5 games for our team. Really, he's 5'10, 182!

Agree about the defense. Not as worried about the offense because I don't really feel that our Oline is really that great. Don't get me wrong, they're a good unit, but Ryan and Turner both have helped them out. With those two, Roddy, & HD, we should have a great nucleus for years to come. TE & C is the biggest future concerns IMO, because it won't suprise me if we actually upgrade the rest of the OL as we replace them.

[Peyton]

Jenkins gets open, he's just had some really big drops. If he can get that fixed we're good to go.

Also, Grimes isn't locked up. He will be a UFA either after this season or next. Funny how Dunta seems like a big bruising CB now that we've gotten to watch him play 5 games for our team. Really, he's 5'10, 182!

Agree about the defense. Not as worried about the offense because I don't really feel that our Oline is really that great. Don't get me wrong, they're a good unit, but Ryan and Turner both have helped them out. With those two, Roddy, & HD, we should have a great nucleus for years to come. TE & C is the biggest future concerns IMO, because it won't suprise me if we actually upgrade the rest of the OL as we replace them.

Grimes will only be an UFA if there is a new agreement that stipulates 4 years as the term for unrestricted free agency. I hope the Falcons are looking to lock him up right now. Since he's not a big name, and he's only been a starter for a half season really, I think the Falcons could lock him up for 3 or 4 mil a year with a big bonus.

They should go ahead and do it, man it would be some money extremely well spent.

[falconidae]

Really nice thing is this D is also built to win now.

[LADBABY]

Trey Lewis and Lawrence Sidbury have been inactive

most games and those two can play in this league.

So we aren't even using two of our better young players

for whatever reason. They will most likely get worked

in and see some more action this year and we will know

more about what they can do in the future.

Edited October 15, 2010 by LADBABY

[YoungHeezy]

With all the attention defenses give Tony and Roddy, I jut think the Jenkins should have been a lot more productive last year.

I mean it's well documented that Jenkins career high receiving yardage for a single game is 83 yards, and that is after 6 years and 5 years as a starter. No WR in the history of the league has ever had so many starts with one team without having a 100 yard game. And dude hasn't even come particularly close.

I'd just like the Falcons to have a WR that can make a team pay for putting a safety over Gonzo and a safety over Roddy.

He had it in that second New Orleans game last year but dropped it away..that plus the second bomb he did catch would have put him over 100

[bighurt]

Jenkins gets his first 100 yard game this season maybe against the Eagirls

[Peyton]

Jenkins gets his first 100 yard game this season maybe against the Eagirls

I like your optimisim.