ATL vs PIT Observations

[Kung-Pow]

I know a lot of the knee-jerk reacting, negative nancies are less optimistic, but from my preseason observations, the Falcons are about to have a GREAT year. The first team defense is playing with energy and at a high level; and it looks like Matt Ryan has been handed control of the offense. We are shifting from riding Michael Turner's back to riding Ryan's arm. I'm really looking forward to getting this thing started for real.

Now, my observations from the game:

-- Falcons have got to get off to faster starts in the beginning of games against the better opponents. This team is still missing that swagger that the elite teams in the League have. PIT came out ready to play and breathing fire. But PIT is a veteran-laden team stocked with players that have successful playoff experience on their resumes. That will come with time for the Falcons.

-- I saw a well-coached team that really grew up and took some giant leaps in their maturation process during this game. You have to admire the way the Birds responded and fought back after getting hit in the mouth. All week, you heard/read quotes about how the Falcons knew what a physical fight they would be in for against PIT, but still didn't appear ready. We saw instances last season where when the Falcons were hit early, they folded (PIT, PHI, GB). It was good to see them get off the mat and hit back. It's imperative they take these lessons into the season, and I think they will. This game will serve them well.

-- On PIT's first drive, it was disappointing to see the defense surrender large gains on the same play TWICE! Misdirection plays are still the way to attack our defense, which can be overly aggressive. But that's youth.

-- John Abraham and Johnathan Babineaux continue to have fantastic preseasons. They have wreaked havoc in opposing backfields in every game thus far.

-- It was tough to expect much from Ray Edwards in his first live action this year. He's been held out of many of the practices and drills during TC, so it's only natural and should be expected that there's some rust to knock off. He was held plenty.

-- Atlanta Braves head coach Fredi Gonzalez often says that you believe what's on the back of the baseball card. What's on the back of Michael Turner's card is 1300 yards and double-digit TDs every year (as a full-time starter); Roddy White has 1100 yards and 85 receptions; John Abraham has double-digit sacks; Ray Edwards gets 8.5. They're production should not be questioned. There should be NO doubts over Turner.

-- Matt Ryan got caught up staring at the rush and not downfield. It caused many of his throws to be quite erratic, and nothing's worse than a QB with happy feet. But PIT's done that to the best of them. No shame in it.

-- TE Michael Palmer needs to understand situations better. When he's leaking out after chipping a blitzer, he's got to get his turned and expect the football. Low awareness.

-- Can we please end this silly debate about Matt Ryan's arm strength now?? You'd be hard-pressed to find a more beautifully thrown deep ball than the one he threw to Julio Jones in the endzone. That ball traveled 63 yards in the air.

-- Ryan runs the no-huddle so well. I would go to it after every three-and-out.

-- After a rough outing against JAX, I was anxious to see how the line would hold against PIT. They did okay. No individual lineman got beat for a sack, but PIT often had free rushers on their blitzes. LT Sam Baker tried to run his man wide on the INT by Matt (Palmer), but No. 99 still got around him and forced the hurried pass from Ryan. Great hustle from HD to run down Lawrence Timmons and not give him a free seven. Again I say, the Falcons are a well-coached group.

-- The defense showed some real backbone after that first series. On consecutive series, they had a three-and-out where PIT only went backwards to an eventual fourth-and-34, and they held stout on a goal line stand that started at the ATL 4. They will keep the Falcons in a lot of games in which the offense sputters that they couldn't/didn't last year.

-- The offense needs to catch up to the defense. The defense appears a step or two ahead at the moment.

-- Matt Ryan is no statue in the pocket. He ran away nicely from a blitzing PIT corner on a naked bootleg. Had two carries for 24 yards.

-- Eight catches and 101 yards for White; five catches for 59 yards for Jones (ohh, if only he makes that grab!) -- in one half of play. Julio may have dropped the pass, but it's not easy to get behind two defenders. A very good sign.

-- Matt Ryan started the game 4-10 for 36 yards; finished 18-32 for 184 yards. Very nice comeback.

-- No surprise that 15 years later, Tony G. no longer has the athleticism that he once possessed -- even what he had two years ago was magnificent. But if he can still win the one-on-one matchups in open space on third downs and in the endzone, he'll still provide a valuable asset to the offense.

-- Chris Owens and Dominique Franks played very well. I'll give Owens the edge in this game if only because he didn't allow a receiver to get behind him the way Franks did on the long TD. But that maybe doesn't happen if Edwards doesn't do a complete face-plant on the edge and allow Ben to roll to his vacated spot and throw that long bomb.

-- In fact, the secondary as whole was really good and the defense worked well as a unit to stifle PIT's offense much of the time they were in there. It's just that as Smitty said in the presser, gotta eliminate the penchant for allowing explosive plays. That they both came on third-and-long situations is what's really frustrating about it.

-- If Brent Grimes is one half-inch taller, he's got two INTs and three PDs. In such a short amount of time, we've become accustomed to seeing the spectacular from Grimes that we're shocked when he doesn't. It seems that he's being targeted less and less as his reputation for play-making grows. For all my Basketball Wives fans, WR Mike Wallace was a "non-mutha f@*$in facta, b!^%h!"

-- Also, the secondary is still having breakdowns in coverage/communication. If not for pressure from a heavy blitz, Big Ben nearly connected with an insanely free-running Hines Ward for a long TD -- also on third down.

-- Harry Douglas is ready to go! Another poster mentioned that he's essentially relegated Tony Gonzalez to a fourth option... wow! Tony usually gets that push-off call on the PI when he got caught with the arm extended in the endzone.

-- Chris Redman looked old. Thomas Dimitroff made comments about the new third QB rule that inclines me to think that the Falcons really wanna go with JPW as the backup.

-- Jaquizz Rodgers nearly de-cleated Pro Bowl LB James Farrior on a key 3rd-and-6 that allowed Matt Ryan time to complete a 13-yard pass to HD. The coaches have mentioned that it would be important for Rodgers to pick up the protection schemes to see the field; nice to see him progressing in that. Also, many wondered how the diminutive back would fare in blocking these huge rushers. That's great to see.

-- Once the offense got rolling, they made it look easy. Just couldn't put the exclamation point on the end.

-- It seemed the protection really picked up when RG Mike Johnson was subbed for Garrett Reynolds. I said in Week 1 that Reynolds left the door open for Johnson, who may be taking advantage. They were rotated in and out with the first unit and both had good series.

-- The Falcons will be in good hands with whomever wins the NB competition between Franks and Owens. Both are athletic and physical guys with all the tools you need to succeed as a corner.

-- All units got in some really good work against the Steelers. Matt Ryan and the offense threw 42 times and the defense played into the third quarter. Those are good reps. Evaluate the good and the bad and the just okay, but throw the final score out the window.

-- DeCoud and Moore were really good again in providing run support. But DeCoud got himself in a bad position on the 76-yarder to Brown. I think he was just as surprised as the rest of us that Brent didn't at least get a hand on the football.

-- Maybe if it's not preseason, Ryan sacrifices himself for the TD on that long scramble to the PIT 2 yard line. We all remember the Minny helicopter, right?

-- Jacquizz Rodgers is always going forward. He is so impressive running the football.

-- Who's the better punt returner, Weems or Franks? Weems lacks the breakaway speed that Franks has, but still has great vision and acceleration. Tough choice.

-- The drop off in execution from the first team to the reserves is a bit disconcerting. Shann Schillinger does not provide comfort should he ever be thrust into a prominent role. But fortunately, these guys won't see the field all at the same time. They are a bunch of young, developmental guys that will get better as they get more time in the system.

That is all!

[The Don™]

Defense still needs to get it together on a few things...

1. Get off the field on 3rd and longs

2. DeCoud needs to step it up this year

3. The nickel spot needs to be solid for us to improve in pass defense

4. Wrap up the QB when you have the chance

5. Pressure

6. Hope the blitz gets there on a consistent basis when you call it

[Kung-Pow]

Defense still needs to get it together on a few things...

1. Get off the field on 3rd and longs

2. DeCoud needs to step it up this year

3. The nickel spot needs to be solid for us to improve in pass defense

4. Wrap up the QB when you have the chance

5. Pressure

6. Hope the blitz gets there on a consistent basis when you call it

1. Aside from two fluke plays for TDs, they did.

2. Won't criticize a player for one mistake (although costly).

3. Franks and Owens really have been solid when running nickel with the first team all offseason, but yeah, you're right.

4. Didn't see any missed sacks or failure to wrap up tonight. Vance Walker isn't the first and def won't be the last to have a whistle blown before Big Ben actually gets taken to the ground.

5. There was plenty of pressure all night.

6. What's considered consistency?

[Atlfanstckndenver]

I always enjoy reading your analysis and this one none the less but, I while not as negative about the game as most others on the board, think there was a little bit more room for improvement than mentioned.

[Pacific_Falcon]

I fail to see how you are comfortable with owens and franks. Nobody is arguing their athletic ability, but Owens has consistently shown he's not up to the task. Hes basically a big walking brain fart out there, and Franks hasnt shown much better.

Agree on schallinger, good lord that guy brings NOTHING to the table. Slow instincts. Awful tackler. He would be lucky to make the practice squad with most teams.

Good point about Johnson/Reynolds, hadnt noticed that.

I like that MM is taking downfield shots, I was skeptical that much would change but he drew up some big plays and two of them (HD and JJ) would have been explosive plays for TDs had we executed them.

[DonDaLuvMaker]

Does anyone know how Darren Walls played? I thought that he was going to see some time at starting NB but I don't remember seeing him but on some special team plays.

[vel]

1. Aside from two fluke plays for TDs, they did.

2. Won't criticize a player for one mistake (although costly).

3. Franks and Owens really have been solid when running nickel with the first team all offseason, but yeah, you're right.

4. Didn't see any missed sacks or failure to wrap up tonight. Vance Walker isn't the first and def won't be the last to have a whistle blown before Big Ben actually gets taken to the ground.

5. There was plenty of pressure all night.

6. What's considered consistency?

Great write up. O and don't go talking about Owens looking solid, Green Bay just beat us 3 weeks ago and the other two teams we played between then and last night only had marginal receivers. Haha

But the blitz looked good and like you said, that bomb wouldn't have happened with Edwards playing the first two games to get his feet wet. He just blew it on that play. But seeing us take Big Ben down was refreshing. The blitzes got good pressure and the goal line stand was impressive.

[vel]

I fail to see how you are comfortable with owens and franks. Nobody is arguing their athletic ability, but Owens has consistently shown he's not up to the task. Hes basically a big walking brain fart out there, and Franks hasnt shown much better.

What has Owens shown you since his last brain fart against Miami? He has consistently shown you he IS up to the task. When with the first team defense, he has been good. His TD came with the second unit and he hasn't had any plays that stand out since then. You can't name me a play. I'll wait for whatever play you can make up

[Kung-Pow]

I always enjoy reading your analysis and this one none the less but, I while not as negative about the game as most others on the board, think there was a little bit more room for improvement than mentioned.

C'mon, it's a discussion... what do you think I left out?

[Pacific_Falcon]

What has Owens shown you since his last brain fart against Miami? He has consistently shown you he IS up to the task. When with the first team defense, he has been good. His TD came with the second unit and he hasn't had any plays that stand out since then. You can't name me a play. I'll wait for whatever play you can make up

I dont have to name you a play. Because we werent cursing him in two preseason games we're supposed to ignore his history of gaffes? He has a trend of being bad. Forgive me if I dont ignore that in favor of him not being a walking calamity for two preseason games where he saw limited action.

Im not concerned about him because of one play against the goldfish, its that he has a history of being a dope and the trend still seems to be there. I hope he somehow becomes a consistent player, but I'm not optimistic about that. I hope I'm wrong because I thought he was a good draft pick at the time.

[vel]

I dont have to name you a play. Because we werent cursing him in two preseason games we're supposed to ignore his history of gaffes? He has a trend of being bad. Forgive me if I dont ignore that in favor of him not being a walking calamity for two preseason games where he saw limited action.

Im not concerned about him because of one play against the goldfish, its that he has a history of being a dope and the trend still seems to be there. I hope he somehow becomes a consistent player, but I'm not optimistic about that. I hope I'm wrong because I thought he was a good draft pick at the time.

Because you don't have a play! Period! You CAN'T name me a play.

Yes it is preseason and his performance doesn't have the power to erase the GB game, but the fact that he has been very solid in preseason is an indication of him moving on and progressing. I bet if he was getting burnt left and right, you would definitely use it as confirmation that he sucks and needs to be cut so don't use that excuse.

[PokerSteve]

You are talking about the Falcons vs. Steelers game? Somehow as I read your glowing comments, it's hard to reconcile this effusive praise with the facts on the ground.

1. After getting trounced in all phases of the game by the Jaguars, the Falcons got trounced in all phases of the game by the Steelers.

2. The Falcons exhibited the same fatal flaws in this game as they have for the past three years ~ They can't stop the other team from getting however many yards they need to get a first down on third-and-long. Even worse, now they're not just giving up first downs on third and long, they're giving up TD's. LOL. Nice "improvement" there, guys.

3. The Falcons pass rush is just. not. there. Sometimes they get there, but when they do they often miss the sack and still give up the complete pass.

4. Special teams are weak sauce. The kicker can't kick the ball into the end zone, much less deep to stop these speed-burning return guys.

5. Safeties and cornerbacks are still getting beaten like rented mules, and not just on routine 10-yard plays, but on medium and long TD passes. Until this defense gets it together on the line and secondary, they're not going to reach the "elite" status we all are so hungry to see.

6. The play-calling absolutely sucks. And I'm not basing that on the vanilla plays of this pre-season, I'm talking about every game I've watched since MM has been calling the plays. Absolutely no reason he's still there.

This team is not as good as their W-L record indicated last year; that was brutally obvious in the play-off drubbing by Green Bay and it's still readily apparent in these last two pre-season games.

[Kung-Pow]

Does anyone know how Darren Walls played? I thought that he was going to see some time at starting NB but I don't remember seeing him but on some special team plays.

Walls saw action in the fourth quarter on the outside and wasn't tested in coverage much. However, he was close to a receiver on a third-down throwaway to his side. He also seemed to have really good coverage off the line on his receiver on a play that amounted to a scramble by Dennis Dixon.

[Kung-Pow]

You are talking about the Falcons vs. Steelers game? Somehow as I read your glowing comments, it's hard to reconcile this effusive praise with the facts on the ground.

1. After getting trounced in all phases of the game by the Jaguars, the Falcons got trounced in all phases of the game by the Steelers.

2. The Falcons exhibited the same fatal flaws in this game as they have for the past three years ~ They can't stop the other team from getting however many yards they need to get a first down on third-and-long. Even worse, now they're not just giving up first downs on third and long, they're giving up TD's. LOL. Nice "improvement" there, guys.

3. The Falcons pass rush is just. not. there. Sometimes they get there, but when they do they often miss the sack and still give up the complete pass.

4. Special teams are weak sauce. The kicker can't kick the ball into the end zone, much less deep to stop these speed-burning return guys.

5. Safeties and cornerbacks are still getting beaten like rented mules, and not just on routine 10-yard plays, but on medium and long TD passes. Until this defense gets it together on the line and secondary, they're not going to reach the "elite" status we all are so hungry to see.

6. The play-calling absolutely sucks. And I'm not basing that on the vanilla plays of this pre-season, I'm talking about every game I've watched since MM has been calling the plays. Absolutely no reason he's still there.

This team is not as good as their W-L record indicated last year; that was brutally obvious in the play-off drubbing by Green Bay and it's still readily apparent in these last two pre-season games.

I know it's so easy to use "ifs" and "coulda, shoulda, wouldas," but seriously, if Matt connects on time with Jenks with the score 14-14, and/or even manages to not throw a pick-6 to end the half, the game could have gone our way or at least been more competitive. But that's football.

While you say Falcons weren't as good as their record, I say they weren't as bad as that loss, nor anywhere near this latest.

[just-in-case]

3. Franks and Owens really have been solid when running nickel with the first team all offseason, but yeah, you're right.

man what kind od game were u watching? obviously u wasn't watching the same game we(as falcon fans) watched

[PokerSteve]

I know it's so easy to use "ifs" and "coulda, shoulda, wouldas," but seriously, if Matt connects on time with Jenks with the score 14-14, and/or even manages to not throw a pick-6 to end the half, the game could have gone our way or at least been more competitive. But that's football.

While you say Falcons weren't as good as their record, I say they weren't as bad as that loss, nor anywhere near this latest.

I sincerely hope you're right because I'd so much like for this team, under this GM, this coach and this owner, to finally seal the deal and end 50 years of pain, suffering and humiliation for this town and its fans. This is a football town ~ always has been and always will be ~ and for this town to have had to suffer through the horrendous embarrassment this franchise has served up for decades is just stomach-turning.

Edited August 28, 2011 by PokerSteve

[Kung-Pow]

3. Franks and Owens really have been solid when running nickel with the first team all offseason, but yeah, you're right.

man what kind od game were u watching? obviously u wasn't watching the same game we(as falcon fans) watched

What did you see that I didn't? I'm thinking that I saw plenty you didn't.

[just-in-case]

What did you see that I didn't? I'm thinking that I saw plenty you didn't.

i saw steelers dancing all over our secondary 2 bomb TD's and one almost an easy TD to Hinds ward did u see that, i guess u didn't

[AF89]

i saw steelers dancing all over our secondary 2 bomb TD's and one almost an easy TD to Hinds ward did u see that, i guess u didn't

Just because someone in the secondary gets beat doesn't mean its automatically on the nickle guy.

Those bombs were on Grimes going for the pick.(*DeCloud gets some blame too) Don't get me wrong though I love Grimey to death, were just going to have to accept thats the style he plays with. Feast or famine. (And there's been alot more feast in the reg season.)

[vel]

3. Franks and Owens really have been solid when running nickel with the first team all offseason, but yeah, you're right.

man what kind od game were u watching? obviously u wasn't watching the same game we(as falcon fans) watched

Franks struggled against the Jags but when Owens has been in the nickel, you can't find me a play that stands out as him getting beat/burnt/owned. So yes, at least Owens has been solid.

[The Don™]

1. Aside from two fluke plays for TDs, they did.

2. Won't criticize a player for one mistake (although costly).

3. Franks and Owens really have been solid when running nickel with the first team all offseason, but yeah, you're right.

4. Didn't see any missed sacks or failure to wrap up tonight. Vance Walker isn't the first and def won't be the last to have a whistle blown before Big Ben actually gets taken to the ground.

5. There was plenty of pressure all night.

6. What's considered consistency?

Most of those are the general things for the whole season. Not necessarily for this past PS game...

1.Third and long has been an issue for years now. That has to be fixed...

2.DeCoud took a step backwards last year. He's gotta step it up...

4.The wrap up thing also has been a problem for a couple years now. Have to fix that.....

5.The pressure(especially from the front 4) thing is necessary since we rely on 4 man pressure a lot....

6. Consistently getting to the QB when a blitz is called more times than not. Some kind of pressure should be there most of the time with a blitz..We don't have to sack the QB every time, but pressure is key when a blitz is called....Causing almost no pressure or giving the QB too much time in the pocket when the blitz is called is a big no no

[Kung-Pow]

Most of those are the general things for the whole season. Not necessarily for this past PS game...

1.Third and long has been an issue for years now. That has to be fixed...

2.DeCoud took a step backwards last year. He's gotta step it up...

4.The wrap up thing also has been a problem for a couple years now. Have to fix that.....

5.The pressure(especially from the front 4) thing is necessary since we rely on 4 man pressure a lot....

6. Consistently getting to the QB when a blitz is called more times than not. Some kind of pressure should be there most of the time with a blitz..We don't have to sack the QB every time, but pressure is key when a blitz is called....Causing almost no pressure or giving the QB too much time in the pocket when the blitz is called is a big no no

I hear that.

[cyofish]

On the both TDs by Brown Grimes had a chance at a play. He had a chance at knocking the ball down but went for the INT instead and whiffed. It's much easier to get some air jumping one handed than two handed. Hopefully, he learns from it and consider risk vs reward.

Credit part of that two great throws by Ben and great hands by Brown. Most QBs won't be able to make that throw and most receivers won't be able to handle high heat.

[The Don™]

On the both TDs by Brown Grimes had a chance at a play. He had a chance at knocking the ball down but went for the INT instead and whiffed. It's much easier to get some air jumping one handed than two handed. Hopefully, he learns from it and consider risk vs reward.

Credit part of that two great throws by Ben and great hands by Brown. Most QBs won't be able to make that throw and most receivers won't be able to handle high heat.

That usually doesn't even happen to Grimes. He's usually always in position to make a play on the ball, and he'll at least contest it in some way(whether a PD or INT). I'm not worried about him...

[bighurt]

We have to remember Grimes haon missed some practice time, he is still knocking off the rust and getting his timing down. On the first big play he missed timed his dive. I like what see from him he could have had 3 picks in that game got his hands of two of balls. He is really jumping routes well. I think he gets 10 picks this year. We need to lock him before the end of this season.