theProf Posted September 8, 2011 Share Posted September 8, 2011 VanGorder shares plan for improving Falcons' pass defenseFLOWERY BRANCH — Falcons defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder has a plan to improve the team’s pass defense, which was ranked 22nd in the league last season.Falcons blog with D. Orlando Ledbetter »Since training camp started July 29, the team has acquired help in three key players: in defensive end Ray Edwards, cornerback Kelvin Hayden and safety James Sanders. Also, he has shuffled the linebacker group.In a Q&A with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, VanGorder discussed his plans for the season and how he plans to utilize his new players to improve the defense.Q: What have been some of the dynamics of pulling this unit together?A: Well, I think we’re fortunate, especially with the offseason we had with the lookout and all, we’ve got a lot of our players back who are familiar with our standards and expectations, our scheme — all those things. We’ve added a defensive end that we hope will give us a better presence in the pass-rush area. Linebacker-wise, we’ve got four linebackers that we used last year that we brought back. Stephen Nicholas is more active and starting right now in our base personnel replacing Mike Peterson, but he played a lot last year, so no big change there. So we’ve got a group there that basically stayed intact from a year ago and have added a couple of guys here lately [Hayden and Sanders were signed last Thursday] who we think will come on as the year goes on and give us even more stability as a defense.Q: [The defense] caused five interceptions and five sacks last season when you blitzed a defensive back, is that a good plan of attack?A: I think that every game is different. People can talk about last year and the playoff game against Green Bay where we basically had four free runners at the quarterback and we didn’t tackle him. So those things look good on paper, but every game brings a different personality.Q: What is Sanders’ role going to be?A: We have to see more of him this week. Again, he’s a guy that is very familiar with our scheme. Just some communications things that we have to make sure that he’s solid with. We have to feel confident that this is a package that he can handle. But he’s a very good football player. He’s going to play a lot of football for us. I don’t know if it will be this Sunday. The play of the other guys will dictate that.Q: You haven’t changed safeties much at all in games. Is that something we could see this year, playing three safeties?A: I think you could see that. We haven’t changed safeties. We really haven’t had the opportunity to do so. ... A few years back, we were developing Thomas DeCoud as a rookie, and then we had to spend a year with William Moore, trying to develop him. Then when Lawyer [Milloy] left, then [Moore] got hurt, so I think this is a little bit different situation for us in that we’ve got a little more confidence now in a guy who can give us an added strength in a particular area.Q: Who will get a chance to step up with [defensive tackle] Corey Peters slowed with a knee injury?A: It’s going to be interesting to watch Vance Walker because he came in here and looked like a different player and then he had the injury. He’s improved and had a good week of practice. ... I’m anxious to see how he handles the game pressure. ... We feel confident in him. Peria Jerry has been improving. He’s gained confidence coming off the injury from a couple of years ago. So, he looks like a better player now.Q: What do you hope the personality of this unit will be?A: We expect that our guys are going to play hard. We want them to be smart with a do-your-job mentality.Q: Can Hayden be coached up and ready for Week 1?A: I’m confident in that. He’s played football in this league for years. We already know what he’s done, so we can effectively use that knowledge and background in our system and have an effective player.http://www.ajc.com/sports/atlanta-falcons/vangorder-shares-plan-for-1162013.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falcon Fantom Posted September 8, 2011 Share Posted September 8, 2011 I must say that I am on the defenses bandwagon. I am more excited about this years defense than I have ever been. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Durrtay Posted September 8, 2011 Share Posted September 8, 2011 +1 thanks for posting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YoungHeezy Posted September 8, 2011 Share Posted September 8, 2011 Vance Walker is going to beast this year if he stays healthy. I can feel it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
takeitdown Posted September 8, 2011 Share Posted September 8, 2011 Q: Who will get a chance to step up with [defensive tackle] Corey Peters slowed with a knee injury?A: It’s going to be interesting to watch Vance Walker because he came in here and looked like a different player and then he had the injury. He’s improved and had a good week of practice. ... I’m anxious to see how he handles the game pressure. ... We feel confident in him. Peria Jerry has been improving. He’s gained confidence coming off the injury from a couple of years ago. So, he looks like a better player now.Walker's injured, too? What's his injury? I didn't know 2 of our top 4 DTs were injured. We need them this game. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoppy™ Posted September 8, 2011 Share Posted September 8, 2011 .....especially with the offseason we had with the lookout and all....Gotta give D-led some credit here.... When the only notable error in his article is mistaking a "lockout" for a "lookout", he has done a bang-up job... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryanATL88 Posted September 8, 2011 Share Posted September 8, 2011 DLed better start doing better or jedi will flame his twitter up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoppy™ Posted September 8, 2011 Share Posted September 8, 2011 I must say that I am on the defenses bandwagon. I am more excited about this years defense than I have ever been.Same here... I think the additions to the defensive backfield are going to be huge down the stretch...Of course we are going to have our knee-jerk panic squad who cannot comprehend the fact that it will take time for our new players to settle into the scheme, so when they make their early mistakes, we will definitely hear that the sky is falling...But what really has me excited is the thought of how good our defense should be, barring injuries ***knock on wood*** at the end of the season, going into the playoffs when guys like Edwards, Hayden and Sanders are hitting on all cylinders...This is a team that I see coming a little slow out of the gate, but a team that will be playing some of the best football in the NFL come December and January, when you want your team to be playing their best....Due to a much tougher schedule this season, I don't quite see us equaling or bettering a stellar 13-3 season from last year, but more importantly, I think we will have a team that is much better-built for playoff football....Like you, I have never been this excited about our defense.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IrishFalco Posted September 8, 2011 Share Posted September 8, 2011 Good read. BVG gives great answers. Needs to translate to the field, though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theProf Posted September 8, 2011 Author Share Posted September 8, 2011 Walker's injured, too? What's his injury? I didn't know 2 of our top 4 DTs were injured. We need them this game.Defensive tackle Vance Walker was plagued by an ankle injury during training camp, but returned and put on a good showing against Pittsburgh in preseason game #3. Walker is no longer listed on the injury report, so his ankle must be a-ok now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theProf Posted September 8, 2011 Author Share Posted September 8, 2011 Defensive tackle Vance Walker was plagued by an ankle injury during training camp, but returned and put on a good showing against Pittsburgh in preseason game #3. Walker is no longer listed on the injury report, so his ankle must be a-ok now.From today's RapidReports:"DT Vance Walker said the beauty of head coach Mike Smith's defensive line rotation is that when one player goes down with an injury it's very easy for a backup to step in because he's already been in the rotation. Walker may start Sunday if injured DT Corey Peters is unable to practice on Friday. Falcons RapidReports"• Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IrishFalco Posted September 8, 2011 Share Posted September 8, 2011 I actually kinda hope that Walker starts. Dude has been tearing it up! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PokerSteve Posted September 8, 2011 Share Posted September 8, 2011 Wish he'd been asked whether he planned to change his defense on 3rd-and-long plays this season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peyton Posted September 8, 2011 Share Posted September 8, 2011 So, as far as I can see...the plan is to play better.Pretty good plan actually. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FalconFanSince1970 Posted September 8, 2011 Share Posted September 8, 2011 ...Walker may start Sunday if injured DT Corey Peters is unable to practice on Friday. Falcons RapidReports"•Can somebody out there help me with a good third grade nickname for Peria Jerry? I'm struggling with that one. Not crazy about Pariah. Perrier aint bad though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theProf Posted September 8, 2011 Author Share Posted September 8, 2011 Can somebody out there help me with a good third grade nickname for Peria Jerry? I'm struggling with that one. Not crazy about Pariah. Perrier aint bad but though."Joe Tess (Downstairs)So will the Flacons cut Perrier Jerry? I havnet seen him do N E thing the last few years. Pat Yasinskas (1:44 PM)No, they think he's fully healthy now and ready to make an impact." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FalconFanSince1970 Posted September 8, 2011 Share Posted September 8, 2011 "Joe Tess (Downstairs)So will the Flacons cut Perrier Jerry? I havnet seen him do N E thing the last few years. Pat Yasinskas (1:44 PM)No, they think he's fully healthy now and ready to make an impact."Never mind. I just thought of one I kinda like.PERIA JELLY Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peyton Posted September 8, 2011 Share Posted September 8, 2011 Never mind. I just thought of one I kinda like.PERIA JELLYLOL let's hope he makes you change your mind about that by the time the year is over. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FalconFanSince1970 Posted September 8, 2011 Share Posted September 8, 2011 LOL let's hope he makes you change your mind about that by the time the year is over.Buddy is already behind Peters and it looks like a seventh rounder could bench him Sunday.JELLY Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peyton Posted September 8, 2011 Share Posted September 8, 2011 Buddy is already behind Peters and it looks like a seventh rounder could bench him Sunday.JELLYI'd love to disagree with you....but at this point I can't.PJ made a couple of plays in the preseason......against scrubs.Dude got pushed around bad in the running game at times. I like the guy and I hope he gets it going, but I didn't find the preseason that encouraging. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FalconFanSince1970 Posted September 8, 2011 Share Posted September 8, 2011 I'd love to disagree with you....but at this point I can't.PJ made a couple of plays in the preseason......against scrubs.Dude got pushed around bad in the running game at times. I like the guy and I hope he gets it going, but I didn't find the preseason that encouraging.I was never on the Jelly wagon, but I will definitely be pulling for him. Believe it or not I pulled for Busterson in every game he played in Atlanta. I just can't see it though. I definitely like Babineaux, Pete and Vance more. Even the UDFA they kept seems to have more promise. I would definitely like to be wrong here. I don't want to see anymore first round busts. I'm still not over Busterson. Now SackMakerBaker and Peria are looking shaky. Local radio is saying Spoon will be under the microscope this year. We passed on Patrick Willis, Darelle Reevis, Chris Johnson, Clay Matthews and Devin McCourty for them folks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peyton Posted September 8, 2011 Share Posted September 8, 2011 I think Weatherspoon is gonna be a stud if he can stay healthy. Not seeing bust potential there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FalconFanSince1970 Posted September 8, 2011 Share Posted September 8, 2011 I think Weatherspoon is gonna be a stud if he can stay healthy. Not seeing bust potential there.I hope so bro. We need to turn this first round slide around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falcon Fantom Posted September 8, 2011 Share Posted September 8, 2011 Same here... I think the additions to the defensive backfield are going to be huge down the stretch...Of course we are going to have our knee-jerk panic squad who cannot comprehend the fact that it will take time for our new players to settle into the scheme, so when they make their early mistakes, we will definitely hear that the sky is falling...But what really has me excited is the thought of how good our defense should be, barring injuries ***knock on wood*** at the end of the season, going into the playoffs when guys like Edwards, Hayden and Sanders are hitting on all cylinders...This is a team that I see coming a little slow out of the gate, but a team that will be playing some of the best football in the NFL come December and January, when you want your team to be playing their best....Due to a much tougher schedule this season, I don't quite see us equaling or bettering a stellar 13-3 season from last year, but more importantly, I think we will have a team that is much better-built for playoff football....Like you, I have never been this excited about our defense....If Robinson, Grimes, Moore, Hayden, Decoud, and Sanders play well, then we have a beastly secondary! Add in a hard hitting Lofton, A good coverage LB in Spoon, and Stevie baby then we have a nasty LB corp. The Line.... The D-Line....What can I say. Abe and Edawrds will get a lot of pressure. Babs will get sacks because of them and whoever plays beside him will also. LETS GO DEFENSE! LETS GO! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
metatron360 Posted September 8, 2011 Share Posted September 8, 2011 Can somebody out there help me with a good third grade nickname for Peria Jerry? I'm struggling with that one. Not crazy about Pariah. Perrier aint bad though.PJ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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