Defensive Changes And Gambles (Like Abe, Lofton) This Offseason

[Quarterback]

The Falcons were ranked 29th in the league in third-down defense last season.

There are only 32 teams!

You cannot possibly compete in the playoffs against the likes of a Manning, Brees, Brady, Rodgers when you there are only three teams worse than you are at getting off the field on 3rd downs! Recall for a moment with such amazing ease how Warner, Rodgers and Manning converted 3rd and longs against our defense in our last three playoff games, or Brees does twice a year!

To all whom question anything the Falcons are willing to try to improve our defense, what is it after what Arizona, Green Bay and New York did to our defense in the playoffs, what New Orleans does to our defense regularly, and the above pathetic statistic after four seasons under that buffoon, BVG, that you are struggling to comprehend?

Frankly, with the possible exceptions of Spoon (under contract) and Grimes (secured for at least another season), there isn’t a player on the 2011 defense that is anything close to untouchable. We are already well on the way to defensive respectability by subtracting BVG and replacing that dolt with the very capable and highly respected Nolan. Hopefully, Smith will defer to him 100% authority.

I'll take it a step further. From day one under Smith and Dimitroff I have been concerned with their choices at the more non-skilled positions; more specifically, the lines. I think this short sidedness has cost us dearly in the playoffs as we can't run block, pass protect, stop the run, or stop big 3rd down conversions because our undersized DL can't put the QB on his back.

So, even if it meant the possibility of taking a step back (possibly missing the playoffs this season) in order to take two or three steps forward (competitive in the playoffs with better line play), I would support this as a longtime STH.

Blow up the lines, even if it means sacrificing the likes of Lofton and Abraham, restructure some contracts, and let's pour every resource into a solid LT, RG, Center, DE, DT, and a MLB fast enough to cover TE's and RB's.

Evidence? Just look at the line play of the guys holding up the Lombardi trophy every season--they keep their QB vertical while keeping their opponent’s QB horizontal. Their foundations (lines) were built on steel and concrete; our's were built on shifting sand.

[#1 pick]

Really our issue on 3rd down is we just don't get much pressure from the DE, DT, and LB. The secondary gets good pressure but when they mess up, it's usually big. A playmaker is really what this defense needs.

[didz]

Protect the QB and get sacks would of been an easier way of stating the obvious.

[JulioisCoolio]

Great post and I agree. The lines have to be the absolute only focus this off season. I could care less if we didn't bring in a single FA @ another spot other than the lines.

Riddle me this, and this is purely hypothetical, but if NE came calling and said we'll give you pick # 27 for Grimes, would you take it if it meant you got to draft Peter Konz C Wisc? He's the absolute best C in the draft by far and he should still be available there.

[falcon057]

Really our issue on 3rd down is we just don't get much pressure from the DE, DT, and LB. The secondary gets good pressure but when they mess up, it's usually big. A playmaker is really what this defense needs.

we need playmakers. one player replacing one player wont help.IMHO

[#1 pick]

I think we have an offensive line that can win a super bowl. I just seen a NYG team with less weapons, worst running game, and a worst line win the Super Bowl. They have a superior QB and a superior DL to us.

[#1 pick]

we need playmakers. one player replacing one player wont help.IMHO

I think if you add a playmaker. He can make others playmakers. Spoon has potential to be a playmaker. Moore if healthy has an outside chance. Troy P proved that one player can make other players a lot better.

[Butudontseeme™]

Good post QB.

[Quarterback]

Great post and I agree. The lines have to be the absolute only focus this off season. I could care less if we didn't bring in a single FA @ another spot other than the lines.

Riddle me this, and this is purely hypothetical, but if NE came calling and said we'll give you pick # 27 for Grimes, would you take it if it meant you got to draft Peter Konz C Wisc? He's the absolute best C in the draft by far and he should still be available there.

I do not make that trade based on what I know (or don't know) today because Grimes is a proven, all pro quality CB and Konz is another late first round prospect at this point. And, as we know from Baker, any late 1st round or second round offensive tackles are not as obvious as a Jake Long.

However...

If the Falcons seriously try to sign Grimes to a long term deal between now and the draft and they deem his asking price to be out of their range, then absolutely I trade him for a first rounder! As we saw with the Eagles, who finished 8-8 with a mother load of CB's, and the Patriots who made the Super Bowl with no name DB's, there is, in my opinion, a higher value for players that can protect the QB or sack the QB.

I'm not devaluing Grimes--indeed I want to keep him--just answering your question.

[Quarterback]

Protect the QB and get sacks would of been an easier way of stating the obvious.

Gee thanks...we are all infinitely blessed this morning with your concise conveyance of wisdom!

[JulioisCoolio]

I do not make that trade based on what I know (or don't know) today because Grimes is a proven, all pro quality CB and Konz is another late first round prospect at this point. And, as we know from Baker, any late 1st round or second round offensive tackles are not as obvious as a Jake Long.

However...

If the Falcons seriously try to sign Grimes to a long term deal between now and the draft and they deem his asking price to be out of their range, then absolutely I trade him for a first rounder! As we saw with the Eagles, who finished 8-8 with a mother load of CB's, and the Patriots who made the Super Bowl with no name DB's, there is, in my opinion, a higher value for players that can protect the QB or sack the QB.

I'm not devaluing Grimes--indeed I want to keep him--just answering your question.

I want to keep him too. I just feel that if that trade were possible I'd take it mainly because it saves us from having to tie up quite so much in the CB position, we'd immediately fix C for the next 10+ years. I did a mock with this trade and I took Konz @ 27 and with our 2nd rounder I took Konz' teammate Zeitler OG. Would you be happy with this? They'd immediately have continuity already and I think it would help make the transition easier for both of them. It would also fill two huge holes on our line for much cheaper than bringing in an expensive FA like Nicks. Of course this all just looks good on paper, they could both be busts.

[Guest Negatorris]

We need playmakers on each level of our defense. We have Grimes in the secondary, Spoon in the middle, but we have nobody up front. Opposing teams don't fear our defensive linemen, and that's a problem.

[apl2g]

Great post! i'm excited about the changes for this upcoming year

[Quarterback]

We need playmakers on each level of our defense. We have Grimes in the secondary, Spoon in the middle, but we have nobody up front. Opposing teams don't fear our defensive linemen, and that's a problem.

I don't think anyone fears our DL (or our defense in general) or respects our OL and this has to end--now!

[Butudontseeme™]

I don't think anyone fears our DL (or our defense in general) or respects our OL and this has to end--now!

+1,000,000. Been saying this a while myself.

[cannonballsghost]

I think we have an offensive line that can win a super bowl. I just seen a NYG team with less weapons, worst running game, and a worst line win the Super Bowl. They have a superior QB and a superior DL to us.

you just blew any chance of being considered a GM.........our off line sucks and Ryans quick release has masked it to a degree.........as for Ryans ball sailing as you were saying in another thread ..........when you can't step into the throw because of pressure being in your face and getting slammed into the ground because of the sucky line the ball does tend to sail

[JulioisCoolio]

you just blew any chance of being considered a GM.........our off line sucks and Ryans quick release has masked it to a degree.........as for Ryans ball sailing as you were saying in another thread ..........when you can't step into the throw because of pressure being in your face and getting slammed into the ground because of the sucky line the ball does tend to sail

Pretty much this. He's having to throw off of his back foot half of the time because there is constant pressure up the middle.

I'm amazed that only 14.5% of his incompletions are from poor throws. That's a lower number than Stafford, Brady, Roethlisberger, Newton ect.

He also had 6% of his incompletions dropped too.

http://hosted.stats....ats.asp?id=8780

Edited March 11, 2012 by JulioisCoolio

[#1 pick]

you just blew any chance of being considered a GM.........our off line sucks and Ryans quick release has masked it to a degree.........as for Ryans ball sailing as you were saying in another thread ..........when you can't step into the throw because of pressure being in your face and getting slammed into the ground because of the sucky line the ball does tend to sail

Our OL doesn't suck. By the eye test, they are average. By stats, they are solid. Ryan helps them but he also hurts them since teams know his arm strength is weak as heck. He doesn't even get hit that often. The beginning of the year could be a mistake in terms of judging the OL since we had new starters and injuries to key parts of the OL like Todd M.

[JulioisCoolio]

Our OL doesn't suck. By the eye test, they are average. By stats, they are solid. Ryan helps them but he also hurts them since teams know his arm strength is weak as heck. He doesn't even get hit that often. The beginning of the year could be a mistake in terms of judging the OL since we had new starters and injuries to key parts of the OL like Todd M.

The beginning of the year is when Ryan didn't play well. After mid season Ryan went 17 TDs to 3 INTs and had 5 of 8 games with over 110 passer rating.

Coincidence?

[Quarterback]

Pretty much this. He's having to throw off of his back foot half of the time because there is constant pressure up the middle.

I'm amazed that only 14.5% of his incompletions are from poor throws. That's a lower number than Stafford, Brady, Roethlisberger, Newton ect.

He also had 6% of his incompletions dropped too.

http://hosted.stats....ats.asp?id=8780

Good stats.

As a former "pocket" type QB myself, I cannot express enough the value of both great protection and play calling to get that extra second to look for a receiver breaking open downfield or a well-timed draw or screen play to make a DL at least think or pause for a spilt second with bull rushing. That extra fraction of a second is the difference between releasing the ball with an appropriate trajectory of having the same pass batted down, or the difference between tucking it for a sack or a quick drop off.

Confidence is everything to an effective deep or versatile passing game and I believe Ryan lacked the confidence--because he lacked confidence in his protection--to push the ball down the field more this past season. This was SO evident in the playoff loss to the Giants.

Ryan is not mobile and evasive like Rodgers, Brees or even Eli Manning, but he is certainly a Super Bowl caliber QB with an excellent OL, a creative OC and when complimented by a better defense.

[Osiruz]

*short sightedness

[PokerSteve]

I think we have an offensive line that can win a super bowl. I just seen a NYG team with less weapons, worst running game, and a worst line win the Super Bowl. They have a superior QB and a superior DL to us.

Our OL can't even make a push for a six inch gain when the chips are down, much less win a Super Bowl as currently constructed. We need to upgrade LT, we'll need a new center after this year and we need to hope the new guy Vince Manuwai is healthy and ready to step in and be a force at guard this season.

[#1 pick]

Our OL can't even make a push for a six inch gain when the chips are down, much less win a Super Bowl as currently constructed. We need to upgrade LT, we'll need a new center after this year and we need to hope the new guy Vince Manuwai is healthy and ready to step in and be a force at guard this season.

They are weak and need that attitude that Dahl took to STL with him.

[JulioisCoolio]

They are weak and need that attitude that Dahl took to STL with him.

Notice you didn't address my point that after the OL settled down around mid season (even according to your 'eye test') that Ryans stats greatly improved throwing for 17 tds to only 3 INts with 5 out of 8 games with a 110+ passer rating.

[#1 pick]

Notice you didn't address my point that after the OL settled down around mid season (even according to your 'eye test') that Ryans stats greatly improved throwing for 17 tds to only 3 INts with 5 out of 8 games with a 110+ passer rating.

Yes, which is true. What's your point?