Jonathan Massaquoi Believes He Has Earned More Snaps

[theProf]

Jonathan Massaquoi believes he has earned more snaps

Nov 4 8:10AM ET

By Vaughn McClure | ESPN.com

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- Atlanta Falcons pass-rusher Jonathan Massaquoi didn't exactly voice his frustration in dramatic fashion, but he did make his voice heard in terms of looking for more snaps during the season's second half.

Massaquoi actually put together a pair of strong performances against Chicago and Baltimore, playing 59 percent of the snaps against the Bears (43 of 73) and 76 percent against the Ravens (51 of 67). But in the last game against Detroit in London, his playing time actually diminished to 49 percent of the snaps (37 of 75) despite him showing some momentum in terms of being able to pressure the quarterback. And it wasn't as if the Lions were running the ball down the Falcons' throat in that game.

"Was I surprise that I didn't get more reps? No," Massaquoi said. "What's to be surprised about? Hey, obviously that's how it's been throughout the course of season with my playing time. Any expectation that I set for myself and my reps is only going to be. ...I just have to go out there and prepare for the league. How many reps they want to put me out there, that's how many reps I have to go hard in the paint and make sure we're successful as a defense and as a team."

Defensive coordinator Mike Nolan no doubt regrets not playing Massaquoi more against the Lions. Defensive line coach Bryan Cox noted the strides Massaquoi has made as a pass-rusher in terms of putting himself in good positions and remaining active.

So with such an ascent, it seems only natural for the Falcons to give Massaquoi a longer look moving forward, one would think.

"Hey, I really have done nothing," Massaquoi said. "My success is based off how many reps I go out there and how I execute those reps. So, the more my reps go up, the more I can become an executor in those type of situational downs and be able to help the defense get off the field."

In that game against the Ravens, Massaquoi finished with six tackles, a tackle for a loss, and two quarterback hits while also drawing a couple of holding calls. Right now, he leads arguably the league's weakest pass rush with two sacks.

The rotation at outside linebacker/defensive end has been somewhat curious throughout the season, with Kroy Biermann managing to remain on the field extensively despite his lack of production, with no sacks. Biermann hasn't actually been a run-stuffer, either.

Massaquoi doesn't believe playing the run should factor into his reps. He views himself as an every-down player.

"That's what I want to be," he said. "And that's how my energy is up to this point. You would think that you would be an every-down guy. But there are other parts to this team that need help; that need my speed, my leverage, my strength and my knowledge. So I have to be an all-around guy.

"I can play the run. I've played it my whole life. I'm a pass-rusher first, but the run is the run. It just depends on how many times they want to run the ball. ...My run game, I can hold it up. If I've got to hold up the run to get to a pass down, (shoot) I'm going to do a great job."

The Falcons need the entire defense to play with such confidence the rest of the season.

[WOR]

As does 99.999999% of the rest of the world.

Guess who the .00001% is?

[toadfishtom]

But but but Kroy is so awesome

[birdman71]

Another example why this coaching staff should be fired. Favoritism.

[Deep2Julio]

"Was I surprise that I didn't get more reps? No," Massaquoi said. "What's to be surprised about?

My sentiments on the season so far. This coaching staff is inept at all levels.

[Grrrillapmpn Inc.®]

I don't believe Mass has earned more snaps.

I KNOW he has.

[1989Fan]

Smithwill continue to screw him, then when his contract is up he ill go elsewhere and produce.

I am beginning to hate this staff.

[FalconinPA]

My advice to Massaquoi, just hold on a little bit longer. Some of these clowns will be out of here at seasons end. I still dont understand Nolan's comment about regretting not putting Mass in more during the Lions game? WTF, is wrong with our coaches?

[freebird310]

Chit is a crime man ...He should be getting 85 % every game.....

[1989Fan]

I am just glad he has another year after this year (and coaching staff) ends. Hopefully a new coach can figure out how to utilize talent.

My goodness how bad I want this staff gone.

[WOR]

This is the kind of crap that loses you the locker room. Id expect mass is quite popular, and he's obviously not getting what he's earned.

[Guest facelessman07]

So Nolan and Cox both have "hinted" he should be playing more

Hmmmm.....who else does that leave out? Oh right, Mike Smith

[clownorg]

He's right. he's earned more Reps.

Now Back to the Bench the staff says

[since68andcounting]

My advice to Massaquoi, just hold on a little bit longer. Some of these clowns will be out of here at seasons end. I still dont understand Nolan's comment about regretting not putting Mass in more during the Lions game? WTF, is wrong with our coaches?

Nolan said that? Who makes that decision? I simply cannot believe that a head coach has time to micro-manage defensive snap count. It had to be Nolan's decision. Like you said WTF?!?

[capologist]

He was basically alternated in the first half and then just about non-existent in the 2nd half until the very end. The line combinations used is ridiculous. No way for anyone to get into any kind of rhythm or feel for the opponent. Nolan frustrates the snot out of me and if no one else gets canned, I hope he does and I never thought I'd say that...

[FalconinPA]

Nolan said that? Who makes that decision? I simply cannot believe that a head coach has time to micro-manage defensive snap count. It had to be Nolan's decision. Like you said WTF?!?

That's the way the article makes it sound.

[Sun Tzu 7]

Of course his snaps decreased.

His playing well made Kroy look bad and you can't have that.

I remember a play against the Lions where Mass was in on a passing down. The problem is so was Kroy and not Osi so Mass got doubled while Kroy was completely taken out of the play by one guy.

It's insanity because it's the f'ing same thing over and over with Kroy but the staff keeps expecting things to be different.

[since68andcounting]

He was basically alternated in the first half and then just about non-existent in the 2nd half until the very end. The line combinations used is ridiculous. No way for anyone to get into any kind of rhythm or feel for the opponent. Nolan frustrates the snot out of me and if no one else gets canned, I hope he does and I never thought I'd say that...

Which makes absolutely NO sense considering Mass is considered stronger against the pass and we knew they'd be throwing down 21.

I agree. Of all the disappointments since that fateful NFCCG, Nolan may be the biggest.

[LexM400]

Mass must have intercepted a pass in practice and lateraled it to Trufant helping him gain more yardage. Coach Smith saw that this play was too exciting and got guys hungry to play

football again so he wrote it down in his little pink notepad. Mass will continue to see his snaps decreased because of this over-sight.

[FalconinPA]

This is why I like guys like Pete Carroll and Bill Belichick. They play guys like Antone Smith and Massaquoi. They play the guys that want to play and make a impact on the field regardless of salary or status. I remember when Carroll said that a rookie QB by the name of Russell Wilson would be his starter over a highly paid Flynn because he earned it. People thought he was crazy. If this had been Smith and company, Flynn would still be in and Wilson would probably be flipping burgers.

[YoungHeezy]

I don't get it. And then on 3rd and 25 Mass and Osi are on the bench in favor of Babs and Kroy. That's just backwards logic, I mean I know there's more to what we see on TV behind closed doors, but Kroy vs. Mass is TOO obvious.

[UnrealfalcoN]

A good staff puts the best players in no matter what. And we never go unless that player is the only one left on their positional roster spot

[DoYouSeeWhatHappensLarry]

TD should probably look to extend Mass right now. Create value with talent retention.

[RetiredFalconFan48]

TD should probably look to extend Mass right now. Create value with talent retention.

I'm sure Blank has told him to hold off... TD has done enough with his Money. Count down on the wealth transfer to the new GM.

[since68andcounting]

This is why I like guys like Pete Carroll and Bill Belichick. They play guys like Antone Smith and Massaquoi. They play the guys that want to play and make a impact on the field regardless of salary or status. I remember when Carroll said that a rookie QB by the name of Russell would be his starter over a highly paid Flynn because he earned it. People thought he was crazy. If this had been Smith and company, Flynn would still be in and Wilson would probably be flipping burgers.

It's true that Belichek has an uncanny ability to find productivity in scrappy unknowns more than anyone else. He knows how to design plays so they succeed.

I guess we have to look at where we came from. Before TD and Smith, this was the most unstable team in the NFL. There were worse teams, but they were consistently worse. We were one year up, one year down. Never back to back. A freaking yo yo.

How do you get consistency? Continuity. Resign your vet depth. Keep your starters. Play a consistent, conservative approach. Get a stable, smart QB.

And for the most part it worked until recently. This team has been pretty consistent over the last 7 years. You could never overlook us. We generally won at home. We were in the playoff hunt far more years than not.

So maybe it's just time to find out what we need to get beyond a consistent level to a championship level. What GM/HC combo could get us there?

The problem I see is....Pete Carroll and Bill Belichek ain't available.