Defense

[WhenFalconsWin 21,122]

Well they have to solve the issue of the middle of the field because you know teams are going to attack there. Lets hope Quinn considers making some schematic adjustments.

Hopefully, we do not let that continue to happen but if the personnel isn't righ, it isn't right!

[blkbigdog35 5,373]

Hopefully, we do not let that continue to happen but if the personnel isn't righ, it isn't right!

Very true!

[blkbigdog35 5,373]

Working in unison could be key to Falcons establishing pass rush

• Vaughn McClure, ESPN Staff Writer

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- On Monday after practice, Atlanta Falcons coach Dan Quinn took a seat next to eighth-overall draft pick Vic Beasley Jr. at Beasley's locker and offered a brief pep talk.

"He was like, 'We've got to go' with our pass rushes," Beasley said. "That's what he's been saying the past couple of weeks. It's time for us to take it up another notch. And that's what we plan to do in the following games."

Falcons coach Dan Quinn is looking for his defensive line to mount a stronger pass rush. Jason Getz/USA TODAY Sports

Through the first six games, the Falcons find themselves tied for last in the league with seven sacks as Beasley and Adrian Clayborn have two each. The Falcons are last in the league in sacks per pass attempt (2.8 percent) and have disrupted just 10.2 percent of dropbacks by opposing quarterbacks, also last in the league.

The most impactful rushes thus far have come from Kroy Biermann, whose strip sack against Eli Manning changed the momentum in a comeback victory over the New York Giants, and a blitz by linebacker Nathan Stupar, which led toRobert Alford's game-winning, pick-six in overtime against the Washington Redskins.

Remember the foursome of

Defensive line coach Bryan Cox took matters a step further in explaining why the pass rush has been ineffective, and Schofield explained.

"He's been pointing out that we need to rush together," Schofield said. "You'll see that Vic will win off the edge, and if both of us are high and we don't have the push up the middle based on whatever the stunt is up the middle, then the quarterback is able to step up. So we have to eliminate it and moreso think of closing the pocket versus just getting individual wins.

"If you can make a quarterback move, you've got Vic and I who can run down pretty much any quarterback. You've got Babs and A.C. who are very aggressive in the inside, and they're really good at wrapping around for contain. We've got to utilize our talents. It's going to happen."

Schofield, a former Seattle Seahawk, has witnessed the same issue before in regard to rushers not working in unison.

"In Seattle, we had Michael Bennett and Cliff Avril and all those guys and everyone was rushing, but we weren't rushing as a group," Schofield said. "Once we stopped and watched film, then the sacks started rolling in. It didn't matter who got it. You knew somebody was going to get a sack because we were all rushing together. For us, we just can't put too much pressure on ourselves, individually."

Much is expected of Beasley as the first-round pick, but he doesn't feel like he's pressing. Sunday's matchup against the Titans could be a breakout game for Beasley and the the entire group with rookie quarterback Marcus Mariotaexpected to be sidelined with an MCL sprain, leaving the starting job to the less-mobile Zach Mettenberger.

The Titans are second to last in the league in sacks allowed per pass play and have surrendered 20 sacks total. Left tackle Taylor Lewan will give Beasley a fight, just like he did in the preseason, but Beasley has to wins some of those battles.

"It's still early," Schofield said. "If we go out and get four or five sacks a game in the next couple of games, no one will ever remember the first six weeks."

My Personal thought--**I like that Coach Quinn and Cox are addressing the lack of sacks and I like the players recognizing what they need to do to fix it. I think they are going to break through**

[Falconsfan567 29,307]

The Titans are the perfect team to have a breakthrough against. The Dolphins had 1 sack all season until they played the Titans and then racked up a boatload against them including 4 by Cameron Wake in the 1st half.

[blkbigdog35 5,373]

I agree man and especially if mariota can't move. I think either way boy of there QBs are inexperienced so hopefully we give different looks along with pressure. I don't want a repeat of the Geno Smith BS from last season.

[WhenFalconsWin 21,122]

The Titans are the perfect team to have a breakthrough against. The Dolphins had 1 sack all season until they played the Titans and then racked up a boatload against them including 4 by Cameron Wake in the 1st half.

Yep, I like to see us breakout with at least 4 sacks.

[Padawan Knight 780]

The Titans are the perfect team to have a breakthrough against. The Dolphins had 1 sack all season until they played the Titans and then racked up a boatload against them including 4 by Cameron Wake in the 1st half.

We don't need John Abraham sacks, we need the real thing.

/purple

[WhenFalconsWin 21,122]

Falcons will have 6 sacks Sunday

[blkbigdog35 5,373]

Mettenberger should be easy pickings for this defense this week.

[WhenFalconsWin 21,122]

Mettenberger should be easy pickings for this defense this week.

I hope so but you know how the falcons are with backups

[blkbigdog35 5,373]

I hope so but you know how the falcons are with backups

True but I think they are hungry for redemption this week.

[WhenFalconsWin 21,122]

True but I think they are hungry for redemption this week.

This is #Quinning first rebound game after a loss, let's see how the team responds

[blkbigdog35 5,373]

TATF is a damm zoo right now, however when Quinn decided to move from a more passive cover 3 look to incorporating some blitzes to manufacture pressure the game changed on defense and moving forward I think that he's going to have to play this way especially with Winston and Kapernick coming up.

[Falconsfan567 29,307]

Yep! Defense won us that game when the offense kept pissing it away!

[WhenFalconsWin 21,122]

Yep! Defense won us that game when the offense kept pissing it away!

Three times this season the defense has won us the game...eagles, Gmen and Titans

[blkbigdog35 5,373]

Well they say that Defesne Wins Championships!!!

[WhenFalconsWin 21,122]

We will move up in the ranks today after this performance.

ppg 21.4

yardage 353.2

These are nice improvements and take us into top 15 status like I predicted under Quinn in his first season

[blkbigdog35 5,373]

As of today Total Defense is #13. Rush Def #2 Pass Def #25

This is a very good turn around after only 7 games thus far. I'm excited to see how this defense continues to progress to see where they end up at season's end.

[WhenFalconsWin 21,122]

As of today Total Defense is #13. Rush Def #2 Pass Def #25

This is a very good turn around after only 7 games thus far. I'm excited to see how this defense continues to progress to see where they end up at season's end.

I phyched about that. I predicted #Quinning would have them in the top 15 in his 1st season and so far so good. I believe we are 13th in defensive scoring as well at 21.4 ppg

[blkbigdog35 5,373]

I phyched about that. I predicted #Quinning would have them in the top 15 in his 1st season and so far so good. I believe we are 13th in defensive scoring as well at 21.4 ppg

That's correct I forgot that one. More time in this system is going to be really good.

[WhenFalconsWin 21,122]

That's correct I forgot that one. More time in this system is going to be really good.

Who would've thought #Quinning would've come so far so quick with this defense?

Well, actually I did. I predicted he would have us in the top 15 this season and it's looking good so far.

[jb 3.0 4,628]

Who would've thought #Quinning would've come so far so quick with this defense?

Well, actually I did. I predicted he would have us in the top 15 this season and it's looking good so far.

The delusional old *******, dislocating his shoulder while patting himself on the back.

No wonder pretty much everyone dislikes you so much......

It is funny to watch you constantly trying to turn just about any topic into something about YOU.

[WhenFalconsWin 21,122]

poor ole gramps misses me so much he has to follow me around to pure football...

Hey pops, you never answered my question on how the buccies lost a 24-0 lead to the Skins? How is Leftwich doing these days?

[WhenFalconsWin 21,122]

Happy with the defense today except for the OT defense. They need more pressure on 3rd down

[blkbigdog35 5,373]

Defensively they played well enough to win. They have to work on guys technique with a pass rush specialist or bring a LB, CB, or S. We have to make QBs uncomfortable.