Another Theory To Our Free Fall; Defenses Are Better

[IronHead34]

While we are seeing the Falcon's offense slip and fall (over and over and over) I think we have to look at the Defense around the league. They are better. I think teams are finally finding a way around all of the Offense friendly rules. Look at some of the DB's back out there, its like nothing we have seen: Sherman, Peterson, Honey Badger, the entire Bengals secondary, etc.

The Broncos (without Manning) beat the unbeaten Pats last night due to their pressure. Shoot, even Atlanta has some great DB's out there.

Teams have learned that a thumper back there at Safety does not get it done. Troy Palmalamalu (sp?) types are a dying bread. Get more guys who can read QB's, tip passes, get INT's are the thing now. LB's who can cover, disguise packages, are the thing.

Put that out there with a predictable offense (like ours) along with the growing pains of a new system (like us) and it spells doom.

To combat this, look how teams have started to work the two back system. We have a resurgence in the running game to try and keep teams fresh (not just us, but many teams). The Bengals have two good backs, not great, but good enough. The Rams have one of the top RB's, and the old guys are making a comeback (AP, Jonathan Stewart, Gore, Chris Johnson, Chris Ivory) along with QB's who can rush. Not just Cam either, I saw Andy Dalton rush for some decent gains yesterday. Two QB's have over 300 yards right now (Wilson and Cam) and Alex Smith (yes, THAT Alex Smith) is right behind them.

It's a different NFL. The passer is no longer the king as the Defenses have had to evolve. You need more than balance. You need creativity (again, the Bengals might lead the league in that) and you need options to be a good offense.

The Falcons just do not have a creative playbook at this time. It is predictable and slow. That is just one key to our issue. We are trying to run an outdated offense.

[IronHead34]

Oh, and BTW, a lot of this is Seattle / Dan Quinn's fault.

[Herr Beast]

Good defenses have destroyed Matt Ryan in the past but people are acting like he suddenly has problems. The difference is, defenses are doing a much better job copying working tactics against specific QBs than they ever did in the past. Once the league has figured you out, you either find the means to reinvent yourself or you will be done very quickly.

[IronHead34]

Good defenses have destroyed Matt Ryan in the past but people are acting like he suddenly has problems. The difference is, defenses are doing a much better job copying working tactics against specific QBs than they ever did in the past. Once the league has figured you out, you either find the means to reinvent yourself or you will be done very quickly.

Exactly. I think defenses have figured out a lot of the QB's in the league this year. I have never seen Aaron Rodgers look so rough, but most would argue he is one of the best QB's. I know he is without a top target, but, dont good QB's make their WR's better?

[Herr Beast]

I cant not like you because I already reached my daily limit but let me tell you, you made the best thread on this forum in quite a while. Unfortunately it will be overlooked.

Just wondering, who do you think is more likely the one who has been figured out in the worst way, Shanahan or Ryan? And who is more likely to reinvent themselfes to give those defenses fits again?

Personally I think good defenses had Ryan figured out years ago but Shanahan's scheme makes it alot easier to expose Ryan.

Edited November 30, 2015 by Herr Beast

[IronHead34]

I cant not like you because I already reached my daily limit but let me tell you, you made the best thread on this forum in quite a while. Unfortunately it will be overlooked.

Just wondering, who do you think is more likely the one who has been figured out in the worst way, Shanahan or Ryan? And who is more likely to reinvent themselfes to give those defenses fits again?

Personally I think good defenses had Ryan figured out years ago but Shanahan's scheme makes it alot easier to expose Ryan.

I think you are on the right track there. But what I have seen so far is just plain uncreative play. I don't know if Shanny is running a tight ship on this or what.

The ol' shovel pass on the goal line to the FB, (or Snells) is gone. Have not seen that this year. All I see are PA roll outs like its high school or something. I think Ryan can be creative, but Kyle has killed that ability.

[IronHead34]

How does that explain QBs that aren't regressing like Big Ben, Andy Dalton, Phillip Rivers, Tom Brady, etc...

Obv Tom Brady has genius coach but are the OCs of the other QBs geniuses as well? Or are those QBs more elite than just elite.

Can't say much for the Steelers as a hole. I have not watched them. I know Big Ben is hard to sack and can keep plays alive longer because of that.

Dalton is benefitting from a GREAT OC with VERY creative play design. Watch a Bengals game and you will see about 3 plays that come out of nowhere every game. They also do not rely on just AJ green. Their TE and their running game are strong.

Rivers is my Ryan equiv. He has "down" years and up years. Rarely advances far in the playoffs, but he can get you there. SD has been barely good for the last couple years with a few duffers here and there.

And yea, Brady is the man, a true elite QB.

[ThemDarnFalconsBoy!]

The problem was we played against terrible NFC East teams at the beginning of the season which masked the problems... There were people inside of the organization and perennial Falcon nay-sayers that were calling the demise of the team throughout the rest of the season.

Our schedule was cookie cake soft at the beginning of the season, and along with that came the emergence of Devonta Freeman! He was destroying defenses single handedly and I'm sure that's something Ryan wasn't used to since the last days of The Burner.

The Saints game was telling and was a foreshadow of times to come. Also struggling against said NFC East teams and letting leads go only to have comeback victories.

DCs figured out if they stop Freeman and make the falcons depend on Ryan that we'd be in trouble, and when Freeman went down all they had to worry about now was tripling Julio instead of doubling him like they had to when Freeman was in the game.

So now we're here, from being a playoff team, to being a team on the outside looking in.

[IronHead34]

The problem was we played against terrible NFC East teams at the beginning of the season which masked the problems... There were people inside of the organization and perennial Falcon nay-sayers that were calling the demise of the team throughout the rest of the season.

Our schedule was cookie cake soft at the beginning of the season, and along with that came the emergence of Devonta Freeman! He was destroying defenses single handedly and I'm sure that's something Ryan wasn't used to since the last days of The Burner.

The Saints game was telling and was a foreshadow of times to come. Also struggling against said NFC East teams and letting leads go only to have comeback victories.

DCs figured out if they stop Freeman and make the falcons depend on Ryan that we'd be in trouble, and when Freeman went down all they had to worry about now was tripling Julio instead of doubling him like they had to when Freeman was in the game.

So now we're here, from being a playoff team, to being a team on the outside looking in.

And on that, there seems to be only one reliable receiving threat and a decent TE in Tamme. Other than that, everyone else seems to have the drops or cannot get separation.

Looking at our schedule as it is not playing out, it was not as easy as first thought. The Panthers are dominating, the Bucs are getting better. Who saw the Vikes in first place?

[FalconBlood23]

Good defenses have destroyed Matt Ryan in the past but people are acting like he suddenly has problems. The difference is, defenses are doing a much better job copying working tactics against specific QBs than they ever did in the past. Once the league has figured you out, you either find the means to reinvent yourself or you will be done very quickly.

Good defenses did not destroy Matt in the past and that's total ********. Did you forget the 2012 season where he carved up the Seahawks and 49ers back to back? Please if you give Matt time with a clean pocket, he'll destroy any defense. Oh and the right scheme. That's 2 things needed for him to be successful. Those are also 2 thing's he has never had in his career. In 2012 he had an average o line and that's it. We saw what he could do. So don't you say Matt Ryan can't do something because he sure as **** can.

[Mega Flare]

With the NFL becoming a pass-happy league (especially with the rules over-protecting QB's), it's not surprising that the answer is ball-hawks in the secondary. The result is that football turns into playing catch in the back yard, and rushing is only there to keep defense honest. Some teams are still playing tough football (tough running, and tough vs the run), but many are trying to hide their weak trenches by throwing the ball around all game, which also makes games seem longer with all the clock stoppages with incomplete passes. The league is just scared of all the lawsuits from rushers getting their bells rung, but it makes football a boom-or-bust on each play with all the passing.

[IronHead34]

Good defenses did not destroy Matt in the past and that's total ********. Did you forget the 2012 season where he carved up the Seahawks and 49ers back to back? Please if you give Matt time with a clean pocket, he'll destroy any defense. Oh and the right scheme. That's 2 things needed for him to be successful. Those are also 2 thing's he has never had in his career. In 2012 he had an average o line and that's it. We saw what he could do. So don't you say Matt Ryan can't do something because he sure as **** can.

Man, I am guilty on that too. Short term memory. Those two playoff games Matt was on it.

[IronHead34]

With the NFL becoming a pass-happy league (especially with the rules over-protecting QB's), it's not surprising that the answer is ball-hawks in the secondary. The result is that football turns into playing catch in the back yard, and rushing is only there to keep defense honest. Some teams are still playing tough football (tough running, and tough vs the run), but many are trying to hide their weak trenches by throwing the ball around all game, which also makes games seem longer with all the clock stoppages with incomplete passes. The league is just scared of all the lawsuits from rushers getting their bells rung, but it makes football a boom-or-bust on each play with all the passing.

Can't remember if it was on here or not, but someone wrote an article about how bad O-linemen have been in the draft the last couple years. The Read-option has killed the O-line prospects.

But yes, it really is like the old "500" game you would play as a kid. Throw the ball up and see who comes down with it. In the NFL, the side favors the offense due to the rules. But in the case of the defense, you do not have to touch the receiver to get an INT.

[FalconBlood23]

Man, I am guilty on that too. Short term memory. Those two playoff games Matt was on it.

I think people are just really sick of what has been happening the past few weeks and frustrated with the way Matt has been playing and I understand that. I blame him for those bone headed mistakes that are inexcusable. However I won't throw him under the bus for some OC who has taken away his strengths and is making him look this bad.

[Mega Flare]

Can't remember if it was on here or not, but someone wrote an article about how bad O-linemen have been in the draft the last couple years. The Read-option has killed the O-line prospects.

But yes, it really is like the old "500" game you would play as a kid. Throw the ball up and see who comes down with it. In the NFL, the side favors the offense due to the rules. But in the case of the defense, you do not have to touch the receiver to get an INT.

True, although if you breathe on him, you get a flag for PI. Some corners and safeties are avoiding this by jumping routes or just following the QB's eyes so they can get picks without even getting near the receiver. Strange how much the league has changed, when players are afraid to scrap because of flag-happy refs and rule-changing executives.

[birdz4i]

How does that explain QBs that aren't regressing like Big Ben, Andy Dalton, Phillip Rivers, Tom Brady, etc...

Obv Tom Brady has genius coach but are the OCs of the other QBs geniuses as well? Or are those QBs more elite than just elite.

all depends on the definition of elite. #s vs rings. and a few even have both. so i would say there are tiers to greatness.

[IronHead34]

True, although if you breathe on him, you get a flag for PI. Some corners and safeties are avoiding this by jumping routes or just following the QB's eyes so they can get picks without even getting near the receiver. Strange how much the league has changed, when players are afraid to scrap because of flag-happy refs and rule-changing executives.

I cannot remember which game I was watching yesterday, but the DB was called for a illegal contact with what I could swear was less than five yards.

Im not a "lets stop the flag football" kind of guy, but I wish they would ease up on the PI / holding / illegal contact crap.

[Mega Flare]

I cannot remember which game I was watching yesterday, but the DB was called for a illegal contact with what I could swear was less than five yards.

Im not a "lets stop the flag football" kind of guy, but I wish they would ease up on the PI / holding / illegal contact crap.

"Let 'em play, ref!"

[Drunken Minotaur Zebra]

Good defenses have destroyed Matt Ryan in the past but people are acting like he suddenly has problems. The difference is, defenses are doing a much better job copying working tactics against specific QBs than they ever did in the past. Once the league has figured you out, you either find the means to reinvent yourself or you will be done very quickly.

lmao yea just like the Niners and Seachickens did in 2012 right?

Oh wait he diced them like sushi

Try again thx

[Herr Beast]

Man, I am guilty on that too. Short term memory. Those two playoff games Matt was on it.

yeah a combined 3 points on the second half.

[Herr Beast]

lmao yea just like the Niners and Seachickens did in 2012 right?

Oh wait he diced them like sushi

Try again thx

I was very impressed how we scored 3 points in the second half vs. the Seahawks and 0 points in the second half vs. the 49ers.

Mike Smith had this team well prepared in both games but once those two good defenses figured out what Matt Ryan was doing, he was completely shut down after halftime on both games.

[Falcons_Frenzy]

It's the dumb turnovers on offense that's killing this team. If all 32 teams were struggling on offense then I'd agree OP.

[IronHead34]

It's the dumb turnovers on offense that's killing this team. If all 32 teams were struggling on offense then I'd agree OP.

It depends on the offense if you think about it. The creative or non-traditional ones are thriving. Cam is killing it with no legit #1 WR, Andy Dalton and the Bengals are flying high despite Andy Dalton. The Pats will always be the Pats. And the Cards have enough talent at WR for three NFL rosters and great play calling.

Look at the other teams that are down: The Eagles (once the highest scoring offense) the Broncs (Cant all be Manning) The Colts seem to be shaky. The old school offense is having issues as defenses are changing due to the rule changes.

[Bring It]

An alternate title might be :

"Most Defenses are Better Than Falcon's Offense".

Many are FAR better.

Our offense is pathetic.

[Drunken Minotaur Zebra]

I was very impressed how we scored 3 points in the second half vs. the Seahawks and 0 points in the second half vs. the 49ers.

Mike Smith had this team well prepared in both games but once those two good defenses figured out what Matt Ryan was doing, he was completely shut down after halftime on both games.

Did you watch us during the Smitty era? Our MO was get a 20 pt lead on a team then play prevent defense and try to run the clock out. Both times it bit us in the *** against SF and Seattle. We didn't open up or go aggressive in the 2nd half of either of those games.