Falcons did not Play a Complete Game Today.

[Cheap Talk]

Looks like the Falcons will have to spend one of those 2nd Rounders on a RB come April. Cannot go into 2020 without a running game, or it will be more of the same. Hill had his chance to shine today and certainly did not! 

If the OL is the problem, then we need a shifty type RB like Freeman in his prime, not someone who is a cut-and-run type RB. We now officially have no answers currently on the the team at RB for 2020. 

We dominated in this game because the OL is decent at pass block, and we have a elite duo of WRs with Jones/Ridley. We would not have even won this game today against a better team, that could have focused on the passing attack once the they had shut down the run.

This team has relied too long on what was the ghost of Devonta Freeman's elite play, hoping it was some how going to come back to life. The coaching staff and FO really did not have the right to expect that it would. More than anything else I think that is what cost us the 2019 season. There was no back-up plan, did not bring in a veteran through FA or with a trade (Barner not withstanding).

[dominatethesouth]

5 minutes ago, Cheap Talk said:

Looks like the Falcons will have to spend one of those 2nd Rounders on a RB come April. Cannot go into 2020 without a running game, or it will be more of the same. Hill had his chance to shine today and certainly did not! 

If the OL is the problem, then we need a shifty type RB like Freeman in his prime, not someone who is a cut-and-run type RB. We now officially have no answers currently on the the team at RB for 2020. 

We dominated in this game because the OL is decent at pass block, and we have a elite duo of WRs with Jones/Ridley. We would not have even won this game today against a better team, that could have focused on the passing attack once the they had shut down the run.

This team has relied too long on what was the ghost of Devonta Freeman's elite play, hoping it was some how going to come back to life. The coaching staff and FO really did not have the right to expect that it would. More than anything else I think that is what cost us the 2019 season. There was no back-up plan, did not bring in a veteran through FA or with a trade (Barner not withstanding).

We dominated this game because of defense. 

[Tribal Chief]

They’re running with 3 guys that have barely gotten touches all season. They may be fresh but they haven’t had a single chance to get in a real rhythm week to week. I have zero issue going into next season with Ito, Hill and Ollison as a 3 headed rbbc. There’s absolutely no reason to blow another draft pick on a running back

[cwell1]

It's so funny how when a running game is ineffective the reason always has to be the running back to people on this board lol "CHANGE THE BACK! THAT WILL FIX IT"

Koetter can't run the ball. His scheme is cheeks. The only times since Matt Ryan has been with this franchise where our running game has been COMPLETELY NONEXISTENT..... Dirk Koetter was our OC

[Zzzzz]

I'd rather keep rebuilding the O-line with that 2nd round pick. 

[PeytonMannings Forehead]

Run game went to San Francisco.  I'm a little surprised we haven't been able to get more out of the ground attack with all the talk in the offseason about emphasizing it, and the return of Mularkey.  I'm not sure the answer is just drafting another back, though.

It's not just the lack of volume from the playcalling, but the lack of variety.  We don't stress defenses enough with formations, we don't try to get to the perimeter and test edges like we used to.  We're out here running into brick walls 15 times a game.  Dives, power, and a little inside zone is all Dirk calls.

[NWFALCON]

Again, I didn't watch the full game, but Matt mentioned that it seemed like the Panthers were selling out to stop the run.

[Cheap Talk]

54 minutes ago, PeytonMannings Forehead said:

Run game went to San Francisco.  I'm a little surprised we haven't been able to get more out of the ground attack with all the talk in the offseason about emphasizing it, and the return of Mularkey.  I'm not sure the answer is just drafting another back, though.

It's not just the lack of volume from the playcalling, but the lack of variety.  We don't stress defenses enough with formations, we don't try to get to the perimeter and test edges like we used to.  We're out here running into brick walls 15 times a game.  Dives, power, and a little inside zone is all Dirk calls.

So you think Koetter is the problem?

Think you are right to a degree, but also feel we do not have the right kind of backs. Thought Ito was going to be that right RB, but has gone out on IR 2/2 years having played a ton fewer snaps than Freeman, before he started getting hurt. 

If we are both right, then we are in really bad shape in that we need to fire the OC and invest a high draft pick in a RB.

Edited November 18, 2019 by Cheap Talk

[Cheap Talk]

59 minutes ago, ya_boi_j said:

They’re running with 3 guys that have barely gotten touches all season. They may be fresh but they haven’t had a single chance to get in a real rhythm week to week. I have zero issue going into next season with Ito, Hill and Ollison as a 3 headed rbbc. There’s absolutely no reason to blow another draft pick on a running back

Wish you were right, unfortunately do not believe it to be. 

[Cheap Talk]

48 minutes ago, NWFALCON said:

Again, I didn't watch the full game, but Matt mentioned that it seemed like the Panthers were selling out to stop the run.

Recipe for disaster to begin with against the Falcons?

[CrimsonFalcon]

The threat of the run is important now.  We're throwing the ball pretty good now and the defense is playing phenomenally. If the pass game continues to be effective,  the run game will return. 

 

 

Edited November 18, 2019 by CrimsonFalcon

[kiwifalcon]

1 hour ago, dominatethesouth said:

We dominated this game because of defense. 

Lol and we did last week as well.

Now everyone with a straight face say they saw these last 2 performances coming after the bye week.

[Tribal Chief]

3 minutes ago, Cheap Talk said:

Wish you were right, unfortunately do not believe it to be. 

Scheme outweighs the player anyday. Never forget that

[GreggT]

1 hour ago, Cheap Talk said:

Looks like the Falcons will have to spend one of those 2nd Rounders on a RB come April. Cannot go into 2020 without a running game, or it will be more of the same. Hill had his chance to shine today and certainly did not! 

If the OL is the problem, then we need a shifty type RB like Freeman in his prime, not someone who is a cut-and-run type RB. We now officially have no answers currently on the the team at RB for 2020. 

We dominated in this game because the OL is decent at pass block, and we have a elite duo of WRs with Jones/Ridley. We would not have even won this game today against a better team, that could have focused on the passing attack once the they had shut down the run.

This team has relied too long on what was the ghost of Devonta Freeman's elite play, hoping it was some how going to come back to life. The coaching staff and FO really did not have the right to expect that it would. More than anything else I think that is what cost us the 2019 season. There was no back-up plan, did not bring in a veteran through FA or with a trade (Barner not withstanding).

Oh gee, why don't you go to your "Cry Room"! We won, only the third game this season but second in a row where we were supposed to lose! Not only did we win but did so convincingly. Some folks cannot be happy no matter what and always find things to complain about!

[FalconsIn2012]

1 hour ago, PeytonMannings Forehead said:

Run game went to San Francisco.  I'm a little surprised we haven't been able to get more out of the ground attack with all the talk in the offseason about emphasizing it, and the return of Mularkey.  I'm not sure the answer is just drafting another back, though.

It's not just the lack of volume from the playcalling, but the lack of variety.  We don't stress defenses enough with formations, we don't try to get to the perimeter and test edges like we used to.  We're out here running into brick walls 15 times a game.  Dives, power, and a little inside zone is all Dirk calls.

And bottom line, we suck at run blocking.  It’s hard to tell if the running backs are  the issue.  Hill was hit in the backfield nearly every single carry.  Do we even practice it??

[Cheap Talk]

5 minutes ago, ya_boi_j said:

Scheme outweighs the player anyday. Never forget that

That may true, but beside the point. Depends on whether you find the talent to fit your scheme, or what happens more often than not, you try to find the scheme to fit your talent. Either way it is not working.  

[jidady]

Yes, for the 10th straight game, it's not the RBs. It's the run-blocking. Nobody can be expected to break tackles at the line of scrimmage and have consistently decent YPC averages.

[skullkrusher07]

4 minutes ago, FalconsIn2012 said:

And bottom line, we suck at run blocking.  It’s hard to tell if the running backs are  the issue.  Hill was hit in the backfield nearly every single carry.  Do we even practice it??

Last week the run blocking looked the best it had all season.  Today it was just ok...but ATL ran enough to where the THREAT of the run allowed some great play-action.

However, down the stretch I don't think other teams will take it as seriously.  If we still had Freeman or Ito Smith, I'd say they're ok...not great...but ok with the run game.  The run game is definitely the Achilles Heel.

[Cheap Talk]

12 minutes ago, GreggT said:

Oh gee, why don't you go to your "Cry Room"! We won, only the third game this season but second in a row where we were supposed to lose! Not only did we win but did so convincingly. Some folks cannot be happy no matter what and always find things to complain about!

Would not even be having this discussion if I did not believe the Falcons were a super talented team team. Maybe should have brought this topic up tomorrow, and at least given you 24-hours to savor the moment?

[Malachore]

Would rather just get an OC that knows how to call a complete game.

[Osiruz]

Seems like Kutty is adamant not to let Ollison run the ball. 

[Tribal Chief]

10 minutes ago, Cheap Talk said:

That may true, but beside the point. Depends on whether you find the talent to fit your scheme, or what happens more often than not, you try to find the scheme to fit your talent. Either way it is not working.  

It’s not beside the point. Dirk isn’t the OC for the talent provided. That’s the main thing. End of the day they did a poor job replacing Shanahan, especially in hiring Dirk

[NWFALCON]

2 minutes ago, Osiruz said:

Seems like Kutty is adamant not to let Ollison run the ball. 

Did Ollison fumble or did he recover one of Barner's on a punt? The box score has him with a fumble.

[PeytonMannings Forehead]

36 minutes ago, Cheap Talk said:

So you think Koetter is the problem?

Think you are right to a degree, but also feel we do not have the right kind of backs. Thought Ito was going to be that right RB, but has gone out on IR 2/2 years having played a ton fewer snaps than Freeman, before he started getting hurt. 

If we are both right, then we are in really bad shape in that we need to fire the OC and invest a high draft pick in a RB.

Koetter is part of the problem, but the problem is there is a deeper disconnect going on with regards to philosophy... we don't have one.  When Mularkey was OC, we were a power run team: gap schemes, power-0, variations of pin and pull type stuff.  When Shanny was here; wide zone all the way.  

I really can't tell you what kind of running game we have now which is why I can't really point to the backs as a problem.  I can't tell you if they fit or not, if I can't tell what scheme we have.  In the offseason, I heard Mularkey talk about getting away from the wide zone and back to more gap scheme stuff.  Well we for sure got away from the wide zone.  Beyond that, what?  We seem to run more as a cursory now.  We don't hang our hat on anything.

 

[Mr.11]

33 minutes ago, FalconsIn2012 said:

And bottom line, we suck at run blocking.  It’s hard to tell if the running backs are  the issue.  Hill was hit in the backfield nearly every single carry.  Do we even practice it??

I'm convinced DK spends very little time practicing running the football. Not nearly as much as Kyle Shanahan or any of his disciples do.

We need a bigger running back was always a problem that was echoed in this board when DK was/is calling the plays. When Kyle arrived, that went away. Now DK is back and "oh, we need another RB" threads start popping up again. You figure people would notice the trend...