How The Falcons Confused Shanny & Jimmy G

[FalconsIn2012]

It was really a unique defensive gameplan put together by Quinn & Co.  They did a masterful job mixing in lots of 53 looks which was new for us

 “Yeah, (the Flacons) had a great game plan. They came out and they gave us something different that they haven’t shown all season,” fullback Kyle Juszczyk said. “They came out with five bigs, three linebackers and took a DB out, so it was just something we had to adjust to. I felt like at times we did a good job, but could have done a little bit better.”

I also thought Morris was masterful in disguising his coverages.  He mixed between Cover 3, Tampa 2, Cover 6 and other man coverages.  When the 49ers lined  up in empty backfield we would give a single-high safety look. But when the ball was snapped, we dropped eight and rotated into Tampa 2.  This would smother the underneath crossers and force SF to check down to Kittles.  This really forced Jimmy G to hesitate a second all game long
 

Just a masterful job by Quinn, Morris & Ulbrich

 

 

 

[FalconsIn2012]

 

49ers Film Room: How the Falcons broke tendencies and made things uncomfortable on both sides of the ball

By Ted Nguyen 7h ago 23 

Kyle Shanahan and the 49ers delivered one of the best offensive performances of the season against the Saints in New Orleans two weekends ago, but they might have used all their magic because they looked depleted at home in their 29-22 loss to the Atlanta Falcons last Sunday. The 49ers had the Saints defense guessing on Dec. 8, but it was the Falcons who befuddled the 49ers offense a week later. The 49ers never looked quite comfortable on offense or defense throughout the game.

The offense fumbled twice and couldn’t finish drives. The 49ers still had a lead in the fourth quarter, but the defense allowed Matt Ryan and the Falcons offense to march downfield and score the go-ahead touchdown with two seconds remaining. After the game, 49ers coaches and players credited the Falcons for breaking tendencies and giving them looks they weren’t expecting.

Yeah, (the Flacons) had a great game plan. They came out and they gave us something different that they haven’t shown all season,” fullback Kyle Juszczyk said. “They came out with five bigs, three linebackers and took a DB out, so it was just something we had to adjust to. I felt like at times we did a good job, but could have done a little bit better.”

The Falcons loaded up the box on early downs and made the 49ers’ run game inefficient throughout. Without Tevin Coleman’s 37-yard run, the 49ers only averaged 3 yards a carry from their running backs. The 49ers offensive line could not block defensive tackle Grady Jarrett. According to Pro Football Focus, Jarrett had four run stops, which is tied for the most of any interior defensive player this week

 

Here, the 49ers tried to run outside zone to the right. Raheem Mostert typically does a good job patiently pressing the outside before making his cut, but Jarrett shoved right guard Mike Person into the backfield, which caused Mostert to make his cut before the offensive line could get to the second level. Jarrett shed Person’s block and tackled Mostert for no gain. Jarrett was also disruptive as a pass rusher and registered six quarterback hurries.

“(The Falcons) made a lot, a ton of adjustments and stuff that we weren’t expecting going in, but you’re always going to see something new,” Shanahan said Monday. “(Single-high safety) is the foundation for all these teams, but every team that runs that system doesn’t run it the exact same way they used to. Everyone’s had to expand as people get more used to it and Atlanta’s done a good job of that over the last half of the year.”

It looked like the 49ers weren’t ready for how varied the Falcons were with their coverages. They played Cover 3, Tampa 2, Cover 6 and other forms of man coverage and they did a good job of disguising it, which seemed to cause Jimmy Garoppolo to hesitate at times..

Yeah, it was more, I mean, some of the coverages they were playing. We wanted to go to George, we liked the matchups. They did a number of man coverage and we didn’t feel like they were taking away George that much,” Shanahan said. “When they do, you get to number two and stuff.”

Kittle finished the game with 13 receptions and 134 yards. Garoppolo averaged 7.88 yards per attempt when targeting Kittle, so giving him a majority of the target share was not a bad strategy. The problem was Kittle’s third-down targets. He was targeted six times on third down and only converted once. It wasn’t Kittle’s fault the defense was focused on him, but someone else has to win on third down.

Shanahan called plays for Kittle often and when Garoppolo did move off of Kittle to his next read, he was often rushed and had to dump the ball off.

On third-and-3 in the fourth quarter, the Falcons played some sort of funky man coverage in which Kittle ended up being tripled-teamed. Garoppolo saw the triple-team and was going to look to his next read, but linebacker Deion Jones ran through the running back Coleman and forced Garoppolo to quickly throw the ball away.

Despite all their miscues, the 49ers still had a 22-17 lead late the fourth quarter until the Falcons marched 70 yards downfield to complete the upset. All-Pro receiver Julio Jones, who torched the 49ers all game (13 catches, 134 yards, two touchdowns), finished them off by catching a 5-yard touchdown pass despite the 49ers doubling him in the red zone.

“(Jones) is pretty good. We’ll look back into it,” Shanahan said after the game. “I think we did have bracket coverage there on him at the end, which is two people on him. It looked like when they motioned him across and got him outside the tight end and he came right under him, it looked like the second guy who had him was obviously a little bit too deep on him.”

Initially, Jones started off to the offensive left and cornerback Emmanuel Moseley (No. 41) and safety Jimmie Ward (No. 20) bracketed him; and when Jones motioned to the right, Moseley followed, but Ward stayed on his side, so safety Marcel Harris (No. 36) bracketed Jones. Harris was responsible for in-breaking routes by Jones and Moseley was responsible for outside breaking routes from Jones.

Jones motioned into a stack alignment with tight end Austin Hooper and Harris didn’t line up far enough inside. For some reason, he lined up head up on Hooper; when Hooper took an inside release, Harris was too deep and couldn’t get drive inside of him quick enough to cover the shallow route. Ryan didn’t seem to expect Jones to beat the double-team and found him late. Jones had to make a difficult catch in traffic and was only awarded the touchdown after a replay review.

The 49ers have played at a consistently high level throughout the season and after a tough three-game stretch against elite competition, they were due for a letdown. That’s not an excuse, but this game isn’t indicative of larger internal problems within the team. This loss does give them less wiggle room in the last two games of the season. They’ve already clinched a playoff berth, but they should be aiming for a first-round bye. Luckily for the 49ers, they are still in control of their own destiny with the Rams and Seahawks left on the schedule. But they can’t afford another letdown.

 

[LouDog]

I'd be interested to know who came up with the gameplan on D

[Jesus]

Oh what could have been.

[FalconsIn2012]

4 minutes ago, LouDog said:

I'd be interested to know who came up with the gameplan on D

Quinn is the DC

[kiwifalcon]

It’s why I believe Raheem Morris might not be with us next year.

Same with Ulbrich I could quite see the both of them gone.

Sign me up for Morris as DC right now.

[Lethal]

1 minute ago, kiwifalcon said:

It’s why I believe Raheem Morris might not be with us next year.

Same with Ulbrich I could quite see the both of them gone.

Sign me up for Morris as DC right now.

If they both go, Quinn better not stay.  Only way I want Quinn still here is if Morris and Ulbrich are still here.  If they leave, so goes Dan.  I want no part of the Dan Quinn experience minus those two.

[FalconsIn2012]

1 minute ago, kiwifalcon said:

It’s why I believe Raheem Morris might not be with us next year.

Same with Ulbrich I could quite see the both of them gone.

Sign me up for Morris as DC right now.

Morris could certainly be a strong HC candidate next year.  His work on offense gives him a very balanced resume

[LouDog]

18 minutes ago, FalconsIn2012 said:

Quinn is the DC

Yeah but the D didn't start playing well until he gave up the playcalling. His game plan but Ulbrich and Morris decided when to call what play?

[Lethal]

13 minutes ago, LouDog said:

Yeah but the D didn't start playing well until he gave up the playcalling. His game plan but Ulbrich and Morris decided when to call what play?

iirc, Ulbrich calls 1st and 2nd, Morris calls 3rd.  They all come up with the game plan.

[GeorgiaBoyz]

6 minutes ago, athell said:

iirc, Ulbrich calls 1st and 2nd, Morris calls 3rd.  They all come up with the game plan.

If Ulb calls 1st , 2nd & Raheem calls 3rd then how does DQ get credit for that ? The defense sucked assss when he called 1,2 & 3 . He doesn’t get credit for others work . That’s why we got stuck with him after 28-3 he goes Where his underlings take him . That’s why he needs to go . I’d keep those 2 though .

[Lethal]

Just now, GeorgiaBoyz said:

If Ulb calls 1st , 2nd & Raheem calls 3rd then how does DQ get credit for that ? The defense sucked assss when he called 1,2 & 3 . He doesn’t get credit for others work . That’s why we got stuck with him after 28-3 he goes Where his underlings take him . That’s why he needs to go . I’d keep those 2 though .

The working theory is he is still heavily involved in game day planning and schemes, but yes, I have maintained it is a huge indictment against Quinn that once he switched to this method the defense took a complete turn for the better.  Glad he saw it.  Glad he made the change.  Shoulda been much sooner.  Makes me highly question him (Dan Quinn as a defensive coach) going forward...

[Francis York Morgan]

The big difference is that earlier in the year, guys were messing up even the basic stuff. Amazing the difference being in the right place makes.

[Lethal]

Just now, Francis York Morgan said:

The big difference is that earlier in the year, guys were messing up even the basic stuff. Amazing the difference being in the right place makes.

The entire defense looked lost during that stretch.  It was terrible.

[atljbo]

There are but so many plays you can call..... What makes a playcaller a good playcaller is knowing when to call that right play in that certain situation on offense and Defense

 

I feel like Raheem Morris is def showing that he should be running a D

[Faithful Falcon]

Me personally, I just think Jimmy G is overrated. If Kyle had RG3 to the least, we would have had our hand full.

[FalconsIn2012]

9 minutes ago, Faithful Falcon said:

Me personally, I just think Jimmy G is overrated. If Kyle had RG3 to the least, we would have had our hand full.

I mean, the 49ers players and coaches all said our scheme confuses them

[Faithful Falcon]

Just now, FalconsIn2012 said:

I mean, the 49ers players and coaches all said our scheme confuses them

Maybe so, but Jimmy was very basic. 

[FalconsIn2012]

5 minutes ago, Faithful Falcon said:

Maybe so, but Jimmy was very basic. 

He had 360 yards passing & 4 TD’s the week prior in NO

I prefer to credit our defense

 

[kiwifalcon]

1 hour ago, FalconsIn2012 said:

Morris could certainly be a strong HC candidate next year.  His work on offense gives him a very balanced resume

I think he’s been biding his time.
 

**** why not promote him to HC here.

As you say he has a balanced resume pull Ulbrich into DC.

If we wanted continuity with playing group it may not be a bad move.

Not popular mind you but at this point in time our defense has looked in that top tier with him and Ulbrich controlling that side of the ball.

[FalconsIn2012]

10 minutes ago, kiwifalcon said:

I think he’s been biding his time.
 

**** why not promote him to HC here.

As you say he has a balanced resume pull Ulbrich into DC.

If we wanted continuity with playing group it may not be a bad move.

Not popular mind you but at this point in time our defense has looked in that top tier with him and Ulbrich controlling that side of the ball.

I’ve thought about that.  People forget he got the Bucs to the playoffs in Year 2.  If we went that route I may prefer Bowles, but would not be mad with Morris

[mattyicefalcon]

2 hours ago, LouDog said:

I'd be interested to know who came up with the gameplan on D

It's not Dan Quinn for sure  because he only controls 1st down defensive plays.

Most call plays were made on 2nd & 3rd between Morris and Jeff.

[Faithful Falcon]

1 hour ago, FalconsIn2012 said:

He had 360 yards passing & 4 TD’s the week prior in NO

I prefer to credit our defense

 

I give our defense credit. I'm sure that Kittle was the only receiver that got separation either. Kyle's game plan is perfect vs Dennis Allen. He blitzes when he should be in prevent.

[Drunken Minotaur Zebra]

2 hours ago, atljbo said:

There are but so many plays you can call..... What makes a playcaller a good playcaller is knowing when to call that right play in that certain situation on offense and Defense

 

I feel like Raheem Morris is def showing that he should be running a D

 

 

I'm beginning to think DQ stretched himself too thin. He thought he could do a Bill Belichick thing where he ran the whole show and the D but it was too much.

 

I actually do think DQ is and will be an even better coach - but he can't do what BB can yet. 

[Francis York Morgan]

1 hour ago, Drunken Minotaur Zebra said:

 

 

I'm beginning to think DQ stretched himself too thin. He thought he could do a Bill Belichick thing where he ran the whole show and the D but it was too much.

 

I actually do think DQ is and will be an even better coach - but he can't do what BB can yet. 

Even Beli stopped calling plays after only a few games this year. Really rare seeing a defensive HC do both.