Falcons Know What They Need To Fix

Actually, the defense made two nice stops in the fourth quarter on the goal line. Granted, there should’ve been 3 and out situations then but they impressed me in their red zone defense Sunday. Now, the real problem.

The birds need to reinvigorate their red zone game. The Falcons habitually seem to get hemmed in once they get in the red zone. They can’t pass, they can’t run (especially with every defense keying in on Turner), and they rely far too much on Elam to get points on the board.

The real solution is the short yardage pass, that being either a screen to Turner/Norwood or a quick over the middle to Douglas or White (on a cross route). On first and 10 on the 20, which the Falcons have shown us they CAN get to frequently, they need to soften up the defense with a middle run ala Turner, and then perhaps bring in a split back look, fake to Turner (which the defense will be focusing on, since the Falcons also habitually run Turner on consecutive 1st and 2nd downs in the red zone) and then screen to Norwood on the opposite side of the field. I’ve seen Matty Ice make good fakes, so we know he can sell the play action well. Boom, six, seven, maybe even ten yards. Alternatively, put Douglas on a cross route and have Ryan throw it in the seam, in that dead zone between the DL and Secondary (they’d have to give some deep looks on the play, perhaps White on a post) on zone coverage. Man to man looks could allow Ryan to audible into something more comfy.

Now I know I’m armchair coaching here, but I just wish they would diversify their redzone play a little. It seems they think they can just pound it in or throw over the top to the end zone. They need to employ a little, if you will allow me, “shake and bake” when they’re close. Give the defense, which will be keying on Turner/Norwood, something to think about, and then when they adjust later in the game, blammo, go back to running on 1st and 2nd down.

And of course, everything I just said could be completely wrong. There’s a reason I’m a fan and not a coach or player. My last time in pads was in high school and on the defensive side of the ball. It’s been a while.

And another thing, am I the only one dissapointed that Smitty didn’t go after the score after Norwood did his stuff on the kickoff return? We were less than twenty yards away. Why did they run it three times and go for the kick? Stop being so nice, Mike! PUT THE NAIL IN THE COFFIN, AND THEN NAIL IN SOME MORE!

….but something a certain presidential candidate leading in some polls said lately can def. be applied to this early success.

Let’s not get too full of ourselves as it aint over till it’s over.

Right now we are def. in a honeymoon period overall. We have experienced some unexpected early success but let’s all remember there are still 10 games left. My own personal mantra in life is “this too shall pass”. It keeps me optimistic when things are in the toilet (the whole debacle last year) and keeps me grounded when things are going really well (4-2).

DISCLAIMER: I simply am referring to something a certain someone said and contextualizing it for us here as it pertains to the Falcons. I in no way meant for this post to be political as it’s the last thing I think that belongs on a forum such as this.

My name is Runningback and I approve of this post.

It’s gratifying to see the coaches concentrating on evaluating and shoring up weaknesses. That is not a sign of a distracted or complacent staff. Hope the players follow their lead.

Though I have doubts how much the team can improve without replacing personnel, it is amazing how much less formidable our schedule looks now than it did just two weeks ago. If everyone keeps a level head, and we continue our relative good luck with injuries, we just may be tossing around the old ‘P’ word in a couple of months. Go Falcons!