A Very Falcoholic Discussion: Beating The Panthers

by Dave Choate on Nov 18, 2008 8:00 AM EST in Events

Pretty easy assignment today, class.

You're the Falcons and you need to beat the Panthers. Not just because it's important for the playoff hunt and divisional bragging rights, but simply because they're the Panthers and they deserve to lose. It won't be easy, though.

If you're running the team, what is your strategy for beating one of the most well rounded teams in the NFC? How do you ensure the defense gets better pressure on Crawdad Delhomme?

Get those X's and O's going in the comments!

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Loosen their D up

As much as I hate to admit it, Denver definitely played with the “let Matty Ice beat us” defense and threw everyone in the box on Turner and it pretty much worked for them. In the previous games we did a much better job of opening it up on offense and loosening their D up. If Carolina is able to sit on Turner and we can’t back them off then we are in trouble.

My Music Blog: DBF

by BVaz on Nov 18, 2008 9:29 AM EST reply actions

Strategy!

1. Pass early, pass often. First down passes are a must. We have to loosen up the Panther defensive line so that Turner can work his magic.
2. Tell Abe that Delhomme stole his lunch money. We absolutely have to pressure Delhomme and show some unique looks on defense. We have to confuse him, we have to rattle him, we have to sack him.
3. Keep Smith bottled up. Knock on him, jaw at him, just do everything we can to keep him off time and off route.
4. Keep the gimmicks to a minimum. By now, I expect Carolina to be preparing for the “Wild Cat” and the strange things Mularkey’s telling Ryan to do. We need some new trick plays.
5. The No-Huddle will greatly help keep Carolina’s D off-balance. It really helped in the first game against them but we weren’t the same team then. I think with the improvements our offense has made, the no huddle will be a successful strategy this time around.

"The nice thing about supporting a bedraggled-cum-decent team? Watching all those analysts eat their words."

by Adam Schultz on Nov 18, 2008 10:05 AM EST reply actions

I mostly agree, but...

The pass early pass often approach doesn’t sit well with me. To be perfectly honest when the Falcons came out against Denver and went Matt went 0-3 to punt, i was very confused. We have dynamic backs we need to force that issue. But then again that is just my opinion. Good call on the no huddle, that has worked well for us, and if we can bring the noise in the Dome come Sunday it should work well again.

If my mother put on a helmet and shoulder pads and a uniform that wasn't the same as the one I was wearing, I'd run over her if she was in my way. And I love my mother.
-Bo Jackson

by Pregame with Pabst on Nov 18, 2008 10:33 AM EST up reply actions

I'm with warlock on this one

There is a time to run, most certainly, but into the teeth of an 8 man box is not that time. Denver showed the blueprint last week. Load up on the line on first down and let us run into it. Then, on second and third and long, when you know a pass is coming, drop into coverage or blitz the daylights out of Ryan. The way for the Falcons to combat this is by throwing more on first down. Roddy White in single coverage is a mismatch. Michael Jenkins or Brian Finneran over the middle when the linebackers are playing tight is a mismatch. Harry Douglas or Jerious Norwood in space to the outside is a mismatch. First down will be the best time to exploit this. Once the team has established that they can and will throw on first down, Turner and Norwood will find that holes are magically opening up for them. I said this elsewhere, but it bears repeating; the Falcons need to throw in order to open up the run.

by SG Standard on Nov 18, 2008 7:53 PM EST up reply actions

"Jerious Norwood in space to the outside is a mismatch"

This. Short throws to Norwood, giving him a little space. Those are nice.

by Cerbera on Nov 18, 2008 8:57 PM EST up reply actions

Shoestring or otherwise, yeah, we’ve got to get hands on Delhomme. Shake him up, throw him around, just make him do something stupid when he hears Johnny Boy clawing up the turf behind him.

by Cerbera on Nov 18, 2008 1:16 PM EST up reply actions

Your picture.

It makes me laugh. Well done!

We’ve heard that a million monkeys at a million keyboards could produce the complete works of Shakespeare; now, thanks to the Internet, we know that is not true.

by iRonin on Nov 18, 2008 7:24 PM EST up reply actions

Cerbera and I should collaborate!

"The nice thing about supporting a bedraggled-cum-decent team? Watching all those analysts eat their words."

by Adam Schultz on Nov 18, 2008 8:10 PM EST up reply actions

Should a playoff berth appear...

We can pool our efforts to show how Coach Smittybags would celebrate: by diving into his vault of gold coins.

by Cerbera on Nov 18, 2008 8:54 PM EST up reply actions

I’m thinking a Ducktales/Temple of Doom crossover movie poster here.

"The nice thing about supporting a bedraggled-cum-decent team? Watching all those analysts eat their words."

by Adam Schultz on Nov 19, 2008 1:28 AM EST up reply actions

URL

Is there some URL I can access this image on (like Photobucket or something)? This would be great to use elsewhere, with your permission of course.

We’ve heard that a million monkeys at a million keyboards could produce the complete works of Shakespeare; now, thanks to the Internet, we know that is not true.

by iRonin on Nov 18, 2008 8:41 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah

No problem. Use away.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Cerbera/pantherstrategy.jpg

And thanks for the kind words. I try my best with what I have… which is Paint and icanhazcheezburger, I guess.

by Cerbera on Nov 18, 2008 8:49 PM EST up reply actions

Just an Idea

I’ve watched nearly every snap so far this season, and while I may have been drinking the entire time, I can say with a fair amount of certainty that we hardly ever have Norwood & Turner in the backfield at the same time. If the Falcons want to open with a look the Panthers haven’t seen (much) from them yet this season, I’d suggest starting with both of them in the backfield. I do not want to see them both back there if it means we are going to use our version of the wildcat tho, because we suck at it, and should never EVER run it again.

So start the game with our terrific tandem in the backfield at the same time, run a toss play where Norwood follows Turner, or vice versa, let the abundance of playmakers make the panthers D over-think, and try and take advantage. Play-action would probably work really well…

by Hamburger on Nov 18, 2008 4:17 PM EST reply actions

I have a feeling...

that our fearless leaders will come up with the perfect gameplan for these Panthers.

"The nice thing about supporting a bedraggled-cum-decent team? Watching all those analysts eat their words."

by Adam Schultz on Nov 18, 2008 10:43 PM EST reply actions

Stellar

Well played, sir.

I love how absolutely content Smitty looks in full regalia. Almost to the point of smugness.
“Mm, yes, I do believe Young Master Ryan is QUITE the man for this job, Comrade Dimitroff.”

Blank appears to be questioning his decision to allow a mutant into his franchise.

by Cerbera on Nov 18, 2008 11:03 PM EST up reply actions