Saturday News And Notes: Commandeering The Tampa Bay Bucs
by Dave Choate on Nov 28, 2009 8:00 AM EST
in Falcons News
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PrintArrr and stuff.
I apologize for the brevity of this post and previous ones, but you know how it is. Holidays and travel time tends to sap the energy and mental acuity of a man who didn't have much of either to begin with. We'll gear back up in time for the game tomorrow.
For now, let's jump into a few links regarding the Tampa Bay Bucs, The Falcoholic's official enemy.
- Optimism is running high for Bucs fans. Of course, they are consulting a magic eight-ball, which should tell you something about how bizarre this NFL season has been.
- This Michael Turner thing is getting a little out of hand, frankly. Jerious Norwood appears to be ready to return, Jason Snelling proved last week that he's capable of carrying the load, and yet the coaching staff continues to insist that Turner's questionable and he could play. I know our coaching staff has taken a page from the Bill Belichick handbook when it comes to injuries, but it's utterly ridiculous to trot Turner back and risk worsening his injury against one of the few t eams remaining on the schedule that we might not need him against. I assume this is an elaborate ruse, but I'll be pretty unhappy if it isn't.
- I do appreciate that the team is rallying around Jason Elam. It's what professionals should do when one of their own is struggling. I also appreciate that our friend Daniel Cox over at the Atlanta Falcons Examiner points out that this isn't just a little slump Elam is having. What I'm not sure I understand is how Brandon Coutu is not a better option right now than Elam, considering the strength of his leg and the fact that he only lost his job in Seattle because Olindo Mare was possessed by the ghost of 1990 Morten Andersen. If the team is serious about keeping him, let's hope he hits those kicks coming up.
- John Abraham blaming the secondary? We all know Abraham's numbers are down, but it's a little shocking to see him point the finger up the field, even if he's at least partially correct. I also really hope this article isn't correct about Chris Owens taking away snaps from Brent Grimes and Tye Hill. What is it going to take for Chris Houston to get bumped down the pecking order, exactly, especially because I don't believe Grimes and Hill have been visibly worse than him this season?
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Houston?
I dont know why they keep him as the #1 CB out there. He has plays of absolute brilliance but those are few and far between. Yes, that can be considered his potential but we also need more than potential. We need him to step up and play every down as if his job depended on it. Looking across the field at Grimes, he does show up to play all the time, it is just his short frame can be dominated by a tall physical receiver. Sadly (to me) he is the one that gets bumped out of the game when they want to bring in a new CB and not Houston. I say sit Houston until he can learn to turn his head before he runs into a receiver and start Owens and Grimes, just to see what Owens can do. This is a game that we should be able to use as a tryout for Owens. In any case, I just hope we dont turn this into a career day for Josh Freeman.
I feel the same way
about Grimes as you feel about Houston. He too has had some really nice plays, but I feel like I’ve seen him slip or trip on just as many and give up the big play. Reflecting back on our defense, I really think that we only have two major weaknesses on that side of the ball: the interior of the defensive line and cornerback. Both have been depleted by injury this season, but both also need an infusion of new talent.
Its true. I'm a Falcoholic! I just can't live without Falcohol!
by phoenix falcoholic on Nov 28, 2009 11:20 AM EST up reply actions
Eh ...
Take it easy on Grimes. Just like Houston, he’s essentially playing “out of position.”
Reporter: How will you address all of the dropped passes?
Mike Smith: I don’t think that we were as sharp as we have been catching the football. It’s something that is very fixable. It’s VERY fixable.
.. and keep in mind the vertical leaping ability of Grimes.
If you enter a post critical of Grimes, he may jump up out of your computer screen and dispute your opinion.
Naw ...
Debilah (God bless her soul and freakish genes) with get ya.
Reporter: How will you address all of the dropped passes?
Mike Smith: I don’t think that we were as sharp as we have been catching the football. It’s something that is very fixable. It’s VERY fixable.
Until Houston does get bumped ...
I’m going to assume that he’s our best option out of our army of #2 and nickel CBs to play the #1 corner spot. If that makes sense.
Reporter: How will you address all of the dropped passes?
Mike Smith: I don’t think that we were as sharp as we have been catching the football. It’s something that is very fixable. It’s VERY fixable.
why
didn’t we sign an older guy in the off season like a Ty Law not to get alot of playing time but just to teach some of the younger guys a few things. This off season we should deff take a look at getting a number 1 guy im tired of watching Houston and Grimes get exposed almost every game
concur
Reporter: How will you address all of the dropped passes?
Mike Smith: I don’t think that we were as sharp as we have been catching the football. It’s something that is very fixable. It’s VERY fixable.
We did
Brian Williams. Also had an unknown quantity with Von Hutchins.
Remember, it’s a process. This defense had a lot of holes for several years. We spent a lot on our LBs last year; spent heavy on DL this past year (Jerry, Sidbury, resign Babs). Next year the secondary. #1 CBs aren’t just falling out of the sky on teams.
This is still one of the best personnel FO’s in the league. Don’t let an uberdraft spoil your expectations; we’re not gonna find a Matt Ryan/Curtis Lofton/Sam Baker/Thomas Decoud/Kroy Biermann/Harry Douglas combo every draft. I’m happy we saw Jerry looks sharp and I think Moore will be a good pickup once he gets healthy.
Still, we got Tony G. We got Williams (who was working). We got Peterson.
It’s a little early to start griping about coaching and personnel decisions when they’ve continued to hit home run after home run.
Maybe there is no Heaven. Or maybe this is all pure gibberish — a product of the demented imagination of a lazy drunken hillbilly with a heart full of hate who has found a way to live out where the real winds blow — to sleep late, have fun, get wild, drink whisky, and drive fast on empty streets with nothing in mind except falling in love and not getting arrested...Res ipsa loquitur. Let the good times roll.
by iRonin on Nov 28, 2009 2:13 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Agreed
“Its a process”
Its true. I'm a Falcoholic! I just can't live without Falcohol!
by phoenix falcoholic on Nov 28, 2009 2:39 PM EST up reply actions
fully agree with you - we're still in the middle of the process, BUT
if our defensive personnel is among the best in the league, AND coaching is ok, how could we be so awful in pass defence all this time (they’re even writing all over that Freeman has a good match-up in the Falcons who rank 29 in pass defence!)? Or was it bad luck + quality of opposition?
Hiccup
I see the problem here: we don’t have the best defensive personnel in the league.
We have an elite talent evaluation staff, proven by the 2008 Uberdraft, and 08 and 09 FA moves. We started with LBs, the most important part of our D scheme (see Lofton leading NFL in tackles). We sought to improve our DL with Bierman, Jerry, and Sidbury. Jerry went down and the secondary hasn’t provided a lot of help.
Next step is secondary. We’ve band-aided it for a bit (Foxworth, Hutchins, Williams, Hill) but we’re not selling the farm on a gamble. We’ve gotten, consistently, low risk/high reward prospects.
We need at least 1 more talented DB and probably 1 more talented pass rusher (maybe Sid is like Decoud), and a long term replacemet for Peterson. That’s really all we need on D. On O we need a long term replacement for McClure and an upgrade for Blaylock.
Probably a new OC too.
But our coverage sucking was a known issue last year and this preseason. But we’ve had too many other wholes to fill.
Maybe there is no Heaven. Or maybe this is all pure gibberish — a product of the demented imagination of a lazy drunken hillbilly with a heart full of hate who has found a way to live out where the real winds blow — to sleep late, have fun, get wild, drink whisky, and drive fast on empty streets with nothing in mind except falling in love and not getting arrested...Res ipsa loquitur. Let the good times roll.
by iRonin on Nov 28, 2009 4:33 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Huzzah! Call the press, I fully agree with iRonin (re: the defense) ...
I’m not so sure a replacement for Blaylock is a priority in the coming off-season. Football Outsiders has us ranked 4th in pass protection (4.1% ASR) and 5th in run blocking (4.43 ALY). I’d like to see them use a high draft pick on our C of the future and use the rest of the draft to shore up the D.
The jury is still out on Mularkey IMO. He’s certainly on the hot seat, but I’m not sold on the need for a replacement just yet. If anything, his job has to be more secure than BVG’s.
Reporter: How will you address all of the dropped passes?
Mike Smith: I don’t think that we were as sharp as we have been catching the football. It’s something that is very fixable. It’s VERY fixable.
Fo' Sho'
I feel BVG is bouyed by a lack of proper personnel and a defensive minded head coach.
I expected our D to need some work, but out offense should be putting up 30+ on everyone but Pittsburgh and Baltimore.
As for the OL, and Blaylock, I just see lots of flags from him. I hate OL penalties. That’s absolutely unconscionable. It’s about discipline. He’s done better this year so maybe premature.
I also think Clabo might need a nice long look at
Maybe there is no Heaven. Or maybe this is all pure gibberish — a product of the demented imagination of a lazy drunken hillbilly with a heart full of hate who has found a way to live out where the real winds blow — to sleep late, have fun, get wild, drink whisky, and drive fast on empty streets with nothing in mind except falling in love and not getting arrested...Res ipsa loquitur. Let the good times roll.
by iRonin on Nov 28, 2009 6:59 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
But...
I like that we’re on the same page. We’re unstoppable now Franky. You’re 3L too now right?
Maybe there is no Heaven. Or maybe this is all pure gibberish — a product of the demented imagination of a lazy drunken hillbilly with a heart full of hate who has found a way to live out where the real winds blow — to sleep late, have fun, get wild, drink whisky, and drive fast on empty streets with nothing in mind except falling in love and not getting arrested...Res ipsa loquitur. Let the good times roll.
by iRonin on Nov 28, 2009 7:01 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Naw ... 2L
The whole “work you to death” saying is ringing very true for me. 17 credits will do that to you. The end is in sight for you though!
Reporter: How will you address all of the dropped passes?
Mike Smith: I don’t think that we were as sharp as we have been catching the football. It’s something that is very fixable. It’s VERY fixable.
Yeah
The flags need to stop, and I’m on record re: Clabo. He just bugs me. Don’t know why.
Reporter: How will you address all of the dropped passes?
Mike Smith: I don’t think that we were as sharp as we have been catching the football. It’s something that is very fixable. It’s VERY fixable.
I agree about Clabo.
Maybe there is no Heaven. Or maybe this is all pure gibberish — a product of the demented imagination of a lazy drunken hillbilly with a heart full of hate who has found a way to live out where the real winds blow — to sleep late, have fun, get wild, drink whisky, and drive fast on empty streets with nothing in mind except falling in love and not getting arrested...Res ipsa loquitur. Let the good times roll.
by iRonin on Nov 28, 2009 10:40 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Hiccup
I see the problem here: we don’t have the best defensive personnel in the league.
We have an elite talent evaluation staff, proven by the 2008 Uberdraft, and 08 and 09 FA moves. We started with LBs, the most important part of our D scheme (see Lofton leading NFL in tackles). We sought to improve our DL with Bierman, Jerry, and Sidbury. Jerry went down and the secondary hasn’t provided a lot of help.
Next step is secondary. We’ve band-aided it for a bit (Foxworth, Hutchins, Williams, Hill) but we’re not selling the farm on a gamble. We’ve gotten, consistently, low risk/high reward prospects.
We need at least 1 more talented DB and probably 1 more talented pass rusher (maybe Sid is like Decoud), and a long term replacemet for Peterson. That’s really all we need on D. On O we need a long term replacement for McClure and an upgrade for Blaylock.
Probably a new OC too.
But our coverage sucking was a known issue last year and this preseason. But we’ve had too many other wholes to fill.
Maybe there is no Heaven. Or maybe this is all pure gibberish — a product of the demented imagination of a lazy drunken hillbilly with a heart full of hate who has found a way to live out where the real winds blow — to sleep late, have fun, get wild, drink whisky, and drive fast on empty streets with nothing in mind except falling in love and not getting arrested...Res ipsa loquitur. Let the good times roll.
by iRonin on Nov 28, 2009 4:42 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Well played iPhone, well played indeed.
Maybe there is no Heaven. Or maybe this is all pure gibberish — a product of the demented imagination of a lazy drunken hillbilly with a heart full of hate who has found a way to live out where the real winds blow — to sleep late, have fun, get wild, drink whisky, and drive fast on empty streets with nothing in mind except falling in love and not getting arrested...Res ipsa loquitur. Let the good times roll.
by iRonin on Nov 28, 2009 4:43 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Abe should take care of his own problems ...
Reporter: How will you address all of the dropped passes?
Mike Smith: I don’t think that we were as sharp as we have been catching the football. It’s something that is very fixable. It’s VERY fixable.
Finger pointing
is the worst thing we could see from the team trying to figure out what needs to be done to fix problems…
ole abe
if any of our guys could get to the QB on a regular basis then our secondary wouldn’t have to stay in coverage for 6+ seconds every play. IMO Houston puts himself in the right position to make plays on the ball he just never does. I can’t count how many times he’s right there and doesn’t get his head around. To go back to the D line, I’m not blaming our problems on them, our secondary is bad and needs to be improved but it’s not all their fault. My question is how do we address it? Do we coutinue to try and build through the draft or go after some FAs? I have complete faith in TD but do we really just wanna keep getting younger? My head is gonna exploid.
Short Answer: Yes
Long Answer: There’s a great article online somewhere talking about how the Colts, Patriots, and Steelers are composed almost entirely of their own draft picks. See also, Redskins.
Maybe there is no Heaven. Or maybe this is all pure gibberish — a product of the demented imagination of a lazy drunken hillbilly with a heart full of hate who has found a way to live out where the real winds blow — to sleep late, have fun, get wild, drink whisky, and drive fast on empty streets with nothing in mind except falling in love and not getting arrested...Res ipsa loquitur. Let the good times roll.
by iRonin on Nov 28, 2009 3:28 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
I watched the interviews with Smith, Abe, Lofton, Roddy and TG.
They all emphasized the team woeking together concept.
Abe was frank and did say the secondary has had problems that need correcting, but that is just an obvious fact. I don’t see how what he said was taken as finger pointing.
I agree that we should start Snelling and only put Burner in if the game is still close at halftime. I say suit him and sit him to be used only if the game gets tight.
My main worries about the TB game are Baker and Lofton, who are both listed as Q. I hope they can play.
With Ryan TG and Snelling all clicking, I expect the offense to do very well against the Bucs.
“Maybe with people not knowing the coverages or not being grown-ups about what they are supposed to do, so we’ve got to make changes,” Abraham said.
… or maybe it’s because the D-Line and LBs give opposing QBs all day and then some to pick apart our coverage
That sounds A LOT like finger pointing to me. Football Outsiders has us ranked 24th in Adjusted Sack Rate (5.7%). The pressure is simply not there.
Simplistic — but likely accurate — analysis: No pressure. More time for opposing QB. Less rushed throws. More throws on point. More trouble for the secondary. Less finger pointing for Abe.
Reporter: How will you address all of the dropped passes?
Mike Smith: I don’t think that we were as sharp as we have been catching the football. It’s something that is very fixable. It’s VERY fixable.
it's pretty harsh
but I think a kick in the pants would do them well at this point. All they need is another second or two in coverage and we would have so many more sacks. It seems like every other pass highlight shows Abe’s arm reaching for the QB or Babs right at his feet.
Really i feel like the whole head turning issue is ridiculous. It’s been pointed out time and time again and still it has not been fixed. Earlier in the season it was acceptable, because at least they’re in the right position, the head-turning will come, don’t worry. Now we’re at 5-5 and our corners still don’t seem to realize that they have to prevent the ball from being caught, and to do that they have to LOOK AT IT. I’m all for politness and PC and all that, but there comes a time when someone’s got to step up and play the freakin’ position.
It's the whole chicken or the egg dilema ...
I never played CB, but my thing is that WRs do all these arm fakes/eye twitches in an effort to make the DB think they’re going for the ball, and the second the DB turns, they’re gone for a big gain. To me, it seems like he’s just playing in an overly cautious manner, which is still wrong, but perhaps slightly more justifiable.
Reporter: How will you address all of the dropped passes?
Mike Smith: I don’t think that we were as sharp as we have been catching the football. It’s something that is very fixable. It’s VERY fixable.
Ya know...
The way Abe worded that…..it’s almost as if he knows something we (the fans) don’t know. He’s never done any finger pointing before, I don’t think. He might be hinting at something.
I imagine most of the guys have a general idea of what the others’ night lives are. Maybe the DBs are being dumb outside of football. Who knows. Seems a bit out of character for Abe for it not to mean something a little deeper.
"Ryan, under center. Single receiver set, time on his side. Ryan, gonna throw. First professional pass.....CAUGHT!! Jenkins! 30! 25! 20! 15! 10! 5! He lives in Atlanta!!!"
Fair enough ...
Reporter: How will you address all of the dropped passes?
Mike Smith: I don’t think that we were as sharp as we have been catching the football. It’s something that is very fixable. It’s VERY fixable.
People are open early so the QB does not have to hold the ball until he gets sacked.
Case in point : Giants TE Boss. Completely uncovered on several plays, resulting in 2 TD’s and some other big gains.
I can’t dog Falcons D much though. Losing 2 key starters, Jerry and Williams, for the year means they are doing their best to keep it together playing short handed. Also, 3 more players having been going despite injuries. Abe (foot), Lofton (knee), and Coleman (knee), have not been at full health in some recent games.
Right back to the chicken and the egg dilema IMO ...
But you’re absolutely right, they’re hanging tough all things considered.
Reporter: How will you address all of the dropped passes?
Mike Smith: I don’t think that we were as sharp as we have been catching the football. It’s something that is very fixable. It’s VERY fixable.
we have such
weak blitzes i swear everytime we blitz i always see the other team picks them up and the other team has time to destroy our corners are left on an island getting destroyed by the QB
I agree
Though in fairness our D is predicated on the front 4 getting pressure.
Maybe there is no Heaven. Or maybe this is all pure gibberish — a product of the demented imagination of a lazy drunken hillbilly with a heart full of hate who has found a way to live out where the real winds blow — to sleep late, have fun, get wild, drink whisky, and drive fast on empty streets with nothing in mind except falling in love and not getting arrested...Res ipsa loquitur. Let the good times roll.
by iRonin on Nov 28, 2009 8:12 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
injured or not
we better win 2day. i hope no one is sleeping on the bucks who b4 last week had some very close loses that they couldve won and beat a very good greenbay team. our offense needs to play like they did in the second half of the giants game and as far as our d. they just need 2 get there head out of there * and start ballin. must win
by DEMBIRDZCUZ! on Nov 29, 2009 6:34 AM EST via mobile reply actions
tampa 2
Does anyone know how the Falcons play against a Tampa 2? Do we face this kind of defense a lot?
I don’t know if Tampa has the right personnel for an effective Tampa 2, and it will be interesting to see what Mularkey will come up with against it. Who’s the middle linebacker at Tampa? How does he match up with Gonzo? Will we see Ryan go a little West Coast Offense here, something he did in College so well?
The run should work great against am Tampa 2, though.
dave you are just so wrong
Brandon Coutu is incapable of hitting the endzone unless 2 15 yard penaltys are enforsed …..not possible…on any kickoff. That was the reason he was never used in seattle. i watch all of seattle games in this region….oregon sucks for game options to watch. Yes his acuracy was very good until 45 yards then he was hitting the bottom of the goalpost.
believe me we thought he would be great in seattle but he warmed the bench for the reason that he wasnt able to perform on game day in preseason or even in practice. he just couldnt cut it.
Koenen does the kick offs ...
And at this point, I’d be OK with accuracy up to 45 yards.
Reporter: How will you address all of the dropped passes?
Mike Smith: I don’t think that we were as sharp as we have been catching the football. It’s something that is very fixable. It’s VERY fixable.
Funballad, I'm going to point to Franky talking about Koenen
But I didn’t know that. I wondered why the kid hadn’t gotten a job yet. Thanks for the scouting report.
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agreed if we dont need him for kickoffs
coutu would be better than what seems to be happening with elam. i didnt get to see the game but i understand elam missed agin forsing the game winning TD instead of a field goal chance.
It makes me want Hauschka, honestly
That kid got cut for making 75% of his field goals, while Elam makes 63% and continues to kick. I really do love the guy and I would like this all to go away, but if the game is riding on his leg again and he misses, I’m not sure what any of us could say.
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by Dave Choate on Nov 29, 2009 11:48 PM EST up reply actions
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