Thursday Pre-Game Notes: Tackling The Baltimore Ravens

by Dave Choate on Sep 3, 2009 1:36 AM EDT in Falcons News

After a close game against the Chargers, the Falcons are headed for their second consecutive rough contest against the Ravens. Buckle your recliner belts, ladies and gents.

Unlike the Chargers, who combine a potent offense with a decent defense, the Ravens are a run-heavy offense who pack an extremely difficult D. This will be the first major test for our thus far astonishing offense, and the run D will have their hands full dealing with Ray Rice, Willis McGahee and LeRon McClain from Die Hard. You may see Mike Smith shout once or twice.

Most critically, of course, this is the last chance for a lot of guys to prove they deserve a roster spot. Marty Booker and Robert Ferguson will do a little duking out, as will William Middleton and every other cornerback on the roster at this point. After this, every game counts in the standings, so this is the very last chance to take a wrench to this team and either fix or beat the hell out of it. Here's hoping the former, of course.

Jump on in. The links are just fine!

Jerious Norwood is being held out as a precaution. Can't say I particularly blame the Falcons for being careful with our backup running back, especially since he's going to be leaned on more heavily than ever before with Michael Turner not wanting to approximate his twelve hojillion carry season again. As long as he's fine by Week 1, we're all happy.
As Bleacher Report speculated, the New York Jets immediately went out and signed Ben Hartsock. This is relevant to this game chiefly because I'm going to be watching hard to see how Tony Gonzalez and Justin Peelle look when they're called upon to block. My guess would be fine.
Freshly signed cornerback Tye Hill won't be playing in the final pre-season game. Much like Domonique Foxworth last year, the team is going to bring Hill along slowly and hope he's ready to make an impact the instant they decide he's ready. This week is probably more to determine whether Chris Houston and Brent Grimes get to keep their starting jobs than anything else.
Matt Ryan has a perfectly symmetrical face, which will come in handy against the Ravens. I...I have to draw you!
The AJC says watch out for Spencer Adkins and Robert James, who will cling to roster spots if they can prove that they have long-term talent and are valuable on special teams. I'd expect them to keep Adkins over James, but I've been wrong before.

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the signing of hill

I think just gets us more ready for week #3 against the patriots. Miami and carolina are primarily run teams, so we won’t have to rely on the secondary so much during those 2 games. But I’m sure they’ll have gotten Hill up to speed by week 3 in order to help stop Brady!!. Even though our starters won’t play much tonight, it’s still gonna give us a good look at our 1st line backups, the guys that sub in for our starters more than anyone else. And a good look at whether our run defense is as good as we all think it is!! We will be losing some players we won’t want to get cut , but it happens. Like losing Hartsock I think doesn’t hurt because I’m sure Gonzo can block just fine when called upon to do so, he has played for over a decade now!! lol But we still need to get another DE, our pass ruch MUST improve or this season is going to be a very frustating season to say the least!

LETS GO FALCONS
L-DAWG

by ATLsince1972 on Sep 3, 2009 6:46 AM EDT reply actions

Not sure about Carolina

I’m with you on Miami, but I seem to remember Steve Smith and Mushin having a field day on us last year (looking back MM had 8-147 and 4-40 and Smith had 6-96 and 8-168, all combined those two players had 26 catches for 451 yards in 2 games), and the way our corners have been in the preseason they scare me this year as well. If we play up to stop Williams our corners need to be able to handle it. I am fine with bringing Hill along slowly but I think we will need him sooner rather than later.

But your last point is on the money, the pass rush needs to be there this season or we are in serious trouble.

My Music Blog: DBF

by BVaz on Sep 3, 2009 10:43 AM EDT up reply actions

Turner is 27

he has – according to football theory – 3 or 4 good years left. I hope he has 5 more left… but anyhow…

let the guy carry the ball while he’s in his prime. This curse of 370 nonsense is as illogical as the madden curse. You get hurt from getting hurt – not from carrying the ball a lot. Give this guy 340+ carries, please!

by nathan rothschild on Sep 3, 2009 8:22 AM EDT reply actions

I read an article (I believe bleacher report... might have been AJC)

about how our Lineman’s aggressiveness is what preserves Turner for the long haul. About how their consistatncy to play to the whistle keeps those last defenders from piling up on our Burner and allows him to continue to be explosive late into the game.

I think our coaching staff has assembled the appropriate formula for a successful team that seems to be able to resist injury better than a lot of the competition.

I agree, keep feeding the guy the ball as long as he is making plays.

know what you believe in and why you believe in it

by MentallyMIA on Sep 3, 2009 8:29 AM EDT up reply actions

not only that

but look at Turner’s build. He’s a monster. Have you ever seen him limp? He’s just built to last – seems unhurtable.

by nathan rothschild on Sep 3, 2009 2:23 PM EDT up reply actions

What I don't understand

about the Hartsock release is why him? I would have guessed Radar or the other guy would have been cut first. Oh well. As far as our offense, I think most of the Falcoholics aren’t worried. The defense has so much to prove that it’s ridiculous. If we have the answer to the screen play then we’ll be fine. We’ver proven that we can get teams in 3rd and long situations. It’s stopping them on 3rd down that seems to be a huge issue.

by Fear Me on Sep 3, 2009 11:18 AM EDT reply actions

Mike Smith

is former Ravens coach Brian Billick’s brother-in-law. Sort of weird, huh?

aka 'Rexx'

by Bruce Raffel on Sep 3, 2009 11:35 AM EDT reply actions

It's a tight fraternity out there

by Dave Choate on Sep 3, 2009 11:42 AM EDT up reply actions

speaking of reports

i read somebodies BOLD predictions on foxsports and one of his was that the Falcons wouldn’t make the playoffs or have a winning record. His main reason our defense and there is no way our “big 3” can stay healthy like they did last year. Why is it so hard to believe our guys can’t stay healthy 2 yrs in a row? That’s like the 3rd time I’ve read thats why we’re not gonna be good this year.

by gritzblitz on Sep 3, 2009 2:17 PM EDT reply actions