Thursday Morning Discussion: Defensive Line of Terror Edition

by Caleb Rutherford on Oct 20, 2011 8:01 AM EDT in Editorial

Will Turner be the key to beating Detroit's defensive line?

Another quick discussion post for you this morning, because, in short, I am a lame-o.

Anyway, I think the Lions have an incredibly fearsome defensive line and my question to you all is simple. What do we have to do to limit the damage (let's face it, there will be some damage) on Sunday?

I'd sit here and say "Run screens" but we all know the likelihood of that is slim to none, so we have to use what we're given.

Here, I'll follow that up with another question. Would the return of Julio this week (assuming he's 100% healthy) actually hinder the offense? We've tried to pass more with him out at receiver, and it has had middling results. More passing = more dropbacks, which = more risks for sacks/hits/etc. and our OL hasn't exactly been world-class.

We did a good job of setting up the run last week and, from what I understand, the Lions' run D isn't so hot right now. Should we use Turner a bunch even if Julio returns, or should we try and expose Chris Houston for what he was in Atlanta? The choice is yours! Discuss!

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Run as the "fix-all"

It seems simple, but for our team this story remains the same – establish the run and it will be a fix-all. Establishing the run – especially on the edges – will help limit the pass rush and make the defense think twice about blitzing. It will also keep their offense off the field and wear down their defense.

As for Julio – I think his presence was hurting us initially, because our OC was trying to force the ball in his hands. And in some cases, it worked. He was used well in the Green Bay first half and he definitely lives up to the term “explosive.”

Our issues are two-fold: playing the second half and a terrible defense. The second half adjustments were much better last week, so I’m encouraged by those developments. We leaned heavily on the no-huddle against Carolina, and it paid off well.

As for the defense? I’m afraid there’s no easy fix short of getting rid of the DC. The next best fix is to eat up the clock and keep the other team’s offense off the field.

by The DW on Oct 20, 2011 8:16 AM EDT reply actions

^ that ^ AND \/ this \/

“As for the defense? I’m afraid there’s no easy fix short of getting rid of the DC”.

by TheSpectr on Oct 22, 2011 12:04 PM EDT up reply actions

I am worried about DET's DL

They are very good and our OL has been very bad. That is a bad recipe. It is up to MM and MS to develop schemes that will slow down the DET DL. I don’t think they can be stopped but hopefully they can be slowed down some.

The DW has some other good points, especially about playing a complete game.

by mwalex on Oct 20, 2011 9:16 AM EDT reply actions

the worst thing that can happen

is this – MM or whoever calls our plays takes that “We have to run it” mantra literally. what then happens is clear – Detroit, no matter how poor it plays against the run on average, will stack up the box and stop Turner once or twice and leave us in an obvious passing situation. THAT is what we have to avoid, because in those situations our Oline won’t hold up against that Dline

Atlanta Falcons fan in Moscow, Russia

by Gemini-RU on Oct 20, 2011 2:05 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Same game plan

Run…27 or more snaps with Quizz and Snelling spelling. I honestly think Julio would be better in the slot with HD as the number two receiver….in certain packages i might add. Julio is better using his speed, and not just in deep fade routes because that’s something he has to work on.

Atlanta will win a championship....someday

by maxxj3 on Oct 20, 2011 9:45 AM EDT reply actions

Why no screens??

I think screens to Quizz are a great idea… in fact I think that this is truly his game to shine. His speed will be tough for that mammoth D-line to keep up with and having him in the backfield will keep them guessing. Either way I would like to see us run the ball the setup the pass. This defense has been unable to stop the run and we need to exploit that.

Getting Julio back in now way hurts our offense… if run the ball to setup the pass how can having an additional top flight wide receiver open down the field hurt our offense? I would also like to see some screens to our receivers to take advantage of Detroits smaller defensive backs. Roddy, Julio and Harry could all be effective on the screen.
Not to sound overly positive, but I think we can and will win this game. Need to bring it all together here guys. GO BIRDS! Im pumped for this one.

by AndrewGa1687 on Oct 20, 2011 10:03 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs

MM has said they don't do many screens

because the OL isn’t athletic enough.

by BEZERKO on Oct 20, 2011 10:40 AM EDT up reply actions

Actually, I think Julio can bring another level to this offense in a run first scheme

If they want to load the box and sell out on the run, Julio is a physical mismatch for just about any corner in the league. When you’ve got 8 in the box you pretty much are man up on the outside or are in a cover 3 shell. That’s the kind of play where Julio can get deep and make some grabs on well-thrown balls. Roddy doesn’t have quite the same luxury as he’s not as tall or as fast, though he’s extremely athletic.

Of course, the problem is well-thrown balls. That’s where actually giving Matt time to throw and Matt making accurate throws downfield come in.

by LetsGoFalcons on Oct 20, 2011 10:52 AM EDT up reply actions

Be a copy cat

The Eagles run screens after streaking all the receivers downfield, allowing huge gains by the receiver out of the backfield. Why not do that?

by BlueFender on Oct 20, 2011 11:14 AM EDT up reply actions

I think we'll

have mass protect on to make sure Ryan doesn’t get hit. Our WRs should be able to dog their secondary. We have to make sure that Detroit can’t crowd the line of scrimmage so that we can kill them with the run on the edges too. I would even like for us to put Meier out there, if he’s ready because of his size and no one has tape on him yet. We’re not even sure of his value, but we think he’s a well kept secret. I’m really not worried offensively as long as we come to play. Defense is another story but without their #1 RB (Best) or #2 RB (Leshoure) they shouldn’t be able to run on us and they should be one dimensional. We can shutdown Pettigrew. The problem is Megatron. We need to make sure we get pressure on Stafford.

by Fear Me on Oct 20, 2011 10:15 AM EDT reply actions

Completely agree. Great points all around.

by LetsGoFalcons on Oct 20, 2011 11:00 AM EDT up reply actions

Don't Completely Change What You Do, Make What You Do Well Better

This really should be the mantra for the Falcons and it should play out in this game more than any other. Detroit allows 126 ypg on the ground and only 208 ypg through the air (good for 26th and 6th respectively). We’re 3-0 when Turner attempts 20 rushes or more and 0-2 when he doesn’t. We’re also 2-0 when Ryan attempts less than 30 passes and 1-2 when he attempts 30 passes or more. Some of that’s offensive line play, some of it isn’t, but regardless, we’ve got to POUND THE ROCK. Detroit is the second worst rushing defense in the league. Even if Julio plays (which I doubt he will), we need to set things up with our run game, then add in a balanced passing attack. In our losses we have tried to force the issue too much.

by LetsGoFalcons on Oct 20, 2011 10:46 AM EDT reply actions

Correction: Detroit is the second worst rushing defense we've faced this year

My bad.

by LetsGoFalcons on Oct 20, 2011 10:47 AM EDT up reply actions

Also, in regards to our third-down woes on defense

The Lions aren’t too hot in converting third-down attempts (only 30.5%). They are really really good at stopping teams on third down though.

by LetsGoFalcons on Oct 20, 2011 10:58 AM EDT up reply actions

Get Ovie involved

I’m not entirely sure about the stats, but imo Ovie is one of the top 3 or 4 fullbacks in the league, especially at blocking. I really would not mind if in most passing plays he’s left in the backfield as a blocker, most of our run game was behind him as a lead blocker (inside the guards, inside the tackles, and outside the tackles). I feel that the more he can be involved as a blocker (and sometimes receiver) in the offense, the more succes the falcons will have.

by falconnuke on Oct 20, 2011 11:33 AM EDT reply actions

It's difficult because..

With detroit’s DL the running lanes won’t open up easily. So you say pass well Detroit runs 3 safeties at all times so that’s gonna be a little bit difficult. The good thing is that there LBs aren’t great they aren’t bad either but not Excellent so with that said the short passing game mixed with power runs and a couple screens throw a FEW random deep passes we should come out a winner.

by falcons101 on Oct 20, 2011 12:18 PM EDT via iPhone app reply actions

Give us some QUIZZ!!

The dude gets a good gain each time we get him the ball, get him more touches.

by Falcons1133 on Oct 20, 2011 1:13 PM EDT reply actions

Play Redman so Ryan doesn't get injured.

by DBFalcon on Oct 20, 2011 3:23 PM EDT reply actions

From my couch

I hope Julio sits one more out and takes the bye to get back to 100%.

I would love to see intermediate dump offs to Gonzo and send Quizz on some streaks between the hashes. Once we have them on their heels rotate our backs and actually, and I know I’m reaching here, run a different package for each back. One that plays to their skills. Burner beats the Holy Hell outta the DL and LB’s, and hits the edges, Snells & Ovie in max protect on 2nd, and It may sound crazy but little man Quizz as our 3DRB, running draws or scrimmage fade routes. Keep that D reeling. Pass on First, Run on 2nd, start shooting bastards on third..lol, but nah let HD and RW work their option routes and deep posts. Leak the TE’s on PA.

As far as our D goes. I love Bulldogs football, and was a huge huge stafford fan when he slung the pigskin for us, that being said when he gets pressure, he forces throws. With Grimey, DeCoud,and Moore hawking the ball Every Fricken Game, and our biggest WR…being CP91, I think BVG’s scheme might work well against Staff Infection. With Ray Edwards obviously getting stronger every game, CP91 and JB95, wreaking havoc on the inside, and a hopefully semi-healthy predator snooping around the edges, with our db’s playing in a press zone we should see some pretty swick INT’s that will result in the demise of the mighty lion’s.

And I reiterate what I said a couple days ago. Redzone Offense. Let CP91 getta goalline fade mang!! That is all!

by Bird_of_Prey_87 on Oct 20, 2011 4:10 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

My Take?

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Even if JJ is back, STILL give the rock to Turner to see if we can expose that run defense. I don’t know why we left the run game in the first place. Yes, we have JJ, but we shouldn’t have lost our identity in the process. If we stick to the run, JJ AND RW will get open, trust me. Give Matt Ryan options down the field by continuing to give the rock to Turner. That keeps more defenders in the box. BUT, in order for that to work, Mike Mularkey HAS to stop being predictable by way of “RRP” (Run on 1st, Run on 2nd & Pass on 3rd and forever). Shake it up a bit (actually a LOT), by throwing in a play-action pass on 1st down. Throwing on 2nd and short or even screen passes on 3rd and managable. Our identity is to run the ball, but unFORTunately with Mike Mularkey as our OC, so it “RRP”.

by TheSpectr on Oct 22, 2011 12:01 PM EDT reply actions