What Will You Be Looking For In The Falcons-Jaguars Game?
by Dave Choate on Aug 15, 2011 12:30 PM EDT
in Falcons News
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PrintWe saw the Falcons do some things exceptionally well against the Dolphins. We saw the Falcons do some things poorly against the Dolphins. What I really want to know now is how the Falcons will do against the Jaguars.
There's a couple of reasons for that. Number one, they just so happen to be our next opponent, and I'm not the freakin' Oracle of Delphi. The second is that the Jaguars, despite their inconsistency, are a better team than the Dolphins. A little challenge is hardly a downer in the pre-season.
What I want to know, loyal and sometimes gentle readers, is what you're looking to see. Do you need to see the offensive line performing well again as a unit, or are you more concerned about Garrett Reynolds? Curious to see how the Falcons deal with speedy back Rashad Jennings, or barely able to wait to watch Jacquizz Rodgers in action again.
I'd like to hear from you. For a few examples of what I'll be looking at, hit the jump.
Defensive Tackle
Corey Peters is going to be out and Jonathan Babineaux will be gone after a couple of series, so the backups are going to get their time to shine. Here's a question I have for each candidate for a spot in the rotation:
Peria Jerry: Can he turn his excellent practices into game-time success? He looked more than a little lost during the Dolphins game.
Vance Walker: Can he step up his game to seize a bigger spot in the rotation? Is he a more complete player than he was a year ago?
Trey Lewis: Is he worth carrying as an enormous run-stopper? Is he actually a better run-stopper than Peters/Walker?
Kiante Tripp and Carlton Powell: Do they have enough skill to push Lewis off the roster? Also, can they learn the defense fast enough, especially Powell?
I'm curious to see whether the Falcons will carry four or five defensive tackles. That will be determined by who, if anyone, stands out behind Babs/Peters/Jerry.
Wide Receiver
Can Brandyn Harvey seize a roster spot? If he plays as well as he did on Friday against the Dolphins, the Falcons will be awfully tempted to carry him. But six wide receivers is likely overkill, so it may depend on Eric Weems' fortunes. Weems, if you'll recall, looked plenty speedy in the passing game Friday, too.
I'll be looking to see if Julio Jones can be ridiculously awesome again, too. Consistency is all too often the bane of rookie receivers' existence, so I'll be hoping Julio can continue to look like a cagey veteran with the wheels of a Jaguar.
Punter
This is probably the most unexpected battle to emerge from camp. After the Falcons spent a draft pick on Matt Bosher, I assumed he was a shoo-in for the punter job. After Michael Koenen decided to go roll around in a pile of money down in Tampa, I figured it was a lock.
But no, not so fast. Bosher looked decent but not exceptional Friday, and Ken Parrish kicked like a cabaret girl with a bionic leg. For the offense and defense, it's fair to say "oh, it happened against backups." When you're dealing with punters, that argument doesn't apply.
I'll be interested to see how Parrish does against the Jaguars, as he still has a very narrow margin of error. If he continues to boom and Bosher can't quite get his leg going, this may not be as open and shut as I thought.
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my biggest question going into this game
is if were are going to hear any more “shoo-in” Punter “puns” – haha… punter ‘pun’ – get it ….
lame… I know…
Dave, you are no better – “shoo-in” – come on… That pun needs to get the boot.
know what you believe in and why you believe in it
Actually unintentional
Woe!
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by Dave Choate on Aug 15, 2011 12:51 PM EDT up reply actions
I think the Falcons will put the boot to this punter battle pretty quickly. In order to make a decision, we just need to lace ‘em up, and move forward by putting one foot in front of the other. If we don’t kick the punter decision into gear, we’re going to end up looking like we’re dancing with two left feet. But we won’t kick this can down the road forever. At this point, Coach Smith is just waiting for the other shoe to drop.
by grg on Aug 15, 2011 1:32 PM EDT up reply actions 4 recs
haha - rec'd!
I wonder if when we start referencing receiver battles if this whole pun thing will catch on. I guess it is just a matter of how well fellow Falcoholics receive the idea
know what you believe in and why you believe in it
All puns and cliches aside,
It will be interesting to see which punter emerges to take over the job. No matter whether Bosher or Parrish wins the position battle, at least we didn’t re-sign Koenen.
I’m still trying to wrap my head around how the Bucs were stupid dumb enough to make him the highest paid punter in NFL history (even though his punting average was 30th in the league).
The main thing I want to see
is Jacquizz behind a good offensive line that can get him in space and let him make plays. At least move him up one spot on the depth chart, because Gartrell Johnson has been pretty bad the last few times he’s gotten playing time. If he doesn’t tackle himself, he always gets brought down on first contact for minimal game. Even Antone Smith would be better than him.
by orion12 on Aug 15, 2011 12:46 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
AGREED
" Ryan back to pass, He throws it long, he's going deep to Julio on his first snap! HE CAUGHT IT, HE CAUGHT IT! JJ's dragging the safety into the endzone with him! TOUCHDOWN FALCONS! TOUCHDOWN JULIO JONES!! HIS FIRST ONE IN THE NFL, AND I GOT A FEELING THE FIRST OF MANY MANY MORE TO COME FOLKS!! I GOTTA SAY IT FOLKS - JJ......... IS.......... DY - NO - MITE!!
by ATLsince1972 on Aug 15, 2011 4:40 PM EDT up reply actions
What I want to see
is the Falcons to gel as a team. The offense, defense and special teams working like a well oiled machine. The thing I remember commentators mentioning last year is the Falcons had few stars few exceptional players…but they worked so well together they accomplished exception things. I want to see that start happening.
3 Things.
1. Jacquizz Rodgers with First team. He got all his reps from third string team last week.
2. Franks Vs Owens & Franks Vs Weems in KO return and Punt returns.
3. Froman as Qtr Back, we know what Chris Redman can do.
It's all about Process...
I don't want Franks returning punts or kickoffs
I do not mind him as our BACKUP punt/KR returner – but leave that job to Weems.
I want Franks to be our starting nickel CB. As a starting nickel CB he will get more playing time than a 4th/5th string WR. Keep him fresh unless absolutely needed.
know what you believe in and why you believe in it
by MentallyMIA on Aug 15, 2011 1:15 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Happens to the best of us
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BTW
I think it was you, not sure, but I picked up The Stranger by Albert Camus. Read it on the plane ride. Previously, knowing nothing about Camus other than a few name drops, I couldn’t decide whether to laugh at his brilliant satire or scorn his callous attempt to justify sociopathic nihilism. Regardless, it was surely thought provoking and expressed very clearly.
Anyway, thanks to THEFALCOHOLIC.COM, my horizons are further broadened!
There, that one was better ;)
by YokoFalcon on Aug 15, 2011 10:36 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I have no idea what you just said...
but I like it! Rec’d!
"It's called Thanksgiving for a reason. If I can give and people thank me for it, that's kind of the thing that makes me feel great inside." - Dunta
Haha, that is awesome
I said back on Aug. 3 that Curtis Lofton liked to debate the merits of Albert Camus. Now you two have something to talk about!
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A pizza delivery menu
and cold beer.
Arm chair GM. Mod at SBN Jets blog GGN.
GangGreenNation.com
by Bro Namath on Aug 15, 2011 1:04 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
I must have missed something in regard to the Punter Battle
I saw Bosher struggle on his first punt (when he was standing in his own endzone, btw), but then I thought he looked really good after that. He had the longest punt of the night of all the punters (MIA’s included), and his hang-time was exceptional. Parrish obviously doesn’t have a weak leg either, but I still think Bosher (with his versatile experience as a FG kicker) is still the man to beat.
I think he's still the likeliest, but I think Parrish has the stronger leg
Bosher is better directionally, and probably has the better hangtime. That’s probably enough to win him the job, but after seeing Parrish, I’m not sure it’s going to be a walk.
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Is that all?
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you'll get no love
for Koenen hyperbole on this thread! Sure, he was a good kickoff specialist, but his punting has gotten progressively worse each year since 2008.
Oh, I'm no Koenen fan
He was average at punting (I think, literally – based on ypp) and now irrelevant where kickoff is concerned.
What I saw from Bosher was a relatively average leg. Hence, Koenen minus 18 million.
I'm glad you brought it up...
I was openly dissatisfied with the Falcons selection of a punter with the 6th pick. This is why. You spend an actual pick on a kicker/punter, he better be so good he doesn’t brook a contest. I don’t know where Parrish came from, but I know we didn’t waste even our last pick on him, much less our third-from-last. I just think we could have gotten more value out of that pick than a guy that can’t even get a kickoff into the end zone on a shortened field. Waste of a good pick, in my opinion, and curiously unlike what I expected from the FO. I know I’m going to catch some flak for this, but I thought it was crazy then and I haven’t seen anything to change my opinion.
With the new rules
It is far more advantageous to have a punter who kicks with great hangtime and accuracy, to pin the opposition somewhere less than the 20 yards given in a touchback.
by TheAreopagite on Aug 15, 2011 7:44 PM EDT up reply actions
And that'd be great
if that’s what actually happened. But according to the stats, Parrish beat the dookie out of Bosher. On kickoffs (according to NFL.com) , Parish had a 66 yard total, albeit on one kick, with a 26 yard return for a 40 yard average (ranked 12th). Bosher had 5 kicks for a 62.4 yard average, with 22.6 average return yards, for under a 40 yard average (ranked 19th). Guess who was ranked first? Oops, it was Koenen.
On punts, Parrish had two, average 57 yards, with no touchbacks and one inside the 20. Bosher had four, average 48.3 yards with one touchback and none inside the 20.
I realize these stats are likely to change, and reflect varied game conditions, but geez, does Bosher look like he was worth one of only two draft choices for a punter/kicker in this year’s draft, and the higher of the two? Don’t you think we might have gotten more value out of, say a flyer on a CB with our 6th pick? Who knows, Bosher might even have been available as a UDFA. Poor choice, in my opinion.
I should add
I wouldn’t be so negative if we’d used our last (second 7th round) pick on Bosher. I’m not a Bosher basher, just a fan that wants the best value from the draft.
I am...
not saying I like the pick either but it was his first ever professional game…sheeeeeesh…give a guy a chance.
I will also add, regardless of what Koenen does this year…he’s being way overpaid to do what he does!!
I always turn to the sports pages first, which records people's accomplishments. The front page has nothing but man's failures.
--Earl Warren, Chief Justice of the United States.
The Eagles
Drafted P/K Alex Henery in the 4th round. Also, it may have been a 6th round pick but it was one of the last 6th round picks.
True...
I always turn to the sports pages first, which records people's accomplishments. The front page has nothing but man's failures.
--Earl Warren, Chief Justice of the United States.
by Blood_Talon on Aug 16, 2011 10:32 AM EDT up reply actions
Just making the point that Bosher wasn't the first specialist drafted
The reply appeared in the wrong place.
I figured...
that wasn’t for me…still true though…lol
I always turn to the sports pages first, which records people's accomplishments. The front page has nothing but man's failures.
--Earl Warren, Chief Justice of the United States.
I'm a Jags/Falcons fan since I've lived in Atlanta the last eleven years but Im a Jags fan first
anyone have any questions about anything relating to the Jaguars? I know it’s only the preseason but we do play each other this year as well.
I only ask because Garrard seems like he's having health issues
Who do you think will be your QB at the END of the season?
Arm chair GM. Mod at SBN Jets blog GGN.
GangGreenNation.com
Its basically one of two options
If we are in contention for the playoffs, then it will be Garrard.
If we are out of the playoffs Gabbert will start and Garrard will probably never see the field as a Jag again.
I do think that Gabbert will be a serviceable QB this year if we need to switch to him at some point though so I’m not really concerned about the QB play when it comes to having a decent one healthy.
OK ill list them out
Jason Hill- Our #2 guy who we got on waivers from SF last year. He showed promise when he came over and played some in the second half of the season. He’s got a lot of potential, but he was unable to get playing time in SF.
Cecil Shorts III- We drafted him in the 4th round this year. He’s not going to burn the defense, but he has been showing great hands in practice. He is a good route running and good hands receiver. Hopefully he can be a solid #3.
Jarrett Dillard- He has been on IR the last two years since we drafted him and he is a lot like Shorts in that he is a fantastic route runner and catches the ball with his hands. If he could stay healthy he could be productive.
After that there are a bunch of UDFA/PS guys and then Kassim Osgood who is predominantly a ST star. He went to the Pro Bowl one year for his ST ability. Also, we use our TEs a lot so another TE after Lewis is Zach Miller who has been injured a lot, but has great athletic ability. Sometimes he flashes great potential, but right now that’s all he is. I dont really see a lot of these guys really exploding until Gabbert takes over because he has more passing ability than Garrard and can actually scan the field.
No Huddle
We all know how deadly dangerous Ryan is out of the no-huddle. I want to see it used just once, to see if our new players on offense (Julio, GR, Quizz) handle it well. It will be key to our offensive success to have those guys on the same page as Matty during the “drives of death.”
This is a great suggestion
But I’m thinking they’ll save it for week 3 against the Ravens. Dress rehearsal, not to mention we devastated their secondary with it last year.
by TheAreopagite on Aug 15, 2011 7:49 PM EDT up reply actions
Things I want/hope to see
1) whether or not Jerry looks like he gets it
2) Trey Lewis disrupt the middle of the line and get some serious push. He’s too big to get handles by one guy IMO.
3) HD improved play continue
4) Cliff Matthews against a first team offense (curious as to how he holds up)
Oh Jerry
I dream about the day Jerry plays like a 1st rd pick is supposed to.
by CaptainFalcon on Aug 15, 2011 6:09 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Matthews will get washed out against the first team
But that doesn’t mean he’s not a good player with significant upside; he is. They’re more likely to look at how he holds up on special teams, and justifies that 4th or 5th defensive end spot.
by TheAreopagite on Aug 15, 2011 7:51 PM EDT up reply actions
Wishful thinking
I’d like to be looking at this game live instead by way DVR at 1o’clock am.
Lot of interesting position battles
(1) Depth in secondary: I think Franks will beat out Owens. Owens shows up after plays and gets beat too much. Franks provides better value as a kick returner and I don’t remember him being out of position. Bush looked pretty good, but I was also suprised by Walls. I believe Walls tipped the pass that Bush intercepted (correct me if I’m wrong). Walls also looked good against the Dolphins 2s & 3s both on deep and intermediate routes. May get on the practice squad if he doesn’t make the team.
(2) Defensive end rotation: Want to see Ray Edwards in live action. Also think that Cliff Matthews may well run Sidbury out of a job. He just looked like a better rusher imho. Be interesting to see who steps up behind the staples of Abe, Ray, & Kroy.
(3) Running backs: now that Snell is back not as big a worry, but it’ll be fun to see Quizz get more reps and who if any we keep for the 4th back spot.
(4) Punter / Kickoff duites: Bosher looked like he settled down and started booming some punts. Doesn’t look like he has the leg for kickoff duties even from the 35. Parrish looked much better on kickoffs.
(5) How our 1s do against Jags 1s.
Oh yeah forgot one - WR
(6) Forgot about the last couple of wide receiver slots. I assume we’ll keep Weems as the 4th / 5th / extra slot since he also is our best return man. So it’ll be interesting to see whether it’s Meier or Harvey. Meier showed his good hands again, but Harvey’s size and athleticism really stood out (albeit against the 2s / 3s). Whichever wins the team job I’m sure the other will land on the practice squad. Since Meier was a draft pick odds are on him.
Do the Falcons have anyone with the leg to put kickoffs in the end zone?
Would love for Quizz to get a lot of playing time so he can get more familiar with pass blocking schemes and thus be a viable third down option this year. Maybe Quizz and Froman should play two quarters together. Better for the sausage king to get sacked than either Ryan or Redman.
by Charlie Dirty Bird on Aug 15, 2011 4:08 PM EDT reply actions
what i want to see
is if a corner not named D Robinson or B Grimes can actually cover someone ….
and i will be looking at this in every game , its really the only question Birds have if everyone is healthy….
http://www.myspace.com/shredsplace
http://www.facebook.com/people/Tony-Thigpen/100001812990216
Yep
This is by far and away the most pressing issue. I’m really nervous that the secondary won’t be able to step up in big games again after last season’s playoff debacle.
by introvertedGSUfan on Aug 15, 2011 5:01 PM EDT up reply actions
Don't sweat it too much
It takes CBs coming out of college time to learn the nickel spot. I think our secondary will surprise quite a few folks this year – all 4 starters are returning with a full-year of starting under their belts, and the GB game from last year was just as much a sign of Owens injury than his ability (though I do think Franks beats him out this year for the position).
Can we stop mjd and jennings?
That’s what I want to know.
by saipol on Aug 15, 2011 5:25 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
MJD
MJD isn’t playing this weekend so we will have to wait until the regular season.
by CaptainFalcon on Aug 15, 2011 6:18 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
The Jags have some solid UDFA RBs for your second and third string guys to play against
I’m glad some people respect MJD and Jennings as a duo. They’re going to be pretty good this year, but I’m pissed the Jags are playing the Falcons in Atlanta. It’s probably going to be one of the toughest games of the year.
I would like to see
More Harry Douglas, his TD catch last week was a thing of beauty. Also I want to see better kickoff and punt coverage. It seems like when Kroy isn’t on the unit there is a chance of it going all the way every time.
by ATLien87 on Aug 15, 2011 6:48 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Hoping to see more of Rodgers and JJ
He’s always open. He catches a lot of balls. He’s un-guardable, no matter how old he is
Things I want to see:
1. I want to see Roddy White catch the ball. He didn’t touch it last game. I know he’ll be ready for the season, but still…it’d be encouraging to see him touch the ball.
2. I want to see Matty Ice start strong. Finished well, but I want to see consistency.
3. I want to see Franks or Owens confirm that the nickel job is theirs. Franks has the chance to do that, but if Owens has a good game and Franks doesn’t, we’re back to where we were…not knowing what to do.
4. I want to see HD continue to burn people out of the slot. Last week was awesome. I want to see consistency out of him.
5. I want to see if Rafael Bush can knock someone’s teeth out and gain a roster spot all in one play. I think he’s the perfect backup for William Moore or DeCoud. Despite how much I like Schillinger, Bush is making a case to get on this team. (Did I spell that right?)
6. I want to see JJ play strongly again. Vikings secondary isn’t that great. Neither is the Jags…JJ should roast a few guys.
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