Discussion: Why is the Falcons Defense Prone to Giving Up Big Plays?
by KMarch on Sep 13, 2011 9:29 PM EDT
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PrintFirst off, this is not a post that is going to proclaim the end of days. Nor is this a post that's going to be overly critical of the Falcons DEF. I think it is interesting to think back on all of the big plays the Falcons have given up on DEF in the last couple of years. Obviously, in the Bears game the Falcons DEF was guilty of giving up two heinous plays that ultimately went for TDs. Interestingly, both those scores were screen plays.
Join me after the jump to review recent Falcons history in regard to giving up the big play.
The problems go back beyond the start of last season, but let's start there so this doesn't balloon into a thesis. I'm highlighting 'explosive' plays that were around or over 50 yards regardless
WK1: PIT - Game ends in OT with a 50 yard TD rush by Rashard Mendenhall. Earlier, Mike Wallace caught a 52 yard pass.
WK2: AZ - Falcons are dominant in this game, but the Cards' only score comes on an 80 yard rush from Tim Hightower.
WK3: NO - Lance Moore receives a quick pass from Brees and takes it 80 yards to paydirt.
WK4: SF, WK5: CLE - Falcons DEF does not allow a single explosive play.
WK6: PHI - Jeremy Maclin scores on an 83 yard TD on a pass from Kolb. Also, Desean Jackson scores twice on plays over 30 yards, though I won't count those two plays below.
WK7: CIN - Jordan Shipley, yes, Jordan Shipley scores on a 64 yard pass from Carson Palmer.
WK8: TB - Mike Williams scores on a 58 yard pass from Josh Freeman.
WK10: BAL - Falcons DEF has one of its best games in recent memory, no explosive plays.
WK11: STL; WK12 GB; WK13 TB; WK15:SEA; WK 16:NO - Falcons DEF continues to settle down and does not allow explosive plays or scores.
WK14 and 17: CAR - (14)Jonathan Stewart has a 48 yard run, but does not score. (17) Brandon Lafell reels in a 60 yard pass, but does not score.
Playoffs: Though there were a few 30 yard passes allowed, GB does not have an explosive play allowed by the DEF.
Analysis: Of the 17 games the Falcons played last season and the one game so far this season, the Falcons DEF allowed 11 explosive plays. Interestingly, from WK10 onward, the Falcons DEF really settled down and only gave up explosive plays to CAR. Those two CAR plays did not result in scores, and I don't think it would foolhardy to suggest that the Falcons merely lost focus against an inferior opponent. Furthermore, the quality of opponents during that span of strong DEF - STL, GB, TB, BAL, NO - was pretty high, eliminating the theory that the the DEF struggles against top quality opponents. Thus, I'm left with the notion that the Falcons allow these explosive plays simply because they aren't really getting locked in until later in the season, or perhaps more troubling, until facing high quality opponents.
Suggestions: Obviously, BVG and Smitty need to better explain to the DEF just how important every game is, and to do whatever necessary to be on the same level for every game, every opponent. Schematically, our young Safeties also need to be better at their most important responsibility - being the last line of DEF and stopping big plays.
Unproven concerns: Generally, do the Falcons struggle against defending screens possibly because they aren't having to defend them in camp and practice (presumably)?
That's all I've got on this topic. I welcome any of you who can add more quantitative analysis to the basic framework I've provided here. Of course, general discussion about any and all of these points is welcomed as well.
This FanPost was written by one of The Falcoholic's talented readers. It does not necessarily reflect the views of The Falcoholic.
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BVG: Alright D, this is how you defend a screen...
MM: WAIT! There’s no such thing! No one uses it!
by PurpleDRANKnotJUICE on Sep 13, 2011 9:57 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Who are you so
wise in the ways of science?
A word to the wise ain't necessary - it's the stupid ones that need the advice.
by FrozenFinger on Sep 13, 2011 10:58 PM EDT up reply actions
"But I don't want to be rescued"
A word to the wise ain't necessary - it's the stupid ones that need the advice.
by FrozenFinger on Sep 13, 2011 11:12 PM EDT up reply actions
Are you suggesting cocconuts migrate?!?
I swear, we freaking rule.
by aces666high on Sep 14, 2011 12:29 AM EDT up reply actions
Babineaux will be alright. After all...
“It’s just a flesh wound!”
We don't need more MEOWS, we don't need more cats. We need more dogs.
...I forced that one didn't I?
We don't need more MEOWS, we don't need more cats. We need more dogs.
Bring out yuh dead!
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by Caleb Rutherford on Sep 14, 2011 1:51 AM EDT up reply actions
You'll be stone dead in a moment!
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by Caleb Rutherford on Sep 14, 2011 2:08 AM EDT up reply actions
I am so filthy I missed out on this epic moment
Be sure to check out this week's Best Case/Worst Case article here.
Because everyone sucks.
There, I spared you all the time of listing your opinions on each end every starter.
I'm on the Twitter: twitter.com/edgrohl
by Duff_Man on Sep 13, 2011 10:51 PM EDT reply actions 2 recs
To quote on of the Falcoholic wise men.
nicely done.
I thought that sometime this season Mike Smith would have to take over the defense. I also hoped that with the Green Bay debacle that the players on defense wouldn’t start to tune out BVG. It was the main reason that I was against bringing VG back. It’s not just giving up explosive plays (let’s acknowledge here that the team has lost only five times in 18 games) it’s that WR’s are wide, wide open. Running free, uncovered. On some of the running plays guys have gone untouched.
This must be corrected
Against the Eagles the fact that we might cover better is mitigated by the fact that better coverage in the secondary is likely to leave Vick uncovered which as we’ve all seen could result in an … explosive play.
A word to the wise ain't necessary - it's the stupid ones that need the advice.
I think we discussed it here before
we need to have a linebacker assigned for Vick. if Vick drops back to pass, LB stays in coverage, and if Vick takes off this LB is supposed to take him down. but it has to be a sure tackler (no offense, Spoon)
Atlanta Falcons fan in Moscow, Russia
Minus the one play...
Spoon had a great game. Plus he’s the most athletic of the LBs. I think he would be the best choice to spy Vick.
We don't need more MEOWS, we don't need more cats. We need more dogs.
I disagree
Most teams use a LB when they try to spy Vick and they pay dearly for it. I say we play more nickel package and let Hayden come in and spy Vick as well as McCoy out of the backfield if he takes off on short checkdown routes or screens – Vick has a tendancy to run the same direction as that player-McCoy, so in essence He could help rally to the ball depending on what vick does. Then you let Spoon lign up to whixh ever side that McCoy lines up on, any back for that matter, and just let Lofton just run to the ball no matter where it goes. Let DR and Moore Double bracket Jackson – under/over the top, and let Grimes match up one on one with Maclin. Then you got Nicholous to watch your TE’s and Stop the run. The front 4 needs to get pressure but the main gus must be whichever guys play at DT. They musy get a push up the middle so Vick cannot dtep up and throw or god forbid run with the ball. This is how I would defend Vick, mainly because Phi doesnt concentrate on running the ball, they use screens and rollouts as extended handoffs, so why not go ahead and put our guys into better positions to defend those areas of the field? We must let our defense try to match up man on man and hope we win more one on one battles by the end of the game. If we just sit back and try to contain Vick and spy him with a LB he will hurt us badly. Yiou must put some pressure on him up the middle, send the occasional safety and corber blitzes at him and make him be able to make an accurate throw to where the blitz just came from, then you can pick him off. If CMS says we’re making changes and makes the defense more amoeba like with a minumum of usually 5 guys rushing like he did in Jax, similar to bears defense, but not tamps 2, I think we have the talent to cause teams to make mistakes. Yes we might give up a gbig pkay here or there but I bet we’ll MAKE more big plays than we give up.
SOrry so long
Now Gentlemen, get your butts up, and get back on that horse! You have no choice. The expectations are running much higher this year.
by ATLsince1972 on Sep 16, 2011 10:23 AM EDT up reply actions
Rec'd. Screen Plays.
Falcons didn’t give up even a single big play last year in a screen. Like you said falcons settled in last year because they were primarily because lapse in coverage or bad angles. It wasn’t a scheme problem.
1. The problem last year in PIT,Eagles,AZ game was sealing of the edges. Most of the times we would end up on one side because of a wrong angle.
2. The other mistake in NO game was breakdown in the coverage from SW which resulted in 83 Yard TD.
3. Jermy Maclin had a 83 TD because of lapse in Coverage by Decoud.
4. Mike Williams scored because Dr slipped on the play. Someone buy the man a good pair of cleats. He falls of on some of the plays which go for huge TD.
The mistakes of not tackling and lapse in coverage can be fixed. The margin of error in the next game is very little especially considering Mccoy and Desan jackson.
It's all about Process...
by Vishnu_falcon on Sep 13, 2011 10:59 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
But
will they be fixed? These problems aren’t new. Still a season ticket holder though I no longer live there and I’m fine with the Falcons having to prove it, like every other team. Week in and week out. They’re big boys, they can handle it.
A word to the wise ain't necessary - it's the stupid ones that need the advice.
by FrozenFinger on Sep 13, 2011 11:11 PM EDT up reply actions
They got fixed last year.
Falcons finished in 4 in fewest 20+ big plays and 9th in fewest 40+ plays last year. I hope they will be fixed this year too. The biggest plays from the Bears game came from missed tackles. First with Matt Forte and then Devin Hester weaved through at least 8 Defensive players on the 52 yard gain.
It's all about Process...
by Vishnu_falcon on Sep 13, 2011 11:17 PM EDT up reply actions
Still it's two consecutive games
and until we see it fixed I’m fine if their feet are held to the fire a little bit. Those were two butt ugly games. I thought we were long past that crap.
A word to the wise ain't necessary - it's the stupid ones that need the advice.
by FrozenFinger on Sep 13, 2011 11:41 PM EDT up reply actions
Hester's run was the most embarrassing. That and Shann being dragged
Where Forte got to the outside, Hester weaved thru our D like a pee wee football player thru a team that would rather be watching cartoons. Those type of plays may have been fixed somewhat but in fixing that, 3rd and long was left unattended. This teams sad inability to get off the field on 3rd downs is maddening and will hamstring this team the whole year and will lead to guys getting banged up. The deep plays may be locked down somewhat but I think it’s only because we like to keep everything in front of us which is fine but on a 3rd and 15, if keeping it in front of us means giving a guy running a 16 yard route a 5 yard cushion to boot, well, simply put, it’s crap. We have a smart bunch of guys, I think they can shift gears and play a few different schemes when needed. I hear you can actually bump WR’s at the LOS! Crazy! I know!
by aces666high on Sep 14, 2011 12:47 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I agree with
everything you said there especially “I hear you can actually bump WR’s at the LOS! Crazy! I know!” They ought to try that and slow the receivers routes down, and give our line some extra time to get after the QB.
Some yards are better than no yards
Been saying this for a while now
Why cant we now prove that we have 2 good CB’s, now that Grimes has shown that he can play the position very well too. SO why havent we played more man to man thus allowing us to send more players on blitzes, even if you keep Moore 25 yats fron LOS , basically one deep safety dwefense, WHY have we not doen this? At least tried to do this, more than a feww tries a game that is? Our Coordinators are jsut to damn conservative, and I know that comes from CMS but this week he needs to tell them both – " Go get this anyway you have too.". If we really would allow our guys to be more aggresive on BOTH sides of the ball we could take that next step, but the coaches connot continue to worry about losing a game, air it out, go after the Qb and see how it turns out. If we get the lead then get conswervatove if ya want.
Now Gentlemen, get your butts up, and get back on that horse! You have no choice. The expectations are running much higher this year.
by ATLsince1972 on Sep 16, 2011 10:32 AM EDT up reply actions
I think your right
I also think it is the tackling does not get good until midseason. I watched the Chicago game again and on two of the big plays, the run by Forte and the screen to Hester, Dunta is there and falls down. It is obvious on the screen to Forte Weatherspoon just pushes him and does not wrap up. The defense had people there to make plays but they didn’t. The most worrisome thing to me was Roy Williams finding openings in the secondary. I think you are right on about the defense is not fully going into midseason. Hopefully the drumming we just received will jump start that.
by MustangFalcFan on Sep 13, 2011 11:47 PM EDT reply actions
Sad thing is tackle practice only happens at game time
Our boys rarely practice tackling…or screens, or man, or complex blitzes, or bump and run, or kickoffs. Well if seems like they don’t practice kickoffs. What a waste of a 6th rounder.
by aces666high on Sep 14, 2011 12:50 AM EDT up reply actions
Playoffs: Though there were a few 30 yard passes allowed, GB does not have an explosive play allowed by the DEF.
This stands out to me the most.
The Falcons don’t seem to give up the 50-yard-plus touchdown, BUT they do seem inclined on giving up pass plays of 20-30 yards CONSISTENTLY.
These soft zones, allowing a 20-yard pass on a 2 and 19, it’s just not acceptable. Our secondary has taken a step back in my opinion, they don’t seem to have that swag that they did last year.
And for all the trolls, not I’m not saying we’re done for, I just think we need to show a vast improvement soon, because our season could be over by week 5.
Australian Atlanta Falcons Fan EST 2003
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I agree and disagree
We’ve got to shutdown the explosive plays. The players know it – the coaches know – the Comrade knows it.
However, even if we start 0-5 or 1-4, the season won’t be over. I know it sounds crazy, but the second half of the season looks to be much lighter than the first half, and quite a few teams have recovered from terrible starts to make the playoffs.
That said – I surely don’t want to start 0-5 or 1-4. At this point, I’d settle for a 2-3 start so long as it is accompanied by improved play in each game.
why did our secondary taken a step back?
that’s a million dollar question.
if we agree that each of our starters on defense is a quality player, then this failure to correct mistakes, especially mistakes within one game can be attributed to either poor playcalling or lack of motivation. either way it’s coaches.
Atlanta Falcons fan in Moscow, Russia
Falcons D Bend but dont break
When you view our defense, it’s very solid on paper! Not that many weaknesses. Its up to BVG to draw up a game scheme each week for the defense. It is clear that the bend, but don’t break defense is not very effective…The D hardly blitzes as they place the blame on the defensive line for not creating enough pressure. Its BVG’s responsibility to figure out ways to apply pressure on the QB. The Falcons have the players on defense to make things happen. They need to execute better and devise better defensive scheming for games.
Coaching wins championships!
the line can apply pressure if
the players’ skills are utilized correctly, no?
seeing Abraham or Bierman in coverage makes me screem in disgust.
Atlanta Falcons fan in Moscow, Russia
Two Words: FREE RELEASE!!!!
I don’t know how often BVG plays bump-and-run compared to other D coordinators, but it seems like he does it less than anyone else.
I know that Grime’s closing on the ball skills lend themselves more to playing off the receiver, but Robinson appears to be the opposite – he needs to bump and run to be effective.
I’d like to see BVG be more inventive and in tune with the strengths and weaknesses of his DBs……..and for God sakes, on 3rd down, I think we would all agree that allowing the receivers free release and rushing 3 or 4 absolutely DOES NOT WORK!!!
I truly think that if we schemed to allow less free release on 3rd and long, we would be gouged like this much less often. Also – I’ve noticed that we allow way too much free release in the red zone – that’s gotta stop too.
I don’t mind being beat over-the-top once in a while in exchange for receivers NOT BEING ALLOWED TO RUN FREE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FIELD!!!!
Please help us out BVG……………please
by AuxiliaryHusky on Sep 14, 2011 9:32 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
I agree
Dunta would benefit from the bump and run but I don’t think Grimes would. So far though for the most part Grimes was pretty good, he just needs a little help from his team mate.
Bump N' Run
For Dunta, and off-coverage for Grimes. Then they cover the receiver that they match up better against. Dunta vs. smaller quicker receivers, and Grimes on taller, stronger receivers.
by PurpleDRANKnotJUICE on Sep 14, 2011 6:52 PM EDT up reply actions
Also...
some of those big plays were the result of poor tackling. Hell, the first touchdown the Bears got was from a failed tackle…just saying…
April 1974 - Tug McGraw, when asked if he preferred grass or AstroTurf: "I don't know. I never smoked AstroTurf."
I'm not worried about the explosive plays
Without looking at any stats outside of the ones you provided, I would say a team typically has at least one explosive play per game. Our defense limited opponents to less than one a game (11/18), which I would guess is above average. However, the most frustrating part to me is seeing the defense hold on first and second down only to have the opposing team convert 3rd and 7 or greater with an easy pass in the middle of a soft zone. I wonder what our rate was last season, and how we have started off this season. I know we have a very small sample size for this season, but if this is the beginning of a trend, and not an anomaly, we could be in serious trouble for the rest of the season.
"He has lived up to the legendary billing... And the legend is born in Calvin Johnson!" -Wes Durham
by sportsfan4life2012 on Sep 14, 2011 2:08 PM EDT reply actions
Cant be bothered reading it all
But from memory the Saints play was blown coverage by ’Spoon 3 weeks into his rookie season.
The Shipley one was because Dunta slipped… I think
The other I’m not quite sure but point is a couple can be chalked up to player faults and one off situations where the happened to capitalize… still a concern worth noting
Be sure to check out this week's Best Case/Worst Case article here.
Shipley
No, Dunta missed the Bengals game (it was the week after the Concussion). William Moore was the one who screwed up (he took a bad angle).
"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein
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