Corey Peters On The Verge Of Triumphant Return To Falcons

by Dave Choate on Sep 6, 2011 7:30 AM EDT in Falcons News

Corey Peters is disgusted by fools who think he won't be on the field soon. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

It's not an exact date, but for the notoriously secretive Atlanta Falcons, Corey Peters being close to returning is encouraging.

You may remember that Peters was injured in a practice before the Jaguars game. You may recall that while the team emphatically said he would not require surgery, they also did not announce that he would be running back on to a Georgia Dome field near you before the season began. Speculation ensued.

According to D. Orlando Ledbetter's terse injury report, Peters is close. That means he hasn't been officially ruled out for the Chicago Bears game, though we won't know until later in the week how likely he is to actually see game action in Week 1.

The Falcons thankfully have the depth to survive a game or two without Peters, if that close is hedging by the Falcons. Jonathan Babineaux and Peria Jerry are starting-caliber--to put it mildly, in the case of Babs--and Vance Walker is a proven backup.

Carlton Powell has shown us some flashes of ability in his limited pre-season action, but he remains the true unknown. Still, if he's even competent, the Falcons are set to do just fine against the Bears' middling offensive line. Frankly, I'm more worried about the edges of our offensive line versus Julius Peppers.

Yet having Peters back will make a difference. Despite what you may have read from a handful of writers who draw their inspiration from the same place that monkeys get their fastballs, Peters was above-average against the runand better-than-advertised against the pass. The Falcons will definitely be glad to see him back in action.

So fret not, everyone. Peters will be back and a big part of the rotation...soon.

Oh! And many, many thanks to my co-bloggers, especially the invincible Caleb Rutherford, for holding it down in my absence. Let's get ready for the season, boys and girls.

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Comments

I thought Kiante Tripp played well...

…in preseason. I was surprised when they cut him and did not bring him back to the practice squad, at least.

by DirtyBirdTakeover on Sep 6, 2011 7:51 AM EDT via mobile reply actions

It was a mild surprise

If he doesn’t latch on anywhere else, maybe we’ll find him here later.

by Dave Choate on Sep 6, 2011 8:53 AM EDT up reply actions

dumb question

It appears we have quality depth in our defensive line. At the same time I am worried about our O-line with new starters. so here comes a dumb question – can a defensive lineman play in O-line if it’s needed? Not theoretically, but in reality.
I know that Kroy can kick the ball, but I just thought that having quick DT or even a DE on the edges of the line could help in taking down someone like Peppers.

Atlanta Falcons fan in Moscow, Russia

by Gemini-RU on Sep 6, 2011 8:11 AM EDT reply actions

possible

But unlikely one of the things that helps offensive linemen block is their weight it’s not easy to push through someone 320 pounds. That being said most 4-3 defensive ends are around 280 so they more than likely would be thrown around by peppers and to add the entire Dline are used to going forward all the time the oline goes backwards it doesn’t seem that bad but trust me I started at D-end and tackle in highschool (posting 10 sacks and 23 tackles my senior year) and sometimes it’s pretty hard to make that switch especially at the pro level when you are usually used to playing one side of the ball

by falcons101 on Sep 6, 2011 8:28 AM EDT via iPhone app up reply actions

now a defensive tackle

Can play guard quite easily on the goal line but they wouldn’t have the footwork to play for a whole drive they would be a liability for your pass offense run game they could help due to their strength

by falcons101 on Sep 6, 2011 8:35 AM EDT via iPhone app up reply actions

thanks!

you mentioned here that one of the differences (other than footwork and weight) is normal direction of players motion. agreed, but don’t the O-linemen lean forward on run plays? so in essense, a smaller but quicker DE could be useful in taking down opposing LBs and DEs on run plays. or not :)

Atlanta Falcons fan in Moscow, Russia

by Gemini-RU on Sep 7, 2011 6:09 AM EDT up reply actions

The technique is so complex

You can’t just break it down into leaning forward/leaning back. You have to control the opponent with your hands, get your feet set properly and get lower than your opponent. Also a smaller quicker DE would be too light to take down opposing defenders, which is why offensive lineman are almost always bigger.

by Mosugo on Sep 7, 2011 6:46 AM EDT up reply actions

good theory but

A D-end would be strong enough to hold a linebacker for very long. If you see guys like Mario williams and clay Matthews they sometimes literally throw the offensive tackle out out of their way and look how huge most tackles are it just wouldn’t be a good matchup

by falcons101 on Sep 7, 2011 10:46 AM EDT via iPhone app up reply actions

Clay Matthews is 250 pounds

He certainly doesn’t throw tackles out of the way.

by Mosugo on Sep 10, 2011 2:53 PM EDT up reply actions

Nope

It would take years to convert a player, not even to mention the weight difference (O-Linemen typically eclipse 300+).

But the most difficult thing for anyone to learn in the NFL is the footwork. In fact, many teams will take a smaller OL if he has great footwork over a larger, more dominant player with poor footwork. You’ll hear too that it takes anywhere from 2 to 3 years to get a player’s footwork ready for the NFL game, with few exceptions.

by The DW on Sep 6, 2011 8:39 AM EDT up reply actions

Agree with everyone else here

The skill set is different and the footwork is the main thing for an O lineman, as well as learning the scheme and understanding with your line mates. It would take several years to convert a D lineman to an NFL calibre O lineman (that’s what college is for), and even then he probably wouldn’t be that good.

by Mosugo on Sep 6, 2011 5:21 PM EDT up reply actions

He first hurt the knee against the Dolphins

5:15 left in the second quarter. That’s where his knee was injured. He was chasing a ball carrier running toward the sideline. His weight was on it, and lb Robert James dove toward the ball carrier and bowed out Peter’s left knee. He probably aggravated it the next practice.

by BEZERKO on Sep 6, 2011 8:53 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs

Another reason to not want James on the practice squad

by Dave Choate on Sep 6, 2011 9:10 AM EDT up reply actions 4 recs

^this

It seems like James does everything he can to not be on the team but they just won’t let him. Maybe he has photos of someone important doing something improper

by birdwatch on Sep 6, 2011 9:35 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Too funny

I needed that laugh today.

by leonw92 on Sep 6, 2011 11:23 AM EDT up reply actions

Yeah,

he seems to be somewhat of a jinx to me.

by BEZERKO on Sep 6, 2011 10:54 AM EDT up reply actions

On a completely different subject

Are we going to do a Ask The Windy City Gridiron spot? I always love those

Ron Artest = Ron (sm)Artest - He Is The Most Interesting Man In The World

by JoshChildressAfroIsCure4Cancer on Sep 6, 2011 11:01 AM EDT up reply actions

Dave is usually pretty good about going to other sites and doing those.

If he doesn’t do it in the next 24 hours or so, I’ll go to their site and put one up.

Follow me on Twitter! twitter.com/FalcoholicZippo

If you're a fan of the Falcons, or if you want to chat it up with some Falcons fans, sign up here, share your opinion, and get to know some great fans of the Falcons!

by Caleb Rutherford on Sep 6, 2011 11:07 AM EDT up reply actions

I'm rolling one up by tonight

Thanks for your interest, guys, and thanks for staying on top of it, Caleb.

by Dave Choate on Sep 6, 2011 11:24 AM EDT up reply actions

I almost did one yesterday

Would have, if my pop up blocker wasnt on. When I went to preview it before publishing, everything I had typed dissappeared. Bummer. I was too frustrated to type it all up again. I was hoping somebody would get one up.Thanx.

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 6, 2011 11:34 AM EDT up reply actions

No worries.

I like talking with other fans about their teams. I think it’s pretty awesome.

Follow me on Twitter! twitter.com/FalcoholicZippo

If you're a fan of the Falcons, or if you want to chat it up with some Falcons fans, sign up here, share your opinion, and get to know some great fans of the Falcons!

by Caleb Rutherford on Sep 6, 2011 12:25 PM EDT up reply actions

Rec'd

by mwalex on Sep 6, 2011 11:06 AM EDT up reply actions

Agreed...

April 1974 - Tug McGraw, when asked if he preferred grass or AstroTurf: "I don't know. I never smoked AstroTurf."

by Blood_Talon on Sep 6, 2011 11:41 AM EDT up reply actions

In case you all don't remember

TD did an awesome job drafting Peters in the 3rd round. If you all remember, on draft day, I believe it was Jonathan Babineaux who was suspended for Week 1, and TD realized he needed to draft a DT probably near the end of the 1st round. He let it past the 2nd, targeted and pulled the trigger on Peters in the 3rd, who is performing very well for a young DT. What a steal. In TD we trust.

by ndnpride8806 on Sep 6, 2011 11:40 AM EDT reply actions

guys and gals...

I am so excited to see what our defense will do in this first game it’s ridiculous. I believe the offense was purposely held back and will unleash the fury next Sunday. I need suggestions for places to grab a drink and watch the game on Sundays downtown, besides the dome of course.

by FalconsFansincePrimetime on Sep 6, 2011 1:40 PM EDT via iPhone app reply actions