AJC > Sports > Falcons > Blog > Archives > 2005 > October > 10
Monday, October 10, 2005
Dinged-up defense cause for concern
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Though no one is going to accept a moral victory following a 31-28 loss to New England Sunday, the Falcons should feel pretty good about their offense — especially with Matt Schaub showing he is more than capable of playing starter’s minutes in the NFL.
However, some major defensive holes have to be filled if the Falcons are seriously going to challenge for a Super Bowl. Granted, Tom Brady has diced up numerous defenses in becoming one of, if not the, top quarterbacks in the NFL.
But injuries, poor tackling, suspect coverage, and even in coach Jim Mora’s view — questionable physicality — were on full display Sunday.
Safeties Bryan Scott (no tackles) and Keion Carpenter failed to provide substantial run support on some key plays. Cornerback DeAngelo Hall was brought back down to earth by Deion Branch and Co. Fellow corner Jason Webster got lost a few times when the ball was in the air,
something that can’t happen repeatedly at cornerback.
And if you don't think losing Chris Cash (fractured arm) was a blow, it was. Cash, who was brought in to replace playmaking nickel back Kevin Mathis, was solid in nickel coverage and had no problem getting delivering a blow.
Now Atlanta is going to have to dig deep into its depth chart because even if they sign a free agent, he might not catch on as quickly as Cash did. Allen Rossum, whose pass interference call on New England's final drive proved crucial, will probably get more work at nickel, but coaches would rather use him exclusively as a kick and punt returner.
Making matters worse, the Falcons are going to have to do some shuffling with their linebackers now that middle linebacker Ed Hartwell appears out for the season with a right Achilles' tendon injury. They have an abundance of outside linebackers and two, Keith Brooking or Ike Reese, are the most likely to be moved into the middle.
The Falcons have already been suspect against the run and now, teams likely will try to pound them since they don't have a true, burly head-crasher in the middle.
