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Tuesday, October 11, 2005
Hartwell’s loss and run defense
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Falcons coach Jim Mora and his players lamented the loss of middle linebacker Ed Hartwell to a season-ending torn Achilles-tendon injury. Hartwell, the major offseason acquisition brought in to bolster the run defense, had surgery Monday and will be placed on injured reserve, possibly as early as today.
What this means for the run defense could be interesting. As much of a brute as Hartwell is, the three teams that have strong tailbacks — Seattle, Buffalo and New England — all went for more than 100 yards rushing against Atlanta.
Hartwell was not solely to blame, as Seattle and Buffalo tended to break more runs outside and off tackle than up the middle. However, Hartwell seemed to be having some issues adjusting to the single middle linebacker spot from the inside spot he shared playing in Baltimore 3-4 defense.
Chad Lavalais is playing better than many thought at defensive tackle, but maybe he’s not eating up blockers the way departed Ed Jasper did to free up the linebackers. Safeties Keion Carpenter and Bryan Scott, who at times have made some key stops, struggled in run support early against the Patriots and have been out of position to make tackles in other games. Rookie ends Chauncey Davis and Jonathan Babineaux has shown impressive flashes, but their inexperience could factor into things as well.
The Falcons aren’t placing blame on any player or specific position, saying poor tackling was a big problem against New England, which it was. Players said that they will toughen up and be better, which they should be, at least this week, because Saints workhorse running back Deuce McAllister tore his ACL and is out for the season.
With the linebacking corps having to be re-shuffled — the guess here is that Keith Brooking will be used in the middle with Ike Reese and Demorrio Williams playing on his flanks — it could be telling if the run defense improves, stays the same, or gets worse.
