Falcons

By #1

October 3, 2006 04:15 PM | Link to this

I really dont see a problem with that because Mathis has been playing his a** off. What we should be working on is the red zone offense, all of them, not just the second string.

By Joe

October 3, 2006 04:29 PM | Link to this

I don’t see a problem with this either. Unless Jason Webster or someone gets hurt there’s no need to mess around with the defense the way they’ve been playing. It’s the offense that needs work. The falcons face some tuff defenses later in the season and they’ll be able to stuff the run. Will Vick be able to overcome this?

By KDB

October 3, 2006 04:49 PM | Link to this

Not true - didn’t Jimmy W line up a lot vs. Tampa Bay to negate their larger receivers/tight ends?

By Doc Reem

October 3, 2006 05:18 PM | Link to this

Let him watch and learn for now because it’s only a matter of time before he’ll be needed to replace Webster. But I will give Webster credit he is playing better.

By birdfan2

October 3, 2006 05:31 PM | Link to this

Just want to suggest something that might work a little better than all those screen passes behind the line … use the speeeeeed demon Norwood and Dunn both in the backfield. Get the ball out to Norwood on the edge and watch him run, then fake it next time and hand off to Dunn or keep it and run … keep the defenses guessing who they have to tackle—Norwood, Dunn or Mike. We have to start scoring TDs instead of threes … although Morten is still kicking great he can be worn out!!!!!

By TD

October 3, 2006 06:28 PM | Link to this

Since the pass rush will improve after the bye, additional pressure should be taken off of the secondary. But Milloy, Crocker, Mathis return from injury have all worked out and the defense has certainly exceeded my expectations given Abraham has played one game, Kearney was hurt and Hartwell will play his first game in two weeks. I think it is a good thing when a number one pick can spend time developing his skills through practice and special teams. Maybe next season, the falcons can address the O-line.

By larry w.

October 3, 2006 06:51 PM | Link to this

TD you’re absolutely correct. When you can afford to let your #1 pick develop on special teams, that means that you have great depth at that position. With the re-emergence of Kevin Mathis from injury, and the improved play of Webster, the Falcons do have that rare luxury. On another note, I have tried very hard to like Greg Knapp. After all, he is our OC and there is nothing that I can do to change that. However, I cannot figure out for the life of me why he calls his plays in such an odd manner. When the Falcons have first and ten at their own thirty yard line, you can bet the mortgage that the call will be a running play to Warrick. But when they have first and goal inside the five yard line, he calls roll outs and passes. Stop trying to be cute. NFL defenses are not easily fooled. When you have first and goal inside the five, pound that rock up in there. If he doesn’t have faith in Warrick to get the job done, give it to Norwood or Griffin, but please stop with the cutesy plays in goal line situations!

By parks

October 3, 2006 07:20 PM | Link to this

amen

By BIG BLACK BIRD

October 3, 2006 08:53 PM | Link to this

I think it’s ok for Williams to get some schooling on the sidelines and special teams this year. BUT FOR THE LOVE OF THE FALCONS, how can you not have JERIOUS NORWOOD on the field for 12-15 plays?? His schooling needs to be on the field! What defense would want to chase him all day?? Wake up from your nap, Knapp.

By Ken Strickland

October 3, 2006 09:14 PM | Link to this

TD, the OLine replacements are already on the roster. Gandy @RT—Omiyale 6’4” 310lbs. Weiners@LT—Ojinnaka 6’5” 295lbs. Lehr@LG—Clabo 6’6” 314lbs or Claxton 6’2” 301lbs. Forney is already our best lineman.

By Najeh Davenpoop

October 3, 2006 09:18 PM | Link to this

Jimmy Williams is where he should be on the depth chart. Other than the Saints game our secondary has played very well (although the pass rush probably has more to do with this than actual improvement by the secondary players). I don’t see how anyone can make an argument for benching Kevin Mathis right now, the guy is playing out of his mind. Webster has been decent, and of course D. Hall has played like an MVP. Plus, Williams didn’t exactly light it up in preseason either.

We should be thankful that we have that kind of depth… there is no reason to rush J. Williams.

By L.J.

October 3, 2006 11:11 PM | Link to this

I guess that’s why the Falcons365 store doesn’t have a Jimmy Williams #24 jersey for sale yet. They have a Norwood jersey.

Seriously, when you think back to last year, the problem was that too many young guys had to play. This year, we have a top draft pick that can’t get on the field…and we have a (supposedly) big-time linebacker in Hartwell who will have a hard time breaking back in.

This is great from a depth standpoint. This D is solid, and it better be with Eli, Big Ben and Carson coming up…

By Gunner

October 4, 2006 07:31 AM | Link to this

Will someone get Abraham checked out for a sports hernia? I think the team doctor needs to be reevaluated. He or someone really screwed up last year on Brady Smith.

By lee sunset

October 4, 2006 08:53 AM | Link to this

Norwood dinged his shoulder on special teams Sunday (did you see the nice shoestring tackle he made on a kickoff) so the coaches were reluctant to play him more. Obviously nothing wrong with his legs. Makes you wonder why he’s playing special teams but it’s part of the rookie indoctrination process. Hopefully Rich McKay is not using same doctor (from his Tampa Bay days) who diagnosed Chris Simms for Abe…

By johnmrog

October 4, 2006 01:44 PM | Link to this

Nice to see that the Falcon’s tradition of success with impact 1st round draft picks continues.

By Madden King

October 4, 2006 01:57 PM | Link to this

Falcons Fans here’s something to get you talking a little bit. Word has it that on a fox sports radio show in Oakland yesterday that RANDY MOSS said he wouldn’t mind getting traded before the trading deadline. His excuse was that he didn’t want to be the reason why the team is going through what they are going through right now and off the air he expressed that he wanted to come to the Falcons if he would to get traded. If this is true MY ADVISE TO RICH MCKAY, CALL UP AL DAVIS AND TRADE RODDY WHITE, OVER HYPED ED HARTWELL, AND A 1ST ROUND PICK TO OAKLAND FOR RANDY MOSS. IF THAT HAPPENS, THAT WILL SOLVE ALL OUR PASSING GAME PROBLEMS WITH RANDY AND ASHLEY GOING DEEP AND MIKE JENKINS AND CRUMP GOING IN THE MIDDLE.

By Madden King

October 4, 2006 02:02 PM | Link to this

Or better yet they can trade Matt Schaub for Randy Moss since he is not going to be here next year and save a first round pick.

By lee sunset

October 4, 2006 02:20 PM | Link to this

Hmmmmm, typically I’d say no way but Raiders are so dumb they might be willing to part ways with Moss for less than his value… Obviously it’s apparent Randy Moss made Daunte Culpepper a MUCH better QB. Might work for Vick. At least we’d have the option of throwing fade into the end zone for TD’s instead of field goals.

By The Old QB

October 4, 2006 02:22 PM | Link to this

To the guy who was making it appear that there is an either/or situation as far as the secondary and the pass rush is concerned. You do realize that they are most effective when they work in tandem, right? You don’t give credit to the pass rush and say that the secondary had nothing to do with it, because each is responsible for the success of the other. You have heard of something called a COVERAGE SACK, right? On the other hand, if the pass rush is effective, the DBs don’t have to stay with the receiver as long and it can also force the QB to make errant throws, which results in INTs (See D. Hall). It’s really pretty silly when you start picking out people on the team to give credit to and put down the rest, because they all have to come up in order for anyone to be successful. On offense, don’t give Vick all the credit for wins, nor all the blame for losses. If any one player could win on his own, all he’d have to do is step on the field (alone), stare down the 11 on the other side, and just go “hut-hut” and see what the hell happens.

By Dorf

October 4, 2006 02:29 PM | Link to this

It would make sense to keep webster and mathis as your second corner and nickelback for now but when the #2 bigs come to town like keyshawn and company we need to have Jimmy ready…

By The Old QB

October 4, 2006 02:29 PM | Link to this

Madden King, that would never work around here. Randy Moss would be hounded worse than Vick because these so-called “Falcon fans” don’t really want football players here, just choir boys. Randy Moss has issues in his past and he’s pretty vocal at times (a combination that is totally unacceptable for black players around here). Even though he knows how to beat coverage and can catch the ball, he just doesn’t fit the profile of what flies around here. They prefer a softie like Roddy White as long as he keeps his mouth shut, regardless of whehter he ever catches another pass.

By Andy

October 4, 2006 02:33 PM | Link to this

Uh folks, I doubt we could pull any more major trades. If Moss is miserable in Oakland, he stays there until the offseason. Besides, Al Davis won’t do a trade because a player says so….look at Porter…we are fine anyway, just need to get the redzone stuff figured out.

By dirrtybird

October 4, 2006 02:37 PM | Link to this

Roddy White, Ed Hartwell and a 1st Round pick? do you know what kind of accelerated Salary cap hit we would take for that? Roddy White is only in his second year. It takes a receiver 3 years to break out. See Michael Jenkins. No need to make a blockbuster trade when you’re 3-1 and not really utilizing the pass game as much anyways. Would Randy Moss block? Randy Moss makes $10 Million a year too. Something to think about…

By lee sunset

October 4, 2006 02:40 PM | Link to this

Perhaps just the threat of trading Roddy to Oakland will make him play better…

By Will

October 4, 2006 02:48 PM | Link to this

Hey guys—if it ain’t broke, then don’t try and fix it. The secondary is playing better than it has over the past three years. We don’t need a shakeup because somone’s upset our 1st round draft pick is on the bench! In the NFL chemistry trumps EVERYTHING—including skill. New England has shown us this time and time again. What we should be thinking about is how to get Norwood on the field at the same time as Dunn, Vick, and Crumpler! So again I say: if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!

By Iceman

October 4, 2006 03:29 PM | Link to this

3 things key for Falcons success:

1.Trade for O-Line help 2.Use Grady Jackson for Red Zone offense,particularly goal line. 3.Keep J.Abraham out for as long as possible no matter how healthy he is. We’ll need him for the postseason.

By The Old QB

October 4, 2006 08:51 PM | Link to this

I really like the idea of bringing Grady Jackson in on goal line situations and let him drive straight into the line with Dunn, Norwood or Vick right on his big butt, becaue you know he’s going to clear whatever he hits ala Fridge Perry.

By Ken Strickland

October 4, 2006 11:33 PM | Link to this

I have a more logical idea for the redzone. We have 2 FB’s that run into and over linemen and LB’s, as lead blockers, on almost every play. In goal line situations why not play McCrary at FB and have Griffin move into Dunn’s position. As the lead blocker, every rushing attempt is a goal line situation for our FB’s, so why not utilize them in actual goal line situations.

By The Old QB

October 5, 2006 08:51 AM | Link to this

I feel you, Strickland. Your way is more logical, true, but it sure would be fun to see the look on a linebacker’s face when he fills a gap at the goal line and sees GJ charging at him. I mean the mental picture has me ROFLMAO.

By Marbo

October 5, 2006 09:13 AM | Link to this

How about running a Power I goal line offense. You could have McCrary at the full, either Norwood or Griffin at the tail, and Crumpler at the half back position. defenses wouldn’t know who to tackle.

By jerry

October 5, 2006 02:28 PM | Link to this

Mora and Knapp are not the offensive minded duo the Falcons need. Norwood and D. Hall playing on special teams has to be one of the dumbest moves I have ever seen. These are big play guys that are needed for the offense and defense.

My solution for WR’s. Trade R.White and 1st Round pick to Raiders for Moss and Porter.

By Ken Strickland

October 5, 2006 03:32 PM | Link to this

THE OLD QB, I can certainly imagine the look that would be on my face if I had to contend with him. Try this, why not use Eric Beverly, our 6’3” 300lb blocking TE in the FB slot in goal line situations. Unlike GJackson, Beverly is accustomed to blocking linemen and LB’s. We line up with 2 TE’s, and Beverly at FB. Then we put a TE in motion, which would create an overload to one side. The DEF would be forced to rotate to the motion side, which would further open the weakside to a bootleg. This formation would also create mismatches, if we decide to pass, by flooding the endzone with 3 large TE’s. If Vick decided to run to the strong side, in addition to the Oline, he would have 3TE’s, plus the HB to lead the way. Also, in the redzone area this formation would really create problems for the DEF with Norwood as the HB. What do you think?

By The Old QB

October 6, 2006 06:31 AM | Link to this

Works for me (don’t forget that G. Jackson did play some fullback in highschool, so the offensive side of the ball is not completely foreign to him). The possibilities are limitless, though, if you have a creative football mind, which is why I just don’t get Knapp. There are just too many weapons on that team for him to under-utilize them like that. He appears to get a brain cramp anytime they get in the red zone. If he can just get his hands around one thing and that is finesse football is between the 20s, but inside the 10s, we’re talking PURE POWER.

By b man

October 6, 2006 02:50 PM | Link to this

Several random thoughts:

Moss Trade - I DON’T think this would be a good idea. As another entry mentioned…I can’t see Moss blocking at all. Reveiver blocking is an important part of the offense…White and Jenkins blocking enables Dunn/Norwood/Vick to get outside. Also, receivers in the Falcon’s offense won’t have huge numbers, which wouldn’t sit well w/ Moss…this would be a recipe for disaster.

Redzone - I have faith time will work out the kinks…alot of teams are still struggling in the redzone. TJ is missed here but I think Griffith/Norwood/Crumpler will get the job done.

By victordome

October 9, 2006 10:17 AM | Link to this

OKAY, IT TIME FOR SO NEW PLAYS,

PLAY CALLING WITH SOME ELEMENT OF SURPRISE SEEMS THAT THE NATIONS KNOWS ALL OUR PLAYS.

LETS SEE OUR FULLBACKS PUHCH IT INTO THE ENDZONE. OR SOMEONE LEAST EXPECTED.

GO FALCONS WE ARE STILL NUMBER ONE IN MY BOOKS YEAH

By pussyisfree

October 15, 2006 08:46 PM | Link to this

The Falcons need to give the rookie, Jimmy Williams, a little more playing time than what he’s been seeing. At least give him some PT in the late 4th quarter and on some pass defense when it’s not as critical. Give the lineup some flexibility.