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October 2006
Babineaux’s a blessing
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
With so much talk about the defensive line centered around John Abraham, Rod Coleman, Patrick Kerney and Grady Jackson – and rightfully so – the emergence of Coleman’s backup, Jonathan Babineaux, has gone overlooked.
Babineaux, in limited action, has recorded 17 tackles, a sack and he knocked down a pass from Carson Palmer, late in Atlanta’s 29-27 victory over Cincinnati last week that led to a fourth-down punt. In the Falcons’ 41-38, overtime win over Pittsburgh, when Coleman sat out with a turf toe injury, Babineaux had five tackles, a sack and a fumble recovery and earned the team’s defensive player of the week honor.
Thrust into action after being drafted in the second round last season, the athletic Babineaux floated between end and tackle. Atlanta made a decision this offseason that even though Babineaux was slightly undersized (6-2, 280), he would be most effective rotating with Coleman. The decision appears to have been a good one. Babineaux is hitting his stride. That he is strong against the run and is really taking off as a pass rusher, the Falcons have additional depth to cause problems over the course of the season.
Defensive end/tackle Josh Mallard has also made some solid contributions in a backup role. The high-motored Mallard has a sack and almost got another one but instead, he was the player who forced Palmer into Kerney for the game-ending sack at Cincy.
Blown coverages only bad sign
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
For the first time this season, there was some exuberance in the Falcons’ locker room Sunday, after beating Cincinnati 29-27. Typically, win or lose, it’s pretty businesslike with the Birds, but players were feeling pretty good after improving to 5-2.
Michael Vick’s second straight good game is a huge reason why. In the past, Vick has followed a good showing with something less productive, even if it came in victory. The past two weeks against the Steelers and Bengals, the lefty has been on fire. Throwing, running, decision-making, it’s all working for Vick right now.
Vick, and rightly so, attributed a lot of his effectiveness on having time to throw the ball. The past two games he’s been sacked three times and rarely hurried. Coincidentally, those two games came when the Falcons used guards — Tyson Clabo and P.J. Alexander — who were making their first NFL starts.
Offensive coordinator Greg Knapp has shown more trust in Vick to make plays with his arm and been far less predictable when he was going to run or pass.
Defensively, though, the Falcons have got to get things together. Defensive coordinator Ed Donatell made some nice adjustments in the second half by blitzing up the middle to clog the run and put pressure on Carson Palmer, but more blown coverages in the secondary have to be a concern. This was the week, defensive backs pledged, the mistakes made against Pittsburgh wouldn’t surface again. They did.
The offense has picked up the defense the past two weeks, much the way the defense carried the Falcons early in the season. If Atlanta could ever put it all together and if Vick sustains this roll, the Falcons could be a team to seriously be reckoned with.
Some secondary challenges
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Members of the Falcons’ secondary were upset over the group’s overall performance against the Steelers last Sunday and swore there won’t be a repeat performance this week at Cincinnati.
Well, the Bengals wide receiving corps is arguably better than Pittsburgh’s, especially since coach Marvin Lewis said today that problematic wideout Chris Henry, suspended the past two games (substance abuse and conduct code violations) after being deemed inactive for another, will play against the Falcons.
That poses some big-time matchup problems, especially because Henry is the outside receiver in nickel coverages and will be paired against a much smaller Jason Webster in three-receiver sets.
Free safety Chris Crocker is going to have to be far more aware than he was against the Steelers and strong safety Lawyer Milloy is going to have to keep an eye on tight end Reggie Kelly. With the Falcons expected to blitz a lot, the defensive backs will be in a decent amount of man coverage and can’t afford a lapse.
Cornerback DeAngelo Hall has been about as locked in as I’ve ever seen him. He is very displeased with how he played against the Steelers, plus, he is very eager to get the best of Cincy’s Chad Johnson, who said he’s shave his blonde Mohawk of Hall bested him and the Falcons won.
Chiming in on Big Ben
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger said Tuesday that one of the Falcons players taunted him during the third-quarter hit that left him lying motionless and woozy. Roethlisberger didn’t say who it was or what was said other than that the player said he was targeting Roethlisberger’s face, which was damaged in a June motorcycle accident.
First off, far worse things are said during the course of a football game, whether a player gets hurt or not.
Secondly, the players involved in the hit, defensive ends Patrick Kerney and Chauncey Davis, as well as linebacker Michael Boley, all denied saying or hearing anything being said to Roethlisberger on the play.
“I was right there and I certainly didn’t hear anything like that,� Kerney said. “It’s interesting that an injury, as unfortunate as it is, has become such a big deal and that talking on the field has, as well. I think [talking on the field] is a time-honored tradition since the 1950s for people to say some things that aren’t popular.�
Added Boley: “I was right there on the play when he got hurt. I didn’t hear anybody say anything to him. If they did it had to be one of those things where somebody went up to him and whispered in his ear. I don’t think anybody on this team would say anything like that. That was just something good to print. That was just something that he wanted to say. I guess after being knocked out like that he just wanted to get something out there in the paper.”
Putting on the blitz
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Falcons resumed practice Wednesday with few people speaking about losing defensive end John Abraham for the next month after lower abdominal surgery. The lack of conversation about the three-time Pro Bowler seemed to stem from the fact that he only has played in parts of two games and that they have gotten used to Chauncey Davis and the rotation that includes Josh Mallard and Paul Carrington.
Coach Jim Mora said Wednesday that the team will probably continue to blitz a lot more without Abraham to generate pressure. At least 5 players will be rushing most of the time, he said, with sprinklings of packages where 6 or 7 defenders are getting after the quarterback. Linebacker Michael Boley added that he’s probably going to line up at rush end between 10-15 times a game to help put rusher on the passer.
A costly injury
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
For the second straight year, the Falcons lose a pass-rushing defensive end to injury and they have their high-priced offseason acquisition go down.
Defensive end John Abraham, who has played in two of six games, had surgery Tuesday morning to repair an abdominal tear. He’s out, optimistically, for three to four weeks. This was his fourth operation to his lower abdomen/groin area and this will mark the fourth time out of seven NFL years he will not play a full season.
Coach Jim Mora said the recent diagnosis and the follow-up procedure on Abraham took place hours after his Monday morning press conference, in which he said he thought Abe would be healthy enough to play Sunday, adding it was no certainty, though. That is why there was such a radical change in Abe’s status in a 24-hour period, Mora said.
When the Falcons traded away a first-round pick in a three-team deal to get Abraham from the Jets, they knew he only played three full seasons out of six. Injuries to his groin/abdomen were why. Still, he was signed to a six-year, $45 million deal. After what he did in the season-opener at Carolina (six tackles, two sacks, two forced fumbles), that seemed like a bargain basement price.
However, Chauncey Davis will end up spending more time at defensive end than Abraham this season. Davis was thrust into this role in 2005 when Brady Smith suffered a season-ending foot injury. This season, he’s much better, but not having a threat like Abraham makes things a little more difficult.
The Falcons are just getting back their big-ticket free agent from 2005, middle linebacker Ed Hartwell (six years, $26.25 million). They managed to play fairly well at linebacker without him, even though they went through some struggles last season.
There is hope that Abe can come back and have enough impact for the stretch run. It could be a matter of the Falcons still being in the hunt when he’s finally able to make a difference.
A special effort indeed
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Regardless of what side of the fence you sat on, Sunday’s 41-38 victory by the Falcons over the Steelers was fun to watch. The end of regulation could not have been wackier, either, with plenty of justifiable arguments to be made about strategy and officiating.
Amid all the dozens of spectacular plays and non-plays, the actual play of the game -– for the Falcons -– might have been made in the first quarter, immediately after Michael Vick’s 22-yard touchdown pass to tight end Alge Crumpler.
Kicker Michael Koenen made a shoestring, touchdown-saving tackle of Santonio Holmes at Pittsburgh’s 42. Holmes had broken through Atlanta’s coverage and seemed headed to the house when Koenen made a huge stop. The Steelers still ended up scoring a field goal, but if Holmes gets to the end zone, Falcons’ fans probably would not be celebrating a victory today.
It was the type of play that gets overlooked in the immediacy of the game, but in hindsight, it’s one that can’t go unnoticed. Neither can the overall play of the special teams.
From Omare Lowe’s forced fumble on a punt return by Holmes, to Allen Rossum’s 220 yards in kickoff returns, to Morten Andersen’s 32-yard game winner, the special teams were special. And not one Falcons’ player or coach failed to mention how courageous a call special teams coordinator Joe DeCamillis made midway through the second quarter when he summoned an on-sides kick.
Atlanta recovered the ball and went on to score on a 17-yard, acrobatic catch by Michael Jenkins and gained enough momentum to go blow-for-blow with the Steelers.
A watershed game?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
There has been little, if any, fallout among players, coaches or front-office staff about Michael Vick’s remarks in an HBO Inside the NFL interview with former NFL wide receiver Cris Carter this week.
To summarize, Vick said the team needs to stop running on first and second down all the time; that he wishes he could have the opportunity to throw to Randy Moss and Marvin Harrison; and to be able play in the Colts’ system for a week.
In addition, Warrick Dunn said in an article my colleague D. Orlando Ledbetter wrote Friday that he and the other running backs would welcome the opportunity to be more a part of the passing game.
Sounds like the team’s top two offensive players would prefer some changes.
Based on the tension that seems to be brewing, Sunday’s game with the Steelers is huge. A loss by Atlanta, especially one in which the offense plays poorly or can’t score touchdowns again, could spur a lot more negative reaction than what we’ve witnessed this week.
A victory and all will be good.
It’s the nature of sports nowadays for the pendulum to swing wildly from week to week but eve though this is game No. 6 for Atlanta, it could be a watershed for the direction of this team, its players and coaching staff.
Scheming for Polamalu
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Flowery Branch – Falcons quarterback Michael Vick and coach Jim Mora spent plenty of time earlier this week talking up Steelers strong safety Troy Polamalu, with good reason. The Pro Bowler can cover a ton of ground in the run game and pass game and he is a sure tackler, particularly in the open field.
Polamalu also has the uncanny ability to run full speed to a spot, gather himself and deliver a big blow.
What should concern the Falcons about facing such a unique player is that Polamalu could be used, effectively, as a spy on Vick. Carolina used a spy on Vick and had it work last season. It did not work in the season-opener because that spy, Thomas Davis, was moved from safety to linebacker.
Polamalu can make reads out of the secondary and has the speed to get to spots on the field that could reduce running lanes and angles for Vick, Warrick Dunn and Jerious Norwood. If Polamalu and the Steelers are able to limit runs on the perimeter, they could deal the Falcons a huge blow.
Atlanta has to – has to — make plays in the passing game to keep Polamalu from establishing himself in run support. Expect the Falcons to utilize a quick route, short passing game to try and establish some type of rhythm, and then take some shots downfield, as they have done.
Hartwell back; D. Williams demoted
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
There were two personnel changes made by the Falcons Wednesday, one forced; the other a move that reduces the role of a key defender so medically rehabilitated middle linebacker Ed Hartwell could be inserted into the starting lineup.
The insertion of Hartwell, who has not played this season after having both knees arthroscopically repaired, comes at the expense of outside linebacker Demorrio Williams, who has been relegated to nickel packages and special teams. Williams was demoted because Keith Brooking, who was moved back to his familiar position of weakside outside linebacker. Brooking, who played well in the middle, said he is much better suited to play on the weakside and looks forward to playing the position because he has more space in which to operate.
Hartwell, meanwhile, said his return comes at an optimum time. Since he spent most of his career in Baltimore, Hartwell said he is familiar with Pittsburgh’s style and is looking forward to getting back on the field against an opponent that will run more at him than away from him.
Offensively, the Falcons will replace Matt Lehr — suspended four games for violating the NFL’s steroid policy — with Tyson Clabo, a practice squad player who is now being thrown into the fire. Coach Jim Mora, quarterback Michael Vick and offensive tackle Wayne Gandy said Clabo should be able to fill in well, unless he gets stage fright in his debut. Gandy said the Falcons’ blocking scheme is predicated on assignments, not physical dominance, which should also help Clabo.
In regards to Lehr, no player openly expressed him letting the team down and all said they would be supportive.
The soul-searching begins
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Falcons are off today but time is probably being spent doing a lot of soul searching. Atlanta is 3-2 but the next two games vs. Pittsburgh and Cincinnati are huge. Based on a series of interviews Monday, there seems to be a feeling among players that they need to generate some momentum.
Players were still somewhat distraught. They said their angst was a result of blowing a 14-3 lead Sunday vs. the Giants and losing 27-14. Several players wondered aloud; are they as good as they thought?
Players told me Monday that they were humbled, especially on defense. That might be all the motivation that is needed on that side of the ball. There are enough veterans on the defense to where some of the problems will be fixed before Sunday’s game with the Steelers.
Offensively is where there seems to be to most room for continued struggles.
In a conversation with running back Warrick Dunn Monday, the Pro Bowler told me and my colleague D. Orlando Ledbetter he’s capable of being an option in the passing game, especially based on his effectiveness at Florida State and in Tampa and early on with Atlanta.
Thing is, he’s having to be used a lot in protection.
Somehow, the Falcons have to figure out how to keep defenders out of the backfield. If one of the best offensive weapons on the team - we can add fullback Justin Griffith to the equation – is being used to block in the passing game, that negates some of the potential to move the chains and diversify the offense.
Personnel changes possible
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
First, the injury update…
Defensive end John Abraham (groin) should play in Sunday’s game with Pittsburgh, although he could be limited to passing situations. Coach Jim Mora said Abraham was pulled out of last Sunday’s 27-14 smack down by the Giants because his injured groin had tightened and that Abraham met a preset 20-play limit.
Defensive tackle Rod Coleman had a bone scan on his left foot Monday. Results were inconclusive, but Mora said he did not think it was a serious injury. Defensive end Patrick Kerney’s hamstring will be monitored through the week, but Kerney said he will play vs. the Steelers.
One thing is for sure, the Falcons will need all three of those players to hold up against Pittsburgh. Once all three went out against New York in the second half, the Giants steamrolled the Falcons up front, particularly on the edges. That led to the linebackers and defensive backs getting worn down and the Giants churning out back-breaking drives that led to the victory.
The Falcons’ inability to stop the run for the first time this season also opened the door for the possible insertion of Ed Hartwell at middle linebacker. If that happens, Keith Brooking would move to weakside linebacker. Michael Boley will remain at strongside linebacker, regardless.
Demorrio Williams has played well, but Brooking would provide more size at the weakside spot and could better stand up to fullbacks and tackles. This remains an intriguing scenario. Hartwell, who had dual arthroscopic knee operations, wants to play badly, but getting him back into the lineup could cause some hurt feelings and the possible disruption of chemistry.
Offensively, it might be time for the Falcons to get wide receiver Ashley Lelie more involved. After the loss, Lelie expressed disappointment about his role. He had just one ball thrown his way, and that coming late in the game.
Lelie, after starting the previous two games, came off the bench behind Roddy White and Michael Jenkins. Both starters failed to make catches in key first-half situations, which had to bother Lelie, who has led the NFL in yards per catch the past two seasons.
Of the Falcons’ top three wideouts, Lelie is the only receiver with a legit resume. He’s also in a contract year, a time when many players tend to have big seasons. Atlanta needs to get something out of its anemic passing game and feeding Lelie could be a partial solution.
Shockley impressive as backup
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
This blog doesn’t necessarily deal with Sunday’s game against the New York Giants. Instead, I wanted to talk about a well-known player whose progress is being measured on the practice field.
Over the past few weeks, I’ve seen third-string quarterback D.J. Shockley look very impressive, which is sometimes tough for a backup whose main role is to emulate the visiting team’s quarterback. Shockley, the rookie from Georgia, has embraced his position and gone about sharpening his skills against the No. 1 defense, which happens to be ranked 6th overall in the NFL. In individual drills, Shockley has been very solid throwing the ball and seems to have established pretty good chemistry with the Falcons’ receivers.
I spoke to him for a while this week and Shockley said he is very pleased with the way he has progressed. Most of it, he said, deals with the way he’s been coached by quarterbacks coach Bill Musgrave and Greg Knapp. Instead of just using him as a practice player, Shockley is quizzed on the same material, coverages and reads as Michael Vick and Matt Schaub.
Part of Shockley’s progress also stems from the type of player he is, which is a humble one who wants to always get better and do what is right for the team.
Falcons must pressure Eli
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The New York Giants boast enough offensive weapons to make things tough on the Falcons Sunday, especially if Atlanta doesn’t get pressure on Eli Manning. The likely return of defensive end John Abraham should, directly or indirectly, lead to some heat on the third-year quarterback, which could prompt some turnovers.
Cornerbacks DeAngelo Hall and Jason Webster will have their work cut out for them, as will strongside linebacker Michael Boley, who’ll probably get put in some man coverages on tight end Jeremy Shockey or his backup, Visanthe Shiancoe, if Shockey’s problematic foot injury keeps him sidelined.
Of the 10 offensive touchdowns the Giants have scored, nine have come through the air, three each to wideouts Plaxico Burress and Amani Toomer. New York likes to throw the fade route to the corner of the end zone, especially to the 6-5 Burress.
Hall and Webster are going to have to be physical at the line of scrimmage if the Giants venture inside the 10-yard line to knock the receivers off course on the fade route. If the defensive front can wreak some havoc on Manning, Hall and Webster should get some interception opportunities as well. Manning has thrown five interceptions.
Best run-blocker’s ability to play in doubt
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Guard Kynan Forney (shoulder), defensive end John Abraham, linebacker Ed Hartwell (knees) practiced today and were listed as questionable on the Falcons injury report. Coach Jim Mora said they’ve all shown encouraging signs that they’ll all be able to play Sunday against the Giants.
That’s not news, in regards to Abraham and Hartwell, who have practiced recently and shown signs that they are ready to go.
In regards to Forney, who got hurt in a 32-10 victory over Arizona, it is in the Falcons’ best interest to have him in the lineup if he’s able to play. He’s their most physically dominant run blocker, especially straight ahead, when the zone-blocking scheme isn’t called upon.
The thing is, his left shoulder popped out of place against the Cardinals, so his ability to gain and then sustain strength will be tested over the week. So will his ability to consistently be able to deliver a blow. Atlanta is going against a pretty solid defensive front and if they can’t establish the run, there could be some problems.
The red zone puzzle
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Players were off today but will resume practice Wednesday.
Coach Jim Mora emphasized Monday that during the bye week, coaches spent a great deal of time trying to figure out ways to get into the end zone once they got inside the opposing 20-yard line. That, of course, has been a problem.
It is unknown how they plan on rectifying the situation, but I wouldn’t expect a radical shift. Atlanta might try more lob passes or interior runs. The key also could be to limit the play action and get the ball out of quarterback Michael Vick’s hands faster, if he’s not running.
A huge problem so far in the red zone has been the abundance of negative yards on first and second down that have forced obvious passing situations.
Some other things that I’ll try to keep you updated on when practice resumes will be whether Ashley Lelie retains his starting job at wide receiver, how middle linebacker Ed Hartwell factors into the defense and if Jerious Norwood looks like he’ll get more snaps at tailback.
Going back to work
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Falcons resumed practice Monday after not working since last Wednesday, courtesy of the bye-weekend and a generous coaching staff.
Players were spry and seemed eager to get after the next stretch of potentially brutal games against the Giants, Steelers and Bengals.
Defensive end John Abraham (groin) looks good to start against the Giants, and middle linebacker Ed Hartwell (knee operations) said he’s ready to play. (How the Falcons infuse Hartwell into the lineup will be something to watch for this week; the linebacking corps has played so well without him.) Guard Kynan Forney (shoulder) will be monitored as the week progresses.
I spoke with tight end Alge Crumpler today because there seems to be some sentiment brewing that he’s not playing overly Crumpler-like so far. He’s had a few drops, which are uncustomary.
Crumpler, who played in his third straight Pro Bowl last February, said he doesn’t think there is anything wrong and that he has plenty of more games to atone for some of his shortcomings. Coach Jim Mora said because Crumpler is typically so reliable, any drops or missed block will appear far more glaring.
Crumpler did acknowledge that he might just be rounding into form somewhat after being unable to fully work on football-related drills this offseason. The five-year veteran had shoulder and knee operations shortly after last season ended. Though neither injury is causing him problems, he spent far more time rehabilitating from the operations than he did catching passes.
With a team-high 11 catches, Crumpler has just two fewer receptions than he did after four games last season. He has a touchdown catch, just as he did after four games in 2005. Crumpler has had 27 passes thrown his way, which re-confirms he is the team’s top target. Mora said Crumpler could become more of a target with the Falcons’ red-zone woes.
Forney has a little time to heal
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Falcons guard Kynan Forney’s shoulder injury looked bad.
You never get use to seeing trainers walking a big guy off the field, holding his arm in place like its about to fall off.
Forney is arguably the team’s best linemen and the least known potential star around the league because of the team’s ridiculous one lineman a week spokesman policy. (Alex Gibbs may be the cut-block master, but he’s killing us media types. The linemen are usually the nicest and brightest guys on the team to deal with. Hear this Gibbs: “YOU’RE KILLING US!!!)
OK, back to the blog — Despite that coach Jim Mora said Forney could have played if they had a game this week and put his shoulder in a harness, for him the bye week could not have come at a better time.
Linebackers John Abraham and Ed Hartwell have been afforded lengthy recovery periods from a groin injury and knee surgeries, respectively.
But it looks like Forney, the anchor of the line, is going to have to suck it up and get back out there against the New York Giants.
Reflecting on the first four games
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
My man Steve Wyche had to attend a “WatchDog” journalism seminar today and passed the blog over to me. Been waiting to fire up those dormant blogging skills.
Well, here goes:
With the Falcons off for a few days, it’s time kick back for a second and reflect on the first four games. At 3-1 entering their bye week here are some quick highlights/lowlights.
1: Defense has allowed one touchdown and that was on a double reverse to New Orleans.
2: Offense has moved the ball between the 20s, scoring only 3 times on 17 trips inside the redzone. Why not pound the ball at folks instead of throwing those cutesy play-action passes when you get close-in?
3: The Uncle Mortie experiment seems to be working out. The 46-year-old Morten Andersen made 5 of 5 field goal attempts against Arizona. Michael Koenen had missed 6 of 8 in the first two games.
4: There’s a possibility that John Abraham could be back vs. the Giants on Oct. 15.
5: Second-year linebacker Michael Boley is emerging as a force.
6: Ashley Lelie has flashed his big play ability on 48-yard and 51-yard gains. But overall, if the passing game were a middle school it would be on the “Needs Improvement List” in the “No Wide Receiver Left Behind” program.
How about your own high/lowlights? What are you plans for Sunday with the Falcons off? Plan to scout Eli Manning and the Giants who host the Washington Redskins at 1 p.m. or plan on watching T.O.’s return to Philly?
Abraham back at practice
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Falcons defensive end John Abraham practiced Wednesday for the first time since injuring his groin in the waning moments of a season-opening victory over Carolina, a game that he dominated.
Abraham, who revealed he has had three operations on his lower abdomen in his career, said he practiced after nearly a month of rehabilitation to provide a brief refresher before practice resumes next week. It’s a sign he plans to play in Atlanta Oct. 15 game against the New York Giants. The Falcons have a bye this week.
Abraham said no real diagnosis was provided about the type of groin injury he suffered. However, after a groin injury forced him to miss nine games in the 2003 season with the New York Jets, Abraham said he proceeded with caution.
If Abraham does return against the Giants — he did not guarantee he would — he would reassume his starting right end job, where he opened the season with two sacks, two forced fumbles and six tackles at Carolina. Patrick Kerney, who is coming off a three-sack game against Arizona, would return to left end.
Top pick stuck on special teams
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Falcons went through one of the two light workouts they will have this week and it was pretty much of a JV practice. The majority of frontline players went through light drills while many of the young players got the brunt of the work.
One of those players, was cornerback Jimmy Williams. Projected in training camp to be part of the nickel coverage package, Williams has played almost exclusively on special teams, with coaches opting for Kevin Mathis to be in during nickel situations, not Williams. Coach Jim Mora said this week there are no immediate plans to disrupt the strong cohesiveness in the secondary by playing Williams and that Williams will probably get most of his work this season on special teams.
Boley a real boost at LB
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A quarter through the season, the Falcons are 3-1 and on top of the NFC South. No one thinks that right now they are good enough to compete for a Super Bowl, but they are laying the foundation to position themselves for a playoff push.
The main reason for optimism is the defense. The Chicago Bears are the only other team in the NFL besides Atlanta whose defense has allowed just one touchdown.
Lawyer Milloy, Keith Brooking, Grady Jackson and Rod Coleman set the tone from Game 1 at Carolina. Then, Chris Crocker, Demorrio Williams, Darrell Shropshire, DeAngelo Hall and Jason Webster jumped on board. Now that he’s back to full strength, Patrick Kerney re-established himself. Nickel back/safety Kevin Mathis is showing no signs his knee injury from last season is a problem.
The two most promising things, though, are the pending return of defensive end John Abraham from a groin injury and the emergence of Michael Boley at strongside linebacker.
Boley, 6-4, 240, has played lights out the past two games. He is showing the needed physical prowess to accompany his remarkable athleticism and fluidity that had coaches contemplating moving him to safety this offseason. Boley often was used in man coverage on the slot receiver and, of late, he’s been used as a rush end in pass situations. He’s also one of the Falcons’ top special teams players.
Boley had seven solo tackles, a sack, a forced fumble and a tipped pass that led to DeAngelo Hall’s 37-yard interception return for a touchdown in the Falcons’ 32-10 victory over Arizona Sunday.
A fifth round pick in 2005, the Falcons could have a gem to add to a solid group of linebackers.
How coach Jim Mora and defensive coordinator Ed Donatell incorporate middle linebacker Ed Hartwell (back from dual knee surgeries) into the lineup over the next few weeks will be interesting because the linebackers have been outstanding.
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