AJC > Sports > Falcons > Blog > Archives > 2006 > November > 20
Monday, November 20, 2006
Foes exploit Vick’s inconsistency
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The possible returns of linebacker Ed Hartwell and defensive end John Abraham might be reason for some in the Falcons Nation to jump for joy and click their heels, but the reeling Birds (5-5) aren’t going to stop their descent until they fix what’s going wrong offensively.
After amassing a season-low 186 yards in Sunday’s 24-10 loss to Baltimore, players said Tuesday the Falcons have gotten too pass happy and that they need to get back to running the ball. The return of left guard Matt Lehr this week, — he likely will supplant P.J. Alexander — should provide a boost, players said.
Maybe, but opponents have gotten wise to Atlanta’s tendencies, the scheme and to Michael Vick, whom they are daring, with more frequency, to be the guy to beat them. Opponents are loading up and pressing the Falcons with eight defenders not only in running situations, but passing situations.
Teams seem to think that they can win the physical battle up front against the run — the Ravens sure did — and use a spy to stop the leak-out rushes by Vick. They’ve taken the same tack in passing situations.
Team seem so unafraid of Vick in the passing game that they are leaving themselves vulnerable in the secondary by hedging their bets that he’ll make a bad decision (the 17-yard, fourth quarter sack), not be patient enough to get to his second or third option or make a bad throw if he’s faced to make a quick decision under duress (i.e. the misfired pass to tight end Alge Crumpler in the end zone vs. Baltimore).
Not all the blame can go on Vick. The offensive line play and some of the calls and decisions by offensive coordinator Greg Knapp factor into the shortcomings as well. Still, Vick’s inconsistency seems to be the barometer of the team and if he wants to be the leader that he is, he’s got to generate more plays — not necessarily spectacular plays, but some of the basic once that keep the chains moving.
This talk of better execution the past few weeks hasn’t produced results, though, and what is becoming more clear is that owner Arthur Blank is doing more than chatting up folks on the sideline at the end of games.
He’s putting his finger on the pulse of everything up close and personal. If things don’t improve in a lot of areas, it would be hard to believe there won’t be a lot of changes, from the coaching staff on down, during the offseason.
Blank, who seems to sincerely like and believe in coach Jim Mora, has invested a lot of money to give management and coaches what they wanted. However, Blank is a businessman and he’s not going to go through too many down cycles before cutting his losses.
