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November 2006
Pressure’s on receiving corps
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Falcons wide receivers coach George Stewart said his position players have hit rock bottom. He can only hope so.
The string of dropped passes, especially by Roddy White, have drawn the ire of owner Arthur Blank and damaged the confidence of a group of first-round draft picks who now face immense pressure to produce - as they should.
Unlike baseball players, who can try to bust out of a slump the following day, the wide receivers have to dwell on things for a full week. They have tried to move on, but people like me ask them about their struggles, which only makes them re-visit the past.
Before you crack on the media for fostering failure, keep in mind we talk about their successes to them days after they produce too.
There has been even more emphasis on holding on to passes this week, which could be a good or bad thing since it could compound the thought process or drive the point home.
Atlanta plans to get the wide receivers the ball early in Sunday’s game at Washington to establish confidence, which is what it has to do. If players don’t get their hands on the ball early, what’s going to happen later in the game when they need to complete some passes?
Coach Jim Mora said not to exclude the possibility of players losing their positions if the failures continue but there aren’t many options. Cornerback DeAngelo Hall said he has not been approached to revisit the preseason experiment at wide receiver and he has not approached coaches either. There’s rookie Adam Jennings, Kevin Youngblood and Jamin Elliot, but Jennings likely would be the only one of that group to be activated Sunday.
Do the Falcons miss Duckett?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Sorry folks, this is going to be short and sweet. I’m swamped. A lot of stuff is going on today, plus I’m collecting a lot of info for the weekend papers. Most importantly, I’ve got to do an interview with T. J. Duckett.
Which brings me to an interesting point.
The Falcons have seven rushing touchdowns this season. Last season at this point, Duckett alone had six. Overall, Atlanta had 13 running TDs after 11 games.
The lack of having that sledgehammer of a running back, like Duckett, is allowing opponents to use fewer down linemen in goal line situations and stack linebackers and defensive backs a few yards off the line of scrimmage to pursue outside runs and cover receivers.
The Falcons will say that there is no need for a huge back to move the pile and that if the line blocks, Warrick Dunn, Jerious Norwood or whomever can get into the end zone on the ground. Based on the numbers, though, having a battering ram seems to be more advantageous.
Give coaches some credit
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Though strategies, schemes and play-calling by the Falcons coaches can be debated, the actual coaching of players is hard to question, which calls into question certain players’ ability to compete at the NFL level when the lights are on.
For two seasons, I have watched wide receivers coach George Stewart put receivers through just about every type of pass-catching drill possible. Balls are directed at receivers’ shoe tops, knee caps, two feet over their right shoulders, directly between the numbers, on every type of pass route the team runs. After practice, the wide receivers are required to catch a certain numbers of passes out of the jugs machine.
Defensive backs coaches Ashley Ambrose, Brett Maxie and Emmitt Thomas work with corners and safeties on reads and how to tell if a receivers is going to break off a pattern and go deep. Offensive line coach Tom Cable and consultant Alex Gibbs work on drill after drill to get the line in sync with the vastly different run game and passing game schemes.
These drills are worked on daily. So, again, in terms of actually coaching players, they are being coached. For the most part, players respond in practice.
Which means in games, when it’s time to deliver, some of these players wilt.
The Falcons, no matter how hard they try in practice, aren’t going to get better until some players understand they play Big Boy football and when the ball is thrown at them, they have to catch it. Or when a receiver releases from the line of scrimmage for the end zone, they might want to turn and run and cover him.
The coaches are taking much of the heat and maybe they deserve it, but the players might want to come to grips that they too could be bounced out of Atlanta and, if they look around, there might not be too many teams who’d want to hire them.
Apology won’t satisfy all fans
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Falcons quarterback Michael Vick apologized repeatedly today for flipping the double-barreled Dirty Bird to Georgia Dome fans following Atlanta’s 31-13 loss to New Orleans.
Vick, who almost certainly will be fined by the NFL, seemed genuinely sincere in his apology and said it would never happen again. He said his actions were prompted by a fan was heckling his team — not just him — and he let his emotions get the best of him.
As contrite as Vick was, some fans won’t forgive him. Vick didn’t go Ryan Leaf on rival taunters in Carolina or Green Bay. He made his gesture to fans who buy tickets — tickets prices were raised last spring — to support a team that is reeling in a big way.
The good thing for Vick and the Falcons is that their next two games are on the road, at Washington and Tampa Bay.
Should Atlanta win and Vick play well, a lot of the acrimony and hard feelings will subside. However, losses and poor play by the quarterback will compound the issue and No. 7 won’t be feeling the same type of love he’s received in this town when he comes running out of that tunnel Dec. 16 against the Dallas Cowboys.
Wondering about Mora fallout
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Very interesting day at the Branch. I’ll get to the on-field stuff in a minute.
Today was the first day the media was able to ask Falcons quarterback Michael Vick what he thought about his head coach’s father, Jim Mora, agreeing with a radio host that Vick was a “coach, killer.”
No. 7 was not too happy about those remarks. Vick called them “inappropriate,” but said that must be the way he feels and he had every right to express his opinion. Vick clearly measured his answers but you could sense that if he wasn’t bristling, he had been for the past two days.
It also wasn’t lost on Vick that the remarks came from his coach’s father. Vick called the situation “different…I’m speechless.”
Based on how Vick and the younger Mora interact on and off the field, it’s hard to tell if their relationship has taken a hit over this or of Vick feels that some trust between him and his coach could have been breached. Mora, the Falcons coach, said he and Vick get along well and that his father regrets making those remarks.
It will be interesting to see if this is the last of the fallout over the elder Mora trying to be honest as an analyst — and a father.
In other developments, it seems we keep going round-and-round about the Falcons’ audible strategy.
Vick said today that there are audibles, but only in the running game. He also said that there are no audibles to change a run play to a pass or vice versa. So it’s kind of like center Todd McClure said, there are audibles, but typically, they are to change the direction of the play and the protections.
Defensive end John Abraham (groin/abdominal surgery) returned to practice today and looked pretty impressive. Abe said he plans to play Sunday on a limited basis. Since he feels healthy and the damage has been repaired, he thinks there will be a play count but it could possibly be greater than the 20-play count he had against the Giants Oct. 15 — the last time he played.
Guard play at crisis point
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Falcons’ trumpeting of left guard Matt Lehr’s return to the lineup and the repeated talk of the team’s struggles in the running game without him delivered the message that coach Jim Mora and some players wouldn’t say publicly: The guard play is hurting the offense.
P.J. Alexander, who replaced Lehr for four games, has leveled off after a strong start. Same with Tyson Clabo, who replaced Kynan Forney at right guard after Forney’s right shoulder kept dislocating and he was placed on injured reserve.
That’s how things tend to happen with backup players. It’s like the backup point guard who plays well for five games then shows why he’s a backup. Opposing teams had no idea about Clabo and Alexander at first, but they’ve had weeks to scout, game plan and exploit their weaknesses.
Both players had rough games against the Ravens, which showed in pass protection (five sacks) and in the running game (104 total yards). On a fourth-and-one on the opening drive, instead of running up the middle, Atlanta tried to go off tackle (and failed), which showed a lack of confidence with the interior blocking.
Whereas Alexander is headed to the bench, Clabo will remain at right guard. He has no choice but to play better because there isn’t much help in reserve.
Coaches love rookie Quinn Ojinnaka, but they aren’t sure if they want him at guard or tackle, or if this would be the right time to put a rookie on the spot. There’s also Austin King, the backup center.
If the Falcons thought Ojinnaka or King were better than Clabo or Alexander, they would have used them in the first place.
In a side note, to show the impact of all the Falcons injuries, Ben Claxton would have been the first backup at guard — he was challenging Lehr at one point for the starting job. However, he suffered the dislocation of the ball joint in his foot in training camp (just like Brady Smith last season) and was placed on injured reserve. That means Clabo is actually the third option at guard. Alexander was an out-of-work free agent when he was summoned after Lehr was forced to take his unpaid leave.
As for Lehr, who knows if he will have as big an impact as coaches and players hope. He was away from football for a month and if he was using performance-enhancing drugs, it will interesting to see if he is able to compete at a high level without them.
Center Todd McClure said Lehr’s experience in the system and his fresh legs should be beneficial. They’d better be because the Falcons don’t have many more options or much more time to get it right.
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.
Protecting the ball
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
With the Falcons committing six turnovers the past two games, even more of an emphasis has been placed on ball security this week — and not just because of Atlanta’s recent waive of miscues.
Baltimore, which plays host to the Falcons Sunday, is 7-2 because it has forced 26 turnovers and is plus-13 in turnover margin. The Ravens have an astounding 18 interceptions, four of which were returned for touchdowns. Their ability to capitalize on opponents’ blunders is why they sit among the NFL’s elite.
Quarterback Michael Vick has been the biggest culprit lately, fumbling twice and throwing four interceptions in losses at Detroit and to Cleveland at home. He wasn’t making those mistakes when the Falcons were rolling, proving that if he personally takes care of the ball, Atlanta can play with just about anyone.
Integrity, win or lose
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A black conversion van backed into the Falcons’ indoor practice facility, causing heads – on and off the field – to turn. After about a minute, team owner Arthur Blank, president and general manager Rich McKay and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell stepped out.
An already crisp practice got crisper, as players quickly noticed that the teacher, principal and superintendent were in the house.
Goodell, who recently succeeded Paul Tagliabue, watched about the final 30 minutes of practice. When it ended, he briefly met with players and pretty much told them not to make any trouble off the field and to show class when they’re on it.
The message came a day after tailback Warrick Dunn spent a day at school with a student at Gwinnett County Elementary School and two days after players and coaches held a benefit bowling tournament at Discover Mills.
The Falcons have done a pretty good job keeping the off field news positive and even though they’ve lost their past two games, they haven’t acted like fools on the field or in the locker rooms. Blank has done a good job spreading the message to players that they are accountable for representing the team and themselves in a good manner.
Most players, like Dunn, Allen Rossum and Patrick Kerney, are very active in the community and seem to genuinely enjoy it.
I can personally tell you that even in trying times like now, the players and coaches on this team are a respectful lot. Though some of you might not care for how certain guys play, at least you don’t have to hear or read about bad attitude issues or other problems, like a lot of other teams.
Competition among blockers
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
There seemed to be conflicting messages Monday about the possible role left guard Matt Lehr will play when he returns to practice Wednesday after his four-game suspension for violating the NFL’s steroid policy.
Tailback Warrick Dunn, whose numbers have decreased since Lehr’s hiatus began before the Falcons faced the Steelers, said he welcomes Lehr’s return. However, he said the two new guards, P.J. Alexander, who has started for Lehr and Tyson Clabo - who took over for Kynan Forney (shoulder-injured reserve) — have done a good job.
Clabo said Monday, after film review, that he and Alexander actually played pretty well. Coach Jim Mora said the new guards have played fairly well too.
Atlanta will use the next few days to see if Lehr is ready to play Sunday or if the team will use a one-week roster exemption to determine if Lehr is ready.
I think the mixed signals - besides not wanting to hurt anyone’s feelings - stem from Alexander and Clabo being decent in pass protection while Lehr being a more forceful run blocker at the point of attack. Dunn said Lehr’s experience is the big difference, which means Alexander and Clabo might be doing pretty well, but they are still getting acclimated to playing for real.
This is the first time either of them has started.
It probably will be tough for any of those players to get things going in a big way Sunday at Baltimore. But I’m sure this week at practice, having Lehr back will force Clabo and Alexander to be a little bit more focused and productive.
Loss of Kerney crippling
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The losses keep mounting – in more ways than one – for the Falcons.
Adding more misery to the consecutive losses to Detroit and Cleveland, Falcons defensive end Patrick Kerney has been sidelined for an indefinite period with a pectoral injury sustained while making a tackle in Sunday’s 17-13 loss to the Browns.
As would have it, Kerney got hurt on a hustle play, chasing down Cleveland tight end Steve Heiden after an 8-yard catch in the second quarter. The Falcons did not disclose the exact nature of the injury, even though Kerney had an MRI exam early Monday.
Losing Kerney, who has a team-high five sacks, is a major blow in a lot of ways. Outside of his production on the field, he is the ultimate team leader. He is the hardest worker in practice, and he’ll play through pain and injury -– that he’s out is proof that this is pretty serious.
His replacements, Paul Carrington and Josh Mallard, have credited Kerney for their development.
Though there should be some legitimate concern about not having Kerney, Carrington and Mallard have taken a lot of snaps this season and they have produced. Falcons defensive coordinator Ed Donatell has to find ways to play to their strengths and hide their weaknesses since they’ve not been asked to take as many snaps as they’re about to take.
In a sidenote, undrafted rookie Tommy Jackson may have moved past Darrell Shropshire on the depth chart at nose guard. Jackson was promoted to Grady Jackson’s backup for the Cleveland game and was a force — something Shropshire, once considered for the starting job, failed to prove.
Injuries may impact offense’s strategy
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Rookie cornerback Jimmy Williams (ankle) returned to practice Friday and appears set to enter the starting lineup Sunday against Cleveland opposite DeAngelo Hall.
Hall missed his second straight practice with a sore hamstring, but unless he slips on an ice patch, Hall will start. He was held out for precautionary reasons, especially in light of the wave of injuries that have ransacked Atlanta’s secondary this week.
What could be the best strategy for a banged-up defense that is struggling against the pass is for the Falcons to return to what they do best, and that’s run the ball on offense.
Cleveland has one of the worst run defenses in the league and Atlanta should be able to establish some lengthy, clock-munching drives, which would limit the defense’s time on the field. That was the case early in the season when the fresh-legged defense allowed just one touchdown over the first four games.
Tailback Warrick Dunn, who likely won’t have Jerious Norwood (knee) to relieve him, should be up to carrying a heavy load since he had just 11 carries and three catches last week.
The Falcons have done a good job pacing Dunn this season and though he might want to get his hands on the ball more often, he should be more suited to endure the stretch run than last season, when a nagging hamstring injury limited him over the final five games.
Secondary stretched thin
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Falcons lost cornerback Jason Webster for at least a month because of a torn groin muscle. Webster is the second of Atlanta’s top five defensive backs to be lost this week.
Safety/nickel back Kevin Mathis is out for the season after fracturing his neck on the opening kickoff of Sunday’s 30-14 loss to Detroit.
Jimmy Williams will start in Webster’s place.
Webster is probably the Falcons’ most criticized defensive player, with his coverage skills the reason why he’s come under attack. Williams, who the Falcons drafted in the second round to one day take over for Webster is now on the spot.
Though some may view Webster’s loss as no big deal, losing him and Mathis at once puts a great drain on Atlanta’s depth and puts some players on the field that might or might not help the vulnerable secondary. For all of Webster’s perceived shortcomings, Williams could not unseat him.
Williams was set to have been weaned into things by taking over for Mathis at nickel back but now, as teammate DeAngelo Hall put it, the talking is through and it’s show time.
Allen Rossum will take over at nickel back, something the team ideally does not want to do because it increases the probability of injury to its big-time kickoff and punt returner.
Dealing with injuries
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
It was a whirlwind of a day at Flowery Branch, with injuries and their byproducts dominating the current and future state of the team.
Atlanta placed guard Kynan Forney (shoulder) on injured reserve, which means he’s done for the year; signed veteran safety Lance Schulters to replace Kevin Mathis (injured neck-IR) and activated running back Marlion Jackson from the practice squad.
Forney being placed on IR means that Tyson Clabo will assume the starting job for the foreseeable future. Although Matt Lehr returns from his steroid suspension next week, Clabo and left guard P.J. Alexander might remain the starters.
The acquisition of Schulters was more for veteran insurance than for immediate dividends. Schulters is an eight-year veteran who played for Mora in San Francisco, had some solid years with Tennessee and spent last season in Miami. He will be used if starters Lawyer Milloy or Chris Crocker get hurt.
Rookie Jimmy Williams will take over for Mathis in the nickel package, although he will be used as the nickel corner and starting cornerback Jason Webster will be moved into the slot. Second-year safety Cam Newton will take Mathis’s place on special teams.
The activation of bruising tailback Marlion Jackson from the practice squad could signal that backup tailback Jerious Norwood might not be ready to play Sunday against Cleveland. Norwood had an MRI exam done on his right knee following the 30-14 loss at Detroit Sunday and the test revealed a sprain.
Jackson’s, 6-2, 240, is a speedy bruiser who looked strong in preseason and could provide some muscle in short-yardage situations.
Mathis will be missed
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The loss of Kevin Mathis for the season because of a neck injury is something tough to see personally. As a reporter, you don’t get too attached to athletes or coaches to maintain objectivity. However, it’s hard not to admire people and Mathis is someone I hold in high regard.
First off, he is a decent person who has generated the utmost respect from all of his teammates and coaches for his toughness, thoughtfulness and reliability. His return from a season-ending knee injury last season was a point of inspiration for several coaches and teammates, including wide receiver Brian Finneran, who is going through a lot of the same physical and emotional trials Mathis went through.
Though Mathis is expected to fully recover from his neck injury, the fact that this is his second major spinal injury in five years and that he is 32 years old could trigger his retirement, voluntarily or forced. Mathis may opt to walk away for his long-term health. The Falcons or any other team might not want to risk putting him on the field again either.
In terms of football, Mathis’s injury could provide an opportunity for rookie Jimmy Williams or kick returner Allen Rossum as the nickel back. By the way, Rossum is another classy and standout individual who stayed with Mathis at a hospital in Detroit after Mathis got hurt against the Lions.
An offshoot to all of this that could trigger some concern, the key injuries the Falcons are taking on defense are coming at the same spots as last season – defensive end, middle linebacker and nickel back. We all know how that panned out.
Atlanta should be able to absorb the losses better because of the experience of some of the replacements and because safeties Lawyer Milloy and Chris Crocker has stabilized that part of the defense to some degreee. However, depth could become an issue for a unit that has struggled, especially against the pass the past three games.
Leaking oil in the secondary
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
After few errant shots on the golf course, my good buddy Ced “I need an Abacus to count my score� Black might say, “Hey D. Led, you’re leaking oil.�
You get the same feeling watching the Falcons secondary. They are leaking oil, big time. Leaking oil, touchdowns and big plays.
The group appeared to be in sync in the first four games, but have looked horrid — like on Roy Williams’ 60-yard catch and stroll through the middle of the secondary — over the last four games.
Detroit, Cincinnati and Pittsburgh have been able to complete passes against zone and man-to-man coverage.
The Lions and Jon Kitna –- not to be confused with Joe Montana — had 15 first downs off passing plays on Sunday.
With nickel back Kevin Mathis out with a neck injury, what are the Falcons going to do? Time to give rookie Jimmy Williams a chance? Play Allen Rossum more? Get Omare Lowe ready?
Also, the Falcons were so worried about having safeties to stop the run, can Milloy and Crocker do it in coverage, too?
Here’s your chance to fix the secondary. Someone has to stop the oil leak.
Mindful of the ‘trap’
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
After two riveting wins over tough AFC North opponents, Sunday’s game with 1-6 Detroit seems like the perfect “trap� game for the Falcons (5-2).
Atlanta had locked in for Pittsburgh and Cincinnati knowing it needed to build a cushion of sorts for later in the season and it has done as much. The Falcons also were feeling pretty good about themselves after defeating Cincinnati 29-27 last week.
Factor in that the Lions are coming off a bye, they’re healthier than they’ve been and are looking forward to applying some salve on their awful start and the elements for a possible upset are in full swing.
In terms of preparation, though, Atlanta’s coaches and players have almost gone back to training camp.
The firmness that coaches have used to prevent lapses and the player-to-player accountability has been strong. Players have gotten on receivers who have dropped passes and defensive backs who’ve dropped interceptions while coaches have pulled linemen aside to help them with technique.
The veterans that Jim Mora talked about being so vital to the team’s success have really surfaced this week. Whether that translates to the game remains to be seen but in terms of preparation, the Falcons seem ready to put together three straight victories.
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Mindful of the ‘trap’
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
After two riveting wins over tough AFC North opponents, Sunday’s game with 1-6 Detroit seems like the perfect “trap� game for the Falcons (5-2).
Atlanta had locked in for Pittsburgh and Cincinnati knowing it needed to build a cushion of sorts for later in the season and it has done as much. The Falcons also were feeling pretty good about themselves after defeating Cincinnati 29-27 last week.
Factor in that the Lions are coming off a bye, they’re healthier than they’ve been and are looking forward to applying some salve on their awful start and the elements for a possible upset are in full swing.
In terms of preparation, though, Atlanta’s coaches and players have almost gone back to training camp.
The firmness that coaches have used to prevent lapses and the player-to-player accountability has been strong. Players have gotten on receivers who have dropped passes and defensive backs who’ve dropped interceptions while coaches have pulled linemen aside to help them with technique.
The veterans that Jim Mora talked about being so vital to the team’s success have really surfaced this week. Whether that translates to the game remains to be seen but in terms of preparation, the Falcons seem ready to put together three straight victories.
Detroit poses problems
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
In facing Detroit this weekend, the Falcons defense is probably going to have to utilize their nickel package much of the time to counter the dual threat running back Kevin Jones provides.
Jones has run for 474 yards and four touchdowns and caught 37 passes for 266 yards and a touchdown. Those are some very impressive numbers right there.
Linebackers Keith Brooking and Demorrio Williams as well as strong safety Lawyer Milloy are going to be plenty busy trying to contain Jones, especially if the Falcons get a lead and Detroit is forced to throw a lot, which has been the case most of the season.
Atlanta played a lot of nickel coverage against Cincinnati, which worked out of a no-huddle set much of the game. If Atlanta opts to play a lot out of its nickel set, middle linebacker Ed Hartwell won’t see much playing time, much like last week at Cincy.
Hartwell is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game because of soreness in both knees, which were arthroscopically cleaned of debris during the preseason. Hartwell did not return until two weeks ago and has had a limited impact.
Better blocking for Vick
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Falcons quarterback Michael Vick was named the NFC’s offensive player off the week Wednesday following his 20-for-28, three-touchdown performance in a 29-27 victory over Cincinnati Sunday. Vick also rushed for 55 yards, meaning he had a hand in 346 of Atlanta’s 420 total yards of offense.
Vick and offensive coordinator Greg Knapp said the reason for Vick’s improvement stems from the protection he’s received from the offensive line and his running backs. Vick has been able to go through up to four progressions if needed because of the time he’s received to throw the ball. Once he’s gotten into a rhythm, he said, he’s been able to be more accurate. Hence, the receivers not dropping as many passes.
As for some of your questions regarding whether guard Matt Lehr will be inserted back into the starting lineup when he returns from his suspension for violating the NFL’s steroid policy, that depends on how well his replacements Tyson Clabo and P.J. Alexander fare.
If the Falcons feel they are better off with one of those two, Lehr will have to compete for playing time and even that doesn’t mean he’ll get it. The coaching staff likes what they’ve seen out of Alexander and Clabo, especially the fact that they are bigger body types with very long arms, which allows them to keep pass rusher at bay a little longer.
Regarding cornerback Jason Webster, he’s not going to get pulled anytime soon. The Falcons don’t have anyone to replace him including rookie Jimmy Williams, who is still working his way into being an NFL cornerback. Atlanta would rather use Allen Rossum in nickel sets, although he might be the next best option. Kevin Mathis might not be able to withstand the wear and tear on his surgically repaired knee. Omare Lowe struggled at corner during training camp and would only be used in a pinch.
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