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Friday, September 21, 2007
D-Hall vs. Smith could determine outcome
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
There are plenty of key match-ups for Atlanta’s home opener against Carolina Sunday, but two that could determine the outcome are: Falcons CB DeAngelo Hall vs. WR Steve Smith and Falcons OT Wayne Gandy vs. DE Julius Peppers.
Smith and Hall really didn’t get to square off last season. Smith was hurt in Atlanta’s season-opening win and the Panthers threw just seven times in their late-season victory at the Georgia Dome.
There could be a whole lot of catching up to do.
Hall is coming off his second Pro Bowl appearance and is off to a very good start this season but he hasn’t been challenged like he will this weekend. Hall likely is going to be placed in man coverage on Smith, regardless of what side of the field Smith aligns himself.
It will be imperative for the Falcons to get pressure on quarterback Jake Delhomme to make him get rid of the ball quickly, otherwise, if Smith has time to run his routes, there is no DB in the NFL who can guard him. Hall will have help much of the time but Smith is adept at getting through double and triple teams.
Where Smith is most dangerous is running the ball after he makes a catch. The Falcons are going to have to swarm and wrap up because Smith’s competitiveness is never-ending.
As for Gandy vs. Peppers, Gandy is coming off a hamstring injury, which isn’t good when it comes to having to protect off the edge against a freakish athlete like Peppers. The Falcons likely will have a running back or second tight end nearby to help Gandy, whose mobility could be compromised by the sore hammy.
QB Joey Harrington can’t dare hang on to the ball for too long this week, otherwise, he’s going to end up at the bottom of a pile again. Carolina is going to bring a ton of heat until the Falcons prove they can counter.
