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September 2007
Falcons finally win
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Falcons finally have a win.
The Falcons defeated Houston, 26-16, at the Georgia Dome to improve to 1-3. Quarterback Joey Harrington matched former Falcons backup Matt Schaub to give Bobby Petrino his first NFL victory.
Harrington threw for 223 yards, completing 23-of-29 passes, and two touchdowns — both to Michael Jenkins. Morten Anderson added four field goals.
Houston, without starting running back Ahman Green and it’s two top receivers, threw for over 300 yards, but in the end turnovers, penalties and a costly missed field goal did in the Texans.
Falcons cornerback DeAngelo Hall did not start the game and sat out the first quarter. He entered the game on the first play of the second quarter.
Will the Falcons commit to the run?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Falcons’ rushing attempts have dipped from 28 to 25 to 19, respectively, in their three season-opening losses. Heading into Sunday’s game with the Texans, that trend could change.
There seems to be an emphasis on committing to the run. So far, the Falcons have rarely called three running plays in a row, in large part, because things haven’t worked.
Offensive tackle Wayne Gandy told me this week that the running backs are still transitioning from the zone run scheme, where they ran to an area, picked a seam and cut, to the more traditional scheme, where they need to be patient and let a pulling guard engage his man or allow the lineman to establish leverage against his opponent.
There also seems to be signs that Jerious Norwood could be more involved in the running game. Norwood has just 20 carries in six catches in three games. That’s hardly enough to get into any type of rhythm.
Linemen are chomping for coach Bobby Petrino to give them a heavy dose of run plays. Some of them feel they’ve been able to control the line of scrimmage in the ground game but the team has gotten itself into too many bad down and distance situations to establish any type of consistency.
Another surreal day
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Flowery Branch - There have been some surreal days around this franchise over the past few months and what transpired Wednesday ranked right near the top.
First, while the Falcons were going through their first hard practice in preparation for Sunday’s opponent, the Houston Texans, word came down that suspended quarterback Michael Vick failed a drug test, which was required as part of his pre-sentencing agreement following his guilty plea on federal dogfighting charges.
To say that some folks with the franchise were surprised, appalled and sickened is an understatement. A lot of people in the building said they figured that could be the death knell for his playing career. His tenure with the Falcons was already a foregone conclusion.
Then things got even more bizarre.
When players were available to the media in the locker room following practice, a pack swarmed around cornerback DeAngelo Hall, who angrily divulged that the team fined him $100,000 and that it plans to bench him for at least the first quarter against the Texans.
Though Hall said Monday that he would be professional in dealing with any discipline the team handed down following his third-quarter meltdown in Sunday’s 27-20 loss to Carolina, he changed his position after finding out about his punishment Tuesday night. He was not pleased at all and was not shy about letting anyone know.
Team officials had to be upset about Hall’s disclosure since they’ve spent three days saying any punishment would be kept in-house.
Things are starting to get a little sticky, to say the least. For a winless team that has had to overcome so much this offseason just to be competitive, this new wave of drama could prove to be the breaking point or develop into something to rally around.
Petrino’s Law and Order
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Saying there is a “universal” law in knowing the difference between right and wrong, Falcons coach Bobby Petrino said the team would take disciplinary action against cornerback DeAngelo Hall. for his third-quarter sideline outburst, which followed three penalties that resulted in a Carolina touchdown in the Panthers’ 27-20 victory over Atlanta Sunday.
The sanction was not disclosed and would be handled “in-house,” according to Petrino. A fine, suspension and/or adjusted playing time are possible forms of punishment.
Hall, who was contrite, said he met with Petrino Monday afternoon and said that he would accept whatever discipline was forthcoming. No determination had been made as to what that was but a handful of veteran players were consulted by Petrino.
“It don’t feel good to be the reason your team loses a game,” Hall said. “Whether you give up a touchdown pass or you get a stupid penalty it all feels the same.”
Hall’s penalties stemmed from a verbal feud with Carolina wide receiver Steve Smith. Hall reiterated that he felt that he was singled out by the official near the Carolina bench who called the penalties. Hall added that he never said anything to the official.
Petrino stressed Monday that maintaining poise was one of several elements that needed to improve for the Falcons to snap out of their 0-3 start. Petrino added that he and his staff must dwell on the positives from the Carolina game in order to snap Atlanta out of its funk.
Those positives included quarterback Joey Harrington’s performance (31-44, 361 yards, two touchdowns), the protection by the offensive line and the play of the receivers.
The inability to run the ball or stop the run and breakdowns on special teams, most notably on punt returns, must get better. Petrino wants more out of punt returner Adam Jennings but he also said the blocking of opposing “gunners” needs to improve.
In terms of injuries, starting right cornerback Lewis Sanders suffered a mild concussion and was denied re-entry into the game by the team doctors. Sanders wanted to play but the Falcons’ medical staff exercised caution.
Mental, physical mistakes costly
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Falcons start the season 0-3 after Sunday’s home loss to Carolina. This is shaping up to be a tough season. The Falcons had chances to win this game, but the mistakes — mental and physical — piled up.
For instance:
DeAngelo Hall had 67 penalty yards on one drive that set up Carolinas game-tying touchdown. He then got into it on the sideline with head coach Bobby Petrino and an assistant coach.
Morten Andersen was cheered loudly when he trotted out for his first field goal attempt. The snap was mishandled by holder Michael Koenen and the Falcons came away with no points on the drive.
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.Is Roddy White coming around?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
It could be the fact that it’s the first home game, it could be the arrival of quarterback Byron Leftwich, it could be that the players feel ultra-confident in the game plan for Sunday’s home opener against Carolina.
Whatever is going on, players are more jovial and loose than they’ve been in the days leading up to season-opening losses at Minnesota and Jacksonville, respectively. How that translates on the field is all that matters but the atmosphere is vastly different than it has been.
One of the things that has gone overlooked with all of the Falcons’ offensive woes has been the emergence of wide receiver Roddy White. White has a team-high eight catches for 110 yards, which is more yardage than any player has generated other than quarterback Joey Harrington.
Though his history of drops could prove his quick start to be a mirage, White is playing with confidence for the first time. How can you tell? He’s snatching balls in traffic, he’s attacking his routes and he’s making tough runs after the catch.
Could you say that about him before?
He’s become such a threat that he said Jacksonville and Minnesota threw bracket coverages at him in the second halves, limiting him to just one catch. He said this is the first time since college he’s had to learn to work through double coverages regularly.
In other developments Thursday, free safety Chris Crocker (bone bruise, knee) took the majority of the snaps with the first defense ahead of Jimmy Williams and he resumed his role at nickel back. Tackle Wayne Gandy (hamstring) also took a heavy dose of snaps and coach Bobby Petrino said he’s hopeful Gandy would be ready for Sunday.
Georgia rookie tight end Martrez Milner is going to play a lot at tight end and at H-back since Dwayne Blakley suffered a pectoral injury that is not expected to be healed in time for him to play vs. Carolina.
Harrington not threatened by Leftwich
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Falcons quarterback Joey Harrington said he disagrees with coach Bobby Petrino’s assessment that he is playing conservatively. He also said he does not view the team’s acquisition of former Jacksonville quarterback Byron Leftwich as a threat.
“No, I don’t. That’s okay,” Harrington said as to whether he agreed with Petrino’s analysis of him playing conservatively. “I feel like I’ve made the throws when they’re there. That’s a part of being a human is disagreeing. but that’s not the sticking point. I’ll try and get better. That’s my response.
“I’m here to do what he wants me to do for this team and that’s what I’ve said from Day 1. My job here is to help this team get better and do what I can do to help this team. If that’s what he would like me to do then I will try and do that.”
As to him possibly feeling threatened by Leftwich, Harrington said, “I don’t worry about things that are out of my control. The thing that I control is how I prepare and how I go out and play. There are times in my career when I may have let something like that distract me, worry about what it means or worry about what could happen.
“Byron is the type of player who can help this team. That’s what the National football League is about, getting wins and bringing in players that can help this team win. It’s not something that distracts me from what I’m supposed to do. We have to win games.”
Leftwich, who was awarded jersey No. 4 - he wore No. 7 in college (Marshall) and during his four-year NFL career - went through his first practice with the team Wednesday and worked as the third quarterback behind Harrington and Chris Redman. As the third quarterback, he worked with the scout team offense. He took extra work throwing the ball after practice to help compensate for the reps he did not get during the nearly two-hour workout, Petrino said.
Petrino said he would not ask Leftwich to learn the entire playbook at this juncture. Instead, Leftwich will be taught the game plan each week.
Leftwich arrival: Immediate buzz, gradual impact
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
With the winless Falcons playing their home-opener Sunday vs. Carolina, the acquisition of quarterback Byron Leftwich will create a buzz that could create some diversion after two season-opening losses that have been nothing short of a buzz-kill.
The former Jacksonville starter, signed by Atlanta today, won’t immediately remedy the Falcons’ offensive woes. In fact, there’s a good chance he won’t be activated for the game this weekend. Leftwich will spend his first few weeks learning the system as a backup and could eventually challenge Chris Redman for the No. 2 job.
While Leftwich is cramming, starter Joey Harrington will have to maximize the grace period to keep his job. If the Falcons felt secure with Harrington and simply wanted someone as insurance, they wouldn’t have signed a former starter who has played in the postseason.
Coach Bobby Petrino clearly is not pleased with his team scoring just 10 points in two games and allowing 13 sacks in the process. Petrino puts the impetus for the success of his offense at the feet of his quarterback; so right now, Harrington is bearing the brunt of his angst.
The signing of Leftwich does signal that the Falcons don’t want to let things get too out of hand before making a radical change. However, Atlanta could have brought in Leftwich three weeks ago but opted to wait until it is two games into the hole before getting the process started.
Petrino tired of leaving points on field
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
While people in the Falcons personnel department were lining up potential kickers to replace Matt Prater, coach Bobby Petrino provided a blunt assessment of the team’s offensive shortcomings, which have resulted in 10 points and 13 sacks in two games — both losses.
On quarterback Joey Harrington: “Right now Joey’s playing a little bit conservative, playing not to throw the interception. Therefore it’s causing him to hold the ball. He just needs to open it up, play with confidence and play to go win the game.”
On the sacks, seven of which occurred in Sunday’s 13-7 loss at Jacksonville: “I’m certainly concerned about our passing game and the protection in our passing game. As I’ve said before, It’s not all on the offensive line. Anytime you’re getting sacks, it’s the quarterback’s responsibility to get us in the right protections and the get he ball out of his hands; the receivers’ responsibility to get open on time; the offensive line, running backs and tight ends’ responsibilities to protect and do their assignments and do their job.”
In regards to Prater, who missed two field goals Sunday and missed one of two in the opener, Petrino said team officials were in the process of looking at other kickers. He did not say a change was imminent but Petrino seems to have run out of patience in terms of leaving points on the field.
Petrino also left open the possibility that rookie Chris Houston could supplant Lewis Sanders at right cornerback. Sanders were pulled late in Sunday’s game in favor of Houston after Jacksonville targeted him repeatedly in the second half.
2 winnable games and Falcons are 0-2
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Say what you want about quarterback Joey Harrington, the Falcons let up seven more sacks in Sunday’s 13-7 loss to Jacksonville. That’s 13 sacks in two games. That puts the Falcons on track to give up 104 sacks this season.
Clearly, the Falcons have trouble on the offensive line. Bobby Petrino’s new offense won’t work if opponents keep getting to Harrington. And rest assured, future opponents will keep coming until the Falcons prove they can stop the pass rush.
Two winnable games are over and the Falcons stand at 0-2. Next up is Carolina, Houston (led by one Matt Schaub) and Tennessee.
Williams, Nicholas share LB spot
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Falcons outside linebacker Demorrio Williams did not play in the second half of Sunday’s 24-3 loss to Minnesota, as the coaching staff went with rookie Stephen Nicholas.
Nicholas produced five tackles to Williams’ four and was more effective overall with his gap fits and things of that nature. After the game, coach Bobby Petrino said that the plan was to play both players in the manner that they did.
Neither player said he was made aware of the strategy.
Petrino said the Falcons are preparing for both players to play again this Sunday at Jacksonville, but he and defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer declined to name a starter.
Williams has worked with the starters most of the week but Zimmer said they’re going to roll with whoever has practiced well and is playing the best.
Williams admitted that he was off in the opener and that his rustiness could have been a byproduct of missing offseason workouts and most of the preseason while he recovered from torn pectorals surgery.
Nicholas said he benefited from all of the offseason and preseason work with the starting unit - in Williams’ place — and that he felt comfortable when he was on the field. Nicholas admitted that he still has plenty of work to do, though.
As far as injury news, safety Chris Crocker (bruised knee) did not practice. Tight end Alge Crumpler (knee) was given his usual day off from workouts and he is expected to practice Friday. Petrino said there is no update on defensive tackle Rod Coleman, who had surgery last week to repair damage to his right knee.
Horn: Offense making fixes
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Flowery Branch - Claiming the offensive players were [ticked] off at their performance in last weekend’s season-opening loss at Minnesota, Falcons wide receiver Joe Horn said members of the unit were dialed in at practice Wednesday to fix what went wrong.
Horn said intensity, focus and cohesion led to shortcomings during the game, in which the offense moved the ball but failed to score a touchdown or venture into the red zone until the next to last play of the game.
As good as the players’ approach to practice was, coach Bobby Petrino said it won’t mean anything unless it translates into a victory Sunday at Jacksonville.
In other news, safety Chris Crocker (bone bruise, knee) did not practice again and Jimmy Williams appears to be on track to make his second start at free safety.
Offensively, Petrino said the Falcons have not closed the door on possibly bringing in a quarterback to compete with Casey Bramlet for the No. 3 job. The Falcons do not appear poised to make a trade for a player at this point and could wait to see if someone like Oakland’s Andrew Walter gets cut in the near future.
The Raiders figure to release one of their three quarterbacks within the next few weeks with the signing of first-round pick Jamarcus Russell.
More work for Norwood?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Flowery Branch — Things were not all gloom and doom around Falcons’ headquarters Monday, a day after the team took a 24-3, season-opening loss to Minnesota. Nobody was pleased, but players were very much in the mode of moving forward instead of lamenting a bad loss and having the negativity carry over.
Quarterback Joey Harrington and running back Warrick Dunn said the offensive failures were in large part a result of Minnesota taking away the deep pass and allowing Atlanta to gain yardage in small chunks. They also said that everyone is still feeling their way through this offense and it could take a few more games before everyone is comfortable with what they are doing.
“In the beginning we have to try to keep it together, win some games and not go 0-4, 1-3,” Dunn said. “If we could have a winning first quarter [of the season] while still putting everything together, still feeling things out, the offense is gradually going to come together and be tight.”
Coach Bobby Petrino said he is going to have to incorporate tailback Jerious Norwood more into the game plan as well. Norwood touched the ball just seven times against Minnesota. He averaged 6.6 yards on 5 runs and had 2 catches for 24 yards.
Injury-wise, Petrino said the Falcons came through the game relatively unscathed.
Dismal start for offense
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Falcons offense was out of sync and inconsistent all day in the season-opening loss to Minnesota Sunday. The Falcons offense never got inside the Vikings’ 25-yard line and surrendered two touchdowns to the Vikings defense.
Coming into the game, it was the Falcons defense that that was suspect. The Bobby Petrino-led offense was supposed to overcome the loss of Michael Vick. It never clicked.
Will it take time for the offense to catch up or is it going to be a long season?
(Commenting has closed and will resume Monday morning.)
White to start, Coleman uncertain
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I’m pressed for time today (I have to finish up some articles and get to my son’s freshman football game - Go Central Gwinnett!) but there were some developments with the Falcons today.
Third year wide out Roddy White will start at wide receiver Sunday opposite Joe Horn. White has been working in this role for part of preseason after the coaching staff felt Michael Jenkins was better off working from the slot.
The Falcons use a variety of formations so it’s hard to say who actually will get the heavy dosage of reps associated with being a starter, but when the Falcons go two-wide, it will be Horn and White. Jenkins and rookie Laurent Robinson will form a four-wide rotation. Adam Jennings will be the No. 5 wide receiver.
Tight end Alge Crumpler did not participate in any football drills at practice to rest his surgically repaired left knee. The Falcons plan to manage Crumpler’s workload in order to preserve him over the course of the season.
Coach Bobby Petrino said he is still unsure whether defensive tackle Rod Coleman (recovering from thigh surgery) will play Sunday. His health and effectiveness are being monitored but Petrino said the team does not want to limit his effectiveness over the long haul for the short-term gain of having him available for situational play against the Vikings.
J. Williams likely to start
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Though the Falcons have been game planning for the Vikings for about a week, things grew much more focused during practice Wednesday.
Free safety Chris Crocker (bone bruise, knee) was the only player not practice and it is looking more likely that Jimmy Williams will start in Crocker’s place in the season-opener.
Based on coaches’ comments following practice, Williams could be starting on merit. Defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer and head coach Bobby Petrino said they feel Williams has grown into the position after coming into the league last season as a cornerback.
On the issue of growing, Williams said he’s added about 10 pounds and is up to nearly 220. The added size gives him a better chance to deal with the physical rigors of playing safety, Williams said.
If Crocker can’t go, it also affects the Falcons’ nickel package because Crocker was the nickel back - Williams came in at free safety in nickel coverage.
Right cornerback Lewis Sanders could move inside to nickel back and rookie Chris Houston would come in at cornerback. Cornerback Antoine Harris could also be used at nickel back and Sanders could remain at cornerback in the nickel set.
Kicking around roster moves
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Falcons whittled the roster to 53 this weekend then tweaked it some more Monday. There were a few surprises, but not many.
I was somewhat surprised that nose tackle Tommy Jackson and running back Jason Snelling got released - especially Snelling, who showed some toughness and good speed between the tackles. I’m sure some folks were mildly surprised that Darrell Shropshire and Jordan Beck got cut as well.
I think both will be back in the league soon. Beck’s not a bad player but he just wasn’t the right fit for the system. Teams are always in need of defensive tackles and Shropshire will probably catch on soon.
The most interesting developments came with the decisions in the kicking game.
Atlanta is resting its kicking hopes on first-timer Matt Prater, who failed to catch on in Detroit, Minnesota and Miami. It’s also hoping that Adam Jennings can fill in for Allen Rossum, which is a pretty tall order.
Prater, who was signed a day before the preseason finale, got the job over Billy Cundiff because he has a much stronger leg and can kick off. The Falcons saw a decline in Michael Koenen’s punting yardage once he started kicking off in preseason and wanted him to focus more on punting.
The decision to go with the big leg over experience goes to show the importance special teams coordinator Jerry Rosburg places on field position. At some point, though, Prater is going to be put in position to win a game with a field goal and it won’t be his leg, but his mental makeup, that is put to the test.
As for Jennings, he has the toughness and speed to make big plays in the return game. He was 7th in the nation his senior season at Fresno State. He just hasn’t been in the primary return role since. He’s a really tough player who seemingly has the mental composition to handle the role.
Jennings emerged over Allen Rossum, who was traded to Pittsburgh Saturday, because the coaching staff thinks he’s up to the task but also because he plays on most special teams and can play wide receiver.
Rossum had been relegated solely to return status after being demoted behind rookie cornerbacks David Irons and Chris Houston.
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