AJC > Sports > Falcons > Blog > Archives > 2008 > September > 08
Monday, September 8, 2008
Falcons get passing grades
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
After going 4-0 in the preseason, the Detroit Lions didn’t know what hit them as the Falcons jumped out to a 21-0 first quarter lead.
The lead allowed the Falcons to help out their young corners with a Cover Two zone and force the Lions to settle for underneath passes. Also, the lead let the Falcons go to the ground game and they didn’t have to ask Matt Ryan to do too much in his pro debut.
Here’s a look at how the Falcons units fared:
PASSING OFFENSE (B+): The Falcons didn’t ask Ryan to carry the load, but when it time to keep the Lions off balance, Ryan was special. Ryan showed his accuracy on the first past of his NFL career, when he hit Michael Jenkins on that skinny post for a 62-yard touchdown pass. He made another big-time throw to Ben Hartsock, after alluding some rushers, he drilled a pass between two defenders for a 17-yard gain along the right sideline.
RUSHING OFFENSE (A+): Thunder and Lightning - Michael Turner and Jerious Norwood. Turner went for a team-record 220-yards and Norwood, running as hard as we’ve seen, added 93 yards on 14 carries. They helped to combine for a team-record 318 yards rushing.
PASS DEFENSE (C): Cornerbacks Chris Houston and Brent Grimes battled Calvin Johnson and Roy Williams. Yeah, they received a lot of help from safeties Erik Coleman and Lawyer Milloy, but they didn’t allow the pro bowl-caliber receivers to single-handedly beat the team. You’ve got to like their spunk. John Abraham helped the corners with three sacks.
RUSH DEFENSE (A): The Lions wanted to establish the run, but couldn’t after they fell behind 21-0 in the first quarter. With Big Grady Jackson leading the way, the Falcons held the Lions to 62 yards on 21 carries (for a paltry 3.0 per carry average).
SPECIAL TEAMS (A): Adam Jennings did a good job returning punts and didn’t make any unnecessary fair catches. Norwood almost busted through for a touchdown on a kickoff return.
COACHING: (A) Coach Mike Smith has demanded that the Falcons play hard, nasty and mean. The Falcons have brought into Smith’s program and caught the Lions off guard when they bloodied their nose early and then stood up to a meek comeback effort.
OVERALL (A): Both coordinators were hot. OC Mike Mularkey had a well-scripted game plan. DC Brian VanGorder threw a bunch of different looks at the Lions even though his base operation was the Cover Two zone. Offensive line coach Paul Boudreau has worked wonders with his unit. They should all get game balls for clearing the way for the 318 yards rushing.
How did you all grade the opener? Worried about the cornerbacks? Who’s going to step up to help Abraham in the pass rushing area?
Services »
