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Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Follow the Carolina smackdown plan
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Boy, Carolina sure did put a smackdown on Tampa Bay.
Now the Bucs will roll into the Georgia Dome with a huge chip on their shoulders come Sunday.
The Falcons need to follow the Carolina blueprint. The Panthers pounded the ball up the middle for the first half. Then they went to some fairly simple toss sweep plays for power outside runs.
Did you see Carolina fullback Brad Hoover knocking the great Derrick Brooks on his butt? The Carolina blocking was great. That was some good old fashion hard-nosed football.
I’m not trying to figure out the playoff race yet. There are too many variables. I just know for the Falcons to have a chance they have to at least win two of three and may have to sweep.
Ten wins might not be enough. Last season, Cleveland went 10-6 in the AFC and was at home for the playoffs.
The Falcons will want to put some hits on Jeff Garcia early. So he’ll be tap dancing in the pocket like he was against Carolina.
Can the Falcons follow the Carolina plan? Will Tampa Bay sure up it’s defense? Can Roddy White run circles around Ronde Barber like Steve Smith was doing? If Jerious Norwood is not 100 percent recovered from that rib injury, should the Falcons give more carries to the hard-charging Jason Snelling?
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