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Monday, December 15, 2008
Falcons: Defense is stepping up
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Tampa Bay’s scoring drive right before halftime was scary.
Brian Griese was back in the pocket looking like his Dad throwing to Paul Warfield on that skinny post to Antonio Bryant for a touchdown. Bryant had seven catches for 106 yards in the first half. You just figured that if the Falcons didn’t do something with Bryant, that the second half would belong to Griese and Bryant.
After the game, cornerback Domonique Foxworth pointed out that the coverage in the secondary got tight. The better combination of zones spooked Griese into holding the ball a little longer and helped John Abraham get his sacks. He also noted that Grady Jackson even got a sack, so the coverage must have been tight.
Also, the move of Coy Wire into the lineup at strongside linebacker paid off. He took over Michael Boley’s position. Boley was used as a coverage linebacker in nickel situations. Don’t know if he was being punished for dropping that interception against New Orleans that would have sealed win or if they really think Wire is a better linebacker. No one wanted to explain the move and it got lost in the post-game shuffle yesterday.
With Wire getting off blocks and playing strong at the point of attack, the Falcons held the Bucs to 99 yards rushing, just a week after giving up 184 to New Orleans.
Here are the Falcons game-by game rushing yields:
Detroit, 21 carries for 62 yards
Tampa Bay, 28-164
Kansas City, 33-184
Carolina, 33-107
Green Bay, 23-104
Chicago, 23-79
Philadelphia, 32-192
Oakland, 11-67
New Orleans, 17-105
Denver, 25-124
Carolina, 26-134
San Diego, 19-70
New Orleans, 30-184
Tampa Bay, 26-99
The Falcons need the run defense to be firm against Minnesota and the league’s top rusher in Adrian Peterson.
Abraham was a beast? Was it a good move to sit down Boley in favor of Wire? How about the play of the secondary in holding Bryant to one catch for two yards in the second half?
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