Sports Columnists

By Fred

January 9, 2006 09:36 PM | Link to this

The Falcons are coming off of a 8-8 season. It would seems that management would be considering getting better players at Left Offensive guard, defensive line help, safety help and running back. McKay seems content with the players he has. Hard to believe they are content. Next season will only get worse. I say 4-12.

By Falconsbeliever

January 9, 2006 10:12 PM | Link to this

After hearing that Mora is not going to tinker with his staff, it’s encouraging to hear McKay say the Falcons may be considering Martz and Mariucci. I hope there is some validity to those statements. However, it’s hard to imagine the Falcons would hire Martz. Doing so would mean abandoning the “west coast” offense. Although doing so is probably in the teams best interest, Mora doesn’t seem willing to change schemes.

Anyway, I would hate to have to go through another season with Knapp as our offensive coordinator.

DRAFT MICHAEL HUFF.

By Dale

January 9, 2006 10:51 PM | Link to this

I have watched this organization since it was pieced together. And up until this year, I have liked (pretty much) every move. This year, the personnel mistakes are clear in hindsight.

I still have hope that they will not be too timid with necessary changes in the staff. We don’t need an overhaul of the offensive system. (I am not in love with the one we have, but I do not want Vick to have to learn ANOTHER ONE, again).

But we DEFINITELY need someone else to call the offensive plays. The calls have obviously wilted during the pressure moments in the last two years. If that means a new coordinator with a similar scheme, then bring it.

Defensively we have been weak for two years. It can’t be ALL players and injuries. The scheme seems too soft…bend, but don’t brake. We need an influx of testosterone!! Bring me a defensive hard-nose coordinator…preferably someone that does not “love” Jason Webster.

I have not given up on Mora OR this organization. But they need to show me that they have the moxie to do the hard things things off season. Firing someone is never easy. But last time I looked, winning the Lombardi trophy was not easy either.

We have plenty of players “in place” (sans a couple of good safeties). We are weaker in the “brain” area right now than we are in the “brawn.”

Hopefully we will address those needs while the opportunities are there.

Go Birds!….please

By Great Falconi

January 9, 2006 11:19 PM | Link to this

I don’t mind if Vick has to learn a new system, but the only way you can realistically change it is to have one that definitively takes advantage of his strengths as a player. Otherwise, a year or two of learning isn’t going to make any fans happy with the result. I personally don’t care how they get it done. I just want it done.

By geechee

January 9, 2006 11:33 PM | Link to this

“I personally don’t care how they get it done. I just want it done.”

It ain’t getting done. It’s Arthur’s money so he can do as he pleases but till he hires a GM and a head coach, it ain’t getting done. They need to figure a way to grow ivy on the walls of the Dome just like those lovable losers in baseball do up in Chitown.

By Will

January 9, 2006 11:45 PM | Link to this

Tough year, bad birds, any hope? Sounds like status quo is on tap for next year after listening to Mora speak of his staff. I know Im in the minority here but I will say it anyway. Our best QB sat on the bench all season. His name is Matt Schaub. Now Matt cant tackle for the defense, nor can he return punts, something our home team didnt do much of last year. But what he can do is manage a offense. Although not as athletic as Vick, Schaub has a ton more poise and talent when it comes to reading defenses and is a much better passer. With the running game we have, add in the threat of a potent passing game, and maybe, just maybe some of our shortcomings would have been masked better and we would have won some of those close calls. I know Vick is called the “franchise”, and I have 2 Vick jerseys myself, but my goodness…he still plays like a 5 year rookie. He gets all nervous and antsy in the pocket and makes poor poor throws more often than not. It would be a shame to trade or let MAtt leave. Would we put up with mediocore play from anyone else? ( except Vick and Jason Webster) NO!! 5 years now and are we any better off? Have we even put together back to back winning seasons? Have we won the NFC crown? Been to a Super Bowl? Again NO! And he gets the big fat contract that makes him feel immune to everything around him. Why should he get better? Pride? Hes proud to have made his lifes fortune through Mr Blanks desperation for a title. Heres my 2 cents…trade Vick ( to Oakland say ) while he still has a ton of trade value…we can fill alot of holes with his salary and the picks he could garnish and promote Schaub to our starting QB.

By Willie

January 10, 2006 12:13 AM | Link to this

After 40 years this team has not won a Superbowl…heck, the Falcons have only played in one SB period! yet some of you clowns sound like this was a winning organization before Vick arrived here, NOT! People Vick is not the problem and he isn’t going anywhere. If that makes you want to puke, then I suggest you root for another team…it’s free you know. Please don’t think you will hurt the Falcons income, remember the NFL has revenue sharing. How do you think the Smiths survived years of empty seats? The bottom line up front is I’m tired of Vick, Vick, Vick, and more VICK! This article was about defense and toughness on defense. Stop turning everything into the Vick Blog.

By Matthew

January 10, 2006 01:01 AM | Link to this

Jeff,

Greg Knapp MUST F-ING GO!!!

This is the worst OC in all of football.

Name another OC who had talent the likes of Terrell Owens and Vick, and made them worse under his tuteledge?

This guy sucks… and Vick and Crumpler have come out and said as much.

By Falcons Fan

January 10, 2006 01:11 AM | Link to this

Ahh…the same old Vick vs. Schaub bait. Too old and stale. I for one will pass.

My take is we need to get strong up fron on both sides of the ball.

You simply do not dominate the New England Patriots up front. On D, they drafted Wilfork and have during other superbowl runs had both Ted Washington and Sam Adams. They know you clog up that middle and then let the outside speed handle everything else. And nobody dominates their Oline — even this year with them starting rookies. They stuff the middle run and protect their franchise quarterback.

And how much does it cost to build a team with better Oline? A lot less than teams that spen all their money on soft linebackers like Brooking who can be replaced with Boley or Beck or Demorrio. Yes, Brooking sells jerseys, but we need physical defenders.

Lavalais was also a clear weak link too. Teams ran up the gut as soon as he stepped on the field and the guy was clobbered every time by a single lineman. Shropshire, was actually the best interior lineman at stopping the run. Lavalais should be sent packing if he plays next preseason like he did this year.

I read somewhere that “Weiner is a lock”. This is insane as the guy is a poor pass blocker with neither size nor quickness.

We have to raise our standards around here — we allowed almost 40 sacks and you just don’t find too many superbowl champions who give up that kind of abuse to their quarterbacks. Weiner only semed to step his game up a bit after Stokes was given some playing time — I guess he saw the potential dollars being lost. Let’s go with Stokes next year at RT, Omiyale or a free agent at LT and draft a quality LG. Let McClure and Lehr fight it out for Center — I don’t understand the love affair with McClure. Not only does he lack physical strenght such that he needs double team help each play, but the guy tips the snap on the road by looking around just before hiking the ball!

Here’s a new concept for the Falcons braintrust: It all starts up front.

By Jarrodmon

January 10, 2006 04:10 AM | Link to this

Why do the Falcons refuse to draft offensive linemen? Don’t tell me that the first few rounds are too precious to “waste” on linemen. If Vick and Dunn had time to operate in the backfield instead of having defenders on them in fractions of a second, this tema would have been 12-4. Does the OL have to be outweighed by 40 pounds against every team they play?

By Scott

January 10, 2006 07:09 AM | Link to this

Fact is there are just way too many holes to fill before the season starts next year.

Too many needs to count.

Does not bode well for next season

By TR

January 10, 2006 07:18 AM | Link to this

Our talent for selecting top players is long, long gone…Ruskell. Don’t be fooled that McKay was the man making all those saavy picks for Tampa Bay. Anyone notice that as soon as Ruskell got to the Seahawks their defense suddenly gets a lot better?

As I see it our offensive and defensive playcalling was very timid this past season. Where is the AGGRESSIVENESS we heard about all off season? We had entirely too many guys starting that are backups and brought too many practice squad players on the field.

First, let’s solidify the defensive line (they are the frontline of defense) with another veteran DT & DE that can push the pocket. Second, bring in two of the most vicious hitting safeties you can find (Free Agency hopefully). Third, get some size on the offensive line and get someone that doesn’t get knocked on their back every other down. Finally, the coaching staff had better make some serious changes to that offensive & defensive scheme…it isn’t making us the team we want to be.

By TR

January 10, 2006 07:22 AM | Link to this

Oh and another thing…get a rookie to come in and challenge Rossum for the KR/PR position and a RB at least 5’10”, 225lbs with speed and power. It’s obvious that Dunn is too light and Duckett to tip-toeish against the better defenses.

By stump

January 10, 2006 07:47 AM | Link to this

The Falcons should draft Vick’s brother as security on the sidelines for Blank and Mora with his gun carrying abilities.

By PC

January 10, 2006 07:50 AM | Link to this

Actually, referring to the earlier comment about Mike Martz, he DOES run the West Coast Offense. Actually, the true West Coast Offense.

The true West Coast offense was created by Sid Gillman and later run by Don Coryell in San Diego (Fouts, Winslow, etc.). Joe Gibbs also worked under both coaches, and you can see many similarities in some of the routes the WR’s run (Gibbs has a different approach to running the ball, obviously).

The West Coast offense most used today is a derivative created by Bill Walsh, which focuses much more on shorter drop backs and passes, especially in the middle of the field.

By tr

January 10, 2006 08:20 AM | Link to this

Isn’t it interesting that Sean Taylor received a fine of $17,000 dollars for spitting in someones face, but Jim Mora got fined $25,000 for using a cell phone. Is there something wrong there or is it just me?

By Brian

January 10, 2006 08:22 AM | Link to this

As a season ticket holder I promise you this, there is no reason the team should go 4-4 at home. That, to me, makes me question the backbone of the organization from the players on up. There is plenty of fan support in that Dome. Complacency killed the Birds in ‘05.

1) Vick needs to have a legitimate offseason and WORK. That requires a threat to his job at this point (5 yrs into his career). Let him know that Schaub is not there to simply warm the bench and keep him company with Knapp on the sideline. He actually got worse, in my opinion.

2) Bend but dont break is a bad philosophy. Get the defense willing to break the opposing team in half, not let them move up the field then hope to stop them before they score points. That starts with a new corner opposite Hall and two new safeties. Hartwell needs to come back and play better than he did at the start of the 2005 season.

3) Stop the onfield fighting. If you want to shove or hit or do something after a play, shove it down inside, and take it out on the next person you hit. We fought more onfield this year than I’ve seen in awhile, and it got us NOTHING.

Attitude matters. Play like the D did against the Eagles on MNF, multiply that effort times 16, and we’ve got a good season ahead of us.

By Falcons Fan

January 10, 2006 08:49 AM | Link to this

Nice post, PC. Very true. And it bears adding that Walsh modified Gillman’s offense to solve a particular problem during a particular season in Cincinnati — their starting QB was injured and the backup had a weak arm. This necessitated an offense structured around that QB’s abilities (or lack thereof) or he faced losing. So Walsh implemented an offense to fit his personnel. And that was the dink-dink WCO.

He later went to San Fran and drafted a 3rd round QB who also happened to have a fairly average arm strength. A guy named Joe Montana. Walsh found that in that day, the running backs had a distinct open field advantage over linebackers of the day — so he devised a plan where short passes to RBs coming out of the backfield maintained that advantage. This was in 1979 the 1980’s — up to 25 years ago.

Walsh also favored bigger receiver who could catch short passes — often slants and gain important yardage after the catch due to the soft coverage given and size advantage the larger receivers (Freddie Solomon, Clark, later Rice, Taylor and T.O.) had.

It was a good offense — 10 to 25 years ago.

But since that time, LB’s have become faster, and much better at covering backs. Then a guy named Dick LeBeau came along with a curious “Zone Blitz” defensive scheme that unpredictably dropped would-be rushers into the throwing lanes of slants. Another guy named Toney Dungy devised a “Tampa 2” defense with speed MLBs and safeties manning the middle set to punish slanting receivers to combat Brett Favre’s Packers, and we are where we are today — defenses having 20+ years of film on WCO, personnel GMs having that same time to draft faster LBs and versatile DE’s (like Peppers and Simeon Rice) who can confound a short passing game, make the required tackle short of the marker and otherwise thwart an offense that really depends on a defenses inability to execute.

So after all the ignominy of Rice catching 5 TDs against the Falcons, all the 21-0 first quarter deficits in the annual treks to candlestick, all the TDs by Young through that throwing lane opened up nicely by our RDE Doleman, after all those years of punishment at the hands of the WCO while it was hot, we finally get it here once it is well-known how to defend it, it is obsolete, and it basically neuters or negates unique advantages of a team blessed to have a strong armed highly mobile QB.

So in effect, Knapp sold the team on an offense that, in places like Detroit, is proving that it is ineffective. We restrict a talented player like Vick into doing things up to the capability limit of guys like Joey Harrington and Jeff Garcia. We don’t have Vick throwing 20 yard passes as a staple to the offense because, well, Tim Rattay isn’t capable of zipping the ball downfield 20 yards with any regular success.

The offense limits itself to a short target area, thereby keeping most defenders near the line of scrimmage, thereby making it easier for them to cut off Vick’s scramble opportunities. Isn’t that a very convenient favor for opposing defenses? It would be one thing if Vick were a fast guy but with a weak arm. But Vick is a fast guy with a super arm. So why keep the defenders nearby?

Why WCO above all else? Why no focus on a bigger, better blocking Oline? When a QB scrambles for 900 yards, can you really say the line is “run blocking”? Where did we rank in 2004 minus Vick’s scramble yards? How many holes did the line “open” for Vick on his called runs — which are all bootlegs? Does that really require some small Olineman to block for Vick’s bootlegs? Couldn’t Willie Roaf or Walter Jones also block for a bootlegging Vick?

One thing is for sure, Willie Roaf and Walter Jones and Matt Light and Tom Ashworth would provide Arthur Blank’s franchise QB significantly more pass protection time than Weiner or Shaffer or Lehr.

We need a downfield oriented passing attack with occasional dink-dink elements. And we need a real focus on winning the battles physically at the point of attack.

Jeff, it should be mentioned that on the NFL Channel’s “Point After” show following the Atlant/Chicago game, their young defensive tackle Tommie Harris was telling his mates on the sideline, “They’re so soft up front.” So you see, it wasn’t just the Falcons Dline that was soft, but the Oline as well. He also told how Todd McClure was tipping the snap count.

They need to get bigger and stronger on both Oline and Dline because It All Starts Up Front.

If they don’t Carolina and Tampa will embarrass them next year.

By Mojo

January 10, 2006 09:04 AM | Link to this

As a season ticket holder and longtime Falcon fan, I find it very funny that so many of you are already writing us off next season….that is before the draft or a single free agency move. I just think that is ridiculous! We only got our butts handed to us in 3 games by my count, and were in all of the other games till the very end. We easily could have been 10-6 or 11-5, but sometimes thats the way the cookie crumbles. There are 3 things that give me hope for next season…and the idiot that says we will be 4-12 should be locked up in a staight jacket. 1. Our schedule will be much easier next year (because we our playing third place teams instead of 1st place teams. 2. Our passing game will explode (when compared to this year anyway). Roddy showed signs of excellence, and Jenkins continued to improve. 3. Injuries….now I know that every team has injuries every year, but we were hit particularly bad this year, and that would be hard to repeat. I don’t know that we win the division next year, but we certainly get back on track!!

By Desmond

January 10, 2006 09:15 AM | Link to this

This year’s team productivity compared to a terrible dream that every Falcon fan has not recovered from. The noticeable achilles heel of the Falcons prove to be its defense. The Falcons need to implement a secondary that is mentally tough and nasty. This soft cup cake bunch needs to go, except for Deanglo Hall. I think the offense will improve with an extra linemen or two to solidify the line and protect Vick, sense he wants to become more of a pocket passer. If the Falcons make the right moves maybe fans will stop having nightmares about this team.

By samiam

January 10, 2006 09:35 AM | Link to this

People keeping pumping Shaub. Can we say Doug Johnson? The backup is always a superstar, until he has to take meaningful snaps and a team has prepared all week for him. I guess we didn’t learn from Doug Johnson’s ego.

You guys are the reason that he thought that he should be a starter. The fool left and now he’s not even in the league.

By Radny

January 10, 2006 09:50 AM | Link to this

Charmin’, Jeff, just Charmin’

Great insight and knowledge Falcons fan.
Samiam, we can also say Tom Brady. Hmmmm.

I agree that the WC needs to go. If Michael can operate with longer passing routes ACCURATELY, and be protected long enough, see how he develops. So far, he hasn’t developed into a QB. We will have a better record next year, just because of scheduling.

By Nick

January 10, 2006 10:00 AM | Link to this

Just a quick point - How can we all expect Vick to develop as a passer and QB when first of all he does not have a Oline that can protect him more than 2 to 3 seconds, secondly he is throwing to two inexperienced recievers, and lastly after he injured his leg defenses started keying on his passing game since he was not the running threat he was at the beginning of the season.

By Randy

January 10, 2006 10:09 AM | Link to this

Because Nick, at $130million per year, he ought to either ALREADY have those abilities, or be willing to watch film, work and develop them REGARDLESS of his O-line.

That kind of money should only be paid to PROVEN entities.

By Nick

January 10, 2006 10:21 AM | Link to this

So Randy - what you are saying is that when a player gets his pay day - he should immediatly be able to dodge 285 pound defensive ends, read a defense in 3 seconds, and go through his progressions at warp speed? Watching film of himself getting planted every 3rd play is not going to help any QB get better. Can you imagine Tom Brady passing behind our Oline? He would have been killed 2 years ago. Its not the players fault management gives them a huge deal - if they didn’t think he was worth it they should have spent their money elsewhere.

By Randy

January 10, 2006 10:45 AM | Link to this

I can’t agree more, Nick. Some of Michael’s comments this year lead one to believe that he feels that he doesn’t need an O-line, receivers or anybody else. I hope that is just out of frustration, but they could tend to alienate his “protectors.”

By Randy

January 10, 2006 10:50 AM | Link to this

Seriously though, in MOST professions, someone has to prove their worth before becoming the highest paid person in that job, in the world, they aren’t paid for potential. It would be nice though

By SRF

January 10, 2006 10:51 AM | Link to this

I have no idea where to begin - we have nobody and I do mean NOBODY on our defense that will hit runners and recievers they way that Tampa, Chicago, and Carolina (just to name receng games) hit. We cannot win with arm tackles and tripping - which are the only techniques used by the Falcons “d”

By Randy

January 10, 2006 10:55 AM | Link to this

Hey SRF, the O-line is upset cause you left them out of your posting. That’s the ONLY way they know how to block; trip and hold.

By khanh

January 10, 2006 11:03 AM | Link to this

this article was about the defense and what the falcon needs to get better, so here goes my two cents worth: it is clear to every one by now that the falcons have a lot of holes to fill if they are to make any improvement at all. they wil need a dominating safety, a corner with actual covering ability, a great pass rushing de to complement patrick kerney on the other side, two big , physical ol to protect the qb and a couple of big body defensive tackle to stuff the run. how do the falcons, with their limited salary cap space, miđle first round pick can ascertain the players to fill these holes? hear me out, please don’t make this in to any things other than what it really is… TRADE MICHEAL VICK. first , the falcons cap wuold be better in the up coming years because of the burden of vick’s astronomical contract would be lifted. second, who else in the nfl other than mike vick has that kind of TRADE VALUE? remeber the HERSCHEL WALKER TRADE that made dallas a two time super bowl champion and an perenial play off team? i like vick as much as any one but i LOVE a championship team much much more.if the falcons decide to kêp vick, they may be a championship caliber team in about 3 years because it will take that long for the teams to fill the afore mentioned holes but during those thrê years, vick wuold have suffered a tremendous amount of punishments and i am not so sure if his body can handle those pains. that left the team with the question: do the team want to have a good and steady qb running an effecient offense with a great running game and a great defense or do the team prefer to have a POTENTAILLY hall of fame qb running a mediocre offense that have no defense to speak off? the last time i checked, payton manning and the colts waren’t as dominating as they are now without the arrival of a great defense, big ben rothlisburger was a efficient qb in a team with great defense, eli manning was a second year qb with a defense that can shut down most team, nêd i said more??? please, who ever in charge of the falcon, the last time wwe trade away a future hall of fame qb for nothing, this time, show some back bone, admit your mistake and trade a POTENTIAL HALL OF FAME QB for championships in the future.

By Randy

January 10, 2006 11:10 AM | Link to this

Brilliant Khanh. I have been saying the same thing all year.

By Hugh G. Rection

January 10, 2006 11:28 AM | Link to this

Nice column Jeff - stay after these idiots. As a season ticketholder, I am furious and disgusted with the recent turn of events - Blank announcing our goal now is playoffs 3 out of 5 years, Mora trying to grab credit for an 8-8 season, after starting 6-2, Mora’s numerous anger management/paranoia issues - we need the media to hold these guys to account for their attempted switches and jiving. I’m p**.

By E-Rud

January 10, 2006 11:39 AM | Link to this

If you look at all the playoff teams this year they all have a very good defense. As a team or coach you can not release all you vets and hope that alot of rookies will get you to the superbowl. It is amazing how the ELITE teams keep making the right moves every year to get good players regardless of free agents or cap room so why can’t the Falcons do the same thing instead of making excuses after every game, injury and season. It is amazing how New England,Colts, Steelers, Tampa, Carolina,Denver and other teams keep building each year and the Falcons make excuses as to why they can’t. There are certain teams that goes deep into the playoffs every year and they still get good draft picks and good players through the free agent market. The buttom line is everything starts with the front office and how bad they want to win along with the players. I wish the organization wanted to win as bad as the fans.

By lawton

January 10, 2006 12:15 PM | Link to this

Glad to see somebody call out keith brooking. brooking is not a physical linebacker. hes got HEART though, but he is not a middle linebacker. gets run over too much. and not just this year either. hes just good at running down plays like cornelius bennett used to. so, this is how i would rebuild the falcons. first, coaching. knapp gotta go which is obvious along with the west coast. bring in mike martz or steve marriuci since they love san francisco coaches so much and run a spread offense. trade duckett to philadelphia and a second round pick for terrell owens and draft a offensive lineman in the lower rounds. on defense, they gonna keep donatell, why not, he had a lot of injuries. see, cash and hartwell will be back, instant cornerback and linebacker picks right there. now, take your highest draft pick and get a safety, prefarably greg blue from georgia. too easy, the falcons will not do any thing near what i suggested, but hey, thats why they got video games, i can gm my own team there. peace.

By Darrick

January 10, 2006 12:19 PM | Link to this

Let’s make it simple …the falcons must be willing to do whatever is necessary to have winner this year and for years to come. Going to the Super Bowl one year, only to find them back in the tank the following can not be what the organization wants, as a fan I don’t.

The Falcons need a strong presence on and off he field …I can hear the words of a Falcon who got away, “Atlanta tried to get me use to losing” Deion Sanders. This organization has made plenty of mistakes in the past where players are concern …walk with me… Dan Henning cutting players who had just learned how to win, choosing a Dave Archer over Steve Bartkowski, while Bart was leading the league in passing …go figure. Glanville, trading Bret Favre, sure who knows what would have happen had Favre stayed in Atlanta? Shaun Collins out of Arizona, lead all rookie receivers in his first year, then got in Glanville’s dog house, whatever happened to him? June Jones …well we all know how he could not keep control of the team. Dan Reeves, Tony Grazzioni? Billy Joe Tolliver (2nd Time)Kurt Kitner etc … But Dan was a good coach, maybe not best evaluator of talent?

Mora, letting Draft, Travis Hall, and Ed Jasper go, then not getting a Tim Dwight to help a receiver corps and return punts and kick offs. Jason Webster? Certainly no the answer at corner, not cutting Bryan Scott last year, and not firing Greg Knapp.

We want a winner. I live in Washington DC, but I am season ticket holder for the Falcons, I travel to Atlanta for every home game and even went to Seattle for game there, so I am a true fan and have been for 30 plus years

By lawton

January 10, 2006 12:21 PM | Link to this

One more thing, how in the world a team that aint never won a superbowl gonna say they dont need randy moss or terrell owens because they want character. character dont win championships, the BEST PLAYERS DO. period.

By Darrick

January 10, 2006 12:25 PM | Link to this

So true!

By lawton

January 10, 2006 01:07 PM | Link to this

good post darrick. deion showed the falcons up and deserved to, they DID try to get him used to losing. and tried to talk about him, rison, the whole playa hating team. the BEST play in falcons history was deion running up the sidelines for 90 something yards after picking jeff george off in the endzone and holding the ball up in the mugs of the falcons coaches and players who talked about him and them holding their heads down in shame, then jerry rice and the rest of the 49ers celebrating with deion in the endzone of the “house that deion built”. classic, a play for the ages which summed up ALL OF ATLANTA SPORTS, THEY STILL LOSERSVILLE, AND THE TOP PLAYERS GET HATED ON HERE.

By RA

January 10, 2006 01:38 PM | Link to this

Here’s the thing, there were several games when the Falcons scored over 25 points or over, they lost too many of them. You don’t win championships by racking up gaudy offensive totals anyway. If that was the case, Indianapolis would have won the last three Superbowls…

Here’s the hard truth of the matter, the Falcons need quality depth on the defensive line, and everyone in the secondary except for DeAngelo Hall needs to be either demoted or given their outright release. Jason Webster is a short cover-man, we need someone bigger, more physical, and faster, bottomline. Scott, gone. Carpenter, I like his approach to the game, and he was comming off an injury. I’d keep him around as a backup, to tutor the younger players and help bring them along, a role in which he really blossomed in 2004 during his injury. I could see him as a coach, and a good one, but I think his playing days are numbered. D-Hall is, put simply, one of the best at what he does. We need to rebuild the secondary, but whether Atlanta will have money under the cap to do that to the extent that it needs to be done is anybody’s guess.

By Ruben Burroughs

January 10, 2006 01:40 PM | Link to this

Our injured defense cost us three games at best. Bcuz of that the sub-par safties were exploited. Next year come back with blue from georgia tech, and rodney. Our linebackers are deep with talent, maybe a defense end from the draft but that’s it on D. Offense just needs time to develope. Roddy White and Michael Jenkins are going to be a force to fear

By brewerfaninATL

January 10, 2006 01:42 PM | Link to this

Will: And you know Schaub is the man because…..? He hasn’t shown me anything more than Vick. Do you honestly think opposing defenses will restructure their defenses and ply-calling the way Vick does? Didn’t think so!

By Paul

January 10, 2006 02:18 PM | Link to this

You said it Jeff. Our D is soft and lady-like. We need some hard hitters who will knock someone in the mouth, tackle, and force turnovers. Our D can’t do any of that.

By Paul

January 10, 2006 02:21 PM | Link to this

In short, we need to start drafting from the SEC on defense.

By Chuck_Uuga

January 10, 2006 03:33 PM | Link to this

Naive…the definition of a sportwriter and a fan base that thinks the competition, in this case, Tampa and Carolina, are suddenly going to “go away.” Hate to break it to you, but Jon Gruden proved he is no fluke coach this year. And John Fox, well, ‘nuff said! The NFL is all about the luck of the schedule, but the Falcons may as well settle for (at best) an annual split with these teams and focus on winning the out-of-conference games (like the 4-12 Packers). Both these teams did that this year and made the playoffs. And both are young, so they too shall make the playoffs again soon. Anyone who thinks otherwise lives in a “world of delusion.” Rich McKay isn’t the “second coming” folks.

By RA

January 10, 2006 04:10 PM | Link to this

I have always found that the opponents of a strong team will have just as much to fear from that team as that team has to fear from them. The competition will take care of itself. It always does. What the Falcons have to insure this offseason is that they build a defense strong enough that we won’t have to worry about strength of schedule or who our next opponent is. That is that goal as I see it.

By EJ

January 10, 2006 04:30 PM | Link to this

It would be nice if our tall receivers could actually catch the freakin’ ball. Otherwise, gimme Steve “Too Short” Smith any day. I’m sure no Falcon officials who just love their tall men were watching Smith help whip the NY Giants. When you are too wedded to one plan (i.e., ex 49ers, tall receivers)you are going to find trouble. Right, Junior and Arthur?

By All in the MIND

January 10, 2006 04:34 PM | Link to this

Randy YOU DON’T KNOW FOOTBALL! BUT ARE YOU A GOOD FAN#? YOU PLAYED TO to long on your PLAY SATION if you played the game you would know you are clueless!!

By mudcat

January 10, 2006 05:06 PM | Link to this

If McKay is so brilliant, did he think by signing Ike Reese we upgraded at LB? As bad as our defense was, this veteran could not earn a starting spot on this sorry squad.

Just another move to save money and look at the results, 8-8.

By jay rock

January 10, 2006 07:38 PM | Link to this

Has any of you fools complaining forgotten that we were just in the nfc championship just last year. the defense just suffered some key injuries that’s all. we just need to upgrade at corner get a veteran safety, DE, and a left guard, and tackle. draft micheal huff, a left tackle, and keep byron scott let those compete. i garantee we’ll make it to the superbowl next year and none of you fools will be complaining. jim mora, rich mckay, arthur blank keep up the good work things just went wrong this year injuries and youth is the reason for our record, i’m one fan who understands this team is headed in the right way.

By Dale

January 10, 2006 08:46 PM | Link to this

Let me just say that “Falcon Fan” - (By Falcons Fan January 10, 2006 08:49 AM) - That is probably the BEST post I have EVER seen on these blogs. Heck, it was better than most ARTICLES posted here.
You can’t hide though. With knowledge like that, I know that you are in the business. Great, GREAT, post. Are you sure you are not Pat Kirwan?! :)

By Fred

January 10, 2006 09:25 PM | Link to this

I agree Dale, “Falcon Fan” nailed it. I have seen Lehr getting tossed around like a Barbie doll along with the rest of this so called offensive line. Blank and the rest of the Falcon’s management seem to be in no hurry to upgrade this O-line. After this past years performance, I would think they would have been cut already and a upgraded o-line in the works. They should be getting their “panic” button out.

By TonyC

January 10, 2006 09:34 PM | Link to this

WE NEED O-LINE UPGRADES period.

Also, some offseason work on the DTs would be welcome. Fire someone in the secondary just to let folks know there’s accountability. Oh, and even in madden for PS2 if the opponent knows you’re running weak side, then strong side every series, it’s tough to win.

By TonyC

January 10, 2006 09:42 PM | Link to this

Oh yeah, Falcons Fan-

Beautiful post on the WCO…forward that to McKay & “Lil Jim” will ya?

By MIke

January 10, 2006 09:44 PM | Link to this

It is hard to believe that Mora doesn’t want to make staff changes. When u lose to a 1 and 7 green bay and mr. farve pick apart a defensive coordinator he knows well why not make a change. and how much time do u have to figure out the west coast offense. all the fans hear is the scheme. dump the scheme and play real football. the scheme u are tring to play with obviously isn’t enough to compete in the nfc south.