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DEL.ICIO.USFalcons need a decent exhibition
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Jeff Schultz
Flowery Branch — These are exhibitions. The safety who is supposed to be over here, but for some reason is floating over there, playing cover-2 near his next job in the Wendy’s drive-thru, he’ll be gone soon. I know. I get that.
But when a football team is coming off a season in which it looked embarrassingly shreddable against the run, when it wasn’t looking exceedingly credible against the pass, don’t you want to see more?
Exhibition-game statistics can be as accurate a gauge as campaign promises. I know. I get that. There’s no game-planning. Starters don’t play much. When they play at all. When they care at all. It’s not about wins and losses. It’s about player evaluation and coercing season-ticket holders into buying pressboard furniture at the cost of mahogany.
But 61 points in two games? Last in scoring defense? Next to last in total defense? Twenty-eighth in opponents’ yards-per-carry? Shouldn’t we expect something just a little bit better?
“I see good things — I guess you don’t,” Jim Mora said Monday. “I don’t want to say I’m happy, we’re there, we’re the best in the world. But we have a very good scheme, and our players are growing in it. We have a lot of work to do, but we’re getting the work done. We’ll be fine.”
Not-so-meaningless game No. 3 is coming up. If the Falcons are going to be “fine,” it’s time to at least buy an “f,” not grade out like one.
This has been an interesting summer for Mora. A 2-6 finish last season put him back in the prove-yourself category. There has been a noticeable difference in this training camp from the last. Things are a little tougher, a little louder.
And Mora — he has been more pointed in his criticism. Just off this past week’s shellacking in Green Bay, the Falcons coach made a passing reference to rookie cornerback Jimmy Williams’ “god-awful performance” (though he said it in the nicest possible way); said of rookie running back Jerious Norwood, “Frankly, he didn’t show up;” echoed that “nobody has stepped up” at nose tackle; and reaffirmed, “We don’t have a No. 3 receiver” (which must be wonderful news to No. 3 receiver Jerome Pathon).
The frankness has been refreshing, if not unnerving.
“I’ve probably been a little bit more [open about things],” Mora said. “I haven’t been told to be. It’s just part of my learning curve. I’ve learned what I can say and what I can’t say. I don’t really like to call guys out, and it’s really nothing I haven’t told the guys directly. But, like the nose tackle position — it’s an issue. Maybe I’m just being more realistic and not as protective. But I’m just telling the truth.”
So when Mora says, “I think we’ll be fine on defense,” I’m assuming he really believes that. But if Tennessee drills several holes in the Falcons Saturday in Nashville, the last thing anybody should say is: It doesn’t matter.
Third exhibitions may not count for much when we get to Week 1, but it’s as close as we get to a season preview. The starters will play at least a half — and just because coaches don’t scheme doesn’t mean players can’t function.
The Falcons defense is spotted with newbies: John Abraham, Lawyer Milloy, Chris Crocker, Williams. Ed Hartwell is relatively new, having missed most of last season. Any time there are that many new faces, you can’t just assume timing and chemistry are around the corner.
Mora doesn’t believe the defense is as far off as others do. He points to some big plays — including Abraham’s sack/forced fumble against New England and Crocker’s early-game leveling of a Packer — and the generally solid play of the starters. But he acknowledges the expectations go up this week.
“I want to see more consistent play,” he said. “We had a good first series against Green Bay. I want to see another series like that, except I want to see three or four in a row. But the one way we’re going to find out where we are is to have the right guys in there.”
Which tells you if things don’t go well, the right guys may be the wrong guys.
Permalink | Comments (38) | Post your comment | Categories: Falcons / NFL, Jeff Schultz
Comments
By Jeff
August 21, 2006 09:34 PM | Link to this
This seems to be a recurring problem with Mora. He doesn’t seem to see things for what they are. In fact, he sounds just as he did last year.
During the last eight games of last season, Mora often was quoted as saying “although our stats are poor, we aren’t that far away….we’ll be fine.” Well, we all saw what happened. How can he say he’s seeing good things? I mean, what team has he been watching?
The run defense has shown no impovement from last season. Mora should understand that our defense, particularly the DL, needs serious help.
By johna
August 21, 2006 10:11 PM | Link to this
If trading Duckett is going to happen they darn well better get a solid nose tackle for him rather than a third wide receiver. At this point I would not trade Duckett he is one of the few bright spots on this team right now.
By LT
August 21, 2006 10:30 PM | Link to this
Excellent column Jeff, anyone can call out the rookies, second, and third year players, but these guy’s are not the face of this team..Call out the one’s who has let this team fall; 1. Keith Brooking has done nothing in eight years…has never faced-up to direct contact. please name one hit he actually made a form tackle with the ballcarrier slipping before contact.. Call Him Out.. 2. Patrick Kerney Situation player at best not a every down End if you are going to play him and pay him the big mone…Call Him Out. 3. Play Calling on both sides of the ball..You don’t win games playing scared. 4. If you believe in Mike Vick than let him call his own plays to speed the flow of game up so our playmakers can make plays.. 5. Please let Jason Webster Go, did not impress me with the Forty-niners, and has not should me any improvement..Call Him Out…
By Falcons Fan
August 21, 2006 11:09 PM | Link to this
Amen, LT. Keep calling them out as you said. Kerney is no better right now than his backup, Davis. And Brooking has to be the most overhyped non-factor around. Surely even Mora knows this. Maybe he’s been told who to highlight, who must be ‘featured’. Brooking’s backup is better than he is. Mora has to be frustrated by the control he lacks.
Hopefully the offense can make strides. Protecting Vick will be paramount.
By Fever
August 21, 2006 11:22 PM | Link to this
Mora has no motivational skills. Throwing players names out is no way to motivate. I think he’s trying to deflect the blame, and it’s going to be like watching a train wreck this year.
By By Kev
August 21, 2006 11:25 PM | Link to this
Too bad we cant say the same about your column. Keith Brooking has done nothing since he ‘s been here, what? He has only averaged 107 tackles a year (except 2000 when he played only 5 games). Has played in every game since 2000 at a pretty demanding position. Look I’m not making him out to be Dick Butkus, but give the man his due. Patrick Kerney is a beast and the heart of our defense. You say he is a situational player at best, what in the world are you watching? Finally, your brilliant idea of turning Mike Vick into our offensive coordinator. I love Mike, but he is no Payton when it comes to play-calling. What would even give you the idea, to speed up the flow of the game? Please, the only thing you got right was to let Webster go. Sure am glad your not making any important decisions
By BirdDawg
August 22, 2006 12:42 AM | Link to this
Uh, Kev…
It’s not Mike who calls the plays, it’s the absolute worst OC in the NFL, Greg Knapp.
As for the defense, Jason Webster sucks, and Ed Hartwell is one of the biggest free agent busts in the history of this franchise, which is replete with them.
As long as Hartwell is at Mike, then we will continue to get ran on. And as long as Webster starts, then teams will continue to complete 10 yard passes, as he always gives a 10 yard cussion because he sucks and he knows he sucks. It’s that simple.
By William Kitchens
August 22, 2006 01:30 AM | Link to this
Hey we all know the preseason is what it is but before someone jumps in to tell us all to chill here’s my 2 cents.
The Falcons are loaded with talent and weak in coaching.
Mora needs an attitude adjustment and I don’t see that coming. Why does he always seem to have a chip on his shoulder? Quick to critize others and never himself.
Donatel has one of the best defenses on paper and can’t stop the run or any play 3rd and long. This soft coverage is a joke.
I’ll reserve my opinion on Knapp. While his play calling is sometimes more predictable than an episode of Gilligan’s Island we still watch Vick thinking we’ll be rescued. Read in to that comment what you wish.
As a life long fan I have spent years blindly optimistic at the start of each season. Maybe my pessimisim at the start of this season will reward me the exact opposite.
Other than that I can only hope for 8/8.
I challenge the coaching staff to kindly prove me wrong!
By cc
August 22, 2006 02:38 AM | Link to this
You Falcons fans will complain about hair in a $hit sandwich! Blank is a business man, he’s given these guys all the tools they felt THEY needed to be successful. And as a business man, he will blow them out like they were shot out of a cannon if they can’t produce.
To be honest I don’t know what to think about the first two preseason games, but I’m optimistic. Too much invested on both sides of the ball to have a 8/8 season.
By Edgar
August 22, 2006 04:13 AM | Link to this
Hey Jeff, if you remember back in 04 we both said we kind of wanted to take a wait and see attitude on Mora and how things would stack up during the long haul. Well my opinion is starting to drop. By that I mean I just don’t see anything different in the play from 04 until now. I don’t give a rats a$$ if you have the best players in the world on your roster you ain’t gonna win if you don’t change with the times. Nothing is easier to do than beat a team that comes out every week and shows the same defensive fronts or gets in obvious situations on say 3rd and long and the other teams offense knows when and where the defensive players are going to react or where they’re going to be. I see some moves for the future of this team pretty quick. Some of this staff is going to get their walking papers around the second or third week in October. This crap that was brought in here from the ‘03 49ers and the ‘03 Packers just ain’t winning games anymore. I had high expectations for this season but I’m not seeing any changes from last year except going from 8-8 to 3-13. I hope I’m wrong but I’m seeing nothing to make me feel good about this season.
By Nikki
August 22, 2006 05:29 AM | Link to this
Things look pretty bad now. The colts always look bad in preseason. It’s obvious the dirty birds have needs to fill. Hartwell is not a bust. Get a big guy like Grady Jackson in front of him and see how he thrives.I only have four words left to say: In McKay I trust.
By mike
August 22, 2006 07:03 AM | Link to this
A radio host said yesterday that the Falcons were playing a vanilla type play for the pre-season games. I say, whatever flavor you call it, it tastes the same as last year’s 6 of the last 8 games. If that is vanilla, I want no more of it. The Packer’s 38-10 packing and stuffing of the birds on Saturday came perilously close to the score of the final game of last years shredding by the panthers, remember?
Last year I gave the Falcon’s defense a new moniker, the “AT WILL DEFENSE”. Other team’s offenses can run AT WILL, and pass AT WILL, problem is, there “ain’t no will” out there for Atlanta.
By bkjames00
August 22, 2006 07:26 AM | Link to this
Some of you guys are ridiculous. Yes there are things that need to be worked out, but come on— IT’s PRESEASON! Indianapolis has lost eight straight preseason games and nine of 10 dating to 2004. They go to the playoffs every year! Get a grip! I’m not saying we’re the Colts, but it’s not the end of the world.
By James
August 22, 2006 07:46 AM | Link to this
Who knows what the season holds. But one thing I know is that Vick will never be an effective West Coast quarterback. He is not an accurate passer, a downfield threat and he doesn’t have good judgement. Shore up the defense and give Vick an offensive scheme he can work with —- particularly, since he’s the franchise player.
By sivart
August 22, 2006 08:15 AM | Link to this
Preseason is just that “preseason’. Nothing more, nothing less. A time for evaluating new players. A time for players to work together effectively as a unit, as a TEAM. No chamionship was ever won during the preseason; however, the building blocks for a chamiopnship TEAM were forged during the preseason. Football is a TEAM sport and it takes a TEAM effort to win championships.
Based on a side line interview during the Green Bay exhibition game, I now see that we may have a non-TEAM player. Yes our great addition at defensive end, John Abraham, appears to be a me first and so what with TEAM. When asked by the reporter if he was gelling with the other defense players, his comment was “well they are really gelling with me”. Hey he could have been cracking a joke but I don’t think so. Only time will tell but should his statement be a true indicator of this players belief system, then our defense is truly in trouble. Not withstanding our inability to find a big defensive tackle to stuff the run.
Also, Jason Webster should really retire.
either offensively or defenseand for new players being able to gel wi
By Kudzu
August 22, 2006 08:29 AM | Link to this
I’m depressed already and the Birds haven’t even played their first game…crap.
Make me a believer, again….
By Matt Yoder
August 22, 2006 09:00 AM | Link to this
Like I said before….Start Shaub at Quarterback,put Vick in as a punt returner/3rd reciever and special running plays…There is a reason why guys like Pearless Price don’t last in Atlanta…Mike Vick is not a NFL QB and I have no clue why he is still the starter! As far as the defence is concerned,I think we’re ok….The reason for the “let downs” is for the fact that Vick “last year and this year so far” does not lead this team on long scoring drives thus putting the defence on the field for way too much of the game thus putting the load on the defences shoulders.Good offence/Good defence!!!! I love watching Mike Vicks atheletic abilities but it just needs to be used somewhere other than QB. Go DIRTY BIRDS ;)
By Mike
August 22, 2006 09:05 AM | Link to this
Fever, Just because you don’t think that calling someone out is the wrong style of motivation doesn’t mean it doesn’t work. When you embarrass someone and hurt their pride, that may be the best motivation you can conjure up in a player. You but the ball in their lap. I think it was a great idea to call out those players that aren’t performing. This said, a coach needs to know his players. Because calling someone out may actually do the opposite. After a coach has been there long enough, he knows who he can bust on and who he can’t. I would bet that if he called Vick out, that Vick would turn around his game and be more focused.
How can true fans give up on a team during the preseason? How sad is that? I’ll tell you what sad is. I went to the final HOME game of the season and it seemed like there were more Carolina fans there than Falcons fans. They made more noise and were better represented. So much for all these so called Falcon fans putting their two cents worth in and complaining and probably not even attending one game. If you don’t think a crowd can will a victory, only look at the Patriots a few years ago.
By the birdman
August 22, 2006 09:09 AM | Link to this
In my opinion, the primary problem with the Falcons is the coaching staff, almost top to bottom. If the Falcons are going to feature Mike Vick, they MUST utilize his best asset, which is running the ball when HE sees the opportunity. The coaches are not doing their job on offense or defense, and it starts with the head coach.
By Edgar
August 22, 2006 09:14 AM | Link to this
There’s nothing ridiculous about giving up run yardage. They have a problem there and need to address it with better play calling. They have the personel to do the job. They have a problem at WR. They have had that for 5 or more years and need to get someone to catch the ball and that’s savy enough to not get pushed around coming off the line. That’s old Oakland Raider tactics brought to Green Bay by Woodson. But the rest of the league sees it now that Roddy White got jerked around like a little screaming kid in a grocery store. White needs to learn how to get off the line.
By Cairo
August 22, 2006 09:31 AM | Link to this
One thing is for certain, I said I would give Jim Mora at least 2 years. This is going on his third year. What I am seeing is “inexperienced” coaching. There is NOTHING more humiliating as a fan is to see your team get “out coached”. I am giving Greg Knapp a pass because the first team offense has looked primed for the regular season (w/o Dunn and Crumpler) and has been a “little” more creative in his play calling and trying to take shots past 15 yards down the field. As for Ed Donatell, I have said since he has gotten here I DO NOT SEE the AGRESSIVE style of play Jim Mora talked about in his 1st Press Conference as the Falcons head coach. I was trying to find someone else who laid the wood like Crocker did and the ONLY name the came to mind was Jessie “The Hammer Tuggle”. If I am not mistaken he has been retired almost 7-8 years. That tells me our “character” guys are too soft on defense. With the talent we have on the field on defense if we do not keep people out of the endzone and converting 3rd downs at will we know what the real issue is. Matt Yader you have to be one of the dumbest posters I have read on these blogs if you think this defense is fine. You can keep blaming number 7 all you want but when our offense is putting up 20 plus in the NFL and still losing that tells me it IS NOT the quarterback nor offense. Get A CLUE! All you Monday morning quarterbacks study the game before opening your mouths about this game of football. I am sure most of you have not played organized football at ANY level to understand what is going on.
By Larry
August 22, 2006 09:38 AM | Link to this
Come on Falcon Fans. Let’s get behind the team and give positive spport them! If we don’t have the right players there now, we will eventialy get them. We have got to believe that Mora knows how to get them motivated, Mr. Blank, believes in him, if he does not produce he will be gone as well as the players that don’t produce. We will see a big inporvement in the next two preseason games, don’t get disgusted when they loose the opener to the Panthers, they may be the best team in the NFL, Falcons will improve and end up 10-6 and make the play offs…
By Mike
August 22, 2006 09:56 AM | Link to this
10-6 to make the playoffs? hmmm…not feeling that one. It better be a quality 10-6 this year. Looks more like 11-5 to get in this year and 14-2 or 13-3 to win the NFC South. No one knows for sure but it is going to be tough this year. Hold on people and get ready for the landing gears to come up and hopefully come down at the end of the SB.
Changing tones here: even if the Falcons win the SB, the fans will still complain and not be satisfied. I mean look at all the criticism the Braves got in ‘91 and ‘92. They weren’t even supposed to do what they did in ‘91 and they caught all kinds of heat for not winning the WS. They have won 14 Div Titles and all anyone can do is reflect at the base running blunders of Lonnie Smith or the poor pitching performance by Charlie Liebrandt. The same will happen to the Falcons win or lose the SB. They will be chastized for something or another. ATL fans cannot be pleased, regardless of what the teams do. Almost everyone is fairweathered and eager to critize rather than praise.
By JB
August 22, 2006 10:13 AM | Link to this
THIS BLOG COLUMN HAVE BEEN FUN TO READ LATELY.
OK first I know its only preseason but like Jeff Shultz said theres no improvement on the defense. Our corners playing 10 yards off the line on third and 5 when they know Brett has a quick release.
MY ONLY THING IS IF WE AS FANS SEE THIS STUFF I KNOW THE COACHES KNOW WHAT WE NEED. 1ST. DL HELP I DONT MEAN A 300LBER I MEAN SOMEONE THAT COMMANDS A DOUBLE TEAM 335LBS PLUS. ONE BRIGHT SPOT OLINE IS GIVING PASS PROTECTION.
By Old school bird
August 22, 2006 10:22 AM | Link to this
People, we are talking about practice! Practice! I mean, Practice! Come on man, Practice! Not real games, Practice!
By mike
August 22, 2006 10:28 AM | Link to this
VICK the problem? NO. Last year I count 3 games that were lost by the pathetic defense that seems to be just that again this year. Three games, the Pats-that Schaub beat soundly, and the two Buc’s games that were lost by 3.
The D lost all three of those games for us and they had the same smell as this D. The offensive line has much improved with the addition of Gandy and I believe Vick will get it done this year with the offense. The defense is lethargic and with the exception of a play by Abraham in game 1 and some wood by Crocker in game 2, it has been pathetic…and wistful of last season…GET OUT YER CRYIN’ TOWELS BOYS!
By Whopper Dawg
August 22, 2006 10:37 AM | Link to this
Problems indeed. Let’s start with the offense.
QB - iffy, Vick is not a NFL QB. I am not sure what he is, but he is not that, RB - Slightly above average. What teams whould trade their starting HB for Dunn? Many or few? You answer. OL - Average at best. TE - Above average. WR - Below average.
Guys, you can’t win in the NFL when you have an advantage only at TE.
Defense
DL - Average. No run stopper(s). Failure against the run offsets potential pressure on QBs. LB - Average. Brooking is aging and Hartwell averaged 3 - I saw no improvement vs run when he played and I know he can’t cover. DBs - Average. Three new guys. May work, may not.
8/8 best case. Best case.
Solution - Trade Vick. That’s right Vick and Duckett for defensive help. Turn the offense over to Schaub. WIth a passing game to compliment the run and some defensive help, we could make the playoffs.
By Gritz Blitz
August 22, 2006 11:05 AM | Link to this
I come into this season extremely optimistic, but must admit the first two games were a bit unnerving. That said, this Falcons team has talent unlike any in the past. IF the coaches can harness this talent and call plays and formations to compliment them, this Falcons team will go far. Like others here, I question our coaches on both sides of the ball. Offensively, Gregg Knapp was a joke last year and is only showing marginal signs of improvement this year. What’s up with his playcalling in the 2 minute drill with Shockley against NE? That was like high school. It still amazes me that he doesn’t call passing plays like every other team in the NFL where the receiver catches the ball in space and picks up an additional 20 yards. Our catches are always in traffic or sliding on the ground. Defensively, we have alot to prove from last year. If the Falcons cannot execute with the talent they have this year, time for our defensive coordinator to go bye-bye. I still feel that this Falcons team will put together a good showing this season.
By DIRRTYBIRD
August 22, 2006 11:38 AM | Link to this
Whopper Dawg,
You have no idea what you’re talking about. First of all you would overhall the whole team and then still make the playoffs this year? Where are you going to get all of these players? What a joke. Second, do you have any idea what trading Vick would do to the Salary Cap? Accelerated signing bonus? Let me guess, you want to start Shockley? Stick to college football. It’s a little easier to understand.
By William Kitchens
August 22, 2006 02:36 PM | Link to this
Let me add a bit more…
Start Beck
By William Kitchens
August 22, 2006 02:42 PM | Link to this
Let me add a bit more…
Start Beck
By bmullis
August 22, 2006 03:36 PM | Link to this
Mora has made the Falcons all hype, marketing and bluster.
Can we suit up Uncle Arthur and see how Mora spins his performance? That would make a great article.
By cp
August 22, 2006 04:35 PM | Link to this
The defense still looks bad but people are still blaming Vick. I see nothing changes on the Falcon’s blog. RIDICULOUS
By Falcon1
August 22, 2006 05:10 PM | Link to this
What a joke! I just read the comments on this blog and have one thing to say, stop crying like a bunch of little girls. None of you CLOWNS have a clue other than how to get your large a*******es into a laz-y-boy and crack open a Bud Light…..just because you can say “Mike Linebacker” and “Cover 2” doesn’t mean you know jack $hit about football- high school, college or pro. This is PRESEASON! My advice would be to leave the football coaching/operations to the Falcons Organization. Blank does not suffer fools and he will clean house if Mora can’t produce this year and Mora knows it, that is why he is scared. But I think it’s a good scared if you know what I mean, if you don’t know what I mean then just try to stay off this blog and be a good Falcons Fan.
By Smitty
August 22, 2006 05:14 PM | Link to this
Is it just me or did nobody else notice Farve and Green Bays first team offense in the game till into the 3rd quarter….just wondering
By T-DAWG
August 22, 2006 05:20 PM | Link to this
For all you Vick haters who want to know why Shaub will NEVER start over Vick. All you have to do is look at their winning percentage, that’s why. The guy has yet to win any game, that he’s started. So stop dreaming. It’ll never happen. If YOU want Shaub to start that bad, then join a fantasy league. Then you can start Shaub all day long.
By Jeff
August 22, 2006 07:29 PM | Link to this
Falcon1, you are a rambling idiot.
By michael
August 22, 2006 07:43 PM | Link to this
When Schaub was in the game last weekend, he didn’t fair too well! You guys always want too blast Vick! But Schaub threw an interception, that went for a touch down. Because the pass was thrown slightly behind the receiver. Not forget that he hasn’t got a very strong arm. But this kid Brooking, now people are beginning too see that this guy is holding up a spot that belong to Williams. Oh! Not picking up Moss, T.O., or Keyshaun, this off season is really bitting mangement the a$$! When fans like myself, and others clearly saw the need for the position.