DEL.ICIO.USFalcons’ sackmaster made it look easy
Abraham registered three sacks against the Lions
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Monday, September 08, 2008
Flowery Branch — John Abraham was moving around the defensive line Sunday like the Falcons were playing a shell game with Detroit.
Where’s John Abraham? He’s on the right. No, he’s on the left. He’s coming on a rush. No, he’s dropping into coverage.
Rich Addicks/raddicks@ajc.com
John Abraham reached Detroit Jon Kitna for three sacks on Sunday — two on the final drive in the fourth quarter.
Before the Lions could get set, they had to find the Falcons’ sackmaster.
Being able to launch from an undetermined sites helped Abraham, normally the right defensive end, register three sacks against the Lions, two on their last drive in the fourth quarter.
“That was fun,” Abraham said Monday. “I got to show that I can do a lot of different things instead of sitting in one spot and just rushing the passer.”
Most veteran ends might balk at moving around the defensive line.
“I think it also helps the team out a lot to move me around,” Abraham said. “It gives me different opportunities to get to the quarterback.”
Abraham thought Detroit did a good job of containing him. They gave the tackle help with a tight end or running back when they knew where Abraham was lined up.
“I think my sacks just came on effort plays,” Abraham said. “The first one, I just got lucky. The last two came from being in the right place at the right time.”
He got two of his sacks in the fourth quarter, one came when he was rushing over the left side.
Last season, Abraham had 10 of the team’s 25 sacks. So he’s likely going to get special attention every week.
“We’ve really got one of the outstanding pass rushers in the NFL in John Abraham,” Falcons defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder said.
The attention Abraham attracts should free the other defensive linemen for one-on-one blocks and better chances to get to the quarterback.
“The more attention that they can put on protections to defend him, gives other guys a lot of opportunity,” VanGorder said. “The more those guys take advantage of those opportunities, the more they have to think about using protections that make it tough for John.”
Jamaal Anderson, who played left end and started 16 games last season, was used inside at defensive tackle Sunday. Chauncey Davis and Kroy Biermann also spent some time at left defensive end, as the Falcons are trying to get some pressure opposite of Abraham.
Abraham said Anderson has improved from his rookie season. He’s expecting a breakthrough game from Anderson at some point.
The two did meet at the quarterback once, but Abraham got the sack and Anderson, who still waiting for his first NFL sack, had another “almost” sack.
“He had a couple of almost sacks,” VanGorder said. “But he played a good solid game for us. He was around the quarterback in the game. He continues to work hard to get better and better for us. That’s probably what you’ll see throughout the year, him improving each week.”
Abraham has had a few “sit down” discussions with Anderson.
“At first I think he thought I was joking, but I had to say it every day to him,” Abraham said. “In order for us to do good, he’s going to have to do good. He’s definitely stepping his game up. He’s more of a NFL player now. Before he was just young and getting into it. I think now he understands.”
Anderson took Abraham’s teachings to heart. He’s started to take his work in drills more seriously, trying to improve his skills.
“I definitely knew that I needed to get to the quarterback because that would free him up a lot,” Anderson said. “He gets a lot of attention, a lot of chippers, by having two rushing off the edges that would be dangerous.”
On the play when they both almost got Lions quarterback John Kitna, Abraham thought Anderson was held.
“There should have been a holding call that one time,” Abraham said. “He did a good job this offseason working on his pass rush and it showed in the game. He didn’t get a sack, but he’s definitely getting closer. I think this year is going to be his year.”
Anderson, the eighth overall pick in the 2007 draft, clearly wants that first sack.
“He stole it from me,” Anderson said. “But it was a lot better than last year. I was hoping to start out with one this game. Now I just have to get one the next game.”
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