Falcons defense holds Bucs run in check

The Falcons defensive coaches were looking for better play against the run after getting gashed for 184 yards rushing last week against New Orleans.

The result was putting Coy Wire at strongside linebacker and benching Michael Boley on most first and second downs against Tampa Bay on Sunday. Boley retained his position in the nickel packages.

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Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

Grady Jackson drags down Warrick Dunn for a loss. Dunn rushed for 40 yards and caught seven passes for 50 yards in his return to the Georgia Dome.

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Boley was used exclusively as a pass coverage linebacker against the Buccaneers.

“It was just the coaches decision, and it’s one I have to live with,” Boley said. “I’ll just have to keep working hard and make plays when I get a chance.”

Wire gave the Falcons an instant lift, making a tackle of Warrick Dunn on Tampa Bay’s second play of the game. He finished second on the team with eight solo tackles, behind Lawyer Milloy’s nine. Wire also broke up a pass intended for Tampa Bay tight end Alex Smith on their second possession.

“Each and every week, the key to stopping the run is attitude,” Wire said. “After last week, we had to pull together.”

Wire started for Boley early in the season against Kansas City, but that was because Boley was slowed in practice by a neck injury.

“Coy did an excellent job,” middle linebacker Curtis Lofton said. “He had a physical presence about him. He came in and he made plays. That’s what we need out there from that position.”

The Falcons held the Buccaneers to just 99 yards rushing after yielding 164 to them in a 24-9 loss on Sept. 14.

“Our defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder did a great job of giving us the facts and the reality of the situation,” Wire said. “It was going to be up the defense to stop the run.

“We knew that [Tampa Bay coach] Jon Gruden, his personality and character is that he wants to come in and be the bully. We respect that.”

Boley, who will become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season, has started 53 of 62 games with the Falcons, including all 16 games last season.