COVER 9@9
1. SEEING YELLOW: The Falcons must clean up their penalties heading into the regular season if they plan to rebound from last season's 4-12 mark.
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
The Falcons committed 39 penalties for 370 yards in the exhibition season. That projects out to 156 penalties over a 16-game season.
Linebacker Tim Dobbins (four), cornerback Robert Alford (four) and left tackle Jake Matthews (four) tied for the team lead.
However, a total of 23 of those 39 penalties (58.9 percent) were committed by players who didn’t make the 53-man roster.
Last season the Falcons had 100 penalties for 788 yards and had 28 first downs nullified.
Tackle Lamar Holmes (12) led the team followed by cornerbacks Robert Alford (seven) and Desmond Trufant (seven) and linebacker Paul Worrilow (five).
Cutting out the penalties must be a part of any turnaround by the Falcons.
“We are trying to play within the rules, but maybe we are trying to push it as much as we can,” Worrilow said. “I don’t know what the deal is with this preseason. We want to play as aggressively and as physical as we can within the rules.”
In 2012, the Falcons set a league-record for fewest penalties accepted during a 16-game season with 55. They broke the mark of 57 which was set by the 2008 New England Patriots. The Falcons were second to the Patriots with 58 penalties in 2010.
A major part of the Falcons' winning formula from 2008 to 2012 was to play penalty-free football.
2. PREDICTION CORNER: Pat Kirwan and Jim Miller from Sirius NFL Radio gave their NFC South predictions and both don't think too highly of the Falcons.
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
Also, Don Banks of Sports Illustrated (see video below) has the Falcons winning just “six or seven” games.
Here’s what Kirwan had to say:
“Atlanta, 6-10. That’s how I see them. I don’t know where their pass rush is and I don’t think they replaced Tony Gonzalez. I do think the injury to Sean Weatherspoon set their whole defense back. The offensive line protection to me will be a question. 6-10 for Atlanta.”
He predicted Carolina to go 8-8, Tampa Bay 9-7 and New Orleans 11-5. He believes that Tampa Bay will earn a wildcard slot.
“New Orleans runs away with it, 11-5. They win them all at home. They are 31-9 since 2009 (at home). . . . I like them in this division.”
Here’s what Miller had to say:
“6-10 finish. You talked about the offensive line. Potentially, could they squeak out another (and reach) 7-9? (I) do not believe the defense is strong enough (with) the injuries at the linebacker spot. Is there enough pressure to put on a quarterback? I think not when you look at the Atlanta Falcons.”
He has Carolina going 8-8 or 7-9, Tampa Bay 9-7 and New Orleans 10-6.
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
3. ANTONE WILL BE IN THE GAME PLAN: Falcons running back Antone Smith has earned a bigger role in the offense.
“I think this goes back to December of last year,” Falcons coach Mike Smith said. “We’ve got to find a role for Antone because when he touches the ball he makes plays.”
He secured at least the snaps that Jason Snelling used to receive and perhaps some of Jacquizz Rodgers’ playing time with a fine exhibition season. The screen he took for a 66-yard touchdown against Jacksonville was his latest highlight.
“There was an outstanding block on that screen play,” Smith said. “When he gets into the open field, he’s a guy who can make something happen. There are a number of guys who are going to get opportunities to touch the ball in the regular season for us. The more dynamic guys you have on your roster the better it is. You can never have too many.”
Antone Smith didn’t look at it like he was picking up Snelling’s action.
“Every year, there is going to be another guy,” Antone Smith. “They are going to bring some body in to compete. That’s just a part of the business and I respect the business. I just look forward to competing every day no matter what the situation is.”
The Falcons are gambling that running back Steven Jackson, who's 31, has something left in the tank after age 30. If he doesn't, they at least have some depth and maybe can buy some time until Devonta Freeman gets his blocking together.
“Antone Smith has been explosive as well. He showed that in the Jacksonville game," offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter said. "Jacquizz is the steady rock who’s always doing what he’s supposed to do. We’re at full strength at tailback.”
Jackson is trying to succeed where some of the game's great running backs -- Earl Campbell, Eric Dickerson, Marshall Faulk, Edgerrin James and Eddie George -- have failed. The decline of running backs past the age of 30 has been well documented.
4. MATCHUPS ONE: Saints S Jairus Byrd vs. Falcons QB Matt Ryan. Byrd, who has uncanny ball skills, snatched 22 career interceptions over five seasons with the Buffalo Bills. He signed a six-year, $54 million deal with the Saints in free agency. Ryan, who tossed a career-high 17 interceptions last season, was razor-sharp during the exhibition season as he completed 75.7 percent of his passes. He welcomes the return of Julio Jones (broken foot) and Roddy White (high ankle sprain and hamstring) and has a new weapon in Devin Hester. "Devin will definitely have a role in our offense," Koetter said.
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
5. MATCHUP TWO: Saints CB Patrick Robinson vs. Falcons WR Roddy White. Robinson beat out Champ Bailey for the No. 2 cornerback spot. Robinson had a strong camp and has big-play ability. He's been slowed by injuries and inconsistent play over his career. He's considered the weak link in a strong secondary. White's string of six consecutive 1,000-yard seasons was snapped during last season's injury-marred campaign. He appeared quick and agile in training camp. It doesn't appear that at age 32 that he's lost a step. With Tony Gonzalez in the broadcast booth, White will slip into the role of being Ryan's main target on third downs.
6. MATCHUP THREE: Saints TE Jimmy Graham vs. FS Dwight Lowery. Graham had two 10-catch games last season. In victories over the Falcons last season, Graham caught four passes for 45 yards and a touchdown in the first meeting and five catches for 100 yards and one touchdown in the second meeting. Lowery will have the main responsibility of defending Graham and will receive some underneath help from hybrid outside linebacker/defensive end Kroy Biermann. Also, strong safety William Moore could see some time on Graham in some of the Falcons coverages. "The safeties, both of them will have a role in the ball game to address Jimmy at some point," Falcons defensive coordinator Mike Nolan said. "Jimmy does a lot of routes where he's not only on his side of the field, but he'll come across the field and catch a lot of balls. Both safeties will be involved from that standpoint. That's the way they run their offense."
7. STOPPING THE SAINTS: Defensive end Osi Umenyiora on stopping the Saints:
“You can’t let them run the ball and pass the ball. They are a prolific passing offense. We have to find a way to take one of those away."
8. MOORE IS ALWAYS READY: Falcons safety William Moore has been indoctrinated in the Falcons-Saints rivalry.
“We all here in Atlanta know what this game means to us,” Moore said. “You know the whole environment of this game is like a different game.”
Moore is anticipating a few surprises.
“We don’t have any film on them and they don’t have any film on us,” Moore said. “It’s very difficult coming to a season opening up with a team like that. It’s going to be a challenge for both teams.”
Moore doesn’t think that last season’s 23-17 loss in the season opener to the Saints set the tone for last season’s drop to 4-12.
“I wouldn’t say that,” Moore said. “There are 16 games in a season. That one game holds no value. I’m sure that there was a sour taste in our mouths after the game, but I don’t think it weighed more than anything going down the stretch because we won the next game if you look back at last season.”
Moore is ready to help out on Saints tight end Jimmy Graham.
“Jimmy Graham is like a receiver,” Moore said. “He’s an athletic tight end. He can do everything. He can double-move you. But it comes down to knowing your job and not thinking too much on guys like that.”
9. WHERE'S THE PASS RUSH?: Falcons defensive coordinator Mike Nolan spoke with the media on Tuesday. He talked about the pass rush.(See video above and Jeff Schultz's column. )
"It is a concern because a year ago we didn't get much pressure," Nolan said. "Obviously, we have to cover well so that the quarterback has to hold it a little bit longer. That kind of sometimes goes unnoticed. . . .there are a lot of pieces that go into (a good pass rush)."
OFFICIAL DEPTH CHART: Here's the official depth chart released by the Falcons.
OFFENSE
WR 84 Roddy White 83 Harry Douglas 14 Eric Weems
LT 70 Jake Matthews 73 Ryan Schraeder
LG 63 Justin Blalock 62 James Stone
C 61 Joe Hawley 66 Peter Konz
RG 75 Jon Asamoah 68 Gabe Carimi
RT 76 Lamar Holmes 68 Gabe Carimi
TE 80 Levine Toilolo 86 Bear Pascoe
WR 11 Julio Jones 17 Devin Hester 15 Courtney Roby
QB 2 Matt Ryan 13 TJ Yates
12 Sean Renfree
RB 39 Steven Jackson 32 Jacquizz Rodgers 35 Antone Smith 33 Devonta Freeman
FB 42 Patrick DiMarco
DEFENSE
DE 71 Kroy Biermann 50 Osi Umenyiora 90 Stansly Maponga
DT 99 Tyson Jackson 77 Ra’Shede Hageman 98 Cliff Matthews
DT 96 Paul Soliai 91 Corey Peters
DE 95 Jonathan Babineaux 94 Jonathan Massaquoi 93 Malliciah Goodman 54 Tyler Starr
LB 55 Paul Worrilow 52 Nate Stupar
LB 59 Joplo Bartu 53 Prince Shembo
CB 23 Robert Alford 28 Javier Arenas
CB 26 Josh Wilson 27 Robert McClain 28 Javier Arenas
S 25 William Moore 36 Kemal Ishmael
S 20 Dwight Lowery 41 Dezmen Southward
CB 21 Desmond Trufant 28 Javier Arenas
SPECIALISTS
K 3 Matt Bryant
KO 5 Matt Bosher
P 5 Matt Bosher
KR 17 Devin Hester 14 Eric Weems
PR 17 Devin Hester 14 Eric Weems
LS 47 Josh Harris
H 5 Matt Bosher
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