[cmg_cinesport url="http://cinesport.ajc.com/embed/ajc-atlanta-sports/d-led-josh-norman-vs-julio-jones/"]
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's chats with CineSport’s Noah Coslov about the Josh Norman-Julio Jones matchup and the game plan to limit MVP favorite Cam Newton.
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
1. SURGERY AFTER SEASON?: Can't imagine what a torn labrum feels like.
He told our Michael Cunningham after the Jacksonville game about his plight.
Certainly can't imagine what playing football with one is like, but that's what rookie defensive end Vic Beasley has been doing.
“He did have an injury to his shoulder way back in OTAs," Falcons coach Dan Quinn said. "He’s not missed anytime during training camp. He hasn’t missed anytime during the season. He missed a practice earlier this season because of a foot, but he’s been not limited in any way with his shoulder. He’s actually done a great job with it.”
Bealsey's bid to get double-digit sacks as a rookie now has an asterisk next to it.
With the injury, Beasley had four pressures against Jacksonville. He has three sacks with two games to play.
2. JONES, FREEMAN TO THE PRO BOWL: Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones, who's turning in a record-breaking season, and second-year running back Devonta Freeman were selected to Pro Bowl team on Tuesday.
Jones leads the league with 118 catches and 1,544 yards receiving. He also has seven touchdowns.
“He’s as professional as you get,” Falcons coach Dan Quinn said. “He’s one of the best competitors I’ve ever been around.”
Freeman has combined to amass 1,450 yards from scrimmage and 12 touchdowns. He rushed for 907 yards on 218 carries and 10 touchdowns. He also has 68 catches for 543 yards and two touchdowns.
Freeman is the first Falcons running back since Michael Turner in 2010 to be named to the Pro Bowl.
In Week 5 against Washington, Freeman became the first player with eight or more rushing touchdowns in a team’s first five games of a season since LaDainian Tomlinson (nine) and Shaun Alexander (eight) in 2005.
After only rushing for 248 yards all last season, Freeman has more than tripled that amount this season.
3. CLAYBORN CORNER: Defensive end Adrian Clayborn was the highest graded defensive Falcon in Week 15, by profootballfocus.com. He was the eighth highest graded defensive tackle in the NFL.
4. JARRETT'S BRINGING IT: Rookie Grady Jarrett also had another good game. He was the 18th highest graded defensive tackle in Week 15. This was his fifth straight positively graded game.
Jarrett left the Jacksonville game with a shoulder injury. We should have an update today.
“We’re hoping he’ll be limited Wednesday with his shoulder," Falcons coach Dan Quinn said. "He’s as tough as you get so I would imagine if there’s a chance, he’s going to be ready to go Wednesday for practice. It would have to be something that would bother him quite a bit for him to be out.”
5. ISHMAEL BALLING OUT: Strong safety Kemal Ishmael, who replaced William Moore, had his second straight positively graded game. Over the last two weeks, he's tied for the highest graded safety in the NFL.
6. TRUFANT LOOKING TO REBOUND: Falcons cornerback Desmond Trufant was the lowest graded Falcon in Week 15. This was only his third negatively graded game in 2015. He allowed five receptions on six targets.
7. JULIO VS. JOSH: Falcons wide receiver Jones points out that this not a one-on-one matchup as Carolina cornerback Josh Norman gets help from safet in the Cover Two scheme
HERE'S WHAT JULIO HAD TO SAY ABOUT JOSH NORMAN. HE DOESN'T THINK HE'S ALL THAT TOUGH.
8. MIKE PERSON: Center Mike Person, who will need a strong game against the Panthers stout defensive tackles, had a strong game against Jacksonville. He had his highest graded game of 2015. He allowed just one quarterback hurry during this game and was third highest graded center during Week 15, according to profootballfocus.com.
9A. DEPTH CHART: Tyler Starr was placed behind O'Brien Schofield and Brooks Reed as the strongside linebacker on the depth charter. Starr played 16 snaps on special teams against the Jaguars. He didn't play from scrimmage.
OFFENSE
WR 11 Julio Jones, 16 Justin Hardy, 17 Devin Hester
LT 70 Jake Matthews, 75 Jake Long
LG 67 Andy Levitre, 63 Ben Garland
C 68 Mike Person, 66 Gino Gradkowski
RG 65 Chris Chester, 63 Ben Garland
RT 73 Ryan Schraeder, 72 Bryce Harris
TE 83 Jacob Tamme, 80 Levine Toilolo, 81 Tony Moeaki
WR 84 Roddy White, 14 Eric Weems, 15 Nick Williams
QB 2 Matt Ryan, 12 Sean Renfree
RB 24 Devonta Freeman, 26 Tevin Coleman, 33 Terron Ward
FB 42 Patrick DiMarco
DEFENSE
DE 44 Vic Beasley Jr., 99 Adrian Clayborn, 71 Kroy Biermann
DT 77 Ra’Shede Hageman, 97 Grady Jarrett
NT 96 Paul Soliai, 95 Jonathan Babineaux, 74 Joey Mbu
DE 94 Tyson Jackson, 93 Malliciah Goodman
LB 52 Justin Durant, 51 Philip Wheeler
LB 55 Paul Worrilow, 54 Nate Stupar
LB 50 O’Brien Schofield, 56 Brooks Reed, 41 Tyler Starr
CB 23 Robert Alford, 32 Jalen Collins
CB 21 Desmond Trufant, 20 Phillip Adams, 28 Akeem King
S 37 Ricardo Allen, 27 Robenson Therezie
S 36 Kemal Ishmael, 30 Charles Godfrey
SPECIALISTS
K 6 Shayne Graham
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
9B.
FALCONS TOP 50 COUNTDOWN:
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution is counting down the Top 50 players in Atlanta Falcons history during
the franchise’s 50th anniversary season. No. 9 is offensive guard Bill Fralic.
9C. MEET THE FALCONS CHEERLEADERS: Aleria
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
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