MINNEAPOLIS -- The Falcons defense stunk up TCF Bank Stadium.
At halftime, owner Arthur Blank was discussing the team’s porous play with general manager Thomas Dimtroff in an animated exchange.
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
This is clearly not what Blank expected when he allowed the football men to sign defensive tackle Paul Soliai to a five- year, $33 million contract and defensive end Tyson Jackson to a five-year, $25 million contract. The Falcons were supposed to be bigger and better in the trenches against the run.
After four games, they are not. The first quarter of the season is over and the Falcons’ rebuilt defense is not very good. They have given up 472, 472, 217 and 558 yards (to a rookie).
Generally, if a team can’t stop the run, that doesn’t usually improve over the course of a season.
Basically, we know who the Falcons are. They have a potentially high-octane offense, but a leaky defense. The offense, which will have to win shoot outs, could be trouble with all of the injuries to the linemen.
A line of Jake Matthews, Justin Blalock, Peter Konz, Jon Asamoah and Gabe Carimi may not be stout enough to win shootouts if Joe Hawley and Lamar Holmes are out for the long haul.
Here are the Falcons’ grades for the 41-28 loss to the Minnesota Vikings.
GAME BALLS: None awarded.
C – Quarterback: Somehow Matt Ryan rallied the Falcons back to take a 28-27 victory and put them in position to steal the victory. He completed 25 of 41 passes for 298 yards and three touchdowns. He had a passer rating of 87.2.
C – Running backs: The Falcons rushed for 123 yards on 22 carries. Antone Smith led the backs with 62 yards on four carries. He took a simple off tackle run for a 48-yard touchdown. Steven Jackson rushed for 49 yards on 13 carries.
D — Wide receivers/Tight ends: With Harry Douglas out and Julio Jones double covered, Ryan tried to lean on Roddy White, but the four-time Pro Bowler didn't come through. He was targeted on 14 passes, but only came up with four passes for 73 yards and a 24-yard touchdown. Jones caught six passes for 82 yards. Hester had five catches for 70 yards, including a 36-yard catch on a swing pass out of the backfield. Tight end Levine Toilolo was pressed into service at right tackle.
C — Offensive Line: The unit gave up just one sack. Left guard Justin Blalock, a mainstay on the offensive line, suffered a back injury with 6:53 left in the second quarter and did not return. His injury appeared to be the least serious of the three to linemen. Right tackle Lamar Holmes left the game with a foot injury. He had a boot on his right foot after the game. Center Joe Hawley, who left the game on crutches, suffered a right leg injury. The Wisconsin guys – Gabe Carimi and Peter Konz – were pressed into duty. Toilolo, who had never played tackle in his life, finished the game as the right tackle.
F — Defensive line: Paul Soliai and Tyson Jackson were added to stop the run. The Falcons gave up 241 yards rushing. There was no pass rush.
F — Linebackers: Paul Worrilow led the team with nine tackles and Prince Shembo, who made his first start, had eight tackles. They must get off blocks and get to the ball faster.
C — Defensive backs: Operating with no pass rush, the underneath coverage was porous. Vikings wide receiver Jarius Wright, who had eight catches for 132 yards, killed the Falcons out of the slot. Cordarrelle Patterson had two catches for 22 yards and Greg Jennings had three grabs for 72 yards.
C — Special teams: Punter Matt Bosher averaged 42.2 yards net on five punts and placed two punts inside the 20 yard line. The kickoff coverage team gave up a 49-yard return to Patterson.
F — Coaches: The offensive game plan was sabotaged by White's drops and the injuries to the offensive line. The Falcons had 10 days to get ready for the Vikings, but they appeared confounded too often by rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewater and made rookie Jerick McKinnon look like Adrian Peterson. The problems on defense appear to be terminal and could lead to another long season.
NEXT UP: The Falcons travel to New Jersey to face the New York Giants (2-2) at 1 p.m. on Sunday.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
GAME STORY: Vikings hand Falcons 41-28 defeat
NOTEBOOK: Falcons' offensive line decimated by injuries
Falcons' quoteboard after loss to the Vikings
SCHULTZ -- Falcons' losses like this are on are on Head Coach Mike Smith
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