After taking over, Falcons interim coach Raheem Morris knew he could not let opposing quarterbacks just sit back in the pocket and pick apart the secondary.
For the Falcons to pull off the upset, they need to get pressure on Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady. The pass rush will be the X-factor against Brady and the Bucs at 1 p.m. Sunday at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla.
“Yeah, it’s important to hit him,” Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich said. “He’s a guy that maybe the best of his game is seen when given time and (the ability) to step through his throws and get to his reads. Unfortunately, I’ve seen a lot of his really good performances up close and personal.”
The 2020 plan to generate a pass rush failed miserably. Defensive ends Takk McKinley and Dante Fowler were not productive. The Falcons thought they might get some help for defensive tackle Grady Jarrett from rookie Marlon Davidson.
To generate a pass rush, the Falcons have blitzed opponents, with linebackers Foye Oluokun and Deion Jones leading the way.
Oluokun has blitzed 71 times this season. He’s netted three hurries, five quarterback knockdowns and three sacks.
Jones has blitzed 58 times and has four hurries, five knockdowns and 4.5 sacks.
The Falcons had some success when they got some pressure on Brady in the first meeting, Nov. 20. The Falcons had three sacks and seven quarterback hits. Jarrett, Jones and free safety Sharrod Neasman each recorded a sack.
Fowler has 13 hurries, five knockdowns and two sacks. While Jarrett, who was named to his second consecutive Pro Bowl, has 10 hurries, 13 knockdowns and four sacks as the teams’ top pass rusher.
“I’ve learned, one thing, you’ve got to hit him, and that’s easier said than done for numerous reasons,” Ulbrich said. “They have a very good offensive line for one. Two, he’s very good at identifying pressures, changing protections and accounting for it, so it’s one of those things that you have to be judicious about when you pressure him and when you play coverage because you need to help to those in coverage at times.”
At 43, Brady has seen it all.
“You need to keep some calls in your back pocket as the game goes,” Ulbrich said. “Give him some stuff that’s un-scouted, that he hasn’t practiced against. It’s a combination of things, but you definitely have to hit him, there’s no doubt about that.”
Falcons’ 2021 draft position
1. Jacksonville Jaguars
2. New York Jets
3. Miami Dolphins (via Houston)
4. Falcons
5. Cincinnati Bengals
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