The Falcons were body-slammed by the Rams on Sunday.
If the game was a championship boxing match and we know coach Dan Quinn likes his boxing, it would have been stopped early in the third quarter.
Through seven games this season, the Falcons haven’t put together a full day’s work and are a dropped touchdown pass away from being 0-7.
» MARK BRADLEY: Dan Quinn has to go
At least back in 2007, the last time the Falcons started 1-6, you could see that coming. Once you knew that quarterback Michael Vick was headed to federal prison, that season was over.
The Joey Harrington-Byron Leftwich-Chris Redman team went on to finish 4-12 and of course, coach Bobby Petrino bolted for Arkansas after Game 13.
Credit: Rich Addicks
Credit: Rich Addicks
But with the return of injured players on defense and an $80 million revamped offensive line, the Falcons were expected to contend with the Saints for the NFC South title.
What happened?
Here are five things we learned from the Falcons' 37-10 loss to the Rams:
Well, the Falcons did actually lose the fight: Falcons running back Devonta Freeman, spotting Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald 76 pounds, decided to jump up in the big fellas' face.
Donald, who checks in at 290 to Freeman’s 206 pounds, lifted him off the ground and was probably ready to toss him before a referee got in there to tackle Freeman essentially save him from Donald.
Credit: Curtis Compton
Credit: Curtis Compton
The problem was that Freeman threw a punch and was disqualified, leaving the Falcons with Kenjon Barner and Brian Hill at running back.
Running back Ito Smith suffered head and neck injuries after a first quarter collision with Rams linebacker Cory Littleton.
Ryan injured: Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan suffered an ankle injury early in the fourth quarter after Donald beat left guard Wes Schweitzer for a sack and forced fumble.
Ryan, who has not missed a game since the 2009 season, limped off the field under his own powers. He did not return to the game.
The Falcons are getting an MRI to determine the damage of the injury. Ryan could possibly play on a mild sprain, but a high ankle sprain could cost him some time.
Credit: Curtis Compton
Credit: Curtis Compton
“We’ll have a better sense for that as the week goes,” Quinn said. “I didn’t get a chance to visit with him yet after the game. If he’s not able to, we’ll lean on Matt Schaub, who’s got plenty of experience. I don’t know the extent of the injury.”
Schaub went in the game and completed 6-of-6 passes for 65 yards and tossed a touchdown pass to Austin Hooper.
"No, it's too early," Schaub said when asked if Ryan had talked to him about the injury. "It just happened. I saw him briefly….I'll see him (Monday)."
Schaub, who was originally drafted by the Falcons in 2005, has played 16 seasons in the league.
“Yeah, that’s my job,” Schaub said about starting if needed. “That’s why I’m here. That’s why I’m in this role, doing what I’m doing. If I’m called upon whether if it is the Wednesday practice, Thursday practice, we’ll see how it goes. That’s my role and my responsibility.”
Quinn gave up some play-calling: Quinn gave up some of his defensive play-calling duties against the Cardinals and Rams. He wouldn't reveal who was helping him to call plays, but former defensive coordinator Bob Sutton is on the staff. However, linebackers coach Jeff Ulbrich and defensive passing game coordinator Jerome Henderson alternate speaking to the media each week.
“My job is to look at the big picture and see if there are things we can do to change that,” Quinn said. “We actually started some of that in Arizona last week. I’m always looking to see during the game who can help with the play-calling and on the sidelines. We actually distributed that some in Arizona and this week as well. I’m always looking to do what’s best for the team. In every situation at every time. We’ve already begun some of that. I can apply myself in other ways.”
Quinn reiterated that he shared the play-calling on defense, but wouldn't name the assistant coaches he was leaning on.
Has Quinn lost the team?: The Falcons say they are playing hard for their coach.
But their play on the field leads to other notions.
Folks want to know if he’s lost the team or has the team tuned him out.
“That’s a fair question because I spend most of the time trying to connect and get the team to play like they are capable of,” Quinn said. “The answer, I would say, is no.”
» VIC BEASLEY: 'I feel like I've let [Quinn] down'
Quinn thinks the players are listening and talented.
“I am at a disbelief at times for not playing like we are capable of,” Quinn said. “That could be more frustrating. When you don’t do that, you look and search for answers.”
Quinn is still trying to hit the right buttons with this team.
“That’s what I spend most of my time doing, to see what tweaks, what things need to be changed whether if its personnel, scheme or an assistant doing the play calling for me to apply some attention elsewhere,” Quinn said. “I’m always looking to do anything that’s best for the team. My ego is never bigger than the team. There is not (anything) I would not do to get us right.”
Quinn wouldn’t state that this is a lost season.
“(View this) as a lost season, no,” Quinn said. “You shouldn’t think that way as a team member and I certainly don’t as a coach.
“I recognize when you don’t play well, those are fair questions. But I don’t feel like we’re out of fight.”
Special teams were not special: The Falcons special teams struggled against the Rams, too.
Special teams coordinator Ben Kotwica discussed Rams punter Johnny Hekker’s passing ability with the media last Wednesday. He certainly brought it up in the special teams’ meetings.
But the Rams hit the Falcons for a 23-yard pass play to Nick Scott in the second quarter to keep a drive alive.
That wasn’t the only special teams blunder as Falcons kicker Matt Bryant missed a 50-yard field, an onsides kick went out of bounds and the Rams recovered a fumbled punt in the endzone for a touchdown.
The Falcons have been only be able to play a competitive half of football for most of the season.
It was the fifth time in seven games that they’ve had a double-digit deficit at the half.
The Falcons trailed at Minnesota (21-0), led at home against the Eagles (10-6), trailed at the Colts (20-3), trailed at home against Tennessee (24-7), led at Houston (17-6) and were down at the Cardinals (20-10).
The Falcons lost all five games they trailed by double digits at halftime and they were blown out in the second half by the Texans and now the Rams.
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