EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- After their pass defense failed again in the playoffs, the Falcons will have tough decisions to make over the offseason.
Defensive end John Abraham, middle linebacker Curtis Lofton, cornerback Brent Grimes, safety Thomas DeCoud and defensive end Kroy Biermann are key free agents, and not all are likely to return.
Abraham was the team’s sack leader with 9.5, Lofton led the defense in tackles with 167 , DeCoud led the team in interceptions with four and Grimes was considered the team’s man-to-man cover corner. Biermann was the top backup defensive end.
The defense had a strong start against the Giants, when it blitzed more in the first half than it had all season. But in the second half of Sunday's 24-2 defeat, New York quarterback Eli Manning and his fleet of wide receivers scored twice to pull away.
While the results call for a heavy-handed makeover, the defenders want to stay together.
"We feel like we have a lot of very good players on this defense," cornerback Dunta Robinson said. "Hopefully, some of these free-agent guys will be back on this team so that we can continue to gel, continue to grow and try to become a great defense. We have to keep working and we have to stay healthy."
Injuries were a factor this season. Defensive end Ray Edwards and Grimes tried to play after knee surgeries. Safety William Moore was hobbled by a groin injury and left the playoff game in the first quarter when the injury was reaggravated. Starting strongside linebacker Stephen Nicholas was out down the stretch with a toe injury and didn't play against the Giants.
Also, cornerback Kelvin Hayden (turf toe) and linebacker Mike Peterson (torn triceps) finished the season on injured reserve.
Dirty Bird dancing
The Falcons were not offended by New York wide receiver Hakeem Nicks when he did the "Dirty Bird" dance in the end zone after his 72-yard touchdown reception.
“If a guy makes a play and we don’t stop him, he can do whatever dance he wants,” Robinson said. “It’s our job to stop him and we didn’t get that done.”
Gonzalez 0-5 in playoffs
Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez, who caught four passes for 44 yards against the Giants, dropped to 0-5 in the playoffs.
“I can’t be arrogant enough to think that it takes one person,” Gonzalez said. “I’m not going to sit here and say, ‘Woe is me.’ Football is the ultimate team sport. You’ve got offense, defense and special teams. It all has to come together in order to win a football game.”
He was 0-3 with the Chiefs in the playoffs. He’s not overly concerned about his lack of postseason prowess.
“I’m never going to get down on myself for not winning a football game,” said Gonzalez, who signed a one-year, $6.9 million contract extension before the last regular-season game. “It’s just the luck of the draw. I’ve still got one more season. I’m coming back for a reason because it’s about winning the Super Bowl and I think we’ve got a shot here. That’s why I signed back.”
Mularkey factor
Falcons offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey will interview with Miami and Jacksonville for their vacant head coaching positions.
Coach Mike Smith will have to replace Mularkey if he lands one of the jobs, but would not say if he planned other changes for his staff.
“I’m not going to make any decision on the personnel or the coaching staff,” Smith said. “We just finished the game 15- 20 minutes ago. We will always have a complete evaluation of everything we do in our football operations and that starts [Monday].”
Etc.
Sean Weatherspoon and Lofton led the defense with 12 tackles each; Weatherspoon also had two quarterback hits. ... In addition to Grimes and Nicholas, the other inactives were quarterback John Parker Wilson, offensive lineman Brett Romberg, offensive lineman Kirk Chambers, defensive end Cliff Matthews and wide receiver Kerry Meier. ... While Smith has a 43-21 record during the regular season, he dropped to 0-3 in the playoffs.
