Dominique Franks turned – but it was too late.
The Falcons defensive back was hit by a punted football in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s game against the Vikings and it proved costly. By scoring on the ensuing possession, the Vikings pulled to within three points of the Falcons. Momentum was swinging the wrong way for the home team.
The Falcons withstood the turnover and went on to take a 24-14 decision. The error can now be the subject of some humor. Rest assured, it will be discussed when the players return to work.
“Oh man, all I know was I was going to go block my man,” Franks said of the play. “I just happened to look and I saw the ball bounce. I just turned and said “Oh no.’ When I turned, I tried to run away from it. I didn’t even feel it hit me.
“I’m going to get it on Wednesday in meetings. I’m all ready prepared for it. I’m definitely going to get it.”
What will be the punishment?
“He’ll just get it. We’ll leave it at that,” said fellow defensive back Christopher Owens, who made a game-saving tackle of a Percy Harvin kickoff return.
Injuries forced both Franks and Owens into extensive action. The two players, who battled for the team’s nickel back position in training camp, were on the field at the same time in the team’s base defense.
Kelvin Hayden, obtained just before the start of the season, won the nickel back job. However, he missed Sunday’s game after suffering a dislocated toe last week against the Titans. Franks knew he was going to see extended action in his place. When starting cornerback Brent Grimes left with an injured right knee in the second quarter, both Owens and Franks played significant roles. Grimes had been nursing a knee issue this week and missed some practice time.
In a coverage breakdown, the speedster Harvin was defended in deep coverage by middle linebacker Curtis Lofton. Franks and safety James Sanders allowed Harvin to get behind them down the middle of the field and he caught a 39-yard touchdown pass in the back of the end zone.
The Falcons escaped by scoring a touchdown for the final margin of victory. The defense did not allow a point after Harvin returned the ensuing kickoff 104 yards to the 3-yard line. A fourth-down attempt by Toby Gerhart, filling in for the injured Adrian Peterson, was stopped by Sean Weatherspoon.
“The guys that had an opportunity to step up, came in and stepped up and made some plays,” coach Mike Smith said. “That’s what a team is all about.”
Owens finished with four combined tackles and Franks had two assists.
“I knew I was going to come in and play nickel today and [Grimes] was going to play corner,” Franks said. “But when he went down, me and [Owens] had to step up. With us, not know how it was going to go, we had to pay attention during the week. We did a good job of preparing for those guys not knowing how many snaps we were going to get.
“I’m glad I paid attention in the meetings this week for preparation.”
