FLOWERY BRANCH -- Falcons cornerback Dunta Robinson was notified Friday by the NFL that his fine for a hit on wide receiver Jeremy Maclin was reduced to $25,000, according to his agent Jason Chayut.
“He is pleased with the reduction,” Chayut said Monday.
Robinson originally was fined $40,000 for striking Maclin with his helmet. He appealed the decision. The play occurred in the Falcons’ 35-31 win over the Eagles on Sept. 18.
Robinson also had a fine reduced from $50,000 to $25,000 last season for a hit on the Eagles' DeSean Jackson.
Third-down improvement
The Falcons' defense, which entered Sunday’s game last in the NFL in third-down efficiency, limited the Lions to 1-for-12 on third-down conversions.
Coach Mike Smith said he "challenged" his defense to get off the field.
“The way we are trying to put things together schematically, we know who may have a tough down and we will challenge the guy, ‘We know on this play you are going to get challenged this way and you are going to have to make a play if it’s presented that way,’" Smith said. "We want them to have a clear understanding schematically of what we are trying to do."
The Falcons held Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson to five catches and tight end Brandon Pettigrew to four catches.
“We tell our guys in order for us to be successful, the challenge for you is to make sure you win your one-on-one,” Smith said. “The quarterback should take the ball some place else because strategically we are trying to take away this X receiver or this Y receiver.”
Self examination
Smith said Falcons coaches will use the bye week for “intense evaluation and self-scouting.”
In particular, Smith said his staff would examine the team’s shortfalls in third-down and red-zone efficiency. A review of the team’s practice schedule and possible adjustments will be discussed. The coaching staff also will take several days off during the bye week.
Staff writer D. Orlando Ledbetter contributed to this article.
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