Stat corner: Sending secondary heat
The Falcons ranked seventh in the NFL last season when they brought pressure with a defensive back, according to ESPN Stats and Information.
Teams were 78-of-132 (70.5 percent) for 789 yards in those situations. The Falcons gave up four touchdowns, but had five interceptions and five sacks when blitzing at least one defensive back.
“If it makes sense to bring pressure with someone from the secondary, then we are going to do it,” Falcons defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder said. “If doesn’t and it exposes us in a different way, then we are not going to. An overall stat like that is a decent stat, but it doesn’t dictate what we are going to do.”
Chicago quarterback Jay Cutler was not very efficient when teams brought pressure from the secondary last season.
He completed 53 of 90 passes for 599 yards, threw two touchdowns and three interceptions. His passer rating was 72.4, and he ranked 27th of 38 quarterbacks who had at least 20 attempts in secondary blitz situations.
Cornerback Dunta Robinson was not sent on a blitz last season. The Falcons usually sent the nickel back or a safety.
“We just want to do a lot of different things,” Robinson said. “A veteran quarterback like that, you can’t give him the same looks over and over again. Someone as smart as he is, will pick your defense apart. We want to have him guessing as much as possible.”
VanGorder was not proud of the four touchdowns in those situations.
“When it’s time for guys to go, we have to get to the quarterback,” Robinson said. “That’s kind of the bottom line.”
About the Author
Honored by the Pro Football Hall of Fame in recognition of his "long and distinguished reporting in the field of pro football," D. Orlando Ledbetter, Esq. has covered the NFL 28 seasons. A graduate of Howard University, he's a winner of Georgia Sportswriter of the Year and three Associated Press Sports Editor awards.
