SB Nation - Chauncey Davis

Falcons And Panthers Recap: When Everything Goes Wrong

Dave the Falconer — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 13:00:38 -0000

by Mike McCarn - AP

Oh crap! You mean I'm the only healthy running back left on the roster? (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)

Man, there's something going on up here that ain't right... —Brother Ali

Normally I'd say something semi-inspiring or vaguely profound here, but I've found that I don't have the energy. I climbed a mountain of woe following this game, fighting off the forces of terrible football, and then I just fell off the other side of said mountain and into a pit of despair and beer. So forget that noise.

No, this was the kind of loss that you can't run from and can't make excuses for. It makes you truly doubt the strength of your beloved football team during a time when you'd hope your faith would be reinforced. It really, really sucks, is what I'm getting at. With a critical injury and poor play all the way around, a playoff spot seems more like a distant possibility than an immediate one, and now we've got the New York Giants coming off their bye week. It's not getting any easier, folks.

Buckle up and let's head over this waterfall.

HIGHLIGHTS

Michael Turner was having a stunning game indeed before the evil football gods struck him down. At the pace he was on, 200 yards was not out of the question, as was a more balanced attack which could have either led us to victory or kept us in the game until the bitter end. If he's really going to miss any significant time, we're probably boned.
That said, Jason Snelling did his able best to keep us in it. If Jerious Norwood can come back, an attack featuring Snelling and Norwood wouldn't be so terrible as to make me want to gnaw my arm off. As a matter of fact, it might provide the kind of balance that is so desperately needed in the absence of Turner and Matt Ryan's neutron star level of implosion.
This was actually a pretty great effort from both Tony Gonzalez and Roddy White, who piled up 150 yards between them on a day where Ryan was misfiring. Gonzalez in particular absolutely abused the Panthers cornerback who was unlucky enough to draw the short straw in coverage. If the passing attack is ever going to really get going, it's going to be on the backs of those two.
On a day where the defense was pretty lackluster, two players (and okay, one of them did his work on special teams) really stood out. First off, Erik Coleman earned his seven tackles by routinely getting in the way of the Panthers offense, particularly early in the second half, and deserves some kudos. Then there was Chauncey Davis, who leaped up and blocked a John Kasay field goal, keeping the Falcons in the game until they blew it again.
Michael Koenen can boot it. Glad to have that guy around.

LOWLIGHTS

Matt Ryan. If you look at his first few games, when he looked calm and collected and the occasional overthrow could still be laughed off, you would be hard pressed to believe he was the same quarterback now. I don't know what's going on here, frankly, and beyond increased pressure I wouldn't presume to guess what's going on in his head. All I know is that he was overthrowing receivers a lot yesterday and because of it he threw two crippling interceptions. He looks rattled and his feet are so happy I thought his cleats were smiling. I still believe fervently that Ryan will be a very, very good quarterback in this league for a very, very long time, but that time is not right now. If we're going to grab that elusive winning season, the coaching staff needs to figure out what the problem is as soon as humanly possible.
Michael Turner's injury. I know I said this once already, but have you thought about how much trouble we'd be in without him? In the early weeks when Ryan was firing bullets all over the field, we could've survived a couple of weeks without him. Now, it's going to take a phenomenal effort from the rest of the team to fill that hole. I really hope they can do it.
I know there was an issue with the snap, but my normally boundless patience is wearing thin when it comes to Jason Elam. If he was a young kicker who was struggling, like Steve Hauschka of the Baltimore Ravens, I'd implore the fan base to stick him. Those guys can and often do get better over time and can provide long-term value to a franchise. Where Elam's only a couple of season removed from the end of the line and the team is hanging on to its playoff chances by a thread, we can't really afford to have him miss any more key field goals. It's time to at least think about auditioning some other kickers.
While execution was the major issue Sunday, you do have to wonder about the coaching staff. Is it that there's not enough talent on the defensive side of the ball, or is that BVG can't put them in a position to succeed? Is the Falcons' uber-talented offense just not clicking, or is Mike Mularkey incapable of calling plays that maximize their talents? I don't really know, honestly, but those are questions which have to be raised.
Speaking of defense....well, never mind. I don't even want to get started on the defense.

THE WRAPUP

Game MVP: Suggest one in the comments. I'm leaning toward Michael Turner for his Herculean early game efforts, but I'm almost tempted to put the award on hiatus for one week.

Game Theme Song: This recap was gloomy enough that I can get away with a song titled The Funeral, right?

One Thing To Take Away: The remaining schedule is going to be difficult indeed.

Next Week: The struggling New York Giants, who are coming off a bye week and will have our total annihilation on their minds. Yippee! Be sure to check out Big Blue View.

Final Word: Crap.

Thomas Johnson To Start In DT Peria Jerry's Place?

Dave the Falconer — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 17:21:28 -0000

Straight from Mike Smith's mouth comes the news that Thomas Johnson is set to assume the starting role left by Peria Jerry's season-ending injury.

Because Smitty also committed to a rotation at defensive tackle, it's not like Johnson's going to be out there for every snap of a game. The Falcons also have Trey Lewis, rookie Vance Walker and defensive ends Jamaal Anderson and Chauncey Davis, either of whom could move inside in a pinch. It's a rotation that should be able to approximate or exceed Jerry's production, but there's nobody there that figures to be as helpful in pass rushing situations, a major concern against the New England Patriots this week.

For his part, the more traditional run stopper knows he's bringing a little something different to bear than Jerry:

"It’s a blow ‘cause Peria brings something different than I bring to the team," he said. "He brings quickness and pass rush ability and speed. I’m more of a kind of power guy. It’s going to hurt us but we have other guys who can fill in and take over."

My best guess is that Johnson will alternate with either Davis or Anderson, depending on the situation. I think Lewis should get a shot because he still has intriguing talent, but he's never been healthy and I'm not sure where the coaching staff stands on the guy. Walker should get a few snaps in the rotation and could benefit hugely if he can play well, but he's buried for the moment and will have to work his way up.

The gist here, I think, is that while losing Jerry hurts quite a bit, it's not as doom and gloom as my initial reaction had it being. There's still depth here and Johnson could step up in a big way, so let's lend him our support and hope for the best. I'm still concerned about generating any kind of pass rush from that spot, though. Your thoughts?

The Atlanta Falcons Enter The Season: Of Cuts And Hope

Dave the Falconer — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 12:00:53 -0000

by Dave Martin - AP

Does this remind anyone else of those old electronic football games? You know, the one where the guys all shook their way violently down the field? It was the All-Hypothermia Team. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)

View full size photo »

The cuts have been chronicled, and the travels and travails of those who fell from grace here in Atlanta have been capably discussed by my armored co-blogger. In simpler language, we're done there.

What I want to focus on today is the guys who survived the bloody weekend, the "final" 53 who probably aren't actually all that final. By the time you see this post, I'll be dreaming of playoff berths and the Falcons might take someone else behind the woodshed in favor of Brian Williams. This, instead, will be a look at those who stand to gain from the cuts and those who are in difficult spots, either because of the team's recent transactions or their particular skillset.

As you might imagine, you can find the bulk of this post after the jump. Just don't sprain your ankle on the way over, alright?

OFFENSE

A Winner Is You: John Parker Wilson, who watched D.J. Shockley give the ball to the defense in a thoughtful and heartful gesture, took copious notes, mixed chemicals in a lab and learned not to throw interceptions or fumble, damnit! I stand by my earlier comments that JPW does not have the physical toolset necessary to really climb up a depth chart, but he plays very careful football and will make an excellent backup as long as he does that. If Redman moves on in a year or two and JPW gets better, he might actually take that spot.

Oh Noes! You Lose: Verron Haynes, who survived the initial roster cuts but isn't going to see very many carries buried behind Michael Turner, Jerious Norwood and Jason Snelling. Early indications are that he won the job because he's better at pass blocking than Thomas Brown, which would seem to be less relevant for a fourth running back than specials teams value, but Brown is only a call away. The veteran will have to leverage his strong skills and provide value when he does get the rock to fend off the young guy, a tough proposition in such limited playing time.

Winner Winner: Eric Weems, who won the support of the coaching staff by making a few nice grabs and proving he's pretty decent in returns. To be a fifth or even fourth receiver in this league, you must add special teams value, and Weems has fought his way onto this team fiercely. He won't get many chances to catch passes, but if he does well when the ball leaves the tee he's a mortal lock to finish the year with the Falcons. If there are any injuries, I'm reasonably confident the guy can make things happen in the slot.

To Lose, To Suffer: Marty Booker. Even though he's most assuredly ahead of Weems on the depth chart, his chances of surviving the season unscatched aren't nearly as good as his younger counterpart. Booker still has something left as a pass catcher and would be valuable if anybody goes down, but a healthy roster can't carry a guy with negligible special teams value forever in a fourth receiver role. Maybe I'm underestimating the guy and he'll prove to be versatile, but somehow I don't think so.

Winning Ain't Easy: Big ups to Keith Zinger, a man's man if there ever was one. When he didn't make the team after being drafted late in 2008, he went into the Canadian wilderness, slew many bears with his bare hands and made his own shelter out of rocks and discarded Labatt Blue bottles. He emerged a much more complete tight end than the pass-blocking specialist who the Falcons got last year and held on against prototype third tight end Jason Rader. With two very capable pass-catchers in front of him, he won't get much action this year, but he's a promising player who could have an expanded role in the future.

No Rest For The Weary: The offensive line, which absolutely must avoid injuries this year. I like the promise of guys like Will Svitek and Garrett Reynolds, but I wouldn't necessarily bank on them being able to carry the team for a sustained period this year. With a very stout offense that thrives with a little time, the Falcons really can't afford to give up valuable milliseconds that could result in Matt Ryan speculating about the patterns on the Georgia Dome roof. If this line is in great shape, beautiful. If not, it could get ugly.

DEFENSE/SPECIAL TEAMS

The Land Of Pass Rushing: Peria Jerry, come on down! You've been selected to single-handedly lead our flagging pass rush in the year ahead! You'll be tutored by John Abraham, one of the finest to ever wear a Falcon uniform, and Jonathan Babineaux, who is p. Your companions on this once-in-a-lifetime trip will be Chauncey Davis and Jamaal Anderson, both fighting for a job with young whippersnappers like Kroy Biermann and Lawrency Sidbury. Does that sound crowded? No worries--none of the defensive tackles behind are being counted on to pass rush, so this enormous task falls squarely on your giant shoulders. Ready to be a hero? I think so!

The Two-Headed Defensive End: Davis and Anderson, who are in the unenviable position of battling with one another and fending off two young players who made a real push this off-season. Anderson is probably stronger against the run and Davis against the pass, but neither has been a standout during their careers thus far, and Anderson in particular is playing for his job this season. Early struggles could lead to extended stays on the bench for one or both, and chances are very good one of them is going to freefall down the depth chart before Week 17.

Hold The Line(backer): To all three starting linebackers, who saw their most substantial competition for minutes disappear with the cuts. With Jamie Winborn gone, in particular, both Stephen Nicholas and Mike Peterson seem ready to get monster minutes. Coy Wire can do some damage in a pinch but likely won't sniff starter minutes without an injury, and Spencer Adkins isn't even a lock to get on the field on defense this season. Curtis Lofton, as we all know, is a dimension-skipping devourer of time and space who has no competition, even from himself.

Cornered: Chris Houston and Brent Grimes, who are going to be looking over their shoulders off the field to an inordinate degree. While Chris Owens and Chevis Jackson fight for roster spots, both these young corners will be clinging to their starting spots while the coaching staff determines what they have in Tye Hill and Brian Williams. Williams could also rob some time from Thomas DeCoud if he isn't careful, so there's a lot of recently drafted or signed guys who have good reason to be skittish. If nobody steps up in the early going, you could be looking at a Hill and Williams tandem by much earlier than mid-season.

Kicker, Punter, Soldier, Spy: Hard to call either Jason Elam or Michael Koenen winners or losers, honestly, because they're both in the same positions they've always been in. What does benefit both is the likely strength of the special teams unit, which with Koenen's laser-guided punts and Elam's boot should have no problem doing some real damage against enemy returns. Of course, it goes without saying that both are as solid as they come...but will they ever find true happiness in such a lonely profession?

So that's a rough rundown, I guess, of how some of the battles shook out and what is still to come. If you've got suggestions on more positions that need to be covered. If not, I'll soak in your praise and adulation any time you're ready.

The Atlanta Falcon Defensive Line Could Be A Force In 2009

Dave the Falconer — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 12:00:18 -0000

More photos » by John Bazemore - AP

Peria Jerry will treat offensive linemen like tiny obstacles this season. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Browse more photos »

It seems like a very long time since the Falcons have boasted a dominant defensive line, but apparently those happy days are here once again.

That's the good word from ESPN's Pat Yasinskas, who lists his top ten defensive linemen in the NFC South and includes three Falcons. Incredibly, one of them hasn't played a snap at the NFL level, but Yasinskas is a fearsome oracle and sees the future so clearly that he knows exactly what Matt Ryan will shout when the Falcons hoist the Vince Lombardi Trophy this year.

I say that in jest, of course. But take a look at these rankings:

1. John Abraham, DE, Atlanta. Sure, go ahead and call him one-dimensional. But aren't dominant pass-rush skills the dimension you want most from a defensive end?

First of all, awesome. Where Abe walks, civilization ends. Can't dispute that. I think he's plenty capable against the run, but that's overshadowed by the fact that he just gobbles up quarterbacks. As long as he's healthy and Julius Peppers doesn't show up determined to grab a massive new contract, Abe's the guy to beat. He more or less single-handedly took care of the Falcon pass rush last year, so the fact that he might actually have some help this year makes this ranking all the more justified. Who's next?

3. Jonathan Babineaux, DT, Atlanta. Very quietly, he's become the most solid interior lineman in the division.

....What?

Babineaux was very, very solid last year, and he clearly deserved a new contract. I'm the last man to quibble with his success, and he's the only clear starter on the interior coming into 2009. Still, I can't help but think that the defensive tackle corps in this division has to have taken a bit of a nosedive for Babineaux to be considered the NFC South's best. Here's hoping that with Peria Jerry and Chauncey Davis hopefully joining him as starters, he'll be free to author a few more big plays. If nothing else, he's rock solid against both the pass and the run, and you can't argue with that.

Oh, and speaking of Jerry...

7. Peria Jerry, DT, Atlanta. He's only a rookie, but there's little bust factor with this guy. He should be a force right away.

It's nice to hear the guy getting praise this early in the game, and his skillset as a penetrating defensive tackle with size suggests that he should fit right in this year. Injuries will be my biggest concern with Jerry, but it's really much too early to say whether that'll be a factor going forward. It's also probably a little too early to include him in a top ten list, but I'm not going to argue. Flattery will get you everywhere, Pat Yasinskas.

Add in a hopefully motivated Jamaal Anderson and another solid end in Chauncey Davis and you've got a pretty good group of starters. Take that equation further and add in potential pass rush help in the form of Kroy Biermann and Lawrence Sidbury, plus a mammoth defensive tackle in Trey Lewis, and you've got a line that might actually shake up the image many have of a weak front four that doesn't create enough push in the pass rush. Dominant might be too strong a word, but with so much attention on revamped linebacking corps and the heavy competition in the secondary, it'd be nice to feel comfortable with the guys in the trenches. For once, I can't see any reason we wouldn't be.

Your thoughts?

Saints 20 @ Falcons 34: Breaking it Down - The First Half

Saintsational — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 12:00:07 -0000

I am going to try and do it differently this week. Let me know what you think in the poll.

First Quarter

Saints get the ball first and lead off the series with a deep play action pass to Devery Henderson on a post pattern. Payton trying to be tricky. The gamble doesn't pay off as Brees throws it into double coverage and gets picked off by Erik Coleman.
The Saints defense does a great job responding after the turnover and forces a three and out. Nice job stuffing Turner. Shanle makes a quick hit after a reception. Surprisingly decent.
12:04 Remaining - If you want an example of good passing coverage check out Domonique Foxworth's job defending Devery Henderson on another deep post pattern.
Saints go three and out themselves and Pakulak booms a nice 56 yard punt that ends with a 25 yard return.
10:29 Remaining - Ryan completes a short out route to Roddy White. Gay is on the coverage. They bump at the line and Gay is pushed backwards. White cuts to the sideline and now has enough separation to make an easy catch. Gay is behind him and has to pursue. Kaesviharn winds up making the tackle out of bounds.
10:00 Remaining - Here's another good one. Ryan throws to Michael Jenkins on the left side for 13 yards. I can't tell the coverage but Jenkins has a cushion of at least 5 yards at the line. When he makes the catch and the coverage is revealed, Kaesviharn is the underneath defender and Gay is over the top. I thought that was a little weird. Neither of them were close enough to Jenkins to make a play however.
9:12 Remaining - Roddy White finishes off Atlanta's drive with a touchdown by making a catch on his own post route. White just speeds past Gay and gets his body inside. Kaesviharn can't come over in time to make a play. Do we need to get Jason David in here?
8:19 Remaining - 3rd and 4. Brees finds Colston who makes a nice leaping catch for a clutch first down. Nice to have him back.
7:00 Remaining - Deuce gets a pitch to the right on 1st down. He has the chance to get it inside and turn it upfield but makes the wrong read and bounces it outside for just 1 yard.
8:19 Remaining - Brees hits Colston who makes a nice catch with his long out stretch arms. Only Marques is catching that. 16 yards. Man I missed him.
The Saints keep it on the ground for a good while. A couple of runs by Deuce. A Stecker hand off. Even Drew scrambles for a first down. Good commitment to the run.
3:42 Remaining - Brees attempts to Colston in the endzone. Drew threads the needle and Marques just can't keep it trapped between his two arms and his body. Says the announcer: "I've seen him make that catch."
2:57 Remaining - Drew barely gets a pass off in time to Lance Moore. It's not enough for the touchdown. Jammal Brown got beat and thrown to the ground by an Abraham spin move to the inside. Gotta give him credit it was a pretty sweet move. Saints settle for a Hartley field goal, his first in the NFL
Hartley's juices are flowing from the high of his first NFL points. He kicks in deep into the endzone on the ensuing kick off. Touchback.
0:57 Remaining - The Saints defense holds Atlanta to 3rd and 5. Ryan completes a short pass to Norwood for only 4 yards...but...Will Smith was offsides. Instead of 4th down its 1st.

Make the jump for the second quarter.

Second Quarter

14:21 Remaining - 3rd and 5 for Atlanta. I believe this is the now famous cushion play. McKenzie is lined up against Roddy White giving him at least 8 yards at the line. Remember...the Falcons only need 5 yards. Saints are giving an 8 yard cusion. Need 5 yards? 8 yard cushion. White just has to stop and turn to catch the pass and run out of bounds for the first down.
I guess picking on Randall Gay was getting too easy for Ryan so he starts going to Michael Jenkins who is lined up on Aaron Glenn. First for 11 yards then deep for a gain of 32. Glenn was tight on the receiver but wasn't watching the ball. Jenkins adjusted to an underthrown ball while Glenn continued downfield.Turner finishes the drive with a 2 yard run for touchdown.
Saints continue to do a nice job mixing run and pass. Devery picks up 30 yards on an end around. Pierre bounces off a couple of people for a nice 8 yard gain. Deuce catches a screen for another 8 yards. Lance Moore hauls one in for 11 yards.
The drive stalls when the offensive line begins to struggle. Matt Lehr can't contain Grady Jackson on a Pierre Thomas run. Thomas has no where to go. ThenJammal Brown just gets straigh up beat on the outside by Abraham, who gets to Brees for the sack and -6 yards.
Hartley nails another field goal. 44 yards.
7:54 Remaining - The Falcons continue their next drive right where they left off. McKenzie is giving Roddy White at least 6 yards. Matt Ryan runs a play bootleg and easily hits White on a comeback route along the sideline.
Just to mix it up and keep our defense on its toes (the way you're supposed to play) the Falcons start running the ball. Turner runs for gains of 7, 2 and 20 yards consecutively.
4:48 Remaining - Jerious Norwood flys out of the backfield and is wide open when Ryan hits him with a pass. Kaesviharn is called for an illegal contact penalty when he realizes he is going to get burned but its declined.
3:09 Remaining - Saints defense forces the Falcons to settle for a field goal.
2:39 Remaining - John Abraham gets right in Drew's face to force a bad throw. Jammal is still having trouble on that left side. Obviously.
2:00 Remaining - Matt Lehr is called for holding.
1:44 Remaining - Lance Moore makes a sweet 15-yard catch right along the sideline keeping both feet in bounds. The comparisons to Marvin Harrison begin.
1:08 Remaining - John Abraham was injured on the previous play so Saints fans every where would think this would be good news for Jammal Brown and this offensive line. Not so. Chauncey Davis fills in for Abraham and on his very first play gets a good push on Jammal Brown and gets his hand on the pass for a deflection.
1:04 Remaining - Instead of kicking what would have been a 44-45 yard field goal the Saints decide to go for it on 4th and 4. Brees throws to Colston along the left sideline. Colston turns inside to catch the ball but Chris Houston does a great job getting his hand in and disrupting Colston's catch. Can't say whether Colston could have possibly caught it.The Falcons take a knee to end the half.

Poll

How do you prefer "Breaking it Down?"

This way

9 votes

The old way

1 votes

Either way

4 votes

Neither way

6 votes

20 votes | Poll has closed