SB Nation - Justin Peelle

Thursday Pre-Game Notes: Tackling The Baltimore Ravens

Dave the Falconer — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 05:36:54 -0000

by Dave Martin - AP

Mike Smith does not suffer fools, or Ravens. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)

After a close game against the Chargers, the Falcons are headed for their second consecutive rough contest against the Ravens. Buckle your recliner belts, ladies and gents.

Unlike the Chargers, who combine a potent offense with a decent defense, the Ravens are a run-heavy offense who pack an extremely difficult D. This will be the first major test for our thus far astonishing offense, and the run D will have their hands full dealing with Ray Rice, Willis McGahee and LeRon McClain from Die Hard. You may see Mike Smith shout once or twice.

Most critically, of course, this is the last chance for a lot of guys to prove they deserve a roster spot. Marty Booker and Robert Ferguson will do a little duking out, as will William Middleton and every other cornerback on the roster at this point. After this, every game counts in the standings, so this is the very last chance to take a wrench to this team and either fix or beat the hell out of it. Here's hoping the former, of course.

Jump on in. The links are just fine!

Jerious Norwood is being held out as a precaution. Can't say I particularly blame the Falcons for being careful with our backup running back, especially since he's going to be leaned on more heavily than ever before with Michael Turner not wanting to approximate his twelve hojillion carry season again. As long as he's fine by Week 1, we're all happy.
As Bleacher Report speculated, the New York Jets immediately went out and signed Ben Hartsock. This is relevant to this game chiefly because I'm going to be watching hard to see how Tony Gonzalez and Justin Peelle look when they're called upon to block. My guess would be fine.
Freshly signed cornerback Tye Hill won't be playing in the final pre-season game. Much like Domonique Foxworth last year, the team is going to bring Hill along slowly and hope he's ready to make an impact the instant they decide he's ready. This week is probably more to determine whether Chris Houston and Brent Grimes get to keep their starting jobs than anything else.
Matt Ryan has a perfectly symmetrical face, which will come in handy against the Ravens. I...I have to draw you!
The AJC says watch out for Spencer Adkins and Robert James, who will cling to roster spots if they can prove that they have long-term talent and are valuable on special teams. I'd expect them to keep Adkins over James, but I've been wrong before.

Former Colts Ben Hartstock and Von Hutchins cut from Falcons; Lonnie Harvey cut

BigBlueShoe — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 20:48:01 -0000

DT Lonnie Harvey was cut by the Panthers today. Photo: www.panthers.com

View full size photo »

Never let it be said that we Colts fans don't care about players who once wore the blue shoe on their jerseys and helmets. From The Falcoholic:

The Falcons released Ben Hartsock, our best blocking tight end, along with cornerback Von Hutchins and defensive end Willie Evans. I don't need to tell you that Hartsock's release is a huge surprise, and must indicate that Tony Gonzalez and Justin Peelle have shown a lot as blockers this off-season. With the acquisition of Tye Hill, the Falcons are announcing a complete and total youth movement at cornerback by releasing Hutchins, who was kind of off everybody's radar this off-season. Evans was not expected to make the roster.

I'm actually kind of surprised Von Hutchins is still in the league. He was a mediocre CB for the Colts, drafted in the 6th round in 2004. However, by sticking around as long as he has, it shows Hutchins has some staying power in this league. He's also played for the Texans during his career. Hartstock is yet another failed third round selection by Bill Polian. He was drafted #68 overall in '04, just ahead of Chris Cooley and Bernard Berrian.

Hey, even an eventual Hall of Fame GM like Polian is human.

Even though Hartstock clearly is not in the same league (talent-wise) as Cooley or Berrian, he's a decent blocker, and may land with another team needing a back-up TE.

In other news, the Carolina Panthers have released big rookie defensive tackle Lonnie Harvey. You might remember Harvey from our pre-NFL Draft coverage. He was someone Colt Homer had on his radar as a late-round pick or possible rookie free agent. The Colts were very interested in Harvey prior to the draft. Now that he is a free agent, it is possible that Polian may swoop in and snatch him up.

Falcons Release CB Von Hutchins, TE Ben Hartsock

Dave the Falconer — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 19:21:59 -0000

Unfortunately, I don't have enough time to really flesh this out at the moment, but I wanted to deliver this news as fast as possible.

The Falcons released Ben Hartsock, our best blocking tight end, along with cornerback Von Hutchins and defensive end Willie Evans. I don't need to tell you that Hartsock's release is a huge surprise, and must indicate that Tony Gonzalez and Justin Peelle have shown a lot as blockers this off-season. With the acquisition of Tye Hill, the Falcons are announcing a complete and total youth movement at cornerback by releasing Hutchins, who was kind of off everybody's radar this off-season. Evans was not expected to make the roster.

Kind of a surprise all the way around, though. What do you guys think?

Falcons @ Saints: Offensive Scouting Report

Saintsational — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 12:00:07 -0000

Season Stats

	Atlanta	Opponent
Total First Downs	238	220
Rushing	95	72
Passing	121	139
Penalty	22	9
3rd Down: Made/Att	75/171	61/156
3rd Down Pct.	43.9%	39.1%
4th Down: Made/Att	6/13	6/12
4th Down Pct.	46.2%	50.0%
Possession Avg.	31:29	28:31
Total Net Yards	4353	4069
Avg. Per Game	362.8	339.1
Total Plays	769	727
Avg. Per Play	5.7	5.6
Net Yards Rushing	1808	1400
Avg. Per Game	150.7	116.7
Total Rushes	423	291
Net Yards Passing	2545	2669
Avg. Per Game	212.1	222.4
Sacked/Yards Lost	13/80	24/140
Gross Yards	2625	2809
Attempts/Completions	333/203	412/240
Completion Pct.	61.0%	58.3%
Had Intercepted	6	9
Punts/Average	45/38.9	58/44.9
Net Punting Avg.	37.0	38.1
Penalties/Yards	54/453	89/719
Fumbles/Ball Lost	12/8	11/4
Touchdowns	32	29
Rushing	16	14
Passing	13	14
Returns	3	1

Offensive Rankings

Team	Yds / Game	Yds / Play	Rush Yards / Game	Rushing Yds / Play	Pass Yds / Game	Pass Yds / Play	Intercept. Rate	Sacks / Pass Att.	First Downs / Game	Punt Return Avg	Kickoff Return Avg	Field Goals Made	3rd Down Pct	4th Down Pct	Red Zone Pct	Goal to Go%	Avg Time of Poss.	Points / Game
ATL	362.8	5.66	150.7	4.27	212.1	7.64	1.80%	3.90%	19.8	9.8	22.3	92.31%	43.86%	46.15%	50.00%	71.43%	31:29	24.8
Rank	6	9	2	13	14	3	4	6	9t	16	22	4	9	21t	19	15t	10	9

Rushing Offense

Left End

Left Tackle

Left Guard

Up the Middle

Right Guard

Right Tackle

Right End

Plays: 57

Plays: 66

Plays: 12

Plays: 161

Plays: 10

Plays: 29

Plays: 72

NFL Rank: 3

NFL Rank: 2

NFL Rank: 32

NFL Rank: 2

NFL Rank: 31

NFL Rank: 30

NFL Rank: 1

Avg Gain: 5.39

Avg Gain: 5.88

Avg Gain: 5.42

Avg Gain: 3.73

Avg Gain: 3.20

Avg Gain: 4.21

Avg Gain: 4.26

NFL Rank: 18

NFL Rank: 3

NFL Rank: 2

NFL Rank: 20

NFL Rank: 25

NFL Rank: 16

NFL Rank: 21

Passing Offense

Short Left	Short Middle	Short Right	Deep Left	Deep Middle	Deep Right






















Plays: 100	Plays: 39	Plays: 130	Plays: 17	Plays: 14	Plays: 33
NFL Rank: 23	NFL Rank: 32	NFL Rank: 17	NFL Rank: 30	NFL Rank: 23	NFL Rank: 4
Avg Gain: 7.00	Avg Gain: 6.08	Avg Gain: 5.68	Avg Gain: 20.18	Avg Gain: 17.79	Avg Gain: 10.58
NFL Rank: 4	NFL Rank: 23	NFL Rank: 13	NFL Rank: 3	NFL Rank: 3	NFL Rank: 14

Individual Stats

Passing

Att

Cmp

Yds

Cmp%

Yds/Att

TD%

Int

Int%

Long

Sack

Lost

Rating

M.Ryan

333

203

2625

61.0%

7.9

3.9%

1.8%

70t

13/

91.3

Rushing	No.	Yds	Avg	Long	TD
M.Turner	282	1208	4.3	66t	13
J.Norwood	77	412	5.4	44	2
M.Ryan	38	71	1.9	17	0
H.Douglas	10	54	5.4	33	1
J.Snelling	10	45	4.5	13	0

Receiving	No.	Yds	Avg	Long	TD
R.White	68	1085	16.0	70t	6
M.Jenkins	34	520	15.3	62t	3
J.Norwood	27	261	9.7	67t	1
H.Douglas	19	265	13.9	69	1
B.Finneran	16	132	8.3	14	0
J.Peelle	12	137	11.4	18t	2