Falcons: Roddy White: Atlanta Falcons got lazy, complacent

[RFlagg]

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Quote:Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Roddy White enjoyed his first playoff victory last week against the Seattle Seahawks. But he's also taking a lesson from the team's near-collapse.

"I felt like in the first half we did a heck of a job, just coming out with attitude and executing at a high level," White told Michael Silver of Yahoo! Sports. "We got a little lazy in the second half. We kind of got too complacent, too relaxed. You can't do that in the playoffs. Every series matters. You can't have lulls, man."

It's refreshing to hear a member of the Falcons say this. It's terrific that Matt Ryan and Matt Bryant helped save the game in the final 31 seconds, but otherwise the No. 1 seeded team seemed to do everything possible to lose the game late. White and Silver pin the issue on getting complacent, but I'd lean more towards execution. Especially by the Falcons' defense.

Consider: Atlanta's offense started the second half with a long touchdown drive. Their next possession was a Matt Ryan interception, but that came from pushing the ball with a lead in the fourth quarter. It was Atlanta's defense that gave up four touchdowns in five possessions in the second half, not the offense.

White's accusation of complacency makes sense when it comes to the Falcons' execution, but not their play-calling. They started the next possession after Ryan's interception with a throw to White, and then two more passes.

"We've got to play a complete game," White said. "If we don't mind our P's and Q's, the whole team, we'll be in trouble."

We liked the aggression shown by Ryan and the Falcons coaching staff against Seattle. They knew they had to score a lot to win. White just knows they have to be even better in Sunday's NFC Championship Game against the San Francisco 49ers.

It's nice that Roddy can admit what a lot of the fans saw during the game Sunday, but simply put, we can't do it again. 60 minutes a football, from the opening whistle to the final gun. We've gotta come to play from here on out, or we won't be playing much longer.

[phocis850]

Told you guys.

This is why I love Roddy. He will say what others feel but won't say.

This also shows that he and everyone else learned from that and it won't happen again, especially this Sunday.

[Aftermath]

(01-18-2013 11:19 AM)phocis850 Wrote:  Told you guys.

This is why I love Roddy. He will say what others feel but won't say.

This also shows that he and everyone else learned from that and it won't happen again, especially this Sunday.

I highly doubt that, complacency has been a hallmark of the Smith regime. Fortunately this year we have been complacent against the shitty teams like the Panthers and Bucs but have managed to show up for the big games. I expect them to come out on fire this Sunday.

[FullMetalFalcon23]

Which is something I struggle to get. For the " conservatism" Smith is accused of. One would think that complacency is something that he would stomp out. I seriously don't get it. Especially for how methodical he and a lot of the staff are. Personally I think there are some position coaches that need to he changed to bring about refocus. Eg linebackers coach. Someone who is going to continually preach and drill correct tackling form.

[Xanthri]

What I can't get is why media think that was ALL about RW and the seahawks....and not the simple fact we got full of ourselves and thought we could cruise. I was surprised that we didn't wake back up but I think we also let momentum swing to them and that is dangerous.......

So tired of saying they have better personnel in every category.

QB - Sorry CK, Ryan is better!
RB - sure give it to Gore - we still have gas in the tank, don't be surprised if Turner and Quiz don't factor in this game
O-line - have to give it to them but our line has done a good job of protecting Matt this year.....
WR - No contest We WIN!
TE - I am saying we WIN. Davis may have more athletic ability but no chemistry with CK 1 reception in each of last 5 games....1!
D-line - Give it to them
LB - leaning towards a toss up they have a lot of talent but our LB have done very well for lack of depth this year.
DBs - sorry again I give us the edge....though I think zone they MAY be better....but we don't give up TDs and that is what counts
K - NO CONTEST
P - I am going ot go them only because Bosher struggled (bet he does better after that crappy squib kick!)

So how in the how are we outgunned at every position!?!?!?!

Factor in Crowd noise, CK getting rattled in hostile territory and domes.....team penalties (us #1 them #27) I REALLY like our chances provided we play 60 full minutes of Falcon's football and we have not gotten a big head....getting lazy and having SEATTLE storm back into that game and almost losing if not for last second heroics....I think that was the BEST thing that could have happen to us!....I don't think we make that mistake again!!!! We tend to play well after a close game......

Also I think SF is DUE for their let down game....they are believing the hype....and for most part we are not giving them extra motivation against us......

look at SF season WWL WWL WWT WWL WWL W......W......(***LOSS***) they haven't put 3 straight together all year long and I believe CK believes in his own hype (IE kiss my bicep).....Can't wait to dismantle them!

[nativefalcon]

(01-18-2013 11:26 AM)Aftermath Wrote:  I highly doubt that, complacency has been a hallmark of the Smith regime. Fortunately this year we have been complacent against the shitty teams like the Panthers and Bucs but have managed to show up for the big games. I expect them to come out on fire this Sunday.

See that's the thing, I think this game is going to be one by the teams secondary. Abe might not be there and it might be a high scoring affair and the offense has to stay on fire the whole game, but the defense if they could do a couple of interceptions / fumbles. It would help the matter greatly. Turnovers are tons better then Sacks. Sacks are fun, but turnovers win games. Where Assante Samuel, might come real handy.

[AUTiger7222]

Falcons 36, 49ers 34. Falcons are up 36-28 late. Niners get a touchdown with 15 seconds left and Falcons stop them on the 2-point conversion. Falcons recover the on-side kick and run out the clock.

[juraitwaluzka]

In about as meaningful of a score based prediction as anyone's, I say Falcons 227.5, 49ers 1

[ATLBound]

(01-18-2013 08:50 PM)nativefalcon Wrote:  See that's the thing, I think this game is going to be one by the teams secondary. Abe might not be there and it might be a high scoring affair and the offense has to stay on fire the whole game, but the defense if they could do a couple of interceptions / fumbles. It would help the matter greatly. Turnovers are tons better then Sacks. Sacks are fun, but turnovers win games. Where Assante Samuel, might come real handy.

Unless on 3rd down. I consider a sack on 3rd down a turnover

[Jesus]

Their o line Is overrated. 41 sacks enough said.