Threaded Mode | Linear Mode

ATLBound · (This post was last modified: 11-09-2011 09:03 PM by Radical.)

He has a difficult matchup this week against Jimmy Graham. Good thing about it is that Jimmy Graham has been succesfful by just being an athletically gifted TE. He hasn't really put the smarts together in the position which I have no doubt will come with experience.

This is a matchup of 2 second year players who supplanted 2 savvy veterans. If we are to win this game we need Spoon to be the TE covering LB he has been all year and possibly a lil bit more.

The good thing about this is I feel our defense is comfortable with Spoon covering Jimmy by himself which gives us an option to roam or have the safeties sit back and take care of the long ball. This makes it an easier matchup.

Spoon and Jimmy Graham are going to be the 2 X Factors in this game. Watch this matchup.

**Radical** · 11-09-2011, 09:05 PM

Most TE's typically line up to the right of the QB, thus making that side of the formation typically the strong side of the play. Weatherspoon plays the Will LB role for us, meaning he'd be opposite of Graham more times than not. Since we do play more of a zone based scheme, I'm sure Weatherspoon will see plenty of action.

The Falcon Jedi · 11-09-2011, 09:49 PM

Spoon is Beasting as a WLB. He is dominating and I think he will have a huge game against the Saints offense.

ATLBound · 11-09-2011, 09:53 PM

This is true which is why we played Spoon on the strong side last year so that he could consistently get used to covering the TE and also understand both sides of the defense. Knowing how each side operates by playing it helps to react quicker...it was a development year but nobody realized and just criticized the coaching staff. If he didnt play SLB last year, then he wouldn't be who he is at WLB today.

But he is our premier cover LB so there would be no suprise to see him covering Jimmy in a lot of situations.

evo · 11-09-2011, 10:07 PM

im not worrying about Spoon on Graham, what i'm worrying about is who will cover Spores?

**papachaz** · 11-09-2011, 10:13 PM

on the flip side is Nicholas, not much of a dropoff in coverage with him either. I'm guessing one of these two is also going to be assigned to 'spy' Brees, he has shown a tendancy to be able to break out of the pocket and step up against us a lot...

hopefully, the speed of our linebackers and the addition of big Ray Ray will be enough to prevent his extending plays

Beef · (This post was last modified: 11-09-2011 10:20 PM by Beef.)

Yeah Spoon hasn't been the primary TE coverer for us in the middle. It's been our nickel cb or FS and ocassionally Dunta or Grimes depending on if we're in zone and the TE goes outside the hashmarks. Spoon is typically covering the slot receiver or HB, which makes sense because of size and speed.

The match up vs. Graham will be more Hayden and DeCoud/Sanders with a little bit of Nicholas rather than Spoon.

The Falcon Jedi · 11-09-2011, 10:21 PM

Weatherspoon needs to be let off the leash and work freely out in space. He is doing that this season as the WLB. He is making Plays, because he has more freedom to move around - blitz the QB, cover TEs, and pursue RBs. He is headed to the Pro Bowl if he keeps it up.

Beef · 11-09-2011, 10:28 PM

I'm trying to think of a single time I remember Spoon actually pass-covering a TE at all this year and I can't.

He plays the weak side. He's always opposite the TE in single TE sets. And in 2-TE sets, he's playing the run and our safeties are up.

The Falcon Jedi · 11-09-2011, 10:38 PM

(11-09-2011 10:28 PM)Beef Wrote: I'm trying to think of a single time I remember Spoon actually pass-covering a TE at all this year and I can't.

He plays the weak side. He's always opposite the TE in single TE sets. And in 2-TE sets, he's playing the run and our safeties are up.

Spoon has covered some TEs this season. He's also covered RBs coming out on screens or as check-downs. He's done it all.