OK, so it wasn't the ass kicking that we all expected.......

[Peyton]

....well I didn't expect it, but all the "experts" did.

The Niners are a talented football team, I wasn't surprised at all that the game was a battle.

So just watched the game over studying each play, and here are some of the things I saw:

Let's start with the obvious - Roddy White played basically a perfect football game. I'm not sure but I don't think there was a single ball thrown anywhere near him that he didn't catch. The effort he showed on the interception was unbelievable, more on that later.

Here is the thing with Matt Ryan, and it was especially true in this game. When he decides he is going to throw the ball to Tony G prior to the snap, there is a good chance something bad is going to happen. When he reads the defense both pre snap and after the snap, he becomes brilliant. The first pick happened because Ryan assumed that Tony would beat Takeo Spikes on an out pattern, and the second pick happened because the Niners knew exactly what Ryan would do if they blitzed a LB that lined up on top of Gonzalez. Ryan needs to rid himself of those tendencies.

The Niners defense didn't think the Falcons could handle blitzes on Ryan's weak side, and they were right. I don't know if Baker should have been sliding or if a back was suppose to pick up those blitzing LBs, but the Falcons need to get that fixed.

I saw somebody on the other board lamenting the lack of pressure by the defensive line. Well....when you watch the game back, you realize that the Niners were running 80% screens and quick outs and there reailly isn't much pressure you are going to get on those plays. I thought the defensive line played extremely well, both against the run and the pass.

Somehow, the Falcons came into the game completely unprepared to deal with the screens, but they did a lot better in the second half, so they made some nice adjustments.

OK, I am sold on William Moore. As the guy gets more experience his football instincts are taking over, and I am more than impressed with his performance today. His INT was not a horrible pass by Smith, he totally suckered Smith into the read he made and I am confident that over half the QBs in the league would have taken that bait as well. His perfectly timed blitz was one of the key plays in the games. All Day, William Moore was in the right place at the right time making the right play. As long as Moore is healthy, Coleman will never start another game at SS for the Falcons.

Mike Peterson is soooooooo slow. The guy can come up with a big play from time to time, but really, he is a liability. On the plays where the Niners had any kind of success, it was usually a play where Peterson was directly involved and not able to get there in time. I hope Nicholas can get out of the coaches dog house because as the season wears on, Peterson will be exploited, and I'd feel better if Nicholas was opposite Weatherspoon.

Ok, I am famous for being biased on this subject, but let me tell you something. Throwing at Brent Grimes has resulted in nothing but fail for teams this year. The Niners took 2 shots at him down the field, one time in man and one time in zone, and got nothing. They took a shot at a slant on third down and he owned Morgan. They took a shot at an out and Grimes narrowly missed a diving interception. The only play teams are running succesfully at Grimes is the WR or TE screen. The Falcons have to clean it up. They either need to get a LB over there that can chase that down or allow Grimes to get up their in the WRs face. Grimes is an incredible cover guy, freaking incredible, but he can't fight off those kick out blocks coming from OTs or TEs. He's just not that guy.

On the other side, Dunta had a tough game. People will blame the sceme, but the truth is that Dunta was just giving those guys way more respect than they deserved. Maybe I was the only one that noticed, but the Falcons gave Dunta a series off late in the 3rd quarter, not sure why. Unfortunately, the Niners immediately hit an in route on Owens when they did, but the Falcons forced a punt a few plays later after Grimes broke up the slant. Anyway, found it interesting that the Falcons held out Dunta at a critical time of the game.

The seven catches from Finneran and Douglass were encouraging. HD was especially impressive, although he did have one pretty horrible drop today. The run he made after the catch on the slant patter was outstanding and exciting to see. He is coming along.

Curtis Lofton played the best single play of pass coverage he ever played in his entire career when he stopped that slant to Gore, then the refs had to go and give him that completely bogus PI call. No effing way man, bad call.

He did miss several tackles today, badly, but the good news for him is nobody in this fanbase notices if he misses a tackle. But don't miss a tackle if you are Brent Grimes lol.

Matt Bryan is straight cash homie. I consider him to have had a perfect season. Heinz field is so brutal for kickers that I am considering 3/4 a perfect season.

About that fumble at the end. There is not enough credit that could be given to Roddy White, that plays was just that good. But I got to also give props to Harvey Dahl, who was husltling his butt down the field and was in position to pounce on that ball when it came loose.

Some of the fans are going to be discouraged that the team didn't take care of this game easily. They shouldn't be. The Niners came in determined and with a great game plan, and the Falcons did what they had to do to overcome it. That is the way you have to win them sometimes.

I am famously skeptical and everybody knows that I don't think this team is "great". But I've noticed something - there isn't a "great" team in the NFC. I don't even know if there is a team that is close to "great" in the NFC. So even though this team is short a playmaker on the WR group, it can be overcome.

So.....I don't think people should be discouraged by this one......just getting that w on the board was the important thing.

Thank you Roddy White.

[The Falcon Jedi]

Good post Peyton.

---

We got the W in the win column. Thats all that matters. Hope we can get another next Sunday against the Browns.

I think this game proved that there are no easy wins in the NFL.

[poutlipper]

Great write-up Peyton. As I told you earlier, I completely agree with your assessment on the CB. I have a sneaking suspicion that Grimes will become a recognized name outside Atlanta before too long. This guy is just too good not to get any attention. Dunta should switch paychecks. As far as Dunta Robinson, his lining up 10-12 yards off the receiver is frustrating; I'm not really sure why they're doing this. I do LOVE his tackling though; that's the positives from him at this point for me.

The big thing I've noticed from our two "ugly" games(Steelers and 49ers), is that really, they're not that bad. I mean, look at some other teams and their bad days. Chicago had a bad day... Cutler sacked 9 times I think it was. Even when we're off, we're not far from where we need to be. I'm so excited about this team man.

[Peyton]

(10-04-2010 01:33 AM)poutlipper Wrote:  Great write-up Peyton. As I told you earlier, I completely agree with your assessment on the CB. I have a sneaking suspicion that Grimes will become a recognized name outside Atlanta before too long. This guy is just too good not to get any attention. Dunta should switch paychecks. As far as Dunta Robinson, his lining up 10-12 yards off the receiver is frustrating; I'm not really sure why they're doing this. I do LOVE his tackling though; that's the positives from him at this point for me.

The big thing I've noticed from our two "ugly" games(Steelers and 49ers), is that really, they're not that bad. I mean, look at some other teams and their bad days. Chicago had a bad day... Cutler sacked 9 times I think it was. Even when we're off, we're not far from where we need to be. I'm so excited about this team man.

The Falcons didn't have a bad game today. The Niners found some things on film and exploited them early. Later, the Falcons made the corrections and got back into the game and eventually won it.

Look all around the league, and you see games way closer than they are suppose to be. GB-Det, Cle-Cin, Car-NO, and the list goes on. You can't every be surprised by anything in this league.

[JKH5785]

Actually that first INT on the in the redzone, Gonzo had him beat, and Ryan threw it behind Gonzo. If he had led Gonzo, it would have been a reception.

[Dale4Saul2Red0]

You're still wrong on Dunta and refuse to criticize Grimes for his inability to cover his side of the field when RB's come a knocking on run plays or passes. You sort of mentioned it in your above post, but that is more alarming to me personally. A guy who can't tackle or even slow up the play on the outside because he is being blocked out of the play every time is a liability. Dunta has been making tackles in the open field on RB's so far this year and getting through blocks, Grimes has been getting blocked out of plays. If you are going to criticize Dunta, criticize Grimes too. Also I will point out our defense has the cover 2 philosophy where you bend and don't break. Where you keep everything in front of you and prevent the big play. I still can't remember Dunta giving up the big play just yet. I think he is still learning the system, and is still getting a feel for that whole cushion thing. Growing pains should be expected coming to a new team and missing the preseason on top of that. Also while his hammy is probably fine he still may not be 100% confident in it yet and isn't playing at his full capable speed. These aren't excuses, just facts. Not saying the guy is playing flawless by any means, but he is still doing his job in a fine manner. As is Grimes, just wish you would call him out for his faults as you seem to do towards Dunta so quickly.

Anyone who thought we were going to blow out the 49ers in this game was just caught up in their 0-3 record. I knew this game was going to be closer than most predicted and felt the 49ers would come out very focused and execute well on both sides of the ball. They did for the most part, and had us on the ropes. Also for the ones who want to criticize Ryan go ahead, he made 2 bad throws today and a few ones that sailed on him. He's going to have those throws that sail from time to time, something that all of us need to accept. The kid has intangibles though, he has that "it" factor that you just can't coach and not everyone is born with. The kid came up with 2 huuuge 3rd down conversions on those final 2 drives. The 21 yard pass to Finneran on 3rd and 15, and yes while he did throw the INT later in the drive, when he got a 2nd chance and was facing 3rd and 10 on the 7 yard line he hit Harry Douglas for a 17 yard 1st down! After that he went 5 for 6, and the rest is history!!!

Like Donovan McNabb said after the Redskins beat the Eagles today. Stats don't matter, the W does, and the Falcons got one today!

[Peyton]

(10-04-2010 02:43 AM)Dale4Saul2Red0 Wrote:  You're still wrong on Dunta and refuse to criticize Grimes for his inability to cover his side of the field when RB's come a knocking on run plays or passes. You sort of mentioned it in your above post, but that is more alarming to me personally. A guy who can't tackle or even slow up the play on the outside because he is being blocked out of the play every time is a liability. Dunta has been making tackles in the open field on RB's so far this year and getting through blocks, Grimes has been getting blocked out of plays. If you are going to criticize Dunta, criticize Grimes too. Also I will point out our defense has the cover 2 philosophy where you bend and don't break. Where you keep everything in front of you and prevent the big play. I still can't remember Dunta giving up the big play just yet. I think he is still learning the system, and is still getting a feel for that whole cushion thing. Growing pains should be expected coming to a new team and missing the preseason on top of that. Also while his hammy is probably fine he still may not be 100% confident in it yet and isn't playing at his full capable speed. These aren't excuses, just facts. Not saying the guy is playing flawless by any means, but he is still doing his job in a fine manner. As is Grimes, just wish you would call him out for his faults as you seem to do towards Dunta so quickly.

I spent 6 sentences covering the fact that Grimes struggles on screen passes to his side, so I really have no idea what you are talking about.

As for the "bend but don't break" comment, I do not think it is the design of the Falcons defense for the corner to surrender 12-14 yard curls on 3rd down. If so, somebody should tell Grimes that so he can start leaving his guy open on 3rd down.

[TAZZ77]

(10-04-2010 07:01 AM)Peyton Wrote:  I spent 4 entire sentences covering the fact that Grimes struggles on screen passes to his side, so I really have no idea what you are talking about.

As for the "bend but don't break" comment, I do not think it is the design of the Falcons defense for the corner to surrender 12-14 yard curls on 3rd down. If so, somebody should tell Grimes that so he can start leaving his guy open on 3rd down.

Agreed I mentioned in the chat that we hold them to 3rd and long only to give it up everytime. I was beyond frustrated with #23 and I have been outspoken against him so call me bias against him but he just gives to much of a cushion.

I understand he is more comfortable playing man to man thats his skill set. And I know the zone dictates to give them a cushion but man he is like 12 yards are better off the line pre snap thats crazy.

He plays physical but to me a CB who cant cover but can takle is the same as a WR who can block but cant catch they can help, but more often times than not are a liability.

[caver50]

The Ninners were way too successful on 3rd and long. Bad Memories. Yeah I know that the Ninners threw a lot of short passes, but the QB still had too much time to throw.

[falcon_bob]

Great write-up Peyton.

On a side note, it's nice to see the ol' optimistic Peyton start to emerge again! I still remember!