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TDW's Into the Bye Week Observations... - TheDirtyWord - 10-25-2010 04:19 PM
At 5-2, I don't think any of us can be displeased with where we stand in the NFC South and NFC overall. The Saints are looking like the 2008 version (they'll get it together, but it won't be enough to repeat) and noone else is really standing out as a force in the NFC. In short, IT'S OURS FOR THE TAKING!!!
1. Total sacks by D-Lineman not named John Abraham = 5.
I'm a big Biermann fan and he's a relentless player. But aside from his spectacular play in CLE, he hasn't become the strong side pass rushing force I thought he would in 2010. This is starting to feel like 2008 again where our pass rush was John Abraham. That year, our D-Line not named John Abraham had 14.5 sacks, so we're actually behind that pace. Now we only had 2 sacks from non-defensive lineman that year and this year, we are generating pressure from other areas (4 sacks from non D-Lineman). But Palmer for the most part had a nice cushy pocket and while I know I'd prefer constant pressure than sporadic pressure with sack totals, I felt like we got handled at the LOS when we could have been teeing off on Cincy.
Vance Walker was an absolute terror though and I hope that we get to see more of the type of play he exhibited. Could be that Jerry becomes our 3rd down DT or clear passing situation DT if Walker continues to play like he did yesterday.
2. Punt returns so far this season = 7.
Yes, as in one per game. DeCoud was given credit for one, but that was the one that bounced off his heel, so I'm not counting it. But this is a part of our play that absolutely needs to step up. We have the highest fair catch percentage in the NFL. When you couple that with the fact that we are 2nd to last in the NFL in giving up 15.8 yards/return, this is a field position battle we are losing. It hasn't hurt us yet, but this is a troubling trend that needs to fixed ASAP. Granted, we've forced 13 FC's ourselves which is 2nd best in the league...but this is an area/unit that hasn't come close to approaching the heights they reached in 2008. We need better production from this unit. I'm surprised we haven't thought about getting Harry Douglas back in there.
3. Michael Turner is on pace for 1667 YFS & 8 TD's
I came to this figure by only giving Turner credit for having played in 1/3rd of the ARI game. But Turner seems to be maligned more than he should. I admit, there are times when he looks a tad heavy-legged and he's not the quick twitch game-breaker I think we initially perceived him to be when he first arrived. But what he does is provide a significant physical presence that can wear down a defense and at the same time, produce chunks of yardage when them blocking is there. The Falcons seem to be making a concerted effort to reduce his load as he's on pace for only 331 carries this season which was about where he would have been last year had he not gotten hurt.
4. This team doesn't panic.
As we all sat in stunned silence as we realized the Bengals were wiping out a 21 point deficit once Pacman Jones reached the end zone, there was a palpable sense of WTF in the Dome. But simply put, this team doesn't panic and they simply gathered themselves an 8 play, 74 yard drive that was the picture of efficiency to retake the lead. And when Cedric Benson gifted the Falcons another turnover, it was time to assert the Falcons will with an 11 play, 5 minute drive that essentially iced the game. Like Mike Smith said, the 3rd quarter was a trick, not a treat, but for a team being led by a third year QB...no situation seems daunting or troublesome to them. Some days, the other team is simply going to be better but it won't affect the Falcons mood. They go about their business 100% of the time. That's a great character trait for a contender.
5. Besides Roddy...
It didn't take long for Jenkins to re-establish himself as the biggest waste of height this side of the Mississippi. While I don't doubt that the INT by Leon Hall was a very athletic play, Jenkins clearly hadn't created enough separation to feel like he could glide under that ball. Instead of helping his QB out by perhaps challenging fror that ball and at least preventing an INT, he didn't really do a thing. He is servicable...his presence on the field is more noticable than Harry Douglas's who is clearly struggling in his return from an ACL injury.
Here is what concerns me. Roddy currently accounts for 43.4% of the receiving yards on the Falcons. Comparing him to other top WR’s as a percentage of their passing offense…
Reggie Wayne – 31.4%
Brandon Lloyd – 33.1%
Santana Moss – 31.1%
Andre Johnson – 31.7% (he did miss one game).
The point though is that for awhile, White has seemingly skimmed the bottom layer of the best WR’s in football. Those days are gone. He is Top 3 consensus…if not better. Which means game plans specifically designed to take him away. He can’t always go for 200 yards and be making ridiculous catches. Someone is going to have to step up amongst the group of Gonzo, Jenks, Douglas or whomever and so far this year…none have shown the inclination. The most logical and likely is Jenkins. I’ve been and am a vocal critic of his, so this essentially amounts to a ‘cross your fingers and hope’ plea. But something tells me Roddy isn’t winding up at the 1700 yards he is on pace for. Someone will need to pick up the slack.
6. Wonder how many times Chris Owens woke up last night from a nightmare…
I guess that’s what $57M prevented. Tough assignment for a young kid, but Brent Grimes got treated like Darrelle Revis or Nnamdi Asomugha yesterday after he broke up the pass to T.O.
Get well soon Dunta.
Also, Will Moore young fella. Gotta see the game a little quicker on that blitz. You were one second, not a half second late on that hot route that turned into a 60-something yard TD. In between is a lousy place to be in the NFL. But I know you’re learning and I’ve seen some good things. Keep working.
7. The next 6 weeks...
TB
BAL
@STL
GB
@TB
@CAR
Contrary to what Raheem Morris said, I have yet to buy Buc stock. I sense a lot of smoke and mirrors there, but they have shown improvement. Still, when I look at these next 6 weeks, is anyone feeling like we can't pull out all 6? It's time to start thinking homefield advantage.
If the Giants lose tonite, that would make (6) 4-3 teams in the NFC and (2) 4-2 teams. As much as I would love to see the Falcons win on that Thursday night game, if we had to select a game to lose, that would be the one. Conference tie-breakers look like they will be crucial in determining playoff position and potential home field advantage.
Oh...and if the Giants lose tonite, that would make 1 5-2 team...
...So let's have a good week of rest and get right after it again next Monday!
RE: TDW's Into the Bye Week Observations... - phocis850 - 10-25-2010 04:52 PM
I just don't agree with you on Jenkins. His first game back was last week. He seemed to do a good job in that game.
No, he didn't show up very well against Cincy, but none of the receivers did except Roddy.
He's played 2 games this season, everyone else.... 7. I think you need to give him some time to warm up.
Look at Dunta the first 2 weeks.
RE: TDW's Into the Bye Week Observations... - Peyton - 10-25-2010 04:55 PM
Unbelievable stuff, as usual.
I've been the leader of the "Falcons are too dependent on Roddy White" train since preseason, and it is a concern. If the guy is going to put up 200 yards every game, it won't matter that they are too dependent on him.
Of course.........he' not going to put up 200 yards ever game. Even if he were better than Jerry Rice and had the greatest season of all time, that just doesn't happen.
The Falcons offense will be a lot more consistent if they get somebody to step up on that side of the field. It's probably not going to happent his year though, and we'll have to live with the offense being wonderful one week and just blah the next week. Hopefully we have a few more Cleveland/San Francisco style wins in us.
The defense has been staggered the last two weeks, and this bye week is coming at the perfect time. They need to get Dunta and Sean back on the field. The starting 11 are rock solid but this squad is not deep.
And you're right about the team not panicking. I've seen many a Falcon team that would have packed it in after that 3rd quarter that happened yesterday.
RE: TDW's Into the Bye Week Observations... - caver50 - 10-25-2010 05:22 PM
Excellent thread Dirtyword. The issue I have with Jenkins is, I don't think he knows how to use his height. He's gonna catch a few here and there, but I don't think we can depend on him to make the big catch, at least not too often. I still believe HD just needs time. I see a lot of tallent in him. The bye week could do wonders for our birds.
RE: TDW's Into the Bye Week Observations... - TheDirtyWord - 10-26-2010 10:33 AM
(10-25-2010 04:52 PM)phocis850 Wrote: I just don't agree with you on Jenkins. His first game back was last week. He seemed to do a good job in that game.
No, he didn't show up very well against Cincy, but none of the receivers did except Roddy.
He's played 2 games this season, everyone else.... 7. I think you need to give him some time to warm up.
Look at Dunta the first 2 weeks.
There are guys who go after the ball...and those who don't For a guy 6'5, with some of the physical skills he does have...he is so soft.
I can't claim to be a scout, but I know that my eyes are telling me that Jenkins is pretty much maxed out. He is servicable because he knows how to sit down in zones and read defenses to find open spaces. And his size makes him a visible target.
The issue is that we NEED him to really step up. He needs to be the guy that makes defenses pay for overloading on Roddy. Fact is Roddy made 3 catches on Sunday that I've never seen Jenkins come close to making. Sometimes you have to make difficult catches to move the chains and I see Jenks simply as a guy who if you put it on him in space, he can make the reception but does little else.
RE: TDW's Into the Bye Week Observations... - Peyton - 10-26-2010 10:45 AM
(10-26-2010 10:33 AM)TheDirtyWord Wrote: He is servicable because he knows how to sit down in zones and read defenses to find open spaces. And his size makes him a visible target.
That's the perfect word to describe Jenkins. The problem with having such an average number 2 wideout is that the Falcons don't have any depth behind him either.
RE: TDW's Into the Bye Week Observations... - TheDirtyWord - 10-26-2010 11:02 AM
(10-25-2010 05:22 PM)caver50 Wrote: Excellent thread Dirtyword. The issue I have with Jenkins is, I don't think he knows how to use his height. He's gonna catch a few here and there, but I don't think we can depend on him to make the big catch, at least not too often. I still believe HD just needs time. I see a lot of tallent in him. The bye week could do wonders for our birds.
I know alot was expected of HD, but to me he's just another guy trying to carve his niche into the NFL. He's had some curious drops thus far this season and quite frankly seemed to flash much more as a rookie. But even as a rookie, he wasn't all that productive.
I know for a WR, an ACL injury can take that extra year to feel fully comfortable with so I can understand if he's not quite back to the player who seemed to be on the rise prior to his injury. But he had an opportunity to make Jenkins expendable and did nothing with it. That's a concern.
RE: TDW's Into the Bye Week Observations... - JDaveG - 10-26-2010 12:11 PM
(10-25-2010 04:52 PM)phocis850 Wrote: I just don't agree with you on Jenkins. His first game back was last week. He seemed to do a good job in that game.
No, he didn't show up very well against Cincy, but none of the receivers did except Roddy.
He's played 2 games this season, everyone else.... 7. I think you need to give him some time to warm up.
Look at Dunta the first 2 weeks.
I agree. Jenkins has too many drops and what I call "spots" where he tips the ball in the air when he should have caught it, but he is faster than hell for his size and while he is not a jump ball specialist (which is what most folks want him to be given his height), he's a real threat for the home run ball. He's 2 games back in and Ryan has targeted him several times deep already. He brings a dimension to this offense that is SORELY lacking without him.
RE: TDW's Into the Bye Week Observations... - TheDirtyWord - 10-26-2010 12:37 PM
(10-26-2010 12:11 PM)JDaveG Wrote: I agree. Jenkins has too many drops and what I call "spots" where he tips the ball in the air when he should have caught it, but he is faster than hell for his size and while he is not a jump ball specialist (which is what most folks want him to be given his height), he's a real threat for the home run ball. He's 2 games back in and Ryan has targeted him several times deep already. He brings a dimension to this offense that is SORELY lacking without him.
Interesting that you brought up his deep threat ability because I believe another deficiency in Jenkins game is his inability to track the ball above his head, particularly the deep ball. If he can give himself and angle, he's better, but if he's running a complete vertical route, he's hopeless.
Ryan may have targeted him deep, but until Jenkins starts doing something with those targets, it doesn't make a difference. Fact is, Jenkins had but one reception over 30 yards in 2009. Malcom Floyd, a guy who Jenkins seemed to draw comparisons to had 5 above 45 last year.
There isn't one thing Jenkins does that Roddy doesn't do better which makes it hard for Jenks to specialize in any one aspect of his game and stand out.
RE: TDW's Into the Bye Week Observations... - Knight of God - 10-26-2010 12:40 PM
Jenkins doesn't fight for the ball Phocis. He blocks, but he makes it very hard to believe that we have a second WR out there. When you don't have a #2 wide-out you DO become dependent on your ONE good WR.