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Week 2 Matchup: ATL vs ARZ | Per: Sporting News/Ledbetter - JKH5785 - 09-14-2010 07:05 PM
Week 2 matchup: Arizona Cardinals vs. Atlanta Falcons
PUBLISHED 34 minutes and 23 seconds ago
LAST UPDATED 18 minutes and 23 seconds ago
D. Orlando Ledbetter
Sporting News
Three story lines
Where's the endzone? The Falcons offense sputtered in the opener, and the first-team scored only one touchdown in the preseason. Against the Steelers, they had to settle for four field goal attempts. They are hoping to come up with more big-plays to perk up the attack.
One-man show: Arizona safety Adrian Wilson sets the tone for the Cardinals defense. He was all over the field in the 17-13 victory over St. Louis. He blocked a field goal, had a sack and intercepted two passes, including the game-clincher. He became the first player since Julius Peppers in 2004 to get a sack, interception and blocked field goal in the same game.
Igniting the Burner: Much was made of Michael Turner's offseason preparation, but he was held to 42 yards on 19 carries in the opener. There didn't appear to be much room to run as the offensive line struggled to block Pittsburgh's 3-4 defensive front. QB Matt Ryan doesn't appear ready to win games solely by passing the ball and needs Atlanta's running attack to be effective.
Three key Falcons
CB Dunta Robinson: He was signed for games like this. When the Falcons have faced top flight receivers over the last few seasons they have had to be creative in their coverage packages. Robinson will likely get some help with Larry Fitzgerald, but will be expected to hold his own for most of the day. He played well in his Falcons debut against Pittsburgh but wasn't tested much by Dennis Dixon.
QB Matt Ryan: He was efficient in taking what the Steelers gave him last week, completing 27-of-44 passes for 252 yards and tossing one crucial interception. But he needs to throw more vertical routes in order to keep defenses from creeping up to maul the run. The Falcons didn't attempt a single throw up the seam last week, in part because of safety Troy Polamalu. Ryan will see another very good safety this week in Wilson.
WR Henry Douglas: With Roddy White getting a lot of attention after being targeted on 23 passes last week, Douglas, who's coming back from a knee surgery, should see some single coverage. Against the Steelers, he caught all three of the passes that came his way, including a 23-yarder, the team's longest play from scrimmage.
Three key Cardinals
WR Larry Fitzgerald: Fitzgerald caught a 21-yard touchdown pass late in the fourth quarter to help the Cardinals defeat the Rams. He was held in check most of the day and had only three receptions for 43 yards as he continues to develop a relationship with new quarterback Derek Anderson and battle back from a knee strain.
QB Derek Anderson: Anderson was under relentless pressure in the opener, but hung tough in the pocket. He completed 22-of-41 passes for 297 yards in his debut as Kurt Warner's replacement. He has a reputation for having a strong arm, albeit with accuracy issues. If he can get his passes under control and in the general direction of Fitzgerald, he could end up reviving his once stalled career.
RB Tim Hightower: He has to secure the football. He's starting to develop a reputation as a fumbler, as he put two on the ground against the Rams. Hightower had a heart-to-heart talk with head coach Ken Whisenhunt on the plane ride home. Beanie Wells, who did not play last week because of a bruised right knee, is expected to return to practice this week.
Bottom line
The Cardinals are breaking in a new quarterback and getting him used to his top-flight receiver in Fitzgerald. Anderson had 19 incompletions against St. Louis, 12 of which were on passes thrown to Fitzgerald. They clearly still have some work to do in coordinating their passing attack. He was 19-of-26 (73 percent) on his other passes. Anderson practiced mostly with the second team during the preseason, and Fitzgerald's sprained knee ligaments slowed his progress. Meanwhile, the Falcons offense should be able to get untracked at the Georgia Dome, and the revamped defense played well in Pittsburgh. Falcons 21, Cardinals 17.
Article
RE: Week 2 Matchup: ATL vs ARZ | Per: Sporting News/Ledbetter - USAF HART - 09-14-2010 07:20 PM
QB Matt Ryan doesn't appear ready to win games solely by passing the ball and needs Atlanta's running attack to be effective.
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Three things need to happen here for this to be effective:
1.) Ryan needs to use his check down options better, and stop focusing so much on one receiver
2.) Mularkey needs to at least TRY and go deep a few times to keep the defense honest
3.) Ryan needs to improve on his accuracy, while the receivers need to not drop so many passes
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WR Henry Douglas: With Roddy White getting a lot of attention after being targeted on 23 passes last week, Douglas, who's coming back from a knee surgery, should see some single coverage. Against the Steelers, he caught all three of the passes that came his way, including a 23-yarder, the team's longest play from scrimmage.
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HENRY!?! ARE YOU SERIOUS!?! D-Led, you are our sports beat writer and you don't even know your own players names! What is wrong with you? I agree that HARRY should see more passes thrown his way. When you show you can catch the ball, you give your quarterback confidence in knowing that you will be there waiting to pull in his next pass.
RE: Week 2 Matchup: ATL vs ARZ | Per: Sporting News/Ledbetter - NZFalcon - 09-14-2010 07:26 PM
(09-14-2010 07:20 PM)USAF HART Wrote: HENRY!?! ARE YOU SERIOUS!?! D-Led, you are our sports beat writer and you don't even know your own players names! What is wrong with you? I agree that HARRY should see more passes thrown his way. When you show you can catch the ball, you give your quarterback confidence in knowing that you will be there waiting to pull in his next pass.
I got a good chuckle out of it but seriously thats embarrassing for being our teams writer
RE: Week 2 Matchup: ATL vs ARZ | Per: Sporting News/Ledbetter - Gritz - 09-14-2010 07:27 PM
Damn, please tell me that's a typo. I have defended DLed against the onslaught he normally gets on AFMB......but shit, if you don't know that it's Harry Douglas....
You're on your own DLed.
I think there will be a little more distance between us and the Cards.
31-17 Falcons....offense gets on track.
RE: Week 2 Matchup: ATL vs ARZ | Per: Sporting News/Ledbetter - JKH5785 - 09-14-2010 07:33 PM
This is the thing about that comeback they ran all game against the Steelers...
never once did they just streak the route, not once, it was a comeback everytime.
For a comeback to be truly successful, you have to seem like your a threat to go deep so the
DB will try and get ahead of you to make a play on the ball, then you plant and comeback and DB is shooting overtop.
When you don't at least mix the play up so that the DB is put in this position ^ , your not running the comeback too successfully.
RE: Week 2 Matchup: ATL vs ARZ | Per: Sporting News/Ledbetter - ChrisD - 09-14-2010 08:33 PM
(09-14-2010 07:27 PM)Gritblitzer Wrote: Damn, please tell me that's a typo. I have defended DLed against the onslaught he normally gets on AFMB......but shit, if you don't know that it's Harry Douglas....
You're on your own DLed.
I think there will be a little more distance between us and the Cards.
31-17 Falcons....offense gets on track.
I like that prediction. I'm thinking our defense will show to be even more stout without having to have someone spying the quarterback majority of the time. Should be a good game. Should tell us the real story on our running game and Michael Turner.
RE: Week 2 Matchup: ATL vs ARZ | Per: Sporting News/Ledbetter - Dale4Saul2Red0 - 09-14-2010 08:35 PM
If defense performs like they did last week no reason why we shouldn't feel very comfortable about the outcome of this football game heading into the 4th quarter.
RE: Week 2 Matchup: ATL vs ARZ | Per: Sporting News/Ledbetter - JKH5785 - 09-14-2010 08:39 PM
only thing that really worries me about the defense....
we had an advantage over their 3rd string QB and several 3rd downs were not converted because of bad throws on Dixon's part. I'm interested in seeing them against a more experienced passer. I think our first game against Nola will really be measuring stick for us.
RE: Week 2 Matchup: ATL vs ARZ | Per: Sporting News/Ledbetter - trickworm - 09-14-2010 09:08 PM
The one thing the falcons should have going for them is...the revenge factor. Many of these kids remember the azz whoopin they took at the hands of the cards in the playoffs...and if they have any balls about themselves...they'll act accordingly.
Personally...I usually don't put a whole lot into one game..but this game will be a huge "tell" for me. If they come out dead with no passion...I won't know what to think.
RE: Week 2 Matchup: ATL vs ARZ | Per: Sporting News/Ledbetter - JKH5785 - 09-14-2010 09:09 PM
If they come out dead, we'll know straight away their not thinking about 2008 playoffs...