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Pro Football Focus Wk2 Re-Focused - aussiefalconfan - 09-21-2010 05:26 PM
Re-Focused: Week 2, Cardinals at Falcons
So without Kurt Warner we knew the Cardinals would take a step back. But did anyone see them being that bad?
The Falcons never really looked troubled by either an impotent Cardinals offense or a bland Arizona defense that failed to ask any questions of a unit that had struggled so mightily in week 1. They face a much sterner test in the New Orleans Saints in week 3, but if they were low on confidence after an overtime loss this would have gone some way to restoring it.
CARDINALS
It all starts at the quarterback position when you’re addressing the Cardinals problems. Derek Anderson was poor (-1.9) on so many levels it’s hard to know where to start. He completed only one ball where he threw the ball longer than 10 yards, couldn’t handle the blitz (-2.0 rating) and struggled with accuracy all day long. Larry Fitzgerald looked healthier (+1.7) but it’s a shame that such a talented player looks like being subjected to erratic quarterback displays. Max Hall threw a pick but you have to think the Cards are in rebuild mode now, and Derek Anderson is not a guy you want to build around.
Anderson had problems with his offensive line all game, where outside of Lyle Sendlein (perfect day in pass protection) they were completely outmatched. Levi Brown (-9.7) was the biggest culprit, being responsible for a sack and a terrible 8 pressures. Next to him Alan Faneca was obliterated time and time again by Jonathan Babineaux (1 sack, 1 hit and 4 pressures) in a collective display that showed you why Kurt Warner made the right choice to retire before this unit endangered his health on a permanent basis.
The defense was just as bad for the Cardinals. No pressure, too many penalties and their much praised secondary made to look sub standard. The most disappointing display was that of Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (-3.8). Tasked with matching up on Roddy White for most of the game, Matt Ryan showed no fear going after him in completing 7 balls on him for 81 yards and a touchdown. DRC did make some plays (3 pass deflections) but the touchdown, 2 costly pass interference penalties (one on third down and one in the endzone) and 2 missed tackles characterized a poor game by anyone’s standards.
FALCONS
After the mauling their offense took at the hands of the Steelers, they found their feet early and never looked back against the Cardinals. Tormentor in chief was the excellent Jason Snelling (+3.4 overall) who took over from the almost as excellent Michael Turner (+1.8 rushing) when he went down with a groin injury. Snelling didn’t allow a pressure when left into pass block, picked up 62 yards after the catch and 72 yards after contact in a performance that is starting to create a running back controversy among Falcon fans. As he did at the end of 2009, Snelling certainly looks like he can handle the load.
Outside of one play, the Falcons defense had the kind of day you go to bed thinking of. Much of this was inspired by the return of the excellent Jonathan Babineaux. Not in for the touchdown play, Babineaux picked up a sack, a hit and 2 pressures as he feasted on ‘Pro Bowl’ guard Alan Faneca. He set the tone with a couple of jarring hits on Derek Anderson, and never let him develop the confidence to step up in the pocket. Jonathan Babineaux versus Carl Nicks next week could be one of the best match ups of talent on talent that nobody talks about.
When the Falcons gave Dunta Robinson so much money some scoffed after the year that Robinson had with the Texans. Well the Falcons starting right cornerback is starting to show the skills pre injury that made him one of the leagues’ most highly thought of cornerbacks, with a brilliant game against the Cardinals (+3.8). Now it was against Derek Anderson (which is a big disclaimer) but the 4 times that Arizona threw at Robinson resulted in 2 completions, 2 pass deflections and just 7 yards of offense. Throw in a couple of bone jarring hits and you have a very good day indeed.
ROOKIE WATCH
Max Hall threw underthrew a ball on his second NFL pass attempt, an ominous start … First round pick Dan Williams rotated in at nose tackle and at least fared better (-0.2 versus -1.2) than Bryan Robinson in run defense … Daryl Washington made a lot of tackles 11 without missing one and outperformed Paris Lenon … The rookie receivers struggled. Stephen Williams (-1.9) tipped one overthrown ball into William Moore’s arms and dropped a pass that should have also gone to Moore while Max Komar was bested by Dunta Robinson the only time the ball was thrown to him … Jim Dray gave up a hit on his only attempt at pass blocking
For Atlanta Corey Peters (+1.3) started and picked up 2 quarterback pressures and held his own in run defense … Sean Weatherspoon (+0.9) was a lot better attacking the quarterback (1 sack and 2 pressures) than being attacked (5 completions allowed on 5 throws) … With the game over Domonique Franks, Shaun Schillinger and Michael Palmer saw a little action, with Franks picking up an interception on only his second career play
RANDOM NOTE
The Arizona defense had almost twice as many penalties (9) as quarterback pressures (5). We may never see numbers like that again.
Every player on the Falcons offensive line graded out positively, even Sam Baker who gave up 3 penalties. Baker limited Joey Porter to just one pressure in the entire game as Matt Ryan was given an easy time of things.
RE: Pro Football Focus Wk2 Re-Focused - Goal Line D - 09-21-2010 05:39 PM
Don't agree that there is a RB controversy brewing but besides that all in all a good read.
RE: Pro Football Focus Wk2 Re-Focused - Beef - 09-21-2010 05:41 PM
"Every player on the Falcons offensive line graded out positively, even Sam Baker who gave up 3 penalties. Baker limited Joey Porter to just one pressure in the entire game as Matt Ryan was given an easy time of things."
And they helped Snelling have a career day as well. Our OLine is just fine.
RE: Pro Football Focus Wk2 Re-Focused - DaMeatTrough - 09-21-2010 05:42 PM
Hey good read! Did you pay for the membership? I saw a few months ago they started charging.
RE: Pro Football Focus Wk2 Re-Focused - TomBradyMVP12 - 09-21-2010 05:44 PM
(09-21-2010 05:41 PM)Beef Wrote: "Every player on the Falcons offensive line graded out positively, even Sam Baker who gave up 3 penalties. Baker limited Joey Porter to just one pressure in the entire game as Matt Ryan was given an easy time of things."
And they helped Snelling have a career day as well. Our OLine is just fine.
Let's hope so but I remember last year at one point we didn't give up a sack in four straight games but the Dallas game came and we completely sucked from then on, let's hope history doesn't repeat itself.
RE: Pro Football Focus Wk2 Re-Focused - wordtobigbird - 09-21-2010 05:51 PM
Thing that jumped out: Babs wasn't in for the touchdown run.
Someone clone that man.
RE: Pro Football Focus Wk2 Re-Focused - Sporkdevil - 09-21-2010 06:04 PM
(09-21-2010 05:42 PM)DaMeatTrough Wrote: Hey good read! Did you pay for the membership? I saw a few months ago they started charging.
They don't charge for their articles, but charge for their statistics and comparisons.
RE: Pro Football Focus Wk2 Re-Focused - aussiefalconfan - 09-21-2010 06:12 PM
(09-21-2010 05:42 PM)DaMeatTrough Wrote: Hey good read! Did you pay for the membership? I saw a few months ago they started charging.
Hey yeah i got the membership to get the statistics and comparisons. If you ever want to know a particular player rating just let me know. Only prob is i live in Australia and its early morning and time for me to go to work.
RE: Pro Football Focus Wk2 Re-Focused - Radical - 09-21-2010 06:17 PM
Yeah, they started charging for their stats. Something ridiculous, like around 100+ bones. Fuck that.
Who in the world thinks there is a RB controversy?
(09-21-2010 06:12 PM)aussiefalconfan Wrote: Hey yeah i got the membership to get the statistics and comparisons. If you ever want to know a particular player rating just let me know. Only prob is i live in Australia and its early morning and time for me to go to work.
Yeesh, with the amount of requests I could put in for you, you might as well just let me log into your account. (And I expect that to happen around February 30th...)
