Week Two Review: Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons

The second week of the NFL season is in the books and the Atlanta Falcons won their second home game in as many weeks.

Those who felt the Carolina Panthers were a lay down after their dismal performance against the Philadelphia Eagles last week were in for a surprise. This was a game of two division rivals and neither backed down from the challenge.

That should be the theme of this article, to be honest: Challenges. This game featured every red flag that could be thrown. It started early in the first quarter when Panthers coach John Fox let fly the first of many challenge flags by both teams.

On 3rd-and-7 from the Carolina 48 yard line, quarterback Matt Ryan connected on a nine yard pass to Roddy White for what seemed to be a first down.

Or did he?

Coach John Fox tossed the red flag and had officials review the play, insisting that White never had possession of the ball.

After review, the officials felt White lost possession going to the ground making it an incomplete pass and fourth down. Now, in the old days of uncomplicated Football (you know, a couple of years ago) this would have been ruled a catch and maybe a fumble. It all depends on perception of if the ground caused the fumble.

White clearly caught the pass, took two steps forward, and dropped down to avoid a brutal hit from Panthers linebacker Thomas Davis. It appeared once White caught the ball he made what officials now deem as a “football move” but I digress. It wouldn’t be the only head scratching call in this game, merely the first.

Midway through the second quarter with Carolina up 10-7, the Falcons found themselves in another 3rd-and-7 situation inside the Carolina 20 yard line. Quarterback Matt Ryan dropped back and under-threw a wide open Tony Gonzalez.

Gonzalez had to make a remarkable adjustment, scooping the ball just inches from the ground to keep the drive alive. The officials called it in an incomplete pass and Falcons coach Mike Smith tossed his first challenge flag of the day.

After reviewing that play, video clearly shows Gonzalez never allowed the ball to touch the ground. Once again, the play had to be overturned and the Falcons would later score a touchdown on a screen pass to backup running back Jason Snelling.

In the third quarter, the Panthers took possession and began driving from inside their own 20 yard line. On 2nd-and-7, quarterback Jake Delhomme dropped back and found tight end Jeff King nine yards down-field for a first down.

The official that stood a mere five yards away gave the signal of a completed catch. Coach Mike Smith tossed his second challenge of the day and upon review it shows the ball hit the ground and was overturned.

That’s three quarters, three challenges, and three overturned plays. Are we sensing the trend here?

In the fourth quarter, with the Panthers down 28 to 13, they moved the ball into the Falcons’ red zone and found themselves in a 3rd-and-10 situation.

Jake Delhomme dropped back and in the face of pressure found tight end Donte Rosario up the middle; he made a leaping catch and came down only to fumble the ball trying to stretch it into the end zone. It was ruled a touchdown but Falcons coach Mike Smith had his third challenge flag ready.

As the FOX camera crew showed from many different angles, it became quite clear that Rosario never truly secured the ball. From the moment he caught it until the moment he fumbled it. The ball never stopped rotating in his hands.

After review, the official stated, and I quote, “The receiver completed the catch, performed a second act, reaching for the goal line…*pause*…penetrated the goal line. Result of the play is a touchdown.”

I’ve seen this same catch made at least five times in the past two weeks and each game it’s called differently. The NFL has really made the game far more complicated that it should be these days.

 

Throwback Week

The Atlanta Falcons wore the jerseys from the 1966 expansion season on Sunday. Personally, I think the red helmets look great. Somehow, the Falcons need to bring those back more often.

I’m sure all the UGA fans out there would agree. The Falcons have always had one of the top looking uniforms/logos in the NFL. I wonder why they ever got away from the red helmet look?

 

Stat of the Week

Quarterback Matt Ryan only threw two passes in the second half of the game. He went 0-2 in those tosses. Prior to that, he was 21-25 for 220 yards and 3 TD’s. He did throw an INT on a very poor decision and had two throw aways in that time. That’s pretty impressive for a second year player against an aggressive defense.

 

He Did it Again

For the second week in a row, Mike Peterson caused two fumbles. This time however, only one counted. On the first drive of the game, DeAngelo Williams took a screen pass and Peterson came in hard and blew the play up.

Coach Mike Smith reached for the challenge flag but decided against it when he realized Williams was juggling the catch when he was hit.

 

Special Teams Are on Fire

No one can accuse the Atlanta Falcons’ special teams unit of not producing. When news of the Harry Douglas injury was announced, the biggest concern was the return game. Douglas, who had never returned a punt before last season, won the job due to the lack of viable options.

Backup wide receiver Eric Weems has been thrust into the role and runs without abandon. After the phantom injury to Jerious Norwood, Weems took over the kickoff duty and busted loose for 41 yards.

The special teams also dug in their heels and blocked the only punt Carolina attempted in the game. Cornerback Brian Williams shot through the line and got his hand on the ball that then bounced into the arms of Mike Peterson.

 

The Nasty Boys at it Again

For the second week in a row, OG Harvey Dahl was called for a personal foul. I love his tenacity but we must play smarter.

Overall the offensive line never allowed Matt Ryan to be touched.

The Carolina defense does lack a solid defensive tackle but even All-Pro Julius Peppers was unable to get past Sam Baker to dirty Ryan’s jersey. This could be one of the most underrated units in the NFL today.

 

Hit of the Day

There were several good ones of note, but only one stands out. It stands out because I’m amazed the victim of this hit survived.

On the Falcons’ first possession, tight end Tony Gonzalez caught a Matt Ryan pass and headed upfield. Four Panther players converged on him and he wisely slid to the ground.

That was bad news for defensive back Richard Marshall: Marshall was hit simultaneously by linebackers Jon Beason and Thomas Davis. It’s amazing he didn’t lose consciousness. Minutes later, he intercepted Matt Ryan to stop a scoring drive.

 

Notable Statistics

• Mike Peterson has forced fumbles in each of the first two games. It’s hard to argue that Peterson is a drastic upgrade over 11 year Falcon Keith Brooking.
• Running back Michael Turner eclipsed the 100 yard rushing mark for the first time this season and scored his first touchdown of the year.
• Both Mike Peterson and Curtis Lofton were top three in tackles for the second week in a row. The linebackers are doing their jobs this season.
• Running back Jerious Norwood left the game with an injury for the second week in a row. Last week it was leg/ankle related, this week it was head related. He’s one of the most explosive players in the game but cannot avoid being injured.
• Tight end Tony Gonzalez has caught TD passes in back to back weeks now. It’s hard to say whether Gonzalez or Peterson was the biggest offseason move at this point. Both have improved the team as a whole dramatically.
• Falcons coach Mike Smith went for it on fourth down twice on Sunday. Both times were successful.
• The Falcons had drives of 13 and 15 plays. The 13 play drive ended with the Turner fumble and the 15 play drive chewed up over seven minutes and ended with a Jason Snelling touchdown.

 

Oops I did it Again…

In the first quarter, linebacker Curtis Lofton had an underhand toss from Jake Delhomme hit him in the hands. That’s two weeks in a row that Lofton has dropped a sure interception. Expect the coaching staff to put him on wide receiver drills in the coming weeks.

In the third quarter the Falcons were driving in the Panthers’ red zone when Michael Turner was hit by linebacker Charles Godfrey and coughed up a fumble. That ball was recovered at the Carolina eight yard line. He later made up for it with a one yard TD run in the third quarter.

 

Even in Victory There Are Casualties

The Falcons’ 2009 first round pick Peria Jerry was injured and did not return. It was later determined he would be placed on injured reserve, ending his promising rookie season. You could tell a drop in productivity of the line with him absent. The Falcons will need to activate reserve tackles Trey Lewis and Vance Walker to step into the role now.

 

Question of the Day

What happened to the no-huddle offense? Matt Ryan may be the best QB in the NFL currently at running that offense and the Falcons never once utilized it. This is something that should be utilized during every home game. On the road, the crowd noise can cause confusion but at home I’m unsure why it was never used.

Well, a win is a win and no sense in questioning the wisdom of Mike Smith after starting the season 2-0. The Falcons have a real test coming up Sunday at Foxboro stadium against the Patriots.

GM Thomas Dimitroff will be returning for the first time since joining the Atlanta Falcons from the New England staff. It should prove to be a hard fought game. Pregame report on that soon to come…

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Week 1 Review: Miami Dolphins at Atlanta Falcons

The smoke has cleared, the lines were drawn and the Atlanta Falcons came out victorious. After receiving much critique in the preseason the Falcons defense stepped it up and had a perfomance to remember.

The first Falcons 2009 Free Agent aquisition, Mike Peterson, put his stamp on a defense that hasn’t had a true WLB (Weakside Linebacker) since Cornelius Bennett. He had a key forced fumble on TE Anthony Fasano in the 2nd quarter that halted a Miami drive that was moving into Falcons territory.

He followed that by reading QB Chad Pennington and picking off a pass in stride which ultimately led to an Atlanta touchdown. In total, he posted 2 forced fumbles (Lofton was given one of them), 1 INT and 7 tackles. He should be up for Defensive Player of the Week after that performance.

“I was just playing my responsibility,” Peterson said of the forced fumble play. “Coaches draw it up and expect us to make the play and that was what I was able to do.”

Welcome words to a team that needed that extra spark from the defensive unit. But the story doesn’t end there. After a field goal miss by kicker Jason Elam on the first drive of the day, the defense took the field and immediately set the tone.

After linebackers Curtis Lofton and Stephen Nicholas forced a 3rd and 5 on Miami 37 yard line, 2nd year defensive end Kroy Biermann led the charge. Biermann came around Penningtons blind side and forced a fumble recovered by DT Jonathan Babineaux.

“I wanted to fly around, make some plays, I wanted to help the team win.” said Biermann after the game. “I felt like I did an okay job out there today.”  

You had a great game kid. Keep it up.

INTERESTING STAT

For the first time in ages, the Falcons linebackers led the team in tackles. Lofton (11), Peterson (7) and Nicholas (7). In contrast, the Dolphins secondary led their team in tackles.

WHAT ABOUT THE OFFENSE

The Miami Dolphins stacked the line of scrimmage to stop running back Michael Turner. Their game plan was obvious. So, the Falcons had to rely on the arm of quarterback Matt Ryan.

Ryan came out flat. I’m not sure if it was a little rust or perhaps the flu bug he had earlier in the week, but he was just not looking his typical form. By the 2nd quarter he appeared to shake off the jitters and connected on 4 passes of 10 yards or longer in route to a TD pass to Ovie Mughelli. One was a fingertip grab by Tony Gonzalez that left everyone scratching their heads as to how he does it.

It wasn’t until the end of the 3rd quarter that Matt Ryan found his new favorite toy Tony Gonzalez for their first TD of many to come. Following a Mike Peterson interception returned to the Miami 20 yard line, Ryan audibled and found Gonzalez in the flat.

“I saw it coming, and Matt saw it coming because he yelled `Cover Zero.” Gonzalez said of the touchdown.  “I just broke it outside like I’m supposed to.'”

Humble words from a 33-year-old man that juked cornerback Will Allen for a 20 yard score. He was the Falcons leading receiver with 73 yards and that hard earned touchdown. Expect this ‘bromance’ to continue as the weeks go by.

GOAT OF THE WEEK

Dolphins 2nd year standout OT Jake Long was abused all day. Not only by All-Pro defensive end John Abraham (2 sacks) but 2nd year Montana native Kroy Biermann (2 sacks). On one play Abraham timed the snap count perfect and ran completely over Long. All Long could do was grab the jersey of Abraham as he ran over him but it wasn’t enough. The sack was made and the holding call was declined.

“I just kind of got into him good,” Abraham said. “I was able to hit him right in the middle, where we really want to hit people. I didn’t know I was going to hit him like that but it ended up looking good on tape.”

Indeed it did John. I have re-watched it many times now.

HIT OF THE WEEK

As beautiful as Abrahams sack was on Sunday the real hit of the game came courtesy of veteran DT Jonathan Babineaux. No disrespect to Mike Petersons fierce hit on Anthony Fasano to cause the fumble but on the 2nd play of the 3rd quarter RB Lousaka (Louis) Polite wasn’t treated politely. Babineaux came in unblocked and hit him for a 4 yard loss with a hit that echoed throughout the Georgia Dome. It set the tone for a dominating second half by the Falcons.

THE GOOD

Mike Peterson and the entire Falcons defense. Anytime your linebackers lead the team in tackles they are doing their jobs.

Tony Gonzalez debut in red and black. He led the team in catches and scored his first TD as a Falcon.

Eric Weems started the OTAs on the bubble with so much talent in the Falcons receiving corps. After the injury to Harry Douglas he stepped up his game and is now a solid starter at the return position. He had a couple of nice returns Sunday.

THE BAD

The Falcons running game. Michael Turner actually got free a couple of times in the 4th quarter, but overall he was shut down by the Dolphins 8 and 9 man fronts.

Matt Ryan had some real issues making accurate throws downfield. The short to intermediate stuff wasn’t bad but on the rare occasions that he went downfield he either overthrew the ball (he missed a wide open Norwood in the end zone) or underthrew it (missed a wide open White who beat double coverage).

THE UGLY

Right Guard Justin Blalock. He was abused by No. 97 Phillip Merling. Overall the offensive line has been dominant but Miami exposed the gap between center Todd McClure and guard Juston Blalock. I see a lot of film time for the left side of the Falcons offensive line. That does include 2nd year player Sam Baker. He held up pretty well in pass protection but could not manage to open holes for the running game.

NEXT OPPONENT

The Carolina Panthers will be coming to the Dome this Sunday. Look for my Pre-Game writeup coming soon!

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Week One: Miami Dolphins at Atlanta Falcons

The time has finally come! Football season begins!

If we rewind one year ago to the start of the 2008 season, a game between the Falcons and Dolphins wouldn’t even be interesting.

The Falcons were coming off a terrible season with a new GM, new head coach and a starting quarterback that many felt would take three or four years to develop. They finished 4-12 simply by the grace of Seattle resting their starters in the final game of the 2007 season. The lone bright spot was wide receiver Roddy White and the play of 3rd string quarterback Chris Redman.

Miami on the other hand had a new GM, new head coach and a veteran quarterback that few thought would ever become a real NFL signal caller. They went out and picked up free agent Joey Porter while many of the Dolphins veterans were given pink slips.

If you had to select a Cinderella story for the AFC and NFC in 2008, look no further than Sunday’s match up. Both organizations made strides to becoming a force in their respective conferences last season.

For the Falcons, they are no longer overlooked thanks to the play of 2008 NFL MVP runner-up Michael Turner. Make no mistake as to why Matt Ryan had the amazing rookie campaign he celebrated last season. The Falcons ride on the wheels of “The Burner”  Turner. The additions of Tony Gonzalez and Mike Peterson really amplified the message of “Follow the Process” coach Mike Smith preaches regularly. The process is simple. Improve your team every time a chance presents itself. The Falcons secondary was torched in the preseason and within one week GM Thomas Dimitroff traded a 7th round pick for Tye Hill, a former 2006 first round pick. Immediately following that up with Brian Williams, a Mike Smith protege from Jacksonville. Follow the process…

The Dolphins are coming off an eye-opening season. They proved that Chad Pennington is a legitimate Quarterback and they completely dismantled the New England Patriots with the formation simply referred to as “The Wildcat.” We will discuss that further in the article. They reached out to veteran defensive end Jason Taylor and brought him back into the fold to go with standout linebacker Joey Porter. They upgraded their secondary in the draft with the selection of Sean Smith who has been impressive to say the least. The offensive line isn’t playing as well as expected in the preseason but the whistle counts on Sunday.

WHAT THEY HAVE IN COMMON

• If you listen to prognosticators you would get the idea the concensus feeling is both teams can be better this season and still win less games.
• Both teams are built very similar. Run the ball and stop the run.
• This is the second season for GMs Thomas Dimitroff and Bill Parcells. It’s also the second season for heach coaches Mike Smith and Tony Sporano. Both come into the season 11-5 at their respective postions.
• Both franchises courted now GM Bill Parcells in 2008. Parcells used his leverage with Arthur Blank to solidify his position in Miami.

WHAT TO EXPECT SUNDAY

• A lot of fighting. When you put Falcons offensive guard Harvey Dahl on the field at the same time as Dolphins linebacker Joey Porter, expect chaos. Tyson Clabo versus Jason Taylor should be fun to watch.
• The wildcat offense. Both teams utilize this formation with running backs Ronnie Brown and Jerious Norwood. Of the 32 NFL teams none can contest these two teams are the most effective with it to date.

But lets break down the “Wildcat” offense, shall we? It was touted as some new alien formation that was invented last season. Ask any Falcons fan if they remember seeing a running back taking snaps instead of the quarterback. The first response they will have is, “That Carolina game.”

It was Christmas Eve in 2006. The Birds started the season 6-2 and showed they were prepared to break that back to back losing seasons streak. In 41 years, they had never won back to back. This was the year. It all mounted on a victory against the Panthers, at home, against Chris Weinke! Merry Christmas Weinke, you won your first game in 5 years.

But it wasn’t Weinke. It was running backs Deshaun Foster and rookie DeAngelo Williams. Chris Weinke was on the field 10 times total the entire game. They torched the Falcons for 183 yards on the ground snapping to Foster who either ran it or handed off to Williams. That said, the Falcons defense did not give up a run longer than 11 yards and held the Panthers to a 3.5 rushing average. Still, it was torture. Arthur Blank has seen that offense and you can bet he’s nervous. The good news for Falcons fans is coach Mike Smith is not.

On Sirius NFL radio with Bob Papa and Randy Cross Tuesday morning they asked him how he planned to defend it.

“Right now defensive coordinators must game plan for that offense. They can run the option, the wishbone or the single wing. This creates space issues that must be accounted for by the play calling.”

“I think there is a much better chance of seeing it from the Dolphins than the Colts. It’s mainly a diversion from the real defense that you want to prepare for going into the game. You must account for it.”

WHAT TO WATCH FOR SUNDAY

• A lot of big plays. Both teams have playmakers that can take the ball the distance. Stopping the run will be key for the winning team.
• Matt Ryan may become a top 5 quarterback someday. That said, his first obstacle will be a very aggressive Miami defense.
• Miami has had issues on the offensive line and the Falcons have had issues on the defensive line.

WHO TO WATCH

• Michael Turner – Turner looked downright beastly in the pre-season. It seems no matter who engages him, they lose. Ask Shawn Merriman about that.
• Tony Gonzalez – In his first game as a Falcon, he gets the honor of blocking down on both Joey Porter and Jason Taylor. That said, they get the honor of covering him.
• Joey Porter – You think he’s fired up? Imagine Porter and Turner one on one. That will be a collision head round the NFL.
• Chad Pennington – The Falcons defense has shown improvement against the run at the expense of the pass. Pennington could have a great day if they can resist using the wild cat too often.

THE FINAL VERDICT

This is a very difficult game to predict. Both franchises are well run from top to bottom. There are two things that typically trump split odds. The team with the better quarterback and the team playing at home. I feel safe in selecting the Falcons with those two things in mind.

Falcons 27

Miami 17

Field position and turnovers will make the difference. The Falcons have the best punt team in the business and Matt Ryan protects the ball. In close games, the teams with the best 2 minute offense carry the advantage. Atlanta wins at home.

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