October 8, 2019
Article by Allison Smith
Photos by Atlanta Falcons
Falcons Bring Dull Knives to Shoot Out in Houston.Observations and stats from week 5.
Another week of “good” and “tough” practice. Team really “focusing within.” And the same, al biet worse result.
After both teams had 3 and Outs, the Falcons drove the field and scored. One thought, “This is the fast start we have been waiting for. We have turned it around.” Instead, the Texans immediately go down the field for a score too. By the end of the first half, it was looking like a good ole shoot out in the Lone Star State, the Falcons took the 17/16 lead with 22 seconds left in the half.
The second half was a completely different story. The Falcons were outscored 17/0 in the THIRD QUARTER, gave up 37 in the second half. The defense gave up 47 points with the elusive DeshaunWatson only scrambling 4 times for 47 yards, one was 30, so he was safe in the pocket most of the day. The Texans had a combined 20 points in their last 2 home games….Deshaun was sacked 18 times. Sunday, Deshaun had 5 incomplete passes, and 5 touchdowns and was never sacked and had one quarterback hit by the Falcons.
Changing the defense to fit the Dan Quinn newly created model, is NOT working. They cannot stop the run, let the pass have massive chunks of yards, then the players cannot tackle. They are never hitting the receivers at the line, knocking them off their spot, and the ends are not covering well.
The Falcons played man coverage most of the 2ndhalf so there was no real pressure on Watson, and you can NOT let that happen with Deshaun and weapons like De’Andre Hopkins and Will Fuller. The Texans were 10 of 13 on 3rd downs. The Falcons defense was one dimensional and very predictable. Watson broke down the whole defense in 5 minutes in his post-game presser. Isaiah Oliveris lost out there and was actually pulled and replaced by rookie Kendall Sheffield who had a decent game. Damontae Kazee was injured late in the game and Oliver came back in to help in his spot. Oliver needs to communicate better – as well as much of the defense – but also needs better football awareness/situational awareness. On a 3rdand 2, Hopkins was in stack position with DesmondTrufant covering, Oliver was backing up and Fuller turns 2 yards into 30+.
De’Vondre Campbell took over Vic Beasley’s spot at times and was 2nd in tackles between his line and end play. Campbell ended with 10 tackles, behind Deion Jones at 11. Ricardo Allen had 8 with GradyJarrett, the only Falcon to touch Watson, at 7, a tackle for loss, and forced fumble. Adrian Claybornand Oliver both forced fumbles that the defense were unable to capture.
The offense looked decent most of the day, although they scored none in the 3rd quarter and had at least one throw away score in the 4th. Devonta Freemanand Mohamed Sanu had their first touchdowns of the season….in GAME FIVE. Freeman ended with 30 yards rushing, 1 for 21, and 40 yards receiving, mostly shovel passes, but some over the middle as well. Ito Smith tallied 19 yards on 4 carries. CalvinRidley led with 88 receiving yards, Smith with 45, Sanu and Julio Jones both had 42 yards. Once again, Sanu caught all 5 of his targets, as well as Freeman, and Smith.
Matt Ryan was under pressure all day, sacked twice and 10 quarterback hits, which do not include the 2 times JJ Watt was penalized for hitting Ryan illegally. As soon as Ryan took a step back, he had to start rolling/running to the right due to pressure. He still ended the game completing 32 of 46 passes for 330 yards, threw for 3 touchdowns and ran for another – fumbling the ball, but later called a touchdown. Also, threw a late pick six. WesSchweitzer was horrible again, being manhandled by Watt, as well as swiping rookie Kaleb McGaryout of the way several times too. Jake Matthewsfinished well with a 77.5 overall grade in his 73 snaps. Watt beat his blocker 15 times (half of his snaps) on Sunday.
While Matt Wile did well on punts, his kickoffs were questionable. Two were kicked out of bounds providing the Texans with the ball at the 40. Matt Bryant was perfect on the day, making all 3 extra points and a 35-yard field goal. Ryan to Hooper made for a successful 2-point conversion. Rookie, Sheffield got the call for kickoff returns, had 64 yards, a long of 24. Rookie Jordan Millerrecovered a fumble when the Texans fumbled on a punt reception. The first short yardage for the Falcons, and they actually converted to a touchdown.
Once again, penalties were critical. They were cut down significantly, but several were costly, moving the offense back, or providing yards and first downs for the Texans. Smith was called for holding, moving the Falcons from the Houston 26 to the Houston 36. Alex Mack, again this week, had a 15-yard clipping penalty forcing a 2nd and 20, instead of a 2nd and 3. After Grady had Deshaun running and throwing incompletions in the backfield, near the end zone, Allen Bailey knocks Deshaun out of bounds getting a 15 yard and first down penalty. Instead of 2nd and 10 at the 12, Houston is now at their own 27. To end the 3rd quarter, McGary had a false start, instead of 3rd and 9, it is 3rd and 14. Hooper gets the 9, then Wile comes on to punt. Naturally, Schweitzer has an offensive holding penalty, which cost the offense 10 yards, but in the end did not impact the series. Overall, the Falcons had 7 penalties for 63 yards. Which is an improvement, so kudos for fixing that issue.
Afterwards, Dan Quinn was caught saying, we are “disappointed, gut check time. Have to correct our game….together.” Later in the week he did say he was not stepping down as Defensive Coordinator, but there would be some changes, even slight.
Tuesday afternoon, some changes were made. Newly acquired (traded Duke Riley to Philadelphia) Johnathan Cyprien was placed on IR after 24 snaps against Houston. Cornerback DJ White was signed from the Philly practice squad. Offensive Lineman John Wetzel was added back to active roster again. Punter (this should tell you something) Sam Irwin-Hill added to the practice squad and Tight End Carson Meier released from the practice squad.
Some of these young guys are really stepping up, or at least trying. If we need change, or to light a fire under starters, move up Qadree Ollison and Deadrin Senat from the weekly inactives. Play Matt Gono now that he is healthy, and use Sheffield and Miller. They haven’t had enough time to prove themselves as replacements, but if you drafted them and they are hungry, get them some time and see how they play.
Golden Talon:
· Grady Jarrett: Only Falco hit on Deshaun Watson. Had 2 of the 3 tackles for loss by the entire defense. Tallied 7 tackles, 5 solo. 90.9 overall grade, 61 snaps.
· Kendall Sheffield: Came in for benched Isaiah Oliver, played limited time, had 5 tackles. Kick returns:
· Mohamed Sanu: Still the most dependable person on the team. On 5 targets, 5 receptions; 42 yards, first touchdown of season; took a direct snap and handed to Freeman for 21 yards; 1 rushing yard on a direct snap.
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