Tag: Austin Hooper

Falcons, One Good Half

Written By Allison Smith

Photos by Atlanta Falcons

October 6, 2019

Atlanta 32 at Houston 53

Once again, the Falcons put together one good half of football.  Today it was in the first half and you thought it was going to be a shootout the entire day, but alas, it was not and the Texans ate them alive in the second half.

Kendall Sheffield receives the opening kickoff and gets up to the 16-yard line.  Mohamed Sanu, Calvin Ridley, and Julio Jones are in with Devonta Freeman to begin the game.  Freeman runs left and is met behind the line by Whitney Merciless.  Austin Hooper hauls in the next short pass for a gain of 5 yards.  A ball intended for Jones is batted down.  Another, 3 -0 to start the game. 

Matt Wile is in to punt, gets a good one off and DeAndre Carter is stopped quickly by Sheffield in the open field. Carlos Hyde takes the first hand off of the day from Deshaun Watson and is stopped by Grady Jarrett.  Hyde meets Jarrett again, this time, Grady knocks the ball out and it rolls back for a 15-yard loss.  Their 3rd run attempt is stopped for a 1-yard gain by Adrian Clayborn. 

Sanu is back to receive the short punt, but the punt does not reach him.  The Falcons take the ball at their own 34.  Matt Ryan drops back and completes a beautiful pass to Jones for the first down.  In I-formation, Freeman gains a single yard.  Ryan in the shotgun, quick pass to the left side intended for Ridley, but he slips and cannot get back up in time.  Then, Ryan hits Jones again for a first down.  JJ Watt is called for roughing the passer, adding an additional 15-yards on the play.  Another handoff to Freeman, who is immediately stopped again.  Ridley has 1-on-1 coverage, Sanu is in the slot, Ryan looks to Julio, then Sanu catches his first touchdown of the season.  Sanu made the catch at the 3, then forced his way the rest of the way in. 

Early in Q1, the Falcons lead 7/0.  Watson tosses a 5-yard pass to Will Fuller.  Hyde bounces off several defenders with Allen Bailey knifing inside, and Hyde is finally stopped after the first down by Deion Jones.  Hyde is now off and running, gains 14-yards, running by Jones and is stopped at midfield by Ricardo Allen.  Another short run is stopped by Jarrett.   Watson attempts a pass to Deandra Hopkins and is broken up by Desmond Trufant.  Three wide outs in for Watson, from the shotgun, he bounces to the right and Vic Beasley chases him, along with Claybo who knocks the ball out, but it bounces back to Watson for 9-yard gain and first down.  Duke Johnson gets the handoff and is stopped quickly.  Watson has another successful pass to Fuller for a near first down.  Damontae Kazee is too far outside in coverage vs. the inside.  Watson in the shotgun and finds Jordan Akins wide open for a 21-yard reception, everyone is playing zone, Isaiah Oliver is man to man and the only one there.  Hyde is in the backfield, Watson throws the touchdown pass to Fuller between Allen and Trufant. 

Sheffield, with no blocking, made his own way up to the 25 on the kickoff.  Facing zone coverage, Ryan pitches to Freeman on the left for a yard.  An incompletion to Jones on 2nd down.  On 3rd and 8, Ryan lobs one up to Sanu who leaps up among many defenders and makes the reception for the first down.  It appeared this was intended for Ridley, who was sliding on the ground again.  Ito Smith is in at running back with all the tight ends, he gets a couple of yards. Three wide tight end package and Smith gets 11 yards, behind the block of Wes Schweitzer.  Ryan throws a 24-yard pass to Ridley on a deep out route.  Justin Hardy is in motion, Ryan changes the play, shoots the ball out to Hardy who makes the 5-yard reception.  Smith runs into the Houston wall, gains 1 yard and the first quarter is at an end.

JJ Watt shoves Kaleb McGary out of the way and sacks Ryan.  Matt Bryant on for a successful 35-yard field goal. 

Wile kicks the kickoff out of bounds at the 40.  Hyde gets the call and Bailey wrestled him down after a 2-yard gain.  On 2nd down, Watson to Hopkins and a 14-yard gain, stopped by Kazee and the newly acquired Johnathan Cyprien.  Watson to Fuller with a quick stop by Tru, forces a 3rd and 1.  Hyde gets the call, looks to be stopped, is not and gets the first down, finally stopped by Tyeler Davison.   The next play, Watson eyes the field and tosses it to Fuller in a deep crossing route for a touchdown, while the Falcons are knocking each other out of the play.  The Texans miss their extra point, but lead the Falcons 13/10 with only 3 minutes gone in the second quarter. 

Sheffield to ATL 15 for 13 yards.  Ryan throws incomplete to Jones, then finds Ridley for 7 yards.  Smith up the middle for 4 yards.  Freeman is hit in the backfield on the next play, then doesn’t make the reception on the short pass.  Smith is back in, makes the short reception for a 4-yard gain, on a 3rd and 12.  Wile on to punt from inside his 15-yard line to the Texans 12.  The returner is hit by Luke Stocker, but there is a block in the back by the Texans, so they start their next drive at their own 7. 

Hyde gets the first call for 4 yards and is met by De’Vondre Campbell and Jack Crawford.  Watson passes short to Fuller, Kemal Ishmael going for the strip. On 3rd and 3, Watson in the shotgun, up to Keke Coutee for 4 yards and the first down, stopped by Ish.  On first down Hyde gets 7 yards and is hardly met by Devo and Ish, who is making himself known today.  Hyde is met by….you guessed it, the spinning Jarrett and has a 1-yard loss.  At their own 26, Watson is in the gun and tosses up to Fuller, again and he gains 36 yards. Oliver slipped as Fuller goes by, Oliver and Ish finally get enough jersey to pull him down.  At the Falcons 38, Johnson gains 3 yards on the right side.  Then the Texans are called for a false start to make it 2nd and 12.  Watson is in the shot gun, throws over the middle, is tipped and incomplete.  3rd and 12, Fuller catches the 8-yard pass and stopped by Claybo, forcing a 50-yard field goal.  The field goal is good, the Texans lead 16/10 with 4 minutes left to go in the half.

Sheffield runs into traffic on the return and gives the Falcons the ball on their own 18.  Ryan in the shot gun, quick pass to Jones for 8 yards across the 26.  Hand off to Freeman, gains the first down by starting left and cutting right.  Three receivers on the field, Ryan is under pressure, Ridley makes the 16-yard reception at the 44.  Free another couple of yards as they go to the 2-minute warning.

To begin the final 2 minutes of the half, Ryan has 3 receivers to the left, pocket collapses, he runs and is tackled by Watt just before the first down.  Sanu is behind center, takes the snap, Freeman gets the handoff, goes to the right for 21 yards.  With just over a minute to go in the half, Falcons are at the 26.  Ryan is in the shotgun, under pressure, Ryan scrambles for 4 yards, but Smith is called for holding. Falcons back at the Houston 36, it is 1st and 20.  Ryan fires downfield, ball is tipped over the outstretched hands of Ridley, with Sanu trailing the ball and almost hauling it in.  Ryan quick throws to Smith, who is forced out by the facemask, so the Falcons are 1st and 10 at the 14.  Ryan incomplete to Ridley.  Smith was called for holding, but the refs saw the replay and wipe out the penalty.  Texans coach calls a time out. 

From the Houston 15 and 37 seconds to go, Ryan takes the snap and hands off to Smith for 5 yards and call their first time out.  On 3rd down, Freeman is back on the field, Ryan off a screen to Freeman who forces his way in for a TOUCHDOWN. 

With 22 seconds left in the half, the Falcons take the lead at 17/16.

Wile kicks into the end zone.  Johnson takes the ball up the middle for 9 yards where he is stopped by Takk McKinley and Kazee.  After another Houston time out, Watson has on incomplete pass to Fuller, defended by Takk.  Another Johnson run up the middle, stopped by Jones and Ish.  The final time out with 5 seconds left, Watson finds Coutee for 17 yards and he runs out of bounds at time expired.

The Texans received the ball in the 2nd half.  Hyde again takes the ball first, a 2-yard run stuffed by Davison.  Watson then has a 4-yard pass to Hopkins.  On 3rd down, Watson goes deep to Coutee for 51 yards, where he is finally stopped by Rico.  Johnson goes to the right side for 6 yards and is stopped by Debo.  Hyde tries up the middle again, where Jarrett and Ish are waiting.  First and goal at the 7, Watson to Fuller at the 1, Oliver makes the big stop.  From the 1, Hyde gets the call, up the middle and in for the touchdown.  The extra point is good and the Texans take the lead 23/17.

Next Falcons series, Ryan throws a screen to Freeman who is swarmed again.  Then a receiver screen to Sanu – flags everywhere – personal foul, clipping by Alex Mack.  Falcons on their own 15, with a 2nd and 20, Ryan throws out of bounds over Ridley.  3rd and 20 and big completion to Smith, who only makes it to the 25, forcing a Wile punt. 

First and 10 from their own 34, Watson runs for 30 yards. From the Falcons 36-yard line, Johnson spins for 7 yards, stopped by Jones.  Fuller makes the reception, fumbles, recovers and still gets 14 yards.  At the Falcons 13, first down, Watson in the shotgun, Jones wraps up Johnson quickly. Watson scrambles right after 5 yards and is pushed out by Sheffield.  After an incompletion to Fuller, Houston is forced to kick a field goal, 26/17 Texans. 

First play is a pass for loss to Hooper, who then collapses on the field, apparently leg/ankle twist.  He eventually jogged off under own power.  A big pass over the middle to Freeman gains 7 yards.  On 3rd and 2, Ryan is pressured up in the pocket by Watt then sacked by DJ Reader.  Watt easily gets by the right tackle and Freeman.  Wile on to punt again, out of bounds.  A flag is called on Houston and they will begin their own 12. 

Watson is chased back into the endzone by Jarrett, after the ball is thrown, Bailey knocks Watson and is called for the penalty.  Meanwhile the ball is a bomb up to the 50 that is nearly intercepted.  With the ball at the 27, Hyde goes for 7 yards and is stopped by Trufant, there is a penalty on Darren Fells, and for the 3rd time, it is first down, now and 20 from the 17.  Watson, never shaken, finds Fuller 32 yards up the field, who is stopped by Sheffield, for a big first down.  Hyde gains 7 yards and is stopped by Jarrett.  Second and 3, Watson rushes to the right for the first down.  At the Falcons 41, Watson fakes to Hyde, throws over the middle to DeAndre Hopkins for a 36-yard gain…..knocking Jones down and tackled yards later by Rico.  Fuller makes the reception and is stopped at the 1-yard line by Oliver and Campbell.  On the next play, the offense is called for a false start and moves the Texans back to the 6.  From the shot gun, Watson drops back and lobs it out of the reach of Akins.  Sheffield is called for the hold, providing a first down at the 3.  Another false start on the Texans, then from the 8, Watson easily throws over all the Falcons defense to Fells over Campbell for the touchdown.  With less than 2 to go in the third quarter, the Texans lead 33/17.

Ryan comes out throwing, a successful 14-yard pass to Ridley.  Then a rushed incompletion to Hooper with Watt all over Ryan.  2nd and 10 at the 39, in the wild cat set, Sanu runs left side for 1 yard.  On 3rd and 9, McGary gets the false start and it is 3rd and 14.  Ryan out of the pocket, throws to Hooper at the 44, and is hit as he throws.  The third quarter ends as the Falcons prepare to punt. 

On the Wile punt, Carter fumbles the ball and Jordan Miller pounces on it for the recovery.  Now starting at the Texans 16, Freeman gets the ball for 3 yards.  A shovel pass to Freeman gets to the 6, but there is an illegal shift prior to the snap and it is 2nd and 12. Ryan’s pass is batted down by Watt.   Empty backfield, Ryan makes the completion to Smith at the 8, 1 yard short of the first down.  Fourth and 2, Ryan runs way back, makes the completion to Sanu, who is at the edge of the goal line and fumbles the ball.  His knee was down before the ball came out – in a reach – so, no loss.  First and goal at the 1.  Smith gets the handoff to no avail.  Second and goal, Jones is split out, doubled on the left.  Freeman gets the call up the middle, even with the push of McGary – he is short.  Third and goal from the half line, Ridley is wide out to the left, Ryan on the sneak, fumbles the ball and the Texans recover and Freeman makes the stop on the defender. 

After the touchdown evaluation during the commercial break, the ball broke the goal line before Ryan fumbled it, so the touchdown is good, and the Falcons go for two.  The ever-reliable Hooper catches the ball and gets the 2. Now, the Falcons are down 25/33 with over 11 minutes to go in the game. 

Another Wile touchback, but this time, Carter runs it out to the 19.  Watson is in the shotgun and hands off to Hyde who easily runs up the middle for the first down.  Another Hyde run up the middle for only a 4-yard gain.  Watson finds Hopkins for 20 yards over Oliver as Rico and Debo bring him down.  In Falcon territory, Hyde tries another run, but is met by Jarrett again for no gain.  A big pass over the middle to Hopkins with Oliver in chase, for 10 yards.  Playing man to man, but the defense still cannot get a stop.  Johnson takes the ball left, fast.  After 24 yards, Rico is able to bring him down.  At the Falcons 13, Johnson gets the ball again, but only a yard gain, Bailey and Jarrett.  2nd and 9, Watson under center, chased by Grady, circles way back in the backfield and finally throws out of the end zone.  3rd and 9, Hopkins in the shotgun, lobs one to Fells in the end zone stretched out over Ish. 

With 6 minutes left in the game, the Texans lead 40/25.

On 1st and 10 from the 25, Ryan throws over the top to Freeman for a gain of 9.  From the shotgun, Ryan throws way down field to Sanu, the ball is tipped incomplete.  Watt is called for roughing the passer and gives the Falcons 15 yards and a first down.  From the 50, Ryan scrambles and is sacked by Watts, getting by McGary again.  Ryan completes a 3-yard pass to Sanu, the 18 yards to Hooper. Another successful pass to Hooper for 11 yards.  With 4:20 to go, at the Houston 27, Ryan is being chased and throws the ball out of bounds.  Another incompletion out of bounds, while Schweitzer is called for the holding (on Watt).  2nd and 20, Ryan in the shotgun, flips the ball to Freeman who gains 8 yards.  3rd and 12, Ryan steps to the right, scrambling, Ridley for the 29-yard touchdown.  The Falcons are down 40/32 and there is hope again.

Another bad kick off by Wile and the Texans start at their own 40.  Johnson gains one yard stopped by Bailey and Davison.  The Falcons take their first time out.  Watson gets the snap and passes to Fuller on the left side for 7 yards, stopped by Takk and Tru.  Falcons take their 2nd time out.  On 3rd and 2, Watson hits Hopkins who is stopped by Oliver in bounds and take their final time out.  3 minutes left with no time outs, only the 2-minute warning and the Texans at midfield.

Takk makes a tackle for a 3-yard loss, ripping at the ball as well.  On 2nd and 13, Watson fires left for Hopkins for 8 yards, stopped by Sheffield and Rico as the 2-minute warning stops the clock. 3rd and 5, Hyde in motion, Watson dancing and throwing to Fuller for another touchdown – Trufant in busted coverage. 

After the kickoff, Ryan throws to Russell Gage at the 46.  Ryan is hit as he throws another incompletion.  Freeman gains another 5 yards, then a 14-yard pass to Hooper.  Ryan steps to the right, on the run, and throws a pick six, as every falcon fan throws something through their tv and calls it a year.  A 79-yard interception for a touchdown.

With 24 seconds to go, the Falcons actually put the offense back on the field.  Ryan takes a knee and all of Houston celebrates. 

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Self-Inflicted Wounds Clip the Falcons’ Wings

September 24, 2019

Article by Allison Smith

Pictures courtesy of the Atlanta Falcons

After a great Sunday Night Football win, the Falcons seemed to be soaring up.  Then, they traveled to Indianapolis where their wings were clipped. 

With the good play and weapons that the Falcons have, this game should not have gone this way.  You cannot win in the NFL with 16 penalties for 128 yards and turnovers in the red zone.  While there was only one Falcon turnover this week, instead of 7 points, the Colts scored 3 their way, after a long 97-yard drive.  Indianapolis is a good team that did what they needed to do, but this was definitely a winnable game for this Falcons.  And now we wait for the fallout with all the injuries and what happens to clean up the penalties and unpreparedness….AGAIN.  

Matt Ryan’s interception may have been only one play, but it is consistent within all 3 games so far and took points off the board.  Remember when complaining about one hold by a lineman and one PI by a defender, every bad, bad play is impactful. This was definitely a team loss.

There was bad play calling and bad decisions.  On a 2nd and 11, Ryan throws out of the end zone over Austin Hooper on the left side.  Meanwhile, Julio Jones was uncharacteristically wide open on the other side of the end zone.  On the ensuing 3rd and 11, Ryan is under great pressure and he throws out of bounds and the Falcons settle for a Matt Bryant 34-yard field goal.  With just over two minutes to go in the half, the Colts lead 13/3.

The Falcons offense took too much time on the 2nd half drives, causing them to use all of their timeouts around the 2-minute warning in hopes of getting a defensive stop and the all back.  Clearly, the defense couldn’t get the stop and the Colts were able to run out the clock. 

Hooper Forcing His Way into the End Zone

Devonta Freeman finally looked the Free of Old and made some good breaks, other times lost in the backfield when the offensive line didn’t hold up.  Free had 16 carries for 88 yards, with a breakout of 28 yards.  Julio Jones was near perfection again with 8 receptions on 9 targets for 128 yards and another touchdown, one nice 34-yard reception.  Mohamed Sanu was his usual dependable self on several 3rd down conversions, as well as blocking, taking direct snaps, finishing the game with 1 rush for 2 yards (and a first down), and caught all 6 balls thrown his way for 75 yards and several on 3rd down.  And of course, Austin Hooper caught 6 of the 7 balls thrown his way, 2 for touchdowns, and forced extra yards, and was doing his job at blocking again.

With Keanu Neal’s Achilles injury taking him out for the season, Damontae Kazee will likely move back to the Safety spot.  Kemal Ishmael and rookie Kendall Sheffield should get time at nickel.  The Falcons will be evaluating their current team members and practice squad, then possibly looking outside for another safety.

Isaiah Oliver is really struggling so far.  With Desmond Trufant being a shut down corner so far, offenses will continue to target 2nd year corner Oliver.  The defense is not tackling or containing well.  This was one of the worst tackling games since early 2018.  The defense played soft coverage, making it difficult to get interceptions as there are no real contested receptions.  While they were efficient stopping the run game, the short passes were open and easy most of the day.  Add in missed tackles and yards after the catch, and it was a rough day for the defense.  The defense provided 7 free first downs with their penalties, while the offense continued to create re-work for themselves with theirs.  

The Colts offense took what the defense gave them, the Falcons didn’t tackle well on runs and played soft on passes.  Small runs after catch became more efficient.  There were too many missed tackles. A late 3rd and 5 had Jacoby Brissett off his spot, and the defense still couldn’t sack him and he ran for the first down, and extra yard.

Vic Beasley, Jr. had an overall good game, including a ½ sack shared with Takk McKinley.  Jack Crawford had two uncharacteristic off-sides penalties and a missed sack.  Deion Jones led the team in tackles with 9 and 1 pass defended.  Oliver did get his man down with 7 tackles and 2 passes defended.  Ricardo Allen had 7 tackles and a head to head penalty, which I feel was due to the speed he was closing.  Rico is not a dirty player.  Ish and Kazee had 6 tackles a piece.  As a note, Vic had 2 quarterback hits, while Allen Bailey, Adrian Clayborn, and Takk all had 1 a piece.  That is not enough to really affect the quarterback.  And there were only 6 tackles for loss in the game.  Brissett was 16 of 16 before the defense finally got some pressure and started to affect him.  Heck, Grady Jarrett was barely affective with 1 tackle for loss and a penalty of his own, which was for 12th man on the field as he was on the edge trying to get out….but that has more to do with too much changing of the D too far on the ends of the field.

Overall, the whole game was a hot mess and repeat of week 1.  In 3 games, the Falcons have committed 35 penalties for 264 yards.  Head Coach Dan Quinn is bringing in officials for practice this week to ensure everyone understands the penalties…what officials look for and are going to call.  There are numerous repeat offenders, then several random unusual offenders this week. 

This is the second slow start on the road, but the Falcons have put themselves too far in the hole both games.  Making adjustments at half time, coming out almost like a different team, but again, too little too late.  Changing to man to man late in the game, but not able to wrap up.  Offensively near perfection, but too much time and too much of a deficit to overcome. 

Injury Report:

·         Keanu Neal – out for the season with Achilles

·         Ito Smith – concussion protocol

·         Kenjon Barner – concussion protocol

·         Grady Jarrett – toe, expected to be back by the end of the week

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Penalties Rock the Falcons, Again

September 22, 2019

Article By Allison Smith

Photos courtesy of Atlanta Falcons

Inactives for the Falcons:  Matt Bosher, Matt Gono, Brian Hill, Jordan Miller, Qadree Ollison, Deadrin Senat, Olamid Zaccheaus.

The captains are Alex Mack, Julio Jones, Ricardo Allen, Matt Ryan, and the 5th for this week is Adrian Clayborn. 

Matt Wile starts the game with a touchback and the Indianapolis Colts will begin on their own 25.  A quick run to the left side and stopped on the 33 by Isaiah Oliver.  Another short run gains the first down, but is a quick stop by Tyeler Davison.  Jacoby Brissett drops back for his first pass, scrambling with Grady Jarrett and others in pursuit, he completes the pass to Marlon Mack who is pushed out of bounds by Vic Beasley, Jr.  On 2nd and 1, the Colts run again, through the middle, tackled by Deion Jones.  At the 50, Jack Crawford jumps offside to move the Colts to the Falcons 45.  Brissett slings one to Parris Campbell who makes the 11-yard catch.  Damontae Kazee slows him up for Ricardo Allen to make the stop.  Another run goes for nothing up the middle with Allen Bailey and Kemal Ishmael making the stop.  On 2nd and 10, the Colts run again, this time for a yard, with Beasley, Takk McKinley, and Claybo making the stop.  After a Falcons timeout, the Colts facing 3rd and 9 have a quit toss to T.Y. Hilton who is immediately knocked out of bounds by Oliver.  Adam Vinatieri comes on for a successful 49-yard field goal.  The Colts lead 3/0 at the Q1 9:30 mark.

Kenyon Barner takes the kickoff out to the 17-yard line.  Matt Ryan opens up with a handoff to Devonta Freeman, who zooms through for 28 yards!!!!  Ryan hands off to Freeman again, for a 3-yard gain.  Ryan drops back and finds Austin Hooper for a 10-yard gain.  And you hear “Hoooop” throughout the stadium.  Ryan hands off to Ito Smith for no gain.  On 2nd and 10, Ryan throws to Luke Stocker who makes the reception, but it is still 3rd and 5.  Ryan hands off to Smith who goes to the left side for no gain, plus James Carpenter  is called for holding.  It’s 3rd and 15 from the 46.  Ryan throws a bomb way over Julio Jones’ head.  He is covered by Rock Ya-Sin, a Temple and Presbyterian College cornerback.

The Falcons only other active running back, Smith, is helped up from the field, then helped off the field.

Matt Wile punts to the 7-yard line.

The Colts begin with a pass to Hilton for a quick 6 yard gain.  2nd and 4, Marlon Mack runs up to the 27 and is finally stopped there by Rico.  Another long pass to Hilton and Rico makes the immediate hard stop.  A ridiculous helmet to helmet is called and the Colts are given another 15 yards.  The Colts have the ball at the Falcons 32.  De’Vondre Campbell calls a shift before the snap, the Colts run for no gain with Jones on the stop.  The Colts have a holding call that backs them up, on 2nd and 20 a 5-yard pass that is stopped by Ish.  2nd and 15, a pass to Doyle who is immediately stopped by Campbell. A successful pass to Eric Ebron and missed tackle by Campbell provides another Colts first down.  On the 18, Brissett finds a wide open Zach Pascall in the right corner of the end zone.  The Colts take a 10/0 lead with 1:25 left in the first quarter. 

After the kick-off, a wide-open Julio Jones makes his first reception of the game, for a 17-yard game.  His tackler is being checked on the field, as the entire team is PHYSICAL.  From the 42, Ryan flings one to an open Hooper, for a 19-yard gain.   Freeman gains 5.  Quarter 1 comes to an end.

Freeman pushes through the middle to get another first down.  1st and 10 at the Colts 28, Ryan throws an interception in the middle of the field at the 3, in an attempt to Stocker. 

First down and the Colts get a quick pass and first down.  Next pass goes for a short gain with a quick stop by Oliver.  On 2nd and 5, Brissett fires downfield to Ebron who is knocked out by Ish after a 29-yard gain.  Just across the 50, the Colts try to run and are stopped by Davison for a loss.  2nd and 12, the Colts barely get back to the line of scrimmage, nearly stopped for a big loss by Grady Jarrett, but stopped at the line of scrimmage by Claybo.  On 3rd and 12, Brissett short passes to Hines who is dripped up by Rico who lunges for a first down.  Back on the ground, the Colts attempt to run up the middle for a 2-yard game.  A side pass to Hilton gains a few yards, forcing a 3rd and 3 from the 32.  Crawford jumps again and gives the Colts a first down.  Brissett to Jack Doyle for a first down, stopped by Kazee at the 19.  On 1st and 10 from the 15, Brissett hands off to Mack who gains 9 ½ yards where he is finally stopped by Campbell.  Hilton tries for the touchdown, but is in the arms of Keanu Neal and Oliver.  While the Falcons are substituting, the Colts try for the hurry up and call a time out.

After the time out, a play fake with Ish coming in hard, Campbell with a hold in the end zone, Brissett throws the ball away, but instead it is still 1st and goal.  Handoff to Mack and is stopped for loss by Bailey.  Brissett is chased way back by Bailey and throws his first incompletion of the game (17th pass) and throws through the end zone.  On 3rd and goal, the defense stands up again, as Brissett is pursued by Rico who grabs at his feet and causes another throw through the end zone.  The Colts kick another field goal and with just under 6 minutes to go in the half, the Colts now lead 13/0.

Ryan comes out throwing to the always sure handed Mohammed Sanu for a first down.  Another successful pass to Sanu for another first down.  FREEEE breaks through for a 24-yard pick up.  From the Colts 30, Free gains no yards and a Colt and Jamon Brown are injured on the play.  2nd and 10, Ryan drops back and has another zinger to Jones for another 1st down.  In the red zone, Jones is not on the field.  A handoff to Free that gets stopped before he hits the line.  Julio rejoins the team, next to Hooper at the 16.  2nd and 11, Ryan throws out of the end zone over Hooper.  Jones was open in the other side of the end zone.  On 3rd and 11, Ryan is under great pressure and he throws out of bounds.  Matt Bryant on for the successful 34-yard field goal.  With just over two minutes to go in the half, the Colts lead 13/3.

After a 31-yard kick return, Kendall Scheffield makes the stop before the Colts have a runback for a touchdown.  Nyheim Hines loses a yard to Claybo and Kazee on the first down. 

After the 2 minute warning, the Colts throws big for Deon Cane, but the ball is just short and incomplete.  3rd and 9, Brissett drops back under major pressure throws an incomplete pass, but Keke is called for PI.  Meanwhile, Brissett digs himself out from under Grady and Claybo.  Another incompletion by Brissett to Hilton under Oliver coverage.  Brissett completes to Cane for a first down, with Kazee stopping him at the marker.  90 seconds to go, Colts on the Falcons 40.  Under Claybo pressure, Brissett throws to Hilton for a 3-yard loss – as soon as Hines receives the ball, he is leveled by Debo.  The next play is a pass to Hilton, a yard shy of the first down with Desmond Trufant with the big stop.  4th and 1, Grady cannot get off the field in time and the Falcons provide the automatic first down and 5 yards.  Brissett throws to Hines who gets big yards after the catch, making Foye Oluokun and Debo miss.  Keke finally brings him down on the 9 ½.  Oliver knocks down the touchdown pass to Hilton.  Keke is now injured in the end zone, throws his helmet and receives a penalty for THAT.  Debo closes quickly on the pass and ensure another incompletion for Brissett to Hines.  Then the touchdown to Hilton with Oliver in coverage.  The Colts lead 20/3 leading into the half. 

The first half begins with the Falcons offense taking the field at the 25.  The first pass goes for yards to Stocker for 5 yards.  Freeman is then stopped behind the line.  Another big pass to Sanu for another first down.  The Falcons are at their own 43 when they hand off to Freeman for 3 yards.  A 6 ½ yard reception to Justin Hardy forces a short 3rd down.  Jones and Hardy are off the field, with Free and FB Keith Smith on the field.  Freeman up the middle, right at the 50 for the first down.  Ryan drops back and throws the bomb to Jones to the 13.  Julio looked back, faked the defender who tripped as Julio turned and made the break.  Next play, finally, a touchdown, to Hooper.  Coverage is drawn short, Hooper is a few yards out, makes the reception and forces his way across the goal line.  The Falcons are now 10 back, down 20/10 early in the 3rd quarter.

On the Colt’s first possession of the second half, they hand off to Mack who is jammed up by Grady, who looks annoyed at the world today.  Beasley gets the big sack on the next play, forcing a 3rd and 23.  While Takk is laying on the field, after having Brissett in his grasp.  Debo forcing the running back out of bounds after a few yards gain.  Very little time has moved off the clock, no movement, and the defense forced a quick punt. 

Barner takes the punt back 14 yards, with a flag on the play.  Blidi Wreh-Wilson had a blindside block on the return, so the Falcons begin on their own 22.  A screen to Freeman is a loss and it’s instantly 2nd and 15.  Freeman gets the call again for a 5-yard gain.  Ryan to Jones for another first down.  Looks like he will go deep, but stops short and makes the first down reception.  Ryan and Free miss the handoff, Free makes a block for Ryan to gain 4 yards.  Looked like Ryan didn’t hand off the ball as Free looked surprised, then also asked for the shovel pass as he lead the way.  Free does get the next run, to the left side for a few yards.  On 3rd and 2, Sanu and Jones on the sideline, Calvin Ridley is in blocking, Hooper makes the first down reception.  BUT, Ridley is called for the PI and it is 3rd and 12.  Ryan, HIGH over the middle of the field, 22 yard reception for JULIO JONES.  Now tied for 4th most 100-yard games in NFL history.  Ju was on the left side, single coverage, and just flay outran the defenders. 

Sanu Reception and YAC

On first down, Free goes to the right side for 2 yards.  Another run by Freeman, stopped 2 yards back in the middle of the line.  On 3rd down, pass to the left side, to who else….Sanu right at the first down marker.  Freeman gains another 3 yards and heads to the sideline.  Barner comes in at running back and receives a pass for 5 yards.  Ryan makes a great completion to Ridley for another first down.  The Falcons at the Colts’ 19, Ryan hands off to Free who finds a big hole, and jukes a little, on the right side and gains 12 yards.  Forcing additional yards on top of a defender.  The Colts challenge that Free fumbled while on top of their defender.  The referee declared you cannot challenge this play as the runner had given himself up and the play was dead.  The 3rd quarter comes to an end. 

The 4th quarter begins with the Falcons down by 10, with a first down on the Colts’ 7-yard line. 

Free gets the call and gets inside the 5-yard line.  Ryan drops back and throws to Stocker at the 2 where he is stood up and stopped.  Ryan to Hooper for his second touchdown of the day.  Falcons down by 3 with most of the 4th quarter to go.  Colts 20/Falcons 17.

Colts begin their possession with a delay of game, 1st and 15 at the 20.  Brissett starts to throw, but there are too many Falcons around applying pressure and he tosses a ball that could have been intercepted, but falls short and incomplete.  Crawford, Beasley, and Claybo were on top of Brissett and his blockers.  Brissett finds Mo Alie-Cox for a first down, taken down by Oliver.  A pitch to Mack and Debo finds him immediately for a 5-yard loss.  Beasley set the edge pushing him outside into Debo.  Grady is called for a false start.  2nd and 10, Brissett completes a sideline pass to Mack, Debo immediately shoves him out.  3rd and 5, Brissett is under pressure, nearly sacked, but runs for the first down himself.  Crawford and Grady at his feet tripping him up as he falls for the 6-yard gain.  On first down near the 50, with a play fake, he throws long for Ebron and Oliver makes the perfect knock down, closing as the ball drops and knocks it out.  Meanwhile, Grady says hello to Brissett from the turf.  Another incompletion leads to 3rd and 10 as Brissett picks himself up from the turf again.  Pass is incomplete with flags flying again.  Holding by Kazee, another free first down.  Colts at the Falcons 48, rookie John Cominsky is in pursuit of Brissett, but he still gets the pass off for a 9 yard gain, stopped by Ishmael.  Mack tries to get the first down in the middle of the line, to no avail.  Bailey pulling from the back, Kazee meeting him at the line.  Wide open Pascal gets to the 5-yard line, with Oliver saving the touchdown.  Another busted coverage by the Falcons as Pascal was wide open at the reception.  Mack runs to the far right side and gets the touchdown with a stiff arm to Tru, Kazee, and Olukon.  With 8:40 to go in the game, Colts go back up by 10, leading 27/17.

Barner brings the kickoff out to the 29-yard line.  A quick pass to Freeman gains 2 yards, as a flag lays on the ground.  Again.  Brown called for the block in the back.  1st and 20, Ryan throws to Freeman again, who is stopped for a 7-yard gain.  In the shotgun, Ryan throws to Hooper, who refuses to be tackled and gains an additional 8 yards after the catch, but is a yard short of the first down.  Direct snap to Sanu, who goes left for the first down.  Ryan to Sanu for a few yards gain, but Brown is called for holding this time and backs the Falcons back up.  2nd and 20 from the 30, Ryan to Sanu for a 10-yard gain.  Ryan finds Jones for another first down.  Ryan with a high pass to Freeman that falls incomplete.  Under great pressure, the ball flies into the air and to the ground.  Smartly, Ridley grabs the ball-just in case, which is called an incomplete pass.  Jake Matthews is called for holding and once again it is 2nd and 20 and back in Falcons territory.  A quick pass in the middle of the field to Hooper for a 9-yard gain.  Just across midfield, Ryan drops back to throw to Jones, who has been pulled down by Quincy Wilson.  PI was called, and Colts head coach Frank Reich throws the red challenge flag. 

The ruling on the field of PI stands and the Falcons are 1st and 10 at the 36.  Ryan with a big pass to Sanu, along with a hitting the QB, first and goal at the 9-yard line.  Atlanta has the 16th penalty as Kaleb McGary moves early, 1st and goal from the 14.  Pass to Jones at the 10-yard line.  Next pass…..JUUUUU with another big touchdown reception.  Leaping over defenders, hauling it in.  With 4:11 to go in the game, the Falcons are down by 3.

Julio Being Julio

A quick 8 yard pick up for the Colts with time ticking away.  Brissett continues hand-offs, this time Mack for another 1st down, stopped by Crawford.  Another 4-yard run and the Falcons take a time out with 2:36 to go in the game.  Behind the big left guard, Mack gets 26 yards, untouched until Debo takes him down at the Falcons 33.  Mack gains another 3 yards and we roll in to the 2-minute warning.

With 2 minutes to go in the game, the Colts are up by 3 and the Falcons have one timeout.  Colts are 2nd and 7, rush up for 3 yards.  Grady is out with a toe injury for this crucial 3rd and 4.  Brissett in the shotgun, passes to Doyle, who gains the first down, then slides before Kazee can push him out of bounds to stop the clock.  Now, the Colts only have to run out the clock.

Injuries – With no official updates:

  • Ito Smith – Concussion
  • Keanu Neal – Achilles
  • Jamon Brown – Hand
  • Grady Jarrett – Toe
  • Kenjon Barner – Concussion
  • Takk McKinley – Knee

Golden Talon: 

  • Allen Bailey – several key tackles, tackles for loss, and saved a touchdown that turned into only a field goal by stopping Marlon Mack and causing an errant throw on 1st and 2nd and goal. 
  • Mohammed Sanu – always being dependable, reading the cover 2 so well, converting 3rd and 8 and a 3rd and 10, getting the direct snap for a running first down. 
  • Austin Hooper – dependable hands for 6 of 7 target, 66 yards, 2 touchdowns, always pushing, leaning, and forcing additional yards. 

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Hooping it up with Dukes and Bell.

Interview Recap and Photo by Allison Smith

Austin Hooper joined 92.9’ The Game‘s afternoon show Dukes and Bell on Wednesday, September 18, 2019. 

Asked about the dancing in the locker room after the game, Hooper said that, “It always feels good to win, have to take the good with the bad, but have to enjoy when the wins come.” And said that his favorite time is the 20 minutes in the locker room, all together, “Jumping around really feeling the “Brotherhood” together.”

In his fourth game in his fourth year against the Philadelphia Eagles, Hooper feels more comfortable going against their defense.  He knows that Malcolm Jenkins is ‘the tell’ for their defense, so just watch where he is on the field and you will know what they are planning to do.

Asked if he can hear the fans yelling “Hooooop” from the stands, Hooper replied, “It’s pretty cool to hear it out there.  First year, I thought they were booing me, thought  **** I just got a first down, then realized they were saying “Hoop.” 

I’ve always thought it was funny, how many teams have a player with a nickname that sounds like a boo.  The Carolina Panthers had Brad Hoover, now Luke Kuechly, and of course, our own Truuuuuu.

In the off season and around team practices, Hooper does allot of work with Matt Ryan, but also lots of different drills/reps with the other receivers and Devonta Freeman, so they are all in sync.  In the end, Hooper knows as a  Tight End, that he is a blocker first.  That being said, he commented on the play of the offensive line, saying that lots of times they are all good in their blocking, but then everyone is taking turns messing up, not all at once, but is costly.  “We all, including me, have to be better.”   But the O line is becoming a more cohesive unit.  Hooper has full confidence in the offensive line and team.

Austin Hooper is becoming a very depended upon target and has 13 catches on 15 targets so far this season, for 111 yards.

Mistakes in Minnesota

September 9, 2019

Article By:  Allison Smith

Photos Courtesy of the Atlanta Falcons

The offense is one of the best in the league, on paper.  The Defense is back at full strength, young, healthy, and with a new Defensive Coordinator.  A revamped Offensive line, that never played together in the preseason.  New Special teams coach with restructured and built up return game.  Overall game plan.  BLAND.  Overall, team play.  BAD.  This is how the Atlanta Falcons begin the 2019 campaign.

The only player not active due to injury was Matt Gono, leading Kaleb McGary to start at right tackle.  Next to him is fellow first round draft pick, Chris Lindstrom.  McGary did share time with experienced Ty Sambrailo.

The first offensive play of the game was indicative of the entire game.  The Falcons offense takes the field after the opening kickoff.  The first offensive play ends in a sack on Matt Ryan for an 8-yard loss.  Followed by a short Devonta Freeman run, then a 12-yard scramble by Ryan, that resulted in a fourth down.  The punt was blocked and Minnesota starts their first drive on the Falcons’ 21.  Two plays later, Kirk Cousins finds Adam Thielen for the touchdown.

The Falcons managed 4 turnovers, while the defense officially forced one, but did not recover that ball.  Ryan threw 2 interceptions.  The first was a bad decision to an overly covered Julio Jones, the other seemed like a miscommunication to Luke Stocker in the end zone.  Stocker pulled up while Ryan threw the ball to the corner of the end zone, into the hands of Anthony Harris.  Meanwhile, Mohammed Sanu, Julio, and Calvin Ridley were on the sidelines.  The usually sure handed Freeman had a fumble in the red zone, which Sanu came up with, but was ruled a turnover to Minnesota.  As a note, Freeman was nearly down and going for extra yards and not just dropping or mishandling the ball, but in the end, a fumble is a fumble.

Ryan didn’t look comfortable Sunday, clearly beginning with a sack doesn’t help your quarterback feel confident with his mostly new offensive line.

090819 Sanu LeapAustin Hooper lead the team in receptions with 9 catches for 77 yards, but was used too late in the game to matter.  Ridley had 4 receptions for 64 yards and an uncelebrated touchdown.  Jones had 6 receptions, 31 yards, and a very late touchdown.  As usual, Sanu made some incredible catches for 57 yards and Justin Hardy looked sharp on limited time with 4 receptions for 41 yards.  Russell Gage had one reception that lead to a no call hit to the head and left the game under concussion protocol.

The offensive line that was built in free agency and the draft (including moving up in the draft to take 2 offensive linemen in the first round), was no better than last season.  The starting lineup never played together in any of the 5 preseason due to rotations, injuries, trials.  The Falcons rotated tackles in and out instead of settling on a single player for the game.

Freeman and Ito Smith were the only running backs activated for the game.   Freeman had 8 rushes for 19 yards while Smith tallied 31 yards on his 6 carries.  Ryan was the second leading rusher with 2 scrambles for 24 yards.  Third downs became easily predictable due to the lack of the running game.  The o-line allowed 4 sacks (3, against Jake Matthews) and 7 hits on Ryan, so he never really had time to set and make good passes and with the running game nearly non-existent, there were many 3 and outs, leaving the defense on the field much of the game.

That being said, the defense did a decent job and adjusted well after half time, but it was too little too late at that point.  The defense gave up 265 yards on the day, but could not stop the run game.  The first score for Minnesota was immediately after the punt block, so was a short field and an instant 7/0 lead.  Now healthy, Keanu Neal, Deion Jones, and Ricardo Allen had good games, with 1, 5, and 3 tackles respectively.  Likely Keke and Rico will receive fine letters this week due to “physical” hits.  Meanwhile, Vic Beasley pulled up on a possible sack, possibly because of the rules in the back of his head.

The leading tackler was new Falcon Tyeler Davison with 8 total tackles, followed by Minnesota grad De’Vondre Campbell with 6.  The interior defensive line had a decent day (Davison, Grady Jarrett, Jack Crawford), however the defense could not set the hard edge and ended up giving up the soft corner too often.  Dalvin Cook had a 21-yard play when Takk McKinley ran inside and didn’t have containment.  Overall, the defensive ends had a rough day.  As expected, Isaiah Oliver was picked on, very successfully for the Vikings.

The defense was not able to make Kirk Cousins uncomfortable, so he was able to easily complete 8 of 10 passes for 98 yards, then rely on the running game.  Cousins did fumble three times, one caused by Jarrett, the other by Neal, but was ruled out of bounds, and simply missed the hand-off once.  The rest of the game however, Cousins was not under duress.

Like many fans, I think the Falcons did not have enough starters time on the field, or on the field at the same time during the preseason.  They needed more real playing time, together, and better communications.  The communication issues were even more prevalent in the offensive issues, offensive line as well as Ryan and some of his receivers.  The team accumulated 9 penalties.  And after the drama of bringing back Matt Bryant, when the Falcons did finally score 2 touchdowns, they went, unsuccessfully, for the 2-point conversion and did not even utilize Bryant.

Overall, the team looked ill-prepared for the start of the season.  All 3 phases of the games were near disasters.  The first play of the game was a sack allowed by the offense, three plays later, a punt was blocked, then two plays later, the defense gave up the first touchdown of the game.  Everyone’s post-game interviews sounded mad and frustrated with their performance.  As they should have.  Hopefully this means big things for the home opener on Sunday night against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Injury Update

  • Russell Gage:  In concussion protocol.
  • Chris Lindstrom:  Broken foot, on IR, out for 8 weeks.

090819 Grady SackGolden Talon:  Grady Jarrett – Grady recorded a sack, forced fumble, 2 tackles for loss, and 5 total tackles in the game.  He had good pressure all day, despite often being held with no calls.

 

#RISEUP

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