Ben Garland – FalconAlley Football

Falcons Light It Up in LA

January 6, 2018

Falcons 26 / Rams 13

The Falcon win the coin toss and defer….as expected. Matt Bosher starts out with a touchback. The first play, also as expected, is a run by local boy (to Georgia) Todd Gurley for a gain of 4 yards. The Rams set a screen, pass to Gurley and Deion Jones was on the edge almost intercepting the ball. From the shotgun, under great pressure, Jared Goff runs for a few yards, then slides before Vic Beasley can hit him. Beasley was credited with the sack.

Andre Roberts allows the punt to drop behind him and roll to the 6-yard line. A fake handoff, then an incomplete pass to Mohamed Sanu begins the Falcons drive. Matt Ryan is running for his life in the end zone, while Jake Matthews holds up Aaron Donald long enough for Ryan to throw the ball away. Ryan completes a pass to Julio Jones, but it is 4 yards short of the first down. Bosher has a good punt from his end zone and the Rams begin at their own 47.

The first play, again, is Gurley running for 8 yards, then heading out of bounds. Without a huddle, a pass to Cooper Kupp falls incomplete. On 3^rd down, Goff is SACKED by Takk McKinley! Welcome back to Cali! The punt falls at the 6 again, but Roberts catches this one and returns to the 10, so basically where the Falcons were pre-punt.

This drive starts with a handoff to Devonta Freeman, who is caught in the backfield for a 3-yard loss. Ryan drops back, then chooses to run and gets to the 11. Nearly sacked, Ryan stands in there, behind a great block by Ben Garland, and passes to Freeman who is short of the first down marker.

Bosher punts again, Pharoh Cooper calls for the fair catch, muffs it, the now active Nick Williams, shoves Kupp to ensure he doesn’t get to the ball. And Le’Roy Reynolds recovers the fumble and gives the offense excellent field position.

The Falcons offense begins in the red zone, at the 17. Tevin Coleman is in the backfield and gets the call, running to the left side and gains 3 yards. Ryan fakes the handoff then overthrows Sanu in the end zone. On 3^rd down, Ryan scrambles for a few yards, then Matt Bryant comes out for the 29-yard field goal. With 7:12 left in the first quarter, the Falcons lead 3 – 0.

Bosher’s kickoff is 61 yards to Cooper where Damontae Kazee was called for a foul, moving the ball to the 32. Now Brooks Reed jumps and gives the Rams an extra 5 yards. The first, first down of the game is on short yardage. Brian Poole makes a good short stop on Gurley. Second and 7, without a huddle, Goff goes play action, perfect pass to Sammy Watkins is even more perfectly defended by Robert Alford, as he tips the ball back, volleyballesq. Desmond Trufant has good coverage on Kupp to knock the ball out. And just like that, there is another punt to Roberts.

Freeman takes the ball from the 10 up to the 14. Freeman gets the call again, for another 3 yards. With major pressure, Ryan moves up in the middle of the pocket and passes up to Sanu for the first Falcons first down of the game, with 3:30 to go in the quarter. Now, a 27-yard pass to Julio Jones, who stopped and came back for the catch, completely losing the defender. Now at the 50, Jones gets the ball on the end around and gains 13 yards. Coleman gets the call and gains 4 yards around the far ride side. Ryan, from the shotgun, fakes to Coleman and passes to Sanu who cannot hold onto the ball. Third down from the 33, Ryan passes short to Freeman, who cannot pull the ball in and Bryant comes on for a 51-yard field goal.

On the next kickoff, Cooper is stopped by Kazee, (making up for that penalty) who strips the ball, and it is recovered by Kemal Ishmael and the Falcons have the ball at the 32. Freeman runs up the middle for 2 yards, then along the left side for a gain of 6 as the quarter comes to a close.

From the 24-yard line with 2 yards to go, Ryan throws to Sanu who gains 6 yards and the 1^st down. Freeman runs for no gain. Freeman and Coleman are both in and split as the pass goes to Coleman on the left side, for a gain of 6 yards. Ryan fires over the middle for Austin Hooper’s first catch of the day, right at the first down marker. Now a 1^st and goal from the 7, Ryan passes short to Julio, who forces his way for 4 yards. With the play clock running out, the Rams call a time out. Freeman scores the touchdown, with teammate Alex Mack, literally, pulling him in. Both of them had their feet continuing to move and fight for ground. I wonder if they both get a ½ touchdown?!? Early in the 2^nd quarter, it is 13/0, Falcons.

Bosher’s kickoff is into the end zone again, Cooper brings it out to the 24. Gurley gets no gain on the first down. Goff passes to Robert Woods for the first down. Gurley slips in the backfield losing 2 yards. Then, Gurley drops the pass from Goff. With Adrian Clayborn coming quickly around the backside, Goff gets the ball off to Woods. Rocky is called for a penalty, but the Rams take the first down instead. Grady Jarrett is applying great pressure in the backfield forcing an errant pass by Goff. Still near the 50, on 2^nd down, Goff hands off to Gurley, who is immediately stopped by Debo in the middle for a one-yard gain. Team pressure causes a quick, low pass by Goff as De’Vondre Campbell lays him out. Another punt to Roberts, who fair catches at the 13.

Ryan is in the shotgun and immediately throws a first down to Sanu. Coleman spins off defenders a couple of times to gain 2 yards. Freeman comes back in as Ryan throws to Hooper for a 5-yard gain. Ryan is sacked at the 23-yard line by Aaron Donald and Michael Brockers, coming in from both sides. Bosher punts 55 yards to the 22-yard line where Cooper is swarmed and the Rams will begin at their own 21.

The Rams begin this drive with a Gurley carry and gain of 4 yards, stopped by Beasley. Another handoff to Gurley, who finds a seam to the left for a huge gain, which is added onto due to a hit out of bounds by Ricardo Allen. With nearly 5 minutes to the half, the Rams are at the Falcons 36. Goff goes deep for Woods who is covered by Rocky, who is in perfect position to cause the incompletion. A pass to a sliding Kupp goes for a first down. Poole makes another big open field tackle on Woods for a short gain. Malcolm Brown runs into a red wall up the middle for a short gain, forcing a 3^rd and 5. Goff finds Kupp for the touchdown over Poole.

The Falcons start at their own 10, and Coleman gets the call for a 6-yard gain. Julio makes the first down catch along the sideline, taking us to the 2-minute warning. Freeman gets 4 yards, then Ryan drops back and slips on the new field as Rams defenders fall on him for a 10-yard sack. The Rams call a time out. Ryan goes left and is taken down again, this time by Morgan Fox who shoved Ryan Schraeder like a ragdoll. Another Bosher punt to Cooper, who Kazee lays out again. A holding penalty is called on the Rams during the return and they begin at their own 14.

Goff comes out throwing to Kupp who is stopped after 5 yards by Debo. Another pass to Kupp for 10 yards and is quickly stopped by Keanu Neal. Goff finds Woods for another 8 yards and he is run out of bounds. Beldi Wrey-Wilson is called for a PI and the Rams get the ball across the 50. Then Goff goes deep to Woods for a 48-yard gain over Trufant. With 18 seconds to the half, the Rams are on the 7-yard line. Goff throws behind Gurley, who still hauls it in at the 3-yard line. The referees are reviewing the catch…..it is overturned, there are now 14 seconds on the clock with a 2^nd and goal from the 7. Goff is being chased out of bounds by Campbell as a flag comes out on the offense, a lineman holding Takk. The penalty forces a 35-yard field goal with 3 seconds remaining in the half.

Roberts takes the touchback out of the back of the end zone and the offense kneels down going into the locker room at the half Falcons 13/Rams 10, the Falcons set to receive the ball.

The second half begins with a Roberts return up to the 16. Freeman gets the first run of the 2^nd half and gains a yard. Next, Freeman breaks away for a 21-yard gain behind a great block by Mack and Derrick Coleman. Ryan is hit as he throws to Julio for an incompletion. T. Coleman gets the ball for a short gain forcing a 3^rd and 9. Ryan throws a short pass to Coleman who breaks out and kicks his speed and goes for 14 yards. The Rams were offsides, giving the Falcons a 1^st and 5 at the Rams 40. A missed tackle on Freeman allows him to gain 11 yards and another first down. Free was nearly down, maintained his balance and popped back up to get the first. Now, in the no huddle, Ryan hands off to Freeman for another 4 yards, continuing to run on the right side. Ryan hands to Freeman again, who pushes through the middle to force a 3^rd and 1. Freeman is out and Coleman is in and gets the call, but cannot manage the first down. At the 20, the offense lines up quickly, Garland goes low for the block and Ryan forces his way to a first down. Coleman stays in and gains a quick 5 yards. Coleman goes again for another 6 yards and a 1^st and goal. Freeman returns and runs for no gain, followed by a pass to Julio for 2 yards. The 3^rd and goal pass from Ryan to Hooper falls incomplete, and Bryant returns to the field for a 25-yard field goal.

Bosher kicks to the 4-yard line and Cooper returns it to the 30. Goff throws 2 incomplete passes in a row, then finds Woods just over the hands of Trufant, for a gain of 25 yards….note that THE BACK of Jarrett’s jersey was being held, or there would have been another sack. Gurley carries for 3 yards. Then Goff goes high for Woods and Tru stays right with him in the air and knocks the ball out in perfect timing. Gurley drops the next path, likely due to seeing Debo coming in hard. This forces another punt that Roberts fair catches at the 19.

The Falcons offense starts with an incomplete pass to Hooper, followed by a first down to Julio. Mack lays out Joyner to ensure Ryan has time to complete that pass. Freeman dives forward for 3 yards. Another first down pass to Julio, who shoves his way for a full 16-yard gain. Ryan hands off to Coleman who gains 6 yards, then 3 yards behind the right side. The first pass to Justin Hardy goes for 2 yards as he slips on the field. Coleman runs to the left side for a short gain. The Rams are starting to focus their defense to stop the run. On the 3^rd down, Troy Hill has great defense of the pass to Sanu to knock it lose. Again, Bryant kicks a 54-yard field like it is nothing.

Bosher’s kick is a touchback, Cooper runs it out, is nailed again, fumbles, but was called down as Ishmael fights hard for the ball. Gurley tries to get the Rams 2^nd drive of the half started, but is quickly met by Debo, 5 yards behind the line of scrimmage. The defense has been on the sideline for a nice rest again and are fired up from that almost fumble.

The fourth quarter begins with a 2^nd and 15 for the Rams. Goff comes out throwing behind Kupp. On 3^rd down, Takk is blocked in the back, Beasley is held in a horse collar, so Goff is able to complete the pass to Woods for a first down, who is taken down hard by Campbell. Gurley gets 14 yards and brought down by Campbell and Debo. Then a huge run finally brought down by Rico after a 33-yard gain. Gurley goes up the middle for a short 3. The next play, Goff gets to meet Campbell again, for the 3^rd sack of the day. On 3^rd and 14, Goff, from the shot gun, hands to Brown who is stopped by Kiki forcing a 32-yard field goal. With just under 11 minutes to go, the Falcons lead 19/13.

Roberts takes the kickoff at the 10-yard line and goes out of bounds at the 17. A pass to Julio goes for another first down. Double Coleman’s in the backfield, and Tevin catches the pass, slips, but still manages an 8-yard gain, then is knocked out for a 1-yard loss. Ryan starts to run, then sees an open Hooper just across the first down line. Freeman is way in the backfield when he gets the ball, is immediately stopped by Donald for a 3-yard loss. Ryan passes to Sanu, as he picks up blockers, crosses the field and takes the ball 53 yards! First and 10 on the Rams 10. Freeman gets the call and goes around the right corner for a couple of yards. A fake to Freeman, and Julio gets the touchdown on the front corner of the end zone, giving the Falcons the 26/13 lead.

Bosher’s kick falls at the 3-yard line, Cooper quickly runs out of bounds. Kupp catches a quick first down pass. Then Goff throws a low incompletion. Woods has a false start causing a 2^nd and 15. Goff drops back and hits his tight end as Kiki slides on the field, Woods blocks Campbell in the head, called for a personal foul on a blindside block (4 officials called this), causing a 2^nd and 19. Goff then throws to a wide open Watkins at the 50. Woods makes a first down reception along the sideline. Kupp gets the next pass and is quickly stopped by Debo for a 5-yard gain. A short pass to Gerald Everett is stopped and popped back by Tru. Gurley goes past the 1 yard needed for several yards and the first down at the 20. Goff finds Gurley in the open field, again, tackled by Poole after a 3-yard gain. Neal makes the next stop at the line forcing a 3^rd and 7. Kiki and Debo combine for the next stop for 2 yards short. The Rams immediately go for it on a pass to Woods at the sideline. He bobbles the ball as he is falling out of bounds for the catch. They quickly snap the ball to ensure no review or challenge. A quick run to the left for a few yards. With 2:22 to go and a 2^nd and goal from the 5, Goff over throws Woods in the end zone. Goff then finds Tyler Higbee in the end zone just over Neal. The ruling of “touchdown” was reviewed and overturned as the ball hit the ground. It’s a 4^th down on the 5-yard line. Gurley is back in, Goff in the shotgun, as Grady and Vic swarm to Goff, the pass to Watkins is knocked out by Debo.

The Falcons take over on downs. Seconds over 2 minutes to go, on their own 5-yard line, up by 13, the Rams have all 3 time outs. Freeman gets the first carry and 3 yards. The 2-minute warning time out.

After the 2-minute warning, Ryan hands to Coleman who gains another 3 yards and the Rams take a time out. On 3^rd and 3, behind Dontari Poe, Coleman gains no yards and Bosher returns to punt.

Bosher’s punt is nearly blocked, Cooper bobbles the catch allowing Ish and Reynolds time to get to him and lay him out again. Goff goes immediately to the end zone to Watkins who is blanketed by Rocky in great coverage. Goff is forced out of the pocket by Poe and Jarrett and throws out of bounds. A quick pass up to Gurley gains 4 yards and is brought down by Wrey-Wilson. On 4^th down, the Rams call their final time out with 74 seconds remaining. Goff throws incomplete to Woods and is nearly intercepted by Wreh-Wilson.

Falcon fans sigh in relief as the team kneels down twice and prepare to head to Philadelphia for the next round at 4:35 ET on Saturday.

010618 Kazee — Kazee Getting After a Fumble

Iron Falcon: Nearly weekly deserved, Matt Bryant – another 4 field goals, 29, 51, 25, and 54 this week. Damontae Kazee and Kemal Ishmael for their consistent kick coverage, causing and recovering fumbles, turning the field for the offense and lighting up the team.

#RiseUp

FalconAlley Owt

Pictures Courtesy of Atlanta Falcons

Even 12 Men Can’t Beat the Falcons

Atlanta 34 at Seattle 31

When you take the opening kickoff back 50 yards, you know this game is going to be lit. Well, as lit as an Atlanta Falcons game will get when it goes to the wire….again. But a good start no doubt. Andre Roberts gave the offense excellent starting field position and they used it. The first pass is a drop by Julio Jones. Then Tevin Coleman has a good 5-yard run. Justin Hardy ensured a 9-yard catch on a low pass by Matt Ryan but going to the ground and getting under the ball for a great catch, then follows that up with a 7-yard sideline catch. Then, early in the game, trickery begins. Mohamed Sanu and the 12 Gauge up the middle for 3 yards. Ryan goes right back to Sanu for the touchdown, which results in an incomplete pass with a Pass Interference call, so moves the ball to the 1-foot line. Then behind Dontari Poe and Ben Garland, Coleman easily goes in for the 1-yard touchdown. With 3 minutes off the clock, the Falcons are already on the board.

The ensuing kickoff tells you how the kicking game is going to go all day. Matt Bosher, nursing an ankle injury, kicks off and the Seattle Seahawks’ Tyler Lockett takes the kick back 57 yards. Bosher did lay a hit out on Lockett to slow him down before Desmond Trufant knocked him out of bounds. Vic Beasley and company are in the backfield as Russell Wilson quickly gets a pass off to Lockett for a 9-yard game before Deion Jones (who else) makes the first tackle for the Falcons defense. On a reverse pivot, Wilson releases the ball, a little behind Lockett and it hits Trufant in the chest, surprises him a little, but he gathers the ball in for the interception and returns it 44 yards, behind the excellent blocking of Beasley. Credit to Wilson for the tackle.

Ryan and company come back to the field and he lobs up a high pass for Jones, who, naturally, in double coverage, leaps up and comes down with both feet in on the sideline for a 16-yard gain. Coleman has a short run, insert the same plan as the first possession with a successful pass to Hardy, for a first down. At the 5-yard line, a low, errant pass is tipped and at least 5 Seahawk defenders tipped the ball before it finally fell to the ground. After a time out to recoop their thoughts, Coleman gets a couple of yards rushing, then Bean Talk. Sanu makes the one handed over a defender catch in the corner of the end zone look easy. Now, midway through the first quarter, the Falcons are up 14/0.

112017 Sanu — Mohamed Sanu Making a Big One Handed Catch – Photo Courtesy of Atlanta Falcons

Back to the kicking game. Bosher hits the end zone, but Lockett brings it out to the 35-yard line. Once again, Bosher is in on the tackle with the assist going to Robert Alford. Some quick passes by Wilson, runs by Mike Davis, and a tripping penalty on the Falcons helps move the Seahawks down the field. Keanu Neal is taken off the field after one of those Keanu hits and is evaluated for a concussion. J.D. McKissic runs for 6 yards and is stopped by Damontae Kazee. Three Falcons are covering Doug Baldwin in the end zone causing a 3^rd and 4. Wilson gets chased back out of the pocket, Grady Jarrett is held and gets the penalty call. Then the tripping penalty moves the Seahawks back down the field and on a 2^nd and 3, Wilson finds Jimmy Graham in the end zone where he leaps and catches over De’Vondre Campbell for their first touchdown of the game.

The next Falcon drive was lack lustered, 7 plays, incomplete passes, penalties on both sides, and another Bosher punt to start the 2^nd quarter. The Seahawks started on their own 23. Then because of Poe, they were at the 20. THEN because of a combined defensive line unit, they did not have the ball. On 2^nd and 13, Takk McKinley busted through the line, and falling was able to pull Wilson down from behind. Meanwhile, Courtney Upshaw slides over Wilson knocking the ball out, and who was right there for the scoop and score? Adrian Clayborn. He may not have gotten the sack, but he did get the touchdown. Now, with 14:04 left to go in the 2^nd quarter, it is 21/7 Falcons!

Once again, on the ensuing kickoff, Lockett has a big return and is stopped at the 39 by Kazee. The pressure continued through this drive. Wilson completed passes to Baldwin and Davis, with Trufant and Poole in coveraged, and Poe and Clayborn forcing even quicker throws. Driving deep inside the Falcons’ territory, the Tigers combine with Beasley chasing Wilson and Jarrett reaching him as he lobs a ball out of bounds. Neal has returned to the field and stopped Davis at the line of scrimmage. At 2^nd and goal McKissick and Graham are both in with no backs. Brooks Reed is chasing the scrambling Wilson, while Clayborn reaches him and again, Jarrett hits/taps him as he releases the pass. Then one of the most memorable defensive plays of the day. It is 3^rd and goal from the 2, big Jimmy Graham gets the pass and thinks he has an easy run in to the end zone. Instead, he meets an unmovable force in Keanu Neal. Neal crosses the end zone, circles around Alford and a receiver and hits Graham so hard at the goal line, Graham is knocked back out to the 1. There is an offensive holding call that moves the ball back to the 12. Wilson is now running for his life. Clayborn and Beasley both nearly sack him and as he lets the errant pass go, Jarrett is shoving him in the chest. The Seahawks settle for a field goal.

Just when you think the momentum is fully on the Falcons side, the turn over, the big stop and forced field goal. Now, the special teams strikes again. The Seahawks have a short kick, which bounces right past Roberts, who then touches it, Seattle recovers and have the ball at the 11. The defense trots immediately back on the field. The d steps up again, knocking the first pass out of Baldwin’s hands. Beasley trips Davis to slow him down for Trufant to make the stop. Neal and Poole combine to stop Graham at the goal line again. 1^st and goal at the 1, takes them 4 tries, and the D stands up, until Seattle takes a time out, comes up with a perfect blocking scheme and Wilson walks in for the touchdown.

The next kickoff, the Falcons special teams was a little more prepared. Ben Garland received the kickoff and returned it 11 yards. The first play is a beautiful pass to Sanu, who is shoved out of bounds before the ball arrives. He gets the PI and the ball is moved up 16 yards. Then the collapse begins. Eric Saubert has a false start, moving the ball back. Coleman has a 4-yard run, then on a pitch back is stopped behind the line of scrimmage. Coleman then has a nice 15-yard pass, gaining most of those yards after the catch behind a good Hooper block. Sanu catches a big 21-yard pass at the 21 as the 2 minute warning comes. Unfortunately, the Falcons could not continue the quick movement and settled for a 44-yard Matt Bryant field goal.

Grady Jarrett Does Not Bite on Fake Punt

Now, for the craziest drive of the game. Again, Bosher kicks off to the 2 and Lockett runs it out to the 41 where he is met by Kemal Ishmael. With 58 seconds on the clock, Wilson has quick passes to Graham for a 4-yard gain, out jukes Beasley for a big first down. Throws to McKissic in the end zone where Jones has perfect coverage and as McKissic’s hands went up, so did Jones’ and his finger tips knocked the ball out of alignment. Wilson overthrows Graham, then scrambling, way back in the backfield gets hit by Takk as he releases the ball, but Richardson did not have the first down. The field goal team comes on, they try the fake, but Jarrett sniffs it out, picks Luke Willson up, spins him around and lays him down for a 4-yard loss.

The teams go in for half time with the Falcons leading 24 to 17. Life is good.

The second half began with a Bosher kick and a return only to the 28, so that was a half time improvement. Wilson starts with a high pass to Thompson which Alford knocks out. Everyone is applying such great pressure to Wilson that he has a fake handoff to Davis, then throws a screen to Davis who gains 21 yards. On a 24-yard pass to Richardson that is tightly defended by Alford, he is called for the PI. Next play, Alford has a good pass knocked out. Then on 2^nd and 4….here comes Grady!!! He slaps the hands of the right guard as he goes past for an 8-yard sack. After a short pass to McKissic, Seattle settles for another field goal.

Once again, just when you think the momentum is going one way, it flips to the other team. In 8 plays and under 4 minutes, the Falcons score another touchdown, on a 25-yard pass to a wide open Levine Toilolo. Ryan showed his scrambling ability by running and sliding for a 14-yard gain, with former Falcon Dwight Freeney in hot pursuit. Earl Thomas was called for a hit on a defenseless player, so the Falcons got the touchdown and an extra 15 yards on the upcoming kickoff.

Bosher kicks it out of the end zone. Immediately, Wilson connects with a wide-open Richardson for an 18-yard gain. Then fakes it to Lacy and runs 17 yards himself, as Campbell slips on the wet field. McKissic meets Takk again after a 4-yard gain. Takk almost gets to Wilson, while Beasley gets his hands on Wilson, meanwhile there is also an offensive holding penalty on the play. The D is really roughing up the offensive line. Clayborn, on a mission chases the elusive Wilson, who escapes his grip twice. Wilson outurns Jarrett and Beasley and slides out of bounds at the first down marker. The 1^st and 10 has Wilson scrambling and over throwing Willson. Then 2^nd and 10 has the pocket collapse with Ishmael and Derrick Shelby combining for a 12-yard loss. After another perfect Alford defended pass, Seattle settles for a 46-yard field goal.

The 3^rd quarter ends with the first pass of the day to Taylor Gabriel, Coleman with a 5-yard stutter run, and a 7-yard reception by single covered Jones. Terron Ward has a first down catch then 9-yard run to open the 4^thquarter. Then the typical 4^th quarter meltdown begins. A side throw for 2 yards to TE Hooper, a false start by Andy Levitre, a short 5-yard pass to Gabriel leads to a 4^th and 13 and a punt. Good news, the punt was fair caught.

The defense causes a quick 3 and out when Baldwin did not catch the 3^rd down pass. Seattle challenged the play and lost a time out.

The Falcons quickly drive back down the field on the backs of Coleman and Ward, both earning their pay with stiff arms, breaking tackles. With a 3^rd and goal, Coleman spins off the stacked up offensive line to the end zone. It is reviewed by the officials and determined that he was 6 inches short. Bryant makes yet another field goal.

Under 4 minutes to go in the game, the Falcons are up 34/23. Yet, the game is not safe with Russell Wilson on the other side. In a few plays, Wilson runs for a first down, finds Graham across the middle, McKissic shows off his running skills, and with the help of an accidental hit out of bounds penalty, Wilson finds Baldwin wide open in the end zone. Then Graham has an easy 2-point conversion in the corner of the end zone.

Now there are 3 minutes remaining, and the Falcons have a 3-point lead. They prepare for the onsides kick with the hands team up, but Seattle kicks it deep to Roberts. Coleman comes blasting up the left side behind FB Derrick Coleman. Then T. Coleman is tripped up behind the line. Immediately following the 2 minute warning, Wes Schwietzer gives up a big sack forcing another Bosher punt.

The punt is short, but bounces and the coverage team is there and Marvin Hall lays Lockett out. There was also an offensive holding penalty to back Seattle up a little more for their final stand. Trying to not give up the big play, the defense has a 3-man rush through the rest of the game. Graham gets 11 yards, Clayborn hits Wilson as he throws an air ball that is nearly hauled in by Poole. Then, Clayborn runs up causing Beasley to jump and give the Seahawks a free play. Trufant blocks a pass intended for Graham, then Wilson scrambles for another first down. With time dwindling, Wilson has an 8-yard toss to Richardson who is tackled by Alford and Neal, who try to wrestle the ball away. Since the Seahawks are out of time outs, Wilson has to spike the ball at the 34 with 7 seconds remaining on the clock. Blair Walsh attempts a 52-yard field goal, which falls a few feet short and the game is over. The Falcons have won and moved into 6^th place in the NFC.

Injury News: Keanu Neal left the game temporarily, was evaluated and returned at least 98% as he was continuing to lay out Keanu type hits. Late in the game, Brian Poole was shaken and slow to get up, but was fine by Tuesday. Devonta Freeman remains in concussion protocol. Matt Bosher’s ankle caused him to miss practice on Wednesday.

Iron Falcon: Grady Jarrett ended with 2 tackles and a sack on the day, however, Jarrett was hugely effective once again. He was close or hitting Russell Wilson all day, causing errant or quick throws. Jarrett is the fastest 305 pounder you will see, is smart and quick to think and spot what is happening in front of him. And remember his sniffing out the fake field goal before the half. It was not merely a stop of Seattle getting the first down, but a complete read of the situation and stuffing the runner for a huge loss. And, huge boost going into half time.

#RiseUp

FalconAlley Owt

And Then, There Were 53

090517

Added LB Jordan Tripp (from Green Bay) to the 53
G Jamil Douglas fills final practice squad spot

090417

– LaRoy Reynolds LB – placed on IR with pectoral muscle injury.

– Courtney Upshaw will be featured in nickel package with loss of Shede. Jack Crawford and Dontari Poe will step in on other defense packages.

– Ty Sambrailo will play both LT and RT. And practiced over the weekend.

– Starting RG is Wes Schweitzer due to more consistency.

090417: Ra’Shede Hageman released.

10 of the 11 Practice Squad Announced

RB Jhurell Pressley

WR Deante Burton
WR Marvin Hall
TE Josh Perkins
TE Alex Gray
T Daniel Brunskill
DE J’Terius Jones
DT Joe Vellano
DT Taniela Tupou
S Marcelis Branch

090217: And Then There Were 53

So, apparently there was some big secret going on at The Branch today as 4pm came and went and it was after 5pm ET before we got the Final Falcons Roster. I didn’t see any huge surprises, especially on the release list. Several lists with, waived for this and that, injured, suspended, etc. Jalen Collins is still on the team, al biet suspended for 10 games, but that gives us a buffer for later in the season. Another surprise, maybe only to me, was Ra’Shede Hageman. He is on the commissioner’s exempt list. Which is, I just learned, a holding pattern. Shede’s domestic abuse charge from August of 2016 was wrapped in the courts, but continues to be reviewed in the league. So, Shede is on the team, but can’t play right now….don’t get me started on this.

Congrats to everyone that made the team. I will mark up my roster from earlier in the week, as I think it is going to be pretty close – short of the traded additions I didn’t anticipate. Of note, RB Brian Hill made the roster, WRs Andre Roberts and Nick Williams, BEN GARLAND is the starting RG!!! LBs include LaRoy Reynolds and undrafted rookie Jermaine Grace that earned his spot in Thursday’s game for sure. Another guy that solidified his spot Thursday was Blidi Wreh-Wilson at CB.

Andre Roberts is the official returner for now, and I am sure he will get some help from Justin Hardy and Nick Williams along the way.

Practice squad will be announced later, so see who earns a spot there.

Below is the current roster. Again, congrats to everyone…new and old….welcome to The Brotherhood.

53 Man Roster

Mack, Alex

Alford, Robert

Goodwin, C.J.

Kazee, Damontae

Olatoye, Deji

Poole, Brian

Trufant, Desmond

Wreh-Wilson, Blidi

Clayborn, Adrian

Crawford, Jack

McKinley, Takkarist

Reed, Brooks

Shelby, Derrick

Jarrett, Grady

Upshaw, Courtney

Coleman, Derrick

Garland, Ben

Levitre, Andy

Schweitzer, Wes

Bryant, Matt

Grace, Jermaine

Jones, Deion

Reynolds, LaRoy

Harris, Josh

Poe, Dontari

Harlow, Sean

Pasztor, Austin

Beasley, Vic

Campbell, De’Vondre

Riley, Duke

Sambrailo, Ty

Bosher, Matt

Ryan, Matt

Schaub, Matt

Coleman, Tevin

Freeman, Devonta

Hill, Brian

Ward, Terron

Allen, Ricardo

Ishmael, Kemal

Neal, Keanu

Neasman, Sharrod

Matthews, Jake

Schraeder, Ryan

Hooper, Austin

Saubert, Eric

Toilolo, Levine

Gabriel, Taylor

Hardy, Justin

Jones, Julio

Roberts, Andre

Sanu, Mohamed

Williams, Nick

That Defense Though…..

Jacksonville 13 at Atlanta 7

August 31, 2017

Allison Smith

So, clearly our defense is not going to be our trouble this year. With many of the first teamers not playing at all in Game 4 of the Preseason, the guys that did play, were fighting hard to earn their spot on this roster. Last week we had “Fumble Central,” this week was an “Interception Clinic.” The back-up Falcons defense had 3 interceptions in the first half alone. Blidi Wren-Wilson and Sharrod Neasman, tipped by Chris Odom, both had interceptions in the end zone to stop Jacksonville drives. Jermaine Grace hauled in an interception as well and has played with good speed and has really been showing some good skills.

Noting that neither Matt Ryan nor Matt Schaub stepped foot on the field, the offense had another rough night. After a quick 3 and out, Jacksonville was able to score quickly with a 43-yard pass for a touchdown. Matt Simms was sacked twice in a single drive and Alex Torgersen threw an interception and was sacked late in the game. Meanwhile, Matt Bosher had 6 punts, averaging 43 yards.

Chris Odom Sack Photo Courtesy: Atlanta Falcons

The defense caused many long field goals and punts for Jacksonville. Lots of speed, energy, and effort by the young guys Thursday night. Odom finished with 6 tackles, an assist, a sack, a quarterback hurry, a tackle for loss, and may have played himself into a coveted roster position.

A few offensive stand outs were Deante Burton with 2 catches for 44 yards, Marvin Hall with a 65-yard gain. Kelvin Taylor had a nice 24-yard catch from Simms early in the game, and Darion Griswold recovered a fumble for a touchdown, then later had a 51-yard catch from Alex Torgersen. Overall, Sims showed himself well in all the preseason games. So, all is not lost, even for our 3^rd to 4^th string team.

Reggie Davis returned one kickoff 22 yards, while Hall had an 8-yard punt return. Punt coverage for the Falcons was better, or Bosher’s kicks were just too good. But the kickoff coverage allowed 20 and 21 yard returns.

In the grand scheme, game 4 was pure evaluation for the bubble and not-even bubble guys. We came out of training camp and preseason with no injuries (Devonta Freeman was fully dressed Thursday). Head Coach Dan Quinn noted that he and Thomas Dimitroff have “Difficult decisions ahead regarding the roster.” DQ said it will be a difficult, but exciting weekend ahead. They both are really happy with the new rule to have a full roster through the end of preseason, to give more guys more chances to make a roster or show off their skills for other teams.

As for the most heated competition of the preseason…..Ben Garland and Wes Schweitzer at right guard, DQ commented that “both played at center and guard…pretty much have decision down…could see both playing,” which is what Allison said weeks ago….It will be interesting to see if Coach names a starter or just release the roster or cut list.

While we may not be winning in preseason, we have seen good speed on all 3 phases of the game, lots of team play, effort, and learning.

So now, we wait.

#RiseUp

Featured Photo: Courtesy of Atlanta Falcons – Brotherhood celebrates