Justin Hardy – FalconAlley Football

It Doesn’t Have to Be Pretty to Be a W

12.18.17

Atlanta 24 Tampa Bay 21

Captains for tonight’s game are Devonta Freeman, Matt Bryant, and Ricardo Allen.

The Buccaneers won the toss and deferred.

Andre Roberts gives the Falcons good field position with a 31-yard return to the 36-yard line. The first play is a run into the line by Devonta Freeman. Then a toss back to Freeman, who goes to the left and gains 4 yards. With a third and five, Matt Ryan drops back and throws to Julio Jones who is tightly covered by, you know it, Brent Grimes. Matt Bosher punts a high 42-yard punt to the 17 for a fair catch.

The Buccaneers start off with a run as well, gaining a quick 5 yards. Robert Alford in great coverage on Mike Evans causes a missed catch and a 3^rd and 5. Another Jameis Winston pass is caught, but stopped short by Deion Jones with Keanu Neal closing. And instantly, the Falcons have the ball right back near the same spot they just were.

A quick pass to Austin Hooper for a 4-yard gain, then a running angry Free quickly gets the first down and are up near the 50. Then a wide open Justin Hardy gets a 27-yard birthday catch. After a fake to Freeman, Ryan throws to Freeman who makes allot of moves for a 7-yard gain, but is called back by a Ben Garland block in the back. Freeman is replaced by Terron Ward. Stacked with receivers, the Bucs decide to take a time out. Back at the 34, Ryan drops back and finds Jones for 8 yards. Next, Ryan finds Ward for another 6 yards. Freeman is back in and makes a big 13-yard reception and is suddenly down at the 7-yard line. A play fake and an off pass to Derrick Coleman. Freeman tries, unsuccessfully to run up the middle as he is quickly met with 3 Buc defenders. It’s 3^rd and goal, Ryan is in the shotgun and easily throws a birthday touchdown pass to Hardy.

As I said pre-game on Periscope, birthday boys have had good games all season. Now, let’s see Rico get a nice pick 6 for his celebration.

Bosher kicks for a touchback, so the Bucs start at the 25. Winston quickly hands off to avoid the swarming Grady Jarrett and the rusher is stopped by De’Vondre Campbell, who makes the next tackle as well. Winston lobs a big pass up the field to Cameron Brate who is quickly met with a flying Alford, who apparently hits too hard and is called for a penalty. He went in for the shoulder, but the receiver was leaning to catch the questionable pass. Charles Sims makes a catch, just short of the first just across midfield. Peyton Barber looks stopped, but keeps his feet moving and rolling off defenders for a big gain and first down. Derrick Shelby ensures the next run is not as successful, hitting Barber behind the line. Takk McKinley jumps, but Winston doesn’t snap the ball in time to get the call, resets and throws to DeSean Jackson for a 1 yard short of the first down again. Again, on 3^rd and 1, there is a big play. The Falcons blow their coverage and OJ Howard makes the receiving touchdown. With just under 2 minutes to go in the first quarter, it is all tied up at 7.

On the next kickoff, Roberts brings it out of the end zone and up to the 25 the hard way. A Ryan toss back to Ward who gains 9 yards, who, on the next run gains the first down. Back in, Freeman goes 15 yards virtually untouched. A pass to Freeman who goes for another 29 yards after a light stiff arm to a defender, then turns up the speed.

As the second quarter begins, Ryan overthrows Mohamed Sanu in the end zone, covered by, shakes head, Robert McLain. Still just outside the 20, the handoff to Taylor Gabriel goes for 3 yards. Again, this does not work, but we stick with a play if nothing else. Third and 7 as Ryan drops back and tosses a short pass to Jones, who then goes untouched for a number of yards and is hugging the sideline as he is pushed out at the 2. Dontari Poe is in at fullback and Freeman follows him in to inches from the goal line. Still in at fullback, Freeman flies into the end zone, drops the ball, then Levine Toilolo comes off his block and recovers the ball. It doesn’t really have to be this dramatic.

Next kickoff, another familiar name, Jaquizz Rodgers with the return, but is called back on a block in the back penalty. Starting with their backs against the end zone, Winston finds Mike Evans for a quick first down. After a short run, Evans makes a big catch downfield, but is called back for an offensive pass interference for jamming up Desmond Trufant. At 2^nd and 17 from their own 12, Winston drops back, finds Sims who is knocked out of bounds after numerous missed tackles. As he is just stepping out of bounds, Rico hits him and is called for the penalty. Then DC Raheem Morris notices that Jones likely had Sims down at the 11 and challenges the call. The call is reversed, but the penalty (that would not have happened if they called the game correctly to start) is still enforced and the Bucs are at their own 26. Jackson runs around the back and left side for 7 yards where Jones forces him out. Kemal Ishmael makes a huge leap, but the pass is still too high for him and another pass is completed. Third and 4 seeing midfield, (shoot me) Joe Hawley is in at center and assists with the 36-yard reception by Cross. However, before the Bucs can snap the ball, Dan Quinn challenges the catch on the sideline as one foot was in bounds but the body fell out of bounds. This challenge, the Falcons lose.

The Bucs continue their drive with Winston in trouble, but gets a big pass off for a 14-yard gain. Brooks Reed was nearly touching Winston as he released the ball. Inside the 20, the Bucs rush up the middle quickly to the 9-yard line where he is tackled by Rico. Then, Barber rushes to the 5, where Neal knocks the ball out with the back of his elbow.

The Falcons offense comes out, immediately gets a defensive penalty to move up the field to the 39 for a first down. Then Free gets loose and runs 22 easy yards behind the blocking Garland and runs over defenders. Freeman runs again for 3 yards, then takes a break on the sideline. Ward is stopped way behind the line. Ju and Sanu are lined up next to each other on the right side as Ryan lays the ball up to Jones tight double covered in the end zone by the time Ryan released the ball. Matt Bryant successfully kicks the 57-yard field goal like a boss.

The Bucs have just over 3 minutes to go in the half and start at their own 25. Winston airs it up and Rico gets his birthday interception, but the refs called Rocky for holding and give the ball back and the automatic first down. While Vic Beasley is being blocked and tackled in the back and Jarrett is being held around the throat, Winston is able to run up the field for a few yards. On 3^rd down, Winston throws too low for the sliding Cross to catch. They kick to Roberts who is hit late out of bounds by Cross, but the refs pick the flag back up.

Ryan has the team moving with passes to Sanu and Gabriel, then a wide open Freeman on the run cannot make the reception. Ryan under major pressure and running around, gets the pass off to Sanu on the sideline for 21 yards. With under a minute to go, Ryan tosses up to Freeman, who quickly gets out of bounds after an 8-yard gain. A slightly high pass to Sanu falls incomplete. On 3^rd and 2, Ryan has a sprint out to his left and throws it down the sideline to Jones who is tightly covered by Chris Conti. Bosher kicks out of bounds at the 17-yard line.

With 25 seconds to go, the Bucs throw for a quick first down. Next, Winston is scrambling and meets the young buck TAKK who sacks him, causes a fumble, but the Falcons are unable to recover it. The half ends and everyone heads to their locker rooms with the Falcons leading 17 to 7.

Bosher kicks off to Quizz, who easily returns it up to the 45 and is finally stopped by rookie Damontae Kazee. Winston lays it up for Evans who SHOVED Rocky down to make the reception. Evans goes off the field whining on the most unquestionable PI ever. Backed up, Barber gets the call for 8 rushing yards. The Bucs are called for offsides and backed up again. A short pass to Adam Humphries is immediately stopped by Brian Poole. On 3^rd and 9, the Bucs are in the shotgun and Winston steps up where he is met by CLEMSON. Beasley on one side, Jarrett being held but on the other side, with a push by Takk. The Bucs are forced to punt which goes into the end zone and they have a flag for holding on the offense.

A quick 3-yard gain, a penalty on Wes Schweitzer and it is 2^nd and 13 at the 27 leads to a pressured Ryan errant pass that falls incomplete. Out of the shotgun, Ryan scrambles, continues to look for a receiver, finally kicks it and goes for the first down. Unfortunately, Garland is called for a (Gruden called) not existent hold. Gabriel leaps for a high pass, but cannot escape the defender and only gains a few yards. Bosher is on to punt and the Bucs start at their own 47.

Barber rushes up the line and is immediately across midfield into Falcons territory. Winston passes to Barber for the first down at the 42-yard line, as Jarrett hits Winston. After being hit in the back, Neal whiffs by Winston and he lobs the ball down for an Evans touchdown. Just like that, it is a 3-point game.

Roberts runs out the kick again, just short of the 25-yard line. Ryan is under center, rolls out and dives head first for a little short of the first down, while Toilolo is wide open at the 50 on the far side of the field. On 2^nd and 1, Ryan airs it out for Jones, who missed the perfect catch under tight coverage by Conti. With Ryan wide right, the ball is snapped to Sanu, who gets the first down on a run to the left. Great pressure, Ryan escapes and runs for a first down, with the defenders chasing Ryan down as they collided. Ryan tosses back to Freeman who runs up and over Conti – laying the hit on the defender for a 9-yard gain. Ryan audibles, then gives to Freeman who runs on the right side for no gain. 3^rd and 1, the Falcons have Ryan in the shotgun, hands to Freeman who gains 2 yards. Ryan running, throws off target off the hands of a wide open Sanu. Ward gets the rock and runs behind Coleman’s great block and gains 9 yards. Freeman is back in and goes around the left corner for the first down.

At the 26-yard line, Freeman pushes through the middle for a 3-yard gain. From the shotgun, Ryan glances at the field and again runs, for the first down. Ryan fakes the run, then throws the ball over Hardy in the end zone. 2^nd and 10 from the 16 and overthrows Jones in the left corner of the end zone. A low pass that Hardy cannot bring in falls incomplete and the red zone woes continue. Bryant’s 33-yard field goal is blocked by a lineman.

The Bucs start at their own 23 and Winston scrambles 13 yards for a first down. A quick run is stopped by a fleet of Falcons causing a 2^nd and 5 to begin the 4^th quarter.

On play action, Winston connects with Brate for another big first down. Humphries makes a 1-yard catch and is immediately met by Poole. Winston drops back for an on target throw, but is met hard by Ish and drops the ball back out. Under pressure, Winston runs, but appears to fall down in the middle of the field. Holding is called on the offense, but declined forcing a fourth down punt. The balls drops into Roberts’ arms at the 11.

Freeman runs as hard as ever, loses the football from a Conti hit, but is recovered and still counts the 7-yard gain. Right back to Freeman, but he is stopped behind the line after easily slipping by Jake Matthews. Now a pass to Freeman for a first down and a few more. A play fake to Ward and 7-yard pass to Hooper. Ward goes through the left side for another first down. An incomplete pass is followed by a cutback run for the elusive Ward for another first down. Freeman runs for 3 yards. Another quick run and it is 3^rd and 2 at the 32-yard line. Then…..FREE……MAN. Who hands the ball to a lineman, hugs Ryan and Sanu, and calmly walks off the field. Off a Sanu block, Freeman gets free, jukes a couple of defenders and hits the speed and goes in for the 32-yard touchdown.

With 8 minutes to go in the game, Bosher kicks into the end zone and the Bucs offense comes back to the field. Winston, from the shotgun, throws behind Chris Godwin, who is covered by Tru, but makes the catch. Already at the 43, Winston passes again to Godwin, but Rocky knocks the ball loose. Winston has an easy 14-yard pass to wide open Humphries. Again, to a wide open Evans for another 9 yards. Winston is being taken down by Poe as he throws an incomplete pass. On 3^rd and 1, Barber comes in and runs up the middle for 7 yards. Back in the shotgun, Winston throws to Humphries at the line of scrimmage where he is met quickly by Rocky. Falcons show blitz and cause a false start, backing the Bucs up to 2^nd and 11. An easy target to Brate, stopped by Neal for a first down at the 17. Winston airs one out for the end zone, but over throws his receiver. Winston, throws on the run to Humphries in the back of the end zone who has escaped Trufant who has fallen down.

With 4 minutes left to go in the game, it is a 3-point game again.

Roberts sets the Falcons up at the 28. Freeman has a single yard run. Another short run by Freeman. 3^rd and 5, Ryan throws to Freeman right at the first down marker. The Bucs burn their second time out, Ward has a short run, then the Bucs use their final time out of the game. A toss sweep to Ward in the backfield gains no yards. At the 2-minute warning, the Falcons face a 3^rd and 9. Ryan is sacked after running over Schweitzer.

The Falcons let the clock run down to 1:14, take a time out, then Bosher punts the ball to the 9-yard line, then returns to the 29-yard line. With a minute to go, Winston (just before getting slammed by Jarrett) completes a 13-yard pass to Brate. Another first down stopped by Rocky at the 47. Winston spikes the ball, then tosses another pass that is caught and the receiver is stopped and flipped by Campbell. Now, 5 seconds to go, Tampa attempts a 54-yard field goal that is wide right as time expires.

One more win and we are definitely in.

Iron Falcon: Clearly goes to Devonta Freeman with 22 carries for 126 yards and a touchdown, and 68 receiving yards, almost 200 all purpose yards. Basically serving as a single running back this week (no shade to Ward) Freeman took the offense on his back and performed like the Pro Bowl running back we all know and love.

#RiseUp

FalconAlley OWT

Pictures courtesy of Atlanta Falcons

Welcome To The Claybo Sack Show

November 12, 2017

Dallas 7 at Atlanta 27

By Allison Smith
So, the game starts as usual. Off-setting penalties, then an exciting interception by the little heard from this season Desmond Trufant, but that is overturned due to a defensive penalty. So early, you already know how the game is going to go. But wait, the headline makes it sound like a better than average Falcon game. And it lived up to the hype.

Sean Weatherspoon is back and starting again. Trufant seemed already on his game like the Tru of 2016. Rookie Takk McKinley has several tackles for a loss in the first series, so Takk is coming in to his own as well now. We all know the defense has been doing their job this season, missing some tackles, but playing so much in the game, tiring out by the end.

Then, the storyline of the day, that you don’t know is the storyline this early. Adrian Clayborn, who has definitely returned healthy this season, has a sack, for a big loss and to cause a long 3^rd down. On the 3^rd down play, Claybo hits Dak Prescott as he releases the ball, that goes into the ground. The Cowboys punt and the Falcons begin their opening drive on their own 15.

After 2 hapless Devonta Freeman runs, the referee steps in noticing that Free is wobbly, but not mentioning anything to the team – as is Free’s normal. We now know that Freeman already has a concussion on the season, and he did not play again on the day. On the next play, the Cowboys defender, hugging Mohammad Sanu, tips the pass which is intercepted by another Cowboy, giving them the ball on the 21-yard line. I think this is when I tossed down my 3^rd drink of the day.

The Cowboys take over and the first pass was tipped by Deion Jones and could have been intercepted by Ricardo Allen, as he was reading Prescott’s eyes very well. A couple of plays later, Prescott, running for his life from Takk, while the receivers were covered, runs in for the touchdown. The good news is, now, we know that is the only score for the Cowboys.

The first play of the 2^nd offensive drive for the Falcons is a pass to Julio Jones. Catching, in typical Ju form, double covered and still hauling in the pass. Then, Matt Ryan begins the 2016 campaign of spreading the ball around. Mohamed Sanu, Austin Hooper, Tevin Coleman running. Maybe Freeman coming off the field inspired the offense to step up. This drive stalled and required a Matt Bryant 50-yard field goal, so guess his injury from the previous week is as good as healed. At the end of the first quarter, the Cowboys lead 7-3.

The defense was really making it difficult for the Dallas O all day. On a long 3^rd down, Prescott begins to run again and is met by, Claybo, yet again behind the line of scrimmage, for the 2^nd sack of the day. The Cowboys set up to punt, but instead attempt a pass, which was called back due to offensive pass interference and end up punting anyway. Back at the 42, Chris Jones punts the ball, that again Andre Roberts lets go over his head, where a Cowboy is already standing to down the ball and the offense gets to start yet another drive from their own 2.

An immediate pass to Julio at the 12 for a first down shows that Offensive Coordinator Steve Sarkisian has finally found the good play book that has been hidden away. Again, spreading the ball out to Coleman, Sanu, and Levine Toilolo. After a time out, clearly a confused offense, Demarcus Lawrence easily shoves by Ryan Schraeder to sack Matt Ryan forcing a 4^th down punt.

The Cowboys start at midfield due to a good punt return, but the defense stands up, forces loss of yards. Then, not wanting to be outdone, Dontari Poe comes over from the right side and lays Prescott out.

Taylor Gabriel starts the next drive on a misdirection handoff and a good Toilolo block, Turbo gains 15 yards. Then Jake Matthews has a penalty that negates the clobbering Ryan took because Schweitzer allowed two defenders easily by him. Coleman finally has a good run that gets additional yards based on being tackled by his helmet. Sanu sets up the defender, sets the angle for Ryan, who double clutches to see when Sanu is ready and makes a big catch leading into the 2-minute warning. Now, at the 15 with Terron Ward in the backfield, Ward runs up the middle for a couple of yards. Guess we should be happy Ward was even active this week with the injury to Freeman. Gabriel is hugged and stopped from getting to the end zone pass. With the pass interference penalty, the ball is moved to the 2.

Now, the fun begins. Dontari Poe is in at full back….now THAT is a FULL back. Also, Ben Garland is in on the line finally. Julio and Gabriel are both on the sideline, in case you think this is going to be a big pass play. This time, Poe makes a big enough hole and Coleman pushes in for the touchdown. Meanwhile, Garland has also moved his guys into the end zone as well. If anyone wants my improved line up suggestions.

With a minute and a half to go, the Cowboys come out trying with big play attempts. Trufant nearly gets an interception. The next play, the entire defensive line nearly gets a sack, but the elusive Prescott manages to escape and make it to the sideline for a first down. Flushed out again, Vic Beasley chases Prescott down for a 2-yard gain. With Zeke Elliot out, apparently Prescott is the only runner and runs again for a first down. Jason Whitten is finally targeted for a 6-yard reception and is pushed out by De’Vondre Campbell. While still at midfield, Claybo sacks Prescott again, not even forcing a fumble, but stripping the ball out of Dak’s arms before allowing him to go to the ground. Grady Jarrett’s arm was on Prescott’s back too, so there was not going to be any escape.

With only a few seconds going into the half and being near midfield, Ryan lobs it up a couple of times to no avail. Going into half time with the 10/7 lead.

111217 Tevin run — Tevin Coleman Making Up for the Freeman Injury – Photo Credit: Atlanta Falcons

We start the second half by lighting it up. A huge run by Coleman and 26-yard reception by Jones on the sideline quickly get the Falcons into Cowboys territory. Then a big catch by Hooper is negated by a block in the back by Toilolo. Gabriel, having his most targets of the season, makes an incredible catch down the middle after escaping coverage and sets the O up at the 8 with a first down. Ryan, while being tackled, gets a pass to Julio who is being covered by 3 defenders. Then, Justin Hardy makes a great move to escape the coverage, runs along the back of the end zone and gives Ryan the perfect touchdown target.

The Cowboys come out working the run pretty well for a couple of first downs. Clayborn and Jarrett were closing, but Prescott is getting rid of the ball much quicker now. Down in the red zone, Prescott drops back and has no clue that Clayborn has now left his feet and is about to land on him, for Claybo’s 4^th sack of the day…so far….and a loss of 7 yards. Campbell causes a loss of 2 on the next play. On 3^rd down, they cannot get back to the line of scrimmage. The 38-yard field goal attempt dings the upright and falls out to the right.

111217 Turbo — Turbo Showing His Speed Photo Credit: Atlanta Falcons

After taking over and a few short plays, Gabriel, with inside leverage, catches a 34-yarder across the middle, turns on his Turbo speed and goes. Coleman gets a first down along the left sideline. Down at the 15 with a first down, the 3^rd quarter ends. Hooper gets to the 1-foot line. Poe is back in at fullback, then on play action, Hooper gets the 1-yard touchdown reception.

After a 2 yard loss caused by Deion Jones, an errant pass, it’s 3^rd down….Claybo and Dak get together again. This forces a punt from deep in Dallas territory, giving the Falcons the ball back near midfield. Both Coleman and Ward blasting out big runs have the Falcons quickly in the red zone again. Unfortunately, all the Falcons could manage was another successful field goal and the game is set at 27/7.

Really late in the game, Whitten final gets another big pass to move the Cowboys to the 35-yard line. The next play is another errant pass based on a quick throw because of Clayborn swarming close. In the annoying prevent defense, the Cowboys continue to drive down the field. Clayborn almost has another sack, but falls/gets tripped. Robert Alford and Trufant had great coverage of Dez Bryant all day. With 3^rd and 6 at the 20, Prescott is scrambling with Beasley and Clayborn on his heels. With just over 4 minutes to go, the Cowboys have to go for it on 4^th down. Not to be forgotten for his early season game winning sack, Brooks Reed sacks Prescott, deep in the backfield, closely flanked by Beasley and Jarrett. While, on the same play, there was offensive holding, which must have been the only thing keeping Clayborn for being back there too.

The next Falcon drive goes for nothing with runs up the middle and the Cowboy defense standing up, trying to get the ball back for their offense. Little did they know what that would entail.

The 2^nd play in the Cowboys final drive, Clayborn strip sacks Prescott. Completely in the backfield, way behind Prescott, Clayborn knocks the ball out, Takk and Jarrett both see the loose ball and head for it, where Takk recovers the fumble, giving the Falcons offense the ball back. Claybo is then attacked by Reed, Rocky, Debo, all jumping on him in celebration. He smiles, walks over to the sideline like, “Another day another dollar.”

Dallas had utilized all of their time outs, Atlanta ran out the clock and the Falcons are officially back on track. We hope.

Injury Report: Devonta Freeman, concussion, no updates yet. Not yet ruled out against Seattle, but I would suggest unlikely.

Iron Falcon: Obviously, Adrian Clayborn defensively. Claybo passes the great Chuck Smith and legend Claude Humphrey who both tallied 5 sacks in a single game. Clayborn’s 6 sacks not only set a Falcon record, but clearly took the Cowboys out of their passing game and without the running of Zeke Elliott, Prescott was left to run or pass really quick himself.

#RiseUp

FalconAlley Owt