Mohamed Sanu – Page 2 – FalconAlley Football

Ju Being Ju, With a Side of Sanu

November 26, 2017

Tampa Bay 20 at Atlanta 34

Finally we see the Falcons we know and love. They came out aggressive, spreading the ball around, and getting Julio Jones involved. Also, breaking records. You know, being Falcons.

The game started off well enough. Ricardo Allen, who had no tackles the week before, leads the defense with the first tackle of the day, and continued to lead the team throughout the day. Ryan Fitzpatrick started with a pass to DeSean Jackson, for a first down, with the stop by Rico. Then they tried to run against Grady Jarrett. Gaining 6 and 4 yards, but running into Grady twice is likely not really winning. Then Fitzgerald ran for a first down and was clobbered by the defense. Near the Atlanta 41, the Bucs run up the middle again, into Grady again. Then the first of many familiar names, Jacquizz Rodgers has a quick 4-yard run. Another quick pass covered by Brian Poole. Then a 3^rd down pass in the end zone to Mike Evans that Desmond Trufant knocks out. The Buccaneers kick the field goal with Robert Alford rushing around the corner for the block. With just under 10 minutes to go in the first quarter, Tampa Bay leads 3/0. And that was the last time they would lead for the day.

Andre Roberts caught the kickoff at the goal line and ran out to the 26. Tevin Coleman gets the start again with Devonta Freeman out and started with a nice 5-yard run. Then, shockingly, an early pass to Taylor Gabriel for 4 yards, who meets former Falcon, Brent Grimes. With 1 yard to go, Matt Ryan keeps the ball and pushes through for the first down. A successful 8-yard pass to Austin Hooper, then a signal from Andy Levitre for Coleman to get behind him, for the push for the first down. After a low pass to Julio Jones, Coleman gains a quick 3 yards, then a pass down the left side to Julio along the sideline for another first down. A short pass drops just behind a crossing the field Julio, but Coleman makes up for that breaking tackles for a 10 yard gain, which is brought back by a Gabriel hold. A quick screen to Gabriel gains nothing (not sure when we will learn that is not a good play) but right back to Gabriel, Ryan buys time, stands in the middle of defenders and hits Gabriel for 13 yards, 2 short of the first down because of the holding call. Not to worry, Money Matt Bryant enters the field and easily kicks a 49-yard field goal with a few minutes to go in the quarter.

Quizz (Jacquizz Rodgers as us long time Falcons call him) returns the kickoff 26 yards and is stopped by the returning Duke Riley. Fitzgerald overthrows Evans, the defense collectively stuffs a Doug Martin run, then the FANS are so loud on 3^rd down, we cause a false start and get even louder. It’s 3^rd and 14 and with Dontari Poe in Fitzgerald’s face, he overthrows the receiver and a quick 3 and out forces a punt to the Falcons 23.

This quick drive starts off well with a Coleman 20-yard run, really turning up the speed. Then a pass is tipped to fall incomplete, overthrow of Hooper who doesn’t make the catch and suddenly Bosher is back on the field. Bosher has nice placement near the goal line, however CJ Goodwin cannot get to the ball in time to down it at the one.

The Buccaneers start on the 20 – my 20, so it is about to get loud. Adrian Clayborn and De’Vondre Campbell are swarming Fitzgerald and tip his pass. On their 3^rd down attempt, another errant pass that Brian Poole had his hands on, but hits the ground. Another forced 3 and out and a punt from the 10.

Roberts has an 18-yard return to give the Falcons the ball on the 40. A short Ryan past to Sanu gains 4 yards. Terron Ward goes off the right side and gains 5 yards, stopped by Grimes. THEN the play that will it will go down in the annals of football history. Sanu takes the direct snap, fakes the handoff, the ball pops up in the air, Sanu catches it and throws 51 yards to Julio Jones for the touchdown. Julio’s second touchdown of the season. Another successful 12 Gauge call (still think it should be called BeanCat). Julio catches the perfect pass between two defenders, rolls, pops up, then as the O comes to celebrate, he leads Red Light, Green Light…in the best celebration ever, even if no one told Ryan.

The defense, along with the entire Benz Nest, are fired up and force another 3 and out. A quick pass and quick stop by Rico, Tru, and Grady make the next quick stop. Suddenly it is 3 and 14 and Vic Beasley’s elbow tips the pass and another punt is forced. Brian Poole is shaken up on the series and is being evaluated on the sideline.

Jet Jones – LITERALLY Flying Over for the Touchdown. Photo Courtesy of Atlanta Falcons

Roberts gets a few yards on the return. Then Julio has a 20-yard reception. Then a 15-yard reverse to Julio. Coleman has a 6-yard, then 1-yard one off the left side. On 3^rd and 3, Ryan finds Sanu across the middle for yet another first down. Then Ryan decides he wants to pass for a Julio touchdown. Julio LITERALLY flies over the end zone cone for the touchdown. Only Ju. Jones sells the post, the defender commits to the inside, Ju turns out, Ryan has already released the ball and Julio catches it as he starts to fall out of bounds, but stretches the ball over the end zone cone first. Excellent offensive line blocking to give Ryan time.

The next Tampa Bay drive starts at the 17 after a Quizz return. Then we see a heavy dose of Quizz with limited success. The Bucs are able to move the ball most successfully because of a CJ Goodwin PI as he was closing guarding DeSean Jackson. Brian Poole has been ruled out for the rest of the game at this point and Trufant is playing inside at nickel. On a 3^rd and 3 with 2 minutes remaining in the half, Trufant makes a tackle along with Keanu Neal, who hits Trufant more than the downed receiver and Tru stumbles off the field. A few plays later Fitzgerald drops back and sees Clayborn easily throw the lineman aside (similar to a ragdoll being tossed) and closing and make an errant throw. His next pass is also incomplete as Clemson (Grady and Vic) are coming for him. Then he is hit as he releases his next pass to the end zone, which Rico knocks away and it fall incomplete and the Bucs settle for another field goal

Roberts brings the kick off out to the 23. The offense starts with a dose of Coleman for a nice 7 yards. Then, again, Julio for 22 yards, then it’s Ju, Sanu, Ju, until a ball is incomplete to Julio in the end zone, so with 10 seconds left, another successful field goal. So, at half time, the Falcons lead 20 to 6 and everyone is feeling good.

Meanwhile, at half time, Arrow star, Stephen Amell comments that Mohamed Sanu is a better quarterback than any Cleveland quarterback in the last 10 years. I love that Stephen Amell is even aware of our game.

The Falcons offense comes out on fire. Opening up with a 23-yard pass to Julio. A 5-yard run by Coleman. Then a loss by Coleman, but immediately followed up by another 25 yards to Sanu, who knocks the defender back off of him. Then Hooper gets a 20-yard reception. Then Coleman has two back to back runs, the first a break out for 9 yards behind a big Andy Levitre block, then a 3-yard, hard fought touchdown run behind a Wes Schweitzer block. Coleman comes up celebrating with carrying a baby in honor of his twins born on Saturday.

In 9 plays for 78 yards, the Falcons take a 27-6 lead. Meanwhile we find out that Poole is out for the game and Trufant is headed back to the locker room to be further evaluated after the Neal hit. Doug Martin for the Buccaneers is also ruled out for the rest of the game.

Fitzgerald finds a wide open Evans for 20 yards and is immediately stopped by Rocky. At their own 45, the Bucs try a run and are met by Derrick Shelby, Poe, and Grady for no yards. Fitzgerald throws a bad pass, and Rocky is called for holding, only a 5-yard penalty. Fitzgerald throws a bullet down thru the middle of the field moving the Bucs to the 33-yard line. A few plays later, Rico sees something, calls for different personnel that cannot get on and off the field in time causing a time out. Due to injuries, Rico is playing corner and rookie Damontae Kazee at inside free safety. This is the flexibility that Coach Quinn is always talking about. However, it starts a little rocky and the Bucs are able to rush for a touchdown to reduce the Falcons lead to 27/13 late in the 3^rd quarter.

Roberts has another good return, up to the 35, where an ankle tackle saves him from a likely touchdown return. After Terron Ward loses a yard on the right side, Ryan has a behind the line pass to Julio, for a first down. Then a pass down the right side to Julio, for a first down. Coleman has back to back successful runs, up the middle, then spinning up the middle on the left side. After a 6-yard pass to Sanu, the Falcons are forced to punt.

Quizz has a return up to the 44 with Neal chasing him down. Then, likely feeling bad about knocking Tru out of the game, Neal nearly gets an interception. Fitzgerald runs up the middle for 21 yards and slides, likely saving his life as the defense was swarming to him.

As the 4^th quarter begins, the Bucs continue another touchdown drive. Moving within 7 points of the Falcons.

Roberts gives the offense the ball at the 22. Ryan starts out with a look at Gabriel, then as Julio crosses the field, catches the pass on the run for a 44 yard reception and electrifying the crowd again. A failed pass to Hooper, then a 2-yard Coleman run, then back to Julio for another first down at the 23. Then Ward bullets up the middle for 9 yards, heading for an easy touchdown, as a defender from behind rips the ball loose. And of course, Grimes is there to recover the fumble and return it to the 42 where he is chased down by Ryan Schraeder.

Then in true Brotherhood form, the defense stands up to help out the offense. Fitzgerald takes the Bucs quickly down the field, with quick passes to avoid Takk McKinley coming at him. A quick run up the middle, then on the next pass, TAKK meets Fitz for the sack and lays him out. Then does 10 push-ups. Near the 20, Fitzgerald throws incomplete to the end zone, then on 3^rd and 2, the crowd (me included) causes a time out. Next play, if you are an Atlantan, you will get this, Rico MARTA busses the receiver. Poe lays Fitzgerald out as he throws to the end zone where Keanu defends the pass perfectly, forcing a 4^th down. Rico knocks the ball out of the receiver’s hands before it is declared a catch.

Defense Swarming – Photo by Allison Smith

The Falcons take over and go back to their routine. Julio, Sanu, Sanu, Coleman run. Once again, while being knocked around Julio makes another Julio type catch, shakes the tackles and gets another 23 yards. Tampa Bay begins taking their time outs as Coleman grinds out yards, carrying numerous defenders with him for 8 yards. Ward gets the ball again, gets 1 yard, the pushes and earns 13 more yards on his own and jumps up excited. Just after the 2-minute warning, Coleman runs in a 14-yard touchdown and cradles the second baby to ensure both of his twins got touchdowns in their honor today.

In prevent defense, the Falcons allow the Buccaneers to easily move down the field, nearing the 35 and a 4^th and 10, Rocky stops the receiver just short of the first down marker and the clock runs out.

What a great team win. Offense lit it up. Defense was pretty consistent, even with the injuries. Special teams has been straightened out. With the New Orleans Saints losing, the NFC South is getting a little closer, and if the Falcons do their job, we may very well take it….again…..

Injury Report: Devonta Freeman continues concussion protocol and will be evaluated as the week progresses. Desmond Trufant will be out against Minnesota in concussion protocol. Brian Poole’s back injury is ok and is expected to play. Note that Jalen Collins came off of suspension last week and was released from the Falcons, so they are not looking to bring him in to step in for Tru like last season.

Iron Falcon: Obviously goes to Julio Jones who had 253 yards on 12 receptions and 2 touchdowns. Then, also, Mohamed Sanu, not only for perfecting the 12 Gauge, but receiving 8 passes for 64 yards and converting several 3^rd downs.

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Falcons Fall Into October

Bills at Falcons

October 1, 2017

Photo & Article By: Allison Smith

Well, no one really expected the Atlanta Falcons to go undefeated, BUT, it is hard pill to swallow even against a solid Buffalo Bills team. You simply cannot hand a team like the Bills the ball 3 times. The defense did play a bit off early in the game, but stood up and made the big stops when necessary, causing 2 long field goals, and only gave up 16 points.

After over 300 passes with no interceptions, in two games, there have been 5 interceptions and a fumble by Matt Ryan. Agreed, these were not all on Ryan, 4 of the 5 interceptions were tipped by our receivers. Point is, catch the ball or don’t touch the ball. It did seem that this week’s passes were a little off, as the receivers were stretching or falling for these and other passes. And it isn’t a single receiver that we can get to and shake, it seems to be something in the locker room they are passing around.

Not sure if Ryan is back to his old days of trying to do too much and getting a little pass crazy, or we are just having some bad luck. Clearly, it did not help with Julio Jones and Mohammed Sanu not returning for the second half, but we have enough receivers to make up those spots…not BE Ju or Sanu, but to catch some passes. I think the biggest issue was the size difference and Ryan is not use to throwing to smaller receivers and couldn’t lay the ball where it needed to be.

Tevin Coleman and Andre Roberts both fumbled, but the ball was recovered by the Falcons, otherwise we could have lost the ball 5 times in a single game. I am sure that “ball control” will be on the top of Dan Quinn’s list of topics this week. Along with “missed tackles.” There were too many of those as well, allowing the Bills to gain too many extra yards. Some are growing pains with the young guys, some are due to being down several starting defenders, Vic Beasley, Jr., Courtney Upshaw, Ricardo Allen, and mid-game, Jack Crawford.

The defense, overall, held up well, especially when the game was on the line. On the final two Buffalo drives, the defense forced a 56 then 55-yard field goals. Kudos to Stephen Hauschka for making these field goals, but as far as they were, they were kicked low, so I would like to have seen one or two of the giant tight ends in the middle trying to block these field goals. Robert Alford had good pressure on the edge for one, but there was not enough pressure to stop either of these field goals.

There were many reasons for this loss. So many missed opportunities. A loss to a good team is acceptable, but when you helped the opposition so much and know you could have won, it is a little harder to swallow. Included with the turnovers, the allowing too many extra yards….there were two questionable plays that went against the Falcons. As fate would have it, the football gods were not smiling on us. According to the announcers, and anyone with eyes, the “fumble for a touchdown” was clearly a forward pass knocked out of Ryan’s hand. And the Nick Williams tipped pass (note, he was laid out reaching for the ball) that hit the ground as Micah Hyde caught it for the “interception.”

The capping blow of the day was the ending drive. After the defense had two great stops near midfield, the offense drives into the red zone, Ryan has 4 straight passes, one a completion to Austin Hooper, but three bad passes over Taylor Gabriel. I don’t know that anyone is sure why, even with limited time on the clock and no time outs, why you would not double up with Tevin Coleman and Devonta Freeman behind Derrick Coleman and just run the ball in. Heck, let them run behind Dontari Poe or Ben Garland. Try anything better than 3 errant passes. Except for a few times on the day, the running game ran pretty smoothly….even behind the right side. Which again allowed Ryan to take quite a beating.

Buffalo controlled the tempo of the game and it never felt like Atlanta had a rhythm, even when leading. Buffalo was easily doing whatever they wanted with running game. They were doubling up on both Grady Jarrett and Poe and able to knock them back into the linebackers, and some of that was with uncalled holding calls, but that doesn’t matter now. Falcon defenders were never really in space, they were constantly locked up with Bills.

Throwback Black Jersey Game — Repping Grady Jarrett

It was black jersey, throwback day, so maybe, hopefully, it was just a throwback type loss for the Falcons. Long time fans know, it can be very nerve racking and frustrating to be a fan from the 1990’s. Close games always went the bad way back in the day. I was repping my brand new black Grady Jarrett jersey, but because of my long hair, you couldn’t see the name, so I took it as a great compliment when someone yelled “Kerney” at me.

Good news on the day, the Benz Nest was packed with over 71,000 in attendance, al biet too many Bills fans made it in as well. It was a beautiful, breezy day for tailgating. The crowd was loud, excitable, and stayed until the end. If there is anything a Falcons fan knows, if it is close at the end, the game could go either way.

And, as a nice Brotherhood story, after running the “12 Gauge” (the Falcons play call for the Wild Cat), Sanu lined up under center, ran the ball in for a touchdown, was ruled down at the inch line. On the ensuing play, Freeman ran in the touchdown and promptly gave the ball to Sanu. We may be down, but we are never out when we are together in our Brotherhood. Note that Rico was coaching as best he could from the sideline as he was usually lined up close to the defense on the field.

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And Then There Was One

Atlanta 30 at Detroit 26

September 24, 2017

By: Allison Smith

Alone at the top, as the only NFC team to be undefeated. After only 3 weeks into the NFL season, the other 2 undefeated teams lost today. The Carolina Panthers to the New Orleans Saints, and the Detroit Lions to our beloved Atlanta Falcons…..I think.

As Matt Bryant said, we don’t usually have to ask at the end of the game, “Did we win?” But, in likely one of the strangest endings in history – or at least a long time, the Falcons did move to 3-0 in Detroit. Once again, using the full 60 minutes to determine the result. I was at a local sports bar in Charlotte, and several of us Falcons were gathered and determined that this drama was not necessary. But, we will take a win, by hook or crook.

On the positive note, even with 3 turnovers, the Falcons still won. Two of Matt Ryan’s passes were tipped by his intended targets (Tevin Coleman and Mohamed Sanu, Sr.), for interceptions. The Lions were only able to come away with 3 points from those two. The third, was a pick 6, by Glover Quin, who read Ryan’s eyes perfectly and stepped in front of Julio Jones for the pick. The defense did their job as brothers to help the offense out.

The game started off well enough, Owner Arthur Blank on the field, linking arms with the team, between Devonta Freeman and Julio Jones. We received the opening kickoff and marched down the field in 12 plays and just under 7 minutes to take the opening lead on a Sanu touchdown. Unfortunately, it was questionable and while being reviewed, we were unable to get a Bean Dance.

After an 8 play drive, the Lions punted it back to the Falcons and Andre Roberts made an 11-yard return. The next drive included 2 false starts and a sack and ended in a Bryant field goal. The Lions answered with a field goal of their own, to get on the board at 10/3 with 10 minutes left in the half. Then, it became the Free Show. Two of the next 6 plays were to Freeman, then 4 straight handoffs to Freeman, concluding with his 1-yard touchdown run. And this was not even Free running angry as he did later in the game.

The next Lions drive stalled and they were only able to manage another field goal. But their D stepped up and on the Falcons next drive, next play, Quin had his pick 6.

Overall, short of turnovers, the offense looked good. Free was just Free. Julio had 7 receptions for 91 yards on the day. Taylor Gabriel and Sanu finally had touchdown catches, 40 and 4 yards respectively. Ryan disturbed the ball to 7 receivers, Roberts and Austin Hooper catching one a piece, for 12 and 9 yards. Ryan threw for almost 300 yards on the day.

Courtesy of the Atlanta Falcons — Mohamed Sanu, Sr’s 40-Yard Touchdown Reception – Photo by Atlanta Falcons

The defense had a pretty successful day, realizing one touchdown was not on them and when their backs were against the wall, they stood up and held the line. The Lions were 4 for 4 scoring touchdowns in the red zone…until they weren’t. There were a number of missed tackles again and playing more zone than man to man. Takk McKinley had his first sack of his young NFL career and celebrated by pointing and dedicated it to his grandmother then had 2 more tackles on the day. After the game, Takk said that he just did whatever the coaches wanted him to do. He wants more sacks, but it way more about the Brotherhood.

Adrian Clayborn had another good game, one sack, but putting lots of pressure on the line and Matt Stafford. Grady Jarrett got in on the official stats this week with 4 tackles and caused at least 2 offensive holding penalties. To prove his persistence, at one point, Jarrett had a leg tackle to slow the runner down, another Falcon came in for help, Jarrett got back to his feet and made the crushing tackle.

Deion Jones had an early personal foul penalty, then followed it up with back to back tackles, ending the game with 7 in total. Brian Poole lead the team with 9 tackles, making his hits known too. De’Vondre Campbell was disruptive again and garnered 3 tackles, while Robert Alford had 6 tackles this week and good coverage most of the day.

Special teams…wow…much improved. Matt Bosher was perfect, of course. All except 1 kickoff was a touchback, while he had a 43 and 48-yard punt with one 10-yard return. Bryant had successful field goals of 36, 48, and 40 yards. Roberts had returns of 11, 38, 27, and 16 yards and called for a quick fair catch, was hit and got the team moved up 15 yards.

Overall, there were too many penalties, especially in the final drive of the game, giving up too many free yards. Two sacks were allowed by the new right side combo of Wes Schweitzer and Ty Sambrailo. Both had false starts and Schweitzer added a holding penalty. Ben Garland anyone??? While Desmond Trufant had 2 tackles on the day, those were early, but he also committed 2 late penalties. On the final drive of the game, Tru had an unnecessary hold that overturned a Rocky interception at the goal line, then a pass interference penalty on a 3^rd and 10 that gave the Lions a 1^st and 10 on the 1-yard line.

Special note, for my loyal readers from my previous seasons, you know Paul Worrilow has been my favorite Falcon for the last 4 years, so I was watching Paul this week as well. He had 4 tackles, the first tackle of the game, on Freeman, and not long afterwards tackled Julio. He was also one of the guys in pursuit of Turbo on his touchdown, which we all know would be impossible for anyone to cover. Congrats and good game.

Injury Update: Ricardo Allen is undergoing concussion protocol due to a tackle late in the fourth quarter. Rico did leave the field with assistance, but walked to the locker room on his own. Julio Jones jammed his back on the final offensive play of the game, gaining 11 of the 12 needed yards. Julio will flipped, but afterwards he and Dan Quinn reported the injury not to be serious. Julio said he would have gone back in if that was not the final offensive possession.

Devonta Freeman’s First Run of the Day – Former Falcon Paul Worrilow on the Tackle. Photo Courtesy of Atlanta Falcons

Iron Falcon Award: Brian Poole – leading tackler for the game, on a Stafford run, Poole seemed to let up slightly, waiting for Stafford to slide, which he did not, so Poole laid him out. Poole also ended the game with the touchdown saving tackle. Devonta Freeman – time and time again, Free had 3 back to back runs, ran angry, ran fast, blocked for teammates, ended with 21 rushes for 103 yards and a long 18-yard run, and 3 receptions for 32 yards. Free even tried to fight when Julio was hurt.

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Photos Courtesy of Atlanta Falcons