Defense as expected; Weeden better than expected; OL...OMG!

[darthseinfeld]

McCown went 31-38 for 310 yards, we might be better off if an injured Brees starts.

I think our defense can shut him down. They spread teams out in nickle and dime and I think our secodary can match up with there WRs. I think the defense will be stronger VS a team like that then a Julio Jones where we dont have a real #1 CB to defend. We have depth, but we dont have that guy at the very top of the depth chart.

Run defense has to play better though. Spiller could be a full go next week

 

[Nova]

I think you missed quite a few replays. Smith missed at least two run blocks and was beaten for a key sack on third down. Fred was blown into the backfield a few times. Free was beaten for a loss on a run play and called for holding the very next play. Our all world rookie from last year was subpar again. I'm not talking LBs...they had three DL all beat their blocks and in our backfield on a run play for lost yardage.

First half....all world.
Second half...bums.

Even the best OL in the league is going to get beaten a few times.

Yeah some guys have been underwhelming, but you can't be predictable and expect to execute, no matter how good you are. Current NFL just doesn't work that way. This isn't the early 90s.

 

[Chuck 54]

Again, only the film or a view from stadium would verify, but my guess is the Falcons started the game making sure wideouts were covered to see if our RBs could beat them, and we ate them up underneath and with the run game. Second half, they kept their LBs up for those underneath passes---run blocking was poor as their DL got penetration, pass pro was starting to collapse, and we have one #2 receiver and nothing else.

Terence can't get open and makes most of his plays on broken plays or when the defense forgets him.

 

[KingLerxst]

I think our defense can shut him down. They spread teams out in nickle and dime and I think our secodary can match up with there WRs. I think the defense will be stronger VS a team like that then a Julio Jones where we dont have a real #1 CB to defend. We have depth, but we dont have that guy at the very top of the depth chart.

Run defense has to play better though. Spiller could be a full go next week

That's a fair assessment. But the defense I saw today in then second half is not stopping anybody. Mincey being back is not going to be that big off an improvement. We have to hope that McCown comes out and plays poorly. Hopefully. The offense can find a way to put up 28 points again.

 

[Bullflop]

I don't know why we think Cassel would be better. Weeden was fine, just played it extremely safe today and went into a shell after that interception.

It was more than obvious that Linehan doesn't trust Weeds to go downfield. The constant number of dinks and dunks speak volumes in that respect. Cassel most likely wouldn't make the mistake under pressure that Weeds did with that errant pick today but that may be determined in the future if things keep going as they did today. Cassel has infinitely more experience as a starting QB. That, in itself. could easily be the difference in a W or L.

 

[Redball Express]

Weeden may have been better than expected but still not quite good enough. I expect the team to decide to allow Weeden to start another game but also expect a QB change to be forthcoming in the near future. It may take Cassel a while to take over at some point but another week might be too soon just yet. We'll soon see.

I hope you are wrong about that.

Weeden is .not Pro QB material and needs to be released if you ask me.

He's a loser and Garrett needs to quickly make a change.

But he won't and its going to doom this season not to.

 

[DandyDon1722]

Did I watch a different game? OL was fine until he Falcons committed to stopping everything short. 5 guys can't block 8.

Last year when that happened, Dez torched Bradley fletcher for three Tds

You are exactly right. They were blowing them off the ball early and for much of the first half. But it became a numbers game in the second half and there were just too many people to block with no threat of a downfield play.

Every NFL player or expert I've heard says that offensive lines who do not play together much in preseason need a few weeks to start playing as a group. I though we started doing that today and it will get better as we go. This is a complete over reaction after three games.

 

[JohnsKey19]

I expected the Defense to wear down...our current DL is awful. 1 decent player in Crawford. Playing a DT as starter in J Crawford...DLaw is developmental guy who is not best against the run. No Mincey was bad news.

Weeden was better than expected...accurate, mostly good decisions...moved around in the pocket well. Only someone in the stands with a full view would know if receivers were running free in the secondary. Considering the first two weeks, I'm guessing they were never open.

However, I'm starting to think we are truly missing Callahan. He has a bunch of nobodies in DC blocking like a top OL while what is supposed to be the top line has basically sucked. The first half was great, but the second half was not a result of 8 men in the box. Our OL was physically beaten by the Falcons. On one running play they had 3 DL all beat blocks and in our backfield. This group has played like they spent the offseason reading their press clippings.

Injuries have taken our stud WR, our franchise QB, our best CB, and our best DE's and rotation DT this game. We should have been able to count on the OL against an undersized DL today, but in the 2nd half both the run and pass blocking was poor when most needed to give the D a break. I'm really disappointed in the lack of consistent play by this group. Everyone else has an excuse...they do not.

The OL performance has been uneven. But you can't expect them to blow teams off the ball all game when you're doing absolutely nothing to threaten down field. Atlanta made adjustments at halftime defensively and Dallas did nothing to counter. Ballgame

 

[Nova]

It was more than obvious that Linehan doesn't trust Weeds to go downfield. The constant number of dinks and dunks speak volumes in that respect. Cassel most likely wouldn't make the mistake under pressure that Weeds did with that errant pick today but that may be determined in the future if things keep going as they did today. Cassel has infinitely more experience as a starting QB. That, in itself. could easily be the difference in a W or L.

Cassel also doesn't have nearly the same time out in with the team as Weeden. And overall, he isn't much better.

I really think the problem wasn't Weeden, but rather how he was being coached up.

 

[Chuck 54]

Even the best OL in the league is going to get beaten a few times.

Yeah some guys have been underwhelming, but you can't be predictable and expect to execute, no matter how good you are. Current NFL just doesn't work that way. This isn't the early 90s.

I agree with you...they won't be perfect, but Callahan had them on a roll last year, and when you are playing without your stars and really thin on the front 7 and need a drive in the second half to give the D a break, if not for a FG, that's when your best unit has to perform.

 

[darthseinfeld]

That's a fair assessment. But the defense I saw today in then second half is not stopping anybody. Mincey being back is not going to be that big off an improvement. We have to hope that McCown comes out and plays poorly. Hopefully. The offense can find a way to put up 28 points again.

I think Jones had alot to do with the defensive collapse. He was grinding and keeping the defense on the field. We dont have a true #1 CB that can really be trusted to stop a WR of that caliber. They didnt very well VS a WR close to that class in Beckham but you cant expect that every time VS elite WRs

 

[Bullflop]

I hope you are wrong about that.

Weeden is .not Pro QB material and needs to be released if you ask me.

He's a loser and Garrett needs to quickly make a change.

But he won't and its going to doom this season not to.

I expect Weeden to play another game for no other reason than to allow Cassel sufficient time to familiarize himself with our offense. It's extremely tough, even for a seasoned vet, to absorb all that's necessary to be successful if he's to step in soon. Hopefully, if it doesn't happen next week, it'll happen one week later. This team has been seriously hamstrung with injuries.

Hopefully, we'll be able to rebound in time to avert an awful catastrophe from damning our chances for a playoff run, whether Cassel takes over next week or later. Weeden was bad making that pick but it's extremely obvious Linehan doesn't trust him and possibly wouldn't trust Cassel just yet either. At any rate, we'll see what the staff has in store. Hopefully, next week will bring some improvements, whether it means Cassel starting or not.

 

[Nova]

I think Jones had alot to do with the defensive collapse. He was grinding and keeping the defense on the field. We dont have a true #1 CB that can really be trusted to stop a WR of that caliber. They didnt very well VS a WR close to that class in Beckham but you cant expect that every time VS elite WRs

Right. Not without a rush.

Gregory. Hardy. He'll even mincey provide that.

It's easy to lose sight of the fact that we were without 4 guys in our normal DL rotation, mostly concentrated on our premium pass rushing position.

 

[JohnsKey19]

Again, only the film or a view from stadium would verify, but my guess is the Falcons started the game making sure wideouts were covered to see if our RBs could beat them, and we ate them up underneath and with the run game. Second half, they kept their LBs up for those underneath passes---run blocking was poor as their DL got penetration, pass pro was starting to collapse, and we have one #2 receiver and nothing else.

Terence can't get open and makes most of his plays on broken plays or when the defense forgets him.

You say this but somehow blame the OL?? You just made the points as to why it was not realistic to expect the blocking and offense to be effective in the 2nd half.

 

[NeonNinja]

OL sucks right now . If any of these guys make the pro bowl its a joke.

Dude, stop. You sound clueless. On the other hand, none of us are shocked.

 

[PA Cowboy Fan]

Cassel also doesn't have nearly the same time out in with the team as Weeden. And overall, he isn't much better.

I really think the problem wasn't Weeden, but rather how he was being coached up.

There is really only so much you can coach scrubs.

 

[ilykdrama]

@Philmonroe Dude! Shake your head! Look at the thread! Where's PHIL? Phil?! Phil?! We need a head shake!

 

[SultanOfSix]

Weeden played like a scared child. That is his fatal flaw.

But he's auditioning for other teams in the league. I people in general can get nervous in certain high pressure situations, but if you are playing scared at this level, you shouldn't be playing at this level.

 

[Philmonroe]

@Philmonroe Dude! Shake your head! Look at the thread! Where's PHIL? Phil?! Phil?! We need a head shake!

You're acting very insecure that's not a good trait to have. I shouldn't have this much control over you over a post. Get it together my online friend.

 

[ilykdrama]

You're acting very insecure that's not a good trait to have. I shouldn't have this much control over you over a post. Get it together my online friend.

I'm just pointing out obvious stuff, like the fact that you haven't shaken your head at another Weeden thread, Phil! Just looking out dude! "Phil" these fools up with some head shakes!