Falcons fire DC and Line coach

[fredp22]

one game to late....what a collapse

http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/...arquand-manuel-defensive-coordinator-position

 

[sean10mm]

In fairness to the Falcons DC, the main problem was that they lost the time of possession battle so badly (by like a 2:1 margin!) because the Falcons offense couldn't stay on the field. By the time they went up 28-3, the defense had already played a full game worth of snaps, and still had to play half the 3rd quarter, the 4th quarter, and OT. They were just gassed.

 

[fredp22]

In fairness to the Falcons DC, the main problem was that they lost the time of possession battle so badly (by like a 2:1 margin!) because the Falcons offense couldn't stay on the field. By the time they went up 28-3, the defense had already played a full game worth of snaps, and still had to play half the 3rd quarter, the 4th quarter, and OT. They were just gassed.

good point.
Probably the reason he drive in OT seemed a little to easy

 

[camelboy]

Any chance we get their DL coach here .. at least for a chat?

 

[Stryker44]

In fairness to the Falcons DC, the main problem was that they lost the time of possession battle so badly (by like a 2:1 margin!) because the Falcons offense couldn't stay on the field. By the time they went up 28-3, the defense had already played a full game worth of snaps, and still had to play half the 3rd quarter, the 4th quarter, and OT. They were just gassed.

How does that happen? They are well-conditioned athletes and the Patriots O had to spend as much time on the field as the Falcons D.

 

[Stryker44]

In fairness to the Falcons DC, the main problem was that they lost the time of possession battle so badly (by like a 2:1 margin!) because the Falcons offense couldn't stay on the field. By the time they went up 28-3, the defense had already played a full game worth of snaps, and still had to play half the 3rd quarter, the 4th quarter, and OT. They were just gassed.

It was also odd because on some drives Ryan torched the Pats defense - started off like 12 for 12. They were running the ball with impunity then all of a sudden they hit a brick wall.

 

[big dog cowboy]

In fairness to the Falcons DC, the main problem was that they lost the time of possession battle so badly (by like a 2:1 margin!) because the Falcons offense couldn't stay on the field. By the time they went up 28-3, the defense had already played a full game worth of snaps, and still had to play half the 3rd quarter, the 4th quarter, and OT. They were just gassed.

Exactly! The highest scoring team in the league the Falcons offense scored 21 points and after 2 1/2 quarters they did nothing. That Atlanta defense got hung out to dry big time.

 

[joseephuss]

They had one of the worse defenses in the league this year. The Superbowl collape just accentuated the problems they had all year long.

 

[sean10mm]

How does that happen? They are well-conditioned athletes and the Patriots O had to spend as much time on the field as the Falcons D.

Historically, defenses tire out before offenses, all else being equal. The defense has to react to what the offense is doing for the most part, and anytime they guess wrong or are faked out or are out of position means they have to run harder and cover more ground than the guy they're trying to tackle. They're always going to waste energy compared to the person they're covering because only one of them is sure of where he's trying to go - the player on offense.

Also, what do you think is harder; a receiver running forwards, or a cornerback running just as fast backwards?

On a pass play the offensive lineman has to obstruct the rusher. The rusher on the other hand has to get around the offensive lineman and then cover the additional distance to the quarterback. Again, it's more work.

As a side note, I read that the Falcons had been doing lighter practices without pads for weeks, while the Pats practiced in full pads and ran hill repeats right through Super Bowl week. It's possible the Pats were simply in better shape than the Falcons as well.

 

[Stryker44]

Exactly! The highest scoring team in the league the Falcons offense scored 21 points and after 2 1/2 quarters they did nothing. That Atlanta defense got hung out to dry big time.

Do you honestly believe the Patriots defense is that good?

 

[sean10mm]

Do you honestly believe the Patriots defense is that good?

I mean, holding the #1 offense in football to 21 points, including 0 in the 4th quarter, and only letting them convert 1 3rd down is pretty great? Brady gifted them 7 with that bad pick, but the defense obviously wasn't on the field for that so you can't hang it on them.

 

[revospeed]

Kevin Burkhardt is so much better than Buck and Moose is so much better than Aikman. They need to be bumped to the #1 slot.

It's a shame that Lynch is gone though, he was my favorite play by play guy.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Do you honestly believe the Patriots defense is that good?

I don't think they are great but they were darned effective last Sunday. Their accomplishment shouldn't be overlooked.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

How does that happen? They are well-conditioned athletes and the Patriots O had to spend as much time on the field as the Falcons D.

OL and receivers run in predefined routes. DL and coverage has to cover more area rushing and closing in coverage.

 

[Biggems]

That loss was on Shanahan. Even though Freeman was running at will, when he got the ball, all Shanahan wanted to do was show off his stud QB. His refusal to establush more of a ground game, really hurt both the offense and defense. His lack of situational running hurt the most. Just under 8 minutes left, 3rd and 1. Run freeman for crying out loud. If you don't get the first, just punt. You take an extra minute, off the clock and then make the pats have to drive most of the field. But, that didn't happen. Instead, freeman missed his block, ryan got blindsided and fumbled. Pats scored 8 quickly. Kyle had a chance to redeem himself. Jones makes a great catch right around the 20. Just run 3 times and kick the fg if you don't make a first. You probably make NE use all of its TOs. Then with about 3 minutes left, you have an 11 point lead. But Kyle got cute again, and we know what happened. He hung both sides out to dry, especially the D.

 

[haleyrules]

Hard to believe that a DC can get sacked after reaching the SB. Something wrong in the FO logic and reason.

 

[haleyrules]

Do you honestly believe the Patriots defense is that good?

The Patriots defense is very good and never gets the real credit it deserves. Belichick is a defensive guy and his defenses are more than capable.

 

[Sarge]

They had one of the worse defenses in the league this year. The Superbowl collape just accentuated the problems they had all year long.

EXACTLY. I predicted Brady would slice that defense up and was surprised it took as long as it did.

 

[stilltheguru88]

Do you honestly believe the Patriots defense is that good?

I see you returned from hiding. Next time be a man

 

[Stryker44]

I see you returned from hiding. Next time be a man

LMAO. I've always been here