Rob Ryan has done ok, this defense makes some fundamental errors that speak more to the football IQ of the players then the coaching staff imo. I can point to 4 specific plays from last night.
- The first was a real face palm-er. When the Falcons scored that touchdown, Turner's running to the goal line and Gerald Sensabaugh literally runs into him with his arms like this picture below
Does anybody know how to make a proper form tackle?
-Second, two players: Scandrick and McCray. When attempting to make an open field tackle as a DB, you're not supposed to go running 100 miles an hour to the person with the football. You're taught to break down, as you see Charles Woodson in the picture below, and react to the player. When you go to ball with no control you end up on your belly (Scandrick) or your back (McCray)
- The other two plays were minor. The Ware sack/fumble where Josh Brent bellyflopped or whatever he did and didnt come up with the ball. There's a certain way you're taught to the fall on the football and thats not it.
The other play was concerning Morris Claiborne. In the first quarter I believe it was Roddy White who ran a crossing route, Mo a few steps behind tried to deflect the pass with his left arm, the one on the opposite side of the ball. White was going to make the catch regardless, but this error in technique led to more YAC because Claiborne ended up on the ground. Even in basketball you're taught as an off the ball defender that if you try to deflect a pass you should do so with the hand/arm closest to the ball, not to go across your body because you lose position.