Scottemojo
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Watching the coaches tape at NFL.com, there is plenty to be excited about, and plenty to worry about. (what an awesome tool for dorks!)
First I watched some of the 2011 tilt in week four. I ignored our offense, they have a new DC and we have a new QB. Now, lots has changed, for instance we were starting Tru at corner. Earl Thomas was pretty much stuck making sure Tru didn't get beat over the top, and Tru's inside leverage was so apparent that it made sideline outs to his side easy. But there are some correlations. First, Atlanta got off to a good start running the ball, and turned our defensive uncertainty into 24 first half points. Certainly they would like to do the same in this game. Curry was the usual Curry, and was soon to be gone, Lewis was on the field way too much, and KJ was just beginning to see the field.
But there are some things to note. They picked on Trufant in the extreme. He will likely play the slot, so look for them to try and exploit his too deep drops. And when I say picked on Tru, it was painful to watch. Tru was so clearly outmatched by White it was silly.
Second, they targeted Browner on Jones deep several times, a trend I would expect to continue. Look for it to start the game, and maybe early in the 2nd half. I know, last year, but that offense is not greatly changed. They still try to use lots of pre snap movement to disgiuse even simple plays. On one unsuccessful play this year they used a line shift and four! player motions to disguise a simple HB plunge. They like to show unbalanced lines then run to the weak side, things like that. they aren't as clever as the Niners at disguising their big sets that are really pass plays, but they are good at it.
Now, some overall trends this year. Starting with their D.
They have fast linebackers and they trust them to cover underneath. They can man cover our tight ends for the most part. For the Falcons, this presents a problem on the plays they want to spy Wilson. They also play a good 2 deep scheme, and invite you to attack the seams very deceptively. The three picks of Peyton Manning were all as he attacked the strength of that secondary about 20 yards down field with in breaking seam routes, trying to exploit the zone behind the linebackers. Later he adjusted and began to attack with more success on short and deep outs and some underneath sticks routes. ALL of their corners and safeties do a good job of keeping the receivers in front of them, and they get some good hits because of it. They clearly like to let the secondary watch the QB.
They are not all that deceptive with their blitzes. Atlanta does attack some of the more prolific passers with some standup amoeba look defense, but not a power run attack like ours. They have had some plays where they spied Newton with two linebackers.
They have about equal amounts success and failure stopping the pistol look from the Panthers. The Panthers do some things we don't with a 3 back set, but the option run game will have some success, and the option pass looks very attractive.
I think Robinson will have some success blocking up the middle. Our option set should hold the linebackers a bit, giving him the opportunity to lead in the gaps nicely.
Asante Samuels is a gambler. I will not be stunned if he sets up Wilson for a pick, nor will I be surprised if a double move works on Samuels.
The middle of that D-line is not stellar. Their D-ends like to get up the field, even against mobile QBs like Newton, and that creates escape lanes. There should be chances for Wilson to both escape and climb the pocket. I would like to see Seattle create a couple of plays designed just so Wilson can pass from a Witherspoon having to spy him look. Freezing Witherspoon can only help us. I expect a number of bootlegs just for this.
On offense, they are dangerous, as we all know. Early in the year they had some bad gameplans and were a bit greedy attacking the Raiders and Cardinals down the field, and Ryan paid with interceptions. Despite those bad games, Ryan is no joke of a QB. Against the Giants, easily the Falcons most complete game, they were a patient offense. They respected the Giants 4 man rush and didn't do as much 7 step dropping or slow developing stuff. Seattle has been vulnerable to that, especially when concentrating on taking away deep threats (ahem, Detroit) and if that is how the Falcons start the game, I will not be surprised. Rodgers on Hill or Wright is a bad matchup for us, as is Gonzalez on either of those two. They also like to run crossing routes, which has exposed Hill on occasion.
Their running game has improved as the season has gone on, but for much of the season they have been quick to give up on it. They only average 3.7 yards, and the middle of the O-line is not very good. It is pretty easy to get the run game moving sideways. They line up in some heavy sets, but a lot of that is have two tight ends on the field. I expect them to give setting up that run game a good go, but they are only trying to keep the defense honest. It's all about Matt Ryan's arm. Inside the 5, they use the power game a bit, but still, stuff it once and they are unlikely to try again. Get a lead on them, and the run game turns into a pretense.
Sherm can get into Roddy White's head. Roddy will try to get physical with him for sure. Jones isn't as much like that, but he does love to bend a ref's ear. I expect Browner to get flagged some, as he probably should.
We can get pressure. Matt Ryan does not do well on the move, and he makes his biggest mistakes under pressure. His line is biased towards pass blocking, but they do tend to run some real wide linemen sets in obvious pass spots. Ryan responds to pressure in his face with quick decisions, some good, most not. The Cardinals got him in the A and B gap a lot, and he was shaky because of it.
I will not be surprised if both teams score near 30. Seattle presents problems for 2 deep defenses, and Atlanta presents problems for every defense. Matt Ryan is pretty damn cool in the 2 and 4 minute offense, as is Russell. This game could come down to the last team to have the ball.
On special teams, we have an advantage, but if Haushka is injured, that advantage may be gone.
First I watched some of the 2011 tilt in week four. I ignored our offense, they have a new DC and we have a new QB. Now, lots has changed, for instance we were starting Tru at corner. Earl Thomas was pretty much stuck making sure Tru didn't get beat over the top, and Tru's inside leverage was so apparent that it made sideline outs to his side easy. But there are some correlations. First, Atlanta got off to a good start running the ball, and turned our defensive uncertainty into 24 first half points. Certainly they would like to do the same in this game. Curry was the usual Curry, and was soon to be gone, Lewis was on the field way too much, and KJ was just beginning to see the field.
But there are some things to note. They picked on Trufant in the extreme. He will likely play the slot, so look for them to try and exploit his too deep drops. And when I say picked on Tru, it was painful to watch. Tru was so clearly outmatched by White it was silly.
Second, they targeted Browner on Jones deep several times, a trend I would expect to continue. Look for it to start the game, and maybe early in the 2nd half. I know, last year, but that offense is not greatly changed. They still try to use lots of pre snap movement to disgiuse even simple plays. On one unsuccessful play this year they used a line shift and four! player motions to disguise a simple HB plunge. They like to show unbalanced lines then run to the weak side, things like that. they aren't as clever as the Niners at disguising their big sets that are really pass plays, but they are good at it.
Now, some overall trends this year. Starting with their D.
They have fast linebackers and they trust them to cover underneath. They can man cover our tight ends for the most part. For the Falcons, this presents a problem on the plays they want to spy Wilson. They also play a good 2 deep scheme, and invite you to attack the seams very deceptively. The three picks of Peyton Manning were all as he attacked the strength of that secondary about 20 yards down field with in breaking seam routes, trying to exploit the zone behind the linebackers. Later he adjusted and began to attack with more success on short and deep outs and some underneath sticks routes. ALL of their corners and safeties do a good job of keeping the receivers in front of them, and they get some good hits because of it. They clearly like to let the secondary watch the QB.
They are not all that deceptive with their blitzes. Atlanta does attack some of the more prolific passers with some standup amoeba look defense, but not a power run attack like ours. They have had some plays where they spied Newton with two linebackers.
They have about equal amounts success and failure stopping the pistol look from the Panthers. The Panthers do some things we don't with a 3 back set, but the option run game will have some success, and the option pass looks very attractive.
I think Robinson will have some success blocking up the middle. Our option set should hold the linebackers a bit, giving him the opportunity to lead in the gaps nicely.
Asante Samuels is a gambler. I will not be stunned if he sets up Wilson for a pick, nor will I be surprised if a double move works on Samuels.
The middle of that D-line is not stellar. Their D-ends like to get up the field, even against mobile QBs like Newton, and that creates escape lanes. There should be chances for Wilson to both escape and climb the pocket. I would like to see Seattle create a couple of plays designed just so Wilson can pass from a Witherspoon having to spy him look. Freezing Witherspoon can only help us. I expect a number of bootlegs just for this.
On offense, they are dangerous, as we all know. Early in the year they had some bad gameplans and were a bit greedy attacking the Raiders and Cardinals down the field, and Ryan paid with interceptions. Despite those bad games, Ryan is no joke of a QB. Against the Giants, easily the Falcons most complete game, they were a patient offense. They respected the Giants 4 man rush and didn't do as much 7 step dropping or slow developing stuff. Seattle has been vulnerable to that, especially when concentrating on taking away deep threats (ahem, Detroit) and if that is how the Falcons start the game, I will not be surprised. Rodgers on Hill or Wright is a bad matchup for us, as is Gonzalez on either of those two. They also like to run crossing routes, which has exposed Hill on occasion.
Their running game has improved as the season has gone on, but for much of the season they have been quick to give up on it. They only average 3.7 yards, and the middle of the O-line is not very good. It is pretty easy to get the run game moving sideways. They line up in some heavy sets, but a lot of that is have two tight ends on the field. I expect them to give setting up that run game a good go, but they are only trying to keep the defense honest. It's all about Matt Ryan's arm. Inside the 5, they use the power game a bit, but still, stuff it once and they are unlikely to try again. Get a lead on them, and the run game turns into a pretense.
Sherm can get into Roddy White's head. Roddy will try to get physical with him for sure. Jones isn't as much like that, but he does love to bend a ref's ear. I expect Browner to get flagged some, as he probably should.
We can get pressure. Matt Ryan does not do well on the move, and he makes his biggest mistakes under pressure. His line is biased towards pass blocking, but they do tend to run some real wide linemen sets in obvious pass spots. Ryan responds to pressure in his face with quick decisions, some good, most not. The Cardinals got him in the A and B gap a lot, and he was shaky because of it.
I will not be surprised if both teams score near 30. Seattle presents problems for 2 deep defenses, and Atlanta presents problems for every defense. Matt Ryan is pretty damn cool in the 2 and 4 minute offense, as is Russell. This game could come down to the last team to have the ball.
On special teams, we have an advantage, but if Haushka is injured, that advantage may be gone.
