Archives

Category: ‘Linebackers’

Roster Questions That Could Be Answered During OTA’s
May 29th, 2012 at 2:04 PM
While you are sitting there with a bratwurst and baby-back hangover from Memorial Day, I will help nurse you back to health with an introduction to Organized Team Activities or OTAs. OTAs are typically the final week of May or first week of June and are useful to teams with new offensive or defensive coordinators. In other words, this years OTA will be the...

Introduction to Mike Nolan and (maybe) the 3-4 Defense
March 28th, 2012 at 2:07 PM
Mike Nolan was named the defensive coordinator 9 days after the playoff loss to the New York Giants. Previously he was the DC at Baltimore (2002-2004), head coach at San Francisco (2005-2008), DC at Denver (2009) and DC at Miami (2010-2011). All of these teams had one theme in common, the 3-4 defense. Even though there has...

Curtis Lofton: Making Goodbye Harder than It Needs to Be
March 27th, 2012 at 11:39 AM
In 2008 the Atlanta Falcons improved from 4-12 to 11-5 with a playoff appearance. The credit was widely distributed amongst new head coach Mike Smith, new General Manager Thomas Dimitroff, rookie quarterback Matt Ryan and a former backup who had an All Pro year in Michael Turner. All of these people were integral parts to the turnaround season.  Another important...

Atlanta Falcons’ Linebackers Driving Defensive Improvement
November 17th, 2011 at 2:18 PM
The Atlanta Falcons' run defense has emerged as a team strength this season, and while there are many factors in the marked improvement that has occurred since last season, none is more significant than the health and chemistry of the linebacking corps. Sean Weatherspoon was drafted by the team in the...

Atlanta Falcons Week 6 Defensive Analysis
October 19th, 2011 at 5:00 PM
***PHOTO1*** Against the Carolina Panthers, the Atlanta Falcons defensive play was adequate. Cam Newton was very effective in the first half, and led his team to two scores on 11/16 passing for 126 yards. The Panthers sustained three long drives, but the third of these ended with an interception at the...

Five Atlanta Falcons to Key on in Week Five While Bird Watching
October 7th, 2011 at 2:42 PM
Five Atlanta Falcons to keep your eye on this week in the Dome: ***PHOTO1*** 1.  OLB Sean Weatherspoon: More than any other Falcons defender, Weatherspoon is asserting himself this season. After being plagued by inconsistency and injuries during his first season, he is emerging as team’s most effective linebacker versus the run...

Five Atlanta Falcons to Key on in Week Four While Bird Watching
October 1st, 2011 at 2:54 PM
Five Atlanta Falcons to keep your eye on this week in Seattle: ***PHOTO1*** 1. QB Matt Ryan: Ryan is a very good quarterback, but he struggled in Tampa Bay. He was under a heavy rush throughout the game, but he simply did not do enough for the team to win the game....