Week 14 Analysis: New Orleans @ Atlanta

December 11th, 2007 1:51 am
by Big Dog

I’m not 100% sure what it means when the Monday Night Football team (Mike Tirico, Ron Jaworski and Tony Kornheiser) spend most of the night NOT talking about the game, instead talking non-stop about Michael Vick’s 23 month sentence.

There’s no question that the news about Vick is big, and that it’s directly related to the performance of the Atlanta Falcons this season. That said, there was a game of football going on and while most of the good people of Atlanta chose to stay home, that doesn’t mean this game didn’t have anything riding on it. In particular, this game was a must win for the New Orleans Saints as they struggle to make the playoffs.

Saints QB Drew Brees had another good day, continuing to build on his solid reputation with 28 of 41 for 328 yards, 3 TD. He shared the ball around, his touchdown passes going to three different receivers, and made several good plays, scrambling when necessary and absorbing some good hits along the way. WR David Patten and WR Marques Colston came away with nine receptions each and S Roman Harper returned an interception for a TD. Overall New Orleans looked like a strong team with the right mixture of desperation and determination to make their run into the playoffs and perhaps even go a little further. Head Coach Sean Payton certainly demonstrated his aggressive style on the night and it was absolutely clear that he has this team in the right frame of mind to complete their mission. Watch out for the Saints.

It was also interesting to watch Falcons QB Chris Redman starting and running the game tonight, as Atlanta continue to experiment with their roster. Redman had a good night completing 23 of 40 for 298 yards, 2 TD and an INT. WR Michael Jenkins was his favourite target of the night with 9 receptions for 83 yards and a TD. RB Jerious Norwood had a lacklustre night with 6 carries for 21 yards. Right now the Falcons are clearly a team holding some genuine talent, but they are struggling to draw together as a team. One can only hope that with Vick’s sentence now handed down, the Falcons can finally and truly put this saga behind them and get on with being a competitive football team. The talent’s there, the team just needs to unite behind a QB and a plan, then the Falcons will get their chance to be great.

Posted in Chris Redman, Tony Kornheiser, Atlanta Falcons, Ron Jaworski, Michael Vick, Sean Payton, Jerious Norwood, Michael Jenkins, Roman Harper, David Patten, Mike Tirico, Monday Night Football, NFL on television, ESPN, Analysis, Game, New Orleans Saints, NFL Franchises/Teams, NFL Coaches, Drew Brees, NFL Players, NFL | No Comments »

Week 12 Analysis: Indianapolis @ Atlanta

November 23rd, 2007 12:34 am
by Big Dog

For a few, brief minutes at the beginning of this game, I thought that I was going to see something unexpected and unusual enough to make it worth enduring the commentary of Bryant Gumbel. He might be one of the most popular television presenters in America, but I submit to you that the word “genuflect” has no place in football commentary. Gumbel grumbles aside, the Atlanta Falcons offered some genuine excitement in the early stages of their showdown with the Indianapolis Colts as they took a 10-0 lead.

Atlanta QB Joey Harrington was looking like he might have finally found the rhythm he needed with his receivers. The Falcons strung together some good plays and made clear progress on offense. On defense they were able to disrupt the Colts offensive line, LB Michael Boley was a standout with 3 sacks in the first half. The Falcons’ penetration was definitely assisted by the fact that only two of the Indianapolis linemen were starting in their usual position.

That lasted for about as long as it took for Colts QB Peyton Manning to adjust to his reconfigured offensive line and then the Colts turned it on.

In no way was this a breakout game, but it didn’t need to be. The Colts played consistently, and intelligently, making good use of the field and exploiting key matchups effectively. Perhaps the best example of this is that Manning spent the whole night throwing to whoever Falcons CB DeAngelo Hall wasn’t covering. This in turn made it a tough night for rookie CB Chris Houston who must have felt like he’d done something to get on Manning’s bad side, the way he was being picked on. Still, there’s no better way to get experience at the elite level than to have one of the NFL’s elite QBs throw your way pretty much the entire game.

In the end, although the Falcons did have some great moments, this was always the Colts’ game.

Posted in Joey Harrington, Atlanta Falcons, Michael Boley, Chris Houston, DeAngelo Hall, Peyton Manning, NFL Players, Analysis, Game, NFL on television, Indianapolis Colts, NFL Franchises/Teams, NFL | No Comments »

NFL Week 6 Monday Night Football

October 15th, 2007 9:24 pm
by Pro Set

New York Giants 21-10 Atlanta Falcons Half Time

Second Quarter thoughts 

It took three plays for the Manning mistake to come. He held the ball too long and did not step up on the 3^rd & 11 passing play. 

And the Falcons could not take advantage. ATL K Morten Andersen missed a 48 yard FG attempt to cap a 4 play (-2 yards) drive. 

In a well-predicted read of the square-in, ATL picked off Manning for the second big mistake inside the two minute warning, blowing a real chance to extend the NYG lead.

Ron Jaworski predicted this in an example of why football men always need to be given time in the booth to explain what they know. If this game blows out in the second half, get ready for the Suzy Kolber human-interest-story-a-thon to begin.

Back to the game, Manning is improving, but still does not seem able to play 60 Mins mistake free football.

New York Giants 14-10 Atlanta Falcons End of First Quarter

First Quarter thoughts

I have previously spoken about how the Giants hide their defensive deficiencies with blitzing. Tonight Atlanta has already busted them for one huge rush. Atlanta will need more big plays against the blitz.

The Giants look good with the ball. Eli Manning inevitably makes mistakes in games. If the Falcons cannot capitalise on whatever gifts the Giants provide, this one is over.

The Falcons cannot keep up with the Giants in a track meet.

Posted in Atlanta Falcons, Monday Night Football, NY Giants, NFL Franchises/Teams, NFL | No Comments »

NFL Fantasy Football Week 3

September 21st, 2007 9:57 am
by Big Dog

One of the most intriguing matchups of the week is San Diego at Green Bay. The Chargers have a lot to prove, if they want to live up to the incredibly high expectations that their 14-2 record established last season, they need to win their next 14 straight.

As you may know, that’s not the kind of crazy talk prediction I’m willing to participate in. That said, San Diego have to make something happen this week to have any realistic chance of salvaging their season.

At the same time Brett Favre and the Packers have won their last six games. It’s easy to forget last season, and usually I’d be telling you that form last season doesn’t provide a solid basis for this season. Even so, everyone knows that last year the Packers were working with a very young side that lacked experience at the NFL level. By the end of last season we were seeing this team start to come good.

This late season form has carried into this year with the Packers putting up strong performances in the first two weeks. Last week Tom Brady, Randy Moss and the New England Offensive Line demonstrated that San Diego are vulnerable in the air. The Chargers’ secondary leaves a lot to be desired and it won’t take much separation for the passing game to open up. I’d be expecting good numbers this week from Brett Favre and his main receiving options, Donald Driver and James Jones.

Interestingly, I also think that this matchup will be important for LaDainian Tomlinson. Last week LT was held to only 43 yards from 18 attempts. It’s possible to argue that he hasn’t really lit up the field so far this season. If San Diego is to have a chance, they need their league MVP to do his thing. Expect an extra effort from Tomlinson this week.

Denver Broncos kicker, Jason Elam, has been the deciding factor in the last two weeks for the Broncos. It could well come down to field position and kicking again as the Jacksonville Jaguars come to play in Denver.

Atlanta play host to the Carolina Panthers this week. Panthers DE Julius Peppers will be looking to build on his fearsome reputation as a Quarterback’s nightmare. The Falcons have already given up 13 sacks this season and you can bet Peppers will be looking to push that total ever higher.

Good luck with week 3.

Posted in LaDainian Tomlinson, Atlanta Falcons, Denver Broncos, Jacksonville Jaguars, Donald Driver, Julius Peppers, Jason Elam, James Jones, Randy Moss, Tom Brady, NFL Franchises/Teams, Carolina Panthers, Game, NFL Players, Brett Favre, New England Patriots, San Diego Chargers, Green Bay Packers, NFL | No Comments »

Byron Leftwich signs with Atlanta Falcons

September 20th, 2007 8:12 am
by Pro Set

Well the news is out that QB Byron Leftwich has inked a 2 yr ($7m) contract with the Atlanta Falcons. Leftwich was cut by the Jacksonville Jaguars on the eve of the season proper. The current Falcons starting QB is Joey Harrington.

The only issue here is whether this was a good move. Personally I think that Falcons coach Bobby Petrino is going to have a tough season in the Georgia Dome. Backup Atlanta QB Chris Redman has a history of back problems and was hardly a dominant starting QB when playing at the Baltimore Ravens. Leftwich has won NFL games as a starter (24-20) but did have a fairly useful defense upon which he could rely in games like this.

All things considered, I will say that I like the move. Mostly because Leftwich is not Joey Harrington (23-45 as a starter). For many casual viewers of the NFL, the name “Joey Harrington” conjures up the smell and taste of turkey, because the only time he was seen on national TV was during the annual Thanksgiving Day roastings hosted and suffered by Detroit. Remember, there is an exception to every rule.

If you think that you had your Turkey Day ruined, remember that fans within the primary and secondary markets of the Lions franchise suffered weekly, due to NFL television rules. Harrington will never be a consistent winning QB in the NFL. If the Carolina Panthers win at Atlanta this Sunday (4:15pm ET pm FOX) the speculation over Leftwich will soon end because we’ll be seeing him under center.

Posted in Byron Leftwich, Bobby Petrino, Chris Redman, Jacksonville Jaguars, NFL Thanksgiving Day Football, Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, Carolina Panthers, NFL Franchises/Teams, NFL Players, NFL Coaches, NFL | No Comments »

Week 2 figures to watch

September 14th, 2007 9:42 am
by Big Dog

Watch out for Adrian Peterson as he takes the field again for the Vikings. His first week performance against Atlanta’s still strong defense was a clear indicator of his potential in the league. The Vikings will be relying on him to increase his workload on the ground, while being a viable receiving option certainly doesn’t hurt one bit.

Shawne Merriman will be looking to make a big impression on Tom Brady as the Chargers and Patriots meet again following last year’s playoffs. There’s plenty for these two top contenders to play for, it’ll just be interesting to see if the entire San Diego roster bring video cameras with them. Also keep an eye out for Bill Belichick pre-game, he’ll probably be looking for someone willing to take a $500,000 bet (Eric Mangini might even be willing to take some of that action).

Posted in Shawne Merriman, Tom Brady, Adrian Peterson, Atlanta Falcons, Eric Mangini, Bill Belichick, New England Patriots, San Diego Chargers, Analysis, Game, Minnesota Vikings, NFL Franchises/Teams, NFL Players, NFL | No Comments »