Imperfectly Perfect: BYE Week Fixes

Welcome back Falcons Fans, boy am I glad the bye week is over. Through seven weeks of football there is only one undefeated team in the Nation Football League and that is our ATLANTA FALCONS!!! Sitting at 6-0 with a cushy four game lead over the New Orleans Saints, the Falcons have been far from perfect. Coming out of the bye I tweeted, "What are some of the things fans would like to see corrected during the teams week off?" Along with my own additions and the response received via Twitter, let us discuss some of those grey areas that need to be cleared up if the Falcons want to continue this historic season.

Run Game

One of the few issues that is on the mind of fans is the lack of a run game and lack of production from Michael Turner. Once known as a run first team, Atlanta has absolutely shifted into a pass first offense which is great with players like Matt Ryan, Julio Jones, Roddy White and Tony Gonzalez it should be unstoppable, BUT the Falcons lack the balance needed to keep defense honest. The Falcons are ranked 30th in the run game averaging just 86.5 yards per game. Although Turner is averaging over four yards per carry, he has often times been tackled by the first guy and clearly lacks the burst he had in the past. All of the blame cannot be placed on Turner but if the Falcons are going to be the team to beat, they are going to have to find a way to run the football and couple it with that high powered aerial assault.

Play Calling

While the offense is confusing defenses at times, other times it just looks plain confused, mainly the in the play calling. Prime example is week six versus the Raiders after Ray Edwards returns a fumble to the two yard line. First and goal with a big bruiser like Michael Turner it is a full drawn conclusion that you're going to power the ball in for the obvious touchdown right?  WRONG! Instead the offense calls a pass for Julio Jones who didn't manage to get open and Ryan is forced to throw the ball out the back of the end zone. On Second down Atlanta tries a draw play with second year running back Jacquizz Rodgers which managed to go nowhere but then on third down Jason Snelling tries to jump over the line from two yards away? REALLY? and the Falcons is forced to kick a field goal. I understand the idea of not wanting to be predicable as an offense but don't get so cute with the calls to the point to where you are costing your team points, it is completely unacceptable. The Falcons are scoring 28.5 points per game but with a tweak to some play calls, Atlanta could be the top scoring team in the NFL.

Blocking and Protection

Remember when I said that Michael Turner wasn't to be solely blamed for the run game? Well that's because you can't hit a hole as a running back when there is no hole to run in. Plainly put, the line has got to create and sustain a push up front. Falcon fans are no stranger to seeing their featured ball carrier run up the backs of his linemen. If the line improves on blocking the Falcons can return to being one of the most feared running games in the NFL. Along with with the o-line, we have got to do a better job of sealing the edge, more importantly Tyson Clabo has got to stop getting beat like a Piñata on Cinco de Mayo. Ryan has been sacked 13 times this season and seven times in week four, many of which came against the right tackle. If this continues after the bye, look for changes to come. With studs like Julio and Roddy, Matt Ryan is going to need time to find them.

Run Defense and Tackling

To Many, the defense has been playing outstanding. The Falcons have forced 17 turnovers (10 Interceptions and recovered seven of nine forced fumbles). For the first time in years the secondary isn't getting carved up for big plays consistently and is ranked eighth in the league and the defense as a whole has sacked the opposing quarterbacks 16 times through the first half of the season. While this is great and the fans are excited about it, the Falcons are hurting in defending the run. The unit has allowed 143.8 yards and has given up 7 rushing scores in six weeks. However the Falcons have an answer to that issue and I must say it is a groundbreaking one and it is called. . . . TACKLING!! The Falcons have been missing tackles left and right which after watching the games I feel comfortable attributing that to a large part of why the rush defense is ranked 23rd. It's all about fundamentals and the unit knows that.

“We had a bunch in this past game and sometimes it’s just being too aggressive or not wrapping up. Sometimes it could be not seeing what you are hitting. It’s something that we’re going to work on and make sure that we are lining people up the right way and that they are taking the right angles. We need everybody swarming to the ball. If we go out there and do that, everybody will be fine.” -- Sean Weatherspoon (from ajc.com) 

Special Team- Punt Return

It's sure to not surprise many to know that Atlanta is ranked really low in the special team category but I must say I was completely shocked to find out that Falcons unit is tied with the San Diego Chargers for last place. Atlanta is averaging just 7.3 yards per punt return this season, seven of the 27 potential returns were actually returned, nine were fair caught four were ruled touchbacks and 10 were downed inside the 20 yard line. On Kickoffs however, things are not nearly as bad. When it comes to averages, Atlanta is eight in the league with 27.9 yards per return. Special teams have become of the most crucial aspects of the game and every punt and return has the potential of being a big play. Atlanta is going to have to catch up in order to be viewed as an all-around threat to contend as the season draws closer and closer to the end.

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