FL - Take 2: Falcons vs. Broncos Friday, October 29, 2004
Scouts Inc.
Tuesday, our scouts filed their advance advance scouting report on this
week's matchup between the Falcons and Broncos. Now they're back with a
second look.
Atlanta is having a difficult time defending the draw for two reasons. The
first is the defensive ends are getting caught too far upfield. They are
creating quality seams for the back or quarterback and they need to do a
better job of staying in their rush lanes. The second reason is
linebackers are reading pass and starting to drop into coverage. That
hesitation is giving blockers more time to get into position. Denver can
exploit this weakness by running draws in certain passing situations.
Despite the fact that Michael Vick is the most mobile quarterback in the
league, the Falcons have given up more sacks than any other team in the
NFC. Although breakdowns along the offensive line and receivers failing to
get open are partly responsible, Vick is also holding onto the ball too
long. Broncos defensive coordinator Larry Coyer will throw a number of
different looks at Vick in an effort to confuse his reads and force him to
stay in the pocket longer. Vick must go through his progressions quickly
and run when nothing is available downfield or he's unsure of the defense.
ColemanThe absence of LDT Rod Coleman, who is expected to miss this game
with a knee injury, has had a significant effect on Atlanta's defense.
Without Coleman drawing blockers to the inside, DEs Patrick Kerney and
Brady Smith are facing more double teams. They haven't been as successful
rushing the passer and that's forced the secondary to cover for longer
periods of time. It's also forced defensive coordinator Ed Donatell to
blitz more regularly, leaving the secondary vulnerable to the big play
when the pressure doesn't get there. Denver's pass protection has been
sound and QB Jake Plummer should get some opportunities to throw downfield
as a result.
The Broncos will get TE Dwayne Carswell back from a one-game suspension
and they should go back to running a lot of two-tight end sets with him in
the lineup. Carswell possesses outstanding size and is a powerful blocker.
He can help the tackles seal the edge working against the Falcons'
talented defensive ends, and he can sustain blocks at the second level.
Jeb Putzier will line up at the other tight end and he gives Denver a
vertical threat off play-action.
The block that Broncos ROT George Foster threw and fractured one of
Cincinnati RDT Tony Williams' ankles on Monday night has received a lot of
media attention. It will be interesting to see if that attention causes
Denver's offensive line to be a little less aggressive in fear of getting
fined. Atlanta's defensive line is explosive, so the Broncos will have to
cut effectively to prevent it from penetrating and making plays in the
backfield.
Falcons TE Alge Crumpler has caught just eight passes over the
last three games, and Vick as well as offensive coordinator Greg Knapp
need to get him more involved in the offense. Crumpler has the speed to
stretch the seam and his size will cause some matchup problems for Denver.
Getting him the ball will also force SS John Lynch to play a little
deeper, which opens up the running game and the short-to-intermediate
passing game.
Atlanta traded LDT Ellis Johnson to Denver after Johnson held out for a
new contract. Although Johnson has said this is just another game, he'll
want to prove to the Falcons that they made a mistake by letting him go.
Johnson only plays on passing downs for the Broncos and he has recorded
one sack in the four games he's appeared in.
Denver still has one of the best run defenses in the league, but poor
tackling and players getting caught out of position resulted in a poor
performance on Monday night. Falcons RB Warrick Dunn possesses excellent
vision and will cut back if the sees the Broncos overrunning the play.
Dunn also has the elusiveness to make multiple defenders miss in the open
field so it's critical that Denver keeps him contained.
Dunn is one of the better receivers out of the backfield in the league,
but he will be working against speedy WLB D.J. Williams for much of the
game. While Williams is a rookie, he shows good instincts in coverage and
he is one of the few linebackers with the speed to stay with Dunn. Vick
must be aware of Williams when he looks for Dunn in the flat, as Williams
has the ball skills to turn any mistakes into interceptions and he'll be
difficult to catch from behind.
Special Teams
Atlanta PR Allen Rossum returned a punt 75 yards for a touchdown last week
and he is a threat to make something happen every time he touches the
ball. He will be working against a Broncos punt cover unit that has been
one of the worst in the league, so don't be surprised to see some big
returns.
Falcons P Chris Mohr's has completed two passes and Atlanta isn't afraid
to fake if the opportunity presents itself. Denver's return teams must
play with discipline and make sure not to drop back too quickly.
Prediction: Broncos 24, Falcons 14
Scouts Inc.
Tuesday, our scouts filed their advance advance scouting report on this
week's matchup between the Falcons and Broncos. Now they're back with a
second look.
Atlanta is having a difficult time defending the draw for two reasons. The
first is the defensive ends are getting caught too far upfield. They are
creating quality seams for the back or quarterback and they need to do a
better job of staying in their rush lanes. The second reason is
linebackers are reading pass and starting to drop into coverage. That
hesitation is giving blockers more time to get into position. Denver can
exploit this weakness by running draws in certain passing situations.
Despite the fact that Michael Vick is the most mobile quarterback in the
league, the Falcons have given up more sacks than any other team in the
NFC. Although breakdowns along the offensive line and receivers failing to
get open are partly responsible, Vick is also holding onto the ball too
long. Broncos defensive coordinator Larry Coyer will throw a number of
different looks at Vick in an effort to confuse his reads and force him to
stay in the pocket longer. Vick must go through his progressions quickly
and run when nothing is available downfield or he's unsure of the defense.
ColemanThe absence of LDT Rod Coleman, who is expected to miss this game
with a knee injury, has had a significant effect on Atlanta's defense.
Without Coleman drawing blockers to the inside, DEs Patrick Kerney and
Brady Smith are facing more double teams. They haven't been as successful
rushing the passer and that's forced the secondary to cover for longer
periods of time. It's also forced defensive coordinator Ed Donatell to
blitz more regularly, leaving the secondary vulnerable to the big play
when the pressure doesn't get there. Denver's pass protection has been
sound and QB Jake Plummer should get some opportunities to throw downfield
as a result.
The Broncos will get TE Dwayne Carswell back from a one-game suspension
and they should go back to running a lot of two-tight end sets with him in
the lineup. Carswell possesses outstanding size and is a powerful blocker.
He can help the tackles seal the edge working against the Falcons'
talented defensive ends, and he can sustain blocks at the second level.
Jeb Putzier will line up at the other tight end and he gives Denver a
vertical threat off play-action.
The block that Broncos ROT George Foster threw and fractured one of
Cincinnati RDT Tony Williams' ankles on Monday night has received a lot of
media attention. It will be interesting to see if that attention causes
Denver's offensive line to be a little less aggressive in fear of getting
fined. Atlanta's defensive line is explosive, so the Broncos will have to
cut effectively to prevent it from penetrating and making plays in the
backfield.
Falcons TE Alge Crumpler has caught just eight passes over the
last three games, and Vick as well as offensive coordinator Greg Knapp
need to get him more involved in the offense. Crumpler has the speed to
stretch the seam and his size will cause some matchup problems for Denver.
Getting him the ball will also force SS John Lynch to play a little
deeper, which opens up the running game and the short-to-intermediate
passing game.
Atlanta traded LDT Ellis Johnson to Denver after Johnson held out for a
new contract. Although Johnson has said this is just another game, he'll
want to prove to the Falcons that they made a mistake by letting him go.
Johnson only plays on passing downs for the Broncos and he has recorded
one sack in the four games he's appeared in.
Denver still has one of the best run defenses in the league, but poor
tackling and players getting caught out of position resulted in a poor
performance on Monday night. Falcons RB Warrick Dunn possesses excellent
vision and will cut back if the sees the Broncos overrunning the play.
Dunn also has the elusiveness to make multiple defenders miss in the open
field so it's critical that Denver keeps him contained.
Dunn is one of the better receivers out of the backfield in the league,
but he will be working against speedy WLB D.J. Williams for much of the
game. While Williams is a rookie, he shows good instincts in coverage and
he is one of the few linebackers with the speed to stay with Dunn. Vick
must be aware of Williams when he looks for Dunn in the flat, as Williams
has the ball skills to turn any mistakes into interceptions and he'll be
difficult to catch from behind.
Special Teams
Atlanta PR Allen Rossum returned a punt 75 yards for a touchdown last week
and he is a threat to make something happen every time he touches the
ball. He will be working against a Broncos punt cover unit that has been
one of the worst in the league, so don't be surprised to see some big
returns.
Falcons P Chris Mohr's has completed two passes and Atlanta isn't afraid
to fake if the opportunity presents itself. Denver's return teams must
play with discipline and make sure not to drop back too quickly.
Prediction: Broncos 24, Falcons 14
