Ryan gets sacked by Parys Haralson

The Falcons dropped a tough divisional loss to the New Orleans Saints 23-17 in their 2013 NFL season opener. The Falcons had an opportunity to take the lead with a score in the final minutes, but Falcons receivers could not reel in Matt Ryan’s passes to win it.

Matt Ryan led the team, completing 25 of 38 passes for 304 yards, 2 touchdowns, and an interception. Ryan saw significant pressure as he was sacked three times and hit six times. Steven Jackson had an impressive debut with 77 yards on the ground on 11 carries, including a 50-yard run. Julio Jones led receivers with 7 catches for 76 yards and a touchdown. Tony Gonzalez had the Falcons other score, finishing the game with 3 catches for 36 yards. Harry Douglas (4 catches, 93 yards) and Jackson (5 catches, 45 yards) also had standout performances. Roddy White, who was injured, was limited with just 2 catches for 19 yards. The Falcons offensively got off to a good start, taking an early 10-0 lead over the Saints, but the Falcons couldn’t sustain it. They did have 367 total yards and converted only 3 of 11 third downs. Matt Bryant connected on his lone field goal attempt from 23 yards out. Matt Bosher had six punts for an average of 46.8 yards, with 2 placed inside the 20-yard line. Harry Douglas returned a pair of punts for 21 yards.

Defensively, the Falcons got off to a good start, keeping the Saints scoreless through the first quarter. Asante Samuel was a gameday scratch, and the team was forced to start Robert McClain at left cornerback, and promote Robert Alford to nickel back. Akeem Dent led the Falcons defense with 11 tackles, including 2 for loss. Alford (1 tackle, 1 interception, 2 passes defended), Kroy Biermann (5 tackles, 1 tackle for loss), Thomas DeCoud (7 tackles, 1 tackle for loss), Peria Jerry (1 tackle, 1 sack), McClain (10 tackles, 1 pass defended), William Moore (8 tackles), Corey Peters (6 tackles, 1 sack), Desmond Trufant (5 tackles), and Sean Weatherspoon (7 tackles, 1 tackle for loss) had notable games. The Saints put up 419 total yards and converted 6 of 13 third downs (46%).

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Allen and I are joined by Steve Cohen once again to recap and discuss our observations from the Falcons-Titans games. We discuss some of the problems that plagued the Falcons, notably their pass protection … Discussion of the overall strength of the Falcons roster … Do they need to add help at WR, S, and OL … How is Robert Alford performing … Garrett Reynolds, Lamar Holmes, and who are the weak links up front … Roster cuts and impending decisions … Who will stay or go? … What we want to see in the preseason finale vs. Jacksonville.

Allen writes for TJRSports.com as well as the Bleacher Report. His twitter handle is: @Allen_Strk.

Steve can be found on twitter: @SteveInBrooklyn

If you have any questions and comments, you can hit us up on Twitter, post in the forums in the podcast thread, or drop an e-mail at: pudge@falcfans.com.

You can subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, and be sure to rate us there! You can also subscribe directly to our feed at the following URL: http://feeds.feedburner.com/falcfans/LXSt

Could we see the return of Mike Peterson?

Roddy White is injured, and I’m not worried. At least I should say I’m not worried right now. If White is out of the lineup in Week 1, then I’ll be worried.

But I’m pretty calm at this point in time, even knowing that White will miss the rest of the preseason with an ankle injury that he suffered on Thursday night against the Baltimore Ravens.

The Falcons now have three weeks for White to get some rest and hopefully heal what the team termed a “minor” injury. Initial reports seem to confirm the lack of severity on this injury, suggesting White could suit up within a week if this were the regular season. But to be honest, I don’t fully buy that. The Falcons routinely have underestimated the amount of time it would take for their players to return. One famous example came in 2010 when Michael Jenkins suffered a shoulder injury in early August that was originally slated to put him out 4-6 weeks. Jenkins did not suit up for a Falcons game until 10 weeks later.

Now it should be noted that since 2010 I don’t recall any other blatant misreads of a player’s recovery. And the team may be a lot better today now three years removed at estimating the timetables for players’ recoveries. But generally speaking, I tend to add a week or two to all prognoses that the Falcons release about their injured players. The fact that the Falcons usually don’t put a timetable on players’ returns is also indicative that they also realize that it only opens themselves up for more criticism.

But the term “minor” is such a relative term. It could be minor in the sense that it may only keep him from practice or playing for a week or two. It could be minor in the sense that it won’t require surgery, but could keep him out of the lineup for a month or more. We really won’t know until Wednesday, September 4, when the Falcons practice report for Week 1 is released and it says either FP (full participation), LP (limited participation), or DNP (did not practice) to indicate where White’s status is. My personal philosophy is que sera sera, thus there is no sense worrying about things you cannot control.

And losing White is arguably the lesser of two evils, at least compared to losing Julio Jones. While I think Richard Sherman’s “dissing” of White several months ago went a bit too far (by saying he’s a product of the system), I do think there is a small sliver of a kernel of truth to what Sherman was saying in that White isn’t as good a player as Jones. Jones is the player that really makes the Falcons offense go, at least in the sense that it changes the way teams try to defend the Falcons. I do think there is a lot more overlap in regards to how the Falcons normally use White in comparison to his replacement, Harry Douglas.

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Sunday represented the final practice that would be open to the public. The Falcons will break camp next weekend before proceeding on their normal schedule leading up the all-important third preseason game on August 24 against the Tennessee Titans. These are news and reports that emerged from Sunday’s practice:

• Dominique Davis is his own worst critic, calling his interception against the Bengals on Thursday night a “dumb decision.”
• The AJC provides Mike Smith’s thoughts following practice.
• The Falcons elevated rookie safeties Zeke Motta and Kemal Ishmael on their depth chart. Both are listed as the third string strong and free safety respectively on the depth chart, but got work with the second unit Sunday. The second team consists of Charles Mitchell and Shann Schillinger.

  
  

  Rookie safeties Ishmael and Motta are getting some looks with the 2s. #aftc13

  — Daniel Cox (@FalconsDCox) August 11, 2013

• After a day off, Daniel Cox was back at it discussing his five observations from Sunday’s practice. They include Harry Douglas’ value in the slot, the emergence of young running backs due to the injury to Antone Smith, Julio Jones’ full return to practice,and how the roster could shake out along the offensive line.

Allen and I are joined once again by Matt Chambers to recap the Falcons preseason opener against the Cincinnati Bengals. We each give our thoughts on some of the things we liked and did not like about the game. You’ll hear our thoughts on the rumors of Steven Jackson’s demise…How Garrett Reynolds, Lamar Holmes looked and how it could affect the offensive line play in 2013…Paul Worrilow vs. Akeem Dent…The pass rush and whether some of the young defensive linemen are ready to step up…Robert McClain, Desmond Trufant, and Robert Alford and how they looked against the Bengals…The greatness of Dane Sanzenbacher…Brian Banks and what are his chances of making the roster…Dominique Davis’ performance and how the backup QB position may play out…The greatness of Jason Snelling…Whether Chase Coffman is for real…What to look forward to in upcoming preseason games, including next week’s matchup against the Baltimore Ravens.

Allen writes for TJRSports.com as well as the Bleacher Report. His twitter handle is: @Allen_Strk.

Matt Chambers can be found on twitter: @FalconsM5, and also writes for Grits Blitz blog.

If you have any questions and comments, you can hit us up on Twitter, post in the forums in the podcast thread, or drop an e-mail at: pudge@falcfans.com.

You can subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, and be sure to rate us there! You can also subscribe directly to our feed at the following URL: http://feeds.feedburner.com/falcfans/LXSt

Updating previous reports, it is now known linebacker Sean Weatherspoon and wide receiver Julio Jones will not participate in Thursday night’s preseason opener against the Cincinnati Bengals per D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Both Weatherspoon and Jones were limited in yesterday’s joint practice sessions with the Cincinnati Bengals. Weatherspoon suffered an open dislocated finger on his left hand, while Jones had tightness in his hamstrings. Per the team’s newly released depth chart, it would appear that Harry Douglas will step in at wide receiver while Robert James moves into the starting lineup at weakside linebacker to replace them Thursday night. The time table for each’s return is unknown as they are indefinite. In the case of Weatherspoon, it will be based around how long it takes for his wound to heal after getting stitches. Jones obviously will return to a full workload when the tightness in his hamstrings disappears.

Last night, the Falcons participated in their annual Friday Night Lights, a scrimmage in front of fans in Gainesville, Georgia. Over 14,000 fans showed up, setting a new attendance record for the event. In the end, the scrimmage resulted in a tie 14-14 between offense and defense. The Falcons will have Saturday off, and return to work tomorrow. Next week they will have combined practices with the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday and Tuesday gearing up for their Thursday Night preseason opener in the Georgia Dome.

• The AJC posted a depth chart for the scrimmage.
• Daniel Cox gives his 5 observations from the event, including thoughts on Brian Banks, Chase Coffman, and Peyton Thompson.
• Not to be outdone, D. Orlando Ledbetter of the AJC points out his own 5 takeaways from the scrimmage, including Thompson, Dominique Davis, Robert Alford’s return skills, and other standout players.

Jay Adams also gives his thoughts on the 5 players that stood out the most in his eyes.

My five standout players of the night: Joplo Bartu, Harry Douglas, Desmond Trufant, Levine Toilolo and Donald Russell #fnl13

— Jay Adams (@FalconsJAdams) August 3, 2013

Here are some of the highlight plays of the event from Adams as well:

Ryan hits Drew Davis on a long touchdown with Terrence Johnson defending. #fnl13

— Jay Adams (@FalconsJAdams) August 3, 2013

Sean Weatherspoon just lit up Tommy Gallarda after a pass. That was more than a "thud." #fnl13

— Jay Adams (@FalconsJAdams) August 3, 2013

Dom Davis looking very good. Hit WR Marcus Sales wide open in a blown coverage situation. Calmly delivered the pass. #fnl13

— Jay Adams (@FalconsJAdams) August 3, 2013

WR Rashad Evans just made a nice catch and went for a huge chunk of YAC. Love the YAC. #fnl13

— Jay Adams (@FalconsJAdams) August 3, 2013

Offense goes in for a touchdown, with QB Sean Renfree hitting TE Andrew Szczerba over the middle. Offense up 14-10. #fnl13

— Jay Adams (@FalconsJAdams) August 3, 2013

Wowwww, Peyton Thompson with the pick-six to end the scrimmage. Defense wins and that's the end of Friday Night Lights! #fnl13

— Jay Adams (@FalconsJAdams) August 3, 2013

The players also really appreciated the fans:

Players are now signing autographs for the fans that came out to Friday Night Lights. #fnl13

— Krissy Brierre (@FalconsKrissy) August 3, 2013

Had a blast tonight at Friday Night Lights! Thanks to all those who came out and showed us love #RiseUp

— Patrick DiMarco (@dimarc47sc) August 3, 2013

Thanks to all the fans who came out tonight! #fridaynightlights

— Colin Cloherty (@colincloherty) August 3, 2013

Thanks to all the fans that came out for Friday night lights. We really appreciate it.

— Roddy White (@roddywhiteTV) August 3, 2013

S/o to all the fans that came out to watch us today. #FNL13 #RISEUP

— Dominique Davis (@D_DavisECU) August 3, 2013

Big thanks to all the fans who showed up tonight at Friday Night Lights. What a great time! #RiseUp

— Josh Harris (@aujharris) August 3, 2013

Falcons fans showed up tonight in Gainesville. Thanks to everyone for making the effort to come. We appreciate all the support! #riseup

— Matt Ryan (@M_Ryan02) August 3, 2013

S/O to all the fans that made it out tonight for #fridaynightlights #RiseUp

— Chase Coffman (@Chase_Coffman) August 3, 2013

I appreciate you guys! #RiseUp2013 http://t.co/mZKLiRJNsF

— Sean Weatherspoon (@SeanWSpoon56) August 3, 2013

Packed house tonight. Can't wait to see yal in the Georgia Dome next week! #RiseUp2013 http://t.co/BchCIjFgMx

— Malliciah Goodman (@MalG93) August 3, 2013

Bless up!! To all the fans and supporters who came out to #FNL13 . Rise up! And #RiseUp we shall!

— Brian Banks (@BrianBanksFREE) August 3, 2013

Thank you to all the fans that came out tonight we really appreciate it!!!!!!!

— Kroy Biermann (@biermann71) August 3, 2013

Thanks to all the fans that came out to support us tonight! #RISEUP

— Kevin Cone (@KCone12) August 3, 2013

Thanks all of y'all for coming out to Friday night lights, it was an awesome turnout! #riseup

— Jeremy Shelley (@JeremyShelley90) August 3, 2013

A minor discrepancy in how the count Wednesday’s off day. It was in fact the seventh day since camp opened, causing the AJC to consider Thursday to be the eighth day. However the team’s official site counts Thursday as the seventh day, skipping Wednesday altogether. For these recaps, we’ll be going with the “official” numbering of AtlantaFalcons.com.

So here is all the media buzz from Thursday, Day 7 of Falcons training camp:

• The Falcons announced a pair of roster moves on Thursday, waiving-injured cornerback Saeed Lee, who suffered a serious knee injury on Tuesday. The team picked up cornerback Jordan Mabin in his place. Lee underwent surgery on Wednesday for his knee injury, although it was not ACL surgery per John Manasso. If he clears waivers, he will wind up on injured reserve for the Falcons. Mabin was an undrafted free agent out of Northwestern last year with the Baltimore Ravens. He spent time on the Ravens practice squad before finishing the season on the practice squad of the Cleveland Browns. He also spent time on the practice squad of the Montreal Alouettes of the CFL last October. He was re-signed by Montreal this past March before joining the Falcons.
• Joe Hawley was working with the first team at right guard.
• I suggested before that whoever lines up as the second-string left tackle would have a good shot at making the roster. Well in certain drills on Thursday, Ryan Schraeder, who is already having a standout camp according to some observers, was working there across from Lamar Holmes at right tackle.
• Malliciah Goodman has been generating some buzz with his work among the reserves.
• Jason Snelling was in the mix to return punts with the same foursome from before. James Rodgers is among that foursome, but will also be in the mix to return kickoffs. Harry Douglas might only be considered a last resort however as a punt returner. The AJC has a quick interview with Douglas.
• Osi Umenyiora’s role as a stand-up linebacker may be limited with his primary value there to help defend the read-option. The Falcons will see plenty of that this year with matchups against Carolina, San Francisco, Seattle, and Washington again this season. Also the potential of E.J. Manuel to run that with the Buffalo Bills could also be in play in 2013.
• Daniel Cox has his five observations from Day 7, including more insight into the competition for the returner jobs, Robert Alford’s fashion, Desmond Trufant’s work in the slot, and unsung performances by rookies Ronnie Wingo and Brandon Thurmond.

Is 2013 the year Kevin Cone finally emerges?

Like many of the Falcons offensive starting positions, they are locked in at the wide receiver position. Thomas Dimitroff envisioned the possibility of having a No. 1 and No. 1-A receiver when he moved up in the 2011 draft to add Julio Jones to a receiver corps that already had Roddy White. It seems that vision will come true in 2013, as it’s hard to figure which player will be the preferred weapon of Ryan in the regular season. Based off last year, technically the honor of being the top option will probably fall on Jones. According to Pro Football Focus, Jones saw a pass from Ryan once every 4.56 snaps where he ran a route. White on the other hand was slightly less used with a target for ever 4.70 snaps. That gap could widen as the Falcons look to better take advantage of Jones’ elite physical tools.

Behind both starters is Harry Douglas, who in this day and age of a passing league is also technically a starter. Douglas appeared in 58.8% of the Falcons offensive snaps last year (per Pro Football Focus) and will once again resume his duties in the slot. But the Falcons managed to mix Roddy White more in the slot last year, and might continue to expand his role there.

Most of the competition will come in camp at the position behind Douglas at the No. 4 wideout spot. That role primarily will be used on special teams rather than offense. Drew Davis is the incumbent there. Outside some of the Falcons blowouts and games in which Julio Jones was injured, he saw little more than two dozen snaps on offense last year. Davis managed to make the most of what few opportunities he did have, showing good speed and quickness to catch 4 passes and a touchdown last year. Davis flashed good ability as a cover guy on special teams, but was inconsistent at times. The key for him to maintain his current position on the depth chart is to make strides both on offense and special teams. Offensively, refining his route-running should help.

But in reality the competition for the fourth wide receiver spot is fairly wide open. Kevin Cone spent last year as the team’s fifth wideout. Cone had a bit of a disappointing preseason last summer. Among the potential candidates, he may possess the best physical tools due to his size and speed combination. But his hands were inconsistent and he hasn’t quite refined his route-running to a high level. Coming out of an option offense at Georgia Tech in 2011 explains his slow progress somewhat, but 2013 needs to be the year that he puts it all together.

Tim Toone was a late summer addition last year that showcased some ability as a punt returner and speed on offense. He finished the year with the team, although he did not suit up for game. Toone’s best avenue to making the roster will be showing he can be a contributor on special teams, most likely as a punt returner.

Also competing for a shot at the return gig is James Rodgers, the older brother of Jacquizz. Rodgers spent the year on the practice squad. He had a solid summer last year, coming fairly close to locking down one of the return spots. He’s an undersized offensive player, but if he can regain the explosiveness he lost due to an ACL tear in 2010, it should aid him greatly.

Marcus Jackson may be the most polished receiver of the group of last year’s practice squad players. Jackson was able to showcase solid hands last summer and an ability to get open, a necessary trait to be a productive NFL receiver. But the key for him will be to not only continue to make strides offensively, but also show he offers value on special teams. Otherwise, he’s looking at another year on the practice squad.

The Falcons also have three undrafted rookies in the mix in Darius Johnson, Rashad Evans, and Martel Moore. Johnson and Evans are helped by the fact that they have return experience while at SMU and Fresno State, respectively. They will hope to do what Rodgers couldn’t last summer and steal one of those jobs. Both are undersized but possess speed that could be assets on special teams. Moore offers a bit more potential as a wide receiver on offense due to his superior size and capable speed. Like Jackson before him, he’ll likely be pushing for a chance to earn a practice squad spot with a good summer.

Harry Douglas

Check out the scoring system here. The 31st-ranked Falcon player is wide receiver Harry Douglas.

Total Score: 42

Player Grade: 51 out of 100
Teams he could start for: 3 out of 32
Teams he is best position player: 0 out of 32
Teams he could find role on: 22 out of 32
Peak-Year Bonus: +1
Positional Bonus: +3

Douglas is one of the reasons why I chose not to limit this ranking system to 25 players. The fact that he finished outside the Top 30 was even a surprise to me. His player grade is fairly high, being tied for 21st on the team, but he’s simply hurt by the fact that there are a plethora of equally good or better receivers elsewhere in the league.

And the primary reason for that is that Douglas’ skillset is fairly limited. While he’s very quick and explosive, making him the prototype for the traditional NFL slot receiver, less and less NFL teams are using that types of players in the slot nowadays. And simply put, there just seem to be more receivers out there that are simply better at it than Douglas, e.g. Andrew Hawkins, Tavon Austin, Jacoby Ford, and Doug Baldwin just to name a few. Now it may be the case that several of those players outshine Douglas because they are not surrounded with the cast of receivers that Douglas finds himself with here in Atlanta. It’s probably easier for a player like Hawkins to shine when he’s competing for targets against Mohamed Sanu and Jermaine Gresham rather than Roddy White and Tony Gonzalez.

What helps Douglas’ case is the fact that his production has increased over the past two years when Julio Jones has been absent from the lineup and HD has been asked to fill in. The problem is that when not in those circumstances, Douglas is fairly middling. He’ll make his presence known from time to time, with notable big plays late in games (last year’s win over Seattle and the 2011 OT loss to the Saints being prominent examples), but it’s not consistent week in and week out.

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