Unlike last week, the Falcons had many good plays against the Eagles that would merit being the highlight of the week. But it has to go to Tony Gonzalez for his one-handed grab in the back of the endzone to give the Falcons the lead headed into halftime.
Honorable Mentions:
I’ll try to post a handful of matchups that favor the Falcons as well as their opponents for each game they play this year. The Falcons open the season against the Chicago Bears, a team that has a similar style and mentality as they do, which is to run the football and play good defense. While the Falcons want to be a more explosive team, they still aren’t likely to veer to far from that sort of identity.
Despite having eccentric Mike Martz as their offensive coordinator, the Bears in the latter half of the season began to play to their strengths, which is one of the reasons why they won their division and finished as the NFC’s second seed behind the Falcons. That strength is their defense, and offensively they decided to be more conservative and not put the turnover-prone Cutler in situations where he had to bear the load.
Abe poised for a huge game vs. Bears
Defensively, the Bears biggest weakness is their secondary, and if this game becomes an aerial battle, the matchups favor the Falcons.
Falcons pass rush vs. Bears O-line
As I wrote in August, I think the Falcons pass rushers should be licking their chops to face this Chicago Bears front. While the Bears did show some improvement over the course of the preseason as their new unit tried to gel together, it’s probably not enough where this matchup tilts anywhere close to the Bears favor. John Abraham will be facing J’Marcus Webb, a player that he should give major fits due to his ability to go right past him with speed or through him with power. On the opposite side is Ray Edwards, and he’ll face rookie Gabe Carimi. Edwards should have some veteran savvy to throw his way, being able to use his speed to get around the edge as well. Throw in Kroy Biermann getting some looks as well on either side of the line and you have a lot of heat coming off the corner for the Falcons all day to get pressure on Jay Cutler.
And a player that should not be forgotten in this matchup is Jonathan Babineaux. At left defensive tackle, he’ll be matched up against new right guard Lance Louis, who struggled in a handful of starts last year. Back in 2009, Babineaux routinely dominated replacement level guards, and if he intends to get back to that sort of level this year, then doing the same against Louis can be a very good tone setter for this season.
The average NFL offensive line gives up slightly more than 2 sacks per game. It should not be surprising if the Falcons are able to double or even triple the average production against the Bears defensive line.
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Ray Edwards
Pros: Has good, strong athletic build. Shows comfort and range to drop into shallow coverages to cover backs and tight ends in the flat on the zone blitz. Uses his quick first step to challenge the edge and most effective when he can line up wide in a 9-technique and pin his ears back to get after the quarterback. Has the sort of edge speed that is a difficult matchup for the majority of right tackles in the league. Occasionally flashes the technique and hand use to use rips, spins, and bull rush to beat the blocker. Has a decent power move inside.
Cons: Tends to rely on his speed to beat the tackle, and not that effective when you can chip him or the blocker gets his hands on him. Doesn’t do a good job using his hands and technique to disengage on the edge. Lacks the elite edge speed to dip the shoulder and turn the corner on a consistent basis. Struggles too often at the point of attack against the run. Will get pushed off the ball by the double team and struggles to get off blocks. Results in him not making many plays against the run. At times will get too far upfield, taking himself out of plays. Has an inconsistent motor at times.
2011 Outlook: Edwards is a gifted athlete that is looking to prove skeptics wrong in his first year with the Falcons. Many thought he was the player that benefited the most playing on a stacked Vikings defensive line. The Falcons are hoping that Edwards added ability on the left side of their line will make several other players up front better.
Ray Edwards
Here is another look at five players to keep your eyes on during tonight’s preseason matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers:
1. DE Ray Edwards
This will be the first action for the fans to get a look at the team’s lone free agent pickup in Edwards. He will have a chance to shine going up against the questionable pass protecting Steelers offensive line, although if he is facing Willie Colon, then he’ll see the team’s best pass protector for most of the night. A strong performance certainly can be a good launching point to a breakout 2011 season for Edwards, who is looking to prove he is legitimately one of the league’s premier pass rushers.
2. QB Matt Ryan
Little was made of Ryan’s mediocre at best performance against the Jaguars last week. Mainly because he is Matt Ryan, after all and has little to prove at this point in his career. With him set to earn his most extensive playing time against the Steelers tonight, having a bounce back game is not necessary, but certainly would be a positive. Ryan will be tasked with picking apart the league’s best defense for most of the night, and a strong performance will go a long with to instilling confidence in the cohesion of the offense as well as be a feather in Ryan’s cap as he gets some much needed revenge against a team that made him look mediocre in the 2010 regular season opener.
3. CB Darrin Walls
Walls will get a big opportunity tonight against the Steelers thanks in part to injuries to Dunta Robinson and Chris Owens. Walls will get opportunities in the Falcons nickel package with the starters where he will be tested with the explosive Steelers receivers such as Mike Wallace, Antonio Brown, and Jerricho Cotchery. Walls is likely to land a spot on the Falcons 53-man roster at this point, but a strong performance certainly will cement his status on the team as someone to look out for in the future as a solution to some of the Falcons secondary woes.
4. OG Garrett Reynolds
Reynolds seems to have sewn up the starting right guard position this summer, although it’s debatable whether he achieved that on his own merit or thanks to a timely injury to Mike Johnson. Reynolds could put such doubts to rest with a strong performance against the physical 3-4 front of the Steelers. The Falcons historically under Mike Smith have struggled to push the pile and run the ball against 3-4 teams. Reynolds can hopefully change that. He’s expected to be matched up with Steelers Pro Bowl left end Aaron Smith for much of the night, who is returning from a knee injury. He’ll also be tested as a pass protector, as the Steelers crave the blitz and potentially find himself on the other side of LaMarr Woodley and/or James Farrior’s onslaught.
5. CB Dominique Franks
Franks had a bad outing against the Jaguars last week, and really needs a strong performance against the Steelers to solidify his status as the team’s new nickel back. He’ll get an opportunity as he’ll start in place of an injured Dunta Robinson and Chris Owens. Unlike against the Jaguars unproven young receivers, he’ll be tested against Mike Wallace and Hines Ward, along with others like Antonio Brown, Jerricho Cotchery, and Arnaz Battle. Franks cannot really afford another lackluster performance, otherwise it could mean that the Falcons seek an outside option to address their nickel concerns.
Falcons defensive end Ray Edwards and guard Mike Johnson returned to practice on Sunday, although neither qualified as a full participant. Edwards practiced in pads for the first time since joining the Falcons on July 29. Johnson is expected to participate fully in practice beginning tomorrow according to Jay Adams of Atlanta Falcons.com. Johnson has been out of practice since Sunday, August 6, when he suffered a concussion. Both Edwards and Johnson missed Friday’s night preseason opener against the Dolphins.
Two other players that missed the Dolphin game: tight end Marquez Branson and defensive tackle Vance Walker are expected to return to practice Monday according to Knox Bardeen of CBS Sports.
Starting defensive tackle Corey Peters was injured during practice today, and was carted off the field with a left leg injury according to D. Orlando Ledbetter of the AJC. There has not yet been an update on the extent of his injury.
The team also announced that Akeem Dent, Justin Peelle, and John Parker Wilson are likely going to be out for Friday night’s preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Wilson suffered a concussion during the Dolphin game in the third quarter. Dent and Peelle also played, but had limited snaps. Trey Lewis returned to practice today after injuring his arm against the Dolphins.
Ray Edwards
Incoming Falcons defensive end Ray Edwards will sit out the team’s first preseason game against the Miami Dolphins on Friday night due to a minor procedure on his knee he underwent during the off-season. Edwards was allowed to begin team practices on Friday when the new CBA was ratified, but has been held out due to the knee.
D. Orlando Ledbetter of the AJC also reports that guard Mike Johnson is expected to miss Friday night’s game due to a concussion he suffered on Sunday. Michael Turner returned to practice after undergoing off-season groin surgery and is expected to play against the Dolphins. Turner was slowed by a groin injury early last season, missing the Falcons Week 2 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals.
According to Atlanta Falcons.com’s Daniel Cox, the team has yet to decide how long starters will be on the field against the Dolphins, although units such as the offensive line may get more reps than other positions.
We finally put together a podcast, and I have been joined by Ryan Valdez to help host it. It’s our first episode, so we hope you enjoy it as we try to work out the kinks. Hopefully next week, we’ll be coming at you with another podcast where we’ll be discussing the aftermath of the first preseason game against the Dolphins.
In this first episode, we discuss all the off-season moves including free agent signings and draft picks. We also talk a bit about predictions and expectations for this upcoming season on some of these new additions. Matt Bosher, Ray Edwards, and Kim Zolciak are three main topics of discussion, and Ryan even tricks me into talking up the Saints.
The Bears offensive line coach Mike Tice announced the starting five for the Chicago Bears today. From right to left, the Bears will start rookie first round pick Gabe Carimi at right tackle, first-time starter Lance Louis at right guard, ex-Falcon Roberto Garza at center, former first round pick Chris Williams at left guard, and most importantly last year’s right tackle J’Marcus Webb mans the left tackle position.
John Abraham should be pretty fired up to face Webb. Webb was rated as the worst pass protecting right tackle in the league last year. Ray Edwards had two of his best games last year against Webb and the Bears, so I’m sure that he can give him some helpful tips. But Edwards himself gets to give Carimi his first real NFL test.
But not to be overlooked is the fact that if Jonathan Babineaux remains at left defensive tackle, he’ll be facing Lance Louis. Louis started the first four games of last year at right guard, before his poor play got him benched. Louis didn’t qualify to be ranked by PFF for their rankings of guards pass protection efficiency, but he would have ranked 3rd worst in the league.
Garza has a been a steady guard for them ever since they left Atlanta, but filling in the shoes of potential Hall of Famer Olin Kreutz (now with the Saints) will be a tall order, and the Falcons could potentially take advantage of many communications breakdowns.
While there might be questions on how much improvement the Falcons pass rush will have in 2011, they certainly should have ample opportunity to get off to a fast start against the Bears in Week 1.
Jason La Canfora of NFL.com reports that the Falcons may be among possible suitors for New York Giants defensive end Osi Umenyiora. The Falcons were linked to Umenyiora last week by La Canfora as potential destinations, but that was potentially nixed when the team agreed to a five-year deal with free agent pass rusher Ray Edwards on Friday. But according to La Canfora, the Falcons may still pursue Umenyiora despite the addition of Edwards.
The Giants gave Umenyiora permission to seek a trade earlier today, and reports indicate that they are seeking a first round pick in exchange for the seven-year veteran. But according to La Canfora’s sources, it’s possible that asking price may be reduced to a second or third round pick. Umenyiora is seeking a new contract after signing a seven-year deal at the end of the 2005 season, leaving two remaining years left on that deal.
Umenyiora, who turns 30 in November, is a two-time Pro Bowler coming off an 11.5-sack season with the Giants.
Ray Edwards
FOX Sports Jay Glazer tweets that the Falcons have agreed to a five-year deal with Minnesota Vikings defensive end Ray Edwards. Terms of the deal have to be disclosed. Conflicting reports over the past several weeks surrounded whether the Falcons were interested in signing Edwards. They had been linked to him since the draft, but in recent weeks, NFL.com’s Jason La Canfora and the AJC’s D. Orlando Ledbetter cited league sources that indicated the Falcons interest had cooled on Edwards. It was also reportedthat the Falcons were keen on signing free agents Charles Johnson and Jason Babin, but likely the Falcons attention turned to Edwards when they quickly were snatched up after free agency commenced Tuesday.
Edwards played left defensive end for the Minnesota Vikings, and likely will be asked to do the same, at least initially in Atlanta. He’ll likely replace Kroy Biermann in the starting lineup. The team cut one left end this morning by releasing Jamaal Anderson. It’s possible that Anderson could return to the team later at a cheaper price, although Edwards signing potentially makes that move moot.
Edwards, 26, has started for the Vikings the past four seasons. He is coming off a pair of seasons with 8 and 8.5 sacks, respectively, after 2 five sack seasons.
UPDATE: ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweets the terms of the deal: five-years, $30 million, with $11 million guaranteed.
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