The Falcons' achille's heal... | FinHeaven - Miami Dolphins Forums

The Falcons' achille's heal...

V

volk

Seasoned Veteran
Joined
Feb 25, 2004
Messages
5,658
Reaction score
4,021
The Falcons are a very good team again this year and overpower Miami on paper, but I still feel this game is winnable if we simply do the following:

We know that the Falcons can run the ball, and we know that Mike Vick *can* make big plays in the passing game. That said, stopping this juggernaut is very possible...here's how:

1. The biggest mistake teams make when they play against the Falcons is respecting the passing ability of Vick. You have to stop the run if you want to beat the Falcons. I believe you do this by run blitzing and bringing the safeties up for run support on almost every down. Force Vick to beat you *passing*. More on this in a second.

2. Pass coverage should consist primarily of handling Crumpler. Crumpler needs to be covered on every short/medium passing down.

3. Mike Vick. Everyone talks about Vick potentially burning you in the passing game, but I say thee nay. Vick is an effective passer only when rolling out to his left. When leaving the pocket to his right, his passer rating plumets drastically...we're talking 50% or more. I say overload the left side of the line against the run and flush Vick to the right. Keep Channing Crowder as a spy to the right side of the line. Crowder applies pressure to make Vick throw across his body, and he is going to throw incompletions or picks. If Vick steps up to run, Crowder has the speed to close the gap and put a serious hit on him.

It is a risky plan, but I think it would work very well. I am just a fan, and not a coach, so maybe it will look rediculous to some of you...and maybe it is, but I have watched Tampa and the Jets do similar things rather successfully. The Falcons can potentially gain some big yards in the pass game against this kind of configuration, but I am betting there will be more 3 and outs than there will be big plays against this. If Ricky and Ronnie can run well enough to keep the chains moving, it will also help keep the Falcons out of sync.

I really hope we win the toss................................
 
Your plan does not take into account the problems involved with carrying out that many different strategies at the same time.

It is hard concentrate on stopping the run of the running backs, while overloading the left side of the offense to prevent Vick from rolling out left, while keeping Channing Crowder on the right side as a spy, WHILE doubling up on Alge Crumpler. There just aren't enough bodies out there, unless you propose leaving the wide receivers completely uncovered figuring that Vick can't pass the ball to wide receivers even if they have nobody covering them like this was Tecmo Super Bowl or something. He's not THAT bad of a passer...he can hit the broad side of the barn ya know.

The problem with your game plan is that everyone and their sister knows that you need to stop the Falcons' ground game, concentrate on Alge Crumpler, and force Vick to roll right instead of left. That's like saying the best way to boil water is to heat it. Carrying out all those things, on the other hand, isn't "risky" at all, its just outright difficult. It's like saying the key to stopping the offense is to stop the run, get pressure on the passer, and cover receivers. Gee, ok, thanks for the tip.
 
you lost me at "they overpower us on paper". REally? I dont think so. In fact, I would say we are just getting started while Atlanta still has to maintain that level.

You must be thinking Vick vs. Frerrote. Crumpler vs mcmicheal? even. Our defense has the upper hand here in that we are at home in the heat with their black jerseys on and we are now just starting to gel, especially if Ronnie Ricky get going.

Our biggest problem has not been whats on paper. Our biggest problem has been penalties and mistakes. Those have seemingly been wiped out these past two weeks (knock on wood). If you get rid of those, then Ricky combines with Ronnie, that means you control the football. If you control the football, then your defense can do its thing. Our defense brings the heat from all over now. On paper, this game is very even if you ask me, considering we are at home and we have two great RB's to match theirs! Our WR's are certainly just as good as theirs. It all comes down to execution. And that is harder to do on the road than at home.
 
On paper this game is not even at all. Vick vs. Frerotte is a joke. Their offensive line vs. our offensive line is also a joke. And right now, their defensive secondary vs. our defensive secondary is also a joke.

The only thing we can boast right now is better running backs and receivers, and a tight end that is equivalent at best. If all our linebackers were healthy I'd say better linebackers too, but they're not.
 
ckparrothead said:
On paper this game is not even at all. Vick vs. Frerotte is a joke. Their offensive line vs. our offensive line is also a joke. And right now, their defensive secondary vs. our defensive secondary is also a joke.

The only thing we can boast right now is better running backs and receivers, and a tight end that is equivalent at best. If all our linebackers were healthy I'd say better linebackers too, but they're not.
Click to expand...

Ummm, its not about what was happening three weeks ago. Its about what is transpiring now. Our DB's were not a joke last week. Our Oline was not a joke last week at all. The penalties have dissapeared (knock on wood). That plays a big part in the rythym of a football team. Ricky said it. I believe it. This is a team game. We have switched up our style in case you havent noticed CK. On offense and defense. It all plays into each other.

On paper, Micheal Vick cant throw a football any better than Gus.
 
ckparrothead said:
On paper this game is not even at all. Vick vs. Frerotte is a joke. Their offensive line vs. our offensive line is also a joke. And right now, their defensive secondary vs. our defensive secondary is also a joke.

The only thing we can boast right now is better running backs and receivers, and a tight end that is equivalent at best. If all our linebackers were healthy I'd say better linebackers too, but they're not.
Click to expand...

BTW CK. I read your posts all the time and I like everything you have to say and the in depth coverage of the Oline and all that you do. But what you said right here, up above, is in the eye of someone who is a writer/reporter, not a coach.

I am almost sure that Miami players are not going to focus on what went wrong before, they are going to focus on what they have done right! The Oline has only been bad in the two games prior to NO. The penalties have been the major source of our problems. A point you choose to ignore. Its an obvious one that people really dont want to talk about. They would rather talk about Micheal Vick and how great he is. But what I am reading in other threads, isnt really spelling that out.
 
On paper, Micheal Vick cant throw a football any better than Gus.
Click to expand...

But he can certainly convert first downs and make big plays by running or throwing better than Gus Frerotte can.

If it was always about what have you done for me lately as in the last week, then the Dolphins would be super bowl contenders every time we win a game, and league cellar-dwellers every time they lose a game.

Again, our OL is a joke, we're just getting around it by means of scheme and personnel in other places. Our running backs may be better, but right now the OL differences mean that Atlanta's runners are much more effective, so at the moment I'll take their ground game vs. our ground game running backs and all. And if this is about what have you done for me lately, I question whether or not Gus Frerotte is even more ACCURATE than Mike Vick, and that is saying A LOT because lord knows Mike Vick isn't accurate. Hands down, Mike Vick is the better QB, right now, last week, the week before, the month before, the year before, the two years before...no matter what time period you conveniently choose to pay attention to.

Our DBs are still a joke compared to theirs. We had our success last week because the Saints were a joke, and because our pass rush was awesome. But unfortunately, our pass rush is inconsistent. When it is on, our DBs look good. When it is off, our DBs look bad. Go figure.
 
ckparrothead said:
But he can certainly convert first downs and make big plays by running or throwing better than Gus Frerotte can.

If it was always about what have you done for me lately as in the last week, then the Dolphins would be super bowl contenders every time we win a game, and league cellar-dwellers every time they lose a game.

Again, our OL is a joke, we're just getting around it by means of scheme and personnel in other places. Our running backs may be better, but right now the OL differences mean that Atlanta's runners are much more effective, so at the moment I'll take their ground game vs. our ground game running backs and all. And if this is about what have you done for me lately, I question whether or not Gus Frerotte is even more ACCURATE than Mike Vick, and that is saying A LOT because lord knows Mike Vick isn't accurate. Hands down, Mike Vick is the better QB, right now, last week, the week before, the month before, the year before, the two years before...no matter what time period you conveniently choose to pay attention to.

Our DBs are still a joke compared to theirs. We had our success last week because the Saints were a joke, and because our pass rush was awesome. But unfortunately, our pass rush is inconsistent. When it is on, our DBs look good. When it is off, our DBs look bad. Go figure.
Click to expand...

Our Olines problems stem from Linehan. He chose to pass pass pass and the Oline had no clue to the big picture. Now we run Ronnie Ricky 40 times and they start to get it! Punish the guy across from you. I dont know if you really payed attention to what transpired last week CK.

All I am saying, is give Ronnie/Ricky and the OLine a chance. Just give em a chance CK! Isnt that what Saban would say? :D There focus has been on keeping Gus clean, which they were doing quite nicely, until they got confused from week to week as defenses figured us out.

let me just ask you this?

Do you think Atlanta is watching film of us three weeks ago or last week?
 
volk said:
The Falcons are a very good team again this year and overpower Miami on paper, but I still feel this game is winnable if we simply do the following:

We know that the Falcons can run the ball, and we know that Mike Vick *can* make big plays in the passing game. That said, stopping this juggernaut is very possible...here's how:

1. The biggest mistake teams make when they play against the Falcons is respecting the passing ability of Vick. You have to stop the run if you want to beat the Falcons. I believe you do this by run blitzing and bringing the safeties up for run support on almost every down. Force Vick to beat you *passing*. More on this in a second.

2. Pass coverage should consist primarily of handling Crumpler. Crumpler needs to be covered on every short/medium passing down.

3. Mike Vick. Everyone talks about Vick potentially burning you in the passing game, but I say thee nay. Vick is an effective passer only when rolling out to his left. When leaving the pocket to his right, his passer rating plumets drastically...we're talking 50% or more. I say overload the left side of the line against the run and flush Vick to the right. Keep Channing Crowder as a spy to the right side of the line. Crowder applies pressure to make Vick throw across his body, and he is going to throw incompletions or picks. If Vick steps up to run, Crowder has the speed to close the gap and put a serious hit on him.

It is a risky plan, but I think it would work very well. I am just a fan, and not a coach, so maybe it will look rediculous to some of you...and maybe it is, but I have watched Tampa and the Jets do similar things rather successfully. The Falcons can potentially gain some big yards in the pass game against this kind of configuration, but I am betting there will be more 3 and outs than there will be big plays against this. If Ricky and Ronnie can run well enough to keep the chains moving, it will also help keep the Falcons out of sync.

I really hope we win the toss................................
Click to expand...


I agree with most everything you say. You must stop the run first. If they come out with 10 designed plays that are pass oriented and are successful, then we could be in trouble. They know we are focused on stopping the run. they also want to prove that Vick can throw the ball to get his monkey off his back.

I say, just play your base defense in the first half while switching up on 3rd down (obviously), and dont overblitz. I am so glad Seau is not playing because that is what he does. We need to contain and execute. In other words, we dont react, we attack at the line of scrimmage but do not overpersue. The LB's have to play huge in this game. Zach needs to be top notch this week. The key for us overall? No penalties and Ronnie/Ricky getting tough yards and controlling the clock in the heat and play the 4th quarter. I think this will be a good game whether we lose or win.
 
ckparrothead said:
On paper this game is not even at all. Vick vs. Frerotte is a joke. Their offensive line vs. our offensive line is also a joke. And right now, their defensive secondary vs. our defensive secondary is also a joke.

The only thing we can boast right now is better running backs and receivers, and a tight end that is equivalent at best. If all our linebackers were healthy I'd say better linebackers too, but they're not.
Click to expand...

You've got better safeties, 1 good CB like us so that's even, better linebackers, but as we're running 2 rookies, that's to be expected. Our QB and running backs are better, your wr are better.

But in terms of results, we're the better team.
 
PlayoffBound7 said:
You've got better safeties, 1 good CB like us so that's even, better linebackers, but as we're running 2 rookies, that's to be expected. Our QB and running backs are better, your wr are better.

But in terms of results, we're the better team.
Click to expand...

I dont know about the safeties bit cus it has changed now that Tebucky Jones is out for the season. Schulters is a keeper. LB's we also have rookies playing or guys who are new to the system. I do not think your RB's are better in a sense that your RB's got to start the season, one of ours, Ricky, had to sit for four weeks. Makes a big difference.

All in all, all this comparison BS doesnt mean a thing. What matters is execution of the gameplan. And I dont think Nick Saban designs a game plan to lose. Your on the road against a team who has beaten Denver and Carolina at home. It gets hot come 3:30 in S Florida with black jerseys on. These are the intagibles that no one talks about. These are the real reasons why people are picking us to upset the falcons. When I hear Bills fans and reporters saying they like our coach and system and yadda yadda yadda....that means something. Things change as the season progresses. Just look at Philly.
 
vick is one of their biggest strengths, but also one of their biggest weaknesses.

ill give credit to the falcans for using his strengths to out weigh his weaknesses.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom