Falcons Pregame

I'm concerned, but I also have to remember that Julio Jones is ONE GUY (albeit one who can take over games) and if they can scheme to take him out of the game, do that, and force the others to beat you. I remember us doing that to Demarco Murray over the years and dared others to beat us. They did obviously, but they totally shut him down. We have a way better defense this year that might be able to handle the task.

I'm a little worried considering how the Falcons demolished the Texans last week.

Granted the Texans offense is a mess, but our secondary is extremely suspect and I dunno if Culliver/Breeland can stop Julio Jones.

They can't. End of story. But the running game / offense can. He can't catch balls sitting on the sideline. We need to dominate TOP and score when we get opportunities. Can't say we'll win it but we can be a factor.

To me, this a game where we will learn a lot about this team. Even if we lose the game, the way they play Sunday could still give us positive momentum. But I think we can win if we catch a few breaks.

Skins 27
Dirty Birds 20
Fantasy players everywhere are kicking themselves for dropping Jones after picking him up as he runs for 120 yards and 2 scores. Alfmo also has a big day. As a matter of fact we run on every single down. Still the WP goes crazy because Gruden abandons the run game every single God damned time the Falcons had the effing ball!

ATL isn't good against the run, we need a consistent effort to run the ball and control the clock. I'm looking for 30ish carries.

Our DL/front needs to limit their run game preferably make their offense 1 dimensional.

We need to get after them with 4. Hatch, Bake, Paea, Ryan, Preston, Murph have got to create pressure w/4. Hatch and Bake should be used to whupping on Chester in practice. Time to show him what's up in a real game.

Gotta mix-up coverages and try to keep Jones doubled as often as possible. Make them beat us playing left handed either through the TE or Hank.

I have faith in Jay-Kirk ability to move the ball effectively through the air, but they can't get carried away. Kyle knows this QB, knows this coordinator and this offense. Kirk/Jay needs to watch out for trap coverages this game that exploit their unrealized tendencies.

I got a feeling there will be a huge dose of Crowder and Thompson in this game, especially Crowder to compensate Reed's absence.

I have faith in Jay-Kirk ability to move the ball effectively through the air, but they can't get carried away. Kyle knows this QB, knows this coordinator and this offense. Kirk/Jay needs to watch out for trap coverages this game that exploit their unrealized tendencies.

yes, im afraid teams will start doing a lot better job of disguising coverages. teams adjusted to the run and have done better at containing that. cousins showed he can make good decisions and take what defenses give him last week.

so this week, why not disguise your D so cousins thinks you are giving him something here or there .. only to trap him to have a guy he didnt read pre-snap step into that space and pick it off/defend it.

i assume when you say "trap coverages", that means having DE guys suddenly dropping back in short zone, OLB suddenly defending the flats while the corner drops back to deep coverage, etc?

i dont trust Jay to be a step ahead of opposing coaches ... not yet.

yes, im afraid teams will start doing a lot better job of disguising coverages. teams adjusted to the run and have done better at containing that. cousins showed he can make good decisions and take what defenses give him last week.



so this week, why not disguise your D so cousins thinks you are giving him something here or there .. only to trap him to have a guy he didnt read pre-snap step into that space and pick it off/defend it.



i assume when you say "trap coverages", that means having DE guys suddenly dropping back in short zone, OLB suddenly defending the flats while the corner drops back to deep coverage, etc?



i dont trust Jay to be a step ahead of opposing coaches ... not yet.


If we can be a step ahead dont you think J can? Im sure he isnt oblivious to the exact things being discussed in a Skins chat group? Totally not being a wise ass or trying to sound like one - just that I would hope this is the case or we are in alot of trouble.
Edit: i think the question is do we have the talent yet to stay a step ahead. J can dream up any sort of scheme he wants. It still comes down to execution. If players do not execute he is ridiculed for calling the wrong play, and if he caters to his talent he is ridiculed for calling the wrong play. This really can be said for any coach, but I dont care about the others.

If we can be a step ahead dont you think J can? Im sure he isnt oblivious to the exact things being discussed in a Skins chat group? Totally not being a wise ass or trying to sound like one - just that I would hope this is the case or we are in alot of trouble.
Edit: i think the question is do we have the talent yet to stay a step ahead.

Punch - imo he has a horrible track record of second half in-game adjustments. he sticks to script way to long. when i say "he", i mean gruden and mcvay.

silver lining is that I do think jay and mcvay can make a good gameplan over the week entering a game. that PA bootleg thing to thompson and crowder was a cool new havent-seen-it-before play. do they have a few more of those in the pocket for the falcons?

you do bring up a good point re talent. is cousins ready for a wrinkle into what he has been being taught? he appears to just start to get comfortable now, is he ready? i think cousins is cerebral enough to adjust but messing with a guys pre-snap reads is not something that can be done over night.

Breaking down the Eagles' final defensive drive vs. Redskins | PhillyVoice (http://www.phillyvoice.com/eagles-redskins-film-review-billy-davis/)

^^^ a good philly film breakdown with lots of Philly D coord quotes on specific plays.

-------------------------------------------

thinking more about it, I think this will be a good litmus test for our coaches on both sides of the ball.

....so this week, why not disguise your D so cousins thinks you are giving him something here or there .. only to trap him to have a guy he didnt read pre-snap step into that space and pick it off/defend it.

.......i assume when you say "trap coverages", that means having DE guys suddenly dropping back in short zone, OLB suddenly defending the flats while the corner drops back to deep coverage, etc?Yup.

Kyle's (and Raheem) know this scheme, personnel and staff intimately. Kyle not only knows historically WCO tendencies but knows Jay/McVay/Jordan Reed/Garcon tendencies. He can predict the likely play calls, targets and route combinations based on down, distance, formation and personnel much more accurately then any other team we'll face this year (except maybe Belichick).
He can say to Raheem ~'if you show a certain pre-snap look they'll expect an opening at spot X' and from that information the defense can gameplan to set a "trap".

Kirk is going to have to be on his game and not predetermine any throws. He's gotta quickly confirm post snap what he see/expects pre-snap.

This offense is designed to throw quickly and Kirk has a tendency to stick with his pre-snap read.

To reduce the opportunities for trap coverages I think (i know broken record) but we gotta keep running the ball, and hopefully run the ball well and stay out of known passing situations.

If we're going to win this one it will have to be the pass rush getting to Ryan and the offense (not just the running game, the passing game too) lighting it up.

Julio is going to torch us to death. The only way we win is get to Ryan, cause some turnovers, and Kirk takes a big-boy step.

It's not out of the realm of possibility. I don't love our chances but it can be done.