The following piece was written by D. Orlando Ledbetter and published on October 12 by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
It could be better but not by a whole lot. The Falcons are a quarter of the way through the 2009 season with a 3-1 mark, one game behind the New Orleans Saints in the NFC South.
“I am pleased with the way we have come out of the gate,” Falcons coach Mike Smith said. “We want to start fast. I think that it is crucial for us when we had back-to-back road games, that we lost the first one [at New England] and we came back and got a win [in San Francisco Sunday].”The coach offered his quarterly report on how the team has performed through the first four dates.
Quarterbacks
Matt Ryan is off to a great sophomore season.
He’s completed 82 of 123 passes (66.7 percent) for 977 yards, seven touchdowns, two interceptions and a quarterback rating of 102.9. He seems to be seeing all of the field as he’s connected with 10 different receivers. Six of them are averaging over 10 yards per catch.
Ryan wanted to improve his completion percentage and decision making this season. He had a 61.1 percent completion rate as a rookie with 16 touchdowns and seven interceptions.
“I know that he’s up in both of those areas from last year,” Smith said. “He’s done a very good job of distributing the ball.”
Running backs
Michael Turner has rushed for over 100-yards only once thus far. His five touchdowns lead the NFC.
“We have not rushed the ball as effectively as we did last year,” Smith said. “I think there are a number of factors. Sometimes, it’s who you are playing.”
Jerious Norwood missed a game with a concussion. Fullback Ovie Mughelli suffered a leg injury against the 49ers. Jason Snelling has split time at backing up both Norwood and Mughelli.
“Jason has been an all-around back for us,” Smith said.
Wide receivers/Tight ends
Roddy White put on quite a show against the 49ers, with eight catches for 210 yards. He had been off to a tepid start but finished the first quarter strong.
White has 23 catches, tight end Tony Gonzalez has 19 and wide receiver Michael Jenkins has 14.
“We’ve got a real good mix with regards to distributing the ball,” Smith said.
Offensive line
Offensive line coach Paul Boudreau said he wanted his unit to prove that last season wasn’t a fluke. The line has blocked well and has not given up a sack over the last three games.
“They have done a very good job,” Smith said. “We have improved with our run blocking. We’ll get better and better as the season progresses.”
Defensive line
The loss of first-round draft pick Peria Jerry (knee) in the second game has hurt the unit. They have experimented with three players – Thomas Johnson, Trey Lewis and Jamaal Anderson — in his nose tackle spot.
The pass rush has been steady as they have found some help for John Abraham. Second-year man Kroy Biermann is tied for the team lead with three sacks.
“I thought this past week, the rotation in which we had Biermann outside and Anderson inside worked well for us at times,” Smith said.
Linebackers
A major rebuilding area but the unit of Mike Peterson, Curtis Lofton and Stephen Nicholas has performed well. Peterson has helped to create turnovers.
“They have done a nice job of attacking the ball,” Smith said. “Two of our linebackers are very young.”
Lofton is tied with Baltimore’s Ray Lewis with 34 tackles for third-most in the league.
Defensive backs
The unit has been stabilized with the addition of Brian Williams at the outset of the season. As a whole, the team is allowing a 57 percent completion rate, sixth best in the league.
First-year starter Thomas DeCoud is having a fine season at free safety.
“They have shown improvement,” Smith said.
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