FALCONS MAILBAG


Atlanta Falcons Twitter Mailbag: November 28, 2012 Edition

By Falcons Country Guest Blogger Scott Carasik

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  Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images 
 
Twitter is always a great tool to connect with other Atlanta Falcons fans. So I've been doing a mailbag through Twitter at various points this season.

In this edition, we have eight great questions from around the Twitterverse about the Falcons:

To kick it off, Josh Gamez opens up with a question about Falcons linebacker Sean Weatherspoon:
With Weatherspoon back in the lineup, it's safe to say the Falcons will be using him to combat Jimmy Graham. This will free up people like William Moore and Thomas DeCoud against the receivers and even Darren Sproles.
If Sproles happens to be the assignment for Weatherspoon, expect him to get assistance from the safeties. However, the biggest thing Weatherspoon will bring is a blitzing attitude. If anyone can help John Abraham get to Brees, it's Sean Weatherspoon on a same-side blitz.

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NFL Featured Columnist Brandon Alisoglu asks a question that the media has been asking all year:
I think most of it has to do with how the Falcons are winning. They aren't playing complete games or blowing people out. The biggest issue is that the Falcons have had to come from behind to win in the fourth quarter in six of their victories this year.
The inability to crush a team is what makes people think they aren't a good team. However, Mike Smith coaches the Falcons to be able to win these games. It's better to be 7-1 in games decided by seven points or less than to be 4-4 or 2-6.
The Falcons need to crush someone's soul this year in order to show that they are better than they have been so far. It would be great to see them do this against the Saints this week though.

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Assistant College Football Editor Eric Bowman asks about the playoffs:
If it's any team, it's the Saints. The Falcons are a combined 2-7 against them under Mike Smith. Against every team that isn't the Saints, they are 51-15. The Falcons can compete with everyone they play though.
However, this season, the team that matches up best with the Falcons is the Saints. It will always be the Saints because of the rivalry there, and how the Saints seem to build their team to beat the Falcons.

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Blake Hudgins asks about how the Falcons should go after Saints QB Drew Brees:
Most definitely. The Falcons will have another blitz option in Sean Weatherspoon. They will also use multiple packages that will try to create pressure on different blitzes. Expect the Falcons to actually show the "Amoeba" looks in this game that they didn't even use in the last one against the Saints because of the lack of Weatherspoon.
It should be much better now that they cut Ray Edwards as well. He was getting in the way and not doing his job in the pass rush. As much as he was getting paid, he created more problems than solutions, and it's why he got cut right after the first Saints game.

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Ronald Shields asks a great question about the running game.
It's been time to start Jacquizz Rodgers. He's been brilliant for the Falcons as the backup. However, once he got the primary load against Tampa, he didn't let anyone down, getting over 150 all-purpose yards and a touchdown.
Michael Turner had 17 yards on 13 carries. He was terrible and couldn't hit the holes hard. The longest run he had was nine yards. He also had one of the worst negative yardage runs that has been seen in months. If there has ever been a time to bench Turner, it's now.

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In proving it's never to early to look at the draft, Corbin Miles asks about a potential Falcons 2013 pick:
Way too early to tell exactly where the Falcons will go. A defensive end makes sense, but only if they can play outside linebacker as well. Think of the guys who will be tweeners. The Falcons' ideal prospect is going to be one who can line up anywhere, play coverage and get after the passer all in one.
The best options are Dion Jordan from Oregon, Chase Thomas from Stanford and Bjoern Werner from Florida State. There could also be some talent there in Lawrence Sidbury and Jonathan Massaquoi, but they need to actually get on the field.

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Tyler Warren asks about the Falcons' potential draft plans as well in relation to Michael Turner:
It's been time. I thought they were going to do it this past season, but they didn't. They need someone who can come in and be an excellent power back. But at the same time, that player needs to understand how to get receiving yardage and run behind a screen.
The ideal player would be Giovani Bernard from North Carolina. He's been one of the best backs this year and is just amazing in terms of his overall statistical production despite not having the greatest of offensive lines.

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With the Falcons just a couple wins away from locking up the division, Chris Dooley asks a very relevant question:
This is a tough question. I don't see it happening though. Not for the entire games. If the Falcons have home-field advantage locked up, it would make sense for them to play their starters for at least a half to keep them fresh and not get rusty at all before putting in the backups.
I would like to see Lamar Holmes and Dominique Davis get some real reps though. I honestly think that even the backups could surprise teams like the Lions and Bucs at the end of the year.



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