Air Atlanta Embracing New NFL
October 9th, 2012
Before last weekend’s slate of games, BSPN reported that the undefeated Atlanta Falcons were dropping back to pass on two-thirds of their offensive plays despite playing with a lead nearly 80 percent of the time.
Then the Falcons went out Sunday and attempted 52 passes en route to beating the Redskins in Washington.
Yes, Michael Turner was healthy and grinded out 67 yards on 18 carries.
The Falcons appear to have completely embraced the throw-first mentality of many winning NFL teams. And it stands out, considering how much success they’ve had pounding Michael Turner in the running game on first and second down over the past four seasons.
Joe’s a big fan of running the football, and believes the Bucs definitely need to establish a diverse and effective rushing attack, but it is amazing to see how much the game is changing on offense.
Mike Sullivan and his 2011 Super Bowl Giants had the lowest yards-per-carry average in the NFL last season. And the Giants were in the bottom third of the league in total rushing attempts.
Joe doesn’t suspect the Bucs will come out tossing the ball around the field Sunday, but don’t think that Sullivan isn’t one who knows what a passing offense looks like.
October 9th, 2012 at 8:38 pm
The Texans are undefeated, and a running team, with Arian Foster back there.
They control the ball, run play action passes, and play awesome defense.
(how did Tampa miss out on JJ Watt) ?
Pure passing teams often put a lot on their defenses, especially if they score too fast.
Watching the Texans last night, reminded me in 2010 they were not that good.
But they have drafted well, it seems.
October 9th, 2012 at 9:01 pm
you can be a rushing team when you have the #3 defense and the back and the line to do it. the saints pass big but there defense is horrible , i think our defense is formidible enough to make enough plays to allow us to pass cause our running game isnt cutting it. blount in there will open the passing game because he can and will run guys over , maybe not every plays but he still demands respect. that will open up the passing game and play action and that in turn will open up the runnng game more when you mix and match
October 9th, 2012 at 9:06 pm
wade phillips deserves more credit then the drafting, they were near last in defense before he came there and they have been stellar with or without mario williams or anyone else. jjwatt was out last year after week 5 and they plugged connor barwin in his place
October 9th, 2012 at 9:46 pm
The Falcons have slowly transitioned into being a pass first team only after Ryan proved he could handle it and they give him enough weapons. Freeman has the weapons, he just needs to prove he can be consistent.
October 9th, 2012 at 9:53 pm
The passing vs running thing is debate for the future…because until Freeman fully absorbs the new techniques he is learning Sullivan has no choice but to run a lot.
I know that isn’t a popular thought, but…well…there it is.
Saying the Bucs need to let Freeman do what he does best is like saying to let him revert back to his old ways. That may seem nice considering 2010, but it didn’t take the league long to figure him out.
Just let things play out with Freeman this year and next. I suspect we’ll be pleasantly surprised.
Meanwhile, we just need to learn two things…patience and how to tune out the bandwagoners.
October 9th, 2012 at 10:07 pm
There’s more than one way to win in the NFL. Just because the Giants, Packers, and Saints did it one way, that doesn’t mean it’s the only way. It’s only a matter of time before a team wins in a different way. However, one common theme you will always find in every winner is that they play to their strengths. If you have a bruising running game, an average QB, and a great defense, then you win by running the ball. If you have an elite QB and a shaky defense, then you air it out and outscore people.
Atlanta picked a QB in the top 5, then gave up the farm for a WR, so I would expect them to do exactly as they are doing. That is smart, and that is why they are successful. As for us, I don’t know if we know yet where our strengths are. As a fan, I certainly don’t. We certainly don’t know what we have in our QB, aside from knowing that he is talented yet flawed. Until we get that figured out, this is probably where we will be for a while.
October 9th, 2012 at 10:25 pm
“Run & Stop the Run” is a great recipe for winning. However, the Bucs didn’t draft Freeman to hand the ball off, so I see them going to the pass more this week. Also keep in mind that it takes a while to get a new offense to click. This team could easily be 3-1 or even 4-0 if the offense would have produced a handful of scoring drives in the 3 losses. The inability to do so is giving the opposing offense too many opportunities which puts too much pressure on the defense.
Go Bucs!
October 9th, 2012 at 10:43 pm
Go Bucs,we will still make the playoffs this year,I might be the only one saying this but I still truly believe it will happen!
TAMPAAAAA BAAAAAAAAAY
October 9th, 2012 at 11:37 pm
Freeman doesn’t have it in him to be a robotic QB like the coaching staff is hoping. I can’t ever see him being good at this underneath timing route game that they’re trying to force him in to.
His strength is pushing the ball down field and using his feet to buy time. They should be using screens and dump offs as their short passing game and letting our RB’s and WR’s get yards after the catch. Why on earth can’t we find offensive coaches that can just utilize the talent that we have? Sullivan needs to understand that he’s not a position coach anymore and once the game starts his job is to call plays and when he’s not doing that he should be figuring out what set of plays he should call the next time we have the ball. His job is not to hold Freeman’s hand up and down the bench between offensive series.
The first step though should probably be to give the ball to one of the 10 most talented RB’s in the NFL and most of the rest will fall into place after he starts rolling.
October 10th, 2012 at 12:01 am
To all those that say Freeman is best pushing the ball down the field, have you been missing for the last 3 years? He has by no means lit it up throwing the ball deep. In fact, quite the opposite. He has one good game throwing deep (with 2 throws), and everyone all of a sudden thinks he’s a prolific deep ball thrower??? I’m not saying he can’t throw it well deep, but you make as if you have his entire game figured out from the seat of your couch. That’s all fine and dandy, if you actually were presenting facts. He’s always been reluctant to pull the trigger deep. You aren’t a coach, and it’s not as simple (to fix an NFL QB) as many of you make it out to be. If you really believe so, I suggest you submit a resume. None of you have any idea what the coaches are telling him, so your criticisms of the coaches are pretty ignorant. But then again, you guys probably are all ex or current NFL coaches.
October 10th, 2012 at 2:43 am
Sorry about my last post, that was kind of rude. Losing three weeks in a row, then having to sit through a bye week does that to me.
October 10th, 2012 at 3:21 am
Freeman has 2 many bad habits that can’t and will not be fixed in one season. He better hope Schiano has patience and faith that he can put it 2gether or he’ll be clicking his heels and appearing in Kansas City
October 10th, 2012 at 8:28 am
The reality is the Bucs have been too conservative and protective in their play calling most of the time. I know we’re hampered by the right side of the OL so I’m hoping Trueblood at RG works out.
It is a passing league and we have far more weapons and depth at WR than we do at RB. I’ve been saying we need to see more 4 and 5 wide sets…I stand by that still. I can’t imagine us being at a disadvantage when you have VJax, Williams, Benn, Tiq, and Clark in 5 wide. That’s too much talent to cover for the defense. Even 4 wide with a RB for pass pro and delayed pass route for check down.
I’m sure the coaching staff will figure it out.
October 10th, 2012 at 8:35 am
@Hawaiian, please give me the link to the game footage of anytime Greg Olsen ever “pushed the ball down field”. THAT’S why you haven’t seen Freeman do it. We now have a staff that appears willing, and in his chances Freeman has done well.
I really feel Freeman is best when he gets in a passing rythm. His confidence goes way up, he plays with a sandlot style and does do well. The Bucs owe it to themselves to see that side of Freeman – the unchained one, for better or worse.
October 10th, 2012 at 9:39 am
@ Apple Roof,
JJ Watt- pizza delivery boy, walk on at Wisconsin to 1st round draft pick. He was picked in the 1st round in 20120 just a few spots before we got Clayborn.
The reason we don’t have Watt or Kerrigan is because we won too many games. Thanks to Troy Smith, Max Hall and Jimmy Clausen.
October 10th, 2012 at 9:41 am
@ Hawaiian,
I hear you, I am upset with all of the losing too.
Fact: Josh Freeman is not playing like a Franchise Quarterback.
Fact: If Freeman doesn’t show up the next 12 games and establish some consistency, then he is gone.
October 10th, 2012 at 10:18 am
Hawaiian Buc Says:
October 10th, 2012 at 2:43 am
Sorry about my last post, that was kind of rude. Losing three weeks in a row, then having to sit through a bye week does that to me.
.
I think you hit the nail on the head personally.
October 10th, 2012 at 10:39 am
Josh Freeman is no Matt Ryan. Ryan was the 3rd pick of his draft. Freeman was the third QB picked in his draft. I mean heck, people thought Mark Sanchez was a better QB coming into the draft!
October 10th, 2012 at 10:39 am
Bottomline, Freeman is in his fourth season, he’s still playing like a rookie and we’re all still having to baby him and ask “what’s wrong with Joshie”. The kid needs to get it together NOW. The fans deserve better in Tampa than this. We currently have NO offense under him right now.
October 10th, 2012 at 12:29 pm
BucanJeff said, “I’m sure the coaching staff will figure it out.”
Hahahahahahaha!
Geno, Geno, Geno!