Unfortunately, this year we’re gonna have to ask these rookies to win games. We’ve got two at WR that have to step up and win games, and they have been. We have a RB and FB that are rookies (at least until Graham gets healthy) and they’re gonna have to step up and win games. And, if not rookies, 2nd year guys like Freeman and Stroughter. We will lose some of these games, based mostly on youth, but we’ll win our fair share and the best part is they’ll all get better through the experience.

Even if Freeman runs the draw, you’re still asking Larsen to block and James Lee. Again, my biggest beef was that they didn’t use Lorig at FB on that play. He’s got more speed to get to the hole than Miller. If Blount had seen Lorig put a good block on someone sooner than Miller, he may have hit the dive.

I UNDERSTAND the call to Blount, I really do. In fact I can even accept it without too much problem.

I, on the other hand, whould have spread the defense out, had Caddy in the backfield and run a QB draw.

Freeman get’s it done when it counts.

I’m sorry but I do not like asking these rookies to win games.

Did anyone really look at the 4th and inches earlier where they ran the sneak and Freeman barely made it. He was actually stopped and was just able to reach the ball out to get the first before the ref blew the whistle. And that was in the middle of the field where crowd noise shouldn’t be as bad as up against the goal line. If the Falcons are beating you off the snap, it might be best to hand it to your big RB and let him have a couple options. That way if the gaps are filled, he can bounce it and if they aren’t filled, he can go up the gut. That’s what happened, it just didn’t work.

It was probaby bad judgement to bounce it on Blount’s side, if he had taken the dive instead, he’d have a head-on against a DB or LB and probably gets the first or maybe the TD. Instead, he went sideways and got hit without a full head of steam and from the side to put him down short of the line to gain.

But, based on the result of the earlier QB Sneak they ran, I still think it was the right call (wrong read, right call).

Don’t bother telling anyone that Donald Penn is missing assignments. He’s the Super Franchise Left Tackle just resigned to a new contract. No one will believe you.

He’s done ok in run blocking, but has missed badly enough times in pass protection this year to make me worry about Freeman’s health. Thank goodness Caddy is back there helping out a good number of pass snaps.

I recall a few weeks ago, when Penn was beat by a blitzing DB. The resounding comment was “It was a DB… There’s no way Penn’s gonna be able to block a DB, they’re too quick”. That was his guy to pick up, and he missed badly. Now, I was watching our game against the Falcons again, and the Falcons LT had no problem picking up a blitzing DB coming wide off the edge. It was his assignment, and he got it done. We got no pressure on that play.

Pro Football Focus has our two Tackles listed as the teams weakness.

“Weaknesses: Their offensive line hasn’t helped anyone out. The impressive impact of LeGarrette Blount may have masked what is currently one of the worst lines in the league.”

and Biggest Disappointment in the first half of the season.

“Biggest Disappointment: Barrett Ruud or the offensive tackles. Take your pick.”

Really? Everyone else can see this, but fans are blinded to it? Penn and Trueblood are liabilities at this point. Even James Lee has played as well or better than Trueblood.

Apples and Oranges, my friend.