Thursday, August 31
Falcons method: Back to basics




If the Falcons are going to become a respectable team again, they're going to do it by getting back to basics. The very basics, such as running the ball well and stopping the run.

Everything hinges on Jamal Anderson's comeback from the knee injury. So far his knee appears sound. But can he hold up in the running game and be a factor in the passing game? Anderson needs to be an integral part of the offense. Two years ago he was the all-time workhorse, setting the NFL record for rushing attempts in a season. It was no coincidence that the Falcons got to the Super Bowl.
For all the problems the 1999 season held, and they were numerous, the Falcons' greatest failures stemmed from their rushing offense (which slipped from sixth in the NFL in '98 to 30th) and rushing defense (which tumbled from second to 29th).

Add the league's worst turnover ratio, a slew of injuries and a loss of confidence, and you've got the recipe for a 5-11 season -- just one year after a Super Bowl appearance.

Consequently, there was more hitting in training camp than head coach Dan Reeves has employed in years.

"That's the only way I know to get better at blocking and tackling," Reeves said. "If we're going to be the team we think we can be, we've got to be better running it and stopping the run."

Obviously, the return to health of RB Jamal Anderson would be a huge step in the right direction, although a revamped offensive line may leave him wondering whom he's running behind.

In '98, the Falcons led the NFL with 44 takeaways. Last season they were last with 18. And the run defense? Argh! The big offseason move on defense was to add unrestricted free-agent CB Ashley Ambrose. The thinking is that he'll enable the defense to play man coverage on both sides of the field (Ambrose's buddy, Ray Buchanan, plays the other CB spot) and gamble more up front. The problem will come if the Falcons have to gamble all the time to generate a pass rush.

A change in attitude seems in place to date, as camp and a 3-0 preseason start picked up spirits, even though Anderson's surgically repaired right knee was not where he wanted it to be at presstime.

Offense
Quarterbacks: Anderson wasn't the only sore offensive star on the Falcons in '99. Chris Chandler missed four entire games, and parts of several others, and never got in sync. He's been a very happy camper so far this summer, pleased with the addition of free-agent wide receiver Shawn Jefferson. The 34-year-old Chandler never stopped throwing a nice deep ball; they just stopped getting caught. His 83.5 passer rating last year was quite respectable, but he had a hard time -- as is his wont -- staying upright. This season the Falcons seem better equipped to function if he's absent. Danny Kanell has grown into the offense after a dreadful start last year, and Tony Graziani seems to have picked up confidence playing in NFL Europe. They're competing for the No. 2 job, and the loser may get cut. Reeves loves rookie free agent Doug Johnson and likely will keep him as a developmental project.
Grade: B-

Running backs: Anderson missed the final 141½ games last year, and the Falcons missed him in a way words can't describe. While rushing for 1,846 yards in '98, Anderson enabled Atlanta to lead the NFL in time of possession, and he helped set up a deep passing game that was shockingly efficient. If Anderson and his partner in bashing, fullback Bob Christian, are healthy, the Falcons are going to be smiling. But Anderson's rehab has been frustrating at times, and Christian has had a litany of injuries in his NFL career. Atlanta is better equipped to go without Anderson, at least for a short while, with the addition of former Lion Ron Rivers and surprising rookie free agent Maurice Smith, a 6-0, 238-pounder with speed. Byron Hanspard, Ken Oxendine, Winslow Oliver and Gary Downs were competing for spots.
Grade: B-

Receivers: There's great depth here. Nobody had a better training camp and preseason on offense than 6-5, 208-pound wide receiver Brian Finneran, who caught a touchdowdn pass in each of the first three games. He's nearly become a lock to make the team and would be Atlanta's first true big target in years. Wide receivers Terance Mathis, Tim Dwight and Jefferson are locks. Tight end O.J. Santiago is coming off surgery to repair a torn chest muscle. He had a substandard '99 season.
Grade: C+

Offensive linemen: Like the wide receiver position, there's a lot of competition here. But only left tackle Bob Whitfield is proven. OLG Bob Hallen, C Calvin Collins, ORG Anthony Redmon and ORTs Ephraim Salaam and rookie Travis Claridge are trying to establish themselves. Gone are starting C Robbie Tobeck (Seattle), starting ORG Gene Williams (unsigned free agent) and potential starting OLG-C Greg Bishop (retired). Chemistry is an issue. So is inexperience.
Grade: C-

Defense
Defensive line: The Falcons should be solid at tackle with a three-man rotation of Travis Hall, Shane Dronett and the defensive MVP of the summer, Ed Jasper. In fact, it won't be clear which two will start until a few days before the opener. On the other hand, defensive ends Patrick Kerney, a second-year pro, and Brady Smith, who had six sacks but just 33 tackles last year despite starting all 16 games for the Saints, are question marks. That's especially the case with Smith, whose strained groin could possibly keep him out of the season opener.
Grade: C

Linebackers: This unit was subpar last year. Middle linebacker Jessie Tuggle, signed to an extension despite being 35, still works as hard as anybody but has not found the fountain of youth. Quickly evolving Keith Brooking would start nearly anywhere in the NFL, and Henri Crockett has lost a few pounds, gotten his left knee healthy and is moving better. Rookie reserve Mark Simoneau can fly on the outside.
Grade: B

Defensive backs: The addition of Ambrose, who bumped former starting cornerback Ronnie Bradford to free safety, makes this a better, and quicker, unit. By competing with Bradford, Gerald McBurrows could make it even better. In his sixth NFL season, McBurrows has improved as much in one year as any Falcon. Nickel back Elijah Williams, in his third year, is having a good preseason, and there should be more depth across the board than in '99. Rookie corners Anthony Midget and Darrick Vaughn have shined at times.
Grade: B+

Special teams: The return to health of Downs (right knee) and the addition of linebacker Chris Draft, who was claimed off waivers from the 49ers, have special teams coach Joe DeCamillis smiling. Both have been very good, and their teammates seem to be playing follow the leader. Kicker Morten Andersen, 40, missed his first four field goals last season but then hit 15-of-17. Rookie free agent Jake Arians is challenging Andersen, but it'd be a big upset to see him go. Punter Dan Stryzinski will never boot for great length, but he forces so many fair catches with his hang time that length isn't often an issue.
Grade: B+

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