Atlanta Falcons Defense: Expectations for 2011 Season

Falcons defense vs the Ravens

Coming off one of the best seasons in Atlanta Falcons history, the team would not have posted a 13-3 record without the defense. Led by coordinator Brian Van Gorder, the Falcons defense was one of the best 4-3 defenses in the NFL in 2010. Atlanta ranked 5th in the NFL in scoring defense giving up (18) points per game, 3rd in time of possession for the offensive opponents with (28:12) averaged by the opposing teams and limited their amount of offensive production. The Falcons also ranked 4th best in the NFL with interceptions (22) with William Moore and Brent Grimes leading their group with 5 interceptions on the season. Atlanta's defense produced two Pro Bowlers in defensive end John Abraham and Brent Grimes. The Falcons defense was outstanding until the playoffs against the Green Bay Packers who scored 48 points on the defense and ended the magical season for this young team. Heading into the 2011 season, the Falcons defense will be tested by some of the best quarterbacks in the NFL such as Drew Brees, Michael Vick, Matt Schaub, Peyton Manning, and Aaron Rodgers. The Falcons defense will have to conquer the tough schedule ahead in 2011 to take the next step towards winning a Super Bowl. There are three things that you should expect with the Falcons defense in the 2011 season.

1. Expect the Pass Rush to get more sacks in 2011

Falcons new acquisition Ray Edwards

Outside of Pro-Bowler John Abraham having (13.0) sacks for the Falcons defense, he was double-teamed by most of the Falcons opponents and that allowed for the opposing defensive end to provide more of an impact towards quarterbacks; however, defensive ends Kroy Biermann and Chauncey Davis were unsuccessful for majority of the season in applying pressure to the opponents quarterbacks. Also, late in the season against New Orleans and Green Bay, the Falcons defense pressured Drew Brees and Aaron Rodgers; however, they were able to move out of the pocket and still make completions to their offense. This off-season, the Falcons acquired defensive end Ray Edwards from the Minnesota Vikings. Edwards recorded (8.0) sacks this season which was more than every Falcons defensive player except for John Abraham. Ray Edwards will provide the Falcons with another young and effective pass-rusher and prevent opposing offensive lines from focusing on limiting John Abraham's ability to attack the quarterback. The addition of Ray Edwards will also give Kroy Biermann and Chauncey Davis the opportunity to come in the games with a lot of energy and the opportunity to make big plays on the front line for the defense. With an effective pass rush, this will allow the rest of the defense to have a shot at making big plays and end offensive drives for the opponents we will face in 2011.

2. The Falcons rushing defense to make improvements in 2011

Corey Peters against the Steelers

The Falcons rushing defense made some improvements from the 2009 season and ranked 10th in the NFL rushing defense giving up (1,694) yards rushing, the Falcons also finished 8th in NFL for rushing touchdowns allowed only surrendering (9) for the entire season. However, the Falcons did allow some big rushing plays on defense such as the 80-yard Tim Hightower touchdown against the Cardinals, the 50-yard Rashard Mendenhall game-winning touchdown against the Steelers in overtime, and a 60-yard rushing play on a reverse by Brandon Lafell against Carolina. The Falcons will look to improve that portion of their defense as Jonathan Babineaux returns for another season and will continue to cause issues for opposing runningbacks this season. Also, Corey Peters and Peria Jerry should provide some depth at defensive tackle for 2011. Peria Jerry will play his first full season and he looks impressive at Falcons training camp and is locked into a full battle with second year tackle Corey Peters. Peters, played an impressive rookie campaign for the Falcons defense recording (1) sack and made (33) tackles for the defense. Another key contributor towards stopping the opponents' running game will be fourth-year linebacker Curtis Lofton. Lofton, who many viewed as a Pro-Bowl snub for the last four years, posted (118) tackles, recorded (2.0) sacks, and forced (3) fumbles. Lofton will be a key component towards helping the Falcons contain the run. This season, the Falcons will face some of the best runningbacks in the NFL such as Arian Foster, Chris Johnson, and Maurice-Jones Drew so their rushing defense will be up for a challenge to prevent the opponents from having a big day in the rushing category.

3. Expect the pass defense to improve in 2011 

William Moore

Last season, the Falcons passing defense was tested in a huge way against some of the biggest opponents that  our defense faced. The Falcons were average around the NFL for a team that posted a 13-3 regular season record. Atlanta ranked 22nd in the NFL for passing yards allowed with (226.6) per game, 28th in the NFL for completion percentage by an opposing quarterback with (65.0) percentage per game, but they were 4th in the NFL for most interceptions with (22). Some of the players who shined in the Falcons secondary was first time Pro-Bowler Brent Grimes and second-year safety William Moore. Grimes, entering his 4th season as the Falcons corner, had a great season in 2010 with a tie for the team lead with (5) interceptions, (23) pass defensed, and (87) tackles which was a great season for the guy who was the most-targeted cornerback in the NFL last season. William Moore, who missed his entire 2009 campaign with a hamstring injury, came back in a strong way in 2010. Moore was a hard-hitting strong safety who shockingly beat veteran safety Erik Coleman during the season and Moore recorded (72) tackles, (5) interceptions, and (8) passes defensed. William Moore was the breakout player for the Falcons defense in 2010. In 2011, expect Brent Grimes and William Moore to continue their effectiveness in the secondary. Also, the Falcons will look to see better results from veteran cornerback Dunta Robinson. Robinson only recorded (1) interception last season and was another target who many quarterbacks that the Falcons faced in 2010 attacked during the regular season and in the playoffs. With a year of experience under his belt as a Falcons corner, he should emerge as one of the impact players in the young Atlanta secondary. With an effective pass rush in 2011, the Falcons secondary will improve and more opportunities for big plays will appear for this portion of the Atlanta defense

Players to Watch in 2011 on the Falcons Defense

1.Dominique Franks

Dominique Franks

Franks, who is entering his second season on the Falcons have shown some a lot of improvement as a corner throughout training camp. Franks is currently battling Chris Owens for the 3rd corner back position on the Falcons; however, after the playoff loss against the Packers, the advantage is looking towards Franks' direction and he will get the chance to show Atlanta fans this season and his coaching staff that he is worthy of winning the job. During Friday Night Lights, Franks impressed the fans and the coaching staff with his excellent awareness and ability to play good coverage on the outside and in the nickel spot for the team. During preseason, the battle between Chris Owens and Franks will intensify; however, Franks will be the favorite to earn the job when the regular season begins. Franks also was credited for the maturity and determination that he is displaying during the early parts of training camp and headed into preseason, many Falcons fans will get their opportunity to evaluate him. Franks, who left college in his junior season from Oklahoma, was one of the best corners in the Big-12 under Bob Stoop's system and with a year of NFL experience under his belt, Franks will continue to improve and emerge as a play making corner for the Falcons defense in 2011. Last season, Franks played in two games and recorded (1) tackle and (1) interception against the Cardinals. With Brian Williams gone in the free agency, expect to see Dominique Franks on the field this season and he will provide a spark for the secondary as he looks to become our nickel cornerback for the regular season.

2. Sean Weatherspoon

Sean Weatherspoon tackles Josh Freeman

Weatherspoon, who the Falcons selected in the 1st round of the 2010 NFL draft, showed some great coverage skills and pass-rushing abilities; however, he was limited due to a shoulder and knee injury that he suffered early in the regular season of his rookie season. Weatherspoon recorded (1) sack and made (42) tackles for the Falcons and some of his tackles came during some huge game situations for the defense. In 2011, expect for Weatherspoon to provide some pressure towards the opposing quarterback and to show some great coverage skills for Atlanta. In his second season, Falcons fans expect some great things about of this young linebacker and will hope to see him breakout as one of the huge impact players for our team in 2011. Like Dominique Franks, Sean Weatherspoon came from the Big-12 conference in college where he was continuously challenged by some of the best quarterbacks in college football such as Chase Daniel, Colt Mccoy and despite the challenges, he rose to the occasion and was a key contributor on the Missouri defense. Weatherspoon will have a great season for this young Falcons defense in 2011 and expect to hear his name on defensive highlights for the Falcons this upcoming season. With Curtis Lofton and Mike Peterson for assistance, Sean Weatherspoon will continue to improve and emerge as one of the best young linebackers in the NFL today.




We are now two days away from the first Falcons preseason game...FALCONS RISE UP!!!!!