NFC South: 2011 Week 1 Rapid Reaction
Rapid Reaction: Bears 30, Falcons 12
September, 11, 2011
9/11/11
4:25
PM ET
By
Pat Yasinskas | ESPN.com
CHICAGO -- Thoughts on the Atlanta Falcons' season-opening 30-12 loss to the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field:
What it means: One game doesn’t make a season. The Falcons showed that last season when they lost their opener at Pittsburgh and still went 13-3. But this one was troubling because the Falcons were totally dominated in just about every phase of the game. That's not good in any circumstances. But it's especially discouraging when you come into a season with Super Bowl aspirations.
What I liked: For really the first time in his star-crossed career, it looked as though defensive tackle Peria Jerry made an impact. Jerry was hurt early in 2009, his rookie season, and spent last season as a backup. The Falcons believe that his knee is now completely healthy and he can have a big season. Despite what was happening around him, Jerry got off to a decent start.
What I didn’t like: Just about everything except Jerry and kicker Matt Bryant, who made both his field goals. The defense gave up all sorts of big plays, and the offense made several uncharacteristic mistakes. Running back Michael Turner lost a fumble and Matt Ryan was intercepted and lost a fumble that Brian Urlacher took in for a touchdown.
No explosiveness: The Falcons spent the entire offseason talking about their desire to be more explosive. We saw very little of that, except for two sacks by John Abraham, one long throw to Tony Gonzalez and one long run by Turner. But that was about it. We didn’t see much of rookie receiver Julio Jones until he caught a 32-yard pass in the third quarter when the Falcons already were trailing 30-6. We also didn’t see much out of Roddy White or Harry Douglas, who also was flagged for a nonsensical unsportsmanlike conduct penalty in the third quarter. Yeah, I know the Cover 2 is designed to prevent big plays and Chicago has some very good defensive talent. But these aren’t the 1985 Bears.
What’s next: The Falcons host a Sunday night game next week that will come with all sorts of storylines and attention. They host the Philadelphia Eagles. That means quarterback Michael Vick will be coming back to where he started his NFL career.
What it means: One game doesn’t make a season. The Falcons showed that last season when they lost their opener at Pittsburgh and still went 13-3. But this one was troubling because the Falcons were totally dominated in just about every phase of the game. That's not good in any circumstances. But it's especially discouraging when you come into a season with Super Bowl aspirations.
What I liked: For really the first time in his star-crossed career, it looked as though defensive tackle Peria Jerry made an impact. Jerry was hurt early in 2009, his rookie season, and spent last season as a backup. The Falcons believe that his knee is now completely healthy and he can have a big season. Despite what was happening around him, Jerry got off to a decent start.
What I didn’t like: Just about everything except Jerry and kicker Matt Bryant, who made both his field goals. The defense gave up all sorts of big plays, and the offense made several uncharacteristic mistakes. Running back Michael Turner lost a fumble and Matt Ryan was intercepted and lost a fumble that Brian Urlacher took in for a touchdown.
No explosiveness: The Falcons spent the entire offseason talking about their desire to be more explosive. We saw very little of that, except for two sacks by John Abraham, one long throw to Tony Gonzalez and one long run by Turner. But that was about it. We didn’t see much of rookie receiver Julio Jones until he caught a 32-yard pass in the third quarter when the Falcons already were trailing 30-6. We also didn’t see much out of Roddy White or Harry Douglas, who also was flagged for a nonsensical unsportsmanlike conduct penalty in the third quarter. Yeah, I know the Cover 2 is designed to prevent big plays and Chicago has some very good defensive talent. But these aren’t the 1985 Bears.
What’s next: The Falcons host a Sunday night game next week that will come with all sorts of storylines and attention. They host the Philadelphia Eagles. That means quarterback Michael Vick will be coming back to where he started his NFL career.
Rapid Reaction: Packers 42, Saints 34
September, 8, 2011
9/08/11
11:49
PM ET
By
Pat Yasinskas | ESPN.com
GREEN BAY, Wis. -- A few thoughts on the New Orleans Saints' season-opening 42-34 loss to the Green Bay Packers.
What it means: It’s only one game, but this one was particularly painful for the Saints and could have implications that linger through the season. The defense was nothing short of horrible most of the night, and that’s a huge cause for concern. Yes, the Saints were playing the defending Super Bowl champions on the road, but they have to be better than this on defense if they hope to be more than an average team.
Missing Will Smith: With the defensive end suspended for the first two games of the season, the Saints generated virtually no pass rush. Rookie Cameron Jordan, Jeff Charleston, Junior Galette and Turk McBride weren’t expected to do it on their own. The Saints did try plenty of blitzes but didn’t have a lot of luck. Don't give the Saints too much sympathy on this one. They knew for months there was the chance Smith would serve a suspension but didn't do much to counter that.
Secondary issues: Second-year pro Patrick Robinson had a tough game as he took over the nickelback role. Strong safety Roman Harper had a rough night, and cornerback Tracy Porter didn’t tackle well. If you’re not getting any pressure and your secondary is struggling, you’ve got problems.
The bright spot: Running back/return man Darren Sproles was explosive as he made his New Orleans debut. He returned a punt for a touchdown, and looked good on kickoff returns and as a receiver out of the backfield. Sproles looks like an upgrade from Reggie Bush.
Whatever happened to Jimmy Graham? The second-year tight end was expected to be a focal point of the offense. He was barely a factor. But give Green Bay’s defense much of the credit for that. The Saints seemed like they were looking for Graham, but he rarely was open, except for a fourth-quarter touchdown that came too late.
What’s next: The Saints get another strong NFC North opponent Sept. 18. They’ll play the Chicago Bears, but that game will be in the Superdome.
What it means: It’s only one game, but this one was particularly painful for the Saints and could have implications that linger through the season. The defense was nothing short of horrible most of the night, and that’s a huge cause for concern. Yes, the Saints were playing the defending Super Bowl champions on the road, but they have to be better than this on defense if they hope to be more than an average team.
Missing Will Smith: With the defensive end suspended for the first two games of the season, the Saints generated virtually no pass rush. Rookie Cameron Jordan, Jeff Charleston, Junior Galette and Turk McBride weren’t expected to do it on their own. The Saints did try plenty of blitzes but didn’t have a lot of luck. Don't give the Saints too much sympathy on this one. They knew for months there was the chance Smith would serve a suspension but didn't do much to counter that.
Secondary issues: Second-year pro Patrick Robinson had a tough game as he took over the nickelback role. Strong safety Roman Harper had a rough night, and cornerback Tracy Porter didn’t tackle well. If you’re not getting any pressure and your secondary is struggling, you’ve got problems.
The bright spot: Running back/return man Darren Sproles was explosive as he made his New Orleans debut. He returned a punt for a touchdown, and looked good on kickoff returns and as a receiver out of the backfield. Sproles looks like an upgrade from Reggie Bush.
Whatever happened to Jimmy Graham? The second-year tight end was expected to be a focal point of the offense. He was barely a factor. But give Green Bay’s defense much of the credit for that. The Saints seemed like they were looking for Graham, but he rarely was open, except for a fourth-quarter touchdown that came too late.
What’s next: The Saints get another strong NFC North opponent Sept. 18. They’ll play the Chicago Bears, but that game will be in the Superdome.
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ABOUT THIS BLOG
Pat Yasinskas
Yasinskas joined ESPN.com in January 2008 after covering the Carolina Panthers for The Charlotte Observer for nine seasons. He began his journalism career with The Tampa Tribune in 1990.
