Tarantism's NFL Experience

[tarantism]

Around the League, Week 13 Edition:

Ben Roethlisberger is looking MVP worthy in 2011

Player of the Week:
Ben Roethlisberger (PIT) - 26/33 for 428 yards and 5 TD

• Seahawks 20, Eagles 13
• Browns 31, Ravens 26
• Lions 17, Saints 10
• Cardinals 31, Cowboys 14
• Packers Injury Woes Continue, LB Walden Placed On IR
• Crabtree To Miss Remainder of 2011 with Broken Forearm

[tarantism]

Falcons Lose Shocker to Struggling Panthers

Panthers CB Chris Gamble ices the win with a late INT

(Sunday, December 12th, 2011) The Atlanta Falcons traveled to Carolina on Sunday to face a two win Panthers team who seemed to be on a two way road with Cleveland for the top spot in the 2012 draft this June. Little did the Falcons know that the struggling Panthers had a mind to spoil their three game winning streak. "You need to go out there are be prepared to face the best in the world every Sunday" said Falcons head coach Mike Smith following the 23-17 loss at Bank of America Stadium, "the Panthers came out ready to play today and you've got to hand it to them, they played a great game". The Atlanta defense struggled to contain 2011 #1 pick Cam Newton, who finished the game with 13 carries for 74 yards on the ground and throughout the game Newton was able to find TE Greg Olsen and veteran WR Steve Smith for timely completions and third down conversions. As the game went on defensive coordinator Brian van Gorder was forced to keep linebackers in to watch Newton, who showed early that he had no problem tucking and running if there was nothing there. "That's the struggle with a guy like Cam" commented second year linebacker Sean Weatherspoon, "You need to watch out for his running ability as well as his passing".

The day was not all doom and gloom for the Falcons, however. Even though they trailed 23-7 at the end of the third quarter quarterback Matt Ryan and the offense were finally able to get it going and they were able to put up 10 unanswered points on the Panthers. After a stout defensive series from Atlanta the offense was able to get the ball back with 1:17 left and no timeouts. Ryan was able to lead the team down the field, helped by several circus catches by rookie Julio Jones, and put the Falcons within scoring range with 23 seconds remaining. Then, with WR Roddy White running an out pattern towards the right pylon, Ryan failed to see underneath coverage from veteran corner Chris Gamble, who successfully picked off the pass to ice the game. "Matt led a great drive and you never want to see it end like that" said Smith, "but we have another game next week and we just need to move on from the loss".

News and Notes:

• Falcons rookie Julio Jones finished the game with 13 receptions for 181 yards and 2 touchdowns.
• Matt Ryan had a career high 345 yards on 47 pass attempts.
• SS William Moore tallied 7 total tackles and was able to get his 3rd sack of the season.
• Panthers rookie Cam Newton finished with 212 total yards (138 pass, 74 rush).
• The Panthers defense was able to get to Ryan for sacks 5 times.

Next Game: The Falcons (8-5) take on the Jacksonville Jaguars (7-6) on Thursday Night Football. The Panthers (3-10) face the Houston Texans (4-9).

[tarantism]

Around the League, Week 14 Edition:

Roethlisberger Has Led the Steelers to a First-Round Bye in 2011

Player of the Week:
Ben Roethlisberger (PIT) - 30/46 for 380 yards and 4 TD

• Steelers Clinch Home Field Advantage for AFC with 62-14 win over Browns
• Roethlisberger, Brees top vote getters thus far for Pro Bowl
• Panthers 23, Falcons 17
• Raiders 14, Packers 13
• Redskins 29, Patriots 25
• Titans 28, Saints 7
• Colts QB Painter goes to IR with torn quadricep
• Bengals sideline DT Sims after fractured foot

[tarantism]

Falcons Move to 9-5 Following Win In Atlanta

Julio Jones Has Burst Onto the NFL Scene

(Friday, December 20th, 2011) The Atlanta Falcons yesterday secured their 9th win of the season by beating the Jacksonville Jaguars 31-13 in the Georgia Dome behind another stellar performance from rookie WR Julio Jones. The Falcons, who lost last week in an upset to Cam Newton and the division rival Carolina Panthers, gave the Jaguars no chance to get into the game. Atlanta successfully put up a touchdown in every quarter during the win, and they outgunned the Jaguars to the tune of 388 yards of total offense behind a hyper-efficient, balanced offensive attack. Despite raising some eyebrows after struggling last week in Carolina, quarterback Matt Ryan again showed why he is one of the best home quarterbacks in the league, going 20/29 for 220 yards and 3 touchdowns. "We love playing at home" said Ryan, who is now 2-0 on Thursday Night Football, "This is one of the best atmospheres in the NFL and our fans are great".

Defensive end Ray Edwards finished with 2 sacks and 3 tackles for loss, headlining a gritty defensive effort that also forced four Jacksonville fumbles, three of which were recovered for turnovers. The Falcons defense also held star running back Maurice Jones-Drew to just 42 yards on 14 carries. Coming into the game Jones-Drew led the league in rushing with 1,176 yards, but the Falcons defenders were stellar at filling the gaps, plugging all rushing lanes and making solid tackles. "We knew coming into the game that Maurice was having a big year" said rising star MLB Curtis Lofton following the game, "We also knew that he has a reputation for breaking tackles and such so we just made sure we had multiple guys running at him every time he had the ball". The Falcons defense also held rookie quarterback Blaine Gabbert to just 10/23 passing for 190 yards and no touchdowns.

News and Notes:

• Falcons WR Julio Jones finished with 120 yards on 8 receptions. Jones also had 2 touchdowns.
• Halfback Michael Turner tallied 116 yards on 25 carries with 1 touchdown.
• Curtis Lofton had 7 total tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 1 pass defensed and 1 forced fumble.
• Backup DT Vance Walker left the game in the third quarter with a broken collar bone.

Next Week: The Falcons (9-5) will face division rivals New Orleans (7-7) on Monday Night Football. The Jaguars (7-7) will head to Tennessee to play the Titans (9-5).

[tarantism]

Around the League, Week 15 Edition:

Matt Schaub Returned From Injury In Week 15

Offensive Player of the Week:
Matt Schaub (HOU) - 30/44 for 342 yards and 4 touchdowns.

Defensive Player of the Week:
Adrian Clayborn (TB) - 8 total tackles, 3 sacks, 1 forced fumble.

• Redskins clinch division with 16-12 win against Giants.
• Buccaneers 28, Cowboys 12
• Chiefs 23, Packers 13
• Vikings 24, Saints 22
• Raiders 27, Lions 23
• Dolphins sign recently released QB Dan Orlovsky
• Browns QB Colt McCoy to IR with broken collarbone
• Mike Iupati suffers complete achilles tear, out for remainder of season.
• Cowboys lose DeMarcus Ware to IR following torn tricep.

[tarantism]

1 On 1 With Greg Roberts: Falcons Star Rookie Julio Jones

Following the Falcons win Thursday against the Jacksonville Jaguars, I got a chance to catch up with athletic Falcons rookie Julio Jones. Since week 12 Jones seems to have broken out of the rookie shell and has since been playing as big or bigger then any receiver in the NFL, making a name for himself not only as a solid performer but also a humble, hard worker. If you are new to football, that's something of a rarity amongst wide receivers with freakish athleticism and high draft pedigree. "I just go out there and do my job all the time, including practice" proclaims Jones, "I've said it so many times: if all coach needs me to be is a nasty blocker out there for Mike then that's what I'll do. As long as we get that W, I'm happy.

QB Matt Ryan seems to be developing a real rapport with the 6'3'' speedster out of Alabama, and Jones was able to achieve over 100 yards receiving (120 on 8 receptions) for the third time on four games. "Matt and I worked a lot during the offseason after I got drafted" said Jones, who now has 496 yards on 32 receptions in his last four games, "you already know that he had that with Roddy and Tony, and we knew that it was important to work together as much as possible to get it going". The recent performances for Jones have put him on the radar for rookie of the year, but hearing his name leaking into the conversation doesn't seem to phase this young man at all. "Like I said, I just want to win and we're doing that right now" comments Jones, "if I get awards or whatever else, that's great and all but in the end it's all about getting those wins".

Little does he know what a rarity he really is.

[tarantism]

Falcons Lose To Saints In Prime Time Rout

(Sunday, December 27th, 2011) Entering Monday's division game between the Saints and Falcons in the Superdome Atlanta had a chance to wrap up the division with a victory and set it's eyes on the postseason. Throughout the coarse of the game, however, one might think that it was the other way around. The Saints, fighting for a chance at the playoffs after a disappointing season had left them at 7-7 entering Monday night, come out playing with tenacity and desperation that the Falcons simply could not match. "They came out and played like a team that is hungry to be in the playoffs this year" said Falcons head coach Mike Smith after the game, "We did not. I was upset at our lack of desire to go out and win that game. It was pretty clear that we needed it heading into a hostile environment like New Orleans". The Falcons offense amassed only two drives in the game that presented scoring opportunities, and both of those ended in missed field goals by usually reliable kicker Matt Bryant.

Drew Brees again showed why he is in the conversation for MVP of the league, going 16/24 for 299 yards a 4 total scores. When the dust had settled the Saints had won the one-sided track meet 38-0. The Atlanta defense struggled in all facets of the game, allowing 395 yards of total offense and allowing rookie tailback Mark Ingram to carve them for 92 total yards on 23 carries. More impressive was Ingram's ability to pound the ball between the tackles in the waining minutes of the game and ice the Falcons throughout in crucial situations. Because of the effectiveness of the Saints in all facets of the game, the Falcons offense and defense consistently sputtered and collectively never got anything going. "We know that we need to play better" defensive end John Abraham said following the loss, "We know what we need to do if we want to make the playoffs and win a championship, and we are going to get it done".

Stats and Notes:

• If the Saints win and Falcons lose in week 17, the Saints now hold the tie breaker with a 2-0 season series lead.
• Devery Henderson had 123 yards on 5 receptions. Marques Colston had 113 yards on 6 receptions.
• Falcons blockers allowed Matt Ryan to be sacked a total of 5 times, including 2 by CB Tracy Porter.
• WR Roddy White was able to secure 9 receptions for 96 yards.

[tarantism]

Around the League, Week 16 Edition:

Malcom Jenkins and the Saints kept their hopes alive with a win against Atlanta

Offensive Player of the Week:
Shonn Greene (NYJ) - 14 carries for 172 yards and 2 TD, 1 catch for 44 yards

Defensive Player of the Week:
Malcom Jenkins (NO) - 5 Total Tackles, 1 Interception, 1 Sack, 1 Forced Fumble

• 49ers, Redskins clinch NFC West, East
• Buffalo clinches playoff berth in AFC
• Lions 38, Chargers 34, Detroit will be in playoffs.
• Saints 38, Falcons 0
• Patriots 24, Dolphins 21
• Chiefs 16, Raiders 13
• Louis Delmas may miss remainder of season with fracture in foot