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Old 12-15-2005, 10:40 AM
YoureToast YoureToast is offline
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Join Date: Nov 2002
Posts: 20
Default Re: Falcons @ Bears: Opportunity Knocks

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Do you understand the difference between the Steelers run blocking scheme and the Falcons? The Steelers were able to run the ball effectively after the field conditions started to deteriorate because they have a straight ahead blocking scheme where there goal is to stop the lineman in their tracks and drive them off of the line of scrimage. Before that there was some great play calling by the Steelers with screens and misdirection plays.

The Falcons blocking scheme is a zone which is most effective when the lineman are forced to move and they can cut the back side. It is very difficult to cut athletic lineman and line backers. This is the reason why the Falcons struggle vs. TB. The Bears are running the same defense.

If the Falcons win this game it will be because of the Bears poor tackling like last week or Vick being able to throw the ball very well on a cold windy night in Chicago.

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You make good points regarding the difference between the running styles. However, you forget that the Falcons have one more weapon at their disposal that Pittsburgh does not, and that is the Vick roll-out threat. This threat neutralizes the speed of fast backers and DEs. By the way, Atlanta ran effectively against the Bucs (150 yds) in their last game (150 yds). Against Carolina, the Panthers came in geared up (and it showed in last weeks game against the Bucs) and with a great game plan but Atlanta still gained 120 on the ground. They just didn't score TDs when they needed to. The other very key factor is that the Bears will be starting 2 non-starters (rookies I believe) at the 2 safety spots.

Just to clarify, I don't expect Atlanta to run for huge numbers against the Bears, but they should be able to control the game with the run. Any number of players on the Falcons on offense are difference makers (Vick, Dunn, Crumpler, Roddy White arguably); the Bears have none on offense themselves other than perhaps Muhummad. This game won't be easy by any stretch for the Falcons; but the price is right.
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