Falcons vs. Panthers: Blogger Q & A
Here's round 2 of blogger Q & A with Dave the Falconer from The Falcoholic.
Question 1: What’s the status of your QB situation? Will Leftwich play this weekend and have you been happy with his performance so far?
Dave: Leftwich won't be playing this weekend barring a miracle, so you guys will be seeing plenty of Joey Harrington. Because he's barely played for us this year, it's been hard to decide whether or not I'm happy with him. He offers a much better deep throwing arm than Harrington but needs to get on the field for an extended period before I can really judge him.
Harrington had his best game of the season against us. Looks like Crumpler will be playing and he always plays well against us.
Question 2: What’s been the strength of your offense so far this season?
Dave: There's been a strength?
Well, I guess I'd have to say Roddy White has been our strength. He has really separated himself from the rest of the receiving corps this year with 36 catches, 585 yards and 2 TDs. It's been a very long time since the Falcons have had a #1 receiver who actually struck fear into anyone, and I'm hopeful he'll continue to do so into the next decade.
There just hasn't been that much else to get excited about on offense, that's for sure.
I’m glad to hear it about Roddy White. He went to the local high school here on James Island, SC.
Question 3: The Steve Smith – DeAngelo Hall penalty-fest had a big impact on the last game. Do you think we will see a repeat of that performance?
Dave: Not if DeAngelo Hall wants to live. As it was, I think a majority of Falcons fans were ready to kill him after his song-and-dance routine that last game. Ever since coach Bobby Petrino has had a talk with him, Hall's been mysteriously quiet during media sessions and will hopefully carry that over on the field. When he can do that and just concentrate on covering Steve Smith, I like the Falcons' chances.
The fact is he usually has shut Smith down. I’m positive Hall will be doubly motivated to play well and I would be extremely surprised if he were to get another 15 yard penalty. Colbert or Carter will have to step up if we are going to get the passing game going.
Question 4: John Abraham ate our lunch last time and knocked Jake Delhomme out for the season (I’m still pissed about that). Anyone else the Panthers need to worry about on defense?
Dave: Well, I should first note that John Abraham is finally living up to the hype this season, though I regret that Delhomme being knocked out meant you guys had to turn to David Carr. For the second part of your question, I think you should absolutely fear both Hall and Michael Boley. The Falcons are actually talking contract extension for Boley, an outside linebacker, because he's been so alarmingly dominant this year. Hall just matches up well against Steve Smith.
Boley is certainly very good and the Falcons would be smart to lock him up for a while.
Question 5: Have you formed an opinion on Bobby Petrino yet? Any Falcons game plan predictions for how the Falcons will attack the Panthers on both sides of the ball?
Dave:The Falcons have crafted an odd team identity under Petrino. They're generally timid and consistent on offense, trying for short passes and pounding the ball on the ground over and over and over until you just want to scream. It may be the personnel, but he has not impressed me as the offensive genius he was billed as coming in. You can likely expect much the same on Sunday unless he miraculously tells Harrington to bomb it all game long.
On the defensive side, the Falcons have been pretty aggressive. They'll move to shake up the QB when it's prudent, but generally they do a good job of putting on some pressure and looking for the team to make a mistake that the secondary can swoop in and take. If you're running it, the Falcons tend to bend but not break once you get near the end zone.
Petrino’s offensive philosophy sounds a lot like John Fox. On defense though the Panthers haven’t taken too many risks. I’ll bet DeShaun Foster gets 20 carries and if he does it will be a good day for the Panthers.
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the game
Besides all that, if the defense plays like it did last week, we should get a win. I'm not sure Hall does all that great against Smith. I think most of the issues are QBs having trouble getting the ball to Smith. Last year, Jake got beat up all game against the Falcons, and Weinke started the second game against Atlanta, and we ran over 50 times. So if Matt Moore can stay upright, he'll probably throw the deep ball a little more and better than Carr. I am basing that prediction solely on hope. However, Keyshawn just predicted we'll run the ball 60 times, so maybe Smith won't catch anything. Who knows?
Either way, a win will get us to a 5-4 tie for 1st place in the division. Unbelievable.
by usana_gaines on Nov 11, 2007 11:41 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

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