Falcons Developed A Pass Rush
November 1st, 2016
Adrian Clayborn has been revived
Sure, Matt Ryan has thrown for the most yards in the NFL and receiver Mohammad Sanu (32 catches, TDs) was a sound new free agent signing for the high-flying Falcons.
But that’s not the story of their season.
What’s transformed the Falcons is going from having the worst pass rush in the league — a horrendous 19 sacks in 2015 — to having a solid pass rush (18 sacks through eight games this year).
How bout that Adrian Clayborn! Yes, the Bucs’ 2011 first-round pick is in the thick of the Falcons defensive line. He dumped Aaron Rodgers twice on Sunday to up his sack total to 3 1/2 this season. Clayborn has been very versatile along the Falcons’ D-line.
Ancient newcomer Dwight Freeney has three sacks, and the Falcons are finally getting back what they invested in Vic Beasley, now a hybrid linebacker/pass rusher. The No. 8 overall pick last year has 7 1/2 sacks. The light has turned on for Beasley, who is repairing the reputation of Clemson defensive ends everywhere.
All that written, Joe is not fearful of the Falcons’ pass rush. The Bucs have the horses on their O-line to stifle it. Joe’s just worried about the blocking of the Bucs’ running backs. Antone Smith, Peyton Barber and Mike James aren’t exactly in midseason form.
The Falcons’ pass rush simply can’t beat the Bucs on Thursday night. That can’t happen.
If Clayborn plays a key role, after Mark Barron, Aqib Talib and Donald Penn already made huge plays in wins against the Bucs this season, Joe will need to do a short stint in a mental institution.
November 1st, 2016 at 11:10 am
Banks gonna do the same thing. I often wonder where this team would be if it didn’t give up on and simply throw away all of its best talent.
I see Chris Conte and Ryan Griffin are still on the roster so at least there’s hope.
November 1st, 2016 at 11:18 am
Adrian Slowborn is on pace for 7 sacks this year after 3 sacks in the past two games. He must have found the fountain of youth and mediocrity as it’s almost as good as his rookie year. What a great draft choice from a team that knows a good GM in Mark Dumbinik.
November 1st, 2016 at 11:21 am
You know it’s going to happen. The Falcons are going to be dancing on the sidelines having a blast, and Clayborn will probably feast.
If I was Matt Ryan and Co. I wouldn’t be able to contain myself waiting to get my balls all over this defense, right in their face!
Go Sucs!
#lichtmyb*lls
November 1st, 2016 at 11:27 am
Why doesn’t Mike Smith use Spence in the same way they are using Beasley, Khalil Mack gets used, Von Miller, etc. That hybrid end/LB is deadly. He is too light and gets engulfed by these LTs. However, he is lightning quick and if you move him around, it may make for blown assignments. Just spitballing but 2 of his sacks were gimmes and one was an excellent play IMO.
November 1st, 2016 at 11:27 am
always thought we gave up on clayborn too early….at the very least he could’ve been a full time dt next to GMC…said last year that banks should be our starting free safety….
the thing that hurts the most is that we just let players walk out of the door without any compensation….licht should know better…he came from the pats….they never let anything go for nothing….GO BUCS!!!!
November 1st, 2016 at 11:30 am
i watched the last quarter of the falcons vs green bay game & i noticed their dline wants it!!! too many times i see our Dline pretty much quit and just stand in front of their guy if they can’t beat their guy initially… during the falcon game, time after time if they couldn’t get around their guy the entire line was just pushing their damn hardest… i was very upset seeing howard jones i believe come off the bench in a pass rushing situation at the end of the game and just jogged off the LOS and pretty much stand in front of his guy… didn’t even try to get to the QB… dude you should’ve had fresh legs and been itching to pressure carr
November 1st, 2016 at 11:32 am
@jjbucs….I’ve said the same thing so many times…what happened to the 3-4 look smitty was going the use….how about lining him up next to kwon at the outside lb position and just blitz him…up the middle…around the edge…Go BUCS!!!
November 1st, 2016 at 11:40 am
Football doesn’t start until November.
November 1st, 2016 at 11:45 am
We are 3 a plus drafts from being a okay team.
Funny we had penn Bennett Adrian and others.
Not that they are world beaters but why give them away.
November 1st, 2016 at 11:55 am
So much for Joe calling Beasley a bust all off season ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
November 1st, 2016 at 12:13 pm
@BucFan20
Oh yeah! I totally forgot. Not sure why I’ve been getting so worked up!
Game one Thursday night!
November 1st, 2016 at 12:25 pm
But yeah, I thought we were going to have some type of hybrid defense?
Most of what we do looks pretty vanilla to the naked non-trained eye.
November 1st, 2016 at 12:27 pm
@tampa tony
You beat me 2 it! Beasley was called that last after 5-6 games by his site. Only patience is for our own mostly poorly drafted players. Let’s hope we can beat the Falcons we’ll see. Extra quarter and all of those yards and top against our d will be tough as is especially with that offense.
November 1st, 2016 at 1:13 pm
@patrickbucs that’s why I laughed at the “grand slam” draft comments from joe. Gotta give a draft at least 3 years before you put the bust label on it
November 1st, 2016 at 2:11 pm
@tony exactly. In fairness though everyone reviews the draft it’s a big deal.
November 1st, 2016 at 3:11 pm
We still have to face former Buc Michael Bennet, sure would be a shame to add this one to having a great game against us. What a group to let get away, add to that Legarrette Blount & Matt Bryant and someone at One Buc place has some explaining to do.
November 1st, 2016 at 3:49 pm
Most of our castaways I can live with even if they find success but letting Bennett go for nothing still pisses me the eff off. No team except the Bucs would let their best pass rusher go for nothing. The most pathetic part of it all was that Bennett wanted to be here. Think about it. if Bennett were still here, he would be our best pass rusher by far. That’s not a move that I am forgiving anytime soon.
November 1st, 2016 at 6:57 pm
The Bucs are like a wimpy junkyard dog. It’s depressing.