Seattle Get On
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ESPN Insider Thursday Night Game Report
ESPN Insider Thursday Night Game Report
Tuesday, our scouts filed their advance advance scouting report on this week's matchup between the Falcons and Seahawks. Now they're back with a second look.
A main focus of Atlanta's offense is getting QB Michael Vick out on the perimeter where he has a run/pass option. This puts tremendous stress on the fundamental discipline of the defense. With Vick on the move, the defense is forced to interpret and react on the fly. <!---------------------INLINE HEADSHOT (BEGIN)--------------------->
Vick
<!---------------------INLINE HEADSHOT (END)--------------------->Defending a player like Vick requires the application of principles which must be coached hard during the week of preparation, as opposed to the more defined execution of a specific huddle call. This will put a tremendous burden on the Seahawks defense, particularly the linebackers and safeties Ken Hamlin and Michael Boulware, both of whom are aggressive and tend to react hard to action in the backfield.
? Seahawks OLB's Jamie Sharper and D.D. Lewis, as well as MLB Lofa Tatupu, are aggressive, reactive and flow to the ball well. They do not, however, play with much backside discipline and are vulnerable to misdirection and cutbacks as a result. Against the Falcons, the Seahawks LBs must play with more discipline for two reasons. The first is RB Warrick Dunn. He has excellent vision and excels at cutting back at the line of scrimmage. The second is Vick, whose designed movement works off the zone run action. The Seahawks can't allow Vick to slip out the back door.
? Unlike Seattle, the Falcons' defense plays with tremendous discipline. Their defensive line's ability to find the football against the run is impressive, and its ability to defend the run will be one of the key matchups in this game. Seahawks RB Shaun Alexander is a smooth runner with patience and vision, but he is not a tough, physical runner who consistently gets the hard inside yards. This matchup will play a significant role in determining the winner of this game. <!---------------------INLINE HEADSHOT (BEGIN)--------------------->
Hasselbeck
<!---------------------INLINE HEADSHOT (END)--------------------->? QB Matt Hasselbeck tends to struggle against blitzes. There are times he looks smooth, decisive and confident, but he also can look tentative and uncertain. He makes the kind of critical errors in decision-making that a veteran cannot make. Against a Falcons' defense that isn't afraid to blitz early and often, it's critical Hasselbeck gets into a rhythm and builds some confidence early.
? In breaking down the Seahawks' defense on tape from Sunday's loss to the Jaguars, we saw a defensive line that played the run with more toughness than a year ago. It did a good job preventing RB Fred Taylor from controlling the pace and tempo of the game. However, that line faces a tough test this week, as the Falcons' Dunn has more lateral quickness and agility than Taylor.
? While the Seahawks' front four played the run effectively last week, it didn't generate consistent pressure on the quarterback. The only times they got to Jaguars QB Byron Leftwich were the result of the instability and poor play of the Jaguars' left tackle position. It also became clear that the Seahawks are not a very good blitzing team at this point in the season.
? Atlanta offensive coordinator Greg Knapp understands Vick's strengths and limitations. Vick is at his best on the move, and he presents the most dangerous threat to a defense when he is outside the pocket. He benefits from Knapp's offense, because the designed movement in the passing game uses the same initial action that is built into the Falcons' zone running game. Knapp also calls three or four designed runs a game for Vick, which allows Vick to get comfortable. On the flip side, Knapp doesn't run much of a straight drop-back passing game. Vick is not consistent enough in delivering the ball from the pocket with touch and accuracy, so Knapp limits that part of the playbook. Knapp understands that with the strength of the Falcons' defense and special teams, the structure and play calling of the offense can be limited. <!---------------------INLINE HEADSHOT (BEGIN)--------------------->
Williams
<!---------------------INLINE HEADSHOT (END)--------------------->? Last year Atlanta OLB Demorrio Williams played in the Falcons' nickel defense, lining up opposite Keith Brooking. This season he's starting, and he made plays all over the field against the Eagles last week. His biggest strength is speed. He's the fastest and most dynamic linebacker on the Falcons' roster, and he is getting better with each game.
? After watching the Falcons' offense and the Seahawks' defense, we would expect the Falcons to get QB Michael Vick out of the pocket by design early and often in this game. That's when Vick is clearly most comfortable, and Knapp wants him to get into a comfort zone early on the road. The Seahawks' defense must be particularly careful on third down and short, because that's a man-to-man coverage situation for the defense. That's when Knapp often calls designed runs for Vick, as he knows defenders will turn their backs to run with the receivers.
Special Teams
The Falcons didn't attempt a field goal in the win over the Eagles. They did have one opportunity, but head coach Jim Mora chose a quarterback sneak on fourth down instead of attempting a 39-yard kick.
PK Todd Peterson handles only the field-goal duties, while PT Michael Koenen handles the kickoff duties. Koenen did a good job on kickoffs but struggled on punts, averaging only 33 yards per punt. When the game was close in the fourth quarter, he shanked a punt for 27 yards out of bounds. His kicking will need to improve for the rookie to keep his job on a team with Super Bowl aspirations.
The Seahawks' special teams were not stellar last week. They lost a kickoff on a fumble on the opening drive and were unable to muster good field position. Seattle return teams must excel and not leave their offense with a full field to conquer going up against an aggressive Falcons' defense.
Matchups
? Atlanta TE Alge Crumpler vs. Seattle SS Michael Boulware
? Seattle ROT Sean Locklear vs. Atlanta LDE Patrick Kerney
? Atlanta RB Warrick Dunn vs. Seattle MLB Lofa Tatupu
? Seattle FB Mack Strong vs. Atlanta MLB Ed Hartwell
? Seattle WR Darrell Jackson vs. Atlanta DC DeAngelo Hall
Scouts' Edge
Look for both teams to take similar approaches on offense. Both will run early and often in an effort to control the tempo of the game and keep the defense well rested. The result will be a very close game, but Atlanta should get the win for three reasons.
First, Falcons have the personnel at linebacker to prevent Alexander from having a big day. Even if the undersized defensive line has problems anchoring at the point of attack, the relentless and rangy linebackers will prevent Alexander from breaking any long runs. This means Seattle will have to sustain longer drives, creating more opportunities for them to make a mistake that produces a stalled drive or a turnover.
Second, Atlanta's superior pass rush should be able to exploit Hasselbeck's lack of mobility. He will have to get rid of the ball quickly in third-and-long situations because the Falcons' front four will be flying upfield. Finally, Vick's ability to create something out of nothing can bail the Falcons out of any number of jams. If his receivers struggle or backs sputter, Vick is capable of carrying the offense. Hasselbeck needs help from his offensive line and his receivers to be effective. The problem is his receivers are inconsistent, and his blockers will have to be at their best against Atlanta's defensive front.
Prediction: Falcons 20, Seahawks 17
ESPN Insider Thursday Night Game Report
Tuesday, our scouts filed their advance advance scouting report on this week's matchup between the Falcons and Seahawks. Now they're back with a second look.
A main focus of Atlanta's offense is getting QB Michael Vick out on the perimeter where he has a run/pass option. This puts tremendous stress on the fundamental discipline of the defense. With Vick on the move, the defense is forced to interpret and react on the fly. <!---------------------INLINE HEADSHOT (BEGIN)--------------------->
Vick
? Seahawks OLB's Jamie Sharper and D.D. Lewis, as well as MLB Lofa Tatupu, are aggressive, reactive and flow to the ball well. They do not, however, play with much backside discipline and are vulnerable to misdirection and cutbacks as a result. Against the Falcons, the Seahawks LBs must play with more discipline for two reasons. The first is RB Warrick Dunn. He has excellent vision and excels at cutting back at the line of scrimmage. The second is Vick, whose designed movement works off the zone run action. The Seahawks can't allow Vick to slip out the back door.
? Unlike Seattle, the Falcons' defense plays with tremendous discipline. Their defensive line's ability to find the football against the run is impressive, and its ability to defend the run will be one of the key matchups in this game. Seahawks RB Shaun Alexander is a smooth runner with patience and vision, but he is not a tough, physical runner who consistently gets the hard inside yards. This matchup will play a significant role in determining the winner of this game. <!---------------------INLINE HEADSHOT (BEGIN)--------------------->
Hasselbeck
? In breaking down the Seahawks' defense on tape from Sunday's loss to the Jaguars, we saw a defensive line that played the run with more toughness than a year ago. It did a good job preventing RB Fred Taylor from controlling the pace and tempo of the game. However, that line faces a tough test this week, as the Falcons' Dunn has more lateral quickness and agility than Taylor.
? While the Seahawks' front four played the run effectively last week, it didn't generate consistent pressure on the quarterback. The only times they got to Jaguars QB Byron Leftwich were the result of the instability and poor play of the Jaguars' left tackle position. It also became clear that the Seahawks are not a very good blitzing team at this point in the season.
? Atlanta offensive coordinator Greg Knapp understands Vick's strengths and limitations. Vick is at his best on the move, and he presents the most dangerous threat to a defense when he is outside the pocket. He benefits from Knapp's offense, because the designed movement in the passing game uses the same initial action that is built into the Falcons' zone running game. Knapp also calls three or four designed runs a game for Vick, which allows Vick to get comfortable. On the flip side, Knapp doesn't run much of a straight drop-back passing game. Vick is not consistent enough in delivering the ball from the pocket with touch and accuracy, so Knapp limits that part of the playbook. Knapp understands that with the strength of the Falcons' defense and special teams, the structure and play calling of the offense can be limited. <!---------------------INLINE HEADSHOT (BEGIN)--------------------->
Williams
? After watching the Falcons' offense and the Seahawks' defense, we would expect the Falcons to get QB Michael Vick out of the pocket by design early and often in this game. That's when Vick is clearly most comfortable, and Knapp wants him to get into a comfort zone early on the road. The Seahawks' defense must be particularly careful on third down and short, because that's a man-to-man coverage situation for the defense. That's when Knapp often calls designed runs for Vick, as he knows defenders will turn their backs to run with the receivers.
Special Teams
The Falcons didn't attempt a field goal in the win over the Eagles. They did have one opportunity, but head coach Jim Mora chose a quarterback sneak on fourth down instead of attempting a 39-yard kick.
PK Todd Peterson handles only the field-goal duties, while PT Michael Koenen handles the kickoff duties. Koenen did a good job on kickoffs but struggled on punts, averaging only 33 yards per punt. When the game was close in the fourth quarter, he shanked a punt for 27 yards out of bounds. His kicking will need to improve for the rookie to keep his job on a team with Super Bowl aspirations.
The Seahawks' special teams were not stellar last week. They lost a kickoff on a fumble on the opening drive and were unable to muster good field position. Seattle return teams must excel and not leave their offense with a full field to conquer going up against an aggressive Falcons' defense.
Matchups
? Atlanta TE Alge Crumpler vs. Seattle SS Michael Boulware
? Seattle ROT Sean Locklear vs. Atlanta LDE Patrick Kerney
? Atlanta RB Warrick Dunn vs. Seattle MLB Lofa Tatupu
? Seattle FB Mack Strong vs. Atlanta MLB Ed Hartwell
? Seattle WR Darrell Jackson vs. Atlanta DC DeAngelo Hall
Scouts' Edge
Look for both teams to take similar approaches on offense. Both will run early and often in an effort to control the tempo of the game and keep the defense well rested. The result will be a very close game, but Atlanta should get the win for three reasons.
First, Falcons have the personnel at linebacker to prevent Alexander from having a big day. Even if the undersized defensive line has problems anchoring at the point of attack, the relentless and rangy linebackers will prevent Alexander from breaking any long runs. This means Seattle will have to sustain longer drives, creating more opportunities for them to make a mistake that produces a stalled drive or a turnover.
Second, Atlanta's superior pass rush should be able to exploit Hasselbeck's lack of mobility. He will have to get rid of the ball quickly in third-and-long situations because the Falcons' front four will be flying upfield. Finally, Vick's ability to create something out of nothing can bail the Falcons out of any number of jams. If his receivers struggle or backs sputter, Vick is capable of carrying the offense. Hasselbeck needs help from his offensive line and his receivers to be effective. The problem is his receivers are inconsistent, and his blockers will have to be at their best against Atlanta's defensive front.
Prediction: Falcons 20, Seahawks 17
Books where giving away free $$$ today with Seattle.
Nice call Losebet, keep up the good work.