I would expect BB to let our CBs take on your WRs. If they can hold your own and he can get safety coverage on Gonzalez, then you are in for a long day. If our CBs (particularly Bodden) can't hold their own, then Gonzalez and Turner will kill us. Our LBs have played valiently with Mayo out, but they are not our strength right now. We need pressure from our line and strong coverage from our secondary in order to be effective.
Great info. I appreciate it. Shows how little I know about different players that are contributing that arent listed as starters on the Pats depth chart, and doing things that dont really show on a stat sheet.
Did want to comment on this last part. I could be VERY wrong here, but I think the part about letting your corners handle our WR's 1 on 1 would be a mistake. If they can, I would expect the Pats to be up a couple of scores going into the final 15 minutes...with the Falcons staff looking like they dont know how to get back into the game (in other words, down by a couple of scores that feels more like 3 or 4 scores). But, I dont think they can.
Roddy White is still very underrated around the league, and he is very close to breaking into that elite tier (Andre Johnson, Randy Moss, Steve Smith, etc etc). I would still put him in that second tier for now, but when he and Ryan get on the same page...he is a beast that commands double coverage or a lot of safety help.
Roddy's #'s this year arent reflective of what he is capable of. Several reasons for it IMO. First, and most importantly, Tony Gonzalez is often Ryans first read, and he is open (by TG standards- he doesnt seem to need much space). Second, Roddy just got the reupped deal after a camp holdout where he missed the first couple of weeks of camp. The first week looked like a combination of Ryan still getting over the flu and not throwing to Roddy accurately because of it, and Roddy still looking a little sluggish. The second week it still seemed like Roddy wasnt quite back to season form. But, make no doubts about it, after watching Roddy for the past couple of seasons, he is VERY capable of taking 1 on 1 coverage and making the other team pay big. I think he is ready to play elite level football now. Just a hunch.
Jenkins has been very underrated as well. Last year, he and Ryan developed quite a bit of re pour, and Jenkins proved he was solid enough int he eyes of Dimitroff to get a decent new contract. The main reason he hasnt put up the #'s yet, is again, Gonzalez. When Ryan has gone Jenkins way, he has been very capable. One thing we havent really seen this year is Jenkins ability to stretch the field. That was one of his strengths during last season, but the Falcons have been playing such ball control offense they havent really gone deep except for to Gonzalez. Dont be surprised to see Ryan hurl it Jenkins way deep a couple of times in Foxboro...and for Jenkins to be right there after running a great route. The question is, how close will the defender be?
Despite losing Harry Douglas to injury reserve, our budding #3 receiver, I cant say I am disappointed with our depth at receiver. The names wont blow you away (Booker, Finneran, Weems) but they all seem to be on Ryans page. Finneran happens to be Ryans carpool pal, golfing buddy, etc...which means nothing except that when you see them work together it kinda looks like old hat. Finnerans size (6-5) doesnt hurt as a safety valve on 3rd down.
Not to talk smack, but I guess what I am saying is if you leave Bodden and Springs on an island vs White and Jenkins, it wont be Gonzalez and Turner that are the reason the Falcons beat the Pats (should the unthinkable happen). At least when it comes to White, they will need help from the safeties over the top IMHO. Well, OK, if the Falcons win, Turner is almost always a big reason in Malarkey's offense, but you get where I am going.
