Falcons’ defense proves a tough puzzle to solve

By Darrell Laurant  |   Friday, October 13, 2006  |  Comments( 0 )

Atlanta Falcons
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Who'd have thought it?

Two of the marquee players for the Atlanta Falcons' defense going into this season were DE John Abraham (acquired in a trade with the New York Jets) and middle linebacker Ed Hartwell.

Abraham suffered a groin injury in the season opener and hasn't played since. Hartwell has been on the shelf all year with knee and hamstring problems.

So the Falcons' defense has been hurting along with them, right? Not exactly. In fact, Atlanta's stop unit has allowed only one touchdown in four games, a pace that would easily set a new NFL record if it were to continue. Plus, the unit is second in the NFC and sixth in the league in yardage surrendered.

If Atlanta's defense had been even half that effective against Gen. Sherman in the 1860s, our history books might be very different now.

But how are they doing it now? There are 15 teams with more sacks than the Falcons (and would be more had not Patrick Kerney rung up three against the Arizona Cardinals two weeks ago) and only three teams have recovered fewer fumbles.

And yet, TE Alge Crumpler noted this week that "This defense is one of the best I've ever seen in the National Football League."

He should know -- it roughs him up every working day in practice.

True, Atlanta really hasn't met a high-powered offense yet. That will change on Sunday, when the Falcons host Eli Manning, Tiki Barber, Plaxico Burress and the New York Giants. However, Abraham and Hartwell are now listed as "questionable" for that game, rather than definitely out.

"It's 80 to 90 percent that I'll probably play," said Abraham, who was impressive in an opening-day upset of Carolina. "I feel like I can contribute to my team."

Hartwell also benefited from the recent bye week in terms of getting healthier. However, he may have a hard time breaking into the current linebacker rotation of Keith Brooking, Michael Bolen and Demorrio Williams -- a trio that currently ranks 1-2-3 in tackles.

Offseason acquisition Grady Jackson, meanwhile, has provided value that hasn't shown on the stat sheet (just six tackles), because his vast presence fills up the middle so formidably that teams try to avoid running into him. The veteran DT also burst into the future nightmares of Arizona rookie QB Matt Leinart when he beat his blockers on Leinart's first snap and slapped the ball away as the QB was receiving it from the center.

Then there's DB DeAngelo Hall, who has already scored on an interception return this season. Yet it was the cocky cornerback, of all people, who sounded a note of reality during the bye week.

"We started out 6-2 last year, right?" he said. "And what did it get us?"

A seat on the sidelines for the playoffs, by the time the year was over. Gen. Sherman hasn't been turned away yet.

Get more analysis on the Atlanta Falcons defense at RealFootball365.com
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