FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — When Dean Pees took the podium for his midweek press conference, he knew the question about the Falcons’ third down defense was coming. He was prepared for it.
In response to a question about what the Falcons need to do to get off the field in third place, Pees simply said the Falcons need to get better in third place, they need to cover more consistently, but even in that he needs to improve , he sees improvements elsewhere. It’s improvement elsewhere that he’s embarked on.
On Wednesday, the longtime defense coordinator spoke for almost five minutes about the positive things he took from Sunday’s loss to the Chargers. He explained why he believes the Falcons’ defense is trending in the right direction.
Of Pee’s listed things, here are the highlights:
However, it wasn’t so much a single stat line that makes Pees confident this defense is headed in the right direction. It was a moment. A very special moment. One that no one on the outside looking in would ever recognize or recognize.
After two years, Pees said the Falcons’ defense had finally done something they couldn’t do before.
On Sunday, Pees saw a wrinkle in what the Chargers were trying to do offensively, a particular move that showed the Los Angeles defensive coordinator’s hand.
When defense hit the touchline in the fourth quarter, he went to his linebackers and secondary and put in a play the Falcons hadn’t practiced in weeks.
“If they make that move,” Pees recalled, “then we’ll do it.”
It wasn’t a game that was on the schedule last week. It was a game the Falcons played four games ago but hadn’t remembered since.
As Pees said, it wasn’t one they had practiced or even prepared to use. It was an adjustment Pees felt like the Falcons had to make the moment to stall.
A few plays later, the Falcons defense was on the field and executed that play, making a critical third stop in the red zone. With about five minutes and 30 seconds left in the game, the Chargers opted for a 31-yard field goal that tied the game at 17-all rather than take the lead.
In the grand scheme of the game, it was probably a moment that was overlooked, partly because no one knew what was going on on the sidelines and partly because the Falcons didn’t win on Sunday. If they didn’t win, why watch a fourth-quarter series that ended in points for Los Angeles? For Pees, that answer is obvious.
“We couldn’t do that a year ago,” he said. “Probably I couldn’t do that earlier in the season. That’s growth.”
In the past, Pees said it wasn’t an adjustment or a phone call he made, or asked the defense to take a chance on the spur of the moment. He probably would have had to live with the result.
“I might have given up a really big game and tried to adapt it, and then they messed up the adaptation. Now they didn’t,” Pees said. “That – for me – was such a positive departure from the field. They felt good that they said, ‘Hey, we took something from the sidelines, we put it in and we went out there and we did it.’ That says a lot about our team and a lot about our boys.”
More than the overall stats and more than the Falcons needing to be better in third place, Pees said that’s what he’s sticking with. This moment. Because it was one that showed him “that guys understand defense. It’s guys who finally understand defense.”
For that reason, the defense coordinator is pleased with the steps this defense is taking nearly two years after arriving in Atlanta. And he doesn’t care if the outside perspective agrees with him or not.
“I’ve worked with defenses for a long time. I’m not disappointed with this defence,” said Pees. “I’m very happy with this defense and where it’s going.”
General view of a drill during practice in Flowery Branch, Ga. on Tuesday, November 8, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
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The Atlanta Falcons run back Caleb Huntley #42 during practice in Flowery Branch, Georgia on Tuesday, November 8, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
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Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Lorenzo Carter #9 during practice in Flowery Branch, Ga. on Tuesday, November 8, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
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Atlanta Falcons defensive end Matt Dickerson #91 during practice in Flowery Branch, Ga. on Tuesday November 8, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
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The Atlanta Falcons run back Tyler Allgeier #25 during practice in Flowery Branch, Georgia on Tuesday, November 8, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
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Atlanta Falcons Outside Linebacker Quinton Bell #56 holds a Gatorade Fast Twitch during practice on Tuesday, November 8, 2022 in Flowery Branch, Georgia. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
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Atlanta Falcons tackle Kaleb McGary #76 and tight end Kyle Pitts #8 during practice in Flowery Branch, Ga. on Tuesday, November 8, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
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Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Grady Jarrett #97 during practice in Flowery Branch, Ga. on Tuesday November 8, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
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Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts #8 and defenseman Dylan Mabin #39 during practice in Flowery Branch, Georgia on Tuesday, November 8, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
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Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Ta’Quon Graham #95 during practice in Flowery Branch, Ga. on Tuesday November 8, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
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Atlanta Falcons offensive lineman Ryan Neuzil #64 during practice in Flowery Branch, Ga. on Tuesday November 8, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
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The Atlanta Falcons run back Caleb Huntley #42 during practice in Flowery Branch, Georgia on Tuesday, November 8, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
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Media film during practice in Flowery Branch, Ga. on Tuesday, November 8, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
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Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder #4 during practice in Flowery Branch, Ga. on Tuesday November 8, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
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Detail view of a tattoo that reads “Fearless” on Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts #8 during practice in Flowery Branch, Ga. on Tuesday, November 8, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
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Atlanta Falcons quarterback Marcus Mariota #1 hands off running back Cordarrelle Patterson #84 during practice in Flowery Branch, Georgia on Tuesday, November 8, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
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Detail view of the football before the snap during practice in Flowery Branch, Ga. on Tuesday, November 8, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
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Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 during practice in Flowery Branch, Ga. on Tuesday November 8, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
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Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Ra’Shaun Henry #81 during practice in Flowery Branch, Ga. on Tuesday November 8, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
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Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Cameron Batson #16 during practice in Flowery Branch, Ga. on Tuesday November 8, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
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A closeup of a Gatorade bottle during practice in Flowery Branch, Ga. on Tuesday, November 8, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
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Atlanta Falcons quarterback Marcus Mariota #1 during practice in Flowery Branch, Ga. on Tuesday November 8, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
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Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Josh Ali #80 during practice in Flowery Branch, Ga. on Tuesday November 8, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
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Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Arnold Ebiketie #47 during practice in Flowery Branch, Ga. on Tuesday, November 8, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
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Atlanta Falcons quarterback Marcus Mariota #1 during practice in Flowery Branch, Ga. on Tuesday November 8, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
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Atlanta Falcons cornerback Matt Hankins #30 during practice in Flowery Branch, Ga. on Tuesday November 8, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
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Atlanta Falcons secures Jovante Moffatt #20 during practice in Flowery Branch, Ga. on Tuesday November 8, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
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Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Jalen Dalton #94 and wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus #17 during practice in Flowery Branch, Ga. on Tuesday, November 8, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
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Who has the most rushing yards in Falcons history?
Career rushing leader for the Atlanta Falcons See the article : Cheering on the Cheerleaders: The Northwest Premier Junior Football Cheerleading Competition.
- Eternal Rushing Leader: Gerald Riggs 1,587 att, 6,631 yds, 48 TD.
- All-time receiving leader: Julio Jones 848 rec, 12,896 yds, 60 TD.
- All-time leader: Matt Bryant 1,163 points.
- All-time AV leader: Matt Ryan 203 AV.
- Most Successful Coach: Mike Smith 66-46-0.
Are there hawks in the Hall of Fame? There are eight, soon to be nine, professional football players in Atlanta Falcons ties in the Pro Football Hall of Fame gallery. Take a look at the bronze busts representing the best to play the game in red and black.
How many rushing yards did the Falcons have?
Who is the Falcons’ all-time leading rusher? The Atlanta Falcons player with the most rushing yards in franchise history is Gerald Riggs with 6,631 yards. This all-time leader is followed by Michael Turner and William Andrews with 6,081 yards and 5,986 yards, respectively.
What is the weakness of a 4-3 defense?
Weaknesses of 4-3 Under Because Will’s linebacker is protected by the weakside defensive end and 3 technique, many plays and tackles are directed his way. Read also : Grace Leask moved from the Western League to rehab due to head injuries. He needs to be able to sift through traffic while the Nose and Mike Linebacker spill things his way.
How do you counter a 4-3 defense? The best way to get around a 4-3 defense on offense is to pass the ball and run play-action passes. There are too many players on defense in the box so it would be a mistake to run it unless the offense calls the defense’s bluff and they are actually running a stealthy 3-4 defense.
Is a 4-3 defense good for youth football? The 4-3 defense is a great defense for any level. By having four defenders and each of those linemen responsible for a gap, the linebackers can play downhill and control the box.
What is a 4-3 defense good for? The 4-3 Defense is a defensive scheme in which four linemen line up on the line of scrimmage with three linemen in formation behind them. This scheme is ideal for creating a pass rush without using a blitz. The 4-3 defense is also effective for taming an overwhelming offensive line.
Is the 4-3 defense good against the run?
Great Against Run and Pass – A 4-3 defense offers strengths against both passing game and running game. See the article : 4 players the Carolina Panthers may feel more comfortable with in 2022. The one-gap responsibility makes it harder for offensive players to run the ball, and the two-deep safeties provide plenty of extra support over the tip.
What is the best defense to stop the run in soccer? The 5-2 Front is a defensive formation made up of five downlinemen and two linebackers, making it a strong defense against the run. Against players who are strong on the run, the 5-2 defense is an excellent choice to stop the run.
