It's bye time...

View from Hawaii/Good times

Well, on a cool, crisp, afternoon here in Atlanta, just dreaming of being back in Hawaii (picture on left). The weather there at that time was back in spring. Of course it's fall now, football season, and weather is somewhat chilly. But, it's break time for the Atlanta Falcons, which means it's bye week. Rest and relaxation for one week. No, players are probably not heading to Hawaii, maybe they are going to Lake Lanier in the Atlanta area for some fishing or relaxation there. I am going to give you a few grades for the team in different areas from the first seven games going into the bye. I feel like it is always good to have the bye week during the middle of the season because there is basically an evenly number of games from first half to second half of the season. For the Dirty Birds this season, seven games first half and nine more to be played.

Through the first seven games, the Falcons actually came out okay if you ask me. The team is 4-3, and sit in a good position to make another run to the playoffs. If they do make the playoffs, hopefully they can get past the first round. The team has competed in all games except one, and that was the first game on the road at Soldier Field. The Chicago Bears manhandled the Falcons en route to a 30-12 win. The second loss came at the hands of the hated rival Buccaneers in Tampa. The Falcons were in the game the entire game, but seemed to have lack of motivation throughout the 60 minutes of play. Ended up losing 13-16. The third loss came from the championship belt winning Green Bay Packers. The black helmets started out with a 14-0 lead, looking like this was going to be a runaway game by the home team in red. But not to be. Green Bay came back and won 25-14. Three of the seven games played this year were against teams that were in the playoffs last year, including Super Bowl Champs Green Bay Packers. Since the Falcons play in the Georgia Dome, it is only fitting to say they have a clear advantage in the second half. Seven of the remaining nine games are dome contests: @ Indianapolis, vs New Orleans, vs Tennessee, vs Minnesota, @ Houston, vs Jacksonville, @ New Orleans.

Since the Falcons traded away their entire 2011 draft for one player, Alabama standout, WR Julio Jones, it's only fitting to critique his play. He has played well while contributing 358 yards with zero endzone appearances. And the lack of TD's is what concerns me. He has had great games where he seems to be dominant, and then he has games where he looks like a rookie. I know that the TD's will eventually come. But one of the biggest issues is when he has been in there, he has played five of the last seven games being out two with a hamstring injury, QB Matt Ryan is forcing the ball to him. This makes the rest of the offense not flow like it is suppose too. Ryan and Jones just need to let the passes flow when the situation arises, and the catches and TD's will eventually come. Jones will be back after the bye versus the Indianapolis Colts. The Falcons are on a 2-game win streak, and the offense looks like lasts years offense without Jones. That's not to say Jones is the problem because he is not. Falcons just need to work him in without forcing the ball to him. Jones will be a great player to come, and it will come. Grade for O is B+.

Since the first game of the year, I believe the Falcons defense has come along way. Guess the bend but don't break mentality is working, but I wish the pressure on the opposing quarterback would be more. But I believe the Falcons D are gelling together, and Falcons prized defensive end Ray Edwards is coming into his own. Hoping this upcoming game versus a Peytonless Colts will prove a dominant performance from the side of the ball that wins championship. Had to put that one in there, I know, a cliche. Grade for D is B-.

So the special teams have been a big problem all season. I have seen special teams coach Keith Armstrong yelling at the ST way too much. Okay, I can give them a little slack with the kicking game. Of course veteran K Matt Bryant is as dominant as they come, but P Matt Bosher has a lot to learn, and he will get better in time. It's only year one for him. But the coverage teams have been horrible, giving up way to much yardage, and not giving the returners lanes to run through. Penalties have cost us on ST as well. Example, take six points off the board after returner Eric Weems ran a kickoff back for a TD, but Atone Smith was called for a block in the back, which actually had nothing to do with the play. Even though we won the game versus the Lions, that's still penalties that should never happen. Grade for ST is D+.

So as the sun is about to set on the 2011 bye week, I look out the window and see it is still fall and back to football. Vacation time is over, back to work guys.