[Iowahorse]

Hey,, just stopping by to let you all know about a new Falcons MB, Falcons
Fan Forum, It's still growing and we could use new members interested in the
Falcons, and all NFL teams. There are also a few other forums for other
discussions, but is mainly Falcons oriented.

Other forums include: Rugby, Soccer, College football, College Sports,
Baseball, NBA, The Chatterbox, NFL Hits, Hizzatin' and Rivalatin', NHL, The
Chuckwagon, Racing and more.

Check it out, It's Free.

http://s13.invisionfree.com/Falcons_Fan_Forum/index.php?act=idx

Thanks,

Iowahorse

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Last News article Posted in the Falcons Fan Forum:


Falcons not so defensive now about defense

By Adam Van Brimmer
Morris News Service

ATLANTA - Keion Carpenter stood tall in the Falcons' locker room in the wee
hours of Tuesday morning, with his back ram-rod straight, his shoulders back
and his chin up.

Part of a Atlanta defensive unit saddled with harsh criticism over recent
poor play, the safety reveled in the Falcons' 27-14 victory on Monday Night
Football.

"People rode us all week," Carpenter said. "They were just riding us. Not
after this game."

Atlanta's offensive players were the only folks riding the defense in
Monday's win. Carpenter and company forced four turnovers, setting up three
scores. The defense turned one of those takeaways into points on its own,
with defensive end Chauncey Davis returning a fumble for a score.

The defense had another turnover and defensive score negated by a replay
review.

The performance seemed unlikely coming into Monday's game, even against a
Jets offense depleted by injuries at quarterback and on their offensive
line. Atlanta's two previous opponents, New England and New Orleans, rolled
up 62 points and 953 yards against the defense.

Last week's showing against the Saints sparked alarm amongst fans. Playing
without star tailback Deuce McAllister, New Orleans rushed for 211 yards.
The Falcons held on for a 34-31 victory, but even the players themselves
were disappointed.

"It feels good to win, but you want to feel like you were a reason why you
won," defensive end Patrick Kerney said. "Last week, we came too close
because of the run defense. Tonight, we had a feeling that we won and the
defense was a big reason why."

Maybe the only reason. Quarterback Michael Vick had the worst passing game
of his pro career. He threw three interceptions and misfired on 15 of 26
passes.

But with the defense giving him the ball inside New York territory on three
of four scoring drives - twice inside the Jets' 25-yard line - Vick didn't
have to be good. Tailback Warrick Dunn rushed for 155 yards and twice ran
the ball down to the 1-yard line.

Vick finished off both drives with touchdown runs.

Atlanta's defense made sure Vick looked like the better of the two starting
quarterbacks Monday. They sacked Jets starter Vinny Testeverde twice,
forcing two fumbles. The pressure also forced the 41-year-old veteran into
throwing an interception.

Jets tailback Curtis Martin, the NFL's career rushing leader among active
players, averaged just two yards a carry as the New York finished with 37
yards on the ground.

Defensive tackle Rod Coleman seemingly finished every play with Testeverde
or Martin in his grasp. He credited the improvement to players adjusting to
new roles. Atlanta shuffled its linebackers last week after losing middle
linebacker Edgarton Hartwell to a torn Achilles tendon, moving outside
linebacker Keith Brooking to the middle and inserting Michael Boley at
Brooking's spot.

And the Falcons have been mixing and matching in the secondary all year.

"Each week it was like they were catching us with something because we were
making adjustments," Coleman said. "We're better now."
The Falcons' defenders remain far from satisfied, Coleman said. He still
believes the unit can become dominant enough to keep opponents from scoring.

"Once we put a goose egg up, we'll feel comfortable," he said. "We're not
satisfied with going out there and getting a few turnovers. We just want to
dominate, and we haven't done that yet."

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