Falcons Brian VanGorder has a lot of work to do

The Falcons coming of their latest win against Carolina played really well in the second half especially the defense. The defense only allowed 7 points in the second half, and they got after Cam Newton. Even with this performance defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder can not be pleased with what he has seen from his defense this season. The Falcons allowed the Panthers to convert 8 for 12 on third down. That is just too much if the Falcons want to be a good defense. The Falcons for the season allow their opponents to convert 46.1 percent on third down which is 30 th in the league.

There’s no question that Brian VanGorder is a good defensive coordinator, but I think he needs to mix up his play calling on third down, because obviously his zone play calling is being scouted by other teams. VanGorder is known for playing a lot of zone in his defense, and I don’t believe the Falcons can sit around in a zone when they are not getting consistent pressure with their front four. VanGorder would be best suited by dialing up more pressure on third downs. The Falcons do a good job of getting after the quarterback when they bring a blitz. Most notably their best blitz is when they bring a secondary player with their front four.

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By mixing up the play calling VanGorder will then be able to confuse opposing offensive coordinators of what he might do, because right now his defense is becoming too predictable. Opponents are sending receivers up the middle of the field behind the linebackers sitting in the zone, and receivers are being open. VanGorder needs to find the perfect mix of zone and blitz, because offenses are adjusting to him so he has to adjust to what the offenses are doing to his defense. The Falcons have gotten off to a slow start defensively and they need to pick it up, and that starts with getting off the field on third down which they have not been able to do so far this season. That has to change if they want to be successful.

By: Steven Virden
ProFootball-fans.com Atlanta Falcons Correspondent