Falcons’ secondary needs a change

The Falcons have played four games so far in this young NFL season, and I am not pleased with what I am seeing on the defensive side of the ball. The defense has been unimpressive so far, but my main concern is with the secondary; Tavaris Jackson passed for 319 yards against the Falcons. The Falcons let a person who has only 37 career starts, and has never threw for over 300 yards in his career carve them up like he was a pro bowler. When you can’t stop Tavaris Jackson that is when you know as a secondary you have major problems.

Defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder has used the same secondary so far this year, but I think it maybe time for him to address it going into next week’s game against the Packers. Christopher Owens is splitting time with Kelvin Hayden at the nickel back spot, and Dunta Robinson and Brent Grimes are the starters. Owens and Hayden have played well so far, but my problem is with the starters. Brent Grimes, after having a pro bowl season last year has been in hiatus so far this season as he does not have an interception this year, and has not been as sharp as far as coverage wise. Dunta Robinson who Thomas Dimitroff signed to the big 6-year/57 million dollar deal has still not lived up to his reputation of a top cornerback in the NFL. He has well underperformed his contract as the only time he is making news is when he is being fined by the NFL. Grimes and Robinson need to get it going or Aaron Rodgers and the Packers will have another good performance in the Georgia Dome when they play these Falcons.

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Obviously, I won’t put all the blame on the players as the coaches need to be better as well. The Falcons have had two secondary coaches under Mike Smith’s four years as the head coach. Right now the secondary coach is Tim Lewis and this is his second year with the Falcons, and I’m not impressed yet with him. I don’t know if it’s his play call or VanGorder’s, but I would like to see the corners play more press coverage. They mostly back off receivers, and they have been getting hurt with receiver screens. You have an opponent in Aaron Rodgers who loves to throw quick passes and screens to his receivers; it would be best to use more press coverage, and make opposing quarterbacks hold onto the ball longer.

The Falcons secondary needs to improve for the Falcons to be the team that they want to be which is a Super Bowl contending team and what better way for the secondary to put in a good performance than facing Aaron Rodgers and the defending champion Packers. There should be a lot of motivation for the secondary that was carved up for 366 yards, and embarrassed on their home field in the playoffs.

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