On Defense: Falcons Seek To Align Personnel with Scheme

(Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

As the old adage goes, offense wins games and defense wins championships. If that’s the case, then it’s no surprise that the Atlanta Falcons didn’t go very far in last year’s playoffs.

Last season, the Falcons were fortunate to have a potent offense because their defense was porous, particularly the run defense. In fact, last season the Falcons were ranked 25th in run defense, surrendered 4.9 yards per carry, and allowed 127.5 rushing yards per game.

Atlanta’s worst run defense showings included allowing 184 rushing yards against Kansas City, 192 rushing yards against Philadelphia, 184 rushing yards against New Orleans, and 202 rushing yards in the season-finale against St. Louis.

Additionally, run defense, or lack thereof, was one of the key factors in Atlanta’s 30-24 playoff loss to the Arizona Cardinals. During that loss, Atlanta struggled to get penetration and although Arizona only gained 86 yards on the ground, it was Atlanta’s inability to stop the run that allowed the Cardinals to extend drives and eat time off the clock.

On defense, the Falcons utilize the 4-3 base defensive scheme, which aims to balance the run and pass defense. The scheme is reliant on having weighty defensive tackles upfront, high caliber defensive ends and an active middle linebacker.

In theory, each defensive player has a specific responsibility, depending on the offense’s scheme. Defensive tackles are tasked with stuffing the run, or getting penetration during passing plays. Defensive ends must be big enough to challenge on the line during running plays and agile enough to get around lineman on passing plays.

For this scheme, the ideal linebackers are so-called "tweeners" who primarily help in stopping the run, but in pass coverage they cover tight ends and running backs. The middle linebacker is responsible for sideline-to-sideline coverage. The strong side linebacker covers the tight end in pass coverage and fights off blockers on running plays. The weak side linebacker, who is the likeliest to blitz the quarterback during passing plays, matches up against the fullback in run defense.

Finally, cornerbacks and safeties cover wide receivers, flankers, and tight ends in pass coverage. In blitzing situations, the corners are essentially left in man coverage, where is there basically zero room for error. And on run defense, the strong safety is moved near the defensive line.

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