Atlanta Falcons' Secondary Holding Team Back

After seeing Atlanta's offense make drastic improvements last season, thanks to key offseason additions, many Falcons fans questioned GM Thomas Dimitroff's less-than-reserved attention to defense this offseason.

The Falcons' offseason additions on defense, heading into the 2009 year, included Mike Peterson and a slew of rookies.

Many fans began to wonder why we did not make a big signee to help sure up a young and inexperienced secondary. Brian Williams was signed late in preseason to give the Falcons more depth; however, the former safety turned corner did soon appear to be the answer to the Falcons issues.

However, at the beginning of the year, I rested my faith in Dimitroff, as well as Mike Smith, in hopes of seeing this secondary improve over the course of the season.

They have had a few good games this year, like their performances against Chicago and Miami.

However, recently, the Falcons defensive backs have been holding back this football team. The problem is that they have not progressed; if anything they have regressed, and are forcing the Falcon's offense to score every possession to have a chance at victory.

This is a problem, and the sad thing is the fans were right all along. This secondary has issues.

It's not that the Falcons secondary is not athletic, but their are protruding issues that could be promptly diagnosed and fixed at a high school level, and yet these NFL corners—the best of the best—have failed to improve.

Chris Houston, despite being very good at running with receivers, has a serious problem with using his head.

Either he is not listening to coaching, he isn't getting coached, or he has a broken neck that has not been diagnosed.

Houston has become so bad at playing the ball that it has become obvious opponents are gameplanning to throw his way whether the receiver is covered or not.

Sadly, even in good coverage, teams are picking up tons of yardage throwing his way. Why?

Because for some odd reason Houston refuses to turn his head and play the ball. Now, I know that if you get beat you are supposed to be run with the receiver and keep your head on him, but the fact is Houston does not get beat.

He actually runs with even the best receivers fairly well. But he never ever turns to play the ball. What is wrong with this man?

Yesterday, he was so busy trying to undress a receiver in the corner of the end zone that he failed to realize the ball passed right by his buttocks. Instead of getting an interception, which would have been the result had he just rotated his head, Houston instead got flagged 15 yards.

It was the worst job I have ever seen a defensive back, at any level, do at covering a pass play. This is the NFL, Chris Houston. And this isn't just a one game thing folks; Houston has had this same problem since he arrived.

Brent Grimes seems to be having these issues as well, but he also is too small for the position. Sure, he might make a great "ooh and ah" play every once in a while, but the fact is he is a hit-or-miss type of player.

Either he makes a big play, or he gets smoked. Atlanta must get a taller and more consistent player to play at that position.

I actually really like Chris Houston. He is fast, and is a great tackler. I really like Brent Grimes and his athleticism. But, these two guys have to progress, and the fact that their style of lackluster play has not changed one bit in the past two years baffles me.

Are they to blame? Is our coaching slacking? The Falcons gave up 368 yards passing yesterday, and the cornerbacks have shown zero sign of resiliency.

Atlanta cannot rely on their defense to win games until these issues are fixed. The front seven has become very good. I like our defensive line and our linebackers. The offense is pretty potent as well.

But, if Atlanta is going to have to score 30 a game to win, they will not make the playoffs this year.

It's time Chris Houston, Brent Grimes, or Tye Hill step it up. Sure, Ryan has been in a slump. Turner is injured, and Norwood has been out. But, I would never question Matt Ryan's abilities or the abilities of the front seven on defense.

But hear me Falcons secondary, I have seen better pass defense in pickup football in my friends front yard. Get it right, because you are holding this team back.