Atlanta Falcons: Hot Rod Leads the Defensive Charge vs. San Francisco 49ers

It's not often that we see the defensive play of the game being made by a wide receiver, but when Falcons WR Roddy White stripped 49ers CB Nate Clements on what could've been the game-ending interception that would later result in the game-winning FG, it not only signaled a victory over a desperate opponent, but the overall change in the once-dormant culture in Atlanta.

On the surface, one can look at the Falcons' 3-1 record and state that it had a lot to do with either: 1) missed FGs by the opposition, or 2) defeating undisciplined teams.

Actually, it goes back to when coach Mike Smith came to the organization in 2008, and quickly changed the mindset of a franchise going nowhere.  The frathouse mentality that resulted during the Jim Mora era and culminated in numerous on-and-off field incidents.  When Smith took over, it was his immediate goal to ensure toughness and grit into this franchise, and what happened in the fourth quarter Sunday was a direct result of his teaching over the past few years.

The Falcons were down 14-0 before the first bathroom break.  A TD pass and blocked punt had the Falcons on their heels and their fans wondering if all of the feel-good momentum from last week's win in the Superdome was fleeting.  In the past, this team would've folded, packed up their tent, and just try to kept the final score close to respectability heading into Cleveland the following week.

However, there were two elements that would not allow the early deficit to remain.  One, the leader in the huddle, Matt Ryan, led a brilliant comeback with the help of his Pro Bowl weapons.  Second, an underrated defense that stuck it to San Francisco the rest of the game, allowing the comeback to be complete.

The Falcons are, dare we say it, a physical bunch that's not afraid to hit people.  Players such as William Moore and Stephen Nicholas made sure that the deficit would not grow beyond 14 points with big plays to the 49ers playmakers.  The biggest defensive stop, however, was by a wide receiver who has grown to become one of the best players in the game.

Roddy White has grown by leaps and bounds this year, especially when the opposition knows that he is the Falcons' primary threat.  He has gone up against some very strong defenses in the early part of the year, and the fact that he has still produced speaks volumes about his maturation compared to the early parts of his career.

On Sunday, it was his awareness that allowed him to chase down Clements (quick question: why didn't he just run out of bounds? Speaks volumes about his lack of discipline as well.) and allow Harvey Dahl to recover, setting up Matt Ryan's game-winning drive.  Give credit to where it's due:  Atlanta has become a tougher team and knows how to respond to being hit in the mouth when they didn't expect it.

Should the Falcons make it to Dallas in February for the Super Bowl, you can look back on plays such as this and realize that it was the result of not only good hustle, but a change in mindset that is established from the head coach on down.

It's the kind of mentality that wins championships!