Falcons duo will keep defense on run
PATRIOTS NOTEBOOK
While the Falcons have an elite group of receivers starting with superstar Julio Jones, Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia was quick to point out running backs Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman also will be a handful on Sunday night.
The Patriots are going to have to shut down that duo if they want to have a chance of slowing down Matt Ryan and company.
The Falcons are averaging close to 5 yards per carry this season, with Freeman (4.5) and Coleman (5.6) doing most of the damage. The Pats had one of their better games stuffing the run Sunday against the Jets, shutting down Matt Forte (nine carries, 22 yards) and Elijah McGuire (10 carries, 22 yards), so they’ll have to continue in that mode when they meet Atlanta in the Super Bowl LI rematch. Defensive linemen Malcom Brown, Alan Branch, Lawrence Guy and Trey Flowers must set the tone in the trenches once again.
“These guys on tape . . . this run game is real explosive,” Patricia said during a conference call yesterday. “These guys are running extremely strong, big play after big play. That’s indicative of their average per carry.”
Freeman is 13th in the league in rushing (353 yards on 79 carries) while Coleman is 31st.
“(These are) two guys that to me on tape are running much better than they have in the past,” Patricia said. “They’ve really improved the run game and their ability to control the game with the run.”
They also catch the ball out of the backfield, another issue that’s been a problem for the Patriots defense.
“(Offensive coordinator) Steve) Sarkisian does a great job getting them in space, putting them in empty formations, and using their talent to make people miss,” Patricia said. “They do a great job getting them the ball . . . it’s a big challenge for us.”
Surprise, surprise
On a conference call to preview Sunday night’s game, NBC analysts Rodney Harrison and Tony Dungy both said they were surprised Patricia’s defense was still surrendering so many big plays six games into the season.
“Even on Sunday (against the Jets). You think guys had it all figured out, and guys are still running free in the secondary,” Harrison said. “That’s something that really surprised me. They’re so tolerant with that.” Dungy agreed.
“I’ve coached against a lot of Bill Belichick-coached defenses. I’ve never seen one give up this many big plays. That’s something they just don’t do historically,” Dungy said. “To see week after week, the long plays. I know they’ll get that straightened out. It has surprised me, six games in, we’re still seeing a ton of big plays.”
Backs pick it up
Running backs Dion Lewis and James White were effective with blitz pickups against the Jets, saving Tom Brady from harm. Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels took note.
“Dion did a good job the few times that they pressured the safety on Sunday. He took care of his responsibility and handled that well,” McDaniels said. “You know, we ask all our backs to really do a good job in blitz pickup, whatever down that is, whatever the protection may be. It’s difficult to play in pro football if you can’t block blitzers as a running back. So, we ask all our guys to be prepared to do that. Some guys have to do it on different situational downs. James White usually does it on third down or in two-minute situations for us and does a really good job of that.”
McClellin on way back
Linebacker Shea McClellin is eligible to begin practicing this week after opening the year on injured reserve. Asked yesterday if that will happen, Belichick said it was a “possibility.” He indicated the decision would come after consultation with the medical staff.
McClellin could return as soon as Week 10 in Denver, as players coming back from IR can play and count toward the active roster after eight weeks. The Patriots have a bye Week 9.
McClellin has been in the locker room recently and has seemed in good stead. Should he return to practice, it would add an experienced and versatile player to a group that includes Dont’a Hightower, Kyle Van Noy, Elandon Roberts, David Harris and Marquis Flowers. Harvey Langi is also part of the group, but he was involved in a car crash during the weekend that resulted in serious injuries to him and his wife.