From worst to first
They’ve known what it means to be a laughingstock, the supposed first line of defense for a team that gave up yards at an alarming rate.
No one’s laughing anymore.
Bolstered by a new scheme, a key free-agent signing and better depth, the Atlanta Falcons’ front four is recognized as one of the best in the NFL.
The numbers sure back it up. The Falcons led the league with 48 sacks and ranked eighth against the run – a stunning turnaround for a team that surrendered a franchise-worst 6,108 yards one season ago.
“It confirms to these guys that, ‘Yeah, you are good,’ ” said defensive line coach Bill Johnson. “They’ve worked so hard, come through so much, going back to when everybody thought they were the worst in the league.”
Patrick Kerney gets much of the notoriety, a Pro Bowl end who ranked fourth in the league with 13 sacks. But he’s quick to point out that it’s hardly a one-man show in the trenches.
Just take a look at tackle Rod Coleman, signed as a free agent after five seasons with the Oakland Raiders. Even though he missed three games recovering from injuries sustained in a car wreck, Coleman managed 11 1/2 sacks, forced a team-high five fumbles and broke up six passes.
Led by Michael Vick and a resurgent defense, the Falcons won the third division title in franchise history. After getting a first-round bye, they are hosting the St. Louis Rams in an NFC playoff game Saturday night.
Kerney and Coleman are joined along the front four by end Brady Smith, who has six sacks, three forced fumbles, two recovered fumbles, and tackle Ed Jasper. His numbers are more modest because he missed the last four games of the regular season with a wrist injury.
The changes began shortly after Jim Mora was hired as coach and brought in Ed Donatell, formerly of Green Bay, as defensive coordinator.
The new staff quickly switched from the 3-4 to the 4-3 scheme, which has definitely been a better fit.
Harrison slams ‘Vanderjerk’
Mike Vanderjagt’s mouth is still causing trouble, even though he’s criticizing his opponents and not his coach and quarterback.
On Tuesday, New England Patriots safety Rodney Harrison fired back at the Indianapolis kicker.
“He has to be a jerk, Vanderjerk,” Harrison said.
Many of Harrison’s teammates brushed off Vanderjagt’s remark. Speaking about the Patriots, he said “I think they’re ripe for the picking” in Sunday’s playoff matchup with the Colts.
Vanderjagt also said on WISH-TV in Indianapolis that, “I think they’re not as good as the beginning of the year and not as good as last year.”
But quarterback Tom Brady didn’t think Vanderjagt’s words carried much weight.
“I mean he’s just talking, you know? It’s a kicker talking,” Brady said.
Steelers remember comments
The New York Jets didn’t sound like losers when they left Pittsburgh with a 17-6 loss last month, openly wishing for a postseason rematch.
The Steelers, reminded of those confident comments by defensive end Shaun Ellis, seemed more amused than motivated.
“Wow. He’s a fortune teller or something?” wide receiver Hines Ward said, referring to Ellis’ prediction the Jets would win this time. “We know they have a great ball club. We won the first one. We know it wasn’t an easy win, but the playoffs are a totally different situation. It’s loser go home. There’s lot more at stake … and I’m going to turn it up a notch, too.”
Regardless, Ellis said he stands by his oh-so-confident Dec. 12 postgame comments: “If we come back here, we’ll beat them. I honestly believe that with my heart. They are a great team, but if we come back here, I really think we’ll beat them.”
Big Ben will donate playoff check
Ben Roethlisberger announced he’ll donate his first NFL playoff paycheck, worth $18,000, to the tsunami victims’ relief effort.
“Wow, I didn’t even know that,” wide receiver Hines Ward said. “Guys do a lot of different things in different ways that people don’t always hear about, but that’s great – that’s for a great cause, definitely.”
Roethlisberger, who is 13-0 as a rookie quarterback, hopes other NFL players will follow his lead.
“I’m going to donate my game check this week to the tsunami relief – and hopefully maybe (it will be) a challenge for other people to do that, too,” Roethlisberger said.
Marino, Young among finalists
Retired quarterbacks Dan Marino of Miami and Steve Young of San Francisco are among 15 finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame it was announced. The class of 2005 will be announced Feb. 5, the day before the Super Bowl in Jacksonville, Fla.
The others are Michael Irvin, a member of the Dallas teams that won three Super Bowls between 1992 and 1995, and the late Derrick Thomas, the Kansas City linebacker who died in 2000 after a car accident.
Two of the finalists had already been determined: senior nominees Fritz Pollard and Benny Friedman.