‘Sugar and Salt’ – Week III

September 23, 2012; San Diego, CA, USA; Atlanta Falcons safety Thomas DeCoud (28) celebrates after an interception during the third quarter against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-US PRESSWIRE

Each week for my post game analysis, I will give one offensive and defensive Falcon player a little “sugar” for his “sweet” playing on the field. I will also give one player on the Falcons a little ”salt” for his salty, lackluster play for the week. Please feel free to leave comments and provide your own “Sugar and Salt” for the week. You can also tweet me at @ianborders7 or all of us at @bloggingdirty to provide input for your picks each week.

Sugar (offense)- Tony Gonzalez- The long-time crafty veteran might as well have been Carmen San Diego Sunday afternoon, because the Charger defense had no idea where in the world he was (ok so that was pretty bad…). Tony G. was the perfect possession receiver on Sunday, carving up the Charger linebackers and safeties that attempted to defend him.  His nine catches for 91 yards was pretty great, but to him it wasn’t enough. After he scored his 98th career touchdown (22 and counting with the Falcons), instead of doing his trademark goalpost dunk, he opted for the classic one footed fader. This can’t be Gonzalez’s last season…right? It seems to me he has too much left in the tank….

Sugar (defense) – Thomas DeCoud- I was one of those obnoxious Falcon fans this off-season who was wondering why Thomas DeCoud was being offered decent money to stay with the team. I thought the money could have been well spent elsewhere, bringing in someone who would be much more productive. I am happy to say that I’m a complete idiot, and am willing to take the blame for being 1000% wrong (or at least I’m willing to throw the blame onto Brian VanGorder, former Falcons defensive coordinator). It is quite obvious that DeCoud (and William Moore) are blooming in Mike Nolan’s aggressive defense. DeCoud finished the game with two interceptions, one fumble recovery, three tackles, and a safety in a day that left Charger quarterback Phillip Rivers bickering at his own team. Classic.

Salt- Falcons third quarter–  In a game where it was extremely difficult to be upset about anything, I had to look a little deeper inorder to sprinkle a little salt. The first two drives for the Chargers in the second half seemed to find the Falcons a little flat. The first drive ended with a Chargers field goal that took 13 plays to get 41 yards. When you break down the numbers, that is not bad at all, especially when you calculate the incomplete passes and the lack of time that went off the clock (only 3:50). The next drive for the Chargers drove them down the field from their own 15 yard line all the way to the Falcons 36. This only took six plays, and it seemed as though the Chargers were figuring out the defense…That’s when Thomas DeCoud stepped up and picked Rivers for the second time in the game. The only thing that concerned me (but not very much in a 27-3 win), was the fact that the Falcons failed to put any points on the board in the 3rd quarter. I think coming out of halftime, the team should be ready and prepared to launch the last dagger into their opponents to really make them fold under their skin. All in all though, this was a great game, but I had to throw a little salt somewhere….Go Falcons!    

September 23, 2012; San Diego, CA, USA; Atlanta Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez (88) celebrates after a touchdown reception during the second quarter against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-US PRESSWIRE