Atlanta Falcons: Schofield, Alford top defensive second quarter grades
William Moore: Grade, 85
Previous Grade: 91
Oct 15, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints tight end Benjamin Watson (82) is tackled by Atlanta Falcons strong safety William Moore (25) during the second half of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
William Moore got off to a wonderful start in 2015, but has fallen off just like teammate Justin Durant. Moore missed the Falcons’ last game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with an injury and may not play this week either. Moore has had just 11 tackles in the second quarter of the season and has left a gaping hope at strong safety for the Falcons.
the Falcons are not nearly as good on defense when it comes to defending the pass and without Moore on the field, it makes things that much worse. Atlanta needs Moore to play at a high level and be a leader in the secondary.
Ricardo Allen: Grade, 85
Previous grade:80
Sep 14, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons cornerback Ricardo Allen (37) celebrates his game saving interception in the fourth quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles at the Georgia Dome. The Falcons defeated the Eagles 26-24. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Enough cant be said about how well Ricardo Allen has played in 2015. Allen made his NFL debut this year after being drafted last year and spending the entire season on the practice squad. Allen has played in seven games as a (rookie) and has done everything asked of him.
In Allen’s last four games, he has posted 20 tackles one pass deflection and one sack.
Allen picked up the sack on a fourth-and-one rush attempt by Jameis Winston. The sack set up Matt Ryan’s game-tying touchdown pass to Julio Jones with just seconds remaining in the fourth quarter.
Allen is hard-hitting, reckless free safety, much like Earl Thomas is in Seattle. That is the role Dan Quinn has Allen playing here in Atlanta. Allen is a long way from being as good as Thomas, but if he keeps this up, he is well on his way to being one the leagues’ top free safeties.
Robenson Therezie: Grade, 82
Previous Grade: 80
Oct 15, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints tight end Benjamin Watson (82) is upended by Atlanta Falcons free safety Robenson Therezie (27) during the second quarter of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Robenson Therezie has been one of the bright spots on the Falcons’ defense. Here is another example of a guy who makes the most of his playing time. Therezie’s highlight of the year is without question his game-winning interception on the road against the Tennessee Titans.
Therezie is playing roughly 40 percent of the defense’s snaps and has gotten more playing time as of late with the injury to William Moore. Therezie has done everything asked of him on both special teams and on defense. Keep up the good work!
Kemal Ishmael: Grade, 75
Previous Grade: 75
Nov 1, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Doug Martin (22) carries the ball in front of Atlanta Falcons strong safety Kemal Ishmael (36) in overtime at the Georgia Dome. The Buccaneers won 23-20 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Kemal Ishmael has had a pretty disappointing season up until this point. Ishmael played 74 percent of the Falcons’ snaps against the Buccaneers and recorded just three tackles. Ishmael made several big-time plays in 2014 including a pick six against Tampa Bay, but hasn’t done hardly anything in 2015. That’s too bad. Let’s see if he can step it up in the next few games.