Because the Atlanta Falcons’ freefall continues, head coach Raheem Morris was clear in his evaluation of the workforce’s third straight loss.
With an opportunity to tie the rating at 24 in opposition to the New England Patriots with 4:40 left in Sunday’s sport, kicker Parker Romo missed the additional level. The Falcons did get the ball again, however couldn’t get into scoring place, leaving the miss because the distinction within the end result.
“On the finish of the day, you have to make that kick and provides your self an opportunity,” Morris instructed reporters on Monday. “That is the sport. … We have got to get it fastened and it must be fastened now.”
Kicking woes have plagued the Falcons (3-5) since their season-opening loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, when Younghoe Koo missed a game-tying 44-yarder as Atlanta fell 23-20.
Morris’ feedback Monday had been virtually an identical to Week 1, when the second-year head coach mentioned, “We have got to make these kicks,” earlier than the workforce lower the veteran Koo.
By the point Atlanta leaves for its Week 10 assembly with the Indianapolis Colts in Berlin, the workforce may very well be on its third kicker.
“Clearly we have got to have a look at that and we have began that course of already,” Morris mentioned of changing Romo. “We have labored out a bunch of various individuals. We’ll have the ability to deliver individuals in and work out who it will be this week. These stress conditions aren’t constructed on observe fields. They’re inbuilt video games.”
The nice from Sunday included Atlanta quarterback Michael Penix Jr.’s career-high three passing touchdowns, regardless of falling to 4-6 as a starter since taking Kirk Cousins’ job final December.
One of many solely blemishes on Penix’s efficiency was an intentional grounding penalty he took which stalled out the Falcons’ closing drive.
After the sport, Penix and Morris accused the Patriots of simulating the snap by clapping, which led to the snap arriving early and is meant to be a “disconcerting alerts” penalty.
Morris walked again his feedback on Monday, saying all he was going off was what his gamers instructed him.
“This was our gamers telling us they simulated the snap on the market,” Morris mentioned. “They heard one thing and clearly they did, that is why he snapped it. This was no intent that (New England) did something fallacious.
“… We won’t snap the ball early it doesn’t matter what anyone does. It is gotta be extra about us. That was simply me being offended (Sunday).”
Even on a three-game shedding streak, Penix nonetheless feels the Falcons can play their finest soccer.
“It is nonetheless excessive,” Penix mentioned of the workforce’s confidence. “It is received to be. It is NFL soccer. We’re nonetheless in it. We nonetheless have a number of video games to go. We have got to go on the market and simply be sure that every day of observe we give our 110% effort like we all the time do and be prepared for this subsequent sport developing. Clearly an extended flight out to Germany, however we’ll be prepared for it.”
Atlanta’s offensive line took successful at New England, as left guard Matthew Bergeron exited within the first quarter with an ankle harm earlier than three-time Professional Bowl proper guard Chris Lindstrom (foot) left within the fourth.
“We’ll get these guys to Wednesday and see what occurs,” mentioned Morris, who additionally up to date the standing of linebacker Troy Andersen, who hasn’t performed since Dec. 8 of final season with a knee harm. “You by no means wish to rule (Andersen coming again this season) out. We’ll simply have to attend and see.”
–Discipline Stage Media
