Atlanta defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer, a longtime friend of Hashmarks, knows how important it is to apply pressure to Drew Brees tonight. The Saints may have lost running back Reggie Bush for the season, but they still have some weapons at wide receiver.
In 2004, I remember greeting Zimmer on the tarmac at Love Field. He had just been offered the head coaching job at Nebraska, and he was giving it serious consideration. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones ended up increasing Zimmer's salary to $1 million, and he stayed.
Now he's overseeing a defense that has been decent against the pass, but has struggled against the run. Even though the Falcons are 3-9, they've made progress on the defensive side of the ball.
Believe it or not, the Falcons are among the league leaders when it comes to getting off the field on third down. That stat usually translates to wins, but not in their case.
