FOOTBALL RUNNERS

“The Falcons’ run defense has been plagued by the lack of the two ‘M’s’ of defensive football: Missed fits and missed tackles.

A missed fit occurs when a player fails to control the proper gap in the alignment and gives the opposing runner a lane to scurry through.

The Falcons have been trying to fix their run defense for weeks now.

In nearly every game, they have been gashed for big runs, which could be problematic this Sunday. They are set to face a resurgent Tampa Bay team and rookie rushing sensation Doug Martin, who already has run for 1,000 yards in 10 games.

“This running team that we’re getting ready to face is doing a great job,” Falcons coach Mike Smith said. “The rookie running back has had some really explosive games. It will be a challenge for us.”

In last weekend’s narrow 23-19 win over Arizona, the run defense had two major breakdowns.

Cardinals running back LaRod Stephens-Howling had runs of 40 and 52 yards, finishing with 127 yards on 22 carries. Take away the two long runs and Stephens-Howling had 35 yards on 20 carries.

It was the same story two weeks ago with the Saints. Except for a 56-yard touchdown run by Chris Ivory, the Falcons held the Saints run game under control.

Stephens-Howling was the third back to rush for more than 100 yards against the Falcons this season, joining Denver’s Willis McGahee (113 yards) and Washington’s Alfred Morris (115 yards).”