Jimmy Lake’s prior experience and reputation.

On paper, JL has over 20 years of experience coaching defense; one year on offense; and a year of reflection, as he pondered a move to the NFL. He enjoyed some rapid promotions at the U. of Washington from DB Coach to Secondary to Defensive Coordinator and Head Coach. While he was given positive accolades in (secondary) player development, coverage execution, and sported a solid reputation for Secondary AX’s and O’s; his front-7 employments and execution to a lesser extent.

He developed some fine DB players at UW to his credit. Some have suggested he was wise to ‘study’ the success enjoyed by the Seattle Seahawk Secondary while serving at UW.

As a head coach, there were mixed reviews before his dismissal.

What is Jimmy Lake’s Defensive Philosophy?

Daniel Flick, Accredited Analyst at Si.com, put it best suggesting JL’s philosophy is "Fast, Free, and Physical." Fast implies his desire for defense to get out to a fast start. Free refers to his belief that players must be well-prepared to assess the situation and KNOW what needs to be done and then be "free" to execute. The physical aspect refers to how they "finish" whether on a given play or in the game as a whole. That philosophy is remarkably similar to Raheem Morris’s, which would certainly make sense since the latter hired him for his team.

On an operational and tactical level, JL’s defensive strategy is the following: Start with a 34 Base but employ "Multiples," which means several other base, package, or sub-package alignments depending upon the offense’s scheme, alignment, or look.

--- Run a "disruptive defense" per Derek Rackley, at ATL.com.

--- Defend with a general preference for "bend don’t break" versus aggressive coverage concepts.

--- There is a huge emphasis on soft zone versus press or off-man coverage.

--- Show a lot of ‘simple/generic’ pre-snap looks before adjusting post-snap to the actual execution.

--- DC Nielsen presented a complex look in his pre-snap 43 Base in 2023. We were to believe that JL would disguise his looks more.

--- At the Rams and earlier campaigns, JL liked to execute two types of blitzes... Zone Blitz and Single (5-man) EDGE blitz. On the Zone, there would likely be Cover-2 look with two Free Safeties (Bates & Simmons), Blitz a LB (either EDGE or ILB – i.e. Elliss) and 1-Robber, which means the FS on the blitzing side drops down to the (LB) second level to cover the zone left open.

--- He likes the post-snap execution to be complicated for the offense, but "simple" for the defenders so they are "free" to execute effectively.

JL is a huge proponent of visual learning, and he likes to use film as do most other coaches. He advocates using UFC fighters as a model in training, as Dan Quinn used to employ Navy Seals. Lake likes UFC to demonstrate "starting fast," while Quinn used the Seals to demonstrate "discipline and resilience (perseverance)." To JL, starting fast is essential. However, this year the Falcons have not shown to be fast starters but in some cases better finishers. Case in point...

Key Performance Execution to Date

The Falcons have been a better 2nd half team with comeback wins against the Eagles, Bucs, and Saints. Things have routinely been rather dicey in first-halves. They allowed opponent TDs on 31.4% of first half drives (prior to the DEN game), which is 3rd worst in the NFL.

--- In the 2nd half, ATL has allowed only 12% of drives to end in TD’s (3rd best), a strange contrast.

--- In Points Allowed, the Falcons have allowed first half points 53% of the time (3rd worst in the NFL).

--- NOTE: In a recent interview, Judon and Simmons both noted that opponents have been "showing an unusually high number of unique looks and plays early in games. Then we adjust to them." That has complicated life for the Falcons players. One might infer from that point that prior game preparation may be lacking.

Conclusion

The outcome is clearly for each of us to decide. With the relationship between Morris and Lake, I see zero chance one would give up on the other anytime in the near future. They would remain loyal and work harder to improve outcomes.

Given that the Falcons have blitzed at the lowest rate in the league thus far and still maintained so many soft-zone looks, perhaps some serious changes in play selection would be in order. While Bates has been tied at #1 in forced fumbles, keeping him around the ball would be wise. Perhaps some better mix of man and zone coverage should be applied to create one free player for more exotic applications.

Let’s all hope for some significant improvement following the BYE week.