Defensive Drought

Published Aug. 17, 2010 3:44 p.m. ET

foxsports

By John Manasso
FoxSportsSouth.com

Defending the likes of New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and wide receiver Randy Moss is difficult enough during a game.

Now try it out without a pass rush.

Now try it without two of your top three cornerbacks.

Now try it with your likely starting nickel back, who is coming off season-ending knee surgery, just returning to the practice field in the last few days.

Oh, and try it with three defensive backs who have joined the team only as recently as Sunday or later.

That sheds a little light on what the Falcons had to contend with in 7-on-7 drills on Tuesday morning in a combined practice with the Patriots at the Falcons