TAMPA — Dirk Koetter learned during his first season as offensive coordinator in Atlanta not to throw at cornerback Brent Grimes. It was a warning issued by quarterback Matt Ryan during practice, and Grimes made the Falcons offense pay for challenging him.
"I know first-hand from going against Brent in my time in Atlanta in practice, I haven't seen Matt Ryan back down from too many corners," Koetter said. "But Matt would tell me every day, 'Oh, we can't throw this route on this side because Grimes is over there.' I was like, 'What? We can go against that guy.