OC Mike Mularkey is revving up the no-huddle offense
Falcons offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey and quarterback Matt Ryan are ready to expand the use of the no-huddle attack. (CURTIS COMPTON/AJC).
The Falcons are spending part of the organized team activities tuning up and expanding their no-huddle attack.
Offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey relied on the no-huddle as a quick change of pace attack last season.
When the Falcons jumped into the no-huddle, they never stayed in it for extended periods. Two plays here, two plays there.
An analysis of last season’s play-by-play gamebooks, reveals that the Falcons went into the no-huddle offense 16 times in five different games.
They scored seven touchdowns and two field goals while in the no-huddle.
Mularkey appeared to like going into the no-huddle to jumpstart the offense. The team was trailing on 14 of the 16 times he called for a no-huddle. The one time they were ahead and were tied, was against Tampa Bay in the season finale.
Falcons offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey.
The Falcons nearly pulled off two victories with the aid of the no-huddle attack.
Trailing 21-19 against Carolina, they used the no-huddle to get Jason Elam in place for 34-yard field goal attempt that would have given them the lead. Elam missed the field goal and was later released on Dec. 1.
Against the New York Giants, the Falcons went into the no-huddle offense a season-high five times. They scored three touchdowns and a field goal with the aid of the no-huddle.
With Mularkey pressing the gas pedal on the no-huddle, the Falcons stormed back from a 31-17 deficit to force overtime. The leaky pass defense failed them in overtime as the Giants marched right down the field — 49 yards in seven plays — for the game-winning 36-yard field goal.
HERE’S A LOOK AT THE NO-HUDDLE STATISTICAL BREAKDOWN
NO HUDDLE VS. NEW ENGLAND
1. DOWN 10-3, SECOND QUARTER
(1 play)
–Second down-3 yards-at NE’s 34 – 10:36 (No Huddle) M. Ryan pass incomplete short right to R. White (T. Warren). (Drive ends with touchdown)
2. DOWN 16-10, SECOND QUARTER
(2 plays)
Roddy White said the Falcons have about 30 plays to run out of their no-huddle attack.
–1-10-ATL 45 (5:19) (No Huddle, Shotgun) M.Ryan pass short left to M.Jenkins to NE 47 for 8 yards (L.Bodden).
–2-2-NE 47 (4:52) (No Huddle) M.Turner up the middle to NE 41 for 6 yards (A.Thomas, B.Meriweather). NE-V.Wilfork was injured during the play.
(Drive end with fumble)
3. DOWN 16-10, THIRD QUARTER
(2 plays)
–1-10-NE 43 (8:32) (No Huddle) M.Turner up the middle to NE 36 for 7 yards (B.McGowan, A.Thomas).
–2-3-NE 36 (7:57) (No Huddle) M.Ryan pass deep left to M.Jenkins for 36 yards, TOUCHDOWN NULLIFIED by
Penalty. PENALTY on ATL-M.Jenkins, Offensive Pass Interference, 10 yards, enforced at NE 36 – No Play.
(Drive end with punt)
4. DOWN 19-10, FOURTH QUARTER
(2 plays)
–4–1-10-ATL 36 (14:28) (No Huddle, Shotgun) M.Ryan pass short right to R.White to ATL 32 for -4 yards (A.Thomas).
–2-14-ATL 32 (13:50) (No Huddle) M.Ryan pass incomplete short left to M.Jenkins (L.Bodden).
(Drive ends with punt)
NO HUDDLE VS.DALLAS
1. DOWN 34-14, FOURTH QUARTER
(2 plays)
– 1-10-ATL 32 (8:11) (No Huddle, Shotgun) M.Ryan pass short middle to J.Snelling to ATL 42 for 10 yards (B.Carpenter).
–1-10-ATL 42 (7:43) (No Huddle, Shotgun) M.Ryan pass incomplete short left. Pass thrown out of bounds.
(2 plays later in SAME DRIVE)
–1-10-DAL 30 (6:12) (No Huddle, Shotgun) M.Ryan pass incomplete short right. Pass was thrown away.
–2-10-DAL 30 (6:06) (Shotgun) M.Ryan pass short left to B.Finneran to DAL 25 for 5 yards (O.Scandrick).
3-5-DAL 25 (6:06) (No Huddle, Shotgun) PENALTY on ATL-J.Blalock, False Start, 5 yards, enforced at DAL 25 – No Play.
(Drive ends with touchdown)
NO HUDDLE VS. CAROLINA
1. DOWN 14-3, SECOND QUARTER
(4 plays, longest no huddle stint of season)
–1-10-ATL 42 (11:55) (No Huddle) M.Turner up the middle to ATL 46 for 4 yards (C.Johnson).
–2-6-ATL 46 (11:22) (No Huddle) M.Ryan pass short left to R.White to CAR 39 for 15 yards (S.Martin; L.Johnson).
Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez (88). (Curtis Compton / ccompton@ajc.com)
–1-10-CAR 39 (10:44) (No Huddle) M.Ryan pass incomplete deep left to M.Jenkins.
–2-10-CAR 39 (10:37) (No Huddle) M.Turner up the middle to CAR 37 for 2 yards (E.Brown).
(Drive ends with touchdown)
2. DOWN 21-19, FOURTH QUARTER
(3 plays)
–1-10-CAR 25 (7:39) (No Huddle, Shotgun) M.Ryan pass short left to M.Jenkins to CAR 20 for 5 yards (J.Beason).
–2-5-CAR 20 (7:05) (No Huddle, Shotgun) M.Ryan up the middle to CAR 16 for 4 yards (J.Anderson).
–3-1-CAR 16 (6:44) (No Huddle) M.Ryan up the middle to CAR 16 for no gain (D.Lewis).
Atlanta challenged the first down ruling, and the play was Upheld. (Timeout #2.)
(Drive ends with missed 34-yeard field goal that would have given the Falcons a 22-21 lead.)
NO HUDDLE VS. NEW YORK GIANTS
1. DOWN 10-3, SECOND QUARTER
(1 play)
–2-8-ATL 35 (1:34) (No Huddle, Shotgun) M.Ryan pass incomplete short right to R.White (C.Webster)
(Drive ended with fumble)
2. DOWN 17-7, THIRD QUARTER
SO CLOSE - This long bomb to Falcons wide receiver # 12 Michael Jenkins is just off his finger tips for a sure touchdown as it falls incomplete during 1st half action against the Saints at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2009. Curtis Compton,ccompton@ajc.com
(2 plays)
–1-10-NYG 40 (14:15) (No Huddle) M.Ryan pass incomplete deep left to R.White (C.Webster).
–2-10-NYG 40 (14:06) (No Huddle) J.Snelling up the middle to NYG 43 for -3 yards (B.Cofield).
(Drive ended with touchdown)
3. DOWN 24-14, THIRD QUARTER
(3 plays)
–2-4-NYG 44 (6:07) (No Huddle) J.Snelling right end pushed ob at NYG 39 for 5 yards (M.Boley). R15
–1-10-NYG 39 (5:40) (No Huddle, Shotgun) M.Ryan pass incomplete short left to R.White (C.Webster).
–2-10-NYG 39 (5:30) (No Huddle) M.Ryan pass incomplete short left to R.White.
PENALTY on NYG-O.Umenyiora, Defensive Offside, 5 yards, enforced at NYG 39 – No Play.
(Drive ended with 25-yard field goal)
4. DOWN 31-17, FOURTH QUARTER
(2 plays)
–1-10-NYG 44 (11:16) (No Huddle, Shotgun) M.Ryan pass short right to M.Jenkins to NYG 46 for -2 yards (M.Boley).
–2-12-NYG 46 (10:39) (No Huddle) M.Ryan pass short left to J.Peelle to NYG 46 for no gain (M.Boley, A.Ross).
(Drive ends with touchdown)
tlanta Falcons running back Michael Turner (33) heads for a touchdown against the New Orleans Saints in the first half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Monday, Nov. 2, 2009. (AP Photo/Bill Haber)
5. DOWN 31-24, FOURTH QUARTER
(2 plays)
–1-10-ATL 34 (2:28) (No Huddle) M.Ryan pass short right to T.Gonzalez to ATL 40 for 6 yards (D.Clark, C.Blackburn).
–2-4-ATL 40 (2:01) (No Huddle) M.Ryan pass incomplete short right to M.Jenkins
NO HUDDLE VS. TAMPA BAY
1. DOWN 3-0, IN SECOND QUARTER
(3 plays)
–1-10-ATL 49 (12:57) (No Huddle) J.Norwood right end to TB 47 for 4 yards (B.Ruud, C.Hovan).
–2-6-TB 47 (12:22) (No Huddle, Shotgun) M.Ryan pass short right to R.White to TB 40 for 7 yards (A.Talib). P3
–1-10-TB 40 (11:57) M.Ryan pass short left to M.Jenkins to TB 33 for 7 yards (E.Mack).
–2-3-TB 33 (11:57) (No Huddle, Shotgun) PENALTY on ATL-S.Baker, False Start, 5 yards, enforced at TB 33 – No Play.
(Drive ends, turnover on downs)
2. DOWN 3-0, SECOND QUARTER
(3 plays)
–1-10-TB 38 (5:52) (No Huddle, Shotgun) M.Ryan pass short right to R.White to TB 30 for 8 yards (A.Talib).
–2-2-TB 30 (5:28) (No Huddle) J.Norwood right end to TB 26 for 4 yards (A.Talib). R7
–1-10-TB 26 (5:07) (No Huddle, Shotgun) M.Ryan pass short right to J.Norwood to TB 18 for 8 yards (G.Hayes).
(Drive end with field goal to tie game, 3-3).
3. SCORED TIED 3-3, SECOND QUARTER
(1 play)
–2-3-TB 34 (2:03) (No Huddle, Shotgun) M.Ryan pass short right to R.White to TB 23 for 11 yards (S.Piscitelli).
(Drive end with touchdown to give Falcons 10-3 lead on last play before halftime).
4. FALCONS UP 10-3, THIRD QUARTER
(3 plays)
–2-7-ATL 46 (12:07) (No Huddle) J.Norwood up the middle to TB 49 for 5 yards (B.Ruud).
–3-2-TB 49 (11:37) (No Huddle, Shotgun) M.Ryan pass short right to J.Peelle to TB 45 for 4 yards (B.Ruud). P14
–1-10-TB 45 (11:08) (No Huddle) M.Ryan pass deep right intended for M.Jenkins INTERCEPTED by T.Jackson at TB 28. T.Jackson to TB 47 for 19 yards (J.Blalock).
(Drive ended in by interception)
How much more should the Falcons use the no-huddle offense? Should Mularkey continue to use it as a change of pace? Should he use it to attack defense and not wait for the team to fall behind?
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71 comments Add your comment
GT Alum
June 7th, 2010
5:12 pm
FalconTransplant, I understand what you’re saying. The offense should have a lot of weapons already, though, especially if Turner can stay healthy and Ryan can progress. The defense was the glaring weakness on this team, so TD had to make it his top priority, the same way he focused on building the offense before 08. Unless the defense doesn’t really show improvement this season, I would expect him to look more evenly at both sides of the ball next offseason.
truth
June 7th, 2010
5:22 pm
All hail Hiram…all hail Hiram……
Falcons to host fishing outing for military veterans | Atlanta Falcons
June 7th, 2010
5:22 pm
[...] OC Mike Mularkey is revving up the no-huddle offense [...]
D. Orlando Ledbetter
June 7th, 2010
5:33 pm
Is Mularkey the Magic Man? And Ryan is Shake n Bake? From Talladega Nights.
DePlane
June 7th, 2010
6:57 pm
A chef can make a great stew if he has the right ingredients. Same with Malarkey. Perhaps he has been too conservative. But that may depend on the ingredients he has to work with.
The Falcon’s have added depth on the OL and understand they have to improve the pass blocking. It’ll be up to the coaches to decide when those guys are ready. But I don’t think they’re ignoring it by any stretch.
I believe we will see an improvement. So goes the line, so goes the playcalling. If he feels he can open it up with confidence, or add the screen passes and have success, why wouldn’t he? Ingredients.
SMART fan
June 7th, 2010
6:58 pm
Truth is the only one who might have football intelligence on this blog, first off bug, to run a screen you need an athletic offensive line, which we lack. Second you need a back capable of running a good screen. dont even say norwood because he would get hurt before catching the ball. Im sure the first thing on mularkeys mind with a old back up quarterback and Jason Snelling..WHOO?? that we need to run a screen. The no huddle offense was amazing in 08… perhaps it was because we had a healthy matt ryan in the huddle and not our backup qb. Think before you say stupid things bug. We’re not the colts, we are a rebuilding franchise.
DePlane
June 7th, 2010
6:59 pm
Funny how there’s a rash of posts just before people leave the office, haha!
FalconTransplant
June 7th, 2010
7:04 pm
Smart Fan
I must disagree with you on the rebuilding part. (unless you consider a team rebuilding until we win the Superbowl)
Maybe a transitional team at worst, but not rebuilding. That was ‘08/’09 but this year we have bigger dreams than just a winning season.
TLH
June 7th, 2010
7:19 pm
I think the screen pass would work better with Norwood. Just my opinion though.
Jeff
June 7th, 2010
8:02 pm
Text-styling tip: Be a lot subtler.
carpenter
June 7th, 2010
8:19 pm
we should definately run screens and draws no matter whose in the backfield. im sure turner knows how to run a draw even if he cant catch. the only thing norwwood can run is a screen because he is horrible at following blocks and letting the play develop and if he chooses to out run his blockers on the screen play that will be fine too because at least it will keep the defense from being able to pin their ears back on every third and 6. i dont care whose in the game— every nfl team should be able to run a screen effectively — just like evry mlb team should have plenty of great bunters! screen plays keep the defense honest and are an essentual weapon to every good offense. if mularky cant coach his offence to execute a screen play then maybe we should let BVG do it.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
June 7th, 2010
8:54 pm
Jeff – Thank you Jeff. Want to break up the gray with some BANG!
Carpenter — You can beat the blitz with some hot routes in addition to the screen and draw game.
florida falcon
June 7th, 2010
9:09 pm
Hey Dol- Change the headline! Oops, my mistake wrong blog!
A.H.O.M.P.
June 7th, 2010
9:15 pm
Awww, come on guys, it’s so simple maybe you need a refresher course. All we got to do is line up Roddy, Jenkins, Harry Douglas, Finnerman and Gonzo, with Turner and Northwood in the backfield, and we will be unstoppable!
drmondo
June 7th, 2010
11:36 pm
I have to admit I was leery of Mularky when he came to ATL, having had to see his work up here in western NY. His offenses did not inspire terror. I’d love it if someone a little more creative had some say in the playcalling. If he’s ready for it, give Ryan more input in the play. Do I think he’s ready to become Manning? No, but I think he’s intelligent enough to have that level of control some day.
Screen plays, hot routes, more options to audible to all would be welcome at this point. I have faith in the team (moreso now than anytime in the past 30yrs), but see nothing wrong in pointing out problems. Refusing to acknowledge the team’s shortcomings is almost as bad as the naysayers who question everything the team does. Being loyal doesn’t make you blind.
That said, here’s hoping for a 13-3 season and a trip to the SB!!!
NFL coaches walk fine OTA intensity and tempo line | Atlanta Falcons
June 8th, 2010
7:08 am
[...] OC Mike Mularkey is revving up the no-huddle offense [...]
NFL News and Notes – June 8, 2010 | The Other 31
June 8th, 2010
8:38 am
[...] Falcons offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey may use the no-huddle offense more in 2010, reports D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta [...]
Gamer
June 8th, 2010
9:56 am
The NO-HUDDLE OFFENSE attack is great game planning weaponry against formiable teams scheduled to play Falcons in 2010.
The NO-HUDDLE OFFENSE ATTACK is the NFL’S FASTBREAK VERSION OF THE NBA.
It forces team to burn time-outs or causes the same defensive players to play every Down, causing fatigue to opponent’s defense.
NO HUDDLE-OFFENSE is a great offense-defense deployment. Great COACHING!!!!
And 1
June 8th, 2010
10:40 am
K-Gun
froggy
June 8th, 2010
10:29 pm
GT Alum makes this assertion:
“A coach can’t increase the talent or change the abilities of the players he has. All he can do is teach and try to make them learn and call plays that he thinks will give the players he has the best chance to win.”
Wow, I guess we are paying coaches millions of dollars for no reason. I’d urge him to read a really great football book, “When Pride Still Mattered,” about that little volatile fellow with the Bronx accent who inherited a woeful team up in Wisconsin and managed to win championship after championship. They named a trophy after him.
The purpose of coaching is to practice the skills and techniques necessary to successfully execute the play. Lombardi practiced the sweep thousands of times, and did pretty well by it. If Norwood outruns his blockers, correct that. The bigger question is why there is so little interest in running screens, or doing what is necessary to make them successful. This has been a common refrain among fans for a lot of years now — perhaps our OC has a compelling answer. DLed is the beat reporter — he’s the guy who can get an answer!
WOODBUTCHER
June 11th, 2010
10:22 am
I BEEN A LOYAL FAN SINCE 1966….NOBIS , CANNONBALL BUTLER,JUNIOR COFFEE,….ALL I WILL SAY IS I BELIEVE THERE IS EXCELLENT TALENT ON ALL NFL TEAMS…I MEAN HELL TAKE ALL THE COLLEGE PLAYERS ON DIVISION 1 TEAMS,WHAT 118 OR SO TEAMS NOT MENTION DIVISION 2 AND 3 TEAMS SHAKE THEM ALL DOWN TO 32 NFL TEAMS, YEA THERE IS TALENT..I THINK IT COMES DOWN TO CHEMISTRY AND MOTIVATION…ONE OF THESE DAYS ALICE TO THE MOON!!!!!!!!!!!!!