Here’s a list of candidates to replace Musgrave
Matt Ryan and Jeff Jagodzinski back at Boston College. (Associated Press)
The Falcons will move quickly to hire a replacement for Bill Musgrave.
Coach Mike Smith has a list of potential replacements and will start officially contacting folks today. He’s known since letting Musgrave interview that there was a likelihood of him leaving. The search likely won’t be completed before Smith and his staff leaves to coach the Pro Bowl in Hawaii on Tuesday.
He wasn’t ready to reveal his list of candidates last night when we chatted, but here are some potential candidates to replace Musgrave, who’s headed off to become the offensive coordinator of the Minnesota Vikings.
1. Jeff Jagodzinski, head coach Omaha Nighthawks: He was Matt Ryan’s head coach at Boston College. He served as the offensive line coach for the Falcons from 2004 to 2005. He has been an OC, but has never coached QBs before.
Coach Brian Billick
2. Chris Palmer, head coach Hartford Colonels: Well respected as an offensive mind and mentor of quarterbacks. The former Cleveland Browns head coach has coached QBs at Dallas, New England and New York Giants.
3. Tom Clements, QB coach Green Bay Packers. He’s done a wonderful job in developing Aaron Rodgers. Some of his other pupils have included Tommy Maddox, Kordell Stewart and Elvis Grbac. He was the QB coach for the Steelers (2001 to 2003) when Falcons OC Mike Mularkey was the OC there before he left to become Buffalo’s head coach.
4. Darryl Bevell, former Vikings OC: His star was rising, but his inability to develop Tarvaris Jackson led the team to keep pursuing Brett Favre. He’s interviewing in Seattle. He’s either not a very good teacher or Jackson didn’t play attention in class.
5. Jim Zorn, Baltimore’s quarterbacks coach: He has no apparent direct ties to the current coaching staff, but is
Tom Clements, former Notre Dame stud and lawyer, worked with Mike Mularkey in Pittsburgh. (Associated Press)
widely respected around the league.
6. Brian Billick, former Ravens coach: Just throwing this one out there because of the obvious connection. Don’t know if he’s ready to get back on the sidelines or if he’s waiting for another head coaching shot.
7. Mike Shula, Jacksonville QB coach: Was hired in 2007 and spent one year on Jack Del Rio’s staff with Smith.
This is a pretty good working list. We’ll add and delete as the information flows. Who would you all like to see?
–D. Orlando Ledbetter
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127 comments Add your comment
SeenThisB4
January 20th, 2011
7:15 am
First!
LyonsJimmy
January 20th, 2011
7:17 am
Go with Billick!
Hardy Falcon
January 20th, 2011
7:29 am
TO BAD THEY DIDN’T TAKE MULARKEY
Marc
January 20th, 2011
7:42 am
Well said Hardy Falcon. I wanted to keep Musgrave but Mularkey needs to go. I understand that Mularkey has been a great OC in the past but he’s simply not doing it in the here and now. Mike Smith needs to sit down with Mularkey and come up with a new offensive playbook. Our plays are vanilla and predictable. Ask Tramon Williams; he was waiting on that throw when Ryan bootlegged to the left.
In regards to the replacement… I like Billick and Zorn
sleeze
January 20th, 2011
7:44 am
My question is that several of these guys are already QB coaches on NFL teams. SWurprised they would be considered candidates just to make a parallel move.
Halsey
January 20th, 2011
7:44 am
Chris Chandler
Ok, just kidding. Real choice: Jeff George
waynester
January 20th, 2011
7:55 am
I’ve been puzzling over the Smitty/Billick connection (frequently on this blog and others) for the last 3 years. When they were putting this staff together initially and Mike Smith was named HC I figured it would be a natural fit but they went with Mularkey instead. I know his bro-in-law was still living high on the hog due to his severance package with Baltimore (the Ravens are STILL paying him as far as I know) and maybe he’s not allowed to coach as long as they’re paying him. I know the man is an Offensive genius and still wants to coach so I have to continue to ask–WTH? Do they just not get along well? Not agree on coaching philosophy? BB doesn’t want to be 2nd fiddle? We could really use Billick’s knack for generating big-time Offense with the players we have here capable of so much more! going on 4 years now–still wondering–help me D-Led!!!
RM
January 20th, 2011
8:08 am
Looks like a good list. They will make the right hire.
Will
January 20th, 2011
8:17 am
Is Billick really on this list? Why would the Falcons even consider a guy like him? Total jerk. What Super Bowl winning coach do you know that is never mentioned again for any head coaching jobs in the NFL or college level? Would not be a good move for the Falcons or Matt Ryan.
Chattanooga Chuck
January 20th, 2011
8:20 am
Zorn, Clements, and Shula would be making lateral moves. I guess we’d have to offer the same assistant head coach position that Musgrave had.
I don’t know if Billick would want to be a position coach at this stage in his career.
nauti-dawg
January 20th, 2011
8:21 am
IDK – I’ll trust Dimitty.
There are too many other dynamics that can’t be seen by reading a two sentence summary, but I would think considering the front office and Blank pockets that others in this opsition already would not see it so much as a lateral move.
Casey
January 20th, 2011
8:26 am
Isn’t the Pro Bowl in Miami this year??
El Bravo
January 20th, 2011
8:29 am
Dude, really? Billick? The guy has a ring as a head coach yet you think that he would welcome the chance to be a QB coach (not even an OC!!!). Yeah, and after hiring Billick Thomas Dimitroff will complete that trade of Matt Ryan, Brian Finneran and Mike Petterson for Aaron Rodgers,Greg Jennings and Clay Mathews… I also heard that Bill Belichick is looking for a job as defensive line coach (come on TD, make it happen)…
T-Bone
January 20th, 2011
8:40 am
Make Mularky the QC and hire Ralph Friedgen as the OC.
Reid Adair
January 20th, 2011
8:40 am
I am not in favor of Darryl Bevell, Jim Zorn, Brian Billick or Mike Shula. I am adamantly against Billick.
Not Good!
January 20th, 2011
8:49 am
Please dont draft a project LB in the first round again!!
GHunt
January 20th, 2011
8:53 am
Bring Brett Favre back to Atl as the QB coach!
SANDY
January 20th, 2011
8:53 am
How about Steve Bartkowski??? I would like to see him on the sidelines again:-)
jt9000
January 20th, 2011
8:55 am
Brian Billick is Smith’s brother-in-law. That is the obvious connection to which DOL refers and the reason for putting it out there.
jt9000
January 20th, 2011
8:56 am
Also- was Jagodzinski exposed as some sort of fraud? I know he lost the OC job in Tampa pretty quickly. Not sure I’d want a guy like that.
SirReal
January 20th, 2011
8:57 am
I dont like any of these.
North FLA Falcon
January 20th, 2011
8:57 am
Tony Graziani can share his offensive brilliance and re-live his Falcon glory days…….
A name not listed
January 20th, 2011
9:01 am
How about Mike Bobo? It would help Richt and the Dawgs out also.
BUCK NAKED
January 20th, 2011
9:07 am
Is George Costanza still looking for a job?
BUCK NAKED
January 20th, 2011
9:08 am
or Steak Shapiro he is a know it all….
Wassup
January 20th, 2011
9:12 am
Steve DeBerg.
SOUTH GA DAWG FAN
January 20th, 2011
9:19 am
jim Zorn
RUPE in DC
January 20th, 2011
9:21 am
Ralph Friedgen might be a good candidate to consider.
The Real Falcon
January 20th, 2011
9:22 am
Billick but not happening.
PMC
January 20th, 2011
9:28 am
Tom Clements please!
Poor McKay
January 20th, 2011
9:31 am
How about Don Majikowski (I’m pretty certain I butchered the spelling of his last name). A former NFL QB who lives in Atlanta and does some coaching at a lower level. I’m hoping that if Mularkey leaves, that Billick will become our next OC.
BUCK NAKED
January 20th, 2011
9:31 am
John Kincaide…The smartest man in the ATL!
McNasty
January 20th, 2011
9:33 am
Does Friedgen have any sucessful pro experience? If so his creativity and resource fullness would be great @ OC
real fan
January 20th, 2011
9:34 am
How bout Cynthia Tucker. At least this way when we loose we can blame it on the republicans.
Rufus
January 20th, 2011
9:38 am
I like the Bartkowski suggestion. He could be a real asset to Matt.
Hamp
January 20th, 2011
9:46 am
Honestly I like the Steve Deberg idea.
ASHCAN.
January 20th, 2011
9:47 am
@Mark,you can’t blame the OC for a bad QB(RYAN) decision and definately a bad throw.Why is everyone taking up for ryans bad QB play.Mularkey don’t throw the ball and make decisions when the ball is in the QB hands when he recieves it from center.Give the right person the blame and its not the OC.
The Joker...
January 20th, 2011
9:51 am
I like the Bartkowski decision as well, but does he have any coaching experience? I will admit that as a 30 year Falcon Fan, my patience is very low and I want someone who can come into the organization and provide immediate (positive) impact. Its a shame that it couldn’t have been Mularky that left and Musgrave named new OC….
Brian Lifelong Fan
January 20th, 2011
9:53 am
All I know is matt Ryan has potential, I believe, Musgrave was not tapping. We have too much talent to not be contending for an NFC Championship RIGHT NOW. That game against Green Bay was embarrassing, to say the least. Something has to change. I will not pretend to have the knowledge shared by Smitty and Dimitroff. All I know is this team better elevate their game next year! There were teams we struggled, at times, to beat. San Fran., Cleveland, Carolina, and Cincinnati had too many explosive plays allowed. We should have throttled all four of these teams. We needed last minute field goals to down San Fran. and Cleveland. We had Cincinnati and Carolina by the throat and allowed them back into the game.
Peter
January 20th, 2011
9:54 am
I like the possibility of bringing some familiarity in for Ryan. That outweighs a big name that would be around for 2-3 years
The Joker...
January 20th, 2011
9:58 am
Error Alert: I should have said ‘ I like the Bartkowski suggestion as well’, we have not (yet) hired Bartkowski
Johnny Fever
January 20th, 2011
9:59 am
John Kincaide is a tool!
Dawgdad (the Original)
January 20th, 2011
10:01 am
Lets do something original for once and hire someone who might be exceptional, like Deberg, Bobby Hebert, or Chris Chandler. All of them have displayed an excellent knowledge of the position and interest in the game. We know the rest of the candidates are tried, true, and average.
BUCK NAKED
January 20th, 2011
10:05 am
Is Taylor Smith available?
RobbE33
January 20th, 2011
10:16 am
Can we send Mularkey to Minnesota and promote Musgrave to OC instead? Please?!
TRUST IN TOMMY D
January 20th, 2011
10:24 am
Enough said. He will lead us to the promise land. We all no NOTHING about football. Its why we are here posting now. Lets shut up and follow TOMMY D!
Mikefalcon63
January 20th, 2011
10:25 am
Chris Miller, though he has not done much with the guys in Arizona.
Johnny Fever
January 20th, 2011
10:37 am
Dawgdad (the Original)
January 20th, 2011
10:01 am
“…We know the rest of the candidates are tried, true, and average.”
Brian Billick did win a superbowl with the ravens…
Johnny Fever
January 20th, 2011
10:39 am
cris chandler would be a great QB coach for ryan.
bird dog
January 20th, 2011
10:39 am
bobby hebert-tuff as a waffle house steak
Poor McKay
January 20th, 2011
10:40 am
Can any ex-QB be a QB coach? Doubtful, choose someone with interest in coaching. Teaching and doing are completely different skill sets… how many HOF players are exceptional head coaches?
fanfavorite
January 20th, 2011
10:41 am
First get some PLAYERS!!!!!!
E's Dirty Birds
January 20th, 2011
10:49 am
I’m still hurting too much have an oppinion right now
dan
January 20th, 2011
10:51 am
Jim Zorn was a lousy head coach, but as an OC or QB’s coach, he’d be a great hire.
Honestly, I think its time to take the training wheels off Matty Ice. He has proven that he can run a good 2 min drill with he is given the opportunity, so why not let him do more of it? I’ve never been all that impressed with Musgrave anyway. He won’t be a big loss.
Delbert D.
January 20th, 2011
10:51 am
“He’s either not a very good teacher or Jackson didn’t play attention in class.”
Jackson scored 19 on the Wonderlic, which may explain it.
joewhite
January 20th, 2011
10:55 am
I like billick,and like ashcan. states you cannot totally blame the oc, but in this case some of the play calling was suspect. Go falcons
Steve From Dalton
January 20th, 2011
10:57 am
I am not ready to ditch Mularkey over one playoff game. If we were to judge the Falcons based on the playoff loss, most of the team, coaches and a few popcorn vendors would be out on the street.
The only problem with Cynthia Tucker as OC is all of the plays would be to the far left of center.
arnold
January 20th, 2011
11:19 am
Never Jeff Jagodzinski. He was with the Buc’s and was released in one heck of a hurry. He refused to do his job and kept thinking he was the head coach. Keep him away.
Ed
January 20th, 2011
11:25 am
I would go with Tony Clements he would be making a lateral move realistically but I think he would be able to relate well to Matt Ryan much the same way he did with Aaron Rodgers.
Brad Komminsk
January 20th, 2011
11:28 am
Mike Bobo.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
January 20th, 2011
11:29 am
A couple of more candidates:
Ray Sherman — Most recently of the Dallas Cowboys. He was the Falcons Asst. head coach/offense in 1990. Coached QBs for Minnesota 1995-1997.
Courtesy of @FalcFans on Twitter.com:
Mark Whipple — Mostly recently of Miami (The U!) where he was Asst. HC/OC/QB coach from 2009-2010. Coached QBs for the Pittsburgh Steelers 2004-2006.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
January 20th, 2011
11:35 am
Delbert D. — Brett Favre scored at 13. It’s not rocket science.
Pee Jay
January 20th, 2011
11:41 am
Get someone with experience in developing a MOBILE QUARTERBACK…To open up the playbook, Ryan is gonna hafta start movin’ more…A one-dimensional, drop-back passer QB coach ain’t gonna cut it..and no washed-up has-been’s, either! Let’s inject some FIRE and ENERGY into this team!
D. Orlando Ledbetter
January 20th, 2011
11:43 am
My man Pat Yasinskas has Mike Shula going to interview in Carolina likely for their QB coach spot. He disses my listing of Jags. (I know their were “issues” in Tampa Bay. But Jags and Ice had a great time together at Boston College.)
http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcsouth/post/_/id/17933/nfc-south-coaching-carousel
Gregory
January 20th, 2011
11:43 am
Steve Young
Mr. Zizzle
January 20th, 2011
11:45 am
Still numb from that beatdown saturday. Number of Packer punts “0″
I think the quarterback coach is a minor setback. How about a pass rush and more punishing defense!
DUUUURRR!
January 20th, 2011
11:46 am
Yeah, the Falcons need a MOBILE QB. They should cut Ryan and sign Pat White!
Ted Striker
January 20th, 2011
12:13 pm
Pretty interesting list, D-Led.
Any truth to the rumor they are bringing you in to discuss the job?
D. Orlando Ledbetter
January 20th, 2011
12:18 pm
Ted Striker — No truth to that rumor. None whatsoever. Matt Ryan wouldn’t look too good running the Double Wing, my offense of preference.
Josh
January 20th, 2011
12:21 pm
John Ramsdell has done a heck of a job with Phillip Rivers out in San Diego.
a bunch or idiot
January 20th, 2011
12:35 pm
why would a the QB coach from GB leave to become a QB coach for the Falcons?
lol
a bunch or idiot
January 20th, 2011
12:39 pm
what offensive weaponas?
RB: Turner is up the middle back. No quick enough to turn the corner and poor pass catching
WR: R. White is good but no explosive, he can not seperate. All the other WRs are GARBO
TE: Gonzo is awesome but has lost a step..
I am baffled that people think of the Falcons as an offensive juggernaut.
Sid
January 20th, 2011
12:41 pm
Ok, what about Brett Favre? He loves the Atlanta night life!
OK
January 20th, 2011
1:10 pm
a bunch OR idiot? weaponas? this says a lot.
tim
January 20th, 2011
1:11 pm
There are way too many asst coaches in football.
A quarterback coach for 3 players?????????
Get real…….
collegeballfan
January 20th, 2011
1:16 pm
Mark Richt.
Youknowme
January 20th, 2011
1:33 pm
Bret Favre would make an excellent qb coach and could teach the offence a lot. He ain’t ready to get out of football, just playing.
Ben Dover
January 20th, 2011
1:43 pm
How about Fridge. Ralph took San Diego to the Super Bowl as Bobby Ross’s OC.
ssuradio.com
January 20th, 2011
2:14 pm
What about Jeff Rutledge? He was the QB’s coach in Arizona the year they went to the Super Bowl. Anybody that can help do that feat must be good!
wxwax
January 20th, 2011
2:16 pm
I wonder if Jeff Jagodzinski regrets having interviewed for the Jets job and consequently losing his gig at Boston College?
If he had high-powered offenses at BC, would he be a good fit at more conservative Atlanta?
wxwax
January 20th, 2011
2:17 pm
Favre could also show Matty Ice how to use a cell phone camera.
Georgia Dawg
January 20th, 2011
2:24 pm
Can we move Mike Bobo to the top of the list of candidates?
JMar
January 20th, 2011
2:35 pm
Based on the comments, I guess the connection to Billick isn’t as obvious as you thought.
Tweets that mention Here’s a list of candidates to replace Musgrave | Atlanta Falcons -- Topsy.com
January 20th, 2011
2:39 pm
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Myron Abernathy, ReidAdair, Ron Smith , brad cottrill, D. Orlando Ledbetter and others. D. Orlando Ledbetter said: Here’s a list of candidates to replace Musgrave http://bit.ly/hZxTJe [...]
Tweets that mention Here’s a list of candidates to replace Musgrave | Atlanta Falcons -- Topsy.com
January 20th, 2011
2:54 pm
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by ajc sports editor, SportVise and Sean Womble, Jeff Schultz. Jeff Schultz said: D-Led esq./@ajcfalcons has a dandy list of potential QB coaches. I like Tom Clements (coaches Aaron Rodgers). http://bit.ly/hxiAgp [...]
blord
January 20th, 2011
2:56 pm
I think the pick is pretty easy. We have to get Trent Dilfer. He loves Atl and is an expert on everything.
K Bird
January 20th, 2011
3:17 pm
How about Bobby Cox? He has some free time. He could not call a worse game than the scheme Saturday night.
REF
January 20th, 2011
3:26 pm
@waynester – it’s not always wise to mix family and business.
GIVE ME A BREAK
January 20th, 2011
3:31 pm
How about Joe Montana?
opie
January 20th, 2011
3:43 pm
Jags was fired in USF how suspect can he be. Bevell was hired in Seattle as OC
BigHittas
January 20th, 2011
4:11 pm
BoBo the Clown! he can also be the new OC!
sp
January 20th, 2011
4:22 pm
no more mularky! please go! and take your predictable, slow, boring, weak offensive plays with you
loser
take it from me.
January 20th, 2011
5:06 pm
How about Jim Mora SR! Playoffs,Playoffs,Who said Playoffs!
Showmekid
January 20th, 2011
5:32 pm
I think that they should hire Mike Bobo.
Falcons2011
January 20th, 2011
5:45 pm
GB denied permission to the Bears last off season to interview Clements for their vacant offensive coordinator position.
Unless Clements contract is up at the end of this season, I can’t see GB letting the Falcons interview him, nor would they let him make a lateral move.
Plus, it’s reasonable to expect that at this point in Clement’s career, he would like to be a coordinator at some point.
Arthur Blank
January 20th, 2011
5:47 pm
I WILL COACH MATT MYSELF
Falcon 2012
January 20th, 2011
5:50 pm
My picks
1. Tom Clements
2. Shula
3. Zorn
4. Billick
Any of the above..I have Faith in the Falcons GM and Smitty to make the right call.
Any news on Mularkey getting another job?
Cynthia Tucker blames everything..right are wrong on whites..period. The only card she knows. I’m black and she makes us all look bad.
thunderbull56
January 20th, 2011
6:10 pm
Nepotism will always bite you in the #ss.Say we demote OC to Qb coach and move on.Matt’s college coach nor Billick are smart choices.Kind of like you being your son’s Cub Scout leader and then moving up with him to each sucessive level.Sooner not later he has to prove himself a man.Not a man riding daddy’s coattails.
UGASlobberknocker
January 20th, 2011
6:38 pm
Hey J fever. Chandler wouldnt work because he would on the coach]s DL most of the time . God love him for his one healthy year in 98.
Facethenation
January 20th, 2011
7:20 pm
Falcons 2012, Your attack on Cynthia Tucker saying she hates whites is accurate because you are black. How stupid can you be? Ms. Tucker is an editorial, opinion page writer and if you were intelligent you would know her writings exposes the truth about right wing extremism in our country as well as in Georgia.
drmondo
January 20th, 2011
7:28 pm
Hey, don’t knock Crystal Chandelier, UGASlobberknocker!!!
I guess, for purely emotional reasons I’d love to see Bartkowski as the QC. Realistically, I think whoever gets the position has to be able to step into the OC job in a yr or two. If the offense improves and the Falcons get over their playoff jinx then MM will get offers to be a HC somewhere. If they stumble, then I think MM will be out. That’s why Billick might be interested. it’s a chance to jump up the ladder quickly and establish himself as a viable HC again.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
January 20th, 2011
7:31 pm
Scratch No. 4.
drmondo
January 20th, 2011
7:36 pm
it should read “HC candidate”
JB
January 20th, 2011
8:21 pm
Ralph Friedgen
DR. FALCON
January 20th, 2011
11:58 pm
TO MY FELLOW FALCON FANS: IS THIS IT? IS THIS ALL MATT RYAN HAS TO OFFER? HAS HE REACHED HIS UPSIDE OR PEAK? WE CAN BLAME MULARKEY, BUT, RYAN WAS THE ONE WHO MADE THOSE BONE HEAD MISTAKES! WHAT A SHAME! 13-3, GONE DOWN THE DRAIN! POOR TONY G! HE CAME HERE TO GET ONE. I GAVE RYAN A PASS IN 2009, AND 2008, HIS ROOKIE YEAR. NO MORE PASSES! HE’S A 3RD YEAR STARTER! HE NEEDS TO GROW UP! THIS IS TOO PAINFUL!!!
DR. FALCON
January 21st, 2011
12:00 am
FALCON FANS, I’M GOING TO SHUT IT DOWN FOR A FEW WEEKS. iM GOING TO GET BACK INTO H.S. FOOTBALL RECRUITING. OUR TEAM IS DONE! THERE HAS BEEN GREAT DIALOGUE ALL YEAR HERE AT AJC.COM! I LOVE ALL OF YA’LL!! TAKE CARE!!!
FalconJim
January 21st, 2011
12:18 am
I agree with you GHunt…….BRETT FAVRE coming back to the ATL, would be the bomb!!! Can you imagine what he could do with Matty Ice??? And he’s a Southern boy, too! I LIKE IT!!!
Mike
January 21st, 2011
9:09 am
D Led …
whoever follows Josh McDaniels around … I want that guy. Kyle Orton was probowl caliber … enough said.
Matt Hassel is now an NFL QB … enough said.
Mike
January 21st, 2011
9:09 am
*Matt Cassel
No hope now
January 21st, 2011
9:58 am
Belick?? Don’t bring that guy over. Have you guys heard his recent comments?? He said on playbook that ATL needs to lock the offensive coaches out of the draft room and go ALL DEFENSE. Its so stupid, no wonder he isn’t a HC anymore. See thats the mantra of YOUR ONLY AS GOOD AS YOUR LAST GAME right there. Forget the defense becoming better and finishing 5th in scoring. Last time I checked the offense didn’t have a great game either in the packers game. YOU CAN’T JUST GO ONE DIMENSIONAL, thats how you screw up things. IMO we still need defensive talent but THE OFFENSE DOES AS WELL.
Belick said he thinks we have “TOO MANY” offensive weapons?? What??? Thats why he thinks the offense is stalling. NO ONE WANTS TO ADMIT ITS MURLARKEY. How can you have too many offensive weapons?? Do the packers have too many offensive weapons? What about patriots? Chargers? Bengals? Vikings? WE DON’T HAVE ENOUGH OFFENSIVE WEAPONS. Crazy, I don’t know how we’re gonna replace musgrave though. Its gonna be tough, the guy was our meal ticket and we let him go. Your not going to get anyone as effective on Ryan right away as Musgrave. The offense is in deep water now. MURLARKEY HAS IT ALL TO HIMSELF NOW…..
BigTimeTECHFan
January 21st, 2011
10:09 am
How about Trent Dilfer, he knows everything, just ask him.
Root of Problem
January 22nd, 2011
8:29 am
Everyone seems to agree that Mularky is known as an aggressive, innovative OC and play caller. Most seem to agree that his play calling in Atlanta is very very conservative; vanilla at best. Is anyone asking WHY?
Did Smitty ask Mularky to dumb down the system? If so WHY? I can’t see Mularky consistently calling such painfully conservative games unless he had the approval or at least the acquiescence of Coach Smith. So…it seems obvious that Smitty was on board the “3 yards and a cloud of dust train”. Why?
I mean MATTY ICE is supposed to be a very smart QB. If the coaches felt that Matty was capable of running a more complex offense why wouldn’t they have installed one.
Who is the culprit? Coach Smith? Smitty and Mularky combo is the most likely scenario. Why? They have NO ACTUAL CONFIDENCE in Matty’s abilities. They drafted him….they are STUCK with him and his (lack of) abilities.
If someone else has a better explanation for the horrifically predictable play calling and total lack of pregame AND in game adjustments please explain it to me.
Big Ray
January 22nd, 2011
11:24 am
I’d rather see Billick in as OC, and “Mad” Mike Mularkey out. I’d worry about QBs coach less…
Big Ray
January 22nd, 2011
11:35 am
Everyone seems to agree that Mularky is known as an aggressive, innovative OC and play caller. Most seem to agree that his play calling in Atlanta is very very conservative; vanilla at best. Is anyone asking WHY?
Did Smitty ask Mularky to dumb down the system? If so WHY? I can’t see Mularky consistently calling such painfully conservative games unless he had the approval or at least the acquiescence of Coach Smith. So…it seems obvious that Smitty was on board the “3 yards and a cloud of dust train”. Why?
I mean MATTY ICE is supposed to be a very smart QB. If the coaches felt that Matty was capable of running a more complex offense why wouldn’t they have installed one.
Who is the culprit? Coach Smith? Smitty and Mularky combo is the most likely scenario. Why? They have NO ACTUAL CONFIDENCE in Matty’s abilities. They drafted him….they are STUCK with him and his (lack of) abilities.
If someone else has a better explanation for the horrifically predictable play calling and total lack of pregame AND in game adjustments please explain it to me.
If you’ve been around long enough, you KNOW already.
Both guys wanted the power running game. They have been quoted since they’ve been here as saying that this is a power running team.
Now, the team has several holes. QB isn’t one of them. Because if you have been hearing that Mularkey is some aggressive play caller, then you’ve also heard various media personnel gush about Ryan (so have other NFL coaches, by the way).
If they didn’t trust Ryan, then he wouldn’t be allowed to run the no-huddle offense or change plays at the line of scrimmage.
Part of the problem is lack of the proper personnel. Mike Turner is a power back, but we are NOT a power running offense, plain and simple. To be such an offense, you must have a healthy, powerful line. We have a line of mostly overachievers. Our run plays are generally predictable, and we don’t always get the push off the line that we need. In fact, we don’t get it enough .
We also lack a change of pace running back who is quick, elusive, and catches well out of the backfield. Snelling is good for catching (and running), but he is only marginally faster than Turner, and is not elusive. Norwood is all of that, but his narrow a$$ can’t stay healthy.
Look at our passing game. White is a Pro-Bowl receiver, and Gonzalez is a Pro-Bowl tight end. Jenkins is a decent possession receiver, but that’s it. The most successful offenses have a dangerous slot receiver. Where is ours? It should be Harry Douglas, but it ain’t. He either isn’t running the routes well enough, doesn’t catch the balls (the games he got the most balls thrown to him were also the games he missed the most catches) thrown to him, or isn’t getting enough separation.
There have been times that Ryan overthrew him. Suffice it to say that the QB and receiver must have chemistry, and Ryan has strong chemistry with two guys, and decent chemistry with a third. We need more than that.
Also, Coach Smith was a DC before he became an HC. Some DCs make good HCs that understand offensive philosophy, or they simply have wonderful OCs. I think we have some issues personnel-wise. I also think that we call games to conservatively.
But I wouldn’t point the finger at the QB as being a major culprit. He makes mistakes, but the dude can flat out play. He’s won more than one tough game for us.
mac
January 22nd, 2011
3:19 pm
Get favre as QB coach or clements as QB coach and assistant head coach.
Ron Choke Mexico
January 22nd, 2011
4:27 pm
why all the hate for the OC and none for the DC, could it be you’re all UGA homers? The defense is the problem,not the offense.
Ron Choke Mexico
January 22nd, 2011
4:29 pm
For 3 years the offense has been ranked higher than the defense, but I don’t hear as many calls for the DC’s job
HJones
January 22nd, 2011
5:04 pm
Please let’s have a list of candidates for Mike Mularkey’s and/or Brian Van Gorder’s job. Mike Mularkey should be the first one to go. Please some team hire this man! I have been listening to ESPN radio today, and tomorrow’s games have been the topic. The Atlanta Falcons should be playing tomorrow. I am so mad. We have the quality players required to go to the Super Bowl. The problem is our offense is playing with one arm tied behind it back because of the offensive play calling and scheme. The defense just doesn’t know what to do at times. The loss to Green Bay was an enormous coaching failure across the board. I have read some of you say the 13-3 record should satisfy all of he fans. It does not because we were at the brink of going to the NFC Championship Game and to the Super Bowl. We were not prepared to play last Saturday night. If we had played a really good competitive game on both sides of the line of scrimmage, it would be easier to understand the loss. We had a coaching failure. All players don’t fail at the same time unless the preparation was faulty. We attempted to play the Green Bay Packers the same way we played the Pittsburgh Steelers in week one. Nothing has changed in the offense since game #1.
Keith
January 22nd, 2011
5:38 pm
gawd, I get the feeling that I got after Leeman bennett’s team lost to Dallas, people get over it, it was one game. Unfortunate events, came together, the Falcons pick a bad day to have an off game and Aaron Rodgers played out of his mind!! unless you are a pro coach quit calling for Mularky to be fired,yes the offense needs to go down field more, Knowing the hc, I’m sure he knows that as well. I like the idea of Ryans old head coach, but I also like the idea of the QB coach from GB, he’s done a damn fine job with Rodgers, maybe he can improve Matt’s deep throwing. I do not pretend to be coach, I just wish some of you would quit trying to be,trust the front office they have shown so far they know what they are doing. on another note d I heard that we signed Carlos Rodgers, and the db from Oakland any truth to these rumors?
Keith
January 22nd, 2011
5:43 pm
ok let try to finish this damn ipad, d-led any truth to those rumor about Carlos Rodgers, and the db from Oakland? if so I would think that would upgrade our defense automatically
hbcuclassics
January 22nd, 2011
7:33 pm
2010 HBCU NFL Draft Board (1-6)
1. Kenrick Ellis 6-5, 340 DT Hampton
AP/FCS All-American, All-MEAC, 34 solo, 15TFL, 2 sacks
2. Clifford Eugene 6’1, 198 CB Tenn State
FCS All-American, 3x All-OVC, 4 Ints, 14 PDs
3. Johnny Culbreath 6’5, 285 OT SC State
AP/FCS All-American, 2x All-MEAC
4. Derrin Nettles 6’6, 320 DT Morehouse
AFCA All-American, All-SIAC,37 solo, 23 TFL, 14.5 sacks
5. Ibrahim Abdulai 6’3, 282 DT Ark-PB
All-SWAC, 31 solo, 18 TFL, 7.5 sacks
6. Frank Warren 5’10, 195 RB Grambling
FCS All-American, 2010 SWAC Offensive POY,
1,592 yd rushing, 3rd in NCAA
http://www.hbcuclassics.com
hbcuclassics
January 22nd, 2011
7:52 pm
2011 HBCU Draft Board – WRs (1-5)
1. Raymond Webber 6′2, 218 WR Ark-PB
AP/FCS All-American, Walter Payton Award Finalist
led NCAA 101 rec. 1,429yds 10TDs 129.9ypg.
only receiver w/ more receptions is Jerry Rice.
Coach: Monte Coleman (don’t be stupid on this one)
2. Ricardo Lockette, 6′3, 199 WR/KR FVSU
2009 DII 200 Meter Champion
23 rec./232 yds. 4.39-4.41/40yd. dash
Mentor: Terrence Mathis – track guy
3. Ronnie Childs 6′2 195 WR Albany State
BASN All-American, All-SIAC, SIAC Champ 11-1
45 rec./ 22ypc./12TDs – (all he does is catch TDs)
4. Jeremy Franklin 6′3, 199 WR/KR JC Smith
3x All-CIAA, JC Smith All-time leading receiver
55 rec/823 yds/5 TDs – fierce, beats up DBs.
5. Larrone Moore 6′0, 185 WR/KR Delaware St.
25 rec. 450yds 4TDs, 18.8ypc – another track guy
2x Maryland 4A 100m champ, 55m Maryland State champ
4.29-4.36/ 40yd dash (has Deion-like speed)
http://www.hbcuclassics.com
Falcon James
January 22nd, 2011
9:14 pm
Well let just put it this way. Ryan can learn the play book, he scramble, and he can throw a 5 yard pass to Tony G. What he cant do is through a 20+ yard pass to anybody and a coach is not going to change that. Ryan needs strenght and conditioning. Tony G should give Ryan a few pointers in the weigt room on how to build that weak arm.
Falcons "There's Always Next Year"
January 23rd, 2011
6:26 pm
“Jeff Jagodzinski”
if they get him maybe he can give Mike some tips “I know you run the offense but you can better utilize Matty if you have him do this instead” or “Matt works best in this situation”
PlanB
January 23rd, 2011
7:18 pm
Ron C Mex – there are problems on off & def. Def improved but Off didn’t. Surely you see the play calling lacks something. It could be MM, but it may be MR isn’t good at disguising screens & has other similar problems. Could be MS controls MM play calls. Don’t know but we’re not 100%. Some games, too much run…run… 3rd & 8. Off is pretty good but is capable of being much better. Too many of us see that.
ole timer ( donald )
January 26th, 2011
10:34 am
what’s wrong with Dan Reeve’s as QBC?
Anthony
January 26th, 2011
6:09 pm
John Ramsdell should be on the list for QB coach.