Q&A: Mike Smith not happy with execution
Falcons wide receiver Roddy White (84) can't hang onto a fourth quarter pass from quarterback Matt Ryan. AP
TAMPA – Falcons coach Mike Smith is clearly not pleased with how his team is performing and clearly knows that he has problems along the offensive line.
OPENING STATEMENT: I felt like that we fought our tails off to get back into the game. We didn’t play very well. We didn’t do a whole lot of good things in the first three quarters and at the end of the day we just dug ourselves [into] too big of a hole and we weren’t able to execute the things that we need to execute there at the end of the ball game to give us a chance. We’ve got to do a better job in all three phases of the game if we want to have an opportunity to win ball games. We can’t turn the ball over like we did and have the turnovers in the red zone. Those are crucial and we’ve got to continue to work on protecting our quarterback, especially there in the first half. [Matt Ryan] got hit way too many times, and two of those turnovers were a direct result of our quarterback getting hit. And with that I’ll open it up with questions.
ON THE OFFSIDES PENALTY ON THE FOURTH-AND-ONE: You guys saw it on tape. They were not going to snap the football. It was going to be a freeze play. They were going to use a hard count. We talked about it on the sidelines. We did not execute as an entire defense, […] one person in that play did not determine the outcome of the game. There were lots of plays in this ball game today in which we didn’t get our job done.
ON WHAT HE’S SEING IN HIS TEAM: We’re making way too many mistakes in terms of penalties and we’re not hitting on all cylinders right now. That’s something that we’ve got to get fixed and it’s […] something that we’ve been working on since the beginning of the season and we will continue to work on it. Those are a bunch of proud men in there. We didn’t get the outcome that we wanted today, but we are going to work at it. It’s a long season. We’ve got a loss on the road to a divisional opponent. That’s what happened.
ON BEING DOWN BY 10 IN EACH GAME THIS SEASON: We have not started fast. We have not gotten out of the chute like we would like. Every coach in this league talks about starting fast. It’s one of the things that you have to do and we have not done that up to this point. The guys continue to fight hard. They have resolve, but we’ve got to make sure that we come out of the game hitting on all cylinders and I’ll [take] my hat off to the Tampa Bay Bucs. Today they were the better team.”
ON HIS LINE: Of course when you get your starting center that had played 144 consecutive games, getting him back is big for us. Again, we’ve got a lot of areas to address. You saw the ball game and you know that there are certain things that we’re not doing as efficiently and as effectively as we need to. That’s the bottom line.
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123 comments Add your comment
CGD..
September 25th, 2011
10:43 pm
1st again..
Mularky and Coach Clean shot, Greyhound is ready when you are…
13-3 was a fluke when the birds got dismantle by Greenbay..
Well guess what? Greenbay is better than last year.In two weeks expect a slaughter too occur..
Greenbay 56, Fal-cons 16
Its going to be a disaster………………
CGD..
September 25th, 2011
10:52 pm
That OL is brutal…
Hey Coach Clean Shot, you know your guys don’t play that well on the road…
That’s why next week is not a lock win……Yawn
Lose next and the playoff’s are all but out of reach. A must win for sure….
AMBIDEXTROUS
September 25th, 2011
10:53 pm
ORLO,, SEING IS USUALLY SPELLED SEEING. BUT WHO CARES?
DUNTA ROBINSON GETS CALLED OUT ON RADIO EVERY OTHER PLAY. ” DUNTA REACTED LATE TO THE BALL AND THEN MISSED THE TACKLE “. I KNOW HE’S NOT A GOOD TACKLER DESPITE HIS PHYSICAL REP. ANOTHER MISTAKE NOT TO HAVE FOUND SOMEONE TO MOVE INTO HIS SLOT REAL QUICK. HE’S A TARGET DEFENDER AND HE WAS AWFUL LAST YEAR. GUESS YOU CAN’T IMPROVE AT EVERY POSITION IN ONE YEAR. I’D HANG THAT ONE ON THE GENERAL MANAGER ALSO. IT’S PERSONNEL.
Greg
September 25th, 2011
10:57 pm
cane we say good buy to mularkey now????
Falcon in DC
September 25th, 2011
11:02 pm
Wow!!!!
Giving up one touchdown and a couple of field goals is a “deep hole”?
The offense is abhorrent!!!
DC Falcon
September 25th, 2011
11:07 pm
@Mike Smith not happy with execution…No kidding.. How about this? Not happy with play selection. Not happy with game plan. Not happy with coaching preparation. 5p’s rule..Prior Planning Prevents P##s Poor Performance.
DC Falcon
September 25th, 2011
11:11 pm
Run a slant play, Run a wide screen play..pass on first down..hell just put all your plays in a computer and let it pick random plays, it would be better than the play calling from the sidelines right now. Damn man, I am half drunk in bar with no NFL experince and I won 10 bucks calling betting on what play is gonna be called. If I can do it, you can damn well bet that every Def Coordinator in the NFL can. Good god our play selection is unbelievable.
DC Falcon
September 25th, 2011
11:13 pm
New Headline: Fans Not happy with Coaching Performance.
DC Falcon
September 25th, 2011
11:15 pm
By the way, DOL, thanks for the work on the blog, my post actually make on to the blog now..At least something worked today.
Curly
September 25th, 2011
11:16 pm
Very Very Flat today…………………..No excuse for Turner to only get 20 yards…………..They are doing something completely different from previous years in getting him a bit of daylight to run. And why is this great recieveing unit not scoring like promised?? They look timid out there. .:)
Curly
September 25th, 2011
11:17 pm
Flat line Falcons is their new name
CGD..
September 25th, 2011
11:18 pm
Terrible loss for the Birds indeed!! Huge Loss.. SuperBowl is out of the question right Peter you must have lost your marbles King? lol
P B Orr
September 25th, 2011
11:22 pm
When I saw the brutal opening schedule with 3/4 on the road an a road trip from Florida to Washington, a game on grass and one against the Eagles, I said to myself, self, I’ll be happy to come out of that 2-2 and start racking up home victories again. We suck on grass, we struggle on the road, but we’re invincible in the dome. That’s 8 wins right there. We go 500 on the road, were 12-4. Catch a few breaks, maybe better. People need to relax.
J.J.M.
September 25th, 2011
11:27 pm
Hes saying the same thing over and over
DR. FALCON
September 25th, 2011
11:32 pm
YEAH, NO SH#@T! FANS ARE NOT PLEASED WITH THE EXECUTION EITHER! ESPECIALLY ON THE O-LINE! MAYBE, WE MADE A MISTAKE BY LETTING HARVEY DAHL GO! BETTER YET, MAYBE WE MADE A MISTAKE BY TRADING BACK INTO THE 1ST RD, TO SELECT SAM BAKER IN 2008!!! M. TURNER ,ONLY 11 CARRIES? EVEN WITH ALL THAT, WE STILL HAD A CHANCE! RODDY, MAKE THOSE CATCHES!!!
FRANCO42
September 25th, 2011
11:41 pm
gee it’s a great thing the failcons braintrust gave up all those picks for julio when they clearly needed to improve in several areas. the next coaching regime is gonna be working with their hands tied behind their back not having the draft picks to rebuild after the birds continue to implode this season. WD-GS!
Michael M.
September 25th, 2011
11:52 pm
I don’t think anyone is happy with anything the Team is doing anymore.
That was unacceptable today !
E
September 25th, 2011
11:57 pm
The team looks bad regardless of what they do and it has been going on since the first preseason game and it will continue. Very overrated team that needs a all around running back with speed and not two fullback pretending to be backs. A defense that also terrible regardless of what they do (e.g., tackling, covering, blitzing, tuffness, etc). Everything that team do is UGLY as if they do not practice as a pro football team.
KenK
September 25th, 2011
11:58 pm
Baker again had a bad game. They need put this guy on the bench/trade/cut and get someone that at least looks like they are trying to block someone. Baker has to be the Worse OT in the NFL..
Loserville USA
September 26th, 2011
12:24 am
We are in DEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP trouble
slobberknocker
September 26th, 2011
12:24 am
Nothing wrong with the Falcons that new coaches and players can’t fix.
J-Lo
September 26th, 2011
1:00 am
We need no-huddle as often as possible. Seems like we used it a bit more this game, and it made both our offense and defense better. The guys at ESPN keep on questioning why Mike M. doesn’t allow it more. He seems to be taking a bit of their advice, but he needs to take more. I can’t remember a single time we ran no-huddle and did not move the ball significantly. When Ryan was asked about going permanently to no-huddle, his response was “No no no no, Mike M. makes some good play calls.” But I don’t think he really believes that. It’s obvious to everyone, when MM makes the calls, we struggle, and always have against elite teams. But when Ryan makes the calls at the line, we’re gold. MIKE MULARKEY NEEDS TO ALLOW MORE NO-HUDDLE!!!!! SHEESH!!!!
J-Lo
September 26th, 2011
1:01 am
why are my MM no-huddle comments being sensored?
J-Lo
September 26th, 2011
1:02 am
It’s painfully obvious MM. No-huddle helps both the offense and the defense. GET IT THROUGH YOUR THICK SKULL!!!!!!!!! WE NEVER MOVE THE BALL AGAINST ELITE TEAMS UNLESS WE’RE IN NO-HUDDLE!!!!!!!!!
44counter
September 26th, 2011
1:10 am
It’s amazing how so-called fans of the games react after three games of a sixteen game schedule. Based on this logic, I guess the Lions will play the Bills in the SB. I hope non of you people are in supervisor and critical thinking position
Supes
September 26th, 2011
1:13 am
wow coach Smith must have been reading Fredi’s post game usual game cliches…what’s with the daym HAT TIPPING business???
Enough “hat tipping” from our pro teams, get mad, work like hell and give it your best effort next time out!
CuseFalcon
September 26th, 2011
1:18 am
Forget this one…..lets get out to Seattle and get a win. We have to find a way to come out of the first 8 games 4 and 4 or better. I think you will see the Falcons work out a few punters this week…Bosher is awful….
mark
September 26th, 2011
2:32 am
we are awfull all around man just way too many mistakes! the int in the 2 qtr the false start the drop pass by roddy white its seem just too way wierd maybe was the betting on favor or the falcons way too many bets on falcons
John J.
September 26th, 2011
6:40 am
Hindsight: Take the points. Should have kicked the field goal rather than going for it on 4th and too long, especially the way the offense was going. Result, tie game. OT. Why wasn’t Smith asked about that?
Rowdy Yates
September 26th, 2011
7:01 am
Explosive!
rich
September 26th, 2011
7:25 am
Smith is already in Fredi G. mode…..’take my hat off to the Bucs’
MT Seats
September 26th, 2011
7:26 am
What a powerhouse! Those waterboys are something.
Michael M.
September 26th, 2011
7:35 am
Its the same song out of Coach Smith, only a different key ! I look for another loss next week against Seattle and then a lop-sided Home Loss against The Pac.
I am starting to be as bad as the Trolls !
I say Stop paying da Bums and ship em outta here ! This is just not acceptable !
Oh yeah, the stats look good on different individuals after this Tampa Loss but it is what it is ! ! !
Just another loss and one step closer to the foot in the grave with no chance of coming back to make a run at anything except the back door !
They lose 3 or 4 more games then a run to the playoffs is outta reach too ! A 10-6 might slip em in there as wildcard but I doubt it. I think my wife said it best because a female can and does see things different than us men do.
She said, well, they going to get paid regardless of whether they win another game or not and as long as they know that, its just like Joe Blow going to work everyday
DC
September 26th, 2011
8:05 am
ehhh…i would blame the players before the coach…offensive line is horrible…thats not coaching..thats “they aren’t really that good”..
Michael M.
September 26th, 2011
8:18 am
I may have to sign up with the ‘ who Dat’ Nation if this Falcons team keeps doing this………………………………….omg, did I say that ?
Peter
September 26th, 2011
8:26 am
Roddy White has to catch that wide open pass at the 3 yard line, then all are saying maybe ……wow we got a scare but hung in there.
coleski
September 26th, 2011
8:33 am
ANOTHER YEAR OF EXCUSES!!!! EXCUSES!!!!!!!!EXCUSES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
SCFalcon
September 26th, 2011
8:40 am
Again, why is Baker still starting? Mularkey is garbage!
SeenThisB4
September 26th, 2011
8:46 am
Ray Edwards has really, really panned out, just as predicted,….., by me. He, he, he, he, he.
AXETRIP
September 26th, 2011
8:54 am
Its going to be a loooong season, like I always say – Maybe next year -
ddawgdavis
September 26th, 2011
8:56 am
I do not fault the coaches, as much as, the personnel on the field. Roddy, you have been to how may Pro Bowls and now you are starting to have TO hands? O-Line, can we replace Sam Baker now? Us fans will totally forgive you for that nightmare if you just replace now instead of having Ryan killed.
Bright spot: Julio is going to be as good as advertised. Can’t wait to see him do what he did yesterday on turf.
Bottom line is we have to fix that offensive line, today. There are some good players out there who are looking for a paycheck. Not sure if any are LT, but at least look.
Tell it like it is
September 26th, 2011
8:58 am
Excuse’es Excuse’es—-hey the packers exposed us last season in the NFC title game in the dome.Ever since then its been down hill for the Falcons.this team has not changed that much,pretty much the same,excelp for jones.we went down to tampa to play an imspired football team ready to play.thier coach had them ready,even he said on tv on the post game show,we hate the dirty birds.if the falcons would have put forth any kind of effort,they still could have one the game,they just did not match tampa in intensity! and coaching takes the blame there.
Sick & Tired Of Being Sick & Tired
September 26th, 2011
8:59 am
Mike Mularkey’s play calling and the O-Line are going to get Matt Ryan seriously hurt. The offense doesn’t have any rhythm until Matt is permitted to call his own plays. How much more obvious does it need to be before the head coach fixes the problem of Mularkey. 4th and 1 and you try to throw the ball, whereas 3rd and 7 and you try to run???????? DUH????????
Mularkey and Sam Baker both need to go….and real soon!!!!!
ctfalconsfan
September 26th, 2011
9:07 am
Just terrible!!!
Defense again played a decent Bend don’t Break but our offense turns the ball over 3x and gives up 4 sacks?!?!?
I continue to call for Mularkey’s head he needed to be fired last year..
AlanFalcon
September 26th, 2011
9:10 am
WE DON’T NEED ANYMORE TALK, WE NEED EXECUTION, DEDICATION AND A NEW OC AND DC THAT WILL TAKE RESPONSIBILITY.
Tell it like it is
September 26th, 2011
9:14 am
There’s some weird stuff going on in the NFL right now,and the Falcons are right smike in the middle of it.When you have Detroit and Buffalo tearing up the league,you know something an’t right!
Ivan
September 26th, 2011
9:22 am
Does Atlanta have any Football 101 classes for the 90% of posters on this blog to attend?
Tony Graziani
September 26th, 2011
9:27 am
Do we have tryouts for punter/PK today? What FAs are available?
Michael M.
September 26th, 2011
9:31 am
Coach Clean Shot says we will get this fixed !
yeah right, dah Bum !
lmao
Pool guy
September 26th, 2011
9:41 am
Too many weapons . Too much money spent , for this kind of production. If Smitty cant see what the fans are tired of seeing we are in for a long season. Mularkey needs to go . There are OCs that would love to have an opportunity to execute this offense.
jerry
September 26th, 2011
9:45 am
It is a good thing the Falcons think they are good. Nobody else does.
SCFalcon
September 26th, 2011
9:59 am
Orlando, is Leonard Davis still a free agent? And is it too late to bring in Jeff Jagodzinski as OC?
fan
September 26th, 2011
9:59 am
Ryan makes better play calls than Mularkey. Fire the kicker. *I can kick more than 20 yards. No rookies on the line. We were fine last year.
Golden Girl
September 26th, 2011
10:13 am
Well, I feel for Matt Ryan. He’s got to be one tuff cookie seeing as how he’s spent most of the season thus far squashed on the ground.
2 > 7
September 26th, 2011
10:14 am
Throw out the last play when Peters jumped off side, and the defense really play pretty well. There are 3 things this team needs to address before they can be great.
1. O-line. Seriously, they are terrible. You wonder why we can’t run the ball? O-line. Not Turner. O-line. Matt’s struggles? O-line.
2. Mularkey. Could this guy’s play calling be any more predictable? First down- run up the middle for 2 yards. Second down- run off tackle for loss of 1. Third down- predictable pass play with poor protection (if complete, return to step 1, if incomplete, punt). The Falcons need to take a page from the Colts and have Matt call every play from scrimmage.
3. Bosher. This guy is almost as awful as the O-line. I agree you shouldn’t pay a ton for specialists, but if this was the best alternative to Keonen, perhaps we need to reevaluate this theory. Replace him. There has got to be someone better and there couldn’t be anyone worse.
Mr. Mustard
September 26th, 2011
10:36 am
We respect to Mr. Rich McKay Sr.
Falcons offensive execution? I am in favor of it.
These guys are playing scared, and the offensive line is poor.
Open up the freaking offense, we have some great receivers. Go to the 4 man set.
Oh Brother!
September 26th, 2011
10:46 am
This goes back to the 4 losses in preseason…this team got used to losing. Ask the Braves…they can tell you how that works!
Gamer
September 26th, 2011
11:27 am
WHERE IS MY COMMENT?
Greg Moundine
September 26th, 2011
11:31 am
Atlanta Falcons you all need to read all these comments, there are some great motivational comments out here!!
By the way, who is going to “Man up” and call an all players only meeting!
In the military we have leadership. Definition: the process of influencing others to accomplish the mission by providing purpose, direction, and motivation. Someone need to bring the team together.
Greg Moundine
September 26th, 2011
11:33 am
Also, word of wisdom to our kicker, field position is important. For two weeks in a row, you have not “put your foot into it.”
ctfalconsfan
September 26th, 2011
11:36 am
It’s 11:35 and I’m still waiting on press conference for Mularkey’s firing..
So will our over/under number at SEA be 12 points???
ctfalconsfan
September 26th, 2011
11:41 am
Can’t let TD off the hook either!!!!
- TRADED UP for Sam ‘Bust’ Baker
- Signed Dunate ‘ 0 picks’ Robinson to a huge contract
- Signed Ray Edwards as the next coming of LT but we could have kep Andersson with these type of numbers
- drafts a terrible punter/kicker that has no business in the NFL but yet continues to boom 34 yard punts for us..
ctfalconsfan
September 26th, 2011
11:43 am
Greg Moundine
September 26th, 2011
11:31 am
Atlanta Falcons you all need to read all these comments, there are some great motivational comments out here!!
By the way, who is going to “Man up” and call an all players only meeting!
In the military we have leadership. Definition: the process of influencing others to accomplish the mission by providing purpose, direction, and motivation. Someone need to bring the team together.
————————————-
Agree with this military approach, maybe a blanket party for Peters, Bousch, Baker and Mularkey toss Robinson in there too..
Dawggy Style
September 26th, 2011
11:48 am
Can’t believe you guys are ragging on Bosher so bad when we have much more serious problems on both lines and still (always) in the secondary. Heck, I bet Bosher leads the KO coverage team in tackles for gosh sakes!! Sad to say but the hardest hit put on a Buc defender rushing from Baker’s side was delivered by Rodgers near the end of the game. Lots to fix and it needs to start soon!
ACCOUNTABILITY @ THE TOP
September 26th, 2011
12:00 pm
Dear Mr. Blank, I am very grateful that you have purchased this team from the Smith family. Since you have become Owner, The Atlanta Falcons have become a respectable team. However, it is very incumbent upon you to continue with the same fervor that you had intially upon purchase. This Organization must reflect you philosophy of hard work consistently. Please do not let your General Manager become complacent with the thinking that the job is done. Please communicate to the people with whom you have delegated authority to that this is very much a performance based job in which the Bottom Line determines longevity within the Organization. I encourage you to begin a search for another Defensive Coordinator and Offensive Coordinator, Offensive Line Coach and Defensive Line Coach. I am a diehard fan of The Atlanta Falcons…and I want THE BEST for the entire Organization….and you may want to consider a New Head Coach, like Brian Billick or Bill Bellicheck…proven coaches who know how to build a team.
Greg Moundine
September 26th, 2011
12:12 pm
@ctfalconsfan..Now that is funny!
MGD
September 26th, 2011
12:14 pm
John J. Absolutely right. Smith should have gone for a field goal on 4th and long at the end of 3th. Any middle school coach, or a player saw our offense struggling. Bad mistake – could have costed us the game. Just wandering – does Smith know what he’s doing? Same mistake 2 games in a row. How much is he making per year for making these kind of mistakes? How many coaches does Arthur pay? Look at the results: Punt returner lets the ball roll back, punter makes a “huge” 18 yarder twice in a row, poor QB protection, poor offensive strategy, bad coaches’ decision, owner pacing the sideline, etc. Still the same excuses: ” We did not… we have to…” What ’s the news???
BigWally1
September 26th, 2011
12:30 pm
Can someone answer a question for me? How can we be so good with 90% of the team that we have last year and lose 2 games already..Sounds like the same old Falcon curse. The curse is ( WE DON’T GIVE A D_____) plain and simple. It has been going on for years and years. All I can say is, it is going to be a looooooonnnng season.
Falcons > Everyone
September 26th, 2011
12:40 pm
No real worries except our O-line could get Ryan hurt if they don’t protect him. TB didn’t pla that much better than we did, they got the stops and conversions that we didn’t get. We’re only 1-2 and we got Seattle next week. Guaranteed Falcons win right there. It’s way too early for you fairweather Falcons fans to abandon ship. The real ones like me know what this team is capable of.
JESRSEYDIRTYBIRD
September 26th, 2011
12:47 pm
You know what I am sick and tired of is the same old bandwagon Atlanta fans, I have been a falcon fan for 30 yrs and have seen alot of bad teams, yes dont get me wrong everything is not right at this moment the o-line needs some help protecting Ryan but you guys are just killing the team after only 3 games with no real off season, they lost 2 tough road games and beat the so called “Dream Team” at home, I think they will get it right becasue the work ethic is there starting from Mike Smith on down.
ctfalconsfan
September 26th, 2011
1:01 pm
To Falcons>Everyone and Jerseydirtybird, I don’t think the criticisms of the Falcons are from bandwagon fans..
Yes it’s only been 3 games but if you watch how this team is just nor performing it’ a major concern for everyone. We are LUCKY to be 1-2 we could be 0-3..
- The OL is bad, plain and simple. There is no sugar coating that!
- Mularkey consistantly calls poor games. Again that’s a fact even from last season. 2 road games and 1 TD ARE U KIDDING ME!!!! (Patriots have had 11 or 12 straight games where they have scored 30 or more points.) Our offense has more weapons than NE so why are we struggling to score 30 points in 2 road games?
We need to completely BLOW OUT Seattle and get back on course.
Gianni Phipps
September 26th, 2011
1:19 pm
Personally, i think we are all over reacting about the Falcons and yes there are issues to be concerned about, but at least give them to week 8 to make your predictions. One thing I know for sure is our coaching staff will not hesitate to make changes if changes are need to be made. What the Falcons are lacking, in my opinion is strong leadership ability out of their team. Someone on the team has to have that Tom Brady… Ray Lewis type of leadership if you can understand where I’m getting at. And that there can NOT be coached. There is nothing wrong with our play calling I must say, the offense has to execute better and right now its our offensive line who aren’t playing well. I can assure you that Sam Baker’s job is on the line, because I remember last season he was struggling and the coach’s were going to bench him then, but the good thing for him he improved. Also Garrett Reynolds might be losing his job as well, but that’s if the coach’s believe Mike Johnson our back up is ready. I know we are anxious to see the explosive plays but if the o- line isn’t protecting Ryan or opening any running lanes for Turner, then how will we be explosive… But I will say this I have to agree with one of you on here, the Falcons should had kept Harvey Dahl instead of singing Ray Edwards in free agency. I’m not saying that Ray wasn’t a good addition, but keeping continuity on our offensive line was very important, but that was the gamble they chose and we have to live with that. Our o-line will play better, we have to just be patient and let our coach’s do their jobs and the Falcons need to get back to do what they do best… RUN THE FOOTBALL.
Now our defense will improved too. We must remember guys that it wasn’t any mini camps or OTA’s so from my understanding from what I have read is that all NFL teams will have some issues in coverage do to the lockout and that’s why you seeing Tom Brady putting up 500 yards of passing. So basically the defense hasn’t caught up yet to the offense. Our defense is fine, heck even The Steelers, Jets, and Green Bay are all struggling in the secondary but we say they defense looks good this season. I will say this though, Dunta Robinson is not the weakest link on defense… its our pass coverage of our linebackers and the lack of any push up the middle from our d-line. Now that has to improved and you can question some of our defensive calls but and the end we still have to execute. Dunta is more of a press man corner and didn’t play alot of off man-zone coverages in his career until he got to Atlanta. So basically allow Dunta to get more comfortable in our system and I assure you Dunta is not the weakest link, heck check him out in Houston on you tube and you will see that he has great cover skills. In my opinion, the Falcon’s need to play a little bit more man and press man coverages and I do questioned Brian Van Gorder’s play calling, but like I have been telling yous guys no matter what… players have to EXECUTE.
Falcon Red
September 26th, 2011
1:25 pm
If it weren’t for that pesky players union I wouldn’t pay these guys unless they win. They obviously don’t play 100%!
fan
September 26th, 2011
1:46 pm
Here’s an abridged version that will get some attention:
Dear Mr. Blank,
You sure won’t be getting a new stadium with the way things are going now.
If that doesn’t get things done, nothing will.
Keith
September 26th, 2011
2:06 pm
WOW, yes they are bad right now, but you people are jumping ship like ants leaving a kicked hill come on folks we’re not that bad, yes the O line is ….. not the same as last year, why I can’t figure out either but I’m not jumping off my team, they will get it together just hope it’s soon, rememeber Green bay was one TD away from not making the playoffs last year so shut the hell up and back your team!!
Ellabell 1
September 26th, 2011
2:08 pm
We deserved to lose. If our “high powered offense” can’t score more than 13 points, we will lose the rest of our games. We need an offensive coordinater that has a little imagination. I was just about able to call every play. If I can do it, I just imagine every team can do it too.
wolfbait67
September 26th, 2011
2:12 pm
DC FAN: evidently, the coaching staff thought it would look better to get beat by three than six……WHY on Gods green earth did they not go for it on fourth down ,,,,,either way they would still been behind if they did not make it….they say “no guts, no glory”…………….evidently the coaching staff has no GUTS…very poor choice their at the end…the coaches ought to run til their tongues hang out and “(that’s what I’m talkin’ ’bout)…..defense offside with game on line,,,,definitely not good although they probably would have made a first down anyway, they had already made two……falcon fan since the beginning and I feel sorry for RYAN,,…U can only take so much pounding…had to be sore this AM with the way the lin let him down….selah
Downed Bird
September 26th, 2011
2:48 pm
Bye bye Mularkey
Falcon'sTalon
September 26th, 2011
3:06 pm
This team will not be able to win a road game this year. Having said that, there’s no way they will go undefeated at home, so I’m going to go out on a limb and say that we will finish 7-9 this year.
Scott Case
September 26th, 2011
3:14 pm
What good is a “weapon” if your QB is scared? Matt Ryan has a limp arm, and falls down when pressure is near. I’m tired of hearing all about his ‘toughness’ just because he gets up. TOUGH QBs don’t panic when they feel pressure, or slip down to the ground, moaning in fetal position like a scared little sissy playing against some older boys. He is merely a dinky-dunk kind of QB who is pretty much incapable of commecting on a deep pass – so all the talk about ’stretching the field’ with these ‘weapons’ means absolutely zilch as long as out scrawny QB is scared in the pocket. He never waits, he just immediately checks down. “3rd and 8? Gosy Golly coach, I’ll check down to the RB for a 3 yard route after 1.2 seconds in the pocket. I mean, I might get hit if I stand here long enough for the play to develop down field!”
He’s a sissy, and he doesn’t have the arm or the balls to lead us to the promised land.
MUFFIN
September 26th, 2011
3:22 pm
Scott Case was a sissy when she played.
Scott Case
September 26th, 2011
3:22 pm
At least I could tackle.. and I had a badass moustache as well.
Z-man
September 26th, 2011
3:23 pm
Not going to watch this offense all year. We have weapons, lets open it up for god sakes!! Mularkey is the worst. Somebody needs to tell that guy something. Also, Matt Ryan needs to practice throwing a better deep ball. If he hits Julio in stride he scores
MUFFIN
September 26th, 2011
3:33 pm
Loyal Falcon
September 26th, 2011
3:35 pm
We will be ok once we shore up that OL. Roddy won’t miss more of those. We need to learn how to get up for those road games. We have too many weapons for us not to use them. We are just too predicatable. Some things have to change quickly and I think they will. Hang in there falcon fans.
Mike Kenn
September 26th, 2011
4:40 pm
I am still can out play Sam Baker at left tackle. Give me a call! Sam Baker is the worst draft pick that has be maded by TG. Second is Bosher. 18 yd punt against eagles and 19 yd punt against Bucs!Bosher did kick one kick off in the end zone, That was a smart move to let Buc’s sign Michael. I know better tackles and punters that have been cut by other teams , walking the street, than Baker and Bosher. Strong leg, the scout that told that needs to be fired.
Mike Kenn
September 26th, 2011
4:46 pm
Joe Hawley at 100 per cent is better than McClure at 80 per cent. Hawley did make the snaps back to Ryan.
The way falcon line is going Matty Ice will be on IR. Never finish the year.
R.Morris out coached Smith in Buc game.
MUFFIN
September 26th, 2011
5:06 pm
Wade D.
September 26th, 2011
5:10 pm
Execution of the O-line and Mike Mularkey. I’m all for it…
Bluto
September 26th, 2011
5:39 pm
Reading the responses it looks like maybe 5% are real falcon fans while the rest are just bandwagon / Trolls. Or it very well could only be 3 to 7 people making all of the idiot post under different names. Either way none of them were watching the garbage that was the Atlanta Falcons in the 80’s and 90’s. The rest of us know a season is 16 games not 3.
Bluto
September 26th, 2011
5:41 pm
I would love for us to have a 7-9 season like that idiot Scott Case said so all of the “rats” would jump ship to never be seen again. I would enjoy even more watching then drown.
Milt Olsen
September 26th, 2011
5:49 pm
Quit bashing the OC and DC, they did not fumble the football or jump offsides. Haven’t you all been told not to do somethng and then you went ahead and did it anyway. Stop bitching about the two losses, three games is not the season. The Falcons will beat Seattle this week, it is guaranteed. How many of you so called fans have written to the Falcons or the HC and asked that the OC and DC be fired. I can answer that because none of you did. What a bunch of wimps.
DEE-ROME
September 26th, 2011
7:09 pm
its sad that we have so many fairweather fans that after 3 games everyone is throwing in the towel,stop flexing to be a FALCON fan…….find you another team(ITSALLABOUTTHEMDIRTYBIRDS)
dogoneit
September 26th, 2011
7:39 pm
I predicted the Falcons would be 2-3 in their first five games. I will be right. but we will make the playoffs!!!
hiramsaint
September 26th, 2011
7:52 pm
oh kenneth , where art thou ?
O. Canada
September 26th, 2011
8:36 pm
I don’t know if the Lions will finish 8-8, 11-5, 14-2 but there’s a take-no-prisoners, no-fear attitude that when added to their talent, makes them B-E-L-I-E-V-E they will win.
Mike Kenn
September 26th, 2011
8:59 pm
Bluto, u sure wasn’t watching the falcons in the 80’s, they went too playoff two out of three years under L. Bennett. Lose to eagles, and cowboys. They did have offense tackles name Mike Kenn and right tackle Bryant. Both were first round daft picks. Mike Kenn play for about fifteen years. It starts with line before you can run or pass.
Michael M.
September 26th, 2011
9:09 pm
Absolutely Agree, until they get that working like a Unit, nothing else is going to work and that line opens holes which the running back makes most of his yards. They dont have no William Andrews out there or Jamal Anderson that can make their own holes up through there .
Right now, Matt isnt getting a chance to hardly set-up to throw they are on him so quick.
Black Dog
September 26th, 2011
9:24 pm
Smitty needs to do imitate Parcells…..anyone who punts it 18 yards like at the Philly game should be cut MONDAY morning….a message needs to be sent….next is you know who on the O-line…..before we visit Matt Ryan at Piedmont Hospital….that line is a disaster….”oh Harvey, we miss you..”
Michael M.
September 26th, 2011
9:32 pm
Phillies out in front of Braves 3-2
Curly
September 26th, 2011
11:23 pm
We can take Seatle. Just keep Ryan from have massive bone fractures. Ryan better come out firing cause his line “ain’t up to snuff” as we say in Valdosta
Nevascared
September 27th, 2011
8:30 am
I love the fact that we have adversity right now. This is going to make us a stronger team. I don’t want it to be easy for us this year. I want us to go through right now so that we can be strong in the playoffs and make it to the Superbowl. Take the Giants for istant they struggled in the begining of the year win they won the Superbowl. The Packers had their struggles last year and they made it to the Superbowl and The Falcons are having their struggles right now. Introducing the 2011 Super Bowl Champs The ATLANTA FALCONS!!!!!!!!!!
lombardi
September 27th, 2011
8:57 am
“Mike Smith not happy with execution” I’m more than happy with the execution of the whole team. When can we do it?
Jay Cool 4daBirds
September 27th, 2011
9:52 am
I’m not in panic mode, but I do want to see us hit on all cylinders before we play GB. The defense is playing much better and Julio looks beast. Turner will run for atleast 1500 yds this season and Gonzalez will score 10-15 TD’s. After game five is completed, we would have played the toughest part of our schedule.
Curly
September 27th, 2011
10:15 am
Ryan needs to have orthopedic surgeons and nurses set up on the sidelines to keep him primed and ready to lead this team. Line ain’t protecting their bread and butter
Ivan
September 27th, 2011
11:32 am
Baker has to be the problem. It’s only thing I can think of that seems to make any sense. We lose one lineman in the off season. No way one guy was stopping all the pressure going after the QB. It stands to reason the other teams must have figured out that all you need to do is rush Baker’s side, and you win.
There’s only a few ways to get around this weakness. If I don’t see more shotgun formations to mitigate the rush against Seattle(cuz we know we won’t see any screens), then I’ll jump on the Mularky Must Go bandwagon.
Casey
September 27th, 2011
12:11 pm
Why don’t they cut the punter and sign a new one? There has to be somebody out there that couldn’t do any worse.
saintbim
September 27th, 2011
3:23 pm
?
Not a Falcon fan
September 27th, 2011
5:05 pm
Why is everyone upset with the play of the Falcons? It’s the same old Falcons. Just a different year.
mark
September 27th, 2011
5:07 pm
maybe we need to switch to a 3-4 defense man blitz all over the place
mark
September 27th, 2011
5:10 pm
Jay Cool 4daBirds
After game five is completed, we would have played the toughest part of our schedule
this guy is right man after week 5 its a whole new season lest hope the o line find his groove
mark
September 27th, 2011
5:11 pm
and what is wrong with the punter that has to bee the worst draft pick in 34 years i would do it better its very odd when a punter avg its 36 yrds! has to go
Old Dawg
September 27th, 2011
5:13 pm
It’s the uniforms, plan and simple. They totally stink. Better uniforms, better performance!
Just kidding, but I totally HATE Atlanta’s uniforms!! In the words of Terry Bradshaw – they’re butt-ugly!
saintbim
September 27th, 2011
5:40 pm
uh mark; need to check your schedule again.
Realfalconfan
September 27th, 2011
7:43 pm
here is the answer???? eye of the tiger and we dont have it
Dr M
September 28th, 2011
2:54 am
FIRE MULARKEY NOW DAMMIT!!!!!! PLEASE!!!! COACHING MUST CHANGE!!!!! WHY THE HELL DO YOU GO DEEP TO JULIO JONES AT THE “END” OF THE GAME MAN???? WHY WAIT??? THIS COACHING LED BY SMITH IS TOO WEAK AND PUNK BITC#Y!!!!!! MAN I WISH I WAS THE COACH. I WOULD HAVE A DEEP PASS ON EVERY FIRST POSSESION!!! IM TRYING TO WIN MAN, NOT BE HERE ALL DAY WITH THE SAME OLE BULLSH#T!!! YA GOTTA KICK AS# MAN!!!
R Brown
September 28th, 2011
6:10 am
I’ve said it here before; the Falcons are an 8-8 team. I hope I’m wrong but I doubt it.
Every week so far the Falcons have helped to elevate every opposing Defense to the vaunted “Steel Curtain” lore. All sensible fans know each of the 3 teams we’ve played, none even come close to such heady comparisons. But the Falcons make dreams possible for other teams. Ryan couldn’t get away from his grandmother in the pocket and that’s a problem. His arm appears so weak that when the pocket collapses, he can’t even get the ball back to his dumpoff man at the line of scrimmage. ( that’s at best 10 yards people!!!) A weak arm with zero elusiveness leads to disaster. Come on folks, it’d be great if Ryan was the man but he isn’t. And by the way, we don’t have Kevin Kolb or Schaub or Daunte Culpepper coming off the bench in the event Ryan goes down. WE’VE got Redmond. Atlanta needs a better backup QB to shore up the position and to push Ryan to be better. No reason to hunkerdown Ryan when you know you won’t be replaced. The defense is capable but pressure on the opposing QB is relatively non-existent. After going out and getting rush help, we still can’t seem to get to the QB. And don’t let me get started on the KO and Punt man. Heck he made a great tackle in Tampa, the Falcons should put him on defense and go get someone who can punt 40+ yards consistently. So what, Roddy dropped a couple tough passes. When was the last time we had that to talk about. Heck, the man’s been clutch for the past 3 years. But Ryan on the other hand, every week there’s significant criticism of our QB after each game. Dimitroff’s not a genius, Turner’s not the burner anymore, Bosher’s not an NFL kicker and Ryan’s not the answer. Arthur Blank however is as good an owner as a city could want. He’s spending his money to get the best (so the genius says) and so far the team is just stealing from him.
I’ve said it here before; the Falcons are an 8-8 team. I hope I’m wrong but I doubt it
MUFFIN
September 28th, 2011
8:49 am
MAKE EM CUT THE DAM N DREADLOCKS AND LOOK LIKE PLAYERS…
.
September 28th, 2011
8:50 am
.
tolberto
September 28th, 2011
9:56 am
CGD. your not too bright are ya???
Master Reynolds
September 28th, 2011
10:47 am
Amen @ Pool Guy. If smitty can’t see what we the fans see with the play calling then he needs to go as well. I hate to admit this, but I really would have liked to see what Petrino and that coaching staff he put together would have done. He may have been a jerk, but that was a pretty good staff he had. Zimmerman from Dallas, Hugh Jackson from the bengals. Many people don’t realize that was the reason roddy started being such a premier receiver. Hugh Jackson was one of the best receivers coach in the league and would have done just as good at offensive cor. A whole lot better than this mularchy bum
james hand
September 28th, 2011
11:21 am
Turner is not running hard, he just tipping in the hole.
Falcons have 1st down and goal and can not run the ball in for a TD. We got to be able to run the ball first if we going to be a good football team. I hope the o line get better. [go falcons]
james hand
September 28th, 2011
11:23 am
first down and goal on the 5 yard line