Q&A: Coach Mike Smith sifts through the rubble
New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees passes during the second quarter. AP
NEW ORLEANS — Falcons coach Mike Smith was caught off guard by his team’s woeful performance against the Saints.
“I didn’t see that coming,” Smith said.
Here’s what he had to say after the Saints routed the Falcons 45-16 on Monday night.
OPENING STATEMENT: We obviously are disappointed in the way that we played i the ball game tonight. We didn’t play well enough in any phase of the game to give ourselves a chance to win. We didn’t make enough plays. There were some opportunities early on and then it kind of got out of hand there at the end.
ON WHERE IT WENT SIDEWAYS: We were 0 for 3 in the red zone. We didn’t score touchdowns when we got down there. We really had a tough time in the first half stopping them on third down. They were 8 for 8 on third downs and we had some very favorable down and distances. Third-and-8, third-and-10, third-and-12, third-and-13 and we weren’t able to get them off the field. That was really the thing that happened there in the first half. I thought the special teams played well through the first 30 minutes. Then in the second half they gave up the real long kickoff return to Sproles. . . That’s kind of where it got out of hand and got out of whack. We had way too many penalties. The penalties were very lopsided in terms of penalties committed against our team. Some of them happened in the red zone and knocked up behind the sticks and early in the ball game as well.
ON TRYING TO RALLY IN THE SECOND HALF LIKE THEY DID AGAINST CAROLINA: No doubt about it. We knew we had to come out and play one play at a time. We went out there and got an interception on that first series defensively, but the offense had a three and out. Then the next drive I believe they went down and scored on an 80-yard drive. They had way too many long drives where they were moving the ball in chunks.
ON THE PASS DEFENSE: We had some opportunities to get them on the ground twice there in the first half and he was able to get out. If you don’t get the pressure and affect Drew, he’s going to make the throws. That’s what they did today. Unfortunately, we did not play very well today. I know that our guys are disappointed in the way that we performed.
ON IF THE SAINTS RAN UP THE SCORE AT THE END: Drew Brees has had an outstanding season in terms of the number of yards that he’s thrown for. My hat is off to Drew. That’s a longtime record here in the NFL. He accomplished that tonight against us.
ON THE STATE OF THE DEFENSE: I hope it’s an aberration in terms of the way that we’ve been playing defense. We had some opportunities there in the first half where the ball was thrown. We had opportunities to intercept it and we didn’t intercept it and they were able to continue and keep their drives alive. It happened twice in the first half. We were not on top of our game in any phase in terms of our football team in my mind. We just weren’t playing very consistently. It was just not the type of effort that you want to have when so much is on the line in terms of what the outcome could have meant to our football team.
ON HOW HE FELT COMING INTO THE GAME: I felt like we have a very good week of preparation. I though the guys handled Christmas Day and Christmas break that we had built into our schedule. I didn’t see this coming. We didn’t play Atlanta Falcons football and the scoreboard indicates that.
ON WHY THEY DIDN’T RUN MORE NO-HUDDLE: I think we ran a little bit more than that (six plays). Early in the game we moved the ball down the field. In the third drive, we jumped into our no huddle. We moved the ball down the field, but we weren’t able to put it in the end zone. Then in the second half we ran some of our no huddle out of our 21 personnel package. We were running it not out of our 3-wide set. We were running it out of two-back, one-tight end set.
ON REGROUPING: It’s just like any other week. We have to make corrections. We have to evaluate the film. Believe it or not, there’s going to be some positives that you’re going to be able to take out of this game.
ON THE TEAM BEING TOO HAPPY ABOUT BEING IN THE PLAYOFFS: There was a lot to play for in this ball game in terms of seeding in the post-season tournament. Believe me, our internal goals are much higher than just making the playoffs and being a participant in the playoff field. We knew what was at stake tonight. We knew that we didn’t have complete control, but we had an opportunity if we would have taken care of business there would have been a potential to move up in the seedings. . . we are disappointed. But no, I don’t think it had anything to do with us becoming a member of the playoff picture and securing a spot. We were fighting our tails off before the ball game to try to enhance and get our seeding a little bit higher.
FOLLOWUP ON IF THE SAINTS RAN UP THE SCORE TO GET BREES THE RECORD: Again, guys I’m not going to comment on that in terms of running up the score. It’s our job to go out there and stop them. I doesn’t matter if they are running the ball or throwing the ball. The job of our defense is to go out and stop them. Again, my hat is off to Drew Brees. It’s a record that’s been long-standing. He’s had a great season.
–D. Orlando Ledbetter, The Atlanta Falcons beat blog
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682 comments Add your comment
ijonathan
December 27th, 2011
3:21 pm
Not many things more amusing than a couple of anonymous morons on a sports blog giving each other a virtual high-five. Keep it up chums, it is quite entertaining.
CGD..
December 27th, 2011
3:22 pm
Wasnt IJ Rosenburg a radio personality?
Once Recent Reader
December 27th, 2011
3:23 pm
tmc . . .you gotta remember too that the Falcons got two scores to come back late in the last game. I know this is a different game, but D was a little better in the 3rd . . . .and the FG he took then made it a 2 TD game (15 points). Again, I would have liked them to try and get TD, but I understand where Smith was coming from. It is definitely conservative, but what if by some act of nature they did come back and lost by 1, 2, or 3 points because they did not go for a FG. Aaaaah . .I know. . it’s all hypothetical hogwash:)
Sideline official
December 27th, 2011
3:23 pm
Should have told the Falcons owner to get off his wallet, what more can we say ?
tmc
December 27th, 2011
3:23 pm
Once Recent Reader-
it is excuses. it is a numbers decision.
BUT, in that game last night and in the 2nd half down 15 or 22…
EVERYONE in the building and watching on tv knew a field goal meant nothing.
by kicking, Smitty was giving in. Instead of saying to his team “play to win”.
You agreed with them kicking the FG’s in the 2nd half?
If not, than stop with the comments to me about it.
Numbers mean sh#t when your trailing against NO, GB or NE’s offenses.
U_Gotta_B_Kiddin_Me
December 27th, 2011
3:23 pm
I cant believe the Falcons Fans and some players are complaining about running up the score..R U KIDDING ME? On National TV the Saints just flat out whooped the Falcons….IMO I thinks its one of the better rivalries in the NFL….I know it hurts to lose on National TV like you guys did…but the fact of the matter is…everyone on both team gets paid alot of money to play…If you guys want someone to blame..Please blame your coaching staff and players for not getting them ready to play and making plays to stop the Saints…..As far as the comments about the city of New Orleans some of you guys have to be kidding me….Everyone knows that Bourbon St smells like urine certain times of the night….but for some of you guys to say the things that have been said about New Orleans is plain out disrespectful….I mean have you all seen Atlanta Lately??? We can call Atlanta…the gAy.T.L….I was at the game in Atlanta and I mean..it was like I was at a G.L.A.D convention…so for some of you that dont like the Saints because we are rivals thats one thing…..but to trash our city…the last true American City with History and Culture from Europe….I think you need to do some research……..I hope to see the Falcons again in 2 weeks………..I always enjoy the game between the Saints and Falcons….so on this last note….what does a toilet bowl have the Falcons dont?…….A Ring……
Once Recent Reader
December 27th, 2011
3:26 pm
tmc . . .do you think I’m ridiculing your comments on going for FGs? Not my intention. Just saying there was a logic to it that’s all. Damn, I’d like TDs as much as the rest of us. But what’s the track record this year on going for it on 4th down in these tougher games.
CGD..
December 27th, 2011
3:26 pm
“What year did IJ Rosenburg win Georgia Sportswriter of the year?”
Hmmmmmm….
Buffy
December 27th, 2011
3:26 pm
“Sticking with a (to me) obviously washed up Turner”………………..really IJ? His 36 inch thighs are machines. Mr. stat boy….what is the Falcons winning percentage when the OLine does their JOB and Michael rushes for 100 yards or more……………………..tic toc……………….tic toc……..tic toc………..yes, you are correct 100%. As noted by the pregame crew at ESPN. It’s not Turner IJ, it’s the O line not doing their job. You’re telling me you have not seen Turner pull extra yards out of every legitimate hole presented this season? Come on man…stick to baseball. I think a post career, “What Ever Happened To John Rocker” expose on John Rocker would be right up your expertise alley.
Backfield Judge
December 27th, 2011
3:26 pm
@ sideline official———–I bet those falcons got more lumps than a sack of coal today ! So funny !
Pete
December 27th, 2011
3:30 pm
Yada, yada, yada. It all gets so d.amn old.
Lince Vombardo
December 27th, 2011
3:30 pm
The Falcons are the same as other Atlanta pro sports teams -a joke–and bad one at that. Carolina, Tampa Bay, Jacksonville, Minnesota, Indianapolis, Tennessee cmon the beat the lowest of the low in the NFL and Falcon fans are crowing Super Bowl !!!!! Atlanta fans are oblivious to the obvious
Buffy
December 27th, 2011
3:30 pm
Touche CGD…………….tic toc…tic toc……….NEVER. He turned in his notepad in 1998 to go to Bear Sterans to invest all of that Braves cash the players had parked in their checking accounts……….guess that didn’t work out IJ, now did it. So it’s back to sports blogging with Master IJ stockbroker.
tmc
December 27th, 2011
3:30 pm
facts:
1st FG: 3rd qtr cut an 18 point lead to 15.
2nd FG: 4th qtr cut an 18 point lead to 15.
= No chance.
Look it was a slim chance to begin with the way the defense was playing.
But to kick a FG in those instances… was giving up.
I didn’t like it at all.
Bob
December 27th, 2011
3:31 pm
I think the Falcons are like UGA this season…not great, but a favorable schedule. Who have they upset? To whom have they lost when they were favored? They can be really good if they’ll outsource their draft to someone who knows something about defense.
Mike Franklin
December 27th, 2011
3:31 pm
I just don’t see either MM or BvG making into next season with the Falcons. I think this last game defines the limitations of both of these guys. Also, while Mike Smith is indeed a class act and a good coach, he may have reached the extent of his abilities as well. He’s taken this team to the playoffs but it always seems to stop there. The Falcs need to take the next step… and it is now questionable whether Coach Smith is the man to lead the Birds into that step and then beyond.
ijonathan
December 27th, 2011
3:31 pm
Buffy, go ahead and take a poll about whether Turner is still the “Burner” and takes advantage of what is available, like he used to. Oh, and the Falcons are 4-1 when Turner runs for 100 yds this year, not “100%”. And if he’s only done it 5 times in 15 games, it starts to become a meaningless stat.
ijonathan
December 27th, 2011
3:33 pm
Buffy
December 27th, 2011
3:26 pm
“Sticking with a (to me) obviously washed up Turner”………………..really IJ? His 36 inch thighs are machines.
=====
Sounds to me like you need some alone time to fantasize about those 36 inch things…growl.
CGD..
December 27th, 2011
3:34 pm
“Buffy
December 27th, 2011
3:30 pm
Touche CGD…………….tic toc…tic toc……….NEVER. He turned in his notepad in 1998 to go to Bear Sterans to invest all of that Braves cash the players had parked in their checking accounts……….guess that didn’t work out IJ, now did it. So it’s back to sports blogging with Master IJ stockbroker.”
Dayum!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ijonathan
December 27th, 2011
3:34 pm
^thighs
Backfield Judge
December 27th, 2011
3:34 pm
Mr. Blank get his wallet in gear we will take the Falcons to the Promise land , I assure you of it !
Grenlaw
December 27th, 2011
3:34 pm
Once again I hear the ‘Smith Must Go’ talk and definitely feel that their need to be changes w/ both the OC and DC. But can anyone give me a legitimate candidate to replace him that isn’t already with another team or in a better situation ???
GradyBaby...
December 27th, 2011
3:35 pm
Fellow Dirty Bird fans…This is my first post after reading your comments the past few years and being in total agreement with the vast majority certainly. I wanted to speak up here after having our City embarrased again Worldwide last night (MNF is Global)…
The past 4 decades have been painful to the true Fans for sure, but, our beloved teams always took it to the Saints atleast win or lose (mostly won it before this SOFT regime strolled in)
The fact is our current Falcons have some talent where it counts but have NO heart, professional pride, leadership, effective schemes, nor most of all accountability to the City of Atlanta! The other NFL teams most of you consider elite are polar opposite in every aforementioned catagory than todays Falcons especailly being accountable to thier Fans FIRST.
The Atlanta fans need to Rise-Up and demand more from the team by allowing our actions to say “enough with this”. Money along with your voices is power and this team has not earned our hard earned dollars in my humble view! Would you pay an employee that is good 50% of the time and barely earns their statistical bonus year over year just to take more from your pot to feather thier own nest at home while saying to hell with the Company… Likely not, so why then should we pay for mediocrity from our beloved Franchise when the Leaders clearly failing regardless of barely making positive stats (ask the players their true thoughts when you see them out in our City). We have one of the most orginized Fan bases I have seen in the NFL (CNN is in our own house). We should demand CHANGE NOW on every Radio Station, TV, Billboard, Sponsorship across the City and at the Dome(Boycott and/or Black it out until they CHANGE) OR suffer quietly the next 10 years and allow the next generation to Stand-Up for the City of Atlanta… It’s up to us to make a statement like the “so called” elites fans do every year. We should BOOOOO Smith and his staff off the field everytime you see them and see what happens from there… A. Blank loves Money make no mistake about it…Pride for the city first will be an after thought until we Stand-Up collectively and take back our team(look back at the sAints Rise and see where it actually started)
Remember we were here before any of this SOFT regime strolled into our City for thier 15 mins. of Falcon fame, looking only to go elsewhere and Win whatever it takes;and we will be here when their are ALL gone to start over with the broken pieces AGAIN! Some will say that we are not grateful and look at the other losers in the NFL, but, 45 Years is enough time with nothing to show for it (Goose Eggs 0 for 45 and counting in SBs is all that matters in the NFL) plus GB would never compare themselves to the Cleveland Browns or any other team in the bottom 60%, why should we proud Atlanta fans do so and be thankful for the crumbs from Blanks table. IN MY VIEW A. BLANK NEEDS TO IMPLEMENT SOLUTIONS NOW WHATEVER IT TAKES LIKE ANY OTHER BUSINESS HE HAS RUN…OR MOVE ON TO HIS NEXT PROJECT…
WIN OR GO HOME STARTS WITH THE FANS STANDING-UP A MAKING OUR IMPRESSION FELT EVERYDAY…
GradyBaby…
CGD..
December 27th, 2011
3:35 pm
@JSS did you get all this????^^^^^ Wow!.
Buffy
December 27th, 2011
3:36 pm
Rosenberg had a fast start in journalism. As a student at the University of Alabama, he persuaded then-head coach Ray Perkins to let him join the Crimson Tide football team as a running back. He wrote a column about his experiences and parlayed the “Paper Tider” series into a sports writing job with the Atlanta newspaper. AKA George Plimpton.
Rosenberg covered Georgia Tech for a couple of years and won the Braves beat just after the team began dominating the National League. For the past two years, he has been the paper’s national baseball writer, working on the side for Sports Illustrated and in local TV and radio.
Rosenberg’s lack of direct experience made him an unusual hire.
“We typically hire people who are already established in the ind …
Sideline official
December 27th, 2011
3:36 pm
Better be more than GreenBay is offering right now !
DogTheMan
December 27th, 2011
3:38 pm
Beofe last night’s game we had not beatena team with serious playoff credentials. It showed. When New Orleans but pressure on the Falcons, they did not respnd in a positive way. I am concerned about the play calling nad the way the defense can cover my to man. I also have concerns that even though we are throwing down field, we do not put the fear of God in any opposing defenses. We will ever be a 8-8 or 10-6 team that may or may not make the playoffs and them make no noise. I am not saying get rid of Matt Ryan or Mike Smith, but it may be time to change our approach and open up the offense and defense..
CGD..
December 27th, 2011
3:39 pm
@JSS are you getting this?^^^^ Wow!
Buffy
December 27th, 2011
3:39 pm
No need for jealosy IJ, those twigs that fit nicely in your 32 X 32 dockers will do fine at the annual bloggers picnic and softball game.
CGD..
December 27th, 2011
3:41 pm
Hey IJ Rosenberg, call me what you like, just don’t call me late for DINNER! LMAO!
ijonathan
December 27th, 2011
3:41 pm
Very cute how CGD is looking for affirmation from noted Blog Heavyweight Jerrell.
Forget the poll about Turner, I thnk Buffy you’d probably prefer a poll about which male athlete has the sexiest, manliest legs…you know, the ones that just ooze manly strenffff.
Backfield Judge
December 27th, 2011
3:41 pm
Its all about the money babyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy !
CGD..
December 27th, 2011
3:42 pm
Go Hawks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Noneya
December 27th, 2011
3:42 pm
We are discussing Falcons Football tonight at 9:00 PM EST. Call in
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/cpstylin/2011/12/28/falconsnfl-wrap-up-week-16
Sideline official
December 27th, 2011
3:43 pm
Show us the moneyyyyyyyyyyyyy, yeah dats right !
ijonathan
December 27th, 2011
3:43 pm
Hawks, really? What exactly about that franchise gets you more excited than the Falcons?
Buffy
December 27th, 2011
3:44 pm
He who smelt it delt it…as they say IJ. Would love to arrange a stock prtfolio review for you and Turner the Burner so you can tell him how he is washed up before you recommend he invest his money in Sears and Citgo.
Backfield Judge
December 27th, 2011
3:47 pm
I should have tossed the flag for Drew when he took the sack too, my mistake, oh well ! He did get up looking at me for it !
CGD..
December 27th, 2011
3:50 pm
Great question IJ? Well we all know that the Falcons season will be winding down very soon. So now its time for the over due basketball season to ramp up!!
Lets hope they can finally get to an ECF finals for the 1st time ever!
This team looks more talented than last year. The players appear to ready to get it going tonight against the New Jersey Nets!
T
Sideline official
December 27th, 2011
3:52 pm
Don’t worry Falclown Fairweather Fans, A deal is already in the works for your team to beat New Orleans in the playoffs ! We shall see to it if your Owner comes through on the deal !
ijonathan
December 27th, 2011
3:53 pm
whatever crap you throw at Matt Ryan, 10 times that amount of crap can be thrown at Joe Johnson.
FalconFan
December 27th, 2011
3:55 pm
CGD, Hate to tell you this and I hope you are smart enough to know that ANY NFL team would beat LSU, including the Rams and Colts. NFL and NCAA wouldn’t be competitive.
BIG JIM
December 27th, 2011
3:56 pm
I am a falcons fan love everything about them but people should keep this in mine there ain’t no such thing in running up the score there are something falcons fans are forgetting the falcons had 11 day to get ready for the saint but to blizted the guy only one time in a game is crazy if he is going to brake a passing record i would of blitzed him all night long he would of broke a record on his back falcons got to face it they are not a well coach football team they can’t cover man to man they don’t have a pass rush and they don’t run screen to slow down pressure on matty ice.
ijonathan
December 27th, 2011
3:56 pm
That’s right FalconFan…NFL teams are made up of real mens…you know, the ones that have those manly 36 inch thighs. Right Buffy?
Remy
December 27th, 2011
3:58 pm
Ben, you can’t possibly be serious. These two teams see each other twice a year. They already know each other very well. The fact is that the Saints went out there and played a much better game than the Falcons…PERIOD!
Bishop Eddie Longs Red Panties
December 27th, 2011
3:58 pm
PLAYOFFS!!! PLAYOFFS!!! Are you kidding me PLAYOFFS?
CGD..
December 27th, 2011
4:01 pm
Enter your comment..they will be tolerate! Even IJ ROSENBURGS….
CGD..
December 27th, 2011
4:02 pm
Joe’s got a better agent that’s for sure….lol
Buffy
December 27th, 2011
4:06 pm
Nope. Just 36 inch thighs that can run right over you IJ.
Tell us about your days in the weight room at Alabama pretending to be a part of the football team IJ?
Do you still like to play pretend? Like pretend to be a journalist? Or pretend to be a Bear Stearns broker?
Or do you call it make believe?
CGD..
December 27th, 2011
4:10 pm
Dr Phil what’s the word for grown men who like to pretend?