Falcons presser: Blank was ‘angry’ with season

Falcons owner Arthur Blank let the public know that he was 'angry' with how last season turned out. Curtis Compton, ccompton@ajc.com

Falcons owner Arthur Blank let the public know that he was 'angry' with how last season turned out. Curtis Compton, ccompton@ajc.com

Falcons owner Arthur Blank admitted that he was “angry” after the team’s early exit from the playoffs in a press conference on Wednesday.

Blank, head coach Mike Smith and general manager Thomas Dimitroff spoke to the local media in the aftermath of a season that saw their Super Bowl hopes come crashing down in the wild-card round of the playoffs.

Before the presser, the team had already lost defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder to a “family decision” to return to the college ranks and around the same time, offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey was being introduced as the new head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Here are some of the other highlights from the press conference that lasted a little over an hour.

– The team stated that it wanted to support transparency, but that it would conduct its search for new coordinators in private.

– The team has 17 free agents and consider eight of them to be core players. However, all of them may not return because of financial considerations.

– Blank stated that the team is playing for “rings” and “championships.” He said, “We’re not about being in the playoffs. . . this organization is about greatness.”

– The team wants to add some tough, mean and physical players.

– Smith said that his offensive MVP was quarterback Matt Ryan. His defensive MVP was linebacker Sean Weatherspoon. He also had kind words for punter Matt Bosher and return man/coverage guy Eric Weems.

– He stated that Weatherspoon received some attention during the league-wide Pro Bowl voting.

– Running back Michael Turner’s touches will likely be cut down moving forward.

– Blank spoke about the “intellectual honesty” of Smith and Dimitroff. “They’ll be honest in their evaluations,” Blank said.

– Blank promised that the analysis of the team will be thorough. “We need to be careful that we don’t throw the baby out with the bath water,” Blank said.

–D. Orlando Ledbetter, The Atlanta Falcons beat blog

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515 comments Add your comment

lanier

January 11th, 2012
1:42 pm

like the rough tough players part the rest is fluff

Thomas Dimitroff can take a hike

January 11th, 2012
1:48 pm

Arthur Blank should have thought about fiery, tough, mean, physical players BEFORE the season!!!

But I guess he was counting on lil’ Tommy Dimitroff to, you know, be the GM.

Is anyone going to call out Dimitroff for Ray Edwards, Dunta, Sam Baker, etc ???

If Blank thinks he’s angry, he should hang out with the fans!

goodgod

January 11th, 2012
1:48 pm

with matt ryan the mvp of the offense, i’ll won’t be watching any falcon games next season. been there and done that. so glad i’m not a season ticket holder. this team can’t beat good teams and certainly not an elite team. i predict next year they will go six wins and ten losses.

Big Dude

January 11th, 2012
1:49 pm

Blank is like me; I don’t like being around losers. I believe the Falcons are not going to settle for just any OC or DC. I’m sure much evaluation will go into who they consider. None of us want a repeat of the last four years, especially Blank, T.D. and Smith.

Ivan

January 11th, 2012
1:50 pm

“Is anyone going to call out Dimitroff for Ray Edwards, Dunta, Sam Baker, etc ???”

Please see the other op ed pieces. Thanks.

evan

January 11th, 2012
1:51 pm

Next Year NFC South:

1) Saints
2) Panthers
3) Bucs
4) Falcons

Big Dude

January 11th, 2012
1:55 pm

Hey, “take a hike”, T.D. signed good players. They were under-coached. I’m angry and frustrated like you, but the coaches and players were the ones on the field. The coaches and players were practicing and coming up with the game plans everyday. The owner of a company can hire you, but it is the formen or supervisors who see that you do your work.

SirReal

January 11th, 2012
1:56 pm

@Queensbridge Leave D.Led alone. Are you perfect?LOL Thought not.

Well its good to FINALLY see someone come out and say they were pissed about this season.
I agree with Spoon being the Defensive team MVP this year. On offense I dont think anyone really deserves it this year in my opinion.
Its about time Blank goes and gets some “big uglies” in here. He KNOWS this team is too nice and its time to get an edge back.
Glad to see Turner’s carries cut…maybe that means more exotic calls going forward from whoever the new OC is. (hopefully not but probably Bratkowski if MM doesnt pluck…which I hope he does.lol)
Just glad to see someone ESPECIALLY the owner say this was not good.
Thanks for the report D. Led!!!

Queensbridge

January 11th, 2012
1:56 pm

Did Blank say he doesn’t want to throw the baby out of bounds like most of Matty “Freeze in Playoffs” throws when he hears defensive footsteps?!

SirReal

January 11th, 2012
1:57 pm

@Queensbridge. LOL LOL now THAT was funny.

fred

January 11th, 2012
2:00 pm

don’t blame DOL..that may be what Blank said. Who the hell knows.

Blank please buy the damn Braves!!!!!!!

James

January 11th, 2012
2:00 pm

Enter your comments here

STRETCH

January 11th, 2012
2:02 pm

Wow, saying Matt Ryan is our “MVP” is like Wren saying Chipper Jones is our MVP or Sund saying Joe Johnson is our MVP.

I see the mentality in Atlanta is to settle for and hope for!

James

January 11th, 2012
2:02 pm

Enter your comments here

Get rid of the whole team, including the head coach!!!

Queensbridge

January 11th, 2012
2:02 pm

“Throw away baby: just hit a gatorade tub

Fan

January 11th, 2012
2:02 pm

We need players that wants too play tough, mean and physical players. We need winners on our team who wants too win at all cost. The OC & DC will have that type of attitude in Atlanta. Mr. Blank is tried of the losing in the first round mess. I think we will hire either Mel Tucker or Steve Spol and on OFFENSE BB who used too coach for Baltimore and the Viking. These guys have the same attitude that the players we will be bring in will have. It has been sad how Matt Ryan has been putting together his on Offense and putting it in a two-minute drill too win. Matt Ryan and his teammates have not had a OC since he has been in Atlanta. People keep saying MM built Matt and the fans know that is is LIE. Matt made MM looked good and Matt on Offense has been the reason for our success. Go get the tapes look back and you will see for yourself. This is why all year and the past few years in the PO we could not win. Matt has pure talent in his position but when playoff times comes he needs the OC. I feel that Mr. Blank is pissed off and so are the fans

collegeballfan

January 11th, 2012
2:02 pm

The Falcons need an OL that can block the opposition.

The Falcons need a pass rush.

The Falcons need a group of DB’s who can actually cover.

All of the above takes time.

Morn

January 11th, 2012
2:03 pm

Mularkey leaving is a positive step, Turners touches being trimmed is a good thing, the Falcons need a better Defense and need to cut down on the number of passes to White and teach Julio Jones how to warm up properly. They need good Wr’s, Rb’s, and lineman, Matt Ryan I believe can win but not with this crew surrounding him. Of course the team needs a new owner badly too.

hiramsaint

January 11th, 2012
2:05 pm

now thats a sad state of affairs when you have to settle on matty melt as your mvp. good thing is , it can’t get any worse than that

Ouch

January 11th, 2012
2:05 pm

Needs:

1) Offensive Lineman
2) Coach to teach Ryan to step up in the pocket and not to panic
3) Recievers who catch and then pickup additional yardage
4) Cornerbacks (get rid of Dunta whose a bust)
5) Defensive Ends who can create havoc
6) 3rd down back (I like Rogers but maybe too small?)
7) Coaches to get a little more aggressive on both sides of the ball (or head coach to get more aggressive)

8) Never ever ever give it to Ryan on fourth and short!

Nuff said and
Go Falcons!

bascogcjs

January 11th, 2012
2:06 pm

How in the heck could he have kind words for Matt Bosher?
he’s the worst kickoff man in the league and a pitiful punter.
Another wasted pick by the overrated Dimitroff,mastermind
of one of the worst trades in nfl history.(julio)

Whopper Dawg

January 11th, 2012
2:06 pm

Any football organization that even uses the word transparency has big problems. If Blank thinks that TD is going to lead him out of this wilderness, he is mistaken (I am being nice). Let’s list the quality players that TD has taken through the draft – Ryan, Lofton, Spoon and Peters. You can’t count Jones because he never will be worth the 5 picks used for him, and Peters is a rotational DT.

A GM has to do better than one quality player a year from the draft. Look at the Saints, Packers, Giants, etc. You will NEVER catch those franchises with TD plucking one quality players a year and then reaching several rounds for players no one has ever heard of.’

I continue to be stunned at the pass this guy gets.

Statick

January 11th, 2012
2:06 pm

“The team wants to add some tough, mean and physical players.”

Okay, so does that mean the end of the “Falcon Filter”?

IAW

January 11th, 2012
2:07 pm

STRETCH -Well said.

The Grinch

January 11th, 2012
2:08 pm

Morn, are you serious? A new owner? Were you here under the Smith(s) regime? Blank may not always make the best decisions, but he cares about the franchise and doesn’t mind spending money to make it successful. There are about 28 other teams out there that would love to have Blank over the owner they have.

@goodgod

January 11th, 2012
2:09 pm

with matt ryan the mvp of the offense, i’ll won’t be watching any falcon games next season. been there and done that. so glad i’m not a season ticket holder.

I’m so glad you’re not a STH either.

Supersize that order, mutt

January 11th, 2012
2:11 pm

It sounded like Arty got ‘angry’ with you for a moment there, DLED. What did you say to him? He said he was trying to answer your question, but he seemed pissed off. What did you ask him?

Dee

January 11th, 2012
2:12 pm

Morn, you’re a ******* idiot. Blank is the best owner the Falcons ever had. Take a time machine back during the days of the Smiths and then get back to me. On the other hand, since you love losing, don’t come back.

Morn

January 11th, 2012
2:14 pm

Dee, why don’t you go find that rock you slimed out from under. You aren’t very bright are you?

beone

January 11th, 2012
2:14 pm

Dled, Pls go to basic journalism class. If you can’t spell, you can’t write.

pretty good stats

January 11th, 2012
2:15 pm

Excellent….Now get down to business.
And that last cliche is appropriate for all you blogheads.
“We need to be careful that we don’t throw the baby out with the bath water”.
There are some great pieces on this unfinished jigsaw puzzle and we have to trust in Dimitroff’s and Smith’s abilities.

fla dawg

January 11th, 2012
2:16 pm

goodgod…what are you basing your 6-10 prediction on and Evan please tell me specifically what you are basing your projected last place finish on. are both of you looking at the 2012 schedule or were those just gut feelings?

Bartles & James

January 11th, 2012
2:17 pm

We thank you for your support!

Saint Hater

January 11th, 2012
2:19 pm

I think Blank will put out the cash to get the tallent we need. I don’t think Martz will work with this QB or OL, and I’m pretty sure Spagnulo is going to Philly. Sporano’s gong to the Jets. I don’t want to think about guys like Billick or anyone else coming out of the booth and back into the daily grind, because they’re not successful after the time off. I do think Raheem Morris is a great fit for DC, certainly better than Del Rio. Maybe there’s a diamond in the rough that will come out here. AB, TD – time to make the donuts!

Leave it to the professionals

January 11th, 2012
2:19 pm

It will be done in “private”…..and they don’t need anyone here’s opinion.

Owner's Responsibility

January 11th, 2012
2:20 pm

Arthur needs to stay in his luxury box and off the side-lines. He is down there patting them on the back telling them who good they and being their owner and friend. He needs to leave the sidelines to the players and coaches. If an owner is on the sidelines it should be that someone is going home and off the team or best yet to receive a trophy.

Leave it to the professionals

January 11th, 2012
2:20 pm

Got it, Get it, Good.

Leave it to the professionals

January 11th, 2012
2:23 pm

Don’t worry D-Led, CBS thinks they ask the “tough questions”, but they don’t either.

Gregory Moundine

January 11th, 2012
2:23 pm

“The team wants to add some tough, mean and physical players.” What I have been yelling all year on this forum. W must use these type of people to win Championships and Rings!

extremus

January 11th, 2012
2:24 pm

“Running back Michael Turner’s touches will likely be cut down moving forward.”

Unfortunately that’s FAR from enough; Turner is done as a featured-quality back and has been for some time. You need a running back who can eat up 100-plus yards on any given Sunday, not just sporadically or against weaker teams. Turner has usually left the Falcons in second or third-and-long situations this past year especially; he needs to go.

I’m also hoping that Mularkey goes, regardless of the outcome of the Jacksonville interview. You don’t be woefully inconsistent on offense all season and then get shut out in the playoffs with a pool of talent like this without heads rolling, period.

In other words, when I hear “sweeping changes” and “angry” I expect much MORE than the Braves have done this offseason after their own historic collapse from the Falcons. Fix the problems guys, and fast.

Gregory Moundine

January 11th, 2012
2:25 pm

“The team wants to add some tough, mean and physical players.”
Now I will renew my season tickets..the talk I like to hear!

Jay Dubu

January 11th, 2012
2:26 pm

Coaching has nothing do to with lineman being run over by the Giants defense like they were on Sunday.

The Falcons O-line was pushed around for most of the game.

On the 4th down plays with the failed QB sneaks, how can an offensive lineman, knowing the snap count, not get enough movement that the QB could gain a half yard?

BSD

January 11th, 2012
2:28 pm

“The team wants to add some tough, mean and physical players”, sounds like Harvey Dahl to me. Without Dahl this season, the OL looked terrible.

maybe....

January 11th, 2012
2:28 pm

Hope we can find a gem assistant that can bring a high octane offense like N.O. or GB here.
Maybe there is someone on their staff we could hire.

Tombo

January 11th, 2012
2:29 pm

Falcons needs:

1. DBs who a) can cover longer than 2 seconds; and b) are taller than a hobbit;
2. Cement blocks for Ryan’s happy feet so he’ll stop changing from Matty Ice to Patty Melt every time a DL gets in the same zip code.
3. DEs who a) aren’t so old they wear a life alert necklace; b) can play a whole season; c) can produce a consistent pass rush
4. a starting HB who a) might be able to catch a pass on occasion; b) doesn’t require a downhill ski slope sized hole in order to get up enough steam to break a tackle; c) who can outrun my grandma to the corner
5. a left tackle who a) can stay on the field; b) doesn’t get schooled by speed rushers, power rushers, lazy rushers and waterboys on every pass play
6. a starting WR who doesn’t get the dropsies every other year.
7. an OC with substantially more creativity than Mike Bobo…uh I mean Malarkey (honest mistake…their offensive schemes are eerily similar and boring)
8. a DC who recognizes the DBs can’t cover longer than 2 seconds so dials up pressure on a regular basis

Looks like we have an opportunity to fix 7 and 8…if the Falcons don’t something else stupid.

Wet Willie...keep on smiling

January 11th, 2012
2:29 pm

Big decisions for Mr. Blank. I don’t see how he could make it any worse. Atlanta was at the level it would be for years if no changes were made. A QB is a must but then again at least 25 teams need a real QB.

Email Profiling Is Wrong

January 11th, 2012
2:29 pm

Didn’t hear the press conference. Sounds like the typical Braves post mortems to me. Always give lip service to winning it all, while not recognizing the elephant in the room. With the Braves it was Bobby Cox. With the Falcons, the limitations of Matty Nice are being ignored.

To paraphrase Jerry Sienfield when presented with the sight of a supine George Costanza (with his pants around his ankles) on his apartment floor: “So you want us to finance your new stadium for this bunch? I don’t think so.”

Gregory Moundine

January 11th, 2012
2:29 pm

People have to understand. Our running game is not broken. We have to remember, we lost a Pro Bowl Fullback in Mughelli. He was a beast and cleared the holes for Turner. Also, just a little note, if Turner does not have a blocker, he must not be close to Ryan on handoff. This is why he tip-toe. Moving him farther back allows him to hit the hole harder. Also, someone needs to work with Turner on holding the ball with one hand. His first concern is the ball, then the hole. It should all come together as one. Go Falcons!

Derek

January 11th, 2012
2:30 pm

@Queensbridge Anybody who criticizes Matt Ryan’s abilities at the QB position need to learn how to properly evaluate a QB. The OL was ranked 6th in the league, anybody that watched a game knows that they are AWFUL. Matt saved to OL’s ass every game by throwing the ball out of bounds before getting an 8 yard loss. He had 0 pass protection and was constantly feeling pressure in the worst spot, right up the middle. A QB can not be effective when he as D linemen coming straight up the middle. They need to be pushed to either side so that Matty can step in to the pocket where he is comfortable and make a throw. He has the skills, he just needs a line.

Falcon Friend

January 11th, 2012
2:30 pm

The Falcons will take of business as they see fit. No help needed from the bloggers who know nothing about coaching or building a team. You people would be considered smart if you said nothing and just be fans.

state the obvious

January 11th, 2012
2:31 pm

Dubu, very true!

Ted M

January 11th, 2012
2:31 pm

The Falcons have only had 2 owners.

Gregory Moundine

January 11th, 2012
2:32 pm

I agree Tombo…we need great D. Backs. Ryan needs to work on quick releases, meaning WR must get open quick. Watch Brees, Rodgers, and Brady..but it starts with the line.

oldguy

January 11th, 2012
2:32 pm

Its amazing that after the giants game neither Smith or RYan looked or sounded the least bit upset.I would expect some fire or some passion after being embarrassed.Instead all we get is we are going to learn fromthe game and work harder.Give us all a break.

Techster

January 11th, 2012
2:32 pm

Can’t believe that Bosher actually pulled it together after his pathetic start to the season. But he did ! He was not the problem late in the season and the playoff game – there are too many of those that have already been identified.

extremus

January 11th, 2012
2:33 pm

I agree that Arthur Blank would better serve his team’s interests if he were less visible on the sidelines. Initially it was great to see a human owner out there being passionate about the team (and I’d have him in the dugout with the Braves in a cold minute as opposed to faceless and dispassionate Liberty Media), but by now I’ve begun to wonder if perhaps it’s creating additional pressure on or even distraction for our players; either certainly isn’t needed. At first I found Michael Koenen’s comments about how much “less pressure” there was in the Tampa Bay locker room offensive to come from a former Falcon, but there just may be something to this that Blank needs to consider.

Blank can still be visible to the public and still be passionate while staying off the sidelines. He just might find that he likes the view a bit more when he’s up in the luxury box and his team can feel loose enough to just PLAY.

JT from No Cal

January 11th, 2012
2:34 pm

Thank you, thank you, thank you for NOT introducing Del Rio as DC and Bratkowski as OC at the presser. WHEW!! We have many of the parts to compete for a championship (including Ryan, despite those who dismiss him and long for the past). MM and BVG were huge issues to not fulfilling our potential. TD needs to go ‘out of the box’ to get some innovative thinkers, and that will light the passion. I hope AB/TD light a fire under MS.

Falcons fan

January 11th, 2012
2:36 pm

What exactly do fans want Blank to do? Turn into Al Davis and micromanage the team into mediocrity? Have we forgotten what happened with Peerless Price?

Let Blank run his team like he ran Home Depot. He gives his subordinates the ability to succeed or fail based on their own abilities. If he doesn’t like the result he fires them and hires their replacement.

Die Hard Falcon

January 11th, 2012
2:36 pm

I would love to see Mike Nolan & Brian Billick. Problem is Miami is trying to keep Nolan and I doubt Billick comes out of the booth to be a coordinator.

I definitely agree w/ the MVP’s, although Lofton could easily be 1B

Derek

January 11th, 2012
2:37 pm

@extremus Good for Michael that there was “less pressure.” I’m sure that made him a happy guy. However, the Bucs went 4-12. Sounds like they needed more pressure to me. Somebody to light a fire under their butt. I like Blank on the sidelines. Everybody knows they need to step up. If they can’t handle the pressure of having Arthur on the sidelines, there is no way they can handle the pressure of the playoffs(quite obviously). We need more tough guys who aren’t afraid of the big moments.

good old joe

January 11th, 2012
2:42 pm

BOTH OFF-LINE AN DEF LINE NEED RE-TOOLING YOU WINN FOOTBALL GAMES IN THE TRENCHES !!!!!!

Ed

January 11th, 2012
2:43 pm

While Thomas Dimitroff has made some key picks that have panned out very well for the Falcons I greatly dislike the way he goes about picking offensive linemen and defensive backs. I also think that he could do a better job in the later rounds of the draft by finding the diamonds in the rough.

Falkor

January 11th, 2012
2:44 pm

Anyone who, like me, grew up in Atlanta and has watched the Falcons their entire life should NOT be calling to turn over the entire organization including the owner??

We have won 43 games in 4 seasons, all with winning records, and made the playoffs 3 of 4 years under Mike Smith, TD, Matt Ryan and obviously Arthur Blank. That is better than some previous decades for this Falcons organization! 3 playoff losses, especially 2 very ugly playoff losses in back to back season hurts like hell; no one in their right mind would state otherwise

I got news for you: only 1 team wins the Superbowl each season. To state that the Falcons should just blow it all up and start over is a Losing proposition, please tell me where that puts us? Square one maybe? The Browns are at Square one, think they would trade their situation for ours??

If you want some comfort for your wounds, I offer this:
Peyton Manning started 0-3 in the playoffs in his first 4 seasons, so is Matt Ryan…
In PM’s 3rd playoff loss he was ShutOut and lost 41-0 to the Jets, sounds familiar…
Peyton now has a Superbowl ring and another Superbowl appearance, several league MVP awards, and many argue is the best QB in league history.
I DO NOT think Matt Ryan will ever be as good as Peyton, but still, the 0-3 start in playoff games can easily be overcome!!

life goes on

January 11th, 2012
2:44 pm

It’s just football……..

All I'm Saying Is....

January 11th, 2012
2:45 pm

I’m glad Arthur says he’s angry (and his pending divorce is not going to cheer him up anytime soon). That’s what you want in an owner (and what the Braves lack). He’s going to have to chew on that ugly loss for a long time which is great cause that will keep him motivated.

Why is everyone seemingly in love with Brian Billick as a OC? Were you not paying attention when he was the HC at Baltimore? The only reason they made it to the Super Bowl and won was due to their defense. After Billick left Minnesota, his ‘offensive genius’ skills vaporized.

As someone else posted, we don’t need re-tread coaches for OC and DC like Billick or Martz or Singletary (for DC). Look at the top teams offensively and defensively in the NFL during the regular season and go raid them for your next OC and DC. Did anyone notice where Indy got their latest GM? They went to Philly and got their director of player personnel and whether you like their decisions, Philly was bold in its actions and assembled a team via the draft and free agency with a boatload of talent (while some have a thimble load of brains but that’s another story).

My point is go get us an OC from the staff of one of the top offensive teams in the NFL such as Packers, Saints, Patriots, etc. And do the same on the defensive side of the ball.

LET’S GO FALCONS!

PANIC FAN

January 11th, 2012
2:46 pm

I have watched all end of year forums and my take is that we have major advantage with 2 quality (arthur said great not just good)cordinators.We have talent on this team just think know one has any idea what the 2012 atlanta team wil look like. BLANK IS PISSED HE WANTS A CHAMPION.glad to see the top man step up state no player is safe,no part of said process will remain with out a fresh set of eyes on both sides of the ball with diffrent opinions about scheme and player talent.All will be done internally so we as fans can hope the correct choice is made yes time for major revamp at the branch

440 6-pack

January 11th, 2012
2:46 pm

You mean tough ,,mean guys ,,like oh ,,,Harvey Dahl ,,who you idiots let go of ,,, guys like that? I lstened and watched the presser and really saw as much defending of decisions in connection to job performance as anything from Smith and Dimitroff ,,which you would fully expect. They said a whole lot of nothing, because what can they say really…other than it was not acceptable and not where they want to be. Handed out kudos again to Ryan for his great numbers this season ,, but you know behind closed doors ,,TD MS and AB are having to admit that Ryan is not all they thought he was ,,and that they need to now focus on building the offense around his strengths and limitations b/c he will never be a downfield QB. I think there is just as much chance Ryan can be “salvaged” thru the right changes to coaching personnel and a sports shrink who can get all of the overcerebral sh!t out of his head and clean him out. He needs to be Control Alt Deleted or take a paperclip and find his reset button. They are starting over as far as I am concerned and that needs to happen after what we all witnessed.

Boston transplant

January 11th, 2012
2:46 pm

The Julio Jones trade was disastrous for two reasons. First, you should never draft a receiver in the first round. Never! Ever! If you doubt that check the Patriots, Steelers, Ravens’ drafts to see what they do and more importantly do not do. The second problem is that you have a GM that is not only willing to draft a receiver in the first round – a cardinal mistake – but they traded up to do it. That is doubly bad. I think you need to get rid of your GM if you want to achieve your goals with the Falcons.

I overheard a conservation between Arthur Blank and Smith and TD

January 11th, 2012
2:47 pm

I’m surprised Arthur Blank has kept his cool as long as he has. He’s used to running a corporation and getting results. No excuses. And if you don’t give that kind of man results…you’re history.

Wonder what he has said to Smith and TD when no one else was around? I’d venture to say it wasn’t pretty. (OK, so I wasn’t really there.)

And the Julio Jones thing…he may end up being really great but I think he’s set us back two years in the short run because of the draft picks he cost us.

Falconidiot

January 11th, 2012
2:48 pm

Nows a good time to ask coach Smth if he wants the DC position, he should be glad to have. The Falcons will be no better next year with him as coach or bringing any of his old buddies in. Sorry but everything that’s wrong with the Falcons is coach ( softy ) Smith. He never had the knowledge to be a head coach, since when did we start hiring managers instead of coaches. Fischer or Gruden are the best possible moves we can make and the OC of the Saints/Packers is the second. Keeping Smith is the worst.

juice sourcer

January 11th, 2012
2:48 pm

He can start with himself…he approved the Julio Jones deal….you never mortgage the future for a wide receiver…never…and that’s what they did…this team has peaked and will go back wards…mark my words. Carolina and New Orleans will finish ahead of them next year and the Falcons will not make the playoffs….bet the farm.

Tim

January 11th, 2012
2:48 pm

Talk is cheap. My season tickets are not.

Ex-Season Ticket Holder

January 11th, 2012
2:50 pm

If Matt Ryan was the MVP of the Offense, then the falcons offense is in fu@king trouble. Matt has no heart. Playing not to lose is not playing to WIN!

Sterling

January 11th, 2012
2:51 pm

U guys area bunch of idiots

MG

January 11th, 2012
2:52 pm

Comment: I agree with the previous poster…D Rob, Baker, and Big Play Ray Edwards are looking like busts ! If Tommy D thought that Ol would hold up this year he was nuts.
Prediction: Baring major injuries…If the Falcons do not make the playoffs and win at least a game or two next season…MIKE SMITH IS GONE !

Mediocre in Monroe

January 11th, 2012
2:52 pm

I loved the Braves when they won 14 straight divisional titles and I love my Falcons now.
Playoff wins are ok, but it takes a lot of luck and to get to a championship game.
I like knowing I can go down to the Dome and watch a good show on any given Sunday (assuming we aren’t playing a team with a marquis QB).
I like a good solid win over a second-class division “rival” on a perfect October afternoon under the flourescent lights of the Dome.
So what if we get humiliated in January? Do we not get drunk and have a generally ok time at all the other home games? I think we do.
As for me, I’m looking forward to seeing a lot of carries for Burner (2.8 yds/carry) Turner next year and a whole lot of six-yard out routes by Roddy White next year.
Bring out the Kool-Aid and let’s get this fiesta started!

My View

January 11th, 2012
2:52 pm

I think that Blank views the team with the same “eye” as us fans. When something’s not working with pro and college sports teams, it seems like the fan sentiment is usually saying the same things, but coaches usually see a diffrent picture. Blank has the fans perspective and feels that change was needed. JMO.

Lick Skillet

January 11th, 2012
2:53 pm

Thanks to all of the positive & constructive comments on here… All the rest of you FALCON HATERS Delta is ready when you are!!! Hugh Jackson for OC and Jack Del Rio for DC and that may solve the problem!!!

SealT2

January 11th, 2012
2:56 pm

The Falcons are Mr. Blanks’ team. If he wants to go down to the field at any time, he has that right. The majority of you bloggers are a bunch of “Cry Babies”. You want toughness, yet you bitch and moan when our players play tough football, stating they should be put out of the game i.e., Robinson. Common sense would suggest that if you send the “choir boys” that you want on the team into battle, they are going to be dominated by men. I’d rather have the intelligent, mean, and nasty to go into battle than somebody who is afraid to fight. Some of you want everbody from the front office down to the groundskeeper fired. How realistic is that – can you say CONTRACTS? Support the idea that changes are being made to attempt to make the Falcons better. We’ve wanted both coordinators gone, and we’ve gotten what we asked for. Now shut your negative faces up.

MG

January 11th, 2012
2:56 pm

Oh…add Peria Jerry to the list of busts as well. A first round draft pick and has that guy seen the field for two or more straight games since we drafted him ??

Old Timer

January 11th, 2012
2:56 pm

Get rid of these clowns and bring back somebody who knows how to be extreme.
I want to see Rankin Smith III in that owner’s box watching other NFL games during the game and I want to see Jerry Glanville down on the field asking players if they have any Vicodin.
Forget this 49-21 hogwash! Let’s do it right. Whadayasay, losers?!

bath-weather

January 11th, 2012
2:57 pm

Throw the baby out, not me!

Boston transplant

January 11th, 2012
2:57 pm

440 6 pack – not only Harvey Dahl but Michael Boley too

Rod Coleman

January 11th, 2012
2:57 pm

Am I a bust?

DeAngelo Hall

January 11th, 2012
2:58 pm

Miss me yet?

JJ

January 11th, 2012
2:59 pm

Better for team unity that coordinators were not fired. Much better for the team that
both of them are gone.

Falkor

January 11th, 2012
3:00 pm

What hurts more?

1. losing 3 playoff games in 4 seasons
2. losing 3 of the first 4 playoff games in franchise history, with the 4th appearance coming in our 26th season

I think I’ll take Arthur Blank over Rankin Smith, and the present Falcons regime over any that came before…

S2C

January 11th, 2012
3:00 pm

We NEED a NEW COACH, and a NEW QUARTERBACK!!!!!

Marco

January 11th, 2012
3:01 pm

I think the entire coaching staff should have been fired. Mike smith is a good regular season coach, but not on any other level. Seems like the plays were being called for Falcons to loose! Since when is Matt Ryan a running back? And to say Matt Ryan is the MVP is certainly incorrect. He could not get the ball to the #1 Tight end of all times. They stopped hitting Harry Douglas across the middle(which is always wide open) and the misuse of Rodgers is astounding. Now they are talking about Mike Turner carries being lessened(hint its because they know they will have to pay him). This team is the only NFL team that cannot catch a break even on their own home field when it comes to penalties. I call the Atlanta teams the scapegoat stepping stones for other teams to look good in the playoffs. If you pay for mediocre you will get mediocre results. There is not much wrong with the talent except for the defense side(secondary) Fire Daunta can’t tackle, Decoudnever tackle and horse shoe Owens. Falcons were the better team in the game, just did not have the better coach. Also do not forget the ESPN article which spoke of why the Giants should win. Its all about the politics and money market. And to the NFL Atlanta does not have that big fan base. Just look at how they cover Atlanta teams in the sports media. This whole sports entertainment is all about money and the entertainment comes second. Even the players are money driven. But no one player can control his money flow when he works for someone, who can manipulate his reward by knowing the contract details. That’s why the players will make millions but the owners will make billions. Players will sacrifice their whole life and body to make millions only for others like doctors, lawyers and other sharks to stiff the majority percentage. That’s why they will always be broke. Millions earned, nothing learned for players. Billions earned and not even a sweat burned for owners! Just another version of the wall street mentality! Now you know why Authur is upset, his money is being messed with and that is not a good thing for his business.

Lostboy

January 11th, 2012
3:02 pm

Giving Michael Turner fewer if ANY touches is a good thing. We don’t need a runner who stops at the line of scrimage to see if there is a big enough hole. We need a runner who pops through the line and can get around the end when needed.

Trade MOre Picks!

January 11th, 2012
3:02 pm

can blank get dimitroff to trade another bunch of picks (if they have any left for the next few years) for another receiver or DB??? That will elevate the ATL to the super bowl!!!

Chris

January 11th, 2012
3:04 pm

Blank is the one who needs to go, he has mismanaged the Falcons for how many years?

Kreskin predicts..

January 11th, 2012
3:04 pm

..that Blank will wait to find out that Smith is not the one and is in over his head ,, 1-2 more years (but very likely Smith will be gone after next seasons dismal performance) ,,Dimitroff will be retained and continue to blunder drafts and free agent picks for 1-2 additional years past that,,and eventually ,,after another failed season in 2013,,,,Blank will finally fire Dimitroff. The future is not bright with the Falcons — Blank said in the presser that anytime you let allegiance or loyalty not run in parallel to performance ,,you are lurking into the land of stupidity ,,well Arthur guess what ,, you have already arrived in that place. Dimitroff’s track record speaks for itself.

FalconFreak

January 11th, 2012
3:05 pm

– The team wants to add some tough, mean and physical players.>>>

Now we’re getting somewhere…LOL. Let’s get rid of the pussies and put some men out there. We want men so fearsome that the other teams’ players cry like girls when they see them…LOL At least we have something to look forward to with new coordinators and a hunt for some real men. Go get em Blank!

STI

January 11th, 2012
3:05 pm

Blank sounds like Jerry Jones.

Elmo

January 11th, 2012
3:05 pm

Elite QBs can overcome team deficiencies. Ryan can’t seem to do that. Maybe he’ll make a huge leap forward with a new OC, but I have my doubts. I think Ryan is more of a “keep us in the game” QB rather than a “take over the game” QB…good but never great. You can win some with that kind of QB, but you better have a stud defense to go with it if you expect to beat teams like Green Bay, New Orleans, New England with powerhouse offenses.

Oh wait, I just figured out why those teams are successful!!! They all have TWO first names unlike Atlanta so they’re twice as good. We just need to change the name to the South Atlanta Falcons to be successful!!!

Peter Griffin

January 11th, 2012
3:06 pm

The Falcons need me! Did you see me when Tom Brady asked me to play for the Patriots on their line? I was awesome!

PMC

January 11th, 2012
3:06 pm

“Don’t tell me about the pain, show me the BABY! Otherwise you may have to make a family decision.” – Arthur Blank

Army Strong

January 11th, 2012
3:08 pm

Put me on the coaching staff. I’ll show Matt Ryan how to properly throw a deep ball.

Queensbridge

January 11th, 2012
3:09 pm

@bath-weather…funny!
@Derek…Matty Freeze up is part of the problem whether you like it or not and you don’t have may supporters in yoru corner. Am I saying he is the only problem, no, but running out of the pocket unnecessarily because you saw a shadow doesn’t help his receivers. Everyone knows that once you hit Matty Freeze a couple of times he gets the proverbial happy feet. I don’t care how many TD’s he throws during the season, how many is he throwing in the playoffs. He needs to man-up. He has regressed from his rookie season, which I believe was his best season. Wait, he just threw another ball out of bounds cause he saw a DEs shadow. It hit the ball boy, and he caught it. You here that Roddy?!

crackbaby

January 11th, 2012
3:10 pm

Arthur Blank is in a tough position. He isn’t a football guy and has to depend on input from others to make decisions here. TD and Mike Smith have done an admirable job of rebuilding the franchise but have not paid enough attention to details that would provide success in the playoffs.

So Blank either has to trust Rich McKay, TD, Mike Smith, etc. or lay down the law on his own (not likely). The “tough, mean players” quote is alarming. Seriously? How about tough mean coaches who hold players accountable?

The Falcons are close to playoff success, much of the improvement needs to made in schemes, philosophy and play calling. More so than the actual talent.

Bobo is Not the Problem

January 11th, 2012
3:10 pm

If Matty Ryan is the MVP, it was a really bad season for the offense.

Stewie Griffin

January 11th, 2012
3:10 pm

Oh my, how these morons don’t remember how bad it was for how long. To think they don’t realize how things have turned around with King Arthur and his court.
I should send all these morons back in my time machine to those awful times.

Hamad Meander

January 11th, 2012
3:11 pm

I love that Arthur Blank doesn’t accept the product that the Falcons put on the field this past year, and I’m disappointed because I feel they underachieved, but only one team wins a Superbowl every year. Sometimes it’s not the best team. Where I think the Falcons failed this year was in play calling, offensive line play, too many dropped passes (RODDY!), and not enough aggression on both sides of the ball. I find little fault in the defense, as I think they played pretty well all year.

Offensive production and explosiveness is what wins Superbowls these days, and I think the trade for Julio has the right one. This team has a lot of young talent to draw from, now it is time to coach them better, and put a better quality product on the field next season.

alex

January 11th, 2012
3:11 pm

If ryan and “spoon” are your mvp’s,you’ve got a significant quality issue;kinda like the ceo that blank and his buddy” hand-picked” to lead HD upon their retirement..

Hugo

January 11th, 2012
3:11 pm

We need to be ready for the next few yare not going to years. Cam and Drew are not going to be slacking off. We have to be prepared on both sides of the ball.

Elmo

January 11th, 2012
3:12 pm

@lostboy – Amen brother. Tired of watching Turner tip toe to the line to get tackled. Guy needs a 10 yard head of steam to be able to break a tackle…and god forbid he have to run around the end rather than straight forward.

Stewie Griffin

January 11th, 2012
3:14 pm

Anyone want pass my head around and play catch?

Ga Losers Club

January 11th, 2012
3:14 pm

UGA will give you Crowell if you don’t call Grantham.

Dawg A

January 11th, 2012
3:14 pm

Blank is the worse owner in all sports! He is only concerned with raising our season ticket prices and putting himself in front of the camera on Sundays. I wouldn’t care if he sold them team today!

Mark

January 11th, 2012
3:15 pm

@ Queensbridge

January 11th, 2012
3:09 pm

I couldn’t agree with your message more! Matt’s best year thus far has was his rookie season. While you are right he is not the only reason for the Falcon’s demise so early in the playoffs; however, he played a big role. How many times this season has he over thrown his receivers? It seems like he has difficulty with any passes over 30-40 yards.

gbal

January 11th, 2012
3:15 pm

An NFL (or college) team can be successful with average backs and a good OL.

An NFL team can not be successful with below average OL and ***** backs.

UGA and ATL gotta focus on the OL.

Stewie Griffin

January 11th, 2012
3:16 pm

ooooooohhh, I just love the Falcons. My daddy should play for them.

Honky Talkin

January 11th, 2012
3:16 pm

Ironic how an offensive coordinator who’s team scored zero points against the Giants, lands a head coaching job.

TH

January 11th, 2012
3:17 pm

Please. Like you people have never made a grammatical error in your lives…

Rise Up

January 11th, 2012
3:17 pm

Glad Mularkey is leaving (finally!) But Smith has taken us as far as he can. Time to get a new EXPERIENCED HC that can INSPIRE and TEACH our players.

kybodawg

January 11th, 2012
3:18 pm

mike bobo for oc. with turner 3 runs up the middle should be cake.

Jay Dubu

January 11th, 2012
3:18 pm

I know Tommy D didn’t draft Jamaal Anderson, but that was a wasted 1st round pick also. Jamaal did have 3 sacks for the Colts this year, that’s a career high.

this is falcons blog

January 11th, 2012
3:18 pm

Trolls and haters have jumped on here

gbal

January 11th, 2012
3:19 pm

falcons and UGAs problems are a lot alike when you think about it. Conservative, predictable, apparently lacking on the OL….

Something in the water or a culture in the ATL area?

Go Bobo, no really GO

January 11th, 2012
3:19 pm

Maybe Blank will hire Bobo as OC…

artie

January 11th, 2012
3:20 pm

I removed the pathetic OC and DC, sat in the briefing center on camera and said our mea culpa’s, showed I was totally PO’d, publicly spanked Smitty & Tommy, and commited to build a better team.

Let the hype begin on that we are now a better football team.

Oh yea, be sure to renew your season tickets for 2012!

Thanks.

Artie

ManofWar

January 11th, 2012
3:20 pm

And this is the product you loyal fans are willing to sit out in an open air stadium to watch??? Will this organization pay for your healthcare bill?

gbal

January 11th, 2012
3:20 pm

Enter your comments here

this is falcons blog

January 11th, 2012
3:20 pm

Dubu, you have been most logical on here. Thanks
I don’t think Edwards was worth the salary…..we’ve needed bookends forever.

Tremaine

January 11th, 2012
3:20 pm

– Blank stated that the team is playing for “rings” and “championships.” He said, “We’re not about being in the playoffs. . . this organization is about greatness.”

Was that a shot at the Hawks and Gearon?
http://blogs.ajc.com/hawks/2011/12/17/atlanta-hawks-michael-gearon-jr-q-and-a/

Die Hard Fan

January 11th, 2012
3:21 pm

Mr. Blank is a class act and the single-best owner this franchise has ever had; I firmly believe that this team can and will eventually produce a championship for the city of Atlanta in the not-too-distant future.

I didn’t get to watch the playoff game on TV, but tracked the play-by-play from a hotel lobby in Amman, Jordan. I’ll do my film study on the game when I return home and watch it on my DVR.

I believe Head Coach Mike Smith is being gracious in his press conferences when he discussed player and unit performance during the game, as well as overall for the season. Rest assured, he will make the appropriate changes in coaches and player personnel, player and overall unit skill-set, unit schemes, and team/unit attitude during the offseason.

From what I’ve witnessed during his tenure, I believe Coach Smith is an excellent motivator of men, a tough, hard-nosed leader of the team, and a solid friend to his fellow coaching staff and players.

I think he does a good job of providing his coordinators insight during the week when it comes to developing the offensive/defensive scheme, as well as preparing his players prior to each game. But I think he needs to do a better job of managing the game from the side-line when he sees that his team’s game plan isn’t working and adjustments need to be made w/the scheme.

He has already proven on more than one occassion that he’s willing to make player adjustments during a game, but seems to get outsmarted by some of the more cranial coaching staffs during big games against the NFL’s winning teams, i.e. Green Bay, Saints, Patriots, Steelers, etc., etc.

I think we got beat by NY on Sunday night because the Giants played press coverage against our wide-receivers and trusted on their Defensive Line to fluster and negatively impact our QB’s timing and pocket presence. Adjustments were not made by our coaching staff and our offense continued to flounder.

Our run game was shut down and once we got behind by more than two scores, we had to abandon the run which allowed our O-line to get dominated.

The no-huddle works, but Matt Ryan needs to widen his play call repetoire because he’s becoming predictable when running the no-huddle offense. He relies heavily on plays that he feels comfortable with and becomes easier to defend against because he’s not scanning the entire field on no-huddle plays because he’s already madeup his mind where he wants to go with the ball.

On Defense, the Giants O-Coordinator figured out what J. VanGorder was doing by the middle of the third quarter and our under-sized defense just got worn out. This coupled with E. Manning settling in because we weren’t generating a pass rush, allowed him to overwhelm our weakened secondary which was playing without B. Grimes and W. Moore.

I know our team is hurting salary-cap wise, so we’re going to need to be prudent during the off-season in order to maximize our effectiveness.

Some of my recommendations would be:

1. Fill in our coaching staff vacancies ASAP and allow the O and D-coordinators to hire assts. where appropriate; new-blood could be a good thing, scheme-wise, in the ATL.

2. Take a solid look at the D-roster and consider the feasibility of going to a 3-4 Defense instead of running the 4-3. I know this would mean saying farewell to some of our D-Linemen, but I think we could become more effective on Defense while spending less money. If we moved to a 3-4 Defense I’d let J. Abraham, L. Sidbury, and J. Perry go and move K. Bierman to a rushing OLB position. Hang onto J. Babineaux, C. Peters, T. Walker, and R. Edwards to play as DE’s in our 3-4 scheme, then look to add a behometh at NT.

3. Move D. Robinson to Free Safety and force him to re-do his contract because he’s not worth the $57 million we’re paying him. If he doesn’t renegotiate his current contract then cut him and let him go play CB for another team making less money. Moving D. Robinson to FS let’s you use T. Decoud and J. Sanders as back-ups at FS and SS. Both are solid backups and Special Teams contributors, but simply can’t cover quality receivers or TE’s in the NFL. D. Robinson and W. Moore at Safety allow them to bring punishing hits which should help our secondary gain back some much needed swagger (taking a page from the NO Saint’s Safety play).

4. Move D. Franks to RCB and re-sign B.Grimes to play LCB w/the money we save from D. Robinson’s new contract. Play C. Owens as a Dime back and go find a solid nickel CB who doesn’t have an injury plagued history like K. Hayden and B. Williams both did.

5. A 3-4 Defense allows lets us get A. Dent on the field at MLB w/C. Lofton. Then play S. Weatherspoon and S. Nicholas at our OLB positions (insert K. Bierman on rushing downs for S. Nicholas). Shore up our backup’s at LB by signing a couple of MLB/OLB types and then we’re playing Defense with our most athletic players on the field at one time.

6. On offense, fix the O-line ASAP. We have to address LT, C, and RG or our offense will continue to struggle. We need to get bigger, meaner, and faster on our O-line or M. Ryan will continue to struggle executing any scheme he’s expected to QB for. T. Brady stands back in the pocket for days at a time when running his pass-oriented, spread-style offense. M. Ryan could do the same thing if given the same amount of time from solid blocking protection.

7. We either get S. Baker to become reborn hard and play RG or cut him. J. Hawley either needs to bulk up to play RG, or smarten up to play C; otherwise he remains a backup. We’ve got some solid backups at the C/RG/LT positions w/J. Hawley, A. Jackson, and W. Svitek, but we NEED to procure starting caliber players or we’ll continue to struggle. Addressing this area of the team may take two seasons unless we free up significant money from our Defense and potentially sign a significant FA for our O-line. Or maybe we use a 2nd or 3rd round draft pick on a solid interior lineman in this years draft.

8. Starting WR’s and RB’s are set; don’t touch them. Look to replace the injury-plagued K. Meir with a tall and fast receiver that can fill-in if injuries occur to our starting WR’s. Also, look to get H. Douglas more involved in the offense by moving around J. Jones, R. White, and H. Douglas in the receiver positions during offensive plays.

9. Not going to address our draft picks until I see what we look like following coaching hires and FA moves.

10.. Set the team goal as: Win at least 11 games and/or win the NFC South, beat the Saints twice and embarrass them on the field-of-play at least once, and make it to the NFC Championship game.

Matt Ryan highly overrated

January 11th, 2012
3:22 pm

MVP Matt Ryan you are lying to yourself already . you need a new QB to pressure him. He is just your every day QB not a play off QB. Just look at the facts in the playoffs. He has the best player around him and look what he did !! Three time do you yet get it!!!

Arthur's New Stadium

January 11th, 2012
3:22 pm

Atlanta chump taxpayers will be on the hook soon for a $800 million new stadium for Arthur—he wants state of the art, open air with tons of expensive suites to cash in big! Arthur will keep all the revenue from the stadium, and chump taxpayers and fans will foot the bill! Bend over!!!

AlanFalcon

January 11th, 2012
3:22 pm

I’m glad that Arthur has spoken about his disatisfaction, think it needed to be said and that T.D. and Smitty will take it to heart, he didn’t get where he is because he was easy, but because he spoke up and gained a positive result.

Go Falcons !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jcard120

January 11th, 2012
3:23 pm

Since we lost Harvey Dahl our offensive has not performed to the same level it had in the past. That is where we need to make improvements. You can hate on Matt Ryan all you want, but it is not his fault.

Starrman

January 11th, 2012
3:23 pm

Dementioff is the problem.If he keep bringing it cornerbacks the same size as the people from the Wizard of Oz we will never win

stinger

January 11th, 2012
3:23 pm

“intellectual honesty”…Smith just said that Matt Ryan was the mvp of the Offense??? Come on man, you either NOT being honest or you don’t have a clue! Coach Smith is clueless…That really scares me…if he is being honest. That proves he’s not going to correctly evaluate what needs to change.

this is falcons blog

January 11th, 2012
3:24 pm

Anyone know off hand what draft picks we have this year?

BMWdiva7

January 11th, 2012
3:24 pm

Arthur, you need to invest in a Secondary! Your Secondary is too small and slow! Recruit some defensive backs!!!!!

Paulofatlanta

January 11th, 2012
3:25 pm

I will take this team over the endless 3-13, 4-12, 5-11 teams we used to have season after season with an occasional winning season. Sure, I want a championship, but at least we now have a winning team, and with a few tweaks, maybe a championship.

1eyedJack

January 11th, 2012
3:25 pm

Well then, get out the checkbook Arthur.

Jcard120

January 11th, 2012
3:25 pm

“this is falcons blog” We have all but our 1st and 4th round picks.

Bronxgirl

January 11th, 2012
3:25 pm

@ Queensbridge….What are you tawkin’ about? Do you have a job? You can’t read SON! He said it right…it’s water!

New Stadium my azz!

January 11th, 2012
3:25 pm

The entire organization is trash!

this is falcons blog

January 11th, 2012
3:25 pm

Starrman….LOL on the DB’s!

1eyedJack

January 11th, 2012
3:26 pm

“Anyone know off hand what draft picks we have this year?”

I know we don’t have a 1st or a 4th.

Falcons are watching the playoffs from the couch.

January 11th, 2012
3:27 pm

The Falcons have two main area’s to address and will need to do it in free agency; 1) O line: Blank needs to spend more money on protecting Ryan and being able to consistently run the ball. Turner averaged about 50 yards per game in December. The team is best known for blowing 4th and 1 plays this season; 2) The defensive backfield. The Falcons corners are too small and do not match up against the best WR’s in the league. Dunta Robinson needs to be released along with Abraham, then use that money to bring in some talent. With very few picks in this years draft, free agency seems to be the only viable option for improving the team.

Always the bridesmaid...never the bride

January 11th, 2012
3:27 pm

Sigh….life in Atlanta. Always “wait till next year” whether it’s the Falcons, the Jackets, the Dawgs, the Braves, the Hawks…at least I don’t have to ride the roller coaster highs and lows of the Thrashers any more!!! Oh wait, I never cared about the Thrashers.

Aundray Bruce

January 11th, 2012
3:27 pm

I’m available!!!

D. Orlando Ledbetter

January 11th, 2012
3:28 pm

Supersize that order, mutt — Yeah, I thought he wanted a piece of my bow tie! I asked him if the candidates for OC and DC will be presented to the public in press conference like they did in Arizona and Houston. He talked about being transparent. I was asking for some transparency. He said it wouldn’t come down to a public vote. They want public money for the new stadium? I’m just saying . . .

this is falcons blog

January 11th, 2012
3:28 pm

Paulofatlanta…..Love the great attitude….more should feel the same!

D. Orlando Ledbetter

January 11th, 2012
3:28 pm

Bartles & James — Haven’t had or seen one of those in years!

this is falcons blog

January 11th, 2012
3:29 pm

D-Led, like the public stadium money analogy!

Bob Decker

January 11th, 2012
3:29 pm

Blank needs to go back to a Home Depot store and pick up a hammer and smash in the head of Mike Mularkey and the rest of the play callers for what I would say was the worst play calling since the NFL started 100 years ago.

Falcons Season tix holder

January 11th, 2012
3:29 pm

Matt simply doesn’t have the required winning attitude. He’s talented and will always win 9 games but simply can’t compete as a winner in post season. It’s something at the core level….you have it or you don’t. Good luck anyway Matt Ryan and the Falcons….

Brenda

January 11th, 2012
3:30 pm

Blank is only angry because when the Falcons don’t win he doesn’t get as much cash money. I’m glad the season is over. I’m tired of suburban fans coming into the city clogging up the streets and getting in our way. I wish they would do worse so they’d leave like the Thrashers…good riddance.

Great Falconi

January 11th, 2012
3:30 pm

Ryan is a damn good QB. He’s certainly the best passer I’ve ever seen in a Falcons uni. With only four seasons under his belt, he can get stronger and better. I look forward to seeing where he can take us as he enters his prime.

Charles

January 11th, 2012
3:30 pm

All this is just talk to me until I see the proof on the field. This is all fluff. Let’s see how serious they really are about building a winner. We only have 5 draft picks. Who we gonna get with 5 draft picks? I don’t know but it better count.

Brian

January 11th, 2012
3:30 pm

Wow, you guys are being way to harsh. We have an owner that is committed to winning, we have a strong head coach with integrity, and we have went 13-3 and 10-6 the past two years. Of course I felt like our teams could have achieved more but we are not far away. Given the history of our franchise, you would think we would be thrilled to be playing games that matter in December. I know I am. I appreciate the owner saying he wants more and his passion for the game. With him and Smith at the helm, Im sure we have a lot of more success to come.

JSS

January 11th, 2012
3:31 pm

And now does it finally sink in that you’re up against the Cap? You’re going to be bottom feeding searching for replacements for core pieces… Good luck with that!

this is falcons blog

January 11th, 2012
3:31 pm

changed from the B&J name D-Led…, glad you got it!

Falcons Season tix holder

January 11th, 2012
3:31 pm

Tell it like it is

January 11th, 2012
3:32 pm

Auther Blank was angry,Ha,he should no how the fans feel. I have been a fan since 1966 and i an’t never been as humbled as i was seeing the complete domination of one of Atlanta pro teams.I felt sorry for the city,and the state of ga,that any team would put that kind of product on the field to be viewed by the whole country! what a sorry state of affairs.Way to represent the city of Atlanta,and the state of GA, falcons.

D

January 11th, 2012
3:33 pm

Enter your comments here

Willie Martinez

January 11th, 2012
3:34 pm

The Sooners just fired me. Anybody know of a job opening?

D. Orlando Ledbetter

January 11th, 2012
3:35 pm

Tremaine — I didn’t think about that.

this is falcons blog

January 11th, 2012
3:35 pm

Brian, also a Great Attitude, Kudos my man!

gsueagle

January 11th, 2012
3:35 pm

bulldog fans should love facing vangorder . hope auburn gets a spanking every week. vangorder has no class. he is a D BAG.

jerry

January 11th, 2012
3:35 pm

Rings, championships, and greatness. I believe Blank when he says that is what he wants. I know that is what Falcon fans want. I just hope he knows how to get there.

Charles

January 11th, 2012
3:36 pm

I say we let Turner go, trade Roddy, and get some draft picks. Both those guys are becoming cancers to the team. Turner can no longer run and falls if you touch him, Roddy is always running his mouth, dropping balls, and committing crucial penalties at critical times in the game. Needless to say, he’s a thug. Get rid of both. We can get better. Make Julio our #1 guy. He is anyway.

Stevie Wonder could have picked up 1st down

January 11th, 2012
3:36 pm

It’s hard to go from a QB that could launch a 50-yard pass to one that majors in handoffs (to Turner) and 5-yd tosses to Gonzo.

Dang, MV! We could have been on our way to Indy, man!

this is falcons blog

January 11th, 2012
3:37 pm

No 1st or 4th round pick? Wow, we are going to have to make an impact on free agency or possible trade. Hope they score big with what they’ve got in draft.

You better get this right!

January 11th, 2012
3:37 pm

Lick Skillet you are an idiot! Del Rio? Smitty’s Clone! NEXT!

Cat Daddy #1

January 11th, 2012
3:37 pm

You have to be JOKING when you name MATTY COLD your MVP on offense.Why because he played well against the weaker teams,or because other’s made him look good either way he’s not a MVP PLAYER at all.IF you can’t pick a player out of the other’s you have don’t just give it to your choice.

rob

January 11th, 2012
3:38 pm

No one….not one person has mentioned our cheeleaders….now….they are HOT!!!

Matt Ryan highly overrated

January 11th, 2012
3:38 pm

Jcard120

January 11th, 2012
3:23 pm
Since we lost Harvey Dahl our offensive has not performed to the same level it had in the past. That is where we need to make improvements. You can hate on Matt Ryan all you want, but it is not his fault.

Does facts count . you are brain dead Matt is part of the problem. Two point scored and he is the leader of the offence. Playoffs three time with some of the best players Atlanta has had on offence in years. Get real. Matt is already at his next level. Deer in the head lights Matt. They beat one team with a winning record this year Fact. you want Hope not a winner if you look at facts!!!!!

skydog

January 11th, 2012
3:38 pm

Did this article talked about “greatness” ? There is nothing great about this team. Matt Ryan can’t get the ball down field to his recievers. When he gets the ball to them they can’t catch it. Ronnie White has anger management issues. Turner, with is fat behind, is not trusted to get one yard. The offensive line is not getting the job done on protecting Ryan. The team has had three times to prove they will step up to the plate. Three times they have fail. In the short time Matt Statford has been a quarterback he has proven that is will be a quarterback to reckon with. I could not believe that they sign Tony Gonzales to 7-million when they could have use that money for something else. Please revamp this team and do it right.

this is falcons blog

January 11th, 2012
3:39 pm

jerry, keep the belief brother! Falcons will get there….need more fans like you!

this is falcons blog

January 11th, 2012
3:41 pm

I prefer glass half full and about to be filled!

JASon

January 11th, 2012
3:41 pm

The falcons are a typical Atlanta sports organization:
-coaches that aren’t smart enough to win in the postseason
-ignorance of fundamentals and accessory pieces. For example, we got rid of our best offensive lineman and our punter, but yet we have three huge receiving threats. Blank, you traded up to get another big name receiver. You idiot. There are other pieces to the puzzle.

SirReal

January 11th, 2012
3:41 pm

If you guys havent seen this yet, you should check it out. Michael Lombardi on NFL.com basically told it like it wa in regard to the franchise:

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d825e74da/article/falcons-fall-into-dome-trap-need-to-be-honest-in-evaluation?module=HP11_content_stream

mountain_jim

January 11th, 2012
3:41 pm

I watched the PC and I for one was thrilled at how Blank shut down TD’s defense of the oline’s sack stats and how Blank obviously has his eye on Smith and TD and they better come up big next year.

Platitudes about ‘the process’ and stats ain’t going to cut it with Blank anymore, and for that I am glad.

If left up to Smith and TD, this PC would have been the same BS smoke up all of our rears as every one in the past so I am glad something has changed.

As I am also glad the Dled’s favorite OC is now GONE! I wanted him gone last year so I am glad that change is a comin’ and none too soon!

I don’t know who’s seat is hotter – Smith or TD, but I am guessing TD because he has wasted so much of Blank’s FA money.

Bartles & James

January 11th, 2012
3:42 pm

And we thank you, D-Led, for remembering!

Brian Billick

January 11th, 2012
3:43 pm

Hire ME!!!! I want to coach again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

fla dawg

January 11th, 2012
3:43 pm

i can not for the life of me understand why so many of you think that Dimitroff is so sharp and is not deserving his share of the criticism. maybe you just dont understand the structure. Blank will have some input into the coordinators hiring, Dimitroff will have a little more input and Smith will make the final decision. Smith has to work with them and he has to be responsible for them and that is how it should be.
Dimitroff, the supposed Belichik clone, has put together all of this organization. He should be held accountable and for that reason i think his job should be on the line next year.

SirReal

January 11th, 2012
3:43 pm

@mountainjim I hear Blank was visibly upset. Was he? Hearing that just let me know that Blank is tired of the spin doctors. I’m glad he called it for what it truly was.

Jimmy Crack

January 11th, 2012
3:43 pm

Del Rio is looking to be the Saints’ DC after Williams leaves. Why eat grits when you can have Bouillabaisse?

Jack Del Rio

January 11th, 2012
3:44 pm

My team fell apart after coach Smith left….I’m also looking for work!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

Bartles & James

January 11th, 2012
3:44 pm

Sir Real, if you look on internet long enough, you’ll find someones opinions (that’s all they are) to support your opinions (again, that’s all they are).

USMC

January 11th, 2012
3:44 pm

GET RID OF…

-SAM BAKER and any other dead weight on the Offensive Line
-Michael Turner
-At least half of the Defense

… for starters

ShoNuff

January 11th, 2012
3:45 pm

Cat Daddy #1

January 11th, 2012
3:46 pm

Auther Blank you turned your back on the best player for your QB POSITION so now you STUCK with COLD MAN so stop BLAMING other’s your QB lost that game with his SCARY FEET SELF.

curious

January 11th, 2012
3:47 pm

VanGorder & MM gone day after playoff loss. Hmmm. How long were these two coordinating their departures instead of their jobs? I think we all saw the result.

Boone's Farm

January 11th, 2012
3:47 pm

D-Led, any unknown N.O. offensive coach ready to take leap as OC?

Tremaine

January 11th, 2012
3:48 pm

D. Orlando Ledbetter

I hope so.

MD 20/20

January 11th, 2012
3:49 pm

Yes Sir USMC!

ManofWar

January 11th, 2012
3:49 pm

Hello Charles, didn’t you hear that “thugs” are the type of players Arthur wants on his team!

mike

January 11th, 2012
3:50 pm

Don’t change a thing…I like the Falcons the way they are. And by that I mean “I don’t like the Falcons”.

Just Looking

January 11th, 2012
3:50 pm

Whenever your best secondary player is 5ft8 (Grimes) and your best DL is 34 (Abe)….you will have these problems. We have absolutely NO stud on the Oline. We blew out the Jags, team feeling good about itself, then came back to reality against the Saints. We blew out the Bucs, team feeling good about itself, then came the playoff game. All this “explosive” talk before the season. Everyone pointing at the OC and DC. The GM is responsible for personnel and depth. We have NO quality depth!!! Regular season success seem to expose a double edge sword. That other edge is painful early playoff exits.

SirReal

January 11th, 2012
3:50 pm

@Bartles & James I know.LOL BUT all of those arent my opinions. I believe there are some valid points made here though. Did you get a chance to check it out? They DO need bigger guys on the line as we are outweighed in our own division by an average of 40 lbs!lol We need some power pigs to control the line of scrimmage.lol This organization DOES need to realize that we arent just a player or two away. The offense needs a whole new philosophy and most of the D needs to be blown out and retooled. Honestly, the only ones I’d keep are Spoon, Grimes, and Lofton. Resign Abe to a year if he agrees to that to hold the seat warm for a first rd DE in 2013 bc the “Great (yeah right) Thomas Dimitroff gave up this year’s for a great player (that just wasnt worth what we reached to get him because of too many other needs.)

MD 20/20

January 11th, 2012
3:51 pm

Cat daddy, Delta flies to Philly for ya. I’m sure Greyhound would be better for you though.

44counter

January 11th, 2012
3:52 pm

If football is a team sport, why are you only praising two or three players??

ManofWar

January 11th, 2012
3:52 pm

The water shortage in Georgia is officially over….”Matty Ice” has completely melted each of the last three years………I say trade up and get RG3!!!

Ex Falcon Fan

January 11th, 2012
3:53 pm

Blank taken up Matt Ryan he the one made them lose 3 playoff games. The falcon going to lose alot of season holder fans. Ryan will never beat the Saints he is a nervous quarterback and cant run the ball.

Tell it like it is

January 11th, 2012
3:53 pm

Saints about to close in on thier second super Bowl,while Atlanta is still trying to put togather a team on the field.

some sense

January 11th, 2012
3:53 pm

Yes, Thomas does need to answer for Sam Baker, Dunta Robinson, and Ray Edwards. But mainly they all need to answer for letting Harvey Dahl get away.

Tom E. Gunn

January 11th, 2012
3:54 pm

If Blanet is angry now, just wait until his wife’s shyster gets through with him. She may be the new owner. As for being about rings & championships, he might want to consider winning a playoff game first. as for his new playpen, Blenket has a bad case of Stadium Envy. He needs to pay for it himself.

splendid splinter

January 11th, 2012
3:54 pm

YAH – finally some reasonable people out there – Falcon Friend and Derek have got it right. Guys like extremus haven’t got a clue and need to turn their computers off so everyone won’t know how stupid they are. And trade Turner – please. As someone else said, Mulghelli was not there for him and the offensive line was woeful. Get a left tackle amd right tackle and the running game will improve. And get some corners and DLs while you’re at it TD.

extremus

January 11th, 2012
3:55 pm

Actually, if I recall correctly the label text spelled “Bartles & JAYMES”. Just a clarification.

Matt Ryan's QB wristband

January 11th, 2012
3:55 pm

The Falcons will soon win a superbowl because the obvious most competitive person is the owner

Bartles & James

January 11th, 2012
3:55 pm

SirReal, …..Yeah I agree with the big boys on the O-line. It all starts there as they say. We’ve got to be able to push back defense for 2 feet when needed.
Need so much, and I have faith in our leadership. Think where we were not very long ago.
And we thank you for your support!

falcon

January 11th, 2012
3:56 pm

they had a mean and nasty OG named Harvey Dahl and let him walk.

BigTimeTECHFan

January 11th, 2012
3:56 pm

Falcons are fine. Don’t over-react to one playoff loss.
Last year they were beat by better team
This year they just got upset by team on there home field, Giants could beat falcons 4 of 10 games, we just got them on one of the 4.

Bartles & James

January 11th, 2012
3:56 pm

extremus…..oops! too many

I Will Not Pay for a New Stadium

January 11th, 2012
3:57 pm

If Arthur is so pissed, then maybe he should suit up next season and show the young men how it is properly done! After all, Ted Turner set the standard by suiting up with the Braves, and playing a few innings. Come on Arthur, show us what you are made of…..

Freedom From Insanity

January 11th, 2012
3:57 pm

It seems to me that when the new coaching and front office regime arrived they wanted to get rid of the guys with ‘bad character”; however when I look at some of the other teams that keep beating the Falcons, it is the guys on those teams with “bad character” that have the drive and passion to win football games when it matters. Good guys are nice to have but tough and mean guys with a chip on their shoulders are a necessity. When Justin Tuck called the Falcons line “dirtbags”. I really didn’t see any reaction on the field from the Falcons linemen! The old line about “nice guys finish last” may very well apply in the NFL. Also, 4 years is a long time for a QB to mature. Tebow, Yates, Dalton, Newton……………do those names ring a bell in the front office?

good luck in 2012 – the next few months will show a lot – who stays, who leaves and who is added – that will decide what kind of a season we have next year. Not regular season, but playoff time!

Arthur Blank

January 11th, 2012
3:58 pm

In the continuation of excersising of my micromanagement skills you all will be seeing me more and more on the sideline, so I can contribute to this already highly chaotic situation.

1eyedJack

January 11th, 2012
3:58 pm

Arthur Blank needs to grow that ’stache out into a Snidely Whiplash mustache. ;)

Noneya

January 11th, 2012
3:59 pm

We are discussing the press conference and more tonight on the Falcons season wrap up. Call in!

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/cpstylin/2012/01/12/falcons-season-wrap-up

Darryl Douglass

January 11th, 2012
4:01 pm

“… tough, mean, physical players”… LingMBO, how about a coaching staff that can make a commitment to putting their boot down on an opponents neck. From all the conservative play calling, and playing to not lose, the take it easy mindset of the coaching staff was reflecting on the field by the players as well.

Bartles & James

January 11th, 2012
4:01 pm

should coach smith color his eyebrows grey, or color his hair to match the ‘brows?!

Fair n Balanced

January 11th, 2012
4:01 pm

I kinda wish this was the attitude at UGA. If it was, Bobo would be gone or laterally moved and we would hire a real OC. It sure isn’t the attitude of the basketball program. When will there be an outcry about the total lack of progress of this bb program after 3 years of same ole!?

richard

January 11th, 2012
4:01 pm

For those downing Matt Ryan, who the hell would you rather have???? This offense couldn’t make up their mind on what they wanted to do. Nothing was consistent. The falcons will be ok. Be a real fan and support the team. Gets Spags in here to coach the defense and get someone that will bring consistency to the offensive unit

melvinowens

January 11th, 2012
4:02 pm

matt ryan is the offensive mvp and could not get his team within field goal range against the giants.

Mike FR

January 11th, 2012
4:03 pm

Ryan & Smith are winners. Ryan has one of the best records for a 4th year qb ever! I mean, ever! … We need to get the line fixed, if not, it doesn’t matter who’s taking the snaps, no line=no time for plays to develop downfield.

Please get a DE who can actually rush the QB!! I think a decent DE in a line along with Babineaux, Peters and a rotation between Abe and Ray can be pretty decent. LBs are our best group of players, and DBs, play to their strenghts, Dunta’s not and has never been a zone corner. It’s like Asomoguha (or however you spell it) when he was in Oakland, he played man to man and he was one of the best. When he moved to Philly, he played a lot of zone and off coverage, which isn’t really his strenght..

I know talent wise Nmandi is miles away from Dunta, but the point is, you have to adapt to your players strenghts.

Bartles & James

January 11th, 2012
4:05 pm

Ted Turner was a drunken owner that meddled. Then he hired the right people and stopped meddling.
Didn’t keep him away from a few of the finer wines like myself though..hehehe
We thank him for his support!

Mike FR

January 11th, 2012
4:05 pm

@melvinowens .. hmmm actually he did, twice (without counting the one on garbage time when the game was already lost) so if you want to criticize, go ahead and please do… but before, be sure you know what you’re talking about

Darryl Douglass

January 11th, 2012
4:05 pm

I wonder if AB asked Matt Ryan if he had ever heard of “stretching the ball out”, just stretch it out.

Ted Brome

January 11th, 2012
4:06 pm

Matt Ryan is a large part of the problem. You cant beat NO if you go 3 and out 4 times in a row. He must break through being average. The QB of this team must be pushed to get better or get out. His best season was his 1st

Arthur Blank

January 11th, 2012
4:06 pm

No improvements coming up? Next year: MS, and TD out, the year after: I’m out!

jgsbirds

January 11th, 2012
4:06 pm

eric weems as your special teams mvp! you have got to be kidding me!!! he had a great year the season before–but this year he was awful! and keith armstrong should be the next coach to go–our special teams kickoff/punt teams were terrible!

The Contrarian

January 11th, 2012
4:09 pm

I think that this team is in a perfect situation now and still headed for greatness. Nothing motivates more than a humbling loss and with two new coordinators that are hopefully just as mean, aggressive and nasty as these new players then next year’s result will be quite different. This is an owner that cares and an owner that wants to win at all costs. There are teams out there (St. Louis, Tampa Bay etc…) that would give their right arm to be in our position and with so much upside.

Arther Blank

January 11th, 2012
4:10 pm

Turner getting less touches, hmm, that would mean that Turner won’t be happy and he’ll be gone. Did anyone catch that?

Arthur Blank

January 11th, 2012
4:10 pm

I really miss my (ex)wife. Just look at me!

truthbtold

January 11th, 2012
4:11 pm

Until you develop an offense that can throw toward the end zone, we’ll have the same results. The Falcons throw dink and dunk passes to march the ball down the field (20 yard line to 20 yard line), just like the old red gun offense that it took years to get rid of under Dan Reeves. Mike Smith is no different. He runs a nice practice squad offense to get some exercise and burn up the clock, but has no idea how to light up a scoreboard. It’s against his nature to run up the score. Frankly, I think he would be uncomfortable running an offense that’s focused on scoring touchdowns. Check out Green Bay and New Orleans – it doesn’t matter if they’re beating you 40 to 3 – they are still going to put the ball in the end zone! Mr Blank, get rid of these nice guys and get some killers!!!

Bartles & James

January 11th, 2012
4:11 pm

Fair n Balanced…..professional owners don’t listen to fans on blogs, talk shows, etc. Thank goodness. Don’t think so highly of a fans delusional power. It’s just a place for people like yourself to b–ch and complain and feel better about themselves, at same time trying to find comfort with someone that agrees. Vent away my friend…..

Queensbridge

January 11th, 2012
4:11 pm

@Bronxgirl…No obviously you can’t read, I made the correction to “water” fool. Get back on the D train to Fordham road and then bus it to the Bronx Zoo or you’ll miss your feeding time.

Augusta bred

January 11th, 2012
4:12 pm

@ Die Hard Fan… I was thinking the exact same thing you mentioned about going to the 3-4 with the exact personel. Amazing….Other points you made were spot on also but i think if we used Duanta’ in press/man coverage we would see a difference. I think Matt would be better suited in the West Coast Offense as well. We just have to get this line situated. It’s going to be a long off season in Flowery Branch!

Ted Turner

January 11th, 2012
4:13 pm

At least I got a base hit Arthur, you ain’t even gained a single yard……cry baby..

Bartles & James

January 11th, 2012
4:14 pm

The Contrarian….Love Your Attitude…..You can get on the good fans bus!

King Arthur

January 11th, 2012
4:15 pm

It’s my court and I’ll do what I please!

Ted Turner

January 11th, 2012
4:16 pm

Ah can’t wait for the first “Arthur up the middle play….”

King Arthur

January 11th, 2012
4:16 pm

Bring me Excalibur!

dadopee

January 11th, 2012
4:17 pm

Matt Ryan, to go forward – think again. With the best offensive line, we ain’t going nowhere with Ryan. And Smith? Too defensive minded with unimaginative offensive moves. In summary, for the Falcons moving forward, more of the same.

WS

January 11th, 2012
4:18 pm

Die Hard Fan, what was you drinking or smoking, I do not see all the good you talking about. Most of the ones you want to make backups and some starters need too be shown the door fast.

Fred Benson

January 11th, 2012
4:18 pm

What a year for Atlanta sports…the Braves choked a big wild card lead, the Thrashers are doing well in Winnipeg and the Falcons choked in the playoffs as usual. Why not move the Braves, Thrashers, Hawks and Falcons to Winnipeg, and let them have a chance to win in another city

Bartles & James

January 11th, 2012
4:18 pm

Open me another….there’s a new video from D-Led….see you on the next blog

Hotrod

January 11th, 2012
4:18 pm

Falcons delivered on my entertainment dollar this year. I think the pieces
are there to improve with. Really need about 5 new bread and butter 4th and 1 plays
to choose from.

I know Mr. Blank is not happy with just a playoff team, but for us life long Atlantans,
it is a really nice change for the better.

GulfwavesGary

January 11th, 2012
4:18 pm

I am so glad Mularkey is gone. I am ready for a season that does not have the OC with no imagination.
I will not give up on The Falcons because Arthur Blank is a winner(See Home Depot). And because I suffered through all the LOSING seasons with the Smith Family. Fans, count your blessings that we have winning seasons and in the playoffs. We will be a lot better with Mularkey GONE. I am most dissapointed with Roddy White. His concentration level is of a snail. If we can rehab him( big if) ok, if not get him out of here. I do not want the league leader in dropped passes as a core of the offense. Thank you Arthur Blank and GO FALCONS.

MIchael

January 11th, 2012
4:19 pm

The problem with the Atlanta Falcons is the owner himself. Has no clue what he is doing and looks to everyone else for advice on the game.

Arther Blank

January 11th, 2012
4:19 pm

Did you’ll see the N.O. wildcard Detriot game when Dree Brees needed a yardon a 4th down? Drew power jumped into the pile, stretched out his arms, ball in both hands to get the spot he needed. No. fear. When he stretched the ball forward for the spot, he quickly pulled the ball back to himself to protect it. When he landed, he was behind the 1st down marker, but the referees gave him the spot, because of forward progress. If Matty Melt looked at the N.O. game, he could have just copied what Brees did and gotten the first down.. Matt does play like a sissy, and doesn’t provide the extra som-som of effort to be considered an “elite” quarterback in this league. Remember-it’s not all about wins, it’s about heart-Matt Ryan is a jittery type of quarterback. What does that say? It says that the Falcons need to hire a new quarterbacks coach and personal trainer if they want to see a marked improvement for 2012.

Denise

January 11th, 2012
4:19 pm

I don’t have a dog in this fight but I want to say something. You guys are some polite Falcons fans. Nobody is bashing the Saints and folks are actually giving props to the Saints and Drew Brees. That is wholly unexpected and appreciated! Carry on. :-)

Bartles & James

January 11th, 2012
4:19 pm

Don’t forget the Flames Fred……why don’t you join them all…..negative, negative, negative

Fred Benson

January 11th, 2012
4:20 pm

I think the reason why Mr. Blank was so angry during the news conference was that he was sniffing too much of the glue at the Home Depot (Arthur Blank owns the Home Depot).

Dave

January 11th, 2012
4:20 pm

A coordinator that flatters Matt Ryan’s skills? So you’re basically looking for a guy who turns to mush in week 17?

Bartles & James

January 11th, 2012
4:20 pm

Denise, we’re thinking about raiding your coaching staff for an OC!
And we thank YOU for your support!

Patrick

January 11th, 2012
4:21 pm

Delta is ready when you are ?!?? Well now, that puts it in perspective, doesn’t it? I’m thinking that ESPN was so close to the truth–and if you are doubting this, read above—that it hurts.

Bartles & James

January 11th, 2012
4:23 pm

Wow, did anyone know Arthur Blank was an owner of Home Depot?! Thanks Fred….nobody in Atlanta knew that.

T

January 11th, 2012
4:24 pm

Anyone calling for the Falcons to trade or release Roddy is an idiot. Did he drop an unusually high amount of passes this season? Yes. Did he still catch 100 passes for over 1,200 yards? Yes. You don’t get rid of a player, who is only one of 8 WRs IN THE HISTORY OF THE NFL, to have five straight 1,000+ yard seasons and those seasons came with average QBs in a run-first offense.

I have always hated the “drops” statistics for WRs because there are times it is labeled a drop but it could be a pass, that while it could’ve been caught, was very difficult to do so because of coverage and location of the pass. How many times did a ball hit Roddy squarely in the hands, in the center of his mass and he dropped it? Very few. The others were very difficult passes under tight coverage and bad locations but he still caught most of them. There is no doubt in my mind he’ll cut down on the drops next year.

And for those praising Julio over Roddy, yes, JJ had a nice season but let’s not forget he would not have had that same kind of season if he didn’t have Roddy drawing the attention from every team’s best cover. Julio wasn’t going up against the double teams and the best defenders anywhere near at the rate Roddy had to. Roddy has been putting up big numbers for years without anyone to help take pressure off of him. Get off his back already

Ted Turner

January 11th, 2012
4:24 pm

King Arthur says “Bring me my viagra, I’ll show that ex wife who is the man in this family.”

zzzzzzzzz

January 11th, 2012
4:25 pm

zzzzzzzzzzzzzz

fooball4life

January 11th, 2012
4:25 pm

RG3, RG3, RG3, RG3!!!!!

Coach Ralph Fontaine

January 11th, 2012
4:29 pm

You morons have a short memory. I never heard a Smith make those kind of statements of disappointment. No it’s not perfect. But these things take time. How long was Drew Brees in the league before success? Manning? You are asking an organization that has been inept for 4 decades to all of the sudden turn it on? Sunday was horrible no doubt. But AB is learning like the rest of them and he will get better as well. He learned not to take a 13 win season as a signal that the next step will be to go deeper. AB will bring us a ring. I have no doubt. He lets football people make decisions and he holds them to those choices. Accountability works and he knows more about it than any of us wasting time on this blog. Plus anyone who gripes about a waste of money, no one probably feels more like he did’nt get his moneys worth than AB. He writes checks that are a lot bigger than any of us. I love what he is saying and cant wait to see where this goes. Go FALCONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

sonia woods

January 11th, 2012
4:31 pm

I believe that if Mike Smith and Cold as ice matty ryan dont do a change next year… they will be fired.. if you changed everything and still matt ice is not able to throw to your recievers. well there you go…. He never throws long balls and he is scary ice… He cant be a leader and hes not a leader ..so if your line protects you and you still cant make a complete pass.. its not them.. Its you It’s real simple. Everytime we reach the playoffs, we go out Matt Ryan Failed the coaching staff, fans and Atlanta. At some point he has got to make a play on the field and take some responsibility, because the coaches or not on the field.. matt ryan doesnt have a strong downfield arm.. hes always making excuses…changing the oc wont give matt ryan anymore arm strength or accurarcy on the deep ball. Maya Angelou said, it best “If, someone shows you who they are, Believe…them..

Peter

January 11th, 2012
4:32 pm

well if Arthur is angry about the playoff game…… I wonder what he thinks of Matt Ice Cold’s fall down in bounds at the end of the 1st half ?

falcons are a joke

January 11th, 2012
4:35 pm

Enter your comments here

Burger Brian

January 11th, 2012
4:36 pm

I think Die Hard fan and T have it right. I will add that the Coordinator hires are CRITICAL. OC needs to be someone of a Sean Peyton Caliber ~ Innovate. As stated ~ the O-line is an Achilles. Smith needs to relinquish some of his “dictates” over the Defense. The rush four ~ soft zone scheme is NOT working. A guy like Spags should be hired and given a Loooong leash. This can be fixed with the right Coaching hires!! Let’s go TD ~ you’re a smart guy ~ do the right thing here!!!

Vince Lombardi

January 11th, 2012
4:36 pm

What the hell is going on around here??

falcons are a joke

January 11th, 2012
4:36 pm

NO ONE FROM THE ACC IS GOOD AT QB,CEPT PHILLIP RIVERS .LOTS OF BS TALK JUST LIKE THE BRAVES

skeptomania

January 11th, 2012
4:37 pm

One has to be concerned with Smith’s evaluation skills. Matty Slush as offensive MVP? This team is paying too much money to none elite players. No way Dunta, Edwards, Ryan, White, Baker, Jerry or even Abraham worth their big contracts. Should be clause in Whites contract to subtract for every dropped pass.

Arther Blank

January 11th, 2012
4:38 pm

CHFF-COLD HARD FOOTBALL FACTS 101

Looking at some of these bloggs, it seem that a lot of people seem to miss the SI.com article about the Falcons. Check this out if you didn’t see it- then I see what the reaction that article gleens. The more I read that article, the more the article articulated (in my mind) the obvious expert evaluation that I just never knew existed which was on a different level. Talk about learning something new everyday- I appreciate this article, because it now has sharpened almost like a razor-my football IQ as a whole, and more importantly, an NFL football fan who just happen to like the Falcons, because they are my home team, but now I see the light.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/writers/kerry_byrne/01/10/julio.jones.trade/index.html

falcons are a joke

January 11th, 2012
4:39 pm

I GAVE MY FRIEND 10 PTS.AGAINST THE GIANTS.TO THE MORON TRYING TO COMPARE PEYTON MANNING TO THIS IDIOT,PUT THE PIPE DOWN.

ATLANTA IS WORST MAJOR SPORTS CITY EVER

falcons are a joke

January 11th, 2012
4:40 pm

THIS TEAM BE BETTER OFF TRADING MATT CHOKE RYAN

Doug

January 11th, 2012
4:41 pm

This is a BS article. I listened to the majority of the press conference and although each of these things were indeed said, there is way too much media spin put on this.

For example, Mr. Blank used the term “Disappointed” throughout the press conference. He was posed a question by one journalist of “Could the word “Disappointed” be replaced with “Angry”? His answer was “Of course I’m angry but misplaced anger is not productive”.

C’mon guys, Arthur Blank is a class act, present the story correctly.

A complete Blank

January 11th, 2012
4:41 pm

What a freggin Disaster….. Did AB really say he wants some mean tuff players on his team??? What they heck have they been doing the last few years????? 5-11 Next season and the Falcons will searching for a new coach… new GM and hopefully NEW OWNERSHIP!!! HORRIBLE!!!!

ctim

January 11th, 2012
4:41 pm

Priorities to improve Falcons:

1) Hire Hue Jackson as OC. He brings the fire, passion, and track record that should light a fire under the whole team, much like Greg Jackson did during the Saints’ Super Bowl run and this year.

2) Hire an equally fiery kick butt DC…I’m just throwing this out here…Jack Del Rio? He’s crap as a head coach, but he and Smith did help win a Super Bowl together with the Ravens…

3) Draft or sign a super stud Off Lineman…a Jake Long, Pouncey twin (do they have another brother? lol)…someone who can consistently blow defenders off the line…the go to guy you run behind when you need that critical fourth down…

4)Draft or sign..FINALLY! a super stud D Lineman….I think the tackles are ok, but if you can’t find the stud edge rusher (hello, Jean St Piere Paul)…then find the next Suh or Fairly…someone who can push the pocket from the inside.

Other than that, the team is mostly set. WR is a strength, not a weakness. And watch how the secondary play improves with a real pass rush.

RONK

January 11th, 2012
4:41 pm

We had arough,tough,mean player, but would not sign Harvey Dahl to a new contract!!!!!!!!!!!

Arther Blank

January 11th, 2012
4:42 pm

Here are a few excerpts. Enjoy.

“So the game was not just a win for the Giants. It was also a win for the only force in football since the 1972 Dolphins to go undefeated and untied: the Cold, Hard Football Facts Shiny Hood Ornament Man Law.

If you’re new to the Mighty CHFF, this Man Law tells us that wide receivers are nothing more than Shiny Hood Ornaments decorating the engine of NFL teams. They look all nice and flashy and they cause fans to “ooh” and “ahh.” But they don’t make the engine run any better.

The Cold, Hard Football Fact, proven through all of NFL history, is that the impact of wide receivers is wildly overvalued by fans, analysts and, most damningly, by teams, coaches and executives, like Dimitroff, who should know better … but don’t.

The Shiny Hood Ornament Man Law proved so powerful in the 2010 season that we elevated it from the Shiny Hood Ornament Theory to its present status. It is no longer an idea or a concept. It is an irrefutable state of nature and exists all around us. Call it gravity for the gridiron.

The 2011 Falcons are the latest team to challenge the Shiny Hood Ornament Man Law, then hurt itself plummeting back to Earth in the process.”

Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/writers/kerry_byrne/01/10/julio.jones.trade/index.html#ixzz1jBjmsHg9

dagnabit

January 11th, 2012
4:42 pm

Get rid of Arthur Blank! Keep the bathwater.

Arther Blank

January 11th, 2012
4:42 pm

So the game was not just a win for the Giants. It was also a win for the only force in football since the 1972 Dolphins to go undefeated and untied: the Cold, Hard Football Facts Shiny Hood Ornament Man Law.

If you’re new to the Mighty CHFF, this Man Law tells us that wide receivers are nothing more than Shiny Hood Ornaments decorating the engine of NFL teams. They look all nice and flashy and they cause fans to “ooh” and “ahh.” But they don’t make the engine run any better.

The Cold, Hard Football Fact, proven through all of NFL history, is that the impact of wide receivers is wildly overvalued by fans, analysts and, most damningly, by teams, coaches and executives, like Dimitroff, who should know better … but don’t.

The Shiny Hood Ornament Man Law proved so powerful in the 2010 season that we elevated it from the Shiny Hood Ornament Theory to its present status. It is no longer an idea or a concept. It is an irrefutable state of nature and exists all around us. Call it gravity for the gridiron.

The 2011 Falcons are the latest team to challenge the Shiny Hood Ornament Man Law, then hurt itself plummeting back to Earth in the process.

Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/writers/kerry_byrne/01/10/julio.jones.trade/index.html#ixzz1jBjmsHg9

falcons are a joke

January 11th, 2012
4:42 pm

DONT WORRY FANS,YOU STILL HAVE THE BRAVES.AFTER THERE HISTORIC COLLAPSE GREAT MOVES DURING THE OFFSEASON.LOLBATTLE THE METS FOR LAST PLACE…..GUARANTEED

Crossroads

January 11th, 2012
4:43 pm

I have lived in the Atlanta area for all of my 40 years of life (unfortunately). I have to say that this HAS to be the WORST professional sports city in the country. The Braves are the lone titlist thanks to Ted Turner. I still think Blank is a great owner, but talk is cheap. The Falcons are at the “fork in the road” and this off-season will be huge in hiring a new OC and DC along with player transactions. I am so tired of these excuses that run rampant in the state “young team”, “rebuilding” , “next year we will be good”. UGA is the king of the state with those excuses BTW (I know they aren’t pro, but it is too similar to our pro teams). Will someone ever end this BS and put up results? It is YOUR time to show us what you can do Mr. Blank, so what’s it going to be?

Doug

January 11th, 2012
4:43 pm

and “T”, you are absolutely right…..

Roddy White dropped so many passes because he was “thrown” so many more passes than most receivers.

falcons are a joke

January 11th, 2012
4:44 pm

ARTHUR BLANK SHOLD BE ANGRY

HOME DEPOT IS CLOSING 50 STORES

Not a Fan

January 11th, 2012
4:46 pm

I’m sure glad I don’t live in Atlanta. Never in my 50 years have I seen such pathetic, fair-weather, bandwagon… ahem, fans. Under Blank, Dimitroff and Smith; the francise has risen from “never had consecutive winning seasons” to consecutive playoff appearances. Is there work to be done? Does coach Smith to gamble less on fourth down (interesting that Blank singled out the punter for praise)? Of course, but Blank very clearly stated it’s not about winning or playoffs; it’s about the Lombardi trophy. Point is; you can’t win the whole thing without winning more than you loose, and getting to the post season. You have to crawl before you walk and walk before you run. No true fan should be satisfied with 24-2 or last year’s embarassment at the hands of the Packers (eventual champs), but this armchair nonsense is for the birds (npi). Why don’t you fair-weather rubes go watch the Kardashians or something?

DaMan

January 11th, 2012
4:47 pm

What about a ruff and tuff coach

falcons are a joke

January 11th, 2012
4:47 pm

Crossroads,

Sorry for your loss.Don’t worry ,in 3 months you can go watch the braves play in da hood.

dub366

January 11th, 2012
4:48 pm

if Matt Ryan MVP OF the offense then the head coach need to go.

OPEN YOUR EYES

January 11th, 2012
4:49 pm

THE BIGGEST WORD THAT MIKE SMITH HAS EVER USED IS “DIAGNOSTIC EVALUATION’!!!
HE NEEDS TO TAKE HIS VANILLA/ARCHAIC ASS OUTTA HERE!!!!

40 Years Of Falcon Fandumb

January 11th, 2012
4:49 pm

Arthur is still too new to the Falcons if he is angry over them wetting themselves in primetime again.

The rest of us shrug and yawn. It’s really hard to give a s— after 4 decades of faceplants and underachievement.

The only thing they ever “rise up” to is mediocrity, and that doesn’t last long.

Arthur says this organization is about rings and championships?? Which organization is he talking about? The Falcons have a couple of division titles, an NFC title and the infamous, self-awarded California trophy to show for 45 years of this crap.

robert pearson

January 11th, 2012
4:50 pm

matt ryan , THAT your problem, he need to take note from Tim Tibow he has a heart to win, to play and he not afraid to run and get hit to make a first down.

falcons never win

January 11th, 2012
4:50 pm

Just Looking

January 11th, 2012
4:50 pm

T

Roddy White get 100 catches because the ball is thrown to him a high number of times. Which is a bad thiing. Look at the Saints, they have like 4 or 5 WR’s. None have probowl type of numbers but as a unit they are the best in the league. Then they have Sproles and Jimmy Gramham. I wish we could have a offense like that…or even 70% of it.

skeptomania

January 11th, 2012
4:53 pm

Hire the SI writer to replace Dimitroff.

falcons never win

January 11th, 2012
4:53 pm

HOPE AND CHANGE

all atl. teams ?????

January 11th, 2012
4:57 pm

FILL IN THE BLANK

Nativebird

January 11th, 2012
4:58 pm

Everything that comes out of this hammer salesman’s mouth is…..uh….er….Mularkey. Appararently, “talking” about doing great things is all that is needed in the corporate world he’s used to swindling.

no excuses

January 11th, 2012
5:00 pm

I saw better defense during the BCS Championship game than I did this year from the Falcons! That’s the kind of defense I want to see!

Columbus

January 11th, 2012
5:00 pm

With this lasting over an hour, I expect a more indepth column later. Lost offense and defensive coordinators. The offensive one is a blessing in disguise I hope.

all atl. teams ?????

January 11th, 2012
5:00 pm

BE HAPPY AND QUIT ROOTING FOR THE BRAVES/FALCONS.OH I FORGOT,MOST OF YOU ARE LOSERS AT EVERYTHING ELSE YOU DO.

Crossroads

January 11th, 2012
5:00 pm

@falcons are a joke
Sorry, I don’t get what I lost? I am not here to insult or argue, just to state an opinion and a few facts

Freshmaker

January 11th, 2012
5:02 pm

Wow you guys are retarded lol. “Fire the coach! Get rid of the QB who just set the franchise passing mark! Ditch the Pro-Bowl WR who also set a franchise receiving mark!”

I swear. Bunch of 2nd graders on here. Except for the falcons are a joke guy, who’s obviously still in remedial kindergarten.

falcons are a joke

January 11th, 2012
5:03 pm

Crossroads,

Im sorry you have to live in a ghetto city like atlanta

Buffy

January 11th, 2012
5:04 pm

TD’s interview in the AJC today was about as whitewashed and canned as it could be. Concerns me.

Mr Blank, please get rid of the pretty boys and their dreds and hire football players, FOOTBALL PLAYERS, that want to knock the snot out of some people. The team I saw could have easily ended up 6-10 if not for some 4th quarter miracles. We need a team that controls and protects the football, tackles the football, and catches the football. Players that have heart and desire, Players that want to earn their check each and every Sunday. Not give it 60% and collect a fat check.

j

January 11th, 2012
5:04 pm

STRETCH, at least the Hawks win playoff games …Falcons just lose them. And by God, VanGorder is an idiot. Him leaving doesn’t do anything bad to the team, actually makes them better.

falcons are a joke

January 11th, 2012
5:06 pm

Freshmaker,

thanks for the humor,hillarious.cant stand the heat,get out of the kitchen

Crossroads

January 11th, 2012
5:07 pm

@Freshmaker, You are right and with the players the Falcons have you have to agree that this off-season is the most crucial ever. A new OC and DC is like a new team, things will be run a totally different way next year and I just hope that the changes are in the right direction for the team. I feel that the Falcons COULD be the next great NFL team and these moves that are about to made will determine that.

brava

January 11th, 2012
5:08 pm

open your eyes

comment was racist,and it has been reported.

Fred Benson

January 11th, 2012
5:09 pm

Braves: handed the Cardinals the World Series title by choking.
Falcons: Peter King’s Super Bowl pick was a bust.
Hawks: at least they’re doing well at 7-3!
Thrashers: 20-16-5 record, good to be in Stanley Cup playoff contention. As the Winnipeg Jets.
Georgia Football: lost to Michigan St. @ a bowl game.
Atlanta has not won a championship since the 1996 Olympics.
CNN is the lowest-rated news channel in the U.S.,and Atlanta’s powerful CNN is the 32nd most watched cable network.
“Georgia…out of my mind” should be the state’s new song thanks to your sports teams.

brava

January 11th, 2012
5:10 pm

i see on here that school is out ,kids abound with there racist remarks

calling coach vanilla
braves play in ghetto
or da hood

swear some of you need to grow up

tt44

January 11th, 2012
5:10 pm

Help Arthur! I LOVE the Falcons! I have been a long time fan since 1966! I will continue to be a Falcons fan! But I am an embarrassed Falcon Fan right now, I am an angry Falcon fan right now! As a fan, I deserve a better effort from the players! As the OWNER YOU ABSOLUTELY Deserve better! Go Falcons! And thanks Arthur for what you are doing with Falcons…you care and thats cool!

Crossroads

January 11th, 2012
5:11 pm

@falcons are a joke
When I can find a job in the SW US (Arizona, NM, Nevada, Colorado), I am out of here! Hard to do in this economy

Tony

January 11th, 2012
5:13 pm

I too am disappointed we did not make it out of the first round, but I am proud of our team and it’s owner who is committed to bringing us a Super Bowl winner. Guess, at my age I can remember all the years of losing records season after season at the “Old Fulton County Out Door Stadium” and I am thankful for our winning players, coaches and owner. Ok men lets make the right moves to assure us “old fans” we can enjoy a Super Bowl victory before us old timers make our last move.

brava

January 11th, 2012
5:14 pm

crossroads,

i feel for you ,i live in n.dakota ,50,000 jobs available,even target and mcdonalds pay 16/hr.starting.

what?economy is bad?

Fred Benson

January 11th, 2012
5:14 pm

More Losing. More Anger. That’s the Power of Arthur Blank, Owner of the Home Depot. If he wants to win a Super Bowl, then he must marry Jane Fonda…hey, it worked for Billionaire Ted Turner! And while you’re at it, Arthur: can you bring back that old Atlanta favorite, World Championship Wrestling?

brava

January 11th, 2012
5:16 pm

crossroads,

unemployment for the state 1.6% we work up here and dont need the govt.help

sports

January 11th, 2012
5:16 pm

what a sorry @ss bunch of losers

Falcon Fan 24-7

January 11th, 2012
5:17 pm

Sounds like Blank is being political in order to sell season tickets. Go figure.

OPEN YOUR EYES

January 11th, 2012
5:18 pm

FIRST OFF IM WHITE SO LETS CLEAR THIS ALL UP!!!
SECOND, WHEN I SAID MIKE SMITH WAS “VANILLA” I MEANT THAT HE LACKS NO CREATIVITY AND IMAGINATION BOTH ON OFFENSE AND DEFENSE. ALL I WAS DOING WAS MAKING A REFERENCED METAPHOR!!!!!
THIRD, I AM FED UP WITH THIS SENSITIVE AND SOFT PEOPLE IN THIS STATE THAT ALWAYS SHED A TEAR WHEN SOMEONE TELLS THE TRUTH!! THIS IS WHY WE WILL NEVER WIN BECAUSE OUR FANS BASE ALWAYS ACCEPTS MEDIOCRITY!!!! WHAT YA’LL NEED TO DO IS TAKE YOUR LITTLE PANTIES OFF AND SACK UP!!!!

todd

January 11th, 2012
5:19 pm

Yeah well I don’t like being around loser’s either. i.e. Goodgod. When the going gets tough, guys like you quit. I wouldn’t want people like you in my corporation, on football team, or as a fan so take your happy ass out of here and go get an Aaron Rodgers jersey you front runner. And that goes for the rest of you whiners. I’ve been a fan since 1977 and will always be A FAN. Now excuse me, I have work to do.

Barbara Stewart

January 11th, 2012
5:19 pm

I am also a angry fan which I do not plan to be a fan next year. I think I am going to give up on the Falcons. The coach and the offensive coach are who I blame for the stupid calls they have made this most of the season. Both coaches need to be have been fired

Crossroads

January 11th, 2012
5:20 pm

@brava
I can’t live here anymore because of physical pain and the desert is my only option to help it. N Dakota is a little too cold for a southern boy, thanks for the tip.

todd

January 11th, 2012
5:20 pm

Never say never OPEN YOUR EYES…

Falcon Fan 24-7

January 11th, 2012
5:20 pm

SPAGS For DC and MIKE MARTZ For OC.Pay them well Mr. Blank.

Crossroads

January 11th, 2012
5:22 pm

@brava
I do have a job, never have taken a handout from ANYONE

Falcon Fan 24-7

January 11th, 2012
5:24 pm

Brian Billick would never accept any position other than head coach.

Jeffisgoofingoff

January 11th, 2012
5:24 pm

Unforgiveness towards former players never works. (p.s. Blank is really pissed cause he can’t justify a new stadium).

brava

January 11th, 2012
5:25 pm

open your eyes

since you think u r internet tough go say that to mike smith personally.what i thought u must be a 2nd grader like poster said earlier

Fred Benson

January 11th, 2012
5:26 pm

Hey Atlanta: Give up on the Falcons! Give up on the Braves! You were better off with WCW than those choking Braves and the failing Falcons. Do me a favor…move to Winnipeg, where they love the Thrashers more than your pathetic selves. Atlanta is just known for Turner Broadcasting, in my humble opinion.

MrDan

January 11th, 2012
5:26 pm

Playoffs??? Are you kiddn’ me??? Playoffs??

Jay

January 11th, 2012
5:27 pm

I am as frustrated by the early playoff exit as anyone. To all these “fans” that say they’re fed up with Smith, Ryan and Dimitroff… How are you even still fans? We have just had our fourth consecutive winning season. Before these 3 guys we never had back to back winning seasons. You should have decided way back then to “never watch another game” or “not renew your season tickets”. You guys just stop watching or going to the game. We don’t want to hear from you anymore.

brava

January 11th, 2012
5:27 pm

@crossroads

never said u did was talking how your state and others are living off the unemployment benefits and wont work.

brava

January 11th, 2012
5:30 pm

funny how i saw no protest when the falcons raised there ticket prices in 2011.where will u be when they raise it again for 2012?

wins-by-a-link

January 11th, 2012
5:30 pm

Mr. Blank will produce a championship, I believe him when he says that he wants championships and will do whatever it takes, Unlike the Braves who are owned by an absent and nameless Corp that does not give a damn it the Braves win or lose.

Buffy

January 11th, 2012
5:31 pm

Mr Blanks too busy with his “personal trainer” to notice his team is a joke. Dump the arm candy, hire some football players.

Bob

January 11th, 2012
5:32 pm

Just thinking that A Blank might give Dimitroff the name of his tailor. Dimitroff dresses like he drafts (and signs free agents). Also, Dimitroff spends Blank’s money like a Kardashian.

OPEN YOUR EYES

January 11th, 2012
5:32 pm

@BRAVA- DO YOU REALLY THINK THAT I AM AFRAID OF MIKE “VANILLA” SMITH??? HOLD ON ARE WE TALKING ABOUT THE SAME GUY THAT ALWAYS HAS A CONSTIPATED FACE ON THE SIDELINES EVERY TIME WE GET OUR ASSES HANDED TO US BY A GOOD TEAM????!!!

Falcon Fan 24-7

January 11th, 2012
5:33 pm

The lost of Dahl caused us to lose our swagger up front. The injury to Ovie was huge. If Ovie doesn’t go down ,we beat the Giants and the Saints in the first game. He creates holes better than lineman for Turner.

brava

January 11th, 2012
5:34 pm

@crossroads gl to you

btw,since when did nevada,colorado have a desert?

Ginger Kid

January 11th, 2012
5:36 pm

Oh no, here comes the pass rush! What do I do? I know. I’ll run that way. Oh no, there’s big mean guys that way! I’m so sleepy and my feet hurt. I just want to lay down right here . . . Wait! It’s this football in my hand the mean guys are after. I know what to do. I’ll run that way and then throw the ball as far as I can, maybe 30 yards, out of bounds down the sideline and then the mean guys will chase it instead of me.
Whew! Glad that’s over. Now let me get in this no-huddle offense and hurry in case the mean guys come back.

Arthur Blank

January 11th, 2012
5:37 pm

Changes are coming!!!

Dont forget,season tickets go on sale march 8.

Thanks for your support

Rod Paradise

January 11th, 2012
5:38 pm

I am with Todd. I too am a lifelong Falcons fan. This is Georgia this is my team good bad or ugly.
I seriously hate that so many people in Atlanta wear there crap gear around here and act like they are doing something.
@Goodgod. Why don’t you go do the discount double check with Aaron Rodgers?

OPEN YOUR EYES

January 11th, 2012
5:38 pm

@BRAVA- ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT THE SAME GUY THAT ALWAYS SAYS THE “SKY IS NOT FALLING” IN EVERY INTERVIEW AFTER WE HAD JUST BEEN BLOWN OUT BY A TEAM??!!!!! HUH???!! IS THAT WHAT YOUR INSINUATING???!!!

Arthur Blank

January 11th, 2012
5:39 pm

We will have plenty of money after i close 50 stores and layoff hundreds of employees but hey,my facons will be super bowl winners!!!!

Byron Leftwich

January 11th, 2012
5:41 pm

Joey Harrington

Joey Harrington

January 11th, 2012
5:41 pm

Jeff George

January 11th, 2012
5:42 pm

Tony Graziani

KG

January 11th, 2012
5:42 pm

Immediately after the embarrassing loss on Sunday, I said the Falcons should part company with Van Gorder, Mularkey and Smith. Well, two down, one to go. I don’t think Smith has what it takes to be a successful head coach in the NFL. Coordinator? Yes. Head coach? Heavens no. He has benefitted from being in a fairly easy division(minus the Saints) since arriving here in Atlanta. It is quite clear to me that Smith’s seat is hot as he is running out of excuses with the departure of Mularkey and Van Gorder. So here’s the question – who in the world is he going to get as coordinators? The potential candidates would have to know that they would be on a one year plan – fair or unfair. If the Falcons are unsuccessful next year, Smith gets canned and so do the new coordinators after one year here in Atlanta. To be clear, it will be tough to fill both positions with quality candidates.

That’s why I say once again, Mr. Blank sir, please cut your losses and part company with our head coach. Let’s truly start over….

Arthur Blank

January 11th, 2012
5:42 pm

Dont worry guys,i will sign mike smith to an extension,when my divorce is final.Excuse me while me and chipper go to hooters for dinner.

OPEN YOUR EYES

January 11th, 2012
5:43 pm

WE NEED TO GET MIKE MARTZ AS OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR AND RAHEEM MORRIS AS DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR!!! MIKE MARTZ CAN BRING HIS LABORATORY OF OFFENSIVE SCHEMES DOWN HERE AND WE CAN FINALLY PRODUCE AS A WHOLE ON OFFENSE (SCREEN PASS). MEANWHILE RAHEEM MORRIS, WAS DOOMED FOR FAILURE WITH THE BUCS, BUT NOW THAT HE HAS TALENT HE WILL LIGHT A FIRE UNDER THIS WHOLE DEFENSE AND GET US TO WHERE WE NEED TO BE!!!

falcon employee

January 11th, 2012
5:44 pm

HOME DEPOT TO CLOSE 50 STORES

SOURCE.WWW.CNN.COM/BUSINESS

You better get this right!

January 11th, 2012
5:44 pm

OK Folks! I just watched the press conference, and I for one feel a little better…I would tell any of you that are still mad about all of this crap to watch the press conference. Watch Arthur the whole time! He does not smile or even attempt to smiled once. He is MAD, just watch him.
We got what we wanted, MM, GONE! Now let these guys go to work, I promise, by the look in Arthur’s eyes, if this does not turn around, and I meen next year, TD and Smitty are history! Our owner wants a Championship and he is going to get it, with or without TD or Smitty!

falcon employee

January 11th, 2012
5:45 pm

OPEN YOUR EYES.

MIKE MARTZ,R U CRAZY?ASK ST.LOUIS RAMS HOW DID THAT WORK OUT THIS YEAR!!!

IGNORANT COMMENT OF THE DAY

falcon employee

January 11th, 2012
5:47 pm

Whey glad i got my raise before the falcons played the giants

falcon employee

January 11th, 2012
5:47 pm

and im white lmfao

Falcon Fan 24-7

January 11th, 2012
5:48 pm

Turner carries should increase. He should average 30 carries per game to soften up the opposing defense. When we lead the NFL, with time of possession is because we ran the dang ball.We should have kept pounding the ball against NO and NY. When we had GB 14-0 in the Dome, we should have ran the ball and the outcome would have been different.The run opens up the pass not the contrary. Go figure.

realitycheck

January 11th, 2012
5:50 pm

Been seeing a whole lot of “if’s” on this blog. If’s are for losers and delusional homer fans love to hold their hope on them. This team will finish 2nd or 3rd in the division next year, probably win 9 or 10 games but no better. Not much draft and no salary cap room will make it realistically impossible to really improve. This regime might or might not eventually win a playoff game, but that will be about it. Blank and the AJC will do whatever is possible to stay positive in order to renew as many season ticket packages as they can so the vision for a new stadium can stay alive. Sometimes you have to take steps backward in order to move forward. The Falcons have chosen not to do this and therefore are stuck as a winning team but nothing more. This regime should’ve been thanked for the things they accomplished, and then sent packing. Believe me, the Saints aren’t shedding any tears that the Dimitroff/Smith regime will continue!

mark

January 11th, 2012
5:50 pm

You want tough, mean, and gritty players??? Well start with a Coach who shares the same philosophy. Do what ever it would take to get Jon Gruden in here to coach, and Steve Spanuolo as the DC. You gotta have coaches who share your philosophy Mr. Blank. Oh and as far as FA’s are concerned it would be in the teams best interest to hurry up and resign Lofton. Thanks fro the memories, but I’d have to part with Abraham and sign Cliff Avril. Say good ridance to D Robinson, and William Moore.

OPEN YOUR EYES

January 11th, 2012
5:51 pm

WE NEED TO DRAFT AN OFFENSIVE LINEMEN ASAP!!!! THOMAS DECCOUD IS ONCE AGAIN A SKINNY AND BAD-ANGLED SAFETY WHO ALWAYS GETS HIS SIDE OF THE FIELD TORCHED!!!!! WILLIAM MOORE HAS THE POTENTIAL TO BE A ED REED UNDER A GOOD DC!!! WE HAVE TO SIGN BRENT GRIMES PERIOD!!!!!! WE NEED TO DRAFT A BLITZING LINEBACKER SO THAT WE CAN HELP OUT THE WEAK D-LINE!!

Falcon Fan 24-7

January 11th, 2012
5:52 pm

MARTZ was OC with the Bears. Get your facts straight falcon employee.

AceDawg

January 11th, 2012
5:52 pm

I think Charles was underutilized at UGA, and Bobo is a poor offensive coordinator, so he is making the right choice to head to the NFL. He’ll do us better in terms of recruiting by furthering the UGA NFL profile.

Rambo’s pass coverage has been frustrating at times, but he has made some nice plays, and I want all defensive players to come back and challenge LSU and Bama as the best defense in the SEC and nation next year.

AceDawg

January 11th, 2012
5:53 pm

oops, posted to wrong article. I also hope the Falcons open up a more dynamic offense and that they can find a reliable pass rush.

Wowzers

January 11th, 2012
5:55 pm

Matt Ryan MVP? Organization needs to be honest and know that he will never get over the above average hump. No legs and not comfortable in the pocket. Willing to throw it away to often.

Dr.FeelGood

January 11th, 2012
5:56 pm

As a life long football fan, ive watched as the current and former brain (if you can call them brains) have maded boneheaded move after boneheaded move. From allowing the greatest corner EVER to leave and getting no compansation to the Dunta contract. The brain trust here always seems to do the wrong thing. The team as currently constructed is flawed in the following was. The team is constructed much like the cowboys of the 90’s. With Aikman, Irvin, and Emmit. Those teams used a dominate running game to setup the play-action pass. This offense would still work but the birds aee missing two main ingrediants……dominate running game and a strong armed passer. Matt is more of a west coast type QB. Now you can win with this system but u need WR’s who can run after the catch and a back who is shifty and able to take it the distance. Falcons offense has components of both systems and is simply a mis-match of both. They need to decide if they wanna be a running team or a passing team and build the roster accordinly.

John

January 11th, 2012
5:57 pm

Tough, mean and physical players usually comes with a prima donna attitude….be careful of what you wish for.

gucci706

January 11th, 2012
5:58 pm

@ morn do u even listen to what u r saying urself u saying we need a new owner r u crazy blank is the best thing that happen to atlanta and u know it

shocked

January 11th, 2012
5:59 pm

I agree with Jay been a season ticket holder for close to 20 years, and we have never had it so good. BUT I was pissed, too. But to say we haven’t made hugh strides with these so called idiots is idiotic. How many years in the NFL did Rogers, Brees, Brady, Mannning, etc. have before they were in the playoffs (playing) let alone win. New blood at coordinators will be good.

OPEN YOUR EYES

January 11th, 2012
6:00 pm

@FALCON FAN 24-7- THANKS BRO, BUT DON’T WORRY ABOUT HIM, HE DOESN’T KNOW FOOTBALL LIKE WE DO.
@FALCONS EMPLOYEE- IF YOU’RE REALLY AN EMPLOYEE STOP WASTING YOUR BREATHE ON THINGS YOU DON’T KNOW AND DO US ALL A FAVOR AND GET MATT RYAN SOME STEROIDS TO PUMP INTO HIS RIGHT ARM!!! PLEASE AND THANK YOU??!! LOL

ctfalconsfan

January 11th, 2012
6:01 pm

We should keep Smitty 1 more year but the comment from someone as to what coordinators would come here?? all??

Spagnuola (spelling) .. Let’s get two agressive NFL NOT COLLEGE coordinators that have head coaching experience, Smith doesnt cut it then they have an inside track for the job..

ctfalconsfan

January 11th, 2012
6:03 pm

Note it’s always better to rebuild when you are 10-6 than 3-13!!!

Humbug

January 11th, 2012
6:06 pm

I believe Mr. Blank is tired of wasting his money on coaches and players who have less of the quality, ability, and desire that he expects. I think he has made this clear to his general manager and head coach. The needed adjustments and replacements will be better determined and acted on in private. They know they are now going to play by his rules. It’s about time he got fed up with less than the best.

WhoDat4Eva

January 11th, 2012
6:06 pm

You so-called fans make laugh so hard, hahahaha one week you love everybody on the team, think you’re winning the SB and then when reality sinks in you want everybody gone, hahahaha
Guess what? as long as Peyton and Brees are with the Saints is gonna be a long time before The Falcants go from pretenders to contenders, hahahaha
WHODAT!!

Mike FR

January 11th, 2012
6:10 pm

@Arther Blank hey man, that’s a good article (the SI one about the JJ trade) and I agree on most of it … However, I differ on something. I think QBs and WRs make each other better not as the article says that QBs make WRs better.

To extend on this, let’s put on the table Stafford and megatron….. I don’t think I lie if I say that 6 or 7 of Stafford’s tds where balls he just trhew up for megatron to make a play on the ball with triple coverage… the guy caught the ball ’cause he’s a beast! However, if he had thrown that ball to Burleson, he probably wouldn’t have caught the ball, then it might’ve been a turnover and that would’ve look bad on Stafford’s sheet.

On the other hand, when Welker was in Miami, he was no special player … Camarillo was better than him.. Then, you pair him with a great QB as Brady and you get what Welker is today.

DEEPATRIOTS

January 11th, 2012
6:11 pm

Enter your comments here
THE FALCONS AND THE FANS ARE FOURTH AND INCHES……….HAHA

OPEN YOUR EYES

January 11th, 2012
6:13 pm

@HUMBUG- I AGREE

DID EVERYBODY SEE ARTHUR BLANK’S FACE AT THE INTERVIEW??!!! HE WAS FED UP AND SO EMOTIONALLY DRAINED FROM THE FAILURE THAT I THOUGHT HE WAS GONNA SNAP ON D-LED!!!!! LOL BUT REALLY GUYS I WANT EVERYBODY TO WATCH THAT INTERVIEW AGAIN AND NOTICE THAT MIKE SMITH HAS A BIG ASS SMIRK ON HIS FACE BEHIND HIS GOOFY ASS GLASSES HE BOUGHT FROM WALMART!!!!

JT

January 11th, 2012
6:14 pm

Interesting that Tim Tebow has won more playoff games than Matt Ryan…..leadership baby!

Larry

January 11th, 2012
6:18 pm

Does anyone remember the late 80’s, early 90’s? I’m sure some of you do, and even before then. The Falcons are progressing, and yes, we all want to see playoff wins/superbowl visits, but as long as they are not going backwards…..Make adjustments, get better, move forward!!!!!!!

4dabirds

January 11th, 2012
6:25 pm

I’m with AB. What are you going to do? Once again this team has come up short. I hate it as much as Arthur does, but our day is coming. I’ve been supporting this team since 74. and I’ve been disgusted with then for a long time, but I am past it now, because I am smart enough to know that this is just entertainment. God bless you Arthur. You are a very good owner and a very liked philanthropist. I’m grateful that you own the Falcons.

Go Falcons!!!!!!!!!!!!!

phil

January 11th, 2012
6:28 pm

Falcon Friend
January 11th, 2012
2:30 pm

The Falcons will take of business as they see fit. No help needed from the bloggers who know nothing about coaching or building a team. You people would be considered smart if you said nothing and just be fans.

*******

You people? What does that make you, bonehead? The Annointed One?

phil

January 11th, 2012
6:28 pm

Fire more coaches!!

Double Zero Eight

January 11th, 2012
6:30 pm

If coaching was easy. anybody could do it.
It is a lot more complicated than what consistently
shows up on the blogs from the “Monday morning
quarterbacks:. With that said,I think it is
time for a change. I look forward to a new OC
and DC.

It is imperative that Coach Smith make the best
choices for these two important positions. If not,
his job will be on the line in the very near future.

phil

January 11th, 2012
6:38 pm

life goes on
January 11th, 2012
2:44 pm

It’s just football……..

******

Sure it is…

To losers like you.

angry mangy mutt

January 11th, 2012
6:38 pm

@DrFeelgood -I totally agree. On both sides of the ball we have players who seem to be a better fit in another system. It is clear Dimitroff has ignored not just what the Patriots had done while he was there, but what his present coach has been calling for. Some blame is deserved on the coaching staff, some on players’ effort. Much of it has to do with having the right guys on the field. Smith and MM want a physical offense, which usually translates into a physical D. Instead of OL help, they get a receiver who is often injured and has iffy hands. The D needs a playmaker, but were always being told we would be reaching ‘that guy’. Look at some good DTs we could have, instead we get an injury prone Pierra – seeing a pattern yet? It is amazing they have made this organization even a mild success. I appreciate the last four seasons. Did not believe the early hype after one flukish victory after the other last season. Still I wanted to believe.

G Man

January 11th, 2012
6:40 pm

What happened ???, I thought Smith and Falcons wanted a rematch with the Saints !!!!! Like the first 2 bashings wasn’t enough, go get a life Smith

lost money again on falcons

January 11th, 2012
6:41 pm

“Greatness?” That is the most absurd thing ever to come out of an owenr’s mouth. The Falcons organization has fought hard-sometimes foolishly- to get to mediocrity, which is where they live now and the foreseeable future. Arthur is a great guy but he doesn’t know the first thing about running a football team and he’s been proving it for years yet the fans buy into this crap. The Hawks are way closer to greatness than the Falcons ever will be, so Blank would be wise to stay away from that issue. Blank is cheap, won’t spend on free agents, and then mortgages the future for a receiver the QB can’t find.

phil

January 11th, 2012
6:47 pm

Boston transplant
January 11th, 2012
2:46 pm

The Julio Jones trade was disastrous for two reasons. First, you should never draft a receiver in the first round. Never! Ever! If you doubt that check the Patriots, Steelers, Ravens’ drafts to see what they do and more importantly do not do. The second problem is that you have a GM that is not only willing to draft a receiver in the first round – a cardinal mistake – but they traded up to do it. That is doubly bad. I think you need to get rid of your GM if you want to achieve your goals with the Falcons.

*****
here’s what phil thinks….

You are a bonehead and please go back to Boston, and that quickly.

phil

January 11th, 2012
6:51 pm

SealT2
January 11th, 2012
2:56 pm

The Falcons are Mr. Blanks’ team. If he wants to go down to the field at any time, he has that right. The majority of you bloggers are a bunch of “Cry Babies”. You want toughness, yet you bitch and moan when our players play tough football, stating they should be put out of the game i.e., Robinson. Common sense would suggest that if you send the “choir boys” that you want on the team into battle, they are going to be dominated by men. I’d rather have the intelligent, mean, and nasty to go into battle than somebody who is afraid to fight. Some of you want everbody from the front office down to the groundskeeper fired. How realistic is that – can you say CONTRACTS? Support the idea that changes are being made to attempt to make the Falcons better. We’ve wanted both coordinators gone, and we’ve gotten what we asked for. Now shut your negative faces up.

*******
Fire this idiot, positive blogger!!

techduck

January 11th, 2012
6:56 pm

Sam baker has 2 go.John abarham has 2 go.The whole D lines has got 2 go.Keep the second string D line that is above 300 lbs like Vance walker that cause hovic when he did get a chance to play a down which was once in a blue moon.This man is a beast , and 2 kept him on the second string speaks alot about the D.C.that we dont have any more (Thank you Auburn)

phil

January 11th, 2012
6:57 pm

Hugo
January 11th, 2012
3:11 pm

We need to be ready for the next few yare not going to years. Cam and Drew are not going to be slacking off. We have to be prepared on both sides of the ball.

******
Hugo, please learn some english before you post again.

Thank you.

FalconFan17

January 11th, 2012
6:59 pm

Blank is a very good owner. The problem is the coach – he needs to be fired like yesterday. He is a way too much of a players coach, never publicly says anything bad about any of his players even after the disastrous Giants game. He doesn’t light the fire under them, doesn’t display any energy or passion one way or the other about the team’s performance. I want a coach that is passionate and motivates his players…and if they don’t play like Pros, then I want a coach to call them out in public. Smith just wants to be buddies with his players and that doesn’t work in this league.

Spanky McSpanky

January 11th, 2012
7:13 pm

Ryan should be held accountable for poor performances. Smith needs to can his praise and focus on his QB’s lack of inspired play. The offense NEVER scored against the Giants. The defense was on the field for 34:34 . Ryan has the talent to succeed. The only thing holding him back is himself. Lets be honest. Ryan is an AVERAGE QB and not getting better.

Joe

January 11th, 2012
7:13 pm

Falcons are not an elite team and never will be with the front office and coach they have.

Roy

January 11th, 2012
7:16 pm

I think Matt Ryan is the problem along with TM. Ryan can’t throw deep how can we complete with likes of Rodgers, Bree’s and Brady when Ryan can’t throw over a 30 yard pass he was last in the league, TM made such a bad mistake last year trading for Jones. I have no problem with Jones he’s an very good WR however we needed so many other positions mostly a good Def. End and now we have mortgaged the future for that boneheaded move, what a joke Ray Edwards was! Seems to me Blank had his hands all over these moves he should be blameing his self for these screw-ups.

Spanky McSpanky

January 11th, 2012
7:16 pm

Correction: Ryan has the offensive talent around him to succeed. In question is his talent.

[...] free agents on its roster, and Dimitroff acknowledged both in this week’s Q&A and in a Wednesday news conference[4] that changes are [...]

KQuark

January 11th, 2012
7:34 pm

The team under performed and that goes to the players and coaching staff. They need a shakeup on the OL, DL and with the running game. Turner is hitting 30 and is slowing down at the end of the season the last three years. Baker needs to go. Get rid of Jerry. The LBs are good enough they should consider a 3-4 D-coor. The Secondary was not the problem with Grimes in there.

Biggest acquisitions should be OT and DE and maybe RB.

KQuark

January 11th, 2012
7:36 pm

Ryan is the least of the Falcon’s problems.

Spanky McSpanky

January 11th, 2012
7:42 pm

KQuark If Ryan stays average the team will never play deep in the playoffs. Brees and Brady have both played on average teams but manage to win.

more same

January 11th, 2012
8:02 pm

relax—more of the same mediocrity next year with all the overpaid chokers on this roster. it will never change in loserville

super hot

January 11th, 2012
8:04 pm

arthur’s new young girlfriend–super fine!! how does he concentrate on football with that hot thing at home every night??? WOW!!!

Dawg tired

January 11th, 2012
8:08 pm

If I hear, “We played inconsistent.” again, I’m going to be sick. We were absolutely consistent; we beat up on the back teams and lost to the good ones.

big t

January 11th, 2012
8:08 pm

Hey you guys quit killing Matt he only has 1.5 seconds to throw the ball before he gets sacked . Tom Brady has 5 seconds so does Drew an Rodgers

big t

January 11th, 2012
8:16 pm

I have been a fan for a long time what we need is some studs on the offensive line. Steve bartkawski needed some an so does Matt

dmitc4

January 11th, 2012
8:19 pm

Rheem Morris next defense coordinator……will get this defense to be elite…Rise Up

jmthoughts

January 11th, 2012
8:26 pm

Someone slammed M Bosher earlier. Check the #s. 73% of his punts resulted in a fair catch or were down inside the 20. Only two punters were better and he led the league in yards per return. Yes, that is in large part due to the ST but Bosher is not the problem.

Noneya

January 11th, 2012
8:30 pm

Brick Head Nelson

January 11th, 2012
8:39 pm

Bank needs to sign “Pee Wee Herman” to take over at QB. Howdy Doody had his shot and he went 0 for 3. Probably would not see a significant difference. BTW, Turner is a work horse. The O.C. did not know how to use him right. Trade Turner if you are not going to use him and get a great player or draft.

woodie

January 11th, 2012
8:48 pm

The press conference was all coach-speak crap and aimed at trying to keep season ticket holders happy.

Mister.Earl

January 11th, 2012
9:01 pm

Great Article

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d825e74da/article/falcons-fall-into-dome-trap-need-to-be-honest-in-evaluation?module=HP11_content_stream

The Falcons have fallen into the dome trap: evaluating the teams’ overall talent at home, instead of on the road, where the purest evaluation must take place.

They clearly misjudged the overall talent level on defense, as their most effective player is still aging defensive end John Abraham. Not Ray Edwards, who they signed to a big contract last offseason. Not Dunta Robinson, who inked another big deal two years ago. Not Peria Jerry, whom they drafted in the first round back in 2009. Not Sean Weatherspoon, another first-round pick in ‘10. Outside of Abraham and corner Brent Grimes, this defense desperately needs a fresh influx of talent, particularly at safety and defensive tackle.

On offense, Atlanta never solved glaring problems on the line. Right guard was a weak spot all season, as the Falcons couldn’t figure out the right combination of Joe Hawley, Mike Johnson and Garrett Reynolds on the interior. Nor could they find a solution at left tackle; former first-round pick Sam Baker was ineffective and had to be replaced by free agent Will Svitek.

With all of these issues, does Atlanta sound like a team that’s a player or two away? No way. And that’s why the humiliating loss to the Giants must be used as a measuring stick for every component of the team. The Falcons cannot hide behind a shiny home record and believe they’re on the cusp of taking the next step. They are a good team, not a great team. Atlanta must identify core of players who are good enough to win on the road, and let the others move on.

Foul-can

January 11th, 2012
9:05 pm

If you think Matt Ryan was the Offensive MVP you need yourself shot. Matt Turner is the offensive MVP. Ryan can’t get us out of the red-zone and he cant even get inches for a first down…. Ryan is our version of Flacco…. Offensive MVP…get the F out of here

Unbelieveable

January 11th, 2012
9:07 pm

Well, I wouldn’t have believed it if I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes. Check out this article on Yahoo sports. Look at about the 6th paragraph. It’s a quote from MM about his new position with Jacksonville. http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/AP-source-Jaguars-request-to-interview-Mularkey-88206712

Unfreakenbelievable!!!!!!!!

Foul-can

January 11th, 2012
9:11 pm

Thomas Dimitroff needs to go, he only gets a pass because he has credit with the Patriots. Get Dimitroff out of there.

The Falconator

January 11th, 2012
9:24 pm

From where will these suddenly coveted big, nasty OL guys come? They obviously won’t be found in the lower rounds of the draft as that approach hasn’t yielded much! Maybe St. Louis will let us have Harvey back.

PETE

January 11th, 2012
9:25 pm

It can only get better guys, the thing hurting us the most was Mularkey, he’s Jacksonvilles problem now.. Turner needs his carries cut down, Jaquizze is the man for the job.. Roddy needs to keep doing what he’s doing, maybe drop less balls, but keep helping Julio in progressing. Spoon and Lofton are solid at LB… DeCoude needs to go, he has horrible coverage even though he’s a powerful hitter.. RESIGN Grimes, work on our secondary.. GET SOMETHING GOING WITH OUR OFFENSIVE LINE… There dirty players but there not even that good

Ichabod

January 11th, 2012
9:28 pm

Matt Ryan needs to play like he did his first year, when he didn’t know anything. Now that he has become so cerebral he has developed the Yipes. He does have the problem with the long ball, and is not very mobile, so he needs some beef in the OL to give him a good 4 seconds in the pocket, and this will give the receivers another second or two to get open. I think it might work out.

Dlmodmac

January 11th, 2012
9:31 pm

Nothing wrong with the Def players. They knew the offense didnt have a big push, but called all those 4th down power plays. Not one player should be blamed. That was the worst play calling, because it was so predictable. Got to change the philosophy on offense. Run run pass doesn’t work on good teams.

falconfansince03

January 11th, 2012
9:34 pm

We have TONS of issues in Atlanta when it comes to our NFL team! Their ability and plan for success is certainly #1. But fan support – amongst the transplants (like me) is clearly #2. But #3 in my book is the high-school journalism of the AJC and reporters like “D-Led” I long for the day when AJC hires sports reporters that have roots here and have a desire to see Atlanta succeed. I’m tired of the hip-hop wanna be D-Led or whatever we’re supposed to call him these days – wax philosophical about a team and city for which he clearly has no interest or passion. This isn’t the United Nations or famine relief, “D-Led”… this is Football… ATLANTA! If you have no passion, desire, hope, aspiration for success in Atlanta, please take your mediocre talent to New Orleans! Please do Atlanta and yourself that favor. You have the unmitigated gall to actually question the Falcons’ hiring practices – have you looked in the AJC mirror lately? OMG! Pot calling kettle! Do us a favor and LEAVE ATLANTA! Please! Please! Please! Life is too short to make the rest of us miserable with your mediocre drivel… PLEASE LEAVE! Let’s get some REAL reporters with real writing ability… who have a passion for Atlanta! Let’s get rid of the enemies within!

JoeBrave

January 11th, 2012
9:36 pm

oKIE DOKIE DUMBASSES!
TIME FOR SCHOOL!
QB no.1 has a passer rating of 92.2 with a completion percentage of 61.3%
qb no.2 has a passer rating of84.5 and a completion percentage of 60%
QB no.3 has a passer rating of 84.9 and a completion percentage of 59.8% for 2012

can you name the better quarterback??? If so then you pass, if you name anyone other than Matt Ryan, you are an ignorant moron and your football acumen is in the toilet!

JoeBrave

January 11th, 2012
9:38 pm

QB number 2? none other than SCAM Newton
Qb number 3 good ol number 7… sheesh what a pitiful bunch to claim Ryan is no good!

Mister.Earl

January 11th, 2012
9:40 pm

A grand evaluation always begins at quarterback. Last week, I wrote that Matt Ryan needed to play well against the Giants to help the Falcons make a determination of his value as it relates to the other quarterbacks in the NFL. But Ryan fizzled yet again, continuing a trend of subpar postseason play. The book on Ryan away from the Georgia Dome is simple: Pack the middle of the field and force him to throw the ball outside the numbers (deep outs, comebacks, nine routes). Ryan isn’t likely to beat you if you take away inside throws. Although Ryan may not be a top-10 quarterback at this point, the Falcons must continue to build around him because there is no viable alternative.

Mister.Earl

January 11th, 2012
9:40 pm

Atlanta must continue to help Ryan, and the biggest need is a quick inside receiver who can win against tight, man-to-man coverage when teams pack the middle of the field. Building a great receiving corps is like building a basketball team — everyone has to fulfill different duties. Look at the Saints: They have two point guards in Lance Moore and Darren Sproles, an off guard in Devery Henderson, a small forward in Robert Meachem, a power forward in Marques Colston and a center in Jimmy Graham. All of them provide different skill sets, making coverage nearly impossible. Each week the Saints find their advantage and run the offense through it. Smart football. But the Falcons don’t have a versatile group, which significantly limits their offense.

The Falcons have plenty of work to do, and it’ll be even tougher without all those draft picks. But the first step is taking an honest look in the mirror and acknowledging the true state of the franchise.

Follow Michael Lombardi on Twitter @michaelombardi

JoeBrave

January 11th, 2012
9:41 pm

for those that are enamored with fun and gun option Clowns at QB, you WILL NEVER see another Option QB in a Falcons Uniform again! those guys are destined to FAIL!

JoeBrave

January 11th, 2012
9:43 pm

Mister Earl, who was calling those inept plays??? Ryan or the dipsquat that just took a hike to Jax? MM that was who called the idiot plays! do you people know anything about the game?? gimme a break!

Mister.Earl

January 11th, 2012
9:44 pm

JoeBrave – you are ranting and not saying much of substance.

What is your point?

What is your research to back it up?

Mister.Earl

January 11th, 2012
9:46 pm

Read again JoeBrave – “The book on Ryan away from the Georgia Dome is simple: Pack the middle of the field and force him to throw the ball outside the numbers (deep outs, comebacks, nine routes). Ryan isn’t likely to beat you if you take away inside throws. Although Ryan may not be a top-10 quarterback at this point, the Falcons must continue to build around him because there is no viable alternative.”

Rebuttal?

That is NOT totally on the coordinator. That cites a lack of arm strength.

JoeBrave

January 11th, 2012
9:46 pm

Passer Rating Leaders – All Players
RK PLAYER TEAM ATT COMP PCT YDS YDS/A LONG TD INT SACK RATE YDS/G
1 Drew Brees, QB NO 43 33 76.7 466 10.84 56 3 0 2 134.4 466
2 Eli Manning, QB NYG 32 23 71.9 277 8.66 72 3 0 1 129.3 277
3 Tim Tebow, QB DEN 21 10 47.6 316 15.05 80 2 0 0 125.6 316
4 T.J. Yates, QB HOU 20 11 55.0 159 7.95 40 1 0 2 97.7 159
5 Matthew Stafford, QB DET 43 28 65.1 380 8.84 42 3 2 0 97.0 380
6 Ben Roethlisberger, QB PIT 40 22 55.0 289 7.23 33 1 1 5 75.9 289
7 Matt Ryan, QB ATL 41 24 58.5 199 4.85 21 0 0 2 71.1 199
8 Andy Dalton, QB CIN 42 27 64.3 257 6.12 36 0 3 4 51.4 257

from ESPN who is in the top ten ????? our very own Matt Ryan at number 7. how Ironic!

JoeBrave

January 11th, 2012
9:47 pm

and regular season rank…..8th!

Mister.Earl

January 11th, 2012
9:48 pm

JoeBrave – the games are not played on paper.

Two points.

TWO.

Mister.Earl

January 11th, 2012
9:50 pm

JoeBrave – what would you rather have?

A bunch of cute numbers on a stat sheet…. or one playoff victory?

C’mon Man!

JoeBrave

January 11th, 2012
9:52 pm

regular season stats read em and weep this is actual games played stats!

Passer Rating Leaders – Qualified
RK ATT COMP PCT YDS YDS/A LONG TD INT SACK RATE YDS/G
1 Aaron Rodgers, QB GB 502 343 68.3 4,643 9.25 93 45 6 36 122.5 310
2 Drew Brees, QB NO 657 468 71.2 5,476 8.34 79 46 14 24 110.6 342
3 Tom Brady, QB NE 611 401 65.6 5,235 8.57 99 39 12 32 105.6 327
4 Tony Romo, QB DAL 522 346 66.3 4,184 8.02 77 31 10 36 102.5 262
5 Matthew Stafford, QB DET 663 421 63.5 5,038 7.60 73 41 16 6 97.2 315
6 Matt Schaub, QB HOU 292 178 61.0 2,479 8.49 80 15 6 16 96.8 248
7 Eli Manning, QB NYG 589 359 61.0 4,933 8.38 99 29 16 28 92.9 308
8 Matt Ryan, QB ATL 566 347 61.3 4,177 7.38 80 29 12 26 92.2 261

JoeBrave

January 11th, 2012
9:54 pm

Put a decent line around the Qb, and get a damn reciever that can actually catch the damn ball and the team will win a POSTSEASON GAME, oh lets not forget that defensive sieve called a secondary, how bout an actual Cornerback that can see over the damn steering wheel!

JoeBrave

January 11th, 2012
9:55 pm

fact is the Birds have a top ten QB, and a lower rate OL, and scrub secondary!

Mister.Earl

January 11th, 2012
9:56 pm

JoeBrave – you mortgaged the future in the Julio Jones deal.

Which hole to fill first?

Mister.Earl

January 11th, 2012
10:01 pm

You can only fill ONE position with a quality replacement.

The draft cupboard is bare. Free Agents are not cheap.

Dru Bees

January 11th, 2012
10:03 pm

Ice Ice baby….

steveland morris

January 11th, 2012
10:04 pm

4th & 1. and you take the big bad running back out. what a joke. some one please try to tell the qb to throw the ball more than 20 yards, or is the hand always broke.

chris watson

January 11th, 2012
10:09 pm

once again….the morons that post on here prove just how fickle and stupid most sports fans are. You just don’t get it. It isn’t easy to go from the absolute bottome to a winning team every year overnight…wait a minute – the Falcons did that! If you don’t like the product please stop watching – we have enough uneducated fans. If you don’t have the capacity to comprehend the complexity of putting together a winning team then don’t post on here! Everyone loves Peyton Manning but how many superbowls does he have? ONE in what….13 seasons. It isn’t like other teams just roll over for you…every franchise is trrying to put a winner on the field. I am a big Arthur Blank fan but I think he has his sights set a little too high himself. Winning a superbowl requires EVERYTHING coming together at the right time. Remember that 16-0 season the Patriots had? It even ended with NO SUPERBOWL RING!

Laughing Out Loud

January 11th, 2012
10:11 pm

Say nothing (so you don’t show your ignorance); be a fan, show your love and support!

billya

January 11th, 2012
10:11 pm

I’m proud of Arthur Blank being “upset”. He should be. The team made a laughing stock out of Atlanta. The goal is to get to the playoffs and then play our best games and win a Superbowl, not fall on our sword and sit on the toilet in front of the nation. As one person said here, if he’s upset, he should spend time with the fans. But don’t put the fox’s in charge of the hen house. While the coach and GM are scrutinizing the players for those that “play with heart” when it counts, Blank has to be looking at his executive management team AND KNOW that they did not spiritually coach the team and get them properly invigorated to play post-season. If Smith stays–and I don’t care how intelligently objective he is–he has to know that what we saw against the Giants should never, never, ever, ever happen again under his watch and that if it does, he should be a Man and hang it up here and go into early retirement. Good coaches don’t let that happen. They know how to create intensity. As an experience so-called coach, he didn’t do that. True the key assistant coaches left something to be desired, but he was the captain of the ship. Truly he owes a verbal apology on behalf of the team and his coaching to fans that pay his and their big ole fat salaries. People get paid all you for what these guys get paid to show up at a practice. The kind of show they put on in New York is an insult to all the fannies in the seats. Finally, Matt Ryan and a few other captains need to toughen up themselves. Matt was no inspiration to anyone in that playoff game. He was no Field Marshall. He looked pitiful and played without passion. Yeah, he had no OL backing him up, but guess what fella–when life gives you lemons you make lemonade, when the going gets tough, the tough get going. They don’t slide 5 yards from the first down marker; they show the team what it takes to win, even if they have to take a hit to show the others what’s necessary and to get them fired up likewise. The whole team really stunk. Just for the final game performance alone I wouldn’t have given Matt the MVP. He didn’t deserve it. So I agree don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater…but there’s lots of bathwater to throw out both on the field and on the sideline. Smitty, I respect you as a man, but you basically proved in the Giants game that you are no Superbowl quality coach. You’ve got a lot of working on yourself to do. If the health issue is going to keep you from showing intensity and fire on the sideline (when its called for; like it was in that playoff game), then with due respect, you should take yourself out of it, enjoy the hard worked dough you’ve earned and play golf. These fans, they want a championship and a coach that shows in all his actions that he want’s one to. There are no days off..especially when we all expect ourselves to put it all on the line.

kreedham

January 11th, 2012
10:12 pm

It may seem small but I agree…losing Ovie M was big. Sign the right UFA’s, get a few and yes, a little attitude please. For the guy who picked the Falcons last…you sir are an idiot!

chris watson

January 11th, 2012
10:13 pm

For every armchair quarterback that likes to insult the Falcons secondary. 1. Brent Grimes (pro bowler) was inactive against the Giants….makes a big difference. 2. In this day and age of basically not being able to hit the quarterback and receivers having no fear of running routes across the middle of the field because it is basically illegal to lay a decent lick on them. Throwing for 5K yds. this season wasn’t really a big deal…4k yds. is an average quarterback now. All teams secondaries look like crap now due to the new rules.

trade bait

January 11th, 2012
10:24 pm

trade ryan for some #1 picks and get matt flynn—much better, stronger arm. If not, more of the same mediocrity for years to come. I gave up my 2 season tickets after last year’s choke and will not go back until they make big changes.

smith

January 11th, 2012
10:44 pm

Let’s start recruiting players who are incarcerated and have been practicing and honing their skills and have been on good behavior and willing to sign an NFL Contract for $25,000 a year with good behavior and the willingness to work for a paycheck. I’m sure that there are inmates that would kill to play in the NFL.

Jason

January 11th, 2012
10:55 pm

I like Julio Jones and the talent he is and I believe he will be in years to come. However I could not see myself making that deal if I was the GM. To make a move like that you have to believe you are near the top and that one peice will take you there. That must have been the belief of the Falcons brass, but how could they see that when everyone or more correctly most of the fans knew we badly needed improvement on the Oline and defensive backfield. I thought Dimitroff and Smith first priority would have been to provide better protection for Ryan, especially ay left tackle where sam Baker has not performed well. The trade is done and Julio is here and he performed admirable, TD must invest in the Oline and upgrade the defensive backfield. Despite the 1300 yards gained by Turner an upgrade is required at RB. We trust Rodgers will get more touches in the coming year, but we should also get a back to replace Turner should he return for his final contract year. I like Snelling but he and Turner are the same type so the need to get a back who can make people miss and can take it to the house.
We should be able to upgrade the line with the 2nd Pick and through FA. The saints have rebuild their Oline and apart from Bushrod how many 1st round picks do they have?
Dimitroff should focus now on the Oline first, a DB and a FS to replace Decoud. Despite Abraham’s age we might need to bring him back for another year, because we do not have the picks to get a worthwhile replacement and with so many other needs.

Curtis

January 11th, 2012
11:11 pm

Why are people bashing mike turner and matt ryan. They are not the problem. Matt ryan has dis nothing but win since he got here. Mike turner has put up big numbers since he got here. Its coaching. Matty ice will bring a superbowl to atlanta. I love my team win or lose. Falcons for life!!!

billya

January 11th, 2012
11:13 pm

Matt Ryan did not look or act like a leader in the only game that counted this past season.

BVGmustgo

January 11th, 2012
11:22 pm

Mr. Blank it is really simple what this team problem is. It is Matty Melt Ryan, all you have to do is look at his performances against teams with winning records. He struggles when he plays against GB, NO, NE, NYG, PITT to name a few. Then everyone praises him when he completes 25-30 for 300 plus yds and 3 td against TB, SEA, STL, IND. He has everyone thinking that he is this elite QB for one game and then he performs like crap the next game when the team needs him to be at his best. Ask yourself when was the last time he played well and helped the team win a big game. The reason he has a 0-3 record in the playoffs because you do not play against sub par teams in the playoffs. It is not hard to figure out, he just cracks under pressure and all the blame get pointed at the O-line not blocking or WR dropping passes. The Falcons O-line is better at protecting the QB than Packers are but you don’t here them crying about Rodgers getting hit or sacked. The reason is because you can’t expect the O-line to keep the QB jersey spotless every game. The QB has to have good footwork and pocket prescence to step up and make plays when things breakdown. Rodgers, Brees, Brady and even Eli all have that and Matty Melt does not. So don’t try and put his failures all on the O-line, he need to watch film of the elite QBs to see how they step up and make plays for the team even when things break down. By the way I am a Falcons fan and I am just tired of us being embarrassed on national TV because our QB always Melt under the bright lights

TCCB

January 11th, 2012
11:55 pm

I will not spend one dime on a Falcon football ticket

baloo

January 11th, 2012
11:57 pm

half the ryan haters would back him if his skin was a different hue

[...] Falcons announced that they plan on cutting down running back Michael Turner’s carries next [...]

moboman

January 12th, 2012
12:25 am

Its not Turners touches that need to be reduced. Its his tuchus that needs to be reduced. Ask Blank if you dont know what that means. Turner would be more effective if he werent carrying such a big mass. Hes lost his speed.

Reddog

January 12th, 2012
12:42 am

Congratulations Jacksonville Jaguars! Watch out for the quarterback sneak

Gdawg

January 12th, 2012
12:46 am

Mr. Blank,

With all do respect, did you watch the same Falcon’s games as I? I am sorry to inform you, but Matt Ryan is not an elite QB, and most definitely not your MVP on offense. However, I cannot bring myself to label one offensive player as MVP. Roddy had too many drops; Turner is too easy to bring down for a big back, and Julio was a rookie and was injured a lot. Mr Blank, admit it, you gave up way too much to get Julio last year. I knew you were making a huge mistake, so now what are you going to do? We are screwed for the next two years. I have been watching Falcon’s football all my life. I suffered through all of those long years, and I will say that Smith at least, has brought some stability to the program. I really like him, however; I question all your entire organization’s credibility, because of last year’s draft. In case you do not know, defense wins championships, and we will get the bottom of the barrel for the next two drafts, because you guys chose to enhance the offense by drafting an unproven receiver, and to prove my point, we did not score a single offensive point in the playoffs against the 27th ranked defense. The problem was not Vangorder the problem was Malarky. Thank God he is gone. As for Matty Ice, wait and see, he is not physically capable of leading a team to the promise land. Matt is a nice clean cut guy, who is a nice face for your organization, but he cannot hold Bree’s or Roger’s jock strap. I don’t know, maybe you can rectify last year’s draft via free agency. However, I see this team as becoming just like the Cowboys for the next five years, and as you know, that ain’t sayin much.

Respectfully,
Scott H.

CGD..

January 12th, 2012
12:48 am

Mr. Blank shooting blanks!

“Smith said that his offensive MVP was quarterback Matt Ryan.”

Coach Smith= Norv Turner, in over his head

Matt Ryan= Obsolete, a throwback…..Blah Blah Blah….

Bench Butterball Turner

Three Blowouts on the National Stage= Total Fail….

RG3 will run circles around “MVP”

Gdawg

January 12th, 2012
1:08 am

Mr. Blank, I have a few additional comments. Matt Ryan is weak and scared. He should not allow his line to be thrown under the bus. Reevaluate your draft strategy. Defense and hogs in the trenches wins championships. I guarantee you the 49ers will be there in the end, and if they happen to lose in the playoffs, they will not be embarrassed. I still cannot get over what you guys gave up to get Julio!!!! I am so disgusted!! Now you guys have ran Vangorder off, and he was your best assistant coach. I want to see some creativity from your administrative staff in recouping some draft picks, even if it means trading Julio or Roddy. We gave away a better QB than Ryan in Schaub, and I predicted that would be the case. For heavens sake, I am better at evaluating talent than your top guys. Let me give you a suggestion. Do all that you can to acquire RG3, the Baylor QB. I guarantee you he is a superstar in the making. He is so much more than Ryan, please, I know you have millions tied up in Ryan, but you are going to lose a lot more money if you keep him. If I am wrong I will walk down Peachtree Street with a sign on back stating that I am a jack ass if Ryan proves me wrong, but I know that ain’t gonna happen. Mr. Blank if you want to turn this organization around, then major surgery is required. Get rid of Ryan, White, and your over weight and over paid running back, and acquire some draft picks and make some moves. Don’t wait another year. Perform this surgery now!!!!

bobby

January 12th, 2012
2:19 am

bring in mike singletary now can i get an amend

tyger

January 12th, 2012
3:12 am

Falcons Presser notes…

1. One positive, we’re not losing b/c of our owner…
2. They are in either in denial or boxed in, re. Matt Ryan…
3. All QBs are rushed in the playoffs, good ones buy time…
4. OL’s needed overhaul for 2 years, why try and bully Giants front 4?…
5. Team doesn’t need implosion, needs on-field leadership…
6. 3 yrs. in a row, Ryan’s had the “deer in the headlights look”…
7. That’s who he is, “no pocket presence”, he’s can’t feel it…
8. Is game too fast for him?…Others slip tacklers, not him…why???…
9. Hail Mary attempt, couldnt even get to endzone after 3 step windup…
10. There’s not a dink/dunk QB left in the tourney…only studs…

a. Saints – defense holds gets INTs, Ryan – nothing, punt…
b. Roethlisburger – one leg rally, TJ Yates – rookie win, Tebow – knuckleball win…
c. Ryan shutout, “0″ points…don’t put it all on the O-line…
d. When he had time, he threw into the dirt, scared as hell…be honest!

tyger

January 12th, 2012
3:15 am

Amen! On Mike Singletary, we need a crazy MF around this team…
- see how “his” 49ers have turned it around…

Caleb

January 12th, 2012
4:49 am

no wonder they call atlanta fans a bunch of fair weather fans.

Caleb

January 12th, 2012
4:50 am

im a huge atlanta fan and im not even from there and im not jumping ship

Caleb

January 12th, 2012
4:57 am

how many teams would love to have ryan, white, jones, gonzalez, turner, abraham, robinson, weatherspoon, blank

tyger

January 12th, 2012
5:20 am

Matty Tap Water

tyger

January 12th, 2012
5:22 am

Enter your comments here

tyger

January 12th, 2012
5:22 am

Matt Ryan/Roddy White for RG3

Joshua Malavenda

January 12th, 2012
5:33 am

Heres the 5 things that got us to where we are at now: 1. They hired mike smith who doesnt have enough of the it factor to get us to win the superbowl nonetheless a playoff game.2. We never should have let dahl or HOuston go untill we had a good enough replacement for them. 3. We havent drafted very well and its suprising since td was scout for billy b when he was at the patriots. 4.hiring mularky and van gorder as cordinators 5. other then tony g and John Abs ray edwards ( the verdict is still out on edwards) the rest of the free agency pick ups have been trash.

Here are the things that can get us out of this mess.
1. HIre Joe phillbin as oc hire spags as dc and mike singletary as linebackers coach . trade dunta robinson for 2nd and 4 th pick trade peria jerry for 4th rd pick trade decoup to the highest bider. sign micheal griffin in free agency and also either sign Mario williams or Cliff Anvill in free agency as the replacement for Jon Abraham. draft Coby fleener as the repalcement for tony g and draft some secondary and some offensive line help in the draft .

john

January 12th, 2012
5:38 am

And the ghost of Rankin Smith still looms over this franchise…..once losers….always losers.

tyger

January 12th, 2012
6:04 am

A grand evaluation always begins at quarterback. Last week, I wrote that Matt Ryan needed to play well against the Giants to help the Falcons make a determination of his value as it relates to the other quarterbacks in the NFL. But Ryan fizzled yet again, continuing a trend of subpar postseason play. The book on Ryan away from the Georgia Dome is simple: Pack the middle of the field and force him to throw the ball outside the numbers (deep outs, comebacks, nine routes). Ryan isn’t likely to beat you if you take away inside throws. Although Ryan may not be a top-10 quarterback at this point, the Falcons must continue to build around him because there is no viable alternative.

Mike Lombardi – nfl.com

dub366

January 12th, 2012
6:06 am

Matt Ice Melt Ryan should be on that list of limited touches instead of MVP that tell you a lot about your head coach Mike Smith.

SINCE66

January 12th, 2012
6:20 am

The Falcons will win around 10 games next season.

garyc42

January 12th, 2012
6:22 am

get rid of Michael Turner.He couldn’t break hisself out of a wet paper sack if he tried.

CRO MAGNON MAN

January 12th, 2012
6:23 am

Agree with “falcon friend” above….it’s all about players making plays…way too much emphasis here on who the OC OR DC is. FALCON FANS ARE DELUSIONAL JUST LIKE UGA FANS….THEY BREAK OUT THESE GREAT EXPECTATIONS AND WHEN THE PLAYERS AREN’T GOOD ENOUGH TO WIN, THEY WANT TO THROW THE COACHES UNDER THE BUS….

CRO MAGNON MAN

January 12th, 2012
6:34 am

BLAME THE PLAYERS, BLAME THE COACHES, 10-6 not GOOD ENOUGH.
.???…WHEN WE GET 4 JOHN ABRAHAM’S LIKE THE GIANTS HAVE, THEN WE CAN RUSH THE PASSER…PLAY MUSICAL CHAIRS WITH THE COACHES…ITS ALL ABOUT GETTING THE RIGHT PLAYERS….UGA DEFENSE HAS FINALLY GOTTEN THE RIGHT PLAYERS….THE OFFENSE DOES NOT HAVE THE RIGHT PLAYERS….BUT I GUESS THAT’S COACH BOBO’S FAULT, RIGHT…

Otto

January 12th, 2012
7:38 am

It’s been very apparent to me for a long time. The offensive line is built for speed not plowing straight up the middle or keeping gorilla’s off Matt Ryan. Remember the loss to KC in 2010? They had a BIG line. Overall not enough time for a pass play to formulate, so what good are your star wide receivers when Ryan on his back. Also, too predictable when Ryan is not audibilizing.

Saints R.E.A.M.

January 12th, 2012
8:09 am

Thomas Dimitroff looks like ex-basketball player Steve Kerr…..just a random thought.

thejokerster

January 12th, 2012
8:26 am

Matt Ryan MVP? I can tell you this, his batteries in his panic button stay fresh. He reminds me of a screwy squirrel trying to cross the road avoiding an oncoming car. Don’t know which way to go but right back into the oncoming car. Robinson needs to go, and take Ray Edwards with him, along with Bosher, Baker, Peria, etc…

joey563

January 12th, 2012
8:29 am

DLed, you missed out on the epic opportunity to use the headlines,
“Angry Birds”,
“Played Off – Falcons ticked-off about playoff exit”,
“Blank-et Statement – Blank and company has statement on season”,
“Turner the Corner – Falcons unsure about Turner and the offensive direction”
“Saving Ryan’s Privates – Ryan’s balls safe from the fire for now”
“BV-Cya, VanGorder out as Falcons D-Coordinator”
“The OC – Falcon’s primetime for new Offensive Coordinator”

DirtyBirdDude

January 12th, 2012
8:38 am

Please draft Coby Fleener

Preston Thompson

January 12th, 2012
8:43 am

It’s really neat to sit here and read all the experts opinions. I’ve always wanted to see perfect and really know what’s needed to make the Falcons winners.

With my little amount of knowledge related to football, you haters are going to end up missing VG. You won’t admit it but you will. He with what the GM put on the field.

Trade more picks!

January 12th, 2012
8:48 am

dimitroff needs to trade away any other picks the falcons have left for the next few years to get another “impact” player! Yes–that’s it! The ATL to the Super bowl soon!!

FL dawg

January 12th, 2012
9:05 am

It’s simple. Atl gets a great OC and a decent DC and ATL remains in the present as a viable playoff team. Get a “were gonna change the whole sys” type of guy (yawn) and the dirty birds get a “better” moniker stuck on them. It’s really up to Blank and TD. They gotta go with what they got.

ZACK

January 12th, 2012
9:05 am

TD AND SMITTY NEED TO GET OUT OF THE STAT BOOKS! GET TO THE EYE TEST YOU FOOLS! FOR EXAMPLE HOW MANY THINK JACOBS LOOKED FAR BETTER THE TURNER ON SUNDAY!?!??! YET THE FALCONS WOULD NEVER ADMIT IT! THAT IS THE PROBLEM. GET SOME TRUE FOOTBALL PLAYERS IN HERE. KEEP YA CHOIR BOYS IN CHURCH!

Parker

January 12th, 2012
9:09 am

Mr. Blank – back it up by giving the season ticket holders a 10% discount on renewal for next season.

nbrdrdnk

January 12th, 2012
9:23 am

If Mr Blank does not want to deliver the same remarks and answer the same questions this time next year, he needs to have some major input in the hiring of the new coordinators. It certainly appears that the present regime prefers the conservative, low-risk/low-reward approach when it comes to offensive and defensive schemes; and even with all of the “we gotta get meaner…” and “we gotta be better at…” soundbites, why should we believe that any changes in philosophy on either side of the ball are coming (without some pushing)?
Unless the Front Office is capable of some kind of NFL-Felony Robbery (yeah, right!), we will have to assume that with a few additions and subtractions, the personnel we ended the season with is the same as we’ll start with next fall. Maybe a full training camp will help (duh!)– but with new coordinators, that’s a given. Maybe Matt Kalil will last till the second round (LMAO). Maybe the Falcons really will learn from their failings and do better next year (ROFLMAO).

FL dawg

January 12th, 2012
9:25 am

Ryan wishes he had Bart’s arm. He was the last QB in Atl that, the opposition knew wanted to win. Ryan has a helluva better line than Bart. The rcvrs are probably just as good. But (forget ‘98) Atl’s last SB team was when D. White beat our secondary back in the div PO’s b/t Atl and Dallas. The yr Jaws literally pissed himself against the Raiders in the SB. And what make Jaworseki such a great @#^*ing commentator anyway? I’m po’d, just glad both coordinators are history. Now TD, really EARN your $ and hire O/DC’s that can put a fire under some of these (esp on defense) over paid lucky to be in the NFL posers.

Mister.Earl

January 12th, 2012
9:26 am

ZERO

Preston Thompson – you are defending an offensive coordinator whose unit gets a bagel in a playoff game?

Please.

The fact remains the Falcons were misjudged for their dome performance. On the road they are not so good. The evaluation will be painful and the decisions, starting with leadership will not be perfect. They never are. The type of rebuilding the Falcons MUST emabrk on will take at least THREE YEARS od trial, error and adjustments.

The draft will be less of a resource because of the Jones deal so free agency will be the best hope.

American Idol tryouts anyone?

The line forms to the left….

Carlos

January 12th, 2012
9:41 am

Long time Falcon fan living on the westcoast… I was sick to my stomach after watching that pounder puff game on Sunday. I’ve seen my son old high school team play a better game than the one that the falcon played. I love our owner I knew he was gonna come out and say something like he said. Much better than the ownership the chargers have out here. Im also surprised that he didn’t clean house from top to bottom ie the entire coaching staff. I know he has put folks on notice as he should have.
A few questions.. Is Matt really the guy? Should the falcons bring another qb the challenge Matt in camp? Should they clean house in the secondary? Yes yes yes!! What will the falcons record be next season?? And if the falcons miss the play offs or superbowl next season will it be the end of the road for the head coach??

FL dawg

January 12th, 2012
9:43 am

You think the Packers would trade Flynn for Ryan? Not unless they get a @#^% load of ATL’s 1st round picks which are gonna be top 15 picks by the looks of it. I really think GM’s make a team, literally, lateraly, configuratively, etc. Now…can we get a cream of the crop OC? That’s what it’s gonna take. The guaranteed 4 wins against subpar div rivals are over.

CGD..

January 12th, 2012
9:53 am

He’s regular QB for the “regular” season….

Playoffs are another story…..Get rid of this obsolete QB! He makes his O-line look worse than it is…

FL dawg

January 12th, 2012
9:54 am

In a perfect world ATL would trade Ryan, White, Turner, Abraham, Edwards, and almost the whole OL. It might be worth it though. NO’s got Brees, Denver drafted TT, but still…, who else? My point is you aint losin all that if you could unload Ryan and or White. For some reason Flynn’s starting to look like he’d be a start.. Ryan just is so immobil on a line that is hurting. C’mon TD do something.

Matty Cold as Ice

January 12th, 2012
10:00 am

To do list:
1. Drop the “RISE UP” garbage, its embarrassing (especially when you’re 0-3 in the playoffs)
2. Pay Matt Flynn (and give Ryan a clipboard and renog. his contract – $11 million per is a joke)
3. Get rid of all “ME” players/underperformeres (Dunta, Moore, Turner, Edwards, etc.)
4. Bring in Philbin and Spags IMMEDIATELY
5. Give Smith a playoff win ultimatum
6. Draft a decent all-purpose RB in the 2nd round (Chris Polk – Washington)
7. Draft a OT and OG/C later in the draft

Section 121

January 12th, 2012
10:01 am

I need the Falcons to show some excitment on the field as well, where are the touchdown celebrations?????????? Spoon is the only animated player we have, I coach high school football I teach my kids to play controlled but play with emotions and celebrate within the rules.

grand sport

January 12th, 2012
10:07 am

I wish Blank owned the Braves too.

Mister.Earl

January 12th, 2012
10:10 am

Hilarious

Section121 – “I need the Falcons to show some excitement on the field as well, where are the touchdown celebrations?”

Yo Section 121 ….First, you gotta SCORE a touchdown before you can have a TD celebration.

You need athletes at offensive tackle, not pillow butts.

Section 121

January 12th, 2012
10:28 am

@ Mister.Earl, I agree that you have to score touchdowns, although we layed an egg in the playoff game, we averaged 25 points per game. There were plenty of chances to have some fun and celebrate, It appears that there is a rule for them not to celebrate. I can recall the receivers getting together on the sideline to celebrate.

We did kick too many field goals but our scoring average per game was good, of course none of that matters anymore after that playoff perfomance.

bob

January 12th, 2012
10:29 am

I don’t think it is too difficult. The Falcon’s need an offensive coordinator who can identify the talents of the players and build a play chart around the talents. Someone who will think outside of the box instaed of going for the statistically correct plays. This year the good teams knew what to expect and they were waiting. Example: Line up for 4th and 1 without any running backs. I wonder where the ball is going to go. A simple pitchout to rodgers to get around end would probably have worked better. They are thinking quarterback sneak and boom….surprise. Also, the receivers need to keep moving and not stop when Matt gets in trouble. Too easy for the defenders to catch up and breakup the plays. Anyway, those are my first corrections. Look at New Orleans, they come out and just keep attacking all over the field. That will win everytime. The Falcons are too methodical.

Dzor22

January 12th, 2012
10:42 am

Never saw MR2 ‘panic’. Good, bad or otherwise. Where does this stuff come from?

Mister.Earl

January 12th, 2012
11:04 am

Section 121 – fun is never a bad thing, it IS after all, just a game.

Do you think the Falcons play to the uptight personality of their coaches?

Anyway, you gotta have something to celebrate. My concern with this franchise is not so much the physical talents but the mental doubt of extremely poor performances when the national spotlight shines on them. Last years Green Bay game, this years MNF pasting from the Saints and now the shutout from the G-Men.

Like Al Green asked, “How do you mend a broken heart?”

therut

January 12th, 2012
11:13 am

How about cutting Turner’s carries to 0?

Falcon_Ghost

January 12th, 2012
11:18 am

Interesting Interview – I only got one thing out of this interview.
Blank stated that the team is playing for “rings” and “championships.” He said, “We’re not about being in the playoffs. . . this organization is about greatness.”

This means that the coach and GM are both on a short leash. If they don’t think so, then history should be there guide. Mora (NFC championship game) – Reeves (Super Bowl appearance)…they both got fired with 3 years of those feats.

both Smith and Dimitriof will get fired after next season.

therut

January 12th, 2012
11:19 am

Enter your comments here

told you so

January 12th, 2012
11:21 am

17 free agents, 8 conssidered core, no draft picks b/c we mortgaged the farm for Julio…nuff said, if your angry Arthur, fire that skateboarding, snowboarding wannabe a GM Dimitrov and get a football man in here. And while you are at it show McKay the door too. What the H#*@ is he doing still roaming the hallways at Flowery Branch?

garyc42

January 12th, 2012
11:32 am

why don’t they just get rid of turner all together.we would be better without him.he is just a wimpy little back who is scared to make something of himself

Brick Head Nelson

January 12th, 2012
11:32 am

Hope Mr.Blank and Coach Smith take their time on replacing the oc and dc. No rush for a while

garyc42

January 12th, 2012
11:37 am

Falcons don’t have what it takes to win.the whole organization needs a complete overhaul.

CGD..

January 12th, 2012
11:45 am

Falcon_Ghost

January 12th, 2012
11:18 am

“Interesting Interview – I only got one thing out of this interview.
Blank stated that the team is playing for “rings” and “championships.” He said, “We’re not about being in the playoffs. . . this organization is about greatness.”

“This means that the coach and GM are both on a short leash. If they don’t think so, then history should be there guide. Mora (NFC championship game) – Reeves (Super Bowl appearance)…they both got fired with 3 years of those feats.

both Smith and Dimitriof will get fired after next season.”

Agreed, that was a shot across Dimitroff and Coach Smith bow!

Arthur should also rid himself of Richie Rich!

Unfortunately he’s probably going to give Obsolete 2-3 more years to win a playoff game..

He should try and upgrade the QB position this year..

Mister.Earl

January 12th, 2012
11:45 am

garyc42 – an expansion franchise? No Thank You.

List the position/ players you would keep and then list how you would fill the holes – one by one.

Tough huh?

Whodat own Atlanta

January 12th, 2012
11:50 am

This goes out to Authur Blank,..

You had a bad day
You’re taking one down
You sing a sad song just to turn it around
You say you don’t know
You tell me don’t lie
You work at a smile and you go for a ride
You had a bad day
The camera don’t lie
You’re coming back down and you really don’t mind
You had a bad dayyyyyy’aaaa ya had a bad day

rise up, now sit back down.,.,
lol
Who Dat

Whodat own Atlanta

January 12th, 2012
11:56 am

re-mix

Falcons rise up, now sit back down, sit back down, sit sit back down.,,
rise up, sit back down, sit back down, sit sit back down, rise up, sit back down, sit back down, sit sit back down,

who dat

joebrave

January 12th, 2012
12:01 pm

Who is the damn fool that keeps wanting g to trade for a one game wonder FREE AGENT Matt Flynn. Jesus you cannot trade for a damn free agent

Don Nelson

January 12th, 2012
1:13 pm

Problem is the Mr. Blank is a blank. A top manager does not take 5 years to figure out his employees skills, a top level CEO is continually evaluating his team to make sure they are performing to the goals of the organization. Now, after all these years, he decides we need some mean tough guys. Please!!!

Coolio

January 12th, 2012
1:21 pm

Ohhh nooo!!!!! The 2 Live Stews done sold out to the falcons hype tooo!!!

rally

January 12th, 2012
3:32 pm

Arthur Blank should be pissed and rightly so. If he wasn’t…I would seriously wonder what cloud the mafia man was under. Look Bottom line is this folks for the last four seasons we have a winning tradition under Mike Smith, TD and Blank. If you guys aren’t happy about this go back in that hole you’ve been under because you don’t deserve to be a fan. We fan’s remember all too well how we felt when we were the bottom of the barrel of the league in Example 2-14, 3-13 and 4-12 year in and year out. I credit Mike Smith for alot of things….but his OC and DC were horrible and they about cost him his job. Mike Mularkey should have never had a coaching job anywhere and really really shocked that the Jaguars decided to take a chance on him. I hope to heck they go 0-16 in Jacksonville next year. ROFL LMAO at the Jaguars…..

Donaldo

January 12th, 2012
4:27 pm

Jusy watched a video of Montana, Rice, Lott, Clark & Craig talking about the Niners first SB 30 years ago. Bottom line from their comments was having trust in each other, and raising the level of expectations with players helping each other and when necessary enforcing others to improve when it was obvious problems. They had team leaders and all played together as a group of men with pride, truthfully they were all leaders. ATL has a long way to go, it begins with character & trust.

no change

January 12th, 2012
9:38 pm

blank makes millions if the team is good or not–he’ll go cheap again and stay away from the high dollar free agents and keep the overpaid busts he has now. the falcons will be lucky to make the playoffs next year—but as long as they have a “winning season” the chump fans in atlanta are happy!!!

Mid Town Joe

January 13th, 2012
9:34 am

Too many changes destine this team to failure next year.

big t

January 15th, 2012
8:48 am

hey i agree with Donaldo Atl needs key players like ray lewis type to hold players accountable to fire them up some attitude.,,, hey for all you ryan haters drew breez looked like a below average passer without 10 seconds to throw he looked like a scared little man.It shows you what we have in ryan if we can get him time to throw

blackdog

January 15th, 2012
9:05 pm

the falcon need more trick plays,in tne red zone

FenderMan

January 16th, 2012
11:15 am

Enter your comments here

FenderMan

January 16th, 2012
11:27 am

I disagree with the Turner bashing. Turner gained 1340 yards averaging 4.5 yards per carry.
That’s pertty darn good. Win he has a hole he can run through it. It all starts with the OL. Letting Dahl go was a huge mistake.

Turner can start but we have other backs to share the load. Thank God Mularkey is gone. Hopefully the new OC will use all our backs, Snelling, Rogers, Muhgelli, Cox and Smith. Smith looked great in preseason and I do not think he had five carries all year. Why Mularkey did not see what this guy is
all about is a mystery. But then Mularkey’s skills as an OC are a mystery.

We have guys to run the ball. We need an OC who knows how to use the personnel we have.