Real Falcons ‘fans’ need to thank Coach Mularkey
110801 Flowery Branch - Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey signals to the offense while players run through the first padded practice at training camp in Flowery Branch on Monday, August 1, 2011. Curtis Compton ccompton@ajc.com
FLOWERY BRANCH – Real Falcons ‘fans’ need to step up and send thank you cards to new Jacksonville coach Mike Mularkey.
What he was able to achieve in his four years of unprecedented success in franchise history should be recognized. He doesn’t deserve having some rocks thrown at him on his way out of town.
Some of you, before disrespecting Mularkey, need to reflect and look at his unit’s accomplishments.
The Falcons had to build the offense from scratch, starting with a rookie quarterback, a rookie left tackle, a free agent running back and a new right guard.
The offense was the backbone of the teams that went 11-7, 9-7, 13-3 and 10-6 and made three trips to the playoffs. The good folks of Cleveland and Buffalo would throw parades if they could average double-digit wins.
Here’s more to reflect on about how the unit performed under Coach Mularkey:
New Jacksonville coach Mike Mularkey.
–Ryan tied Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Marino for most wins over his first three seasons in the NFL.
–Michael Turner rushed for more than 1,300 yards in three seasons and went to two Pro Bowls.
–Roddy White led the league in receptions with 115 in 2010 and has gone to four straight Pro Bowls.
–Tony Gonzalez continued his march to Canton, Ohio.
–Turner broke the franchise record, in just four seasons, for most rushing touchdowns with 50.
–Ryan broke the single-season passing record with 4,177 yards.
–Ryan became just the second quarterback in franchise history to pass for more than 4,000 yards in a season.
–Ryan also set a franchise mark for 300-yard passing games in a season with six.
–The offensive line even started to get recognition as right tackle Tyson Clabo went to the Pro Bowl after the 2010 season.
–The line was a finalist in 2010 for John Madden’s “Most Valuable Protector’s Award” which goes to the top unit in the league.
There’s plenty more, but you get the point.
Some Falcons “fans” have a history of blasting the play caller. They didn’t like Dan Reeves’ offense (too conservative), then Greg Knapp’s attack (lack of structure) and now Mularkey’s (too conservative) unwarranted attacks. Bobby Petrino was here long enough and there were several other distractions.
Here’s the deal on playing calling. All of the plays will work if executed properly and everybody wins their battles. There are no bad plays.
You can’t blame the coordinator when your top receiver drops 14 passes (Roddy White last year). You can’t blame the coordinator when your line can’t get a big enough push to get six inches. You can’t blame the coordinator when the line can’t give the quarterback time enough to throw deep passes. (Ryan had to launch early on those two strikes against Houston to open the game.)
Those are not bad plays calls. That’s a failure to execute. But second-guessing the play caller is the easiest thing for fans to do.
Pro coaches spend so much time getting ready that there are rarely any just absolutely bad calls. You’ll
Former Falcons offensive coordiantor Mike Mularkey and quarterback Matt Ryan opened the game against the Bears in the no-huddle attack. (CURTIS COMPTON/AJC).
never see a goal-line defense on a third-and-long. (I mentioned that to Brian VanGorder and he said, “I got five kids to feed. Why would I do that?”)
I don’t preach or rant to you all often, so thanks for let me get this off my chest.
Also, I’ve got to wish Coach Mularkey good luck right here like I did in a couple phone messages.
–D. Orlando Ledbetter, The Atlanta Falcons beat blog
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286 comments Add your comment
Timmy
January 13th, 2012
12:10 pm
We don’t throw parades for zero playoff wins in 4 seasons, not even in Atlanta.
Falcon James
January 13th, 2012
12:11 pm
And JohnDawg is exactly right!
They both gave up on the Falcons and the fans. To that, I say screw you both!
Falcon Red
January 13th, 2012
12:15 pm
Betcha’ big $$ that Yasinskas has something to say about this article…if he hasn’t already!
Saint Hater
January 13th, 2012
12:18 pm
how about everyone, like myself, who is upset about DLed’s writing take a moment to contact Cox media and let them know of your displeasure. It may be that the bigwigs aren’t Falcons fans and therefore haven’t every taken the time to reasd his writing. I’m sure he has an editor who handpicks the 3-4 good articles a month for review, but I don’t understand how he can lecture fans as if he were our daddy and never once, not a single time ask an in-depth or hard hitting question to a player/coach/exec. So I will contact COX media and let them know how I feel, and I encourage the rest of you to as well.
Preston Thompson
January 13th, 2012
12:21 pm
Think about it folks. If a team goes for a half a yard on forth down and don’t make it, how in tarnation do you expect them to when the offensive line is pushed 3 yard back into the backfield? Come on man, get real. The call was never the problem, the execution stunk. But who would call on rubber legs Ryan to try it? Mercy!
Guess- who be the next coach to leave?
Chris
January 13th, 2012
12:37 pm
Sorry, but 4th and inches is no time for a QB sneak with NOBODY IN THE BACKFIELD.
LexLuth
January 13th, 2012
12:41 pm
You are wrong DLed. Why is it every time a Patriot, Packer, Saint receiver or TE catches a pass they are wide open…Huge RAC. Why can I, an arm chair QB sit and almost predict 80% of the plays we will call? He did have accomplishments. But just like this year in most games, other teams adjust at half time, but we did the same old crap. There was no evolution with Mike. He is predictable, flat, uncreative and time for him to move along.
For REAL!
January 13th, 2012
12:45 pm
Thank You DOL! It just comes to show you people will never be satisfied yeah it hurt watching another one and done, but who is already looking forward to next year! Before this bunch came along TD, MM, MS, BVG, Ryan, Turner this whole originazation was built from the ground up after dog-fighting and back-stabbing people ran this place into the ground and turned it around in one season who the hell has ever done that!!!!!!! You people need to wake up and be happy with what you have this isn’t Pittsburgh or New England and being relivent right now is good enough for me! I know will that Lombardi soon just got to have some patience people!
PhiDelt1789
January 13th, 2012
12:55 pm
Mularkey: “Screen’s are stupid…they’re for movies
Mularkey: “Lining up Julio in the slot to avoid being jammed at the line would make way too much sense. It’s not what this offense is about.”
Sounds like a bunch of Mularkey to me. Thanks for nothing.
P.S. Someone give me one good reason not to send 6 men on a rush every pass play?
painter
January 13th, 2012
1:09 pm
Without the fans none of these guys would have a pot to pee in. And why should we thank Mularkey when he wouldn’t thank us till it all froze over?
Great Falconi
January 13th, 2012
1:15 pm
I guess D-Led wants to become a columnist now.
JIM
January 13th, 2012
1:17 pm
ORLANDO,
This is the best and most courageous piece you have ever written (that I am aware of). It shows a real appreciation of the game of football and the tasks that players, coaches, general managers and owners are charged with. My only quibble with what you’ve written is that I would not have labeled the Mularkey spoilers as “not real fans”. Rather, I would say that these spoilers have a simplistic, unrealistic and superficial appreciation of the wonderful and entertaining game of football when it is taken in its totality. My hat is off to you.
URBS
January 13th, 2012
1:20 pm
I am from Canada and have been a falcons fan for over 35 years. I believe that yes the offence was much to predictable in many situations. However I would also agree that the players themselves did not excute when needed. This then becomes a formula for inconsitencies and losses. Unfortunately this league is driven by “WINS, TROPHIES, and RINGS. The onwer is great and this team needs a couple of leaders who will light a fire under them when needed. Which means to be successful there is no “I ” in team and all personal must find a way to stay the course and remain focused throughout each game. The rest will take care of itself.
Veedub
January 13th, 2012
1:21 pm
D Led.. This has been your best article in a while. Ani I quote, “All of the plays will work if executed properly and everybody wins their battles. There are no bad plays”. Well said man!!!!!!!!!!!!
ctfalconsfan
January 13th, 2012
1:33 pm
HONESTLY I THINK THE PICTURE SAYS IT ALL…
Redman throwing in 1 direction and Mularkey looking in the other with his hands up.
- Probably watching Bryant kick…
Clueless, totally clueless
ctfalconsfan
January 13th, 2012
1:37 pm
URBS, fm Canada can imagine Mularkey coaching in CFL with only 3 downs? How could he establish the running game?
- Honestly this guy should be coaching Westpoint or Navy running the bone or veer…
So many weapons and you turn over this offense to I guy that likes to grind it out..
- I dont think GB, the aints or pats grind it out too much and they seem to be doing pretty good airing the ball out..
Big Ray
January 13th, 2012
1:39 pm
Just because you spend a lot of money does not mean you know more. There is no assurance that this team will win a Superbowl every year. Your first love should be the game, your second should be the team.
Get over yourself.
I love hypocrites…
walknbalk
January 13th, 2012
1:54 pm
This “article” is bull. You have NO say how we should be fans. We have absolutely EVERY right to be “true” fans and expect excellence from our team and coaching staff. The facts are that MM could not utilize the talent on his roster, and he refused to adapt. No, not every play call is the right one. No, not every play design is a good one. No, not every utilization of players is the right scheme.
Get your head out of your @ss, DOL. I guess Arthur Blank didn’t spank you hard enough during the press conference!
Pastor Mackdaddy
January 13th, 2012
1:59 pm
Eph. 4:29 “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers”……thanks MM and here’s hoping your time in Jacksonville is successful.
Mack
January 13th, 2012
1:59 pm
Here’s the deal on playing calling. All of the plays will work if executed properly and everybody wins their battles. There are no bad plays.
Well alrighty then, we dont need an OC. We just need about 3 or 4 plays. We don’t need to think about match ups, down/distance, or even disguising what we do. I mean Heck there are no bad plays. I have no idea why all these coaches have these multi-colored sheets with plays on the front and back. THERE ARE NO BAD PLAYS! If we don’t win then it’s on the players because, yep you guessed it…There are no bad plays.
unfraking believable
Falcon Realist
January 13th, 2012
2:10 pm
Regular season is for sissies. Playoffs? How many playoff wins? Offense did not show up. How was his game planning when it counted? What was his input on personnel required to win in big games?
We have a running back who tiptoes to the line of scrimmage and lays on top of his blockers if there isn’t a hole. Red zone offense. Who’s fooling who? Falcons offense showed on average against average teams. Too bad we couldn’t play Tampa every week.
dynasty brewing in the big easy
January 13th, 2012
2:13 pm
The Falcons remind so much of the Saints of not being able to get over that hump. Back in ‘08 we couldnt stop anyone on defense and although we had a dynamic offense, we could never get that yard that really counted. Fast forward to the Super Bowl year in ‘09, we hired Greg Williams and we put a emphasis on running the ball in the offseason. To be honest as I much I hate the Falcons yall are one or two difference makers away whether its a coaching hire or player (i.e Williams and Sharper) from putting together a Super Bowl run…. But in the meantime yall can watch the Saints make a run to the Super Bowl 2 n 3 years baby!!!
abby normal
January 13th, 2012
2:15 pm
D-Led….you may be right about Mularkey but he was never going to get this team to the next level. He was simply unable to maximize the talent he had at his disposal. It will be interesting to see what the new guy can do with more or less the same personnel. But I say, once again, fix the O-Line first!!
Realfalconfan
January 13th, 2012
2:15 pm
i would have much have been 3 13 every year than to only get us all excited for a falure so no credit is due him
Falconidiot
January 13th, 2012
2:18 pm
THANK YOU coach Mularkey for keeping Matt Ryan healthy and teaching him the basics playing with a high percentage game plan keeping the talent on our team in the playoff hunt and THANK YOU for leaving so we can now do what Pittburgh did after you left, go to the next level. Enjoy your three years in Jacksonville. You are great at what you do and that’s getting a team over the first hurdle. Best wishes.
monty
January 13th, 2012
2:22 pm
It’s the OC responsibility to design plays and a scheme that will work with his teams abilities. Take the GA Bulldawgs for example. Bobo knows that his team can’t convert running the ball on 4th and 1 so they pass it, most of the time. It’s MM’s job to understand if his O-line can’t block well enough to run for 1 yard, (as some on here are blaming the O-line). He can’t sit in the booth everytime and keep calling plays that most of us “real fans” know aren’t going to work against a good defense. I guess some on here really thought MR and an empty backfield would work. Shows you how much you know.
JB
January 13th, 2012
2:27 pm
If players do not execute well, who should you blame. I thought it was the coaches’ responsibility to ensure that players are prepared to perform at a high level on the field.
I am thankful to the Jacksonville Jaguars for hiring Mularkey.
nuffsaid
January 13th, 2012
2:28 pm
Yep, We all blame the coach’s..When the blame should go to the inept players at their respective positions..The coach can draw up 100 plays that should work to some degree..But..If you don’t have the player who can execute his assignment, you have 100 BUSTED plays! All it takes is 1 guy to miss his assignment and the whole play falls apart!
To me, that’s where the Falcons fall apart..When you consider the Quality of our players..Or lack thereof..I’m not supprised at the results we have garnered!
We need a staff who are up to date with the current NFL..Who are constantly in the ATTACK mode!
Need I mention NO-GB-PIT-NE-DEN..For the most part these teams have average defense..BUT..they have enough fire power in their offense to out score the other team!!
We are in DIRE need of several KEY positions..The current group is NOT capable of putting up the kind of numbers we need to sustain success against the better teams!
Have yourself a Tebo Saturday night! What A ROOKIE!!
jamie
January 13th, 2012
2:39 pm
Yes i will thank him l Thank you Mularkey for 4 years of heartbreak and conservative play calling. I would also like to thank you for some of those great play calls on 4th down
SuperFangelo
January 13th, 2012
2:43 pm
Great read, Dled, and right on the money. Some of us haven’t forgotten where we came from, and some of us realize Mularkey was part of the resurgence of the Atlanta Falcons. In turn, MM wasn’t solely to blame for the shortcomings of the offense. An adequate o-line would have helped immensely and the Giants game was solid proof of that, as were other games in the 2011 season.
People (fans), fear what they don’t understand, and in cases like this the fear morphs into hate and blame.
An offensive coordinator calls the plays, but the agenda is set by the head coach. Mike Smith’s game plan for the Giants was not to turn the ball over, hence the same conservative safe plan that has failed more than once before against top tier opponents. It failed in the Giants game and it will fail again, no matter who the OC is.
Don’t let the hate in here bother you, Dled. It’s a common thing from classless fans that have a hard time expressing themselves any other way when they can’t see the big picture.
IKillTrollsAllDay
January 13th, 2012
2:44 pm
Why did Harry Douglas and J Rodgers vanish in the playoffs? How many catches did Gonzalez have? Boley is a good LB but he’s not that good. Why wasn’t more passes thrown to Douglas who has great speed and hands? Mike’s playcalling became too predictable. It was only when Matt ran the no huddle that the plays run and pass were balanced and effective. Sure he’s done good things as a OC, but like the coach you’re measured in the playoffs. 0-3. Let’s get real. Thanks Mike. I hope you have an imagination in Jacksonville if not you’re done after 2 seasons. Oh, and after what Sproles did to the Falcons in NO, why wasn’t JR implemented the same way? We have double thunder and lightning in the running game but we got fruity pebble results.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
January 13th, 2012
2:53 pm
Pastor Mackdaddy — Nice!!!
D. Orlando Ledbetter
January 13th, 2012
2:55 pm
walknbalk — He led to you to the playoffs THREE times in four years!!! Averaged double-digit wins. Just stating some facts here and y’all want to treat him like he shot your dog. (Opps, better not trot out the dog stories). But you get the picture.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
January 13th, 2012
2:57 pm
Big Ray — That’s an awesome quote.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
January 13th, 2012
2:59 pm
Veedub – Just a basic football theory. Thanks!
D. Orlando Ledbetter
January 13th, 2012
3:00 pm
Jim — Thank you for your kinds words!
D. Orlando Ledbetter
January 13th, 2012
3:03 pm
Great Falconi – Had six funs years of that earlier. I’m good!!! Stay in my lane.
mongolikebeer
January 13th, 2012
3:04 pm
D LED:
The man’s offense set every record in Falcons history-but lets not let the facts get in the way of emotive drivel. MM was the most desired coordinator by teams looking for a HC- T Bay, Mia, St L- Vikes also wanted him- and Jville talked to him first-and hired him on the spot.
Just becuase you run a fantasy football team doesn’t make you an expert on football.
I guess we’ll see who’s right.
MEMM
January 13th, 2012
3:04 pm
Great blog DOL ! Good to see a little fire in your belly I was beginning to think you did not care. I am as disappointed and frustrated as everyone else about the way the season went. That said, has the Falcons ever entered a season with expectations that were this high? No! Mularkey played a valuable role in where this team is now and I do thank him and Stachetastic for all of their good work.
For every arm chair coordinator banging on non screen calls give it up to DOL for pointing out the fact we had no lineman who could execute it.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
January 13th, 2012
3:07 pm
I’m pretty sure Coach Mike doesn’t hae a Twitter account or Facebook page. He kind of old school.
But if you really do want to write him a “Thank You” note, here’s the address:
Mr. Mike Mularkey, Head Coach
Jacksonville Jaguars
One EverBank Field Drive
Jacksonville, Fl 322202
D. Orlando Ledbetter
January 13th, 2012
3:15 pm
Falcons James – Not intended to dog out the real fans. Just the fake ones.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
January 13th, 2012
3:17 pm
Shady – No thank you. I’m not going to kiss your ass. Absolutely not!
PMC
January 13th, 2012
3:23 pm
Did thank him weeks ago.
We needed change though and both he and Van Gorder got excellent jobs.
No need for hard feelings anywhere.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
January 13th, 2012
3:25 pm
Eli – Thanks for your kind words!
BigTimeTECHFan
January 13th, 2012
3:29 pm
He was best OC ever in Atlanta, best sense Jerry Glanville anway
SuperFangelo
January 13th, 2012
3:32 pm
One of the most common things around the league is OC hate when the offense struggles and the verbiage is always the same; “He’s too predictable!”
When a play doesn’t work, arm chair coordinators will always say; “I wouldn’t have called that play!”
When it does work, it’s usually; “That’s what I would have called! Nice play-call!”
Whether it works or not, folks forget sometimes that the other team gets to play too and have a say in the results.
Our next OC better have a bag full of tricks to satisfy some of the fans. Triple reverses, tackle eligible, the old Statue of Liberty play, flea-flickers galore, etc. Never mind the fundamentals, let’s get razzle-dazzle. “Hey, it works in Madden!”
Falcon Freddie
January 13th, 2012
3:42 pm
MM did his finest work in Year 1. However, beyond that year he clearly failed. In year two, he failed to adapt once defenses figured out they could stop the run and make Ryan beat them with the pass. We missed the playoff and had trouble scoring points. In years 3 and 4, efforts were made to help bail him out and make the team more explosive (Gonzo, Julio, Quizz). We began to score more points and handle the bad teams. However, we were never a match for the truly elite defenses. We were still a run first team, although MM did put some decent wrinkles in there. They still beat us by taking away the run and making Ryan beat us with his arm. D3, we regressed and we kept trying to put a round peg in a square hole. The O Line regressed big time and is not built for “ground and pound” anymore…not great pass protectors either. Matty Ice regressed as well to in this system. Seven step drops and long developing patterns are not his gig. He will be much more effective in a 3 step, short pass, get the ball out offense. That was clearly not in MM’s arsenal and after last years loss to GB in the playoffs that should have been apparent to all the coaches. Getting Julio was not adapting. We plugged him in, but still kept trying to fit the round peg in a square hole. By this time the O Line was getting no push and Turner was a step slower. Sure Julio caught a couple of bombs, but more often than not Matt was inaccurate on the long throws or checked it down because he was afraid of the INT. Success in Year 1….beyond that I just don’t see it. We need new blood. We need a fresh look and we need a scheme that better fits the talent that Matt Ryan has.
monty
January 13th, 2012
3:50 pm
FF
Good post.
SuperFangelo
January 13th, 2012
3:51 pm
@ FalconFreddie – in year 2 we were riddled with injuries on offense (Ryan and Turner missed multiple games), and still finished with a winning record, going 9-7 for our first ever B2B winning seasons. By your reasoning, MM gets all of the blame for missing the playoffs and none of the credit for a winning record despite the injuries. Am I reading you right?
monty
January 13th, 2012
3:56 pm
At what point did anyone during the season ever go, “Wow! that play was amazing!’ Such creativity!? The Alabama-LSU game showed some creativity by an OC thinking outside of his usual “box.” At what point did we ever see any of our receivers sprung wide open? Our offense was generally “go 10 yards down field and turn around with a defender draped on you.”