Dirk Koetter named Falcons’ new offensive coordinator

Dirk Koetter, formerly of the Jacksonville Jaguars, agreed to terms to become the Falcons

Dirk Koetter (Associated Press)

Dirk Koetter (Associated Press)

 new offensive coordinator on Sunday, the team confirmed. 

Koetter is set to talk to the media on a conference call at 11 a.m. Monday.

“I am very pleased to add Coach Koetter as our offensive coordinator,” Falcons head coach Mike Smith said in a statement issued by the team. “Dirk is a veteran offensive coach who will bring years of NFL experience as an offensive coordinator as well as a fresh set of ideas to our offense. He is bright, he understands the intricacies of the vertical passing game, but he also wants to be able to run the football which is very important in the NFL. I look forward to working with Dirk and have tremendous confidence that he will be a great addition to our team and our coaching staff.”

Koetter, 52, was Jacksonville’s offensive coordinator from 2007 to 2011. He will replace Mike Mularkey, who left to become Jacksonville’s head coach. AJC columnist Jeff Schultz has checked in already on the hire.

Falcons coach Mike Smith  and Koetter were Jacksonville’s coordinators in 2007. Smith was hired to take over the Falcons the following season.

Smith is high on Koetter’s work and with how running back Maurice Jones-Drew led the league in rushing while the Jaguars had a rookie quarterback and an anemic passing attack. The Falcons running attack posted big numbers, but struggled in short yardage situations. Missing Pro Bowl fullback Ovie Mughelli certainly hur their short-yardage attack.

Koetter was head coach in the college ranks at Boise State and Arizona State. The Sun Devils’ vertical passing attack helped him land the offensive coordinator position with Jacksonville.

At Arizona State he had four winning seasons and went to four bowl games.

Thanks to @CavemanGamer who tweet us this link. It’s an interview with Koetter from July 2011 on XandOlabs.com.

–D. Orlando Ledbetter, The Atlanta Falcons beat blog

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559 comments Add your comment

Tree Rollins

January 15th, 2012
12:42 pm

Tree Rollins
January 15th, 2012
12:37 pm

Regarding the Falcons sexy new hire for OC, I think we just traded Rosanne Barr (Mularkey) for Rosie O’Donnel (Koetter). Falcons fans have got to be thrilled – I can see those 2012 season tickets just flyin’ off the shelves!

LinkReport this comment

Tree Rollins

January 15th, 2012
12:46 pm

Don’t look now but I see del Rio and Blaine Gabbert jumping on a flight to Atlanta to complete the total transformation of the NEW Falcons. Way to go Arthur! You’ve just created the Atlanta Jags!

Kenneth Shue

January 15th, 2012
12:47 pm

HEY DOL did you just get out of bed this was news over an hour ago

Falcon Fan

January 15th, 2012
12:49 pm

I broke the new a long time ago on the blog, LOL!

Joe

January 15th, 2012
12:53 pm

Same old mediocrity. Last step for Mike Smith, he’s next.

Greg M

January 15th, 2012
1:00 pm

Give the guy a chance.

PlanoDawg

January 15th, 2012
1:00 pm

With this move, Smith officially put himself on the hot-seat. Total head scratcher. All these options out there and he went with who he felt comfortable with.

Rev Blake

January 15th, 2012
1:02 pm

Mr Blank,
You may wast your money next season, but please don’t expect any of it to come from me.

Sincerely,
A Tired Fan of More Than 35 Years

TD has no clue!

January 15th, 2012
1:02 pm

Doesn’t matter. They will all be gone after next year.

TD has no clue!

January 15th, 2012
1:04 pm

By the way, congrats Saints! whodat whodat whodat. hahahahahah

JoeBrave

January 15th, 2012
1:04 pm

Mediocrity at it’s finest!

Go Falcons

January 15th, 2012
1:04 pm

Season tickets are on hold. The only way I renew it if I see Spags or Nolan as a DC.

All I know that no OC can’t be worse than MM.

TD has no clue!

January 15th, 2012
1:05 pm

Oh! And if I just hired this bum I would tell him not to talk to anyone either.

RUDEDAWG

January 15th, 2012
1:05 pm

Wow! You gotta be freaking kidding me! Im done with this crap! Same system younger coach! Author Blank,your really not using your brain! This is tooooooo funny! Lol!

falconsrelax

January 15th, 2012
1:05 pm

You falcon fans need to really evaluate yourselves because you guys don’t know football. You wanted a “sexy” guy or something? Sean payton wasn’t the “sexy” pick for NO…nor was our very own smitty. You have to put yourselves in their shoes. The Jags DON’T HAVE ANY WEAPONS!!!!!!!!!! Sean Payton nor Josh McDaniels could’ve saved the jags offense. Rookie QB blaine gabbert with a poor o-line AND NOT ONE GIFTED WR?????????? With us, this guy has everything he needs to make his system work. Food for though, this is the same guy who coached the offense with Garrad was actually a good QB when the Jags finished 7th in offense in 07. What happened you ask?

tdawg in Stockbridge

January 15th, 2012
1:06 pm

WTF!!! I guess they liked the way he developed Blaine Gabbert. lol.

Pilar Sanders

January 15th, 2012
1:07 pm

Wow, this signing sux. Cant wait for Smith to get fired

done

January 15th, 2012
1:07 pm

Billick you jack@$$!!!!!!! arhg!!!! booooooo!!!! boooooo!!!!!

Falcon Fan

January 15th, 2012
1:07 pm

All those big names for the DC are just fronts. You will see another no name dude come in here and the staff will tell you how he WOWED them with his attacking philosophy, blah blah.

Loserville USA

January 15th, 2012
1:07 pm

At least his name rhymes enough with critical words/expletives.

Atlanta Native

January 15th, 2012
1:08 pm

Say what?????

I guess we’ll have to give him a chance but this does not fit the type of talk we’ve been hearing out of Flowery Branch since last Sunday night.

SlyDog55

January 15th, 2012
1:09 pm

Has anybody heard from SeenThisB4? Hey, STB4, how much did that loss hurt last night? I’m sure you and the other Aints fans were already celebrating, when the 49ers waxed that a$$!

oldbird

January 15th, 2012
1:09 pm

Give the guy a chance people. Bill Walsh couldn’t have won diddly squat with the talent level in Jacksonville.

falconsrelax

January 15th, 2012
1:09 pm

GARRADE REGRESSED AND THE JAGS BUSTED AT EVERY WR THEY EVER DRAFTED, if you the o-coordinator and jags fans are ripping you ever second what would you say, “HEY..THIS IS WHAT I HAVE TO WORK WITH.” Murlarkey blamed it on the players, hes quoted saying execution. Murlarkey was a tool. This guy is the epitome of getting the undderated guy. Murlarkey was like mark sanchez. Yeah you been to the AFC championship and have accolades and won playoff games BUT YOUR OVERRATED. Its not you but the weapons around you, this guy is like ryan fitzpatrick. Just needs weapons to take his system to the next level. HES GOT THAT IN TURNER, RYAN, RODDY, GONZALEZ, JULIO, ETC. NOW. Falcon fans at least give the guy one season before judging the move. Its been an hour and fans are going crazy. I swear most don’t know football. You take away brees, that o-line, sproles, graham and you think that saints offense would work under payton???? No, same goes with the jags. Jags had no weapons…WE DO. Give it a chance…sheesh.

Falcon Fan

January 15th, 2012
1:09 pm

Koetter is a vertical passing game wizard. Matt Ryan cannot throw the deep ball. Good luck with that.

TD has no clue!

January 15th, 2012
1:10 pm

This is all part of the process boys… The process of running Smith and TD out of town.

bigdave

January 15th, 2012
1:11 pm

lets get to work Dirk..

muddlope

January 15th, 2012
1:13 pm

Wow, you guys are all a bunch of Haters!
Probably the same people who go to a couple games a yr. Get there late and leave early.
The Falcons went to the Playoffs again. know how many teams would kill for that????
TD, Smith, and Blank know what they are doing, unlike many of you coaching and commenting from your lazyboy chairs.
Give the guy a chance.
Go Falcons!!!
Peace

RMOODY

January 15th, 2012
1:13 pm

Now I understand why it was a secret process. They should have kept the hire a secret!

Tony B

January 15th, 2012
1:14 pm

When offensive genius comes to mind, no one ever thinks of Jacksonville. In fact, this guy’s offense was so bad this past year that he got Del Rio fired!!! Now he’s our guy???? Well, we had hope for a few days, I guess. Now it’s over.

copperhead12

January 15th, 2012
1:15 pm

You do have to give MM some credit, that being said, alot of people inside the business like Koetter, because of his film room work that translates into the game plan. Jacksonville is a small market team and most of the talent is as well. Better to wait and see, with different team.

Delaware Falcon

January 15th, 2012
1:15 pm

Well, I’m at a total loss for words, although I am not necessaryly a fan of hiring “name coaches” I did expect something better from Dimitrioff. However I will give this guy a chance, I’ve been a falcons fan since the days of General Bob Lee, so I’ve seen some pretty bad coaching. I’ve seen better coaching over these past four years.
Our problem is on Def side anyways, hopefully we draft a frekin CB that will cover and a DT that can disrupt and rush the passer.
Go Falcons!!

Falcon Fan

January 15th, 2012
1:17 pm

falconsrelax so I guess we are so good at talent scouting that we can see through all the mediocre players the Jags had like are offense isn’t mediocre. Roddy White is the Atlanta prototype, a good player that Atlanta tries to make into a GREAT player (see Jeff Francouer, Jason Heyward, Joe Johnson, Steve Smith, blah blah blah……). We go through this every year. Some of you said the same thing about Mularkey. Give him a chance guys, he hasn’t even coached a game yet, blah blah blah. If the Falcons are serious you will see them hire a big name DC, because that is the only way they will win with this team. They will have to have a stand out top 3 defense to even sniff a playoff win in the next couple of years, because it will be almost impossible to re tool this team in just one year.

poop

January 15th, 2012
1:17 pm

Awful hire. I would rather watch paint dry than get excited over this. Wtf is wrong with this organization? Do we really want to win? We need spags so bad to take over this defense. Blank will hire larry curly or moe for the dc I’m sure.

RUDEDAWG

January 15th, 2012
1:18 pm

Coach Smith obviously doesnt want his job.What a bunch of loosers,they go and hire another one of coach clean shots buddies! This crap does NOT represent the city of ATLANTA! Please get these people out of Flowery Branch. And take Matt Ryan with you,along with the other DEAD WEIGHT players with you. Im pissed all over again! THANKS YOU LOOSERS!

fan for life no matter what

January 15th, 2012
1:20 pm

Give ‘em a chance………then decide

SawThat1nce

January 15th, 2012
1:20 pm

Perhaps this guy can get the offense going, but it will require Smith taking the reins off, like(I believe) he had them on the previous OC.
Either way, if the GM can not get a big, strong, mean OLine built for the 2012 season, it won’t matter who they got for the OC.

Don!

January 15th, 2012
1:21 pm

Honestly, I like this hire better than most. Koetter’s never had the weapons in the pros that he did in college. If we can address the offensive line issues, this can be a good fit. If we don’t address the offensive line issues, it doesn’t matter who the OC is.

Later,

Don!

Coop

January 15th, 2012
1:21 pm

Thanks for the breaking news DOL. You’re a perfect “journalist” to cover this pathetic franchise!

railman311

January 15th, 2012
1:21 pm

You mean QB coach right???????????

Smarty

January 15th, 2012
1:21 pm

We will see. He is highly regarded in NFL circles.

mmbailey

January 15th, 2012
1:22 pm

You all are a bunch of internet cry babies. You have no clue what you’re talking about. STFU

kirkinga

January 15th, 2012
1:22 pm

More “Ground-and-Pound” and maybe get to,but not through, the First Round.

Falconitis

January 15th, 2012
1:23 pm

I think Ryan can throw the ball deep.

He just hasn’t had the tools or the coaching to allow it here. I think this guy Koetter will be great for the Falcons. I think our vertical game will improve and shine. There will be a night and day difference between these past seasons with Mularkey.

If we can now seal the deal with Spags…my prediction will change to SuperBowl Bound.

Swamps

January 15th, 2012
1:24 pm

Wth all the sucess the Jags had over the last 4-5 years I’m glad we have jumped on their coaches. Author said money wasn’t an issue so here goes another wasted season.
I guess the Falcons are waiting on Bill Cowler to sign with someone else before they spen the big bucks on a real coach.

steven A.

January 15th, 2012
1:24 pm

YES!!!! Mike “the dinosaur” Smith will be the next “CLOWN” out the door. The owner need look no further than San Francisco to SEE what Real Coaching can accomplish!!!!!!

Dave

January 15th, 2012
1:26 pm

I have to admit seeing the Saint’s lose like that made me feel good, just because of their redneck fans who post here…

FalconFan

January 15th, 2012
1:26 pm

This guy was what put Boise State on the map. Let’s see how it works out. Can’t be worse than MM.

RGO67

January 15th, 2012
1:27 pm

I know that the league is moving to wide open offenses but we all know that DEFENSE win CHAMPIONSHIPS!!! Welcome to the A DIRK he should be able to put some points on the board but PLEASE BRING IN SPAGS or NOLAN FOR THE DEFENSE!!!

Stacy

January 15th, 2012
1:27 pm

I am thrilled with our Atlanta Falcons, I have been a fan for 30 years and some have been awful, but I stuck with them. The last few years have been amazing in my opinion, and maybe with the new OC and hopefully a good DC we can make it deeper in the playoff next year, but if we don’t I will still be a true fan.

steven A.

January 15th, 2012
1:28 pm

The problem right now really is “MATT RYAN” If he had more “athleticism” he could overcome poor
play calling and BAD COACHING.

FalconFan

January 15th, 2012
1:28 pm

And I am SOOOOOOOOO tired of hearing about throwing the ball deep. How many times did Brees throw deep? Most of his yardage comes from after the catch. Heck, I see more screen passes from him and short over the middle than anything and he put up record numbers.

Falcon Fan

January 15th, 2012
1:28 pm

I’m also tired of Falcon fans telling me to shut up because I don’t know football or I don’t know what I’m talking about. What game are you guys watching? You are the same people that thought you had a chance in hell of beating the Giants, when the last time they played us Manning had like 400 yards passing on. You are the same people who sit here and mock the Saints for losing yesterday, when they mopped the floor with us the last time we played them. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. You guys are still hoping!!!

Brian

January 15th, 2012
1:28 pm

If we start out 4-0 next season the guy is a hero…………..let’s face it, he had crap to work with at Jax except a bang up’d MJD. Let’s give him a chance.

Great Falconi

January 15th, 2012
1:29 pm

Smitty was on the hot seat as soon as the Falcons decided not to show up against the Giants. Koetter will have to come through for him. Otherwise, Smitty will be out the door.

FalconFan

January 15th, 2012
1:29 pm

Matt Ryan just broke the Falcons all time passing yardage record in a year with almost 4200 yards. I don’t remember Joe Montana, Dan Marino, Dan Fouts being atheletic and scramblers. We need a line to protect and receivers who can go verticle, not fall when making a catch.

falconsrelax

January 15th, 2012
1:30 pm

@ falcon fan Your supposedly saying your a falcon fan but dissin everyone move possible. I GAVE UP ON MM IN 09. Giving MM a chance is totally different situations than this guy. MM HAS DONE GOOD THINGS IN ATLANTA. The problem has always been expectations. WE finished 7th in points and 10th in offense this year but I wanted MM gone. A lot of other fan bases would be happy with the offense we produced this year. AS a falcon fan is really absurd to see you doubt the talent we have. Now your saying roddy is a good WR. RODDY IS A TOP 10 WR. Roddy to falcon fans had a bad year. He finished 2nd in receptions to Wes Welker and 6th in receiving. Its fans like you why Saints fans are always trolling. NOTHING IS EVER GOOD ENOUGH. The point is the FALCONS OFFENSIVE WEAPONS>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>.JAGS OFFENSIVE WEAPONS. What would you do if you were the jags coordinator and had nothing to work with BUT FANS BLAMED YOU?? Exactly my point….your better off becoming a fan of the raiders or something

229Bravesfan

January 15th, 2012
1:32 pm

I love how there is about 2 or 3 guys telling everybody on this blog that people on this blog don’t know football. Since when did those guys become Mr. Know it All?

Falcon11

January 15th, 2012
1:32 pm

How do you get a job instantly after you had the 32nd overall offense in the NFL this season?

Falcon Fan

January 15th, 2012
1:32 pm

FalconFan the receivers you have are what you have. If they fell down last year they will fall down next year when making a catch. That is if they make the catch (see Roddy White).

Fan of the Game

January 15th, 2012
1:32 pm

Right, it doesn’t matter who the OC is. The Falcons offensive line is one of the worse I saw this year.

Fan

January 15th, 2012
1:33 pm

DOL may have been scooped by his own co workers and other blogs and a lot of fans on this story but I bet he knows more about reality show bimbos than any of y’all. Also none of y’all get to feud with mrs grimes on the two live stews show.

David

January 15th, 2012
1:33 pm

This is not the sexy pick I thought they were going to make but I think it will be a good one all of you armchair QB’s and GM’s who call yourselves Falcon fans need to chill out because when this guy does great thing’s for us you will be the same ones saying I knew he’d do good and that Smitty and TD are geniuses.

True Falcon

January 15th, 2012
1:35 pm

WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT
FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

RAD

January 15th, 2012
1:36 pm

GREAT HIRE! Now we can give the ball to Turner 80 times a game so he can get his 100 yards! I thought Arthur Blank was smarter than that! Does Jacksonville have anyone else we can hire since as our defensive coordinator???

joey563

January 15th, 2012
1:36 pm

He brought Boise st and Arizona st to be respectful. Give tree guy a chance.

Morn

January 15th, 2012
1:38 pm

The same guys that are complaining about this are probably the same ones, and their kids, that praised the hiring of Dan Henning which was a total disaster and joke. Lets give the guy a chance anyway.

joey563

January 15th, 2012
1:38 pm

He brought Boise st and Arizona st to be respectful. Give the guy a chance.

Poorlydunn

January 15th, 2012
1:38 pm

Have any of you guys heard of mike sims walker. Yeah koetter made someone out of him without a QB. He has made some recievers good with nothing. The jags haven’t had the players the last couple years. Let’s give this guys a chance with our players!!

falconsrelax

January 15th, 2012
1:39 pm

When our offenses really clicks this year….you supposedly “REAL FALCON FANS” will have have to come up with a huge excuse on why you doubted. And if we’re bad on offense the 1st year, which I doubt due to the weapons, then you have to give the guy time. I mean, its easy to blame the coordinator but I don’t care if its Vince Lombardi himself, IF YOU DON’T HAVE TALENT ITS HARD TO EXECUTE THE SYSTEM. This guy we just picked up is licking his chops at the talent he has to work with. Its funny nobody is discussing that the Jags actually had a good offense a few years ago. Garrad regresse, fred taylor fell off…AND THATS WITHOUT HAVING A GOOD WRS. How do you knock a guy who has nothing to work with????? Thats a literal statement…..how do you expect the jags to be good on offense when the have no offense? You take the same coach and move him somewhere where he has weapons and watch what that offense will do. EXPLODE…facts are the facts. This franchise is accomplishing things that hasn’t been done since TD and Smitty got here. I will take their choices over “fake falcon fans” opinion any day of the week

A_Realist

January 15th, 2012
1:39 pm

Yall sound just like all these so called politicians & sports analysts! But yall are not! If u were u would be a politician or a sports analyst! If they dont do what yall feel or hire who yall want then yall become negative about the situation! I tell yall what: Go buy u a professional sports team or go run for president then u can make the decisions “yall” want but til then shut the “f” up & stop complaining! BTW: GO FALCONS!!!

Falcon Fan

January 15th, 2012
1:40 pm

falconsrelax I am a Falcons Fan but enough is enough! Don’t talk all this mess now and don’t show up next year when it’s the same situation. I’ll be here. I’m always here. I’m the Falcon fan losing tons of money and dignity ever year at my job getting made fun of when the Falcons don’t perform. I’m the one getting made fun of in the stands when the Falcons lose. And that goes for most of the Atlanta teams. Don’t you guys get sick of waiting? I WANT A BETTER TEAM! The Falcons need to stop trying to reinvent the wheel and hire proven winners! The Saints hit a homerun with Peyton yes, but they also signed some nice Free Agents that Super Bowl year to go with the young nucleus they had. We cut all of our Veterans and played young, especially on defense. As a “true Falcon fan” I say first and foremost that there is no fan on this blog that can bash a Saint fan because they are where we are trying to go, PERIOD! We sound like GT players trying to bash UGA players, its stupid! Lets stop talking and start producing otherwise be quiet!

Dumbo

January 15th, 2012
1:40 pm

I dunno…..Jacksonville’s offense never was 1/2 as good as we had under Mularkey….I duuno about this guy….I thought Blank wanted some real innovative and creative mind….instead we get a 3 yarder….I dunno……

steven A.

January 15th, 2012
1:40 pm

Probably “NEPOTISM” with this guy getting this job. His resume does not speak to being worthy of this hire at this time. Check the blood lines. 10-6 and first round exits “forever”

262 Falcon

January 15th, 2012
1:40 pm

I’m stunned by this hire!

So, Is this Mike Smith’s way of giving season ticket holders the middle finger for wanting Mularkey gone?

He hires one of his friends who lead the 32nd ranked offense this season? Really? If this regime truly cares about moving this franchise forward there is NO logical explanation for this hire. I can’t believe I just sent these idiots more money last week for tickets. What a waste and how stupid do I look this morning?

JSS

January 15th, 2012
1:41 pm

Nothing like AJC blogs, full of bluster and discontent… I’m loving it!!!

Gwinnett Fred

January 15th, 2012
1:42 pm

He looks like Nomar Garciaparra.

Anyway, a glaring absense of the Saints trash talking, government handout taking (abusing), blowhards today.

Atlanta sports=MEDIOCRITY

January 15th, 2012
1:43 pm

With the exception of Ted Turner and his money in 1995 with the Braves, Atlanta sports are the perfect model of acceptance of mediocrity. Yet another average hire when the owner claims he wants championships. BTW, short yardage in the Giants game had nothing to do with a fullback.

CONservative Johnson

January 15th, 2012
1:43 pm

Not an inspiring hire. But he also had no WRs in Jacksonville . . . I’ll have to wait and see on this one!

Ihatefakefalconsfans

January 15th, 2012
1:43 pm

All you fake and whinny fans need to shut up. Most of you prob have never coached or played the game or any sport you sit on your couch and run your mouth. Now give the guy a chance, watch him come in and do great we win a game and most of you will say”i knew it was a great hire way to go td”. so lame give him a chance and let them revamp the o-line. We have been to the playoffs 3 of the last 4 years. I want a super bowl too, but atleast we are not losing games and not making the playoffs. So shut up and give him a chance, if you dont like it go watch soccer.

Rickey

January 15th, 2012
1:44 pm

We all need to wait and see. If we don’t do it next year, GM, and head coach must go. I’m not happy about the hire but must wait to pass judgement. Its my team and always will be. Go Falcons!!!!!!

brazilia120

January 15th, 2012
1:44 pm

So June Jones wasn’t available, huh?

dan the man

January 15th, 2012
1:45 pm

oh well, here we go again….mediocrity has returned….

steven A.

January 15th, 2012
1:45 pm

I feel your “Pain” 262 Falcon. Probably the best thing that could happen. Once he fails to get into the playoffs and fall to a Sub .500 Team, Smiity will be gone TOO!!!! That’s change Falcon fans can believe in.

steven A.

January 15th, 2012
1:45 pm

I feel your “Pain” 262 Falcon. Probably the best thing that could happen. Once he fails to get into the playoffs and fall to a Sub .500 Team, Smiity will be gone TOO!!!! That’s change Falcon fans can believe in.

ijonathan

January 15th, 2012
1:45 pm

Anyone watching the Bal/Hou game sees what Joe Flacco is. (Note to you JSS). He makes as many or more bad throws as anybody, including Ryan. I’ve never seen so many high, behind, etc. throws on his first 2 or 3 series. But Ray Rice and his defense/Houston turnovers sets him up in can’t miss position, he makes 2 decent throws, and it is 17-3. And Flacco is complaining about not getting enough “respect”. Trent Dilfer 2.0.

Falcon Fan

January 15th, 2012
1:45 pm

He was the OC in JAX from 07 until now. And I guess he never had any say so with some of the draft picks they had on offense in all that time. Some of you guys are really blind.

Falcon Fan

January 15th, 2012
1:47 pm

Lets hire Nick Saban for our DC! We seem to like college coaches who have minor NFL experience. Good thing we hired Koetter when we did or he would have went to Alabama.

Blue

January 15th, 2012
1:47 pm

I am a true Falcons Fan and this hire make me sick to my stomach. How can you hire a man and look at his resume and say this is the man for the job, when none of his offense was in the top 10. We just fired a coach which had our offense in the top 10. Your goal should be to get better and this hire does not do that. Do anybody remember the 1998 Vikings? Who was the OC Brian Harold Billick. That should have been our Offensive Coach. Not only did he have the best offense. He lead 3 QB to the top of the National Football League, Randall Cunningham, Jeff George, and Daunte Culpepper. I want to start it now. Fire Mike Smith. That was a stupid hire !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Blue

January 15th, 2012
1:49 pm

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Falcon Fan

January 15th, 2012
1:49 pm

Atlanta sports=MEDIOCRITY sums it up in a nutshell. Evidence=Ihatefakefalconsfans

January 15th, 2012
1:43 pm

All you fake and whinny fans need to shut up. Most of you prob have never coached or played the game or any sport you sit on your couch and run your mouth. Now give the guy a chance, watch him come in and do great we win a game and most of you will say”i knew it was a great hire way to go td”. so lame give him a chance and let them revamp the o-line. We have been to the playoffs 3 of the last 4 years. I want a super bowl too, but atleast we are not losing games and not making the playoffs. So shut up and give him a chance, if you dont like it go watch soccer.

Falcon Fan

January 15th, 2012
1:50 pm

Rickey

January 15th, 2012
1:44 pm

We all need to wait and see. If we don’t do it next year, GM, and head coach must go. I’m not happy about the hire but must wait to pass judgement. Its my team and always will be. Go Falcons!!!!!! (he’ll be saying wait and see next year again, watch!)

JSS

January 15th, 2012
1:51 pm

@ Ijonathan…
I knew you’d come on here with your silliness today… Go back and watch the ball that was behind to Ed Dixon, it was tipped at the line… And wow, he improvised on the goal line and got the ball out hot for the TD…. You’re clownish on this point… And he’s two for in the Red Zone… You’re boy is not up to the job… Live with it, and that great hire this morning is just scaring everyone…

ATLER(RAMBLIN WRECK)

January 15th, 2012
1:52 pm

Seems like Coach Nice guy is hooking his out of work buddies up……… Stay tuned…………

Nique

January 15th, 2012
1:52 pm

Why the sudden hire, they just requested permission to talk to the GB quarterbacks coach? Any idea of who the qb coach will be…I hope it won’t be the old Jags QB coach.

Falcon Fan

January 15th, 2012
1:52 pm

CONservative Johnson

January 15th, 2012
1:43 pm

Not an inspiring hire. But he also had no WRs in Jacksonville . . . I’ll have to wait and see on this one! (Conservative=safer to go with the status quo then take a chance.)

Gordie

January 15th, 2012
1:52 pm

I like to shop at Trader Joe’s for stuff to eat while watching Falcons games.

denverfalcon

January 15th, 2012
1:52 pm

Round two of a MM style uber-conservative offense begins.

rivercard

January 15th, 2012
1:53 pm

Falcon Fan is correct on all points. Case closed.

Relax idiot Falcons Fans

January 15th, 2012
1:53 pm

How many home games will be on tv in 2012?

RGO67

January 15th, 2012
1:53 pm

Q & A with Dirk…http://xandolabs.com/2011/07/dirk-koetter-exclusive-interview/

Rationale

January 15th, 2012
1:54 pm

There is no rationale with this hire.

Falcon Fan

January 15th, 2012
1:54 pm

By the way, say what you want about Singletary, but he built that S.F. defense. His resume is far better then Mike Nolan’s. Haven’t even heard of him as a candidate! He is probably not fit for a Head Coach, but his firey get in your face attitude is perfect for a DC.

Rickey

January 15th, 2012
1:54 pm

Blow me falcons fan! I guess to be a real falcon fan you have to try and call out other people.
Your such a real fan. Please teach me how to be more like you.

262 Falcon

January 15th, 2012
1:56 pm

To the guy who hates Falcons fans: It’s idiots like you keep Atlanta sports settling for mediocrity. When you get tired of the mediocrity and want to actually pay to go and see a game come on down and visit us in the Gultch and we’ll show you what true Falcons Fans care about.

I Love Falcons Fans that are passionate enough to care about wanting a Super Bowl and not settling for hopefully getting to the playoffs next season. This hire is cronyism at it’s highest level. I’m sure there were tons of teams lined up to hire Dirk after his stellar offensive production in Jax since 07. This hire couldn’t have waited to see if other candidates with better resumes shook out? Really?

This has now turned into the Mike Smith will need a job in 2013 so don’t forget what I did for you show…..

ron

January 15th, 2012
1:56 pm

Does anyone know how the Aints Superbowl road is going?

Fed UP

January 15th, 2012
1:56 pm

Get rid of the players.

“score” just two (2) points in a playoff game?

And these guys make how much $$?

They are beneath respect.

Falcon Fan

January 15th, 2012
1:57 pm

Rickey it will probably take another 5 or 6 years of losing before you get like me, because I was like you up until this year. Sooner or later you wake up to the bs and want a change.

Malcome the falcon

January 15th, 2012
1:58 pm

Will anyone see if Marion Campbell is available?

Falcon Fan

January 15th, 2012
1:58 pm

RON, the Saints super bowl road is going better then ours because they have a ring and we don’t. And they just beat our ass last time they played us! I hate the Saints but damn if I don’t respect them!

JJ

January 15th, 2012
1:58 pm

If you really think Author Blank made the decision on who OC is your not a real football fan and dont get who decide who to hire. Do you really think Falcons going to worry about one fan not keep season tickets? Nope as they have a list of people waiting to buy.

Falcons4Eva

January 15th, 2012
1:58 pm

“When reached by phone, Koetter was in Orlando, Fla., but said the team instructed him not to talk to the media.”

Why was that? Was it so that the 3-Stooges (Thomas DimWitt, Arthur Blank and Mike Smith) can try and control the backlash and put their on spin on it?

You can put as much perfume you want on ish, but it is still sh!t.

Rip

January 15th, 2012
1:59 pm

Every fiber is my body tells me this is a poor pick, never saw anything in the Jags offense that would keep a defensive coordinator up at night. Please do not turn this organization into the good old boys network. just like a noted after drafting Matty dice that he had an below average NFL QB arm and could not get the ball deep without it floating on him, we were better off with non thinking outside of the box MM

DaveDawg96

January 15th, 2012
1:59 pm

I guess Dan Henning passed on the job?

suwannee joe

January 15th, 2012
2:00 pm

Does nt matter if we have a sexy pic as o.c a s coach i,m just wondering why pick up a o.c from another losinfg franchise? I,m not understanding any of the decisions being made by Flowery Branch..At least wait until after the super bowl and see who.s available !

Geico Lizard Just Told Me I Saved

January 15th, 2012
2:00 pm

Over $2,000 by not renewing my Atlanta Falcons Season Tickets!

ICE MELTS IN RAIN

January 15th, 2012
2:00 pm

SEASON TICKETS ON HOLD PENDING DC HIRE. Smitty you are OFFICIALLY on the clock with this DUMB AZZ hire!!!! It shows how WEAK you are as a LEADER to bring in someone you are comfortable with (meaning who will not buck the system) and tell you your thought process is OUTDATED!!! Arthur Blank you are an elffing liar for claiming to want to a DIFFERENT perspective. This dude will not have the BALLS to speak out against his FRIEND WHITE HAIR SMITTY!!! Mediocre Hire for a less than MEDIOCRE organization.

44counter

January 15th, 2012
2:00 pm

You would think with the weapons on the Falcons’ offense, Blank and his people would have the top OC’s rushing to apply. I’m sure when Blank was CEO of homedepot, he only considered the elite for top management jobs.

Rip

January 15th, 2012
2:00 pm

I am sure the Falcon’s Leadership will try to convince you it is a good pick but come on, do not piss on me and tell me it is rain

Ihatefakefalconsfans

January 15th, 2012
2:01 pm

hey 262 i have season tix buddy so shut your mouth. have had them for years now and i do park in the gultch buddy. But you and ur butt buddy falcon fan dissing on someone you have never met or seen coach this team is retarded. All teams in atl choke, so is it really the coaches or the players they sign. What other falcons coach gave us back to back winning season or let alone this many playoff runs and yall want to complain. Bunch of losers

falconsrelax

January 15th, 2012
2:02 pm

Falcon Fan don’t try and act like your a real falcon now. “OH LETS WAIT AND SEE” approach. Your shoot down every move possible. Losing dignity when we lose? Who are you? Your no special than any other falcon fan. Yeah we lost but we still have done things this franchise has never done. Your sitting up here saying you expect the same results. You don’t even know the guy nor do you know his sytem. Hes a passing guy. Coordinators are only has good as their players AND THIS GUY DIDN’T HAVE ANY. Go get a big name guy? Guy like who on offense. The only other real option was Tom Clements. Mcdaniels went back to NE. You see the comments, not all falcon fans hate the pick up. What I want you to do is remember this moment. Because just like with Matt ryan, william moore, weatherpspoon, etc. FALCON FANS KNEE JERK REACT WAY TOO SOON, critique smitty and TD, then when it works out WANT TO PRAISE THEM. I could see if its after 1 season and we regress but it hasn’t even been 1 day yet. WHAT YOU “WANT” as a falcon fan isn’t a gurantee that thats what this team “NEEDS.” Your mad about the pick up but if its the right move your going to be in here regretting everything you said. NO FAITH IN YOUR TEAM…..SMH.

Nique

January 15th, 2012
2:03 pm

Not good news on the DC front, which we need to knock out of the park, I was hoping for the GB QB coach as our new OC, but worse news maybe that with Greg Williams leaving Adam Schefter reports that New Orleans already has a short list of potential replacements — former Rams head coach Steve Spagnuolo and Miami defensive coordinator Mike Nolan. Those two also have been mentioned as potential defensive coordinators in Atlanta.

Even with the season over, we could see the Falcons and Saints battling over defensive coordinators.

Jim

January 15th, 2012
2:03 pm

You don’t stop losing by crying on a blog about losing, you get change by being positive and believing and making good personel decisions. They will hire who they want too regardless of what we the fans want or say. We just have to go with it and make the best.

Ihatefakefalconsfans

January 15th, 2012
2:04 pm

falconsrelax good post. i agree

Tree Rollins

January 15th, 2012
2:05 pm

I was personally hoping Billy Joe Tolliver was available for this job but all along I was thinking this guy Koetter was my 2nd choice. I guess Tolliver never played for the Jags so the comfort factor wasn’t there with Coach Smith.

garcia

January 15th, 2012
2:05 pm

Sick, unhappy people. It seems Atlanta is full of them.

Relax! Learn more about his guy before you whine and complain. Mike Smith is on the hot seat. The press conference was public proof of that. If Mike Smith hired this man, then Smith is putting his career in Koetter’s hands.

Why fuss? In all likelihood, this will turn out to be a good hire.

Blue

January 15th, 2012
2:06 pm

Jim you stupid Look at Denver the fans made that change If they would have sat there and said nothing a change would not have been made.

Sorry Saints, misery loves company...Go Falcons!

January 15th, 2012
2:09 pm

I just feel sorry for Matt Ryan and the rest of the Falcons. They keep having to work for average to subpar coaching while all the other explosive teams hire excellent coaching. Koetter has doen what exactly? Coach David Garrard out of Jax and abuse MJD while doing nothing to bring along Gabbert (and you want to hire a guy to come in and abuse Turner too). I now see that Mularkey actually made a great decision. He gets to coach up an under developed Gabbert while the Falcons continue to regress….This will turn out to be a horrible decision, but i will continue to watch like i always do and hope and pray for some divine intervention from Blank in which someone wakes the hell up and takes this franchise to a super bowl championship.

Falcon Fan

January 15th, 2012
2:09 pm

falconsrelax you must have me mixed up with another fan. I guess my name is pretty common. I have said pretty much the same thing you have until this year. I’m tired of it. FALCON FANS KNEE JERK REACT WAY TOO SOON, critique smitty and TD, then when it works out WANT TO PRAISE THEM. I agree with most of your statement but unlike most people I am a MAN. If it works out yes I will be happy because I am a fan and that’s what I want. But I won’t be on this blog like I didn’t doubt it. There is a slight chance if you play the lottery you will win it, but you probably won’t. If I’m wrong I will say it, but if you are wrong will you? Or will you say, I am a fan wait till next year? When will you say you were wrong? How many years will it take? Don’t worry I’ll wait.

ieatdeadpigs

January 15th, 2012
2:09 pm

Can’t be much worse than MM. Maybe this guy can do wonders with weapons on offense.
I have an idea though…. hire Peyton Manning to be the OC.

rivercard

January 15th, 2012
2:09 pm

falconsrelax- Of course everyone has to wait and see, but at this point I can’t see a fact based argument for this being a good hire. The pick appears to be consistent with the teams play. Uninspired and unimaginative. Hope my initial reaction is wrong.

falconsrelax

January 15th, 2012
2:11 pm

@ ihatefakefalconfan Its the truth mad. I understand opinion on who you want as coordinator but to knee jerk react and already claim its a bad move is just completely absurd. Give it a chance, its common sense to me. IF YOU DON’T HAVE THE PLAYERS THE SYSTEM WON’T WORK, but what happens when you get offensive talent to work with like ours. Does your system then work? Chances will say yes. Its simple as that, those two “supposedly” falcon fans don’t get it. 99.9% falcon fans including myself swore TD and Smitty didn’t know what they were doing when they drafted. Falcon fans swore we should’ve taken matthews when weatherspoon was slowed by injuries in 10′. Then this year, “OH I LOVE WEATHERSPOON!” Same with william moore. TD and smitty know what they’re doing. I will at least give the guy a chance….PEOPLE FORGET NOBODY KNEW WHO SEAN PAYTON AND MIKE SMITH WERE.

44counter

January 15th, 2012
2:12 pm

Come to think of it, this organization hired Jim Mora and “that guy who quit during the night”……there is some history on piss-poor hires.

cwltank

January 15th, 2012
2:12 pm

I am hopeful & I agree, he can not be worst than MM LOL. Turner is bigger than Drew so with an improved line we should improved on the run. Therefore, the recievers should have alot 1 on 1 match ups.

Fal11

January 15th, 2012
2:12 pm

The sign of a great OC is the scheme around the talent you have, not to have the talent scheme around you. I’m afraid like MM… This guy will do the later.

dc

January 15th, 2012
2:13 pm

Maurice Jones-Drew comes with him…… right ?????

Fal11

January 15th, 2012
2:13 pm

I mean latter..oooppps

duronimo

January 15th, 2012
2:14 pm

What’s the deal with Falcon/Jaguar relationship? Answer? Incest. But I guess you go to the best organizations to get the best people .. Ha Ha.

Altie Kocker

January 15th, 2012
2:15 pm

It will be the results that count next season, not what the blogging public says here. Dick Koetter was also looked upon favorably by the Chicago Bears for their open OC position, so I think it would be nice to at least give him a chance: http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2012/01/10/report-titans-deny-bears-request-to-interview-loggains/

Blue

January 15th, 2012
2:15 pm

And the only reason people know Mike Smith now is because he can’t get the job done. And they know Sean Payton cause he can get the job done.

Falcon Fan

January 15th, 2012
2:15 pm

44counter there IS A HISTORY! But some fans act like they don’t see it. I feel like Zoolander. ITS THE SAME LOOK! I FEEL LIKE I’M TAKING CRAZY PILLS, LOL!

Desert Dawg

January 15th, 2012
2:16 pm

Meet the new Boss. same as the old Boss, the Falcons got fooled again.

Tired of this mess

January 15th, 2012
2:17 pm

Can’t wait for Mike Smith to be gone. This stinks and I think that the Atlanta fans are gonna let Blank know about it next year. I hate this hire; Geez.

drsoul

January 15th, 2012
2:18 pm

Lest anyone think otherwise…..it was Bernie Marcus that made Home Depot…..Blank is just happy that he was on the team…!!! His business acumen since being ’shown the door’ out of HD speaks for itself…

Ernest T Bass

January 15th, 2012
2:18 pm

Barney Smith hires Gomer now all he has to do is hire Goober next!It all starts with the head coach and coach Smith is not it!! Look at SF,that’s what happen when you hire the right coach!!

disgruntled_Atlanta_fan

January 15th, 2012
2:20 pm

Ok, obviously the Falcons do not care much about winning with this hire. Obviously this was a move done just to appease Mike Smith. This is very irritating.

vesaversa

January 15th, 2012
2:23 pm

I’m not impressed or excited over this new OC hire . It seam to me that Blank would have hired someone who wasn’t associate’s with Coach Smith who i beleive isn’t qualified to be head coach in the NFL .

Halsey

January 15th, 2012
2:23 pm

I am shocked that this hire is not universally applauded. I thought for sure the Falcons were going to hire coordinators that would please every person on Earth.

FalconsFairWeatherFans

January 15th, 2012
2:27 pm

Let’s fire the coach who has given Atlanta it’s first 4 straight winning seasons. Before Mike Smith took over, how many back to back winning seasons did we have? You fair weather fans are already saying this is a horrible move, and Dirk Koetter hasn’t even coached for us yet! I would say be patient, but come on, we know fair weather fans don’t know the meaning of patience.

Fair weather fans, shut up with the “we would be better if we had Tim Tebow”. You fair weather fans keep pointing out that Tebow, has one win over Matt Ryan in playoffs. Whoopie Doo!!!! How did Tebow do against the Patriots? Fair weather fans, kept bragging about Tebow’s “316 passing yards” stats, which by the way, came against a team that was battling serious injuries. Since you fans are loving to point out stats, here is one for you. At halftime on Saturday’s loss, Tebow had fewer completions (3) than Brady had touchdown passes (5). Also, the Patriots defense was ranked 31, and didn’t allow “superman” to score a single touchdown. You fair weather fans really think Tebow is a great passer? Look at Tebow’s stats against NFL teams with a winning record. For some reason, fair weather fans don’t want to point out those stats.

spotlessbiker

January 15th, 2012
2:28 pm

What a bunch of idiots!!! We now know for sure that Mike Smith is the problem…outdated concepts on offense and defense……the Jags have been unwatchable for years…even when decent the Jags looked poorly coached at critical times…who does that remind you of?…I have watched the Falcons since 1966….the franchise has always had poor ownership…I had hoped Arthur Blank was the man needed…..4 straight winning seasons but never living up to expecttions…..THIS IS THE ATLANTA FALCONS!!!!!!

theGuyAboveMeIsAnIdiot

January 15th, 2012
2:31 pm

I don’t see how so many people think DK is the same as MM. That just shows you know nothing about football at all. DK runs a four vertical with levels passing concept. It isn’t what we have had here. MM didn’t even know we had more than two WR on the team. DK also uses a lot more screens. I will say this though.. Turner isn’t the best fit for this offense. You want your back to be able to chip block and then catch the ball on almost every passing play… not sure Turner has the hands for this, or maybe its just that MM never gave him the chance. Quiz is more his type of back.

Longtimefan

January 15th, 2012
2:32 pm

I am beginning to believe that posts on sports blogs primarily come from generally unhappy, disgruntled people. The negativity shown by some “fans” is truly amazing. I will bet their are many fan bases out there that would be thrilled to have made the playoffs 3 of the last 4 years. If it was that easy to field a team each year that contended for the Super Bowl I supposed every team would be doing it. If it was that easy to pick the “right” OC and DC, don’t you think the front office would do it. Do you think they want to lose. Why do you think the guy you think is right would be a fit. If they wre that great at their job I would think they would already be employed by another team.

good old joe

January 15th, 2012
2:33 pm

LESS JUST WAIT AND SEE– AT BEST GIVE HIM A CHANCE

Brian Friel

January 15th, 2012
2:34 pm

This move just plain out stinks. It shows how fearful management is to hire quality help in fear of their jobs. Sounds like the Smiths all over again. Arthur, if you can’t get mangament to make consistant decisions, escpecially after firing a HALL OF FAMER, in Dan Reeves. Sell the #%@# team!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Joe

January 15th, 2012
2:34 pm

J-Ville was ranked 29th in the NFL in passing and 32nd in yards…..and the Falcons chose this OC. What a joke!! Smith you are now on watch, you got a pass and should have taken advantage of it!

Joe Falcon

January 15th, 2012
2:35 pm

Why in the world would you hire an offensive coordinator whose offense he has been “coordinating” is DEAD LAST in the league in offense?

So long, Falcons.

Dime-a-Dozen

January 15th, 2012
2:35 pm

The Falcons better hire (insert big name) or I’m never buying tickets again!!!

Blue

January 15th, 2012
2:35 pm

FalconsFairWeatherFans
Word of the Day Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results
= Mike Smith = No Rings

Dawg A

January 15th, 2012
2:37 pm

Another typical Blank hire. Someone that won’t take attention away from him and his love for the cameras. I am officially done! I WILL NOT RENEW MY SIX SEASON TICKETS! Sick of settling over and over. We might as well have the Smith Clan in charge….

Dime-a-Dozen

January 15th, 2012
2:37 pm

If the Falcons don’t hire Bill Belichick or Nick Saban as D coordinator, I’m never wearing a Falcons jersey again!

mark

January 15th, 2012
2:37 pm

THIS HAS TO BE A JOKE WHAT A F* IS GOING ON! THE JAGS OC?! FOR REAL!? I REALLY LOST HOPE WITH THAT SIGN ITS LIKE MIKE SMITH WANTS TO BUILD A MINI JAGS WHO BY THE WAY DIDNT SCORE MANY POINTS SINCE 8 SEASONS AGO

Bart's Boy

January 15th, 2012
2:38 pm

Un — f—ing believable. SOS. Mike Smith is an inbred, nespotistic fool. Ditto Dimitroff. Ditto Blank. I hope for a 0-16 season to rid ourselves of this cancer. Right when the true fans had a wisp of hope, he slams the door with this incestuous hire! I say sh_t rolls up hill and it lands right in Arthur Blank’s lap. Stubborn foolish hire by a stubborn and foolish man. Mike Smith will not be a coach in the NFL three years from now anywhere. Why waste all this precious time???

tjhook

January 15th, 2012
2:39 pm

I am in favor of Koetter as our new hire; I am particularly interested to see if he can improve Matt Ryan’s deep throwing. If there is no improvement, then of course, everyone will be gone: Koetter, Smith, Ryan, and Tony G. Sounds fair enough. Now the tricky part is if Ryan is exposed as no more than above average. I saw good things but I am worried about his resourcefulness in the pocket( I consider him a “system” quarterback).
OH, and DOL- you are lame for trying to make fans appreciate Mularkey as he leaves. The Falcons are a private business so “customers” owe that DUD nothing!!

JSS

January 15th, 2012
2:40 pm

Four vertical levels = one because the Falcons can’t block!!!

Jay Black

January 15th, 2012
2:41 pm

I think I see the way the Falcons think here. If we hire a big name OC, and he does good like he should, he’ll be gone next year to a head coaching position as he is a high performing big name OC, and we’ll be back to square one, although we could have gotten somebody with a better body of work than Koetter, IMO. If we hire somebody with the POTENTIAL to be good, with more upside, we’ll at least have him for a few years before he’s ready to move up or move on. Now with the DC it’s different, because the best DC available just got fired as head coach from a team and is unlikely to gain a head coaching job in the near future. That’s why I think Spags is a lock here. Plus the defense needs more help than the offense, so Blank would benefit to save the big money on that hire.

mark

January 15th, 2012
2:41 pm

MAN IM SO F SAD! ALL FOR THIS THE JAGS OC I CANT BELIVE IT ITS BY FAR THE WORST MOVE I EVER SEEN IN MY LIFE SINCE ROBINSON! CANT BELIVE IT! DAMN I THINK I TAKE MULARKLEY BEFORE THIS DUDE, JAGS WHERE SOOOO BAD ON O LAST YEAR THAT ITS AMAZING YOU GO OUT AND SIGN THE DUDE WHO IS CALLING THAT PLAYS, PLUS HIS BEST SEASON WAS A NUM 7 OR 8 NOT EVEN TOP 5!

d-bird

January 15th, 2012
2:41 pm

Thank you Mr Blanks. You can remove me from this season ticket list. My offical. Last season. Mike Smith, you clearly out of your mind bringing this guy from a losing organization. Was this a trade for our OC for there OC. If so this will be disgrace.

44counter

January 15th, 2012
2:42 pm

Longtimefan~having been a Falcons fan since the 70’s, yes having been to the playoffs 3 out 4 yrs is great. For me, it’s how they lost those three playoff games, think about it, the Arizona game was the only one somewhat competative.

d-bird

January 15th, 2012
2:43 pm

Hey, the Jags just has another losing season right. Who made this decision? D-Led.

All I'm Saying Is...

January 15th, 2012
2:43 pm

We will give Dirk a chance. One thing for sure, he will be happy to be with the Falcons given the changes in Jacksonville as he was likely out of a job with a new coach coming in.

If you do some research (i.e. Google his name), you will see that Dirk has a good track record, mainly at the college level though the Jags were a top 10 offense his first year and top 20 offense for the next three years with Garrard in 2006 and 2007 having his best years offensively.

As I’ve typed before, we need a speed burner to stretch the defense in one of the receiving positions and apparently Harry Douglas ain’t it. Plus with Ovie back, we will improve in the running attack too as he was an excellent blocker.

LET’S GO FALCONS!

EC

January 15th, 2012
2:49 pm

We will never win..Geez

Sean

January 15th, 2012
2:50 pm

When I first heard the news, I wasnt excited just b/c of where he came from. But everyone deserves a chance…I’ll reserve all judgment until this time next year. I know he didnt have a lot to work with in J-ville, but we’ll see what he’s made of when he gets to Flowery Branch. Good luck, Koetter!

Falcon fan

January 15th, 2012
2:50 pm

Now that we got Koetter..hire Ernest Byner (sp) the running back coach also..he is the one responsible for Maurice Jones-Drew”s 1900 yards.

Give the Man a Chance..this year as a Jaguars watcher also…Koetter did what he was told. Don’t blame him for Jaguars stupid. He is much better than Mularkey..bet on it. Go Falcons..now hire Steve Spagnuolo as DC.

Bill

January 15th, 2012
2:53 pm

I like Koetter and believe he will be a good OC for Falcons. Now get it done!

Gregg Knapp

January 15th, 2012
2:53 pm

Why didn’t you just hire Gregg Knapp? Hasn’t this season proven that a running game isn’t how you win in the NFL? Who cares what Jones-Drew did, it’s a passing league. And we just hired the bum of all bums.
Why do we like Jax hires when we stomped the piss out of them this year?

I’D RATHER JUST NOT EVEN HAVE AN OC, AND LET MR2 CALL EVERY SINGLE PLAY. AND I MEAN THAT.

Blue

January 15th, 2012
2:54 pm

What the the hell lets go ahead and complete the make over and hire Jack Del Rio.
Great Move Falcons. NOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tree Rollins

January 15th, 2012
2:57 pm

I hear the people saying wait and see what this guy can do with good personnel. That’s what they said about Mike Singletary also – and then they hired Jim Harbaugh. Same personnel exactly now equals a great team all of a sudden. If Koetter was a good offensive mind they do not end up 32nd on offense. The NFL has very similar quality players on each team. Look what Green Bay did with their 2nd string quarterback – it’s about the coaching folks. Get serious.

Waffle House or Bust

January 15th, 2012
3:01 pm

Dear Arthur Blank,

Why are you turning us into the old Jacksonville Jaguars? I don’t recall them winning anything back then. You Mr. Blank are no Ted Turner.

Blue

January 15th, 2012
3:01 pm

BREAKING NEWS ON ESPN ATLATNA FALCONS JUST CHANGE THERE NAMES TO THE ATLANTA JAGUARS.

Yikes

January 15th, 2012
3:02 pm

One thing is for sure and that is this regime will hire whoever they see fit regardless of public opinion. Like watching Obama put through healthcare. I know better than everyone else and will do what I want public opinion be damned. Obviously not worried about disgruntled season ticket holder base. Not worried about filling stadium or creating excitement about next year. Let’s pray they prove everyone and I mean EVERYONE wrong and for the first time in Falcon history surprise us with a successful move we didn’t see coming. Odds just went up against it but only time will tell.

kirkinga

January 15th, 2012
3:03 pm

If people weren’t real fans, they wouldn’t care who was hired for the position.

44counter

January 15th, 2012
3:03 pm

Falcon fan~ funny you mentioned Byner, I was thinking earlier today, he has to find another job.
He was RB coach for Redskins and Titans before going to the Jags.
I’ve known him since the was playing in middle school.

Foul-Can

January 15th, 2012
3:04 pm

I dont agree with this hire. It seems to me that Arthur and Thomas are just being the same conservative cheapskates as usual. I dont care what the guy didn’t have in Jacksonville. How do you get angry and frustrated, and want to win a TITLE, but you still to the same game plan of tightfisted with the cash and hoping for more. Im sorry, I do not care how highly regarded he is in coaching circles…. WHAT HAS HE ACCOMPLISHED LATELY!! This is not 2007… IT’S 2012. We better hire a Defensive Genius or i will not return as a season ticket holder.

Falcons4Eva

January 15th, 2012
3:06 pm

Ok…now that I’ve had time to digest this info….Let’s consider these factors:

Factor 1: Michael Turner has seen his best days. Dirk Koetter loves the Screen Play.
He did a lot with MJD. We could see some of the screen plays used in a similar matter. Consider this:

Maurice Jones Drew – Position: RB. Height: 5′7″ Weight: 208 LBS
Jacquizz Rodgers – Position: RB. Height: 5′6″ Weight: 198 Lbs

Falcons4Eva

January 15th, 2012
3:08 pm

Again, looking on the bright side:

Both Maurice Jones Drew and Jacquizz Rodgers have very similar running styles, both can catch the ball out the backfield and both have speed.

ATl Sports

January 15th, 2012
3:08 pm

WAS THIS A SURPRISE!!! REAL THOROUGH SEARCH!!!!!! JACKSONVILLE NORTH!!!!!!
GOOD OLE BOY NETWORK!!!!
ARTHUR, REALLY SURPRISED IN YOU!!!!!!!

Tree Rollins

January 15th, 2012
3:10 pm

It’s sad because I like Mike Smith but he just began putting some of the first nails into his own coffin with this pick. He’s all about famiarity and this theme just keeps going. I would have rather held onto MM than this choice. Now, we will not be able to get anybody with any serious resume to take the DC job because they will base part of their judgement on what we just did with the OC. Same thing with the offensive free agents. It all rolls downhill from here.

Pike

January 15th, 2012
3:10 pm

@Yikes

…Like watching Obama put through healthcare…
No, people like having health care as Republicans are going to find out in the Fall after campaigning on cutting Medicare.

I think you meant to say:

Like watching Bush tell us Iraq had WMD and their oil would pay for the bill…

King Kong

January 15th, 2012
3:14 pm

What an odd move, Falcons brought in an unproven OC to take it to the super bowl. I’ll sell my season ticket.

Blue

January 15th, 2012
3:15 pm

Hey Arthur Blank,
Did you know David Garrard is a Free Agent? Let See if we can sign him too.

Falcon fan?

January 15th, 2012
3:15 pm

THE KEY TO A GOOD SEASON IS HIRING A GOOD(DC) MIKE SMITH AND NOT ANOTHER ONE OF UR BUDS…..JERK…..

Nique

January 15th, 2012
3:16 pm

In an effort to look at this hire positively lets lot at what good Koetter could bring. In 07 his first year with the Jaguars, his offense finished ranked seventh in the league. Koetter’s offenses never re-captured a league top-10 fire in his following 3 years with the Jags, most argue that it was due to the quarterback position being in flux, especially last year Gabbert after a lockou shortened offseasont. Also on a good note, Koetter’s offense finished with the top rusher in the league last year (he’s to hoping he brings along some of that toughness with whatever O-lin coach he hires). Before coming to Jax, Arizona State, Koetter headed up the third-best offense in the NCAA, which gained 537.4 yards per game and put up 36.8 points per game that year. The Arizona State offense also passed for almost 400 yards per game that season.

ESKOBALLA

January 15th, 2012
3:17 pm

Im not a big fan of this move. but then again, we ve seen people from jacksonville provide well for other teams. take greg williams D-coordinator of saints for example, he helped the saints bring home a superbowl title with his oppurtunistic defense. we may not like it now but we jes gota wait and see how this unfolds. FYI im mainly focused on which coodinator will transform our defense. hope we land nolan, spagnuola, or singletary.

44counter

January 15th, 2012
3:18 pm

Be careful what you ask for, afterall, Turner was the leading rusher in the NFC.
Just take a look across town, everybody was glad to see Bobby Cox retire and look what happened at the end of the season. Are the Hawks a better team with a new coach??

In the blink of an eye, the Falcons could be back to 7-9 or 8-8…….then what??

next year

January 15th, 2012
3:19 pm

1Carolina11-5
2Saints10-6
3Falcons8-8
4Tampa6-10

Ginger

January 15th, 2012
3:20 pm

I wanted Falcons to interview Tom Clements QB coach of Packers…don’t know of Clements was not interested..also liked the idea of Billick–but figure he wants an HC position. Koetter was my last choice because of where he came from and poor offense there….but willing to give him a chance. Jax did not have any receivers and a rookie QB…

Smith must feel very good about him—becauseof Koetter fails–it could very well cost Smith his job.
Falcons must become a more potent offense….playing in same division as New Orleans and same conference as GB, and now San Fran–those offenses can put points on the board…

It just seem to hard for Falcons to score at times this year….long drives with lots of plays and more chances for things to go wrong…This used to be model–Don Shula Dolphins would score and take 8 minutes off clock–but you gotta but able to stop other team for this to work….NO and GB are very tough offenses to stop….So Falcons gotta be more potent and able to do both–long drives, but quick drives also.

Hoping we get Spags for DC

Yikes

January 15th, 2012
3:23 pm

Point is only time will tell if public opinion on this hire is wrong. Not sure what public optnion was on Bush stating there were WMDs. Public opinion of Bush in general didnt seem too good. Only time will tell if This is a good hire but if SO it is truly pulling a rabbit out of a hat……not to knock magicians now

Falcon Fan

January 15th, 2012
3:24 pm

44 counter, Ernest is a damn good coach….I hope he is hired by Falcons. A good man also.

rivercard

January 15th, 2012
3:25 pm

Nique – Jax was 10th in offense before he arrived so 7th some improvement but after that dramatic regression. Surely he must take some blame for that.
He had some good stats at ASU , but bottom line is they were 1-11 against ranked teams and he was FIRED. Maybe he can help continue Falcons tendency to beat the lesser teams and fold against the better ones.

Iuperay

January 15th, 2012
3:26 pm

We get this dawg and ESPN reports that Greg Williams leaves Saints to go to Rams. Spag goes to New Orleans and Nolan alsoto the Rams. And the Falcons get the best friend.

Laughing Out Loud

January 15th, 2012
3:26 pm

You hit the nail square on the head “Dime A Dozen!” Fans like you are a dime a dozen!

Nique

January 15th, 2012
3:26 pm

I’m really interested in who we bring in as a QB coach now since ours left with Mike, that can’t also be a Jags guy of we’ve got some significant Q & A that needs to be done. Also I’m hoping we get a new O-Line coach because while the Falcons were 6th in the NFL concerning giving up the least sacks, we were also 7th in the NFL for allowing the most QB hits at 84! Only 1 other playoff team ranked in the top 10 in this catergory! This is a huge issues, regardless if your a Ryan fan/believer or not, regardless of how good DK might or might not be if this isn’tt paid significant attention this offseason the Birds will be right back here this time next year!

Blue

January 15th, 2012
3:26 pm

Yike take your Dumb A** to CNN.com and shut the hell up with Politics

JSS

January 15th, 2012
3:26 pm

@ Blue…
Yes, Garrard was not signed by anyone… There is a 99.6% chance that he’ll not in end up in Atlanta… I have no idea why the Jets haven’t contacted him… There or Chicago might be a good match…

Ha ha, the little kid from Richmond Hill (down near Savannah) could not decide which bunch of losers to wear, so he choose the Jags!!!

Falcon Fan2

January 15th, 2012
3:28 pm

Pike, Republicans are not cutting medicare…and Bush never said oil would pay the bill…you just another dumb azzz that don’t get your facts right before you run your mouth.

kreedham

January 15th, 2012
3:29 pm

I’ll give the GM, coach and owner the benefit of the doubt…I’m positive they are smarter than I am regarding football! If nothing else a new look and new approach should help. I imagine many of you “experts” were going Mike who just a few years back. And we’ve had 4 winning seasons in a row…Give it a chance. Anxious to see who the DC is…I’m betting he’ll be a pretty good one!

Blue

January 15th, 2012
3:29 pm

Enter your comments here

Falcons > Everyone

January 15th, 2012
3:31 pm

I don’t care if we get Popeye and Daffy Duck as OC and DC, as long as we win the Super Bowl in our division rivals’ building next year.

Blue

January 15th, 2012
3:33 pm

To kreedham

4 years ago I wanted a Super Bowl
Now 4 years later I’m still waiting on a Super Bowl

Pike

January 15th, 2012
3:33 pm

@Yikes

Nah, the point is to leave politics out of the sports commentary

Unce Bo

January 15th, 2012
3:33 pm

Does that mean our team is officially DIRK BAGS????

rivercard

January 15th, 2012
3:34 pm

Not into politics but I do believe that the Bush admin(wolfowitz and fleisher) did state/imply oil revenues would help with war /reconstruction costs.

JSS

January 15th, 2012
3:34 pm

Hey there is old Rod Medlin on the Ravens sideline… Classic Thomas Dimitroff scapegoat…

ncat96

January 15th, 2012
3:35 pm

Whaaattttt!!!! An OC in charge of the 32nd ranked offense in the NFL. Great job Falcons. You really did your homework. I am sooooo glad that we were able to land the best OC available. Now I can be assured that my time and money spent following the Falcons will be well deserved.

What a bunch of baloney . . . . . Why do I even care!!! This choice just shows that the Falcons’ brass doesn’t care . . . . why do you make this hire . . . . another Jaguars reject and Mike Smith drinking buddy . . . . . SMDH!!!!

Michael M.

January 15th, 2012
3:37 pm

like I said in an earlier post, its just another chapter in the same ole falcons with new faces and the same ole story, don’t forget I told you so before next season is in the books…..and still laughin at the Aints fans………………you boys put that ring polish back on the shelves ? Ha ! Ha ! Ha ! Ha !

WS

January 15th, 2012
3:38 pm

I do not see any improvement with this hire over MM.Why didn’t we just hire the QB coach we had that came from Bengals. I do know he had a good offense at one with Carson Palmer. I think this is bad.
Next hire with be Del RIO Smith’s buddy. Same old BS. All talk. Smoke screen.

Sis-Boom-Bah Humbug

January 15th, 2012
3:38 pm

To instill some measure of confidence in the Falcon’s management & prospects, the team has needed to make first-rank hires for 2012 coordinators. This OC hire, however, pretty much seems to deflate any illusion of near-term correction of the Falcon’s deteriorated situation. It seems that ALL needed corrective measures (revamping coaching staff BEFORE players roster) will not be undertaken for at least a year.

Presumably, the Falcons did try to hire a high-caliber OC prospect, but realistically, that has to be very challenging to do with Mike Smith still as head coach. One looming factor: the 2012 coordinator jobs might well be only short-term ones, unless a head coach in-waiting is hired as DC.

To achieve credibility on par with the bombast of the recent briefing by Blank et al., the Falcons now need to hit a home run with the hiring of the DC. Otherwise, the odds are we will be seeing more & bigger turmoil this time next year. This isn’t about rings – it is about trying to maintain pace in the NFL South.

Yikes

January 15th, 2012
3:40 pm

Hockey team gone, NBA team doesn’t draw, Braves have done little to improve and falcons choose an OC that at best is a huge question mark. Pretty bleak outlook for Atlanta pro sports.

New Age Offense

January 15th, 2012
3:40 pm

Houston is going to win a Superbowl if Matt Ryan I mean Matt Schaub and Williams can stay healthy…That is a very good team…I think with Matt Scahaub QBing Houston would be heading to a Superbowl berth… ATLANTA will continue to be a good team, just not a playoff winning team….Good players but not great players…

Michael M.

January 15th, 2012
3:40 pm

oh and do yall like mayonaise or mustard on your baloney…..lol……..Smitty and Blank are giving us a treat………

harleyman

January 15th, 2012
3:40 pm

Word is that Bobo was interviewed as well.

Falcons > Everyone

January 15th, 2012
3:41 pm

Let’s not crap on this move before the man coaches a game, mm-kay? Look who was on offense for Jacksonville last year. The one guy they have in Maurice Jones-Drew rushed for more yards than Michael Turner last year, and Turner quietly had a great year. The hiring of Koetter proves that his schemes are on the money, while the Jaguars’ offense he was given to work with was chump change.

harleyman

January 15th, 2012
3:41 pm

To think we would still have Shaub if it wasn’t for you know who.

Mr. Mustard

January 15th, 2012
3:42 pm

Okie dokie Falcons. You say he is the best out there for our team, then I have to accept it. Doesn’t seem to follow logic though.

Will Koetter take the time on the clock and use this “potent” offense to try and score more points than the opposition, or will he “settle” to let the clock run out with 3 timeouts and 41 seconds remaining in an NFL playoff game?

We will see, but I am not stoked, let me tell you. Hope this is the guy.

stoney

January 15th, 2012
3:43 pm

Enter your comments here

Pike

January 15th, 2012
3:44 pm

@Yikes

Hockey team gone, NBA team doesn’t draw, Braves have done little to improve and falcons choose an OC that at best is a huge question mark. Pretty bleak outlook for Atlanta pro sports.

Agree with you on all of that.

Michael M.

January 15th, 2012
3:45 pm

He gets ours and we get theirs…………..this is just a plain out idiotic approach to trying to improve ………….and I don’t get this move at all……So what the he?? is the purpose in this ?

Blue

January 15th, 2012
3:47 pm

COME DOWN FALCONS FAN’S, BILL COWHER IS ON HIS WAY TO BE THE HEAD COACH NEXT YEAR. CAUSE MIKE SMITH IS DONE WITH THIS HIRE.

HardyFalcon

January 15th, 2012
3:48 pm

They must of BRAIN-WASHED Arthur, this dude hasn’t any positive remrks any where. The Falcons are in a terrible nose dive. Our only hope is they hire Spanelo

Steve

January 15th, 2012
3:48 pm

We couldn’t afford to wait and see with Clements of Green Bay unfortunately. Schottenheimer is nothing.

Sure, Billick had some great offenses in Minnesota, but he also had Robert Smith, Kleinsasser and Randy Moss in their primes. All of these guys are better than the equivalents on Atlanta. Add in the fact the Vikings O-Line was one of the best in the league and the Falcons is one of the worst and you have to wonder if Billick whoul be successful here.

I actually like the Clements hire myself. He focuses on power running and vertical passing similar to Dan Reeves. Reeves built a CRAPPY Falcons team into a playoff team with basically Jam, Chandler and a bunch of nothing. Let’s face ti though .. without a better O-Line we aren’t going far. Get some O-Line guys in here and rotate Snelling in more frequently and just keep pounding him and turner up the gut and we might have something to open up the passing game with.

rivercard

January 15th, 2012
3:49 pm

Falcon>Everyone- How does his hiring prove his schemes are on the money?
Did you notice that the Jags offense got worse during his tenure? Surely he must share some blame for this. MJD also had most rushing attempts.

Michael M.

January 15th, 2012
3:50 pm

Maybe nobody else wanted the job or wanted to live in the Atlanta area…who the hexx knows !!!!!!!!!

WS

January 15th, 2012
3:50 pm

We have been waiting too see for over forty years. Its time to hire football coaches. This is a joke.
I live Waycross, and have followed the Jags. He has done nothing too get this job. He has had good player with Jags. If he was so good why didn’t he have Gabbert prepared.
I see someone on blog ask if June Jones was available. Jones would have been better hire than this.

FEAR THE TALON

January 15th, 2012
3:51 pm

NO RENEWAL FOR ME EITHER IF THE THREE STOOGES RUNNING THIS “RAG TAG” TEAM DOESN’T HIT A HOMERUN WITH THE DC HIRE!!!! END OF STORY!!!

Benj

January 15th, 2012
3:53 pm

REALLY Coach you just hired your buddy instead of the right guy for the job – I just lost some respect for you and the GM. Unbelievable!!!!

Yo Vince

January 15th, 2012
3:55 pm

Why do I have the feeling that the whole winning season thing is over now

jobo

January 15th, 2012
3:56 pm

rivercard–who cares what you and pike=yikes thinks about anything..

Yo Vince

January 15th, 2012
3:56 pm

I will kill myself if they hired June Jones

New Age Offense

January 15th, 2012
3:57 pm

Problems…. Matty Ice has trouble throwing the deep ball….Matty Ice locks on the primary receiver and he holds on to the ball too long! The wide receivers don’t run great routes….The offensive line is big and very slow…They have trouble with speed rushers…

Lofton cannot nor should not be in pass coverage he is always beyond the first down marker…No awareness in his game…. We need to sign Grimes cut Robinson and Decloud…. Robinson cannot play zone defense…. MORE TO COME

WS

January 15th, 2012
3:58 pm

Rodgers has speed? When is 4.6 in forty speed. MJD is faster than Rodgers.There is alot of linebackers faster than Rodgers.

Blue

January 15th, 2012
3:58 pm

TO STEVE
BRIAN BILLICK ATLEAST WAS THE HEAD OF A GREAT OFFENSE.
THIS DUVAL COACH WAS BEST KNOW FOR THE WORST OFFENSE

Michael M.

January 15th, 2012
3:59 pm

Why don’t they just sell the dam team to another city in another state and we would all fare better off than be worrying with it, ………………………

Sonny

January 15th, 2012
4:02 pm

Some things just don’t change~~Mr. Blank~~a good man, just keeps getting screwed by the people he hires and trust.What a joke for OC!

Blue

January 15th, 2012
4:02 pm

I GOT A GREAT IDEAL HOW ABOUT THEY COMBINE THE JAGUARS AND THE FALCONS!!!! THEY DOING ON THERE OWN ANYWAY

Michael M.

January 15th, 2012
4:04 pm

hiramsaint, hows your Sunday going studdddddddd? how you feel about dem Saints ? They going to repeat next year ? …………………lmao out here

D. Orlando Ledbetter

January 15th, 2012
4:05 pm

Koetter is 1-1 in the playoffs. The Jags beat the Steelers in the wild-card round after the 2007 season. The lost to the Patriots in the divisional round.

Kimberley

January 15th, 2012
4:05 pm

Judging from these comments, maybe we are the worst sports town now. We weren’t until all these non-native jerks moved here. As a NATIVE Atlantan and a huge TRUE Falcons fan, I am excited about having a new coaching staff that works well together. Sometimes pure chemistry is more important than big names. I went through the really bad football years here, and I’ve seen us rebuild before. I have faith we will rebuild again. We have a great coach, a great GM, and a great owner.

Give this new staff a chance or cheer for another team. Whatever. There are enough die-hard fans to fill the dome on any Sunday.

Yikes

January 15th, 2012
4:06 pm

Ravens can’t pick up a yard. Never seen that before. Big difference is they are looking at a W

Michael

January 15th, 2012
4:08 pm

Not speaking bad about anyone, but it look like they would have hired someone with higher NFL stats. Althought what he did at the college level is good. The NFL is a whole other matter.

Ken

January 15th, 2012
4:10 pm

Well now we have an offensive coordinator I have to say it is surprising hire!! Looking back at the offensive talent that was drafted by Jacksonville this guy can not be trusted to scout talent hopefully he has no say on draft picks!! The Jacksonville WR corp went from being ok to awful on a talent level. Don’t know if he had a say in who was drafted, however they did get Jones-Drew RB and Lewis TE only good offensive picks I see. Maybe he can coach with the talent the Falcons have. I would like to know how much of a say he had on the drafts while he was in Jacksonville.

Michael M.

January 15th, 2012
4:11 pm

new faces and the same ole places………………if you get my drift about the birds

Jim Tavegia

January 15th, 2012
4:12 pm

That 4th down call vs Nawlens started the tumble downward. Needed that 3rd receiver for the run.

Not Impressed

January 15th, 2012
4:13 pm

Hopefully the Falcons are saving up to make a splash on defense

New Age Offense

January 15th, 2012
4:13 pm

D I believe we are worried about the new age offenses at the top of the food chain…New Orleans and Green Bay are going to be very good for years to come….Even Forty niners great defense could not stop New Orleans the who game… Unless you get exception smart talented defensive players the Falcons will struggle getting out of the first round of the playoffs for years to come….

big t

January 15th, 2012
4:14 pm

hey hes got to be better than run to left run to right then pass mularky /hey breeze looked like a scared little man without 7 seconds to throw /give matt some credit he only has 1.5 seconds to throw the ball

rivercard

January 15th, 2012
4:15 pm

Kimberly- If you think this team has good chemistry then we are watching different teams and I don’t know what any of the aforementioned people have done to earn being called great.

Pulling the non native and true fan card. Now that really is being a jerk or dirtbag if you prefer.

New Age Offense

January 15th, 2012
4:16 pm

Those 4th down calls were so predictable…. The Falcons gave up clues and the defensive teams jump on it…If I know what you are going to I will have a better chance at stopping you,,,,Also if this OC can get the offense to score touchdowns instead of Field Goals in the red zone.. they will win more games…

harleyman

January 15th, 2012
4:17 pm

At least the Falcons didn’t rush into anything. LOL

harleyman

January 15th, 2012
4:18 pm

Better hurry and grab Marion Campbell for defense before someone grabs him up.

KQuark

January 15th, 2012
4:20 pm

I’ll give the guy a chance but I hate crony hires like this. He has no proven record in the NFL so any success with be a surprise. If the Falcons are not better next year, meaning they need to at least win a playoff game then Smith needs to be fired.

JSS

January 15th, 2012
4:20 pm

Nothing like a person whose team laid the the biggest egg since Mesozoic age trying to crack on somebody’s team that actually showed up for a playoff game… No Saints fan, but you guys are grasping for any straw available at a Stewart Avenue 7-11…

Kyle

January 15th, 2012
4:21 pm

This is exciting to know. I guess they will name the Stone Mountain High School DC next week instead of Spags and we will see what Arthur says then about how this was good and in the fans best interest….yank, yank.

harleyman

January 15th, 2012
4:23 pm

I was really hoping for Dan Henning who tried to turn Bartkowski into a rollout and run QB, gimp knees and all.

big t

January 15th, 2012
4:24 pm

what atlanta needs is some ray lewis types on the team to hold the players accountable an to keep a fire under them

done

January 15th, 2012
4:25 pm

saints fans are too busy shooting fans of other teams

New Age Offense

January 15th, 2012
4:26 pm

So we will not see anymore political comments on a sport blog, I blame President Obama for the Falcon woes….O.K. let talk football…. I like the 49ers, tough minded physical team that bring the hammer…..

Diamond Dave

January 15th, 2012
4:26 pm

Bozee bozee bop….di dee bop…

harleyman

January 15th, 2012
4:26 pm

Who is John Galt?

big t

January 15th, 2012
4:26 pm

hey we cannot loss if smith does not open up hes next either way we win

JSS

January 15th, 2012
4:27 pm

Laughing at Harleyman… Ah, 25 degrees in the freezing rain at old Fulton County Stadium and the genius of Dan Henning… Thanks for making me laugh!

AngryBird

January 15th, 2012
4:28 pm

I’m sooo angry with the FALCONS choice . We finally had an opportunity to really move the team forward . We just took 20 steps back into mediocrity! What’s next Del Rio. UGH

harleyman

January 15th, 2012
4:29 pm

Lynn Cain was none to happy about it either.

big t

January 15th, 2012
4:31 pm

look guys at least we are not in last place like we where for 30 years losen up its going to be alright after i get through crying again

Michael M.

January 15th, 2012
4:31 pm

Being a fan………..I can say I am getting disgusted to say the least

Uh oh

January 15th, 2012
4:32 pm

Sitting in cold rain may be future if we get outdoor stadium… And there are still fans left.

harleyman

January 15th, 2012
4:32 pm

And to think all the tears were gone after 40 years Big T

AngryBird

January 15th, 2012
4:33 pm

We have really shown we’re a second tier Team by our choices in Coach’s as well as players! WTH

Leeman B

January 15th, 2012
4:33 pm

Yawn.

Glad that boring O may have an opportunity to get even less creative.

JSS

January 15th, 2012
4:34 pm

Time to hit the Mute button

big t

January 15th, 2012
4:35 pm

hey lets all pitch in an buy the team ive got 10 bucks

Michael M.

January 15th, 2012
4:36 pm

Rise Up my asx !

harleyman

January 15th, 2012
4:37 pm

Agree JSS. I guess I’ll sleep on it and hopefully have some constructive critism tomorrow. Time to go watch the other game.

The Real Falcon

January 15th, 2012
4:37 pm

fired at asu and a failure at Jax

JSS

January 15th, 2012
4:37 pm

The only place I’ll sit in cold rain is Edmonton Alberta or Lambeau Field… It won’t be in Arthur’s State subsidized pleasure place!

B'Red

January 15th, 2012
4:39 pm

Here we go, michael Turner up the middle for a two yard loss..way to go dirtybirds.

Leeman B

January 15th, 2012
4:40 pm

Cutting Ryan in favor of Redman next?

Michael M.

January 15th, 2012
4:43 pm

Packers probably start out slow then hit second gear and blow away the Giants………. I said it, now lets see what happens !

RUDEDAWG

January 15th, 2012
4:45 pm

The more I think about this crap,the more pissed I get!Now are we supposed to get behind this BS? What another slap in the face.I think I wanna fist fight the Falcons front office!

Confused Season ticket holder

January 15th, 2012
4:46 pm

Arthur please hire a big name DC. Enough of this swapping with Jacksonville bull crap!

Oblama

January 15th, 2012
4:46 pm

This is a friggin yard sale….. back up the truck. Beep, beep, beep, beep

Michael M.

January 15th, 2012
4:48 pm

They dont care about us fans its about their paychecks and keeping them coming in and that is all they worried with , period !

New Age Offense

January 15th, 2012
4:48 pm

I hope we get an aggressive DC, that is the only way to compete in this new age offense…..I want an aggressive defense I am tired of seeing the bend and break defense!!!! RISE UP FALCONS!

north ga falcon

January 15th, 2012
4:48 pm

The jags have let their teams talent pool go downhill since this guys 1st year as O.C. The only good offensive player they have is jones-drew. I would`nt hit the panic button just yet. We do need a great D.C. to polish this defense up though…… We have a good L.B. group and with a couple good free agent hires on the d-line, they will be fine. Go get Spags!!!!!!

tdawgg37

January 15th, 2012
4:49 pm

You don’t build a winning team with a loser. The Jag’s offense was ranked last in the NFL!!! Give hoim a chance….do we have a choice? Atlanta will forever be mediocre. Not one team in Atlanta is willing to invest in good coaches or allstar players.

Done

January 15th, 2012
4:49 pm

Same plodding offense. Run, Run. Pass, Punt. MJD did so well because Jax was always losing and the opponents weren’t too concerned with the run. Awful hire, no foresight or imagination. May as well get the Jax DC and be done with the transformation.

AngryBird

January 15th, 2012
4:53 pm

This Totally reminds me of that Petrino debacle but we’ll be stuck with this guy at least a year or two .

Samuel

January 15th, 2012
4:55 pm

I’m not going to be judgemental, I haven’t seen what he’s going to bring to the table yet. I’m not that interested in a real name guys, just a coach that can get the most out of the Falcons offensive players, especially Matt Ryan. I hope when the Falcons play their first game next season, we as fans can see he knows how to utilize all his weapons. Also you can imediately say- this offense has change in a good way.

RUDEDAWG

January 15th, 2012
4:58 pm

What a freeggin shame!Im done with these clowns!Born an Bred in Atlanta,and I cant even root for my home team!What a joke!

SirReal

January 15th, 2012
4:59 pm

I was a bit thrown off by the hire initially…BUT after thinking more about it I think it’ll be alright. We have a lot of talent on the offensive side and honestly if we havent seen what he can do with our guys, it’s hard to judge. Like Pat wrote here, Smith knows this was a very important hire. I think it may just work out and then we’d be saying how great a call it was. I wanted Billick. Well he probably didnt want us and wants a HC job. They really didnt have time to wait on Clements. Schottenheimer was a no go as well. It may just work out guys. Let’s just see what happens. We may be pleasantly surprised.

rivercard

January 15th, 2012
5:02 pm

Sir Real- We may be and I hope we will be. But it is only hope, as there is no evidence to lead one to think this will work.

Luke

January 15th, 2012
5:04 pm

While Dirk is better then B. Schottenheimer not sure if he is better then Bratkowski…Jags may have gotten the better deal..

Dirk Koetter
Jags 2007 OVERALL OFFENSE RANK: 7 Rushing Off 2//Passing Off 17
Jags 2008 OVERALL OFFENSE RANK: 20 Rushing Off 18//Passing Off 15
Jags 2009 OVERALL OFFENSE RANK: 18 Rushing Off 12//Passing Off 19
Jags 2010 OVERALL OFFENSE RANK: 15 Rushing Off 3//Passing Off 27
Jags 2011 OVERALL OFFENSE RANK: 32 Rushing Off 12//Passing Off 32

Bob Bratkowski
Sea 1995 OVERALL OFFENSE RANK: 13 Rushing Off 3//Passing Off 22
Sea 1996 OVERALL OFFENSE RANK: 19 Rushing Off 5//Passing Off 24
Sea 1997 OVERALL OFFENSE RANK: 3 Rushing Off 13//Passing Off 1
Sea 1998 OVERALL OFFENSE RANK: 23 Rushing Off 22//Passing Off 24
Cin 2001 OVERALL OFFENSE RANK: 23 Rushing Off 18//Passing Off 23
Cin 2002 OVERALL OFFENSE RANK: 18 Rushing Off 21//Passing Off 13
Cin 2003 OVERALL OFFENSE RANK: 13 Rushing Off 13//Passing Off 12
Cin 2004 OVERALL OFFENSE RANK: 18 Rushing Off 17//Passing Off 17
Cin 2005 OVERALL OFFENSE RANK: 6 Rushing Off 11//Passing Off 5
Cin 2006 OVERALL OFFENSE RANK: 8 Rushing Off 26//Passing Off 6
Cin 2007 OVERALL OFFENSE RANK: 10 Rushing Off 24//Passing Off 7
Cin 2008 OVERALL OFFENSE RANK: 32 Rushing Off 29//Passing Off 30
Cin 2009 OVERALL OFFENSE RANK: 24 Rushing Off 9//Passing Off 26
Cin 2010 OVERALL OFFENSE RANK: 20 Rushing Off 27//Passing Off 13

SirReal

January 15th, 2012
5:07 pm

@Rivercard I hear ya. I really do and don’t neccessarily disagree…but for now I’ll just wait and see the product on the field before I can give my true analysis. Honestly for me, this DC hire is the most pivotal. We’ll see who they decide to pair with him. The picture will be a lot clearer for me then.

Michael M.

January 15th, 2012
5:07 pm

A lot were laughing at the Jags the other day too……………so much at laughing .huh

Karl

January 15th, 2012
5:08 pm

This is a GREAT move. I’m officially excited. Definitely getting season tickets now!!! Woo Hoo!!!

Michael M.

January 15th, 2012
5:08 pm

Can you believe this though its like swapping guys..shaking head here

Waffle House or Bust

January 15th, 2012
5:10 pm

Smith has Blank by the balls. Mr. Blank has made the mistake of becoming friends with coach Smith which equals failure. Just like the line in Jerry Maguire – IT’S SHOW BUSINESS NOT SHOW FRIENDS.
.
This offseason was the perfect time to start fresh by letting Smith go. New buddies hired will not solve anything. I predict 8-8 next season and very boring.

BIOMASS

January 15th, 2012
5:12 pm

Well, Dan Reeves thinks the guy is a great offensive mind. So, it was a good hire.

ClevelandAve.Turk

January 15th, 2012
5:12 pm

Give the guy a chance. He may be what we needed. Look at how larry drew has helped the hawks. he wasnt as big name either.

BIOMASS

January 15th, 2012
5:13 pm

ClevelandAve.Turk

January 15th, 2012
5:14 pm

right on sireal

JoeBrave

January 15th, 2012
5:15 pm

Dirk who? Dirk Dobber?

curious

January 15th, 2012
5:16 pm

Just when you think the Falcons couldn’t get any dumber, they do this and totally redeem themselves.

Zon

January 15th, 2012
5:16 pm

Bafflingly disappointing pick. Way to motivate the fan base there Blank and Dimitroff! I can’t even fathom the meeting, “Hmmm…let’s see who was the worst ranked OC in 2011? Let’s hire him!!!!!” Seriously, with so many candidates available, the thinking to go with the person who ran the worst ranked offense in 2011 is mind boggling. Moreover, I don’t want to hear excuses about Gabbert this year, etc, as the Jax offense was at bottom of the pile the other years this guy was there too. It’s like the Falcons went out of their way to to shove losing in our face. I’m done. Go Panthers.

truthbtold

January 15th, 2012
5:16 pm

I told Ya! As long as Mike Smith is coaching – The only thing the Falcons will be good for is running the ball, to run out the clock. They don’t want to throw the ball down the field. The Jags don’t have an explosive passing game, they run the ball with Maurice Jones-Drew and lose. This is what we get to fix our offensive woes? Jacksonville Jaguar bred offense? What a freakin joke! This is just more of the same Mike Smith 20 yard line to 20 yard line kick a field goal mentality. Drew Brees threw the ball 61 times in the Saints loss to San Francisco yesterday. You can’t score enough points running the ball in today’s league to be competitive. Look at the Falcons and the Broncos (ground based attack offense). That old conservative – scared to put points on the board mindset that Mike Smith has – will continue to get the Falcons embarrassed. If the Falcons had a lead like the Patriots had at halftime against the Broncos, they would have started trying to run out the clock the entire 2nd half. The Patriots let Brady play until the end of the game, and he was throwing the ball toward the end zone the entire time. Arthur Blank, you better get rid of this soft coaching staff, and get some creative thinking behind the offensive pieces you have put together.

ClevelandAve.Turk

January 15th, 2012
5:17 pm

I know we all wanted a big name guy to heal us from these embarassing defeats. but just wait till he show what he can do with OUR team .Blank is a BILLIONARE. He didnt get that wat by making bad choices.

Waffle House or Bust

January 15th, 2012
5:18 pm

Atlanta pro teams accept failure like the state of Florida accepts child molesters.

Tony B

January 15th, 2012
5:20 pm

I guess the guy that Art Shell hired years back as OC of the Raiders that used to run the Bed & Breakfast wasn’t available. So we got the next best out of touch guy we could find.

Michael M.

January 15th, 2012
5:21 pm

The playoff run is over with…lol…I sound like one of the Aint trolls and not trying to be either !

dave

January 15th, 2012
5:24 pm

Booooo! Why settle for a mediocre hire like that, Falcons? WHY? Koetter’s offenses at Jacksonville have gotten worse every year he has been OC.

BOOOOOO!

ClevelandAve.Turk

January 15th, 2012
5:24 pm

Hay people read the piece the just posted on sb nation / atlanta on dirk kotter. it will give you some insight on this guy.

ClevelandAve.Turk

January 15th, 2012
5:25 pm

sb nation atlanta i meant

A.J.

January 15th, 2012
5:26 pm

I dont know what to say about this, but TD knows what he is doing so let’s give it a try. Maybe he can turn Matty in a elite qb and take this offense to the next level. Whatever happens though i still be a fan. Guys u have to admit this era of falcon football is better than any other era. Think about it this team(in the smitty/TD era) has gone to playoffs in 3 of the last 4 years. Now granted our performance in those games werent ”great” but we still went to the playoffs, so let’s be grateful. Forever this franchise couldnt win back to back seasons, in the smitty/TD era we did that. Forever this team couldnt get to the playoffs on consistent basis, again in the smitty/TD era we did that. The first step for franchise has been accomplished and now the step comes. Smitty/TD turned this team around in such a short amount of time they have us thinking super bowl. We are close but not there yet it takes time to build a super bowl type team.We’ll get there, we will, have patience. It’s all apart of the process guys, have patience that is key in the process.

ClevelandAve.Turk

January 15th, 2012
5:29 pm

smitty and ryan and turner and white have gave us a winning team like we atlanta fans have never had. give sum credit to smitty. come on . weres our graditude

ClevelandAve.Turk

January 15th, 2012
5:30 pm

smitty isnt perfect and ryan is no elway. but hes done what chandler and revves coulnt. four winning seasons

ClevelandAve.Turk

January 15th, 2012
5:31 pm

Reeves i meant

ClevelandAve.Turk

January 15th, 2012
5:33 pm

im a FALCONS fan to the core. GO DIRTY BIRDS………dueces

LeifsJohnson

January 15th, 2012
5:37 pm

Do the Atlanta Falcons and the Georgia Bulldogs secretly have the same Wizard of Oz behind the curtain conducting the football operations? Between Bobo and now Koetter the ineptness will continue. I am so over watching this franchise and the futility will continue under this clown. Great hire Smith, Dmitroff and Blank. Way to really show us that you want to win! I will go and bang my head against the wall some more because another mediocre season awaits us in 2012!! Can we hire Special Ed for the QB Coach! Yay!

THIS HIRE IS AWFUL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

January 15th, 2012
5:39 pm

now we can go 4-12 like jacksonville /this stinks/better get a good defensive coordinator to hold the score down ,cause we won’t be scoring!

ATL Observer

January 15th, 2012
5:39 pm

This is the single most exasperating hire I’ve gone through as a fan. Even more than Petrino.

There were SO many options out there. And what’s worse, not only did we get this letdown hire, we take a whole week to decide on a guy that would have still been on the market two months from now.

I don’t know what happened in the last year…management made mistakes before but came by them earnestly. But this? This is just flat out LAZY.

dirk digler

January 15th, 2012
5:48 pm

what’s coach smith’s deal, does he need some jacksonville coach to hold his hand, looks like he’s insecure to be by himself, so he surrounds himself with familar people.

rivercard

January 15th, 2012
5:50 pm

ATL Observer- I think you hit it. Lazy and uninspired – just like the team. TD and Smith are drawing a check til they get blown out.

tre

January 15th, 2012
5:56 pm

Yo the falcons are stupid. What happened to the green bay qb coach just stupid.

ZACK

January 15th, 2012
6:06 pm

GET STARTED PACKING GRANDPA MIKE SMITH! YOU AND THIS ORGANIZATION ARE JOKES! YOU WILL NOT GET ANOTHER PENNY FROM ME. YOU DAMN LOSERS!!!

steven A.

January 15th, 2012
6:08 pm

Dirk who? Might as well hied John “freaking” Doe. Right now only something of “Tebow-like-proportions can help this SORRY coaching staff. Need a bunch of Rice-Montana-Roger Craig like superstars to OVERCOME this “one-and-done crew.” Someone who can win in spite of ineptness!!!

steven A.

January 15th, 2012
6:12 pm

Early PREDICTION “Mike Smith will be interviewing for defensive coordinator jobs this time next season.” You heard it here 1st. He is closer to Dave Campo than Jim Harbough.

steven A.

January 15th, 2012
6:17 pm

Mike Smith will prove that he is closer to Marv Levy than Chuck Knoll. This is disrespectful to Marv levy.
Sorry Marv.

Sid

January 15th, 2012
6:17 pm

Where do all those Bayou bitch bloggers go when they lose? Bunch of Peeshwanks.

Tim Collins

January 15th, 2012
6:22 pm

Jerry Glanville would fit right in as the DC

Paul

January 15th, 2012
6:22 pm

Great…he understands the importance of running the football.

Translation:

1st down: Michael Turner up the middle for 2 yards.
2nd down: Michael Turner up the middle for now gain
3rd down: Incomplete pass
4th down: Punt

Yep, I’m really excited for next season. Can’t wait. The Saints and Drew Brees are in REAL trouble now.

theGuyAboveMeIsAnIdiot

January 15th, 2012
6:23 pm

First, those of you blaming the Jags offense on DK are just having a knee jerk reaction to not hiring a splashy name. DK was known as an offensive genius who took bad teams and made them relevant in college football even without good players. He is one who turned Boise St. football program around. He also got ASU on the right track. You need to understand the history of the Jags before you make a judgment on this guy. His first year, they had a few pieces in place, but they have a lousy owner and even lousier attendance. You know, they are the team with the tarps covering entire sections of seats so they don’t count as empty seats. Can you name me a good Jags WR in the last 6 years? Leftwich, Garrard and Gabbert aren’t exactly stellar QBs, There is a reason no one was interested in Garrard when he was cut. Not even the Colts, Bears or Texans made a play for this guy when they were down to their 3rd string guys. He had poor work ethic and poor attitude.

DK is known as a guy who is great at gameplanning and film study. He is known as a guy who moves the ball in chunks through the air and supports that with a balanced run game and short passing game. He isn’t MM.

We have been to the playoffs 3 out of 4 years. They aren’t going to hire someone to totally scrap the offense and start over. They just needed someone to tweak our passing game and game plan. DK is a guy who can do that. I just think we should give the guy a chance

tiredoflosing

January 15th, 2012
6:27 pm

I sure do hope the falcon organization is watching the Packers/Gaints. This is how you play football.

James Smith

January 15th, 2012
6:32 pm

This new coaching selection seals it for me. I will NOT be renewing my season tickets. Fresh set of eyes – REALLY- from a coordinator that finished last in offense. I’ve had enough! Good luck Falcons, sounds like you’re going to need it.

Hobbler

January 15th, 2012
6:37 pm

Falcons are idiots. Bobo=Mularky=Koetter. I think I’ll switch to pull for the Saints next year. Rock bottom. Sad day.

rm

January 15th, 2012
6:41 pm

There is not a lot of thought in most of these posts. Funny though. I guess it is easier to complain. No one here has a clue about what their talking about. If you are only looking at his record at least look at the talent. It was horrible. The only weapon he had was mjd and he still lead the league. Give the guy a season before u use your vast football iq to bash him…unless you enjoy looking foolish which by reading these blogs most of you do.

rivercard

January 15th, 2012
6:57 pm

rm- If it is all a matter of talent then, does it really matter who we hire? Did he have no input into the talent. Have you ever seen limited talent get coached up? Excuses are like… well you know the rest

Sure he has to be given a chance, but “on paper” this is a bad hire

eddy

January 15th, 2012
6:58 pm

DK is a 4th and 1 specialist. The rest of the offense is a mystery to him!

BIRDSFLYHIGH

January 15th, 2012
6:58 pm

Be patient Falcon fans!!! This new hire had less to work with in Jascksonville! He’ll have more here but one things for show, Know excuses!!!

unbelievable...

January 15th, 2012
7:15 pm

Another Mike Smith lackey.It was hard to find an OC with a worst performance than Mularkey but the “process” was able to come through and find their man. I suddenly realize that Aurthur Blank is just as weak as Rankin Smith.

Michael M.

January 15th, 2012
7:19 pm

Looks like the Packers are being owned out there in the game……….so whats up, the time off and the Son of one of the Coaches passing have anything to do with it or are the Giants better than anyone thought ? We know the 49ers are for real and they are lickin their chops for either of these teams.

Charles

January 15th, 2012
7:35 pm

You guys need to chill, consider the total body of work, not just the last couple of years in Jacksonville. I have a feeling most of you will wind up eating CROW.

Rise Up

January 15th, 2012
7:42 pm

Rise up fans. At least we can let em know we are tired of mediocre coaches or players and dumb leadership. Let’s see, who has the worst rated Defense to see if that’s who Smith/TD/Blank hire next for the DC. Laughing stock of the NFL.

rm

January 15th, 2012
7:46 pm

Rivercard- i hear ya and agree. Its not a sexy hire but im more concerned about the dc, getting pressure on the qb (look at the giants and niners)
and fixing the o line. From what ive read people think he knows what he is doing. He didnt have much to coach up either. Cant polish a turd…

Michael M.

January 15th, 2012
7:46 pm

Rise up to what ?

BigTimeTECHFan

January 15th, 2012
7:48 pm

Great Hire

Perfect fit for system Smith want to run
Perfect fit for Falcons existing player
Jax has had QB issues sense he’s been there, but he still get most out of not that good QB’s, developed Gerrard pretty good till he got hurt.
Will demand big time OL play, bet he gets a nice tackle her
Save money for big time DC hire, we may have to out bid other teams

BigTimeTECHFan

January 15th, 2012
7:50 pm

All yall talking trash about this hire will eat your words, he’s a lot more diverse then Malarky was

rivercard

January 15th, 2012
7:52 pm

rm – agree that defense is going to be the key to taking this team forward. I am afraid they are going to lose Abraham and Grimes and I don’t know where we go from there.

kerryb

January 15th, 2012
7:53 pm

D. Orlando, You’re around the organization. Let them know how unhappy the fans are right now. Season ticket sales are going down for sure. What a pathetic hire.

Michael M.

January 15th, 2012
7:56 pm

I hope to hxll the falcons do make me eat my words but I don’t think they are moving forward at all with this deal they just made, we will get to find out very soon. It won’t be too long before football comes around again.

Watch em go for a cheap fix on DC and good luck with that !

rm

January 15th, 2012
7:57 pm

Rivercard- Td has work to do for sure. At least we will have a lot to talk about…

Loserville USA

January 15th, 2012
7:58 pm

Wonder if they make ARM VIAGRA for quarterbacks?

Michael M.

January 15th, 2012
8:02 pm

When you see Blank with smoke coming out his ears next Season…….Smitty, you better run !

Bro

January 15th, 2012
8:06 pm

The key here is in Smith’s statement, “he understands the passing game, but wants to run the football too (because that’s all I want to do) which is very important in the NFL”. Running the football is important, but points are usually scored by the pass or because of the pass. Running is a necessary evil once in awhile. It by it’s self will not win a game in the NFL. HERE IS THE KEY FACT OF THIS HIRING: NO F ING CHANGE IN THE SCHEME-SAME OLD CRAP.

Ex-Season Ticket Holder

January 15th, 2012
8:06 pm

On Friday, I received my season ticket renewal invoice. With the news of the new OC, there is no way I can waste another dime on the Falcons. Mr. Blank you can have my two tickets in section 216 .

Loserville USA

January 15th, 2012
8:08 pm

DEFENSE WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS. 3 of the final 4.

DC hiring is crucial.

Humbug

January 15th, 2012
8:09 pm

Smitty has led the Falcons to better seasons than any other HC in the history of the team. Maybe he knows what Koetter can do if he has the manpower to work with. Apparently Mr. Blank and TD agree with him. They have done pretty damn good so far.
Let’s give the man a chance before we stupidly tear him down. Bitching does not reflect knowledge.

angry mangy mutt

January 15th, 2012
8:11 pm

Disappointed – not sure if I am. I understand it, Jax ran a similar system to what we have been watching for the last four seasons. No need to learn a new system, but instead a new way to run it.

True

January 15th, 2012
8:13 pm

For sale: Two season tickets to next year’s train wreck of a season. I’d rather watch a train wreck on television and it costs a lot less!

Don't Sign that Contract...

January 15th, 2012
8:14 pm

Terrible day for all Falcon fans. The downfall of the Mike Smith era is now in the works.

Greg Mendel

January 15th, 2012
8:15 pm

Giants 37, Packers 20. Another tough loss for #1 seed, and almost the same final score. (It proves Aaron Rodgers has a noodle arm and will never be an elite quarterback.)

Before the Falcons/Giants playoff game, most folks said the Falcons would have to establish their running game and pressure Manning. There was no Falcons running game, so Ryan was constantly pressured. The Defense successfully pressured Manning until it was exhausted.

Maybe Koetter could have made that game plan work. I don’t think Mularkey even tried.

Declinometer

January 15th, 2012
8:17 pm

To theguyabovemelsanidiot , get a clue. The jaguars covered some seats to reduce the number of seats necessary to prevent blackouts. The capacity with the seats covered is a mere 4000 fewer than what that mall you play in holds. That’s right the Ga Dome. Considering that The Atlanta market is 3 times larger than Jacksonville it’s still a large stadium.
Just because you can’t name the jaguar receivers does not mean that there has been no talent. David Garrard is a very good QB that will be starting somewhere next year. The reason no one picked him up is because he had back surgery after he was cut. The releasing of Garrard was an attempt to get a 1st round pick named starter before he was ready. Mistake! It was a mistake compounded by the inept OC Koetter. Garrard will be a starter somewhere next year, mark my words.
“Koetter is a guy who moves the ball in chunks in the air”. Dude, it’s ok to be optimistic but with that statement you are making a complete fool of yourself.

The Root

January 15th, 2012
8:17 pm

Simply amazing. Just goes to show you the Falcons should have cleaned house including Smith. JAX has had one of the most boring predictable offenses in the league. Traveling frequently to JAX they have to be shaking their heads about the decisions in Atlanta after living thru this coordinator.

Arthur

January 15th, 2012
8:19 pm

kerry b.—The real fans who buy the tickets and support the team are not as unhappy as you imply. It’s the sometime fans who only experience the games from their recliner and tv who express their negative opinions.

abby normal

January 15th, 2012
8:19 pm

OY!! Look for Joe Bagadoughnuts to be our new DC!

Loserville USA

January 15th, 2012
8:19 pm

If Smitty is bringing in his buddies to sink or swim then it’s probably a slam dunk that Nolan will be in to bring in the 3-4.

And that might be a good change.

rivercard

January 15th, 2012
8:19 pm

Humbug- More winning seasons, but not necessarily better. Remember the Super Bowl?

How could he know what Koetter can do with different manpower? He can only speculate like the rest of us. Better guess sure but not infallible.

Kane337

January 15th, 2012
8:20 pm

How many teams had this guy on their radar? If he stinks it could be the end of Mike Smith. I thought the plan was to win championships and not accept mediocrity.

fan of falcons

January 15th, 2012
8:20 pm

Players were distracted this year and obviously lost their focus. Maybe too much com “Rod” ery. Too much playing on the sidelines and not disciplined.

Humbug

January 15th, 2012
8:28 pm

@ rivercard… How many trips to the playoffs and that one super bowl did all the former head coaches lead the Falcons to? How many of them gave us four winning seasons in a row?

BigGAdawg

January 15th, 2012
8:31 pm

Did this happen because of the stellar job he did in Jacksonville??? Are you kidding me???

Joshing

January 15th, 2012
8:35 pm

I doubt that Vince Lombardi could have won with thw manpower at Jacksonville.

rivercard

January 15th, 2012
8:35 pm

Humbug- I said he had more not better and I am correct.

Give me a fact based reason as to why this is a good hire.

sad

January 15th, 2012
8:54 pm

So we get a guy that lost his job because they were not performing???
amazing. we get a guy who may be a veteran but has done nothing.
falcons will lose 9 games next year. no offensive coordinator and a qb that has no head on his shoulders.

Fresh Birds

January 15th, 2012
8:58 pm

This is a really bad nightmare. Next thing I will hear is the Falcons just hired the Clemson defensive coordinator that gave up 70 points to west virginia

ijonathan

January 15th, 2012
9:24 pm

JSS

January 15th, 2012
1:51 pm
@ Ijonathan…
I knew you’d come on here with your silliness today… Go back and watch the ball that was behind to Ed Dixon, it was tipped at the line… And wow, he improvised on the goal line and got the ball out hot for the TD…. You’re clownish on this point… And he’s two for in the Red Zone… You’re boy is not up to the job… Live with it, and that great hire this morning is just scaring everyone…

====

No JSS, you are the clown. And you have been clowned on here repeatedly by those participants in the know. Those, unlike yourself, who don’t chuckle at their own witicisms eminating from their keyboard. (Oh wait, I forgot, you have speech recognition software. I’m sooo envious.)

I wasn’t referring to a single pass that was behind a receiver, I was referring to repeated misfires by Joe Flaccid today. Yes, the Ravens won the game, and Flaccid was little more than an interested observer (aka Game Manager). Virtually any QB in the NFL could have matched his play today. Although I’m sure you’ll be able to find a highly objective video montage put together by some Ravens fan in his basement to prove otherwise.

jonk facons fan

January 15th, 2012
9:27 pm

Tthank u mr blank for a another looser oc, i could be wrong but well see.

techduck

January 15th, 2012
9:40 pm

it is really time for smith to go.this latest hire for O.C. is so stupid i mean really stupid,stupid,stupid,just blame stupid.the owner is so caught up in his money and has no clue whats going on .smith hires another buddy of his that has proven what?stupid move,just stupid.no way am going to renew my season tickets you falcons have proven something and that is a proven LOSER and this hire here proves that. just wait till you here who the D.C. is going to be.this teams owner is letting the coach hire all his buddies for cheap and tickets holders pay the price for it at the end of the beginng of the first round of play offs as the past years.

Chucktown38

January 15th, 2012
9:41 pm

Have been waiting for years for the Falcons to put it all together. It’s not going to happen with TD, or any of our current coaches.Most of TD’s draft picks are substandard or BUSTS, take your pick. Never going to win with the Smith name tired to the organization. Rankin or Smitty!!

realist

January 15th, 2012
9:45 pm

Garbage hire.

With the OC and DC transitions, won’t see the playoffs next year and will be lucky to break even.

iceBIRDcold12

January 15th, 2012
9:49 pm

He who laughs first will never laugh last. Now that you have read the cover lets wait to read the book. Change is not all bad.

eturn

January 15th, 2012
10:14 pm

Why this is not a good hire at O C ..This is what MS said… He is bright, he understands the intricacies of the vertical passing game, but he also wants to be able to run the football which is very important in the NFL. I look forward to working with Dirk and have tremendous confidence that he will be a great addition to our team and our coaching staff.” MS still living in the 80’s hung up on running the ball..when will he learn

GameChanger

January 15th, 2012
10:27 pm

Good idea Smitty, hire the OC of the team we beat 41-14. I have a BAD FEELING about this hire.

GameChanger

January 15th, 2012
10:30 pm

Oh, he like the running game huh? New flash for Smtty, we don’t have Maurice Jones-Drew, we have stumblefoot Turner who needs a hole as big as a truck to get any yards. You better get an O-line if you’re back to the running game again.

Nique

January 15th, 2012
10:39 pm

Helpful stats from ESPN:

Before this ugly season in Jacksonville, Koetter was viewed as a potential head coach. He did some good things in his first four seasons in Jacksonville. In that time span, Jacksonville’s offense ranked 13th in the NFL in total yards (338.6 per game), sixth in rushing (134.2), fifth in third-down conversions (43.0 percent) and fifth in average yards per rush (4.5). In his first season with the Jaguars (2007), Koetter directed a record-breaking season as the offense set franchise records for points (411 total and a 25.7 average), touchdowns (50) and touchdown passes (28).

Eric C.

January 15th, 2012
10:53 pm

“…he also wants to be able to run the football which is very important in the NFL.” —Mike Smith

Translation…expect more of the same

houstondawgdfan

January 15th, 2012
11:00 pm

I hope it works out, however I think we have regressed.

old man

January 15th, 2012
11:03 pm

As I said on Schultz board, there is no way to know about this hire. His talent was so bad at JAX. My jury remains out.

Maybe a fringe benefit of this is that he will come in with such little ego that he will let Matt Ryan be the game time OC. Couldn’t be worse than what we had last year.

No Surprise Here!

January 15th, 2012
11:04 pm

Atlanta Jaguars! Jags and Falcons swapped coordinators…great lateral move by falcons, mike smith has a great relationship with jags staff…it’s all about relationships falcon fans Mike Smith is pulling from his roots and now DC needs to be filled soon…looks like saints and falcons maybe in bidding war for Spagnuolo and mike nolan for DC position…Greg Williams contract expired and he will be moving on to join fisher his buddy in St.louis

Nique

January 15th, 2012
11:05 pm

Eric C.

That’s a very true statement, i believe the biggest change we’ll see with DK is an effective screen game, which will be beneficial against heavy rush defense’s & will help Matt & the O-Line out in ways that MM couldn’t, but i agree if that’s the only substantial change, which I’m hoping its not, but its the main one that i can see, we’re in trouble, but so is Mike Smith’s job if this is the case! Falcons fans wanna open it up be more G.B., Colts, N.E, N.O., & Detroit. style Offense, I’m not sure Matt’s quit on those guys levels yet, especially when it comes to playing on the road though! But i also don’t think we’ll get that style of Offense until Mike Smith is out of here, he’s to committed to the run for that sort of change!

Nique

January 15th, 2012
11:07 pm

Oh & when i said not sure, i meant Stafford, there’s NO WAY IN HELL he’s on the other 4 QB’s level just to clarify!!!

old man

January 15th, 2012
11:11 pm

AB is not ready to fire MS. TD does not have the experience to step in and object, even if he wanted to. AB is giving MS whatever rope he needs to succeed or hang himself. Simply agreeing to whoever MS wants is probably the quickest way (one season?) to find out if MS is playoff caliber. The quicker we find out, the better. Viewed in this light, it’s all for the best.

For now, we can do nothing but hope MS is the right head coach. Focusing on this hire in a vacuum misses the bigger picture.

Leeman B

January 15th, 2012
11:12 pm

All part of the process.

Ackshun

January 15th, 2012
11:13 pm

Great so we swapped an inept coach at the Falcons for an inept coach at the Jags. Whatever happened to all the “hiring the best people” bs. I give up GO 9ers!

kevin

January 15th, 2012
11:13 pm

anyone remember when JASON GARRET That guy in Dallas was a genius? Now He”s a schmuck!
Ya Just never know till they play the games. Smitty wasn”t the guy anyone wanted till he went to Coach the team to 4 winning seasons and 3 playoff games. maybe just MAYBE this could work.
better Get SPAGS though D is were Chapionships ae won. ain’t that right NO & GB!

SawThat1nce

January 15th, 2012
11:15 pm

I hope that the GM will make some improvements on the OLine and the DLine.

SawThat1nce

January 15th, 2012
11:18 pm

Maybe the Giants will win the SuperBowl, or at least make it to the SB, so that the Falcons can once again say, that they were eliminated in the playoffs by a SB team. haha.

Leeman B

January 15th, 2012
11:18 pm

Sly

January 15th, 2012
11:21 pm

Gonna give him the benefit of the doubt. He appears to be well respected around the league by people who really know the game. Not just knee jerk reacting fans. This guy clearly never had the level of talent that he is inheriting here. No, this is not the sexy pick but that’s not what we need here. The powers that be believe this guy can maximize the talent we have and I just don’t believe they took this decision lightly. You can’t judge him based on the performance of the talent he was working with in Jax. They couldn’t execute his schemes, I think we can. By the way the best OC’s have jobs already and aren’t sitting on the couch. So I’m saying get your popcorn ready, this guy is gonna light it up. I hope.

SawThat1nce

January 15th, 2012
11:22 pm

It looked like that Ref in the Giants/Packer game thought that he was calling a game for the saints.
Someone needs to investigate that Ref, for making those two calls in the Packers favor.

SawThat1nce

January 15th, 2012
11:25 pm

I guess that the NFL wanted a Brady vs Rodgers matchup in the SB.

DR. FALCON

January 15th, 2012
11:27 pm

JACKSONVILLE’S OC? THE SAME JACKSONVILLE WHO WERE LAST IN THE LEAGUE IN OFFENSE? WE WILL BE SINGING THE SAME SONG NEXT YEAR!!!

DR. FALCON

January 15th, 2012
11:35 pm

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! 4 YEARS IS LONG ENOUGH TO SHOW FALCONS FANS THAT MATT RYAN CAN LEAD US DEEP INTO THE PLAYOFFS! REGULAR SEASON STATS MEAN NOTHING! SEE: BREES & RODGERS. I TRIED TO GIVE MATT RYAN SUPPORT THROUGH HIS TRIALS AS A YOUNG QB! DIMITROFF GAVE RYAN NEW TOYS TO WORK WITH VIA THE DRAFT AND WE STILL GOT SHUT OUT IN A PLAYOFF GAME! RYAN HAS NO MOXIE, OR “IT” FACTOR! THROWING 10 YARD CURLS TO YOU RB LATE IN A GAME DOES NOT AN ELITE QB MAKE!

4dabirds

January 15th, 2012
11:40 pm

After reading all these dim witted comments, I’m starting to feel better about this hire. I wouldn’t trust any of you with an important decision, and the fact that some many hate this hire tells that it’s a good sign for Falcon success.

DR. FALCON

January 15th, 2012
11:40 pm

0-3 IN THE PLAYOFFS? TJ YATES AND TIM TEBOW GOT VICTORIES IN THE POST-SEASON IN THEIR 1ST STARTS! WE HAVE VETERANS UP AND DOWN THE ROSTER! TURNER, GONZO, AND ABRAHAM, JUST GOT A YEAR OLDER! THATS ALL! WHAT A WASTE! NOT THROWING DEEP ON THE GIANTS ONCE, WAS THE BACK BREAKER! THATS WHY WE DRAFTED JULIO, RIGHT?

Muscled men in spandex

January 15th, 2012
11:57 pm

Falcons Fans F—-d Forever

Fats O Kelly

January 15th, 2012
11:58 pm

Oh come on…………….give the man a fighting chance

Matt "CHOKE" Ryan Jr.

January 16th, 2012
12:01 am

UN HAPPY FALCON

January 16th, 2012
12:08 am

WTH????????????

Wise Man

January 16th, 2012
12:44 am

Brian Gregory, Mark Fox, Larry Drew, Feddi Gonzalez, Mike Bobo, and now Dirk Koetter.

I wonder why Georgia Sporst fans are taking a beating these days.

I better find new hobbies to keep me busy, because watching GA sports does not look promising.

Hey Falcon Relax. Does Authur really make you work the weekends blogging.

Ted

January 16th, 2012
12:45 am

Moving the deck chairs around on the Titanic.

Rico

January 16th, 2012
1:13 am

I think the appropriate approach here is to now hire this year’s coach of the 32nd ranked defense in the NFL. In that way, the Falcons would have the ultimate symmetry and congruity. At this point, I would also demote Dimitrokoff and hire the GM of the 32nd team in the league. We could keep Coach Mike Smith as head coach and also play our season at Grady Stadium. In that way, we would have four 32nd’s in the league, O coach, D Coach, H coach and GM. On the other hand, we would have Grady Stadium!

Rico

January 16th, 2012
1:19 am

Oh my goodness, I have just found out the 32nd gm is Bill Polian! Let’s hire him!!!!!

[...] Atlanta Falcons This entry was posted in Atlanta Falcons and tagged become, Coordinator, Dirk, Falcons, Koetter, offensive. Bookmark the permalink. ← Report: Gregg Williams will join Jeff Fisher in St. Louis (The National Football Post) [...]

Chris Dimino

January 16th, 2012
1:41 am

I think they should have hired one of Jackie Robinson’s descendants

tyger

January 16th, 2012
1:53 am

As the “Big Tuna” once said:

If you want me to cook the meal, let me pick the groceries…

Good luck to Coach Smith and the new staff…we’ll be watching

And nothing matters until the playoffs….PLAYOFFS! PLAYOFFS!

We were in the PLAYOFFS????

Jesse Tuggle

January 16th, 2012
3:42 am

Matt Ryan’s weakness… The deep ball!!
WR strengths… They are tough, physical and fast!!

So instead of getting an OC that will call plays that complement this, we hire another vertical pass OC…. I don’t get it! Let Julio and Roddy run across the middle on short and intermediate passes. They are a lot to handle, db’s can’t tackle them and LB’s are not fast enough to keep up with them.

As for the D. All we have is a good LB core…. Get rid of everyone else!

Paul Mall

January 16th, 2012
5:56 am

So we trade coaches back and forth with Jacksonville. Ever seen an Atlanta coach really get in someone’s face?

Notso Fast

January 16th, 2012
6:16 am

BETTER GET THEM TICKETS FAST. I WONDER IF ANYBODY ELSE WAS INTERESTED IN THE OC FROM JAX? MAYBE COACH SMITH SHOULD HAVE GONE TO JAX AND HE COULD OF HAD ALL THEIR COACHES.

ChillyMutt

January 16th, 2012
7:00 am

Hold on … Mike Smith is still the Falcons head coach??? How has he not gotten fired?

old man

January 16th, 2012
7:32 am

Giants beat GB by 17. Accounting for GB’s home-field advantage and the typical 3 points you get for that, you get a 20 point differential. We lost by 22 at NY, and accounting for the 3 point home field spread, that’s really 19 points.

So we are actually a better team right now, right?

old man

January 16th, 2012
7:34 am

Better than GB, I meant to say.

old man

January 16th, 2012
7:35 am

Of course, I’m being silly. But it does sort of confirm my feeling that our D played pretty well for a couple of quarters on that game.

Michael M.

January 16th, 2012
7:47 am

Giants will lose to the 49ers and set up a good game for the Superbowl with the Patriots and still wondering what we will get in a DC for next Season……………

Michael M.

January 16th, 2012
7:48 am

oh and still laughing at the Aints too…………….put this in your pipe and smoke it Trolls…Ha ! Ha ! Ha ! Ha ! Ha ! Ha !

A Fan

January 16th, 2012
7:48 am

No wonder other reams fams come to thiese blogs. Some of you prople need to get some anger amanagement, and try something to mellow out. When did the Philly fans come south? It’s embarrassing. I’m embarrased for the coaches, and the Falcoms. Playoffs 3 out of four years, and you folks just get more angry. You got issues dudes. You’d bitch about a golden spoon. I bet life is tough for you folks.

Michael M.

January 16th, 2012
7:53 am

They going to come anyway so may as well have some fun with them when we can…….thought they was going to win the Superbowl…………..Ha ! Ha ! Ha ! Ha !

GT

January 16th, 2012
7:56 am

Too much Jacksonville incest going on here. Is it the path of least resistance?

Michael M.

January 16th, 2012
7:59 am

Wonder how those Packers are feeling this morning…..Wow, they did a one and done ! Its a hard thing to win a Superbowl Trophy !

FL dawg

January 16th, 2012
8:14 am

Hey all you boggers/haters. What the hell is anybody gonna do with the players ATL has. Give the guy a chance. If this tem gets a really good DC it can work. Look at the Ravens for cryin’ out loud.

Michael M.

January 16th, 2012
8:15 am

Two of the best quarterbacks in the NFL we heard all Season long being talked about and talked about and look at them now……………….going to be sitting at home watching the rest of the Football Season unfold. Breeze and Rodgers, So someone tell me how come these two great Passing Quarterbacks are going to be sitting at home on their butts if a great Quarterback or say elite Quarterback is what wins Championships ?

So much for 500 yard games and 5 td performances. When it comes down to the wire, most often , its a good defense playing a good game that takes the team to the next level. I hope the Falcons come up with a A+ on a DC and they just might be able to take the next level !

Have a nice Day !

NtheNo

January 16th, 2012
8:24 am

atlanta is becoming jax and jax is becomming atlanta…..i’m excited.

78Dawg

January 16th, 2012
8:26 am

DOL this is old news. Have you started posting other people’s work now? You need to go…

Bluestreak

January 16th, 2012
8:27 am

Remember when Rankin Smith threatened to move the Falcons to JAX? Maybe its finally happening…HA!

Seriously though, this guy was working with MJD and not much else. He’s coming to a team with a mostly stocked offensive pantry (minus a couple of linemen). If this guy is the mind behind the play calling when he was at AZ State, we should have some fun games to watch next year. I doubt we’ll have any games where we only score a safety. Am I thrilled, that remains to be seen. I would have liked Tom Clements, but what do I know about hiring an OC. He may have maxxed out his potential and could be completely overmatched at the OC level. I’ll trust the football guys to make the football decisions. I’ll just keep being a fan.

Ed

January 16th, 2012
8:27 am

Keep in mind I had never heard of Mike Smith til the Falcons hired him, I think Koetter could turn out to be a great OC with more to work with.

WS

January 16th, 2012
8:30 am

Its is funny, Smith is still hung up on run first. This is outdated football today. The main team he will have to play two times each year is Saints. Payton will tell you they are a pass first team. In the 80’s Bill Walshs Niners, used a short passing game with big receivers like we have to pass, and set-up the run game. He won three superbowls.But what does he know. He was probably the greats offense mind ever, in the passing game.
I THINK MIKE SMITH IS LOST. I THINK TD AND BLANKS ARE DUMP FOR LETTING HIM STAY. HE SHOULD HAVE BEEN FIRE. THAT WAS HIS OFFENSE AND DEFENSE WE HAVE BEEN RUNNING FOR FOUR YEARS. MM AND BVG DID NOT RUN THIER OFFENSE OR DEFENSE BEFORE THEY CAME TO FALCONS LIKE THAT. PROBLEM THAT WAS GOING TO BE FIXED IS STILL HERE, SMITH!

Sid

January 16th, 2012
8:33 am

Zon …… January 15th, 2012 …….. 5:16 pm
Bafflingly disappointing pick. Way to motivate the fan base there Blank and Dimitroff!
******************************************************************************

Zon, that was the Rankin Smith era.

WS

January 16th, 2012
8:36 am

FALCONS WILL NOT GET A NAME DC FOR TWO REASONS. FIRST THEY ARE TO CHEAP TO SPEND MONEY ON A COACH, REASON WE HAVE SMITH. SECOND SMITH DOES NOT WANT ANYONE HE THINKS MAY BE A THREAT TO HIM.
BENGALS ARE CHEAP TEAM, BUT THEY DID GO TO ARENA FOOTBALL AND GET A OFFENSE MIND IN JAY GRUDEN. HE DID GOOD THIS YEAR AND NOW THEY GAVE HIM A THREE YEAR EXTENTION.

mountainman

January 16th, 2012
8:37 am

The Real Atlanta Housewives (Falcons) need to hire Kim Bierman as OC because she is very offensive.

Frontman

January 16th, 2012
8:40 am

Wish List for 2012:
Harvey Dahl
A middle linebacker that actually makes plays
Super Stickum for Roddy White’s hands
More carries for Jacquizz Rodgers
Less carries for Michael Turner
Dunta Robinson on another team
Some semblance of a pass rush in the second half of games

Frontman

January 16th, 2012
8:44 am

Oh, and, by the way, Joe Flacco stinks.

Owen Shaver

January 16th, 2012
8:44 am

I don’t know much about the guy, but I don’t remember Jacksonville ever being known for its offense

WS

January 16th, 2012
8:45 am

SHE WOULD BE NICE TO LOOK AT. SHE HAS MORE GOING FOR HER THAN KOJACK

WS

January 16th, 2012
8:51 am

Falcons are a farm team for the elite teams in NFL. Watching playoff on almost all of them, they have cast-off falcons playing for them. Boley for Gaints, peprah in secondary for green bay. Peele for Niners and I can go on. Looks like we are cutting the wrong guys.

Chris L

January 16th, 2012
8:55 am

Stunning hire, and by stunning I mean bad. The Falcons are regressing. This organization is now starting to resemble the one owned by the inept Smith family. There is absolutely no way to justify hiring an offensive coordinator with such a horrible track record. I was thrilled to see the Jags stupidly hire our OC so we could get him out of town but it looks like the joke is on us. Enjoy your last year as coach, Mike Smith.

trademark

January 16th, 2012
8:59 am

Smith will enjoy it. He’s halfway out the door anyway, and he knows it. Might as well hire his good buddy and let him earn a buck or to.

$§/§ Cronyism. Exactly what’s dooming the entire country.

phil is mad

January 16th, 2012
9:00 am

what a joke now from middle of the road to dead last

Ed

January 16th, 2012
9:08 am

Jacksonville has been setting the NFL on fire with their explosive offense huh!! Guess that’s what qualifies him as the falcons lame duck offensive coordinator,experience in futility.

mothers concerned

January 16th, 2012
9:10 am

Why would you hire someone with a losing season :(

Joey

January 16th, 2012
9:12 am

So, Smith can hire about anybody he wanted, and he got the OC of about the only offense that is more boring than his own?

Thanks coach, with this hire I’ll be saving up for the early-bird, DirecTV NFL Sunday Ticket.

You just go ahead with your 1 yard and a cloud of dust offense. I’ll choose another game – ANY GAME – for my entertainment.

Billy Mack

January 16th, 2012
9:15 am

Do they really expect falcons fans to have any hope going forward after these moves?

birddroppings

January 16th, 2012
9:17 am

Since when did the Jacksonville Jags become a winning team to build your team from. Buddy system gets coaches fired Smith.

TD has no clue!

January 16th, 2012
9:17 am

Smith is gone after 2012 season thank goodness.

Falcon Man

January 16th, 2012
9:20 am

WHO DAT ?? The Niners !!! Way to go Niners !!

I know,I know,you all have a Super Bowl ring… Thats nice

One more time….WHO DAT ?? WHO DAT ?? The Niners !!!!!

Preston Thompson

January 16th, 2012
9:21 am

Folks, what’s going on? Something is oh so screwed up.

Worst Move Ever

January 16th, 2012
9:27 am

Jacksonville’s Offense was Horrid at best last year and we actually hire this guy?

GOOD BYE MR. SMITH

January 16th, 2012
9:27 am

GOOD OLE BOY HIRE! ANYONE STILL THINK DEL RIO WON”T BE THE DC!

GOOD BYE MR. SMITH

January 16th, 2012
9:29 am

Friday Night Lights coming! If you guys don’t show up and BOO this team, and send Artie a message, you don’t have a hair on you…

Luke

January 16th, 2012
9:35 am

Koetter has done nothing in Jax; While Bratkowski offense has been somewhat successful in two organizations. While neither would have not been my first or top choice. When looking at it I would have chosen Bratkoswki over Koeter especially if we wanted to upgrade our passing game.
In Seattle Bratkowski had the 1997 #3 offense in the NFL and the #1 passing game…which is amazing due to the fact that the club had no talent… All three years there the rushing offense was 3, 5, and 13…In 10 years in Cincinnati he had a run from 05-07 were the passing offense was ranked 5, 6, and 7…and the overall offense was ranked 6, 8, and 10 in the NFL… Not to mention in 2007, Palmer became the fifth-fastest player (59 games) in NFL history to reach the 100 mark in TD passes. Palmer knocked Brett Favre and Daunte Culpepper out of the top five in the category, and joined a group that also includes two Hall of Famers (Dan Marino and Johnny Unitas), a surefire future Hall of Famer (Peyton Manning) and a Super Bowl winner with Hall of Fame potential (Kurt Warner). Over 2004-06, Rudi Johnson’s 4221 rushing yards were the most by any Bengal in a three-season span. Earlier under Bratkowski’s watch, Dillon posted a pair of 1300-yard seasons, and QB Jon Kitna saw his stock as an NFL starter revived. Also We can see how Cedric Benson career has been resurrected in the Bengals offense.
While Dirk is better than B. Schottenheimer not sure if he is better than Bratkowski…Jags may have gotten the better deal..
Dirk has never had a Wide out or TE with over 1,000yds…His best year came when the jags had a monster Defense and the team still had Fred Taylor and Jones drew….The rushing Offense was ranked 7…the passing offense was ranked 15….
Most reception by a Wide Koetter Wide out….65….Most yards…868… good news…is Garrard complete over 60% of passes under Koetter….If that is good news….I would argue maybe they should have thrown more…But hey Koetter is a passing guru…

GOOD BYE MR. SMITH

January 16th, 2012
9:35 am

ARTHUR SAVE YOUR MONEY FOR THE STAMP! I WILL NOT REUP FOR SEASON TIX! THIS IS A GARBAGE HIRE…

LexLuth

January 16th, 2012
9:38 am

Man….Seems we should have at least interviewed other candidates than hire a friend when that friend had the 32nd rank offense this season. That is to say he had no ownership of that stat. It was ALL due to personell? Really? Not even talking to Clements? or Billick? or ???? Did we just swap problems with Jax? It doesnt come with a warm and fuzzy feeling that is for sure.

Billy Mack

January 16th, 2012
9:40 am

Along with the acknowlegement, that the team will purposely overlook talent in order to find “choir boys” how can we expect to get any better. After getting physically dominated by the Giants, along with past postseason impotence, the team doesn’t have any warriors. Sans Julio Jones, I can’t think of anyone on the falcons roster other teams would fear. What are they really trying to do??

SawThat1nce

January 16th, 2012
9:43 am

Nothing like a big loss to shutup the saints fan trolls that usually infest this blog.

warthog

January 16th, 2012
9:44 am

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Dumbo

January 16th, 2012
9:54 am

Snuffy Smith please quit hiring Jacksonville rejects….lordy, next we’ll hire theJacksonville director of scouting. Blank, please take over and hire Spagnola for DC before old Snuffy hirs the Jacksonville D line coach as our DC.

darkfalconcw

January 16th, 2012
9:57 am

Wow!!!! You have got to be kidding me!!!!! This fool had the number 32nd ranked offense in the league and these fools hire him. The season ticket holders need to boycott this nonsense by not renewing this season. They just when from Sh$t to more Sh$t & Authur says he wants a Superbowl championship for the city of Atlanta. IT’S ALL LIES!!!!!!

Mikey

January 16th, 2012
10:00 am

This isn’t a slam dunk but I give the Falcons management credit for knowing ten times more about NFL football than all the so-called fans (or haters) on this board combined. This team is the best it has ever been in the history of the franchise. It has been improving every year since the current management team has been in place. It may not be superbowl capable yet but it could happen soon. If the Giants go on to win the Superbowl, the Falcons will have faced the Superbowl champion in each of the first round games they have played. I for one am anxious to see the next year unfold and hope that the offense includes plays that give the players an opportunity to capitalize on their strengths.

FalconForever

January 16th, 2012
10:03 am

So, they hire the worst OC in the league in 2011??? That doesn’t make any sense. Essentially a coach swap with the Jags. Look for the Jags to improve and the Falcons to decline. Sad to say, but I think the team may be about to implode. You would think Blank and Dimitroff would “just say no” to such stupid hires.

FalconForever

January 16th, 2012
10:05 am

I was actually sad to see Mularkey leave but excited about the possibilities of a new hire. Then, Koetter. How do you pronounce that any way. When we are all cussing about it next year, we need to know how to pronounce his name. Is it pronounced like Kotter??

FalconForever

January 16th, 2012
10:07 am

Hey Mikey, spare us the lecture about being true fans. I’ve been a fan since I was a kid. We can have dissenting opinions and still be fans. How many games did you go to last season?

GOOD BYE MR. SMITH

January 16th, 2012
10:08 am

Arthur, after much consideration, i have come to the conclusion, you are the problem! Please fire yourself and hire a real owner, who really wants to win a SB, and not just blow hot air up their fans *****! And Mikey, I believe last year was a step back…so, I believe this team is on the downslide AGAIN! We just hired the OC of the 32nd ranked ofeense in the league, pretty OFFENSIVE to me! We will be the laughing stock of the NFL, AGAIN!

harleyman

January 16th, 2012
10:09 am

Well, I slept on the decision and I believe………Hang on, I’ve got to go cry again.

GOOD BYE MR. SMITH

January 16th, 2012
10:16 am

Oh, and one more thing, Arthur, you should have made this a public hire, I know the fans could have done a better job, wanna open up the DC hire to the public now, it might be the only thing that saves your new stadium! NO MORE TAXES!!!

harleyman

January 16th, 2012
10:19 am

Cut the top off the tuna can they play in now and you will have an open air stadium.

PMC

January 16th, 2012
10:21 am

This is basically like a draft pick at this point. I have no idea whether or not it will be a great hire.

I hope he’s the perfect man for the job.

BamaFan

January 16th, 2012
10:21 am

I’m guessing Mr. Blank saw a Gene Chizik situation with this hire. Makes no sense. We hired the coach from the last ranked offense.

PMC

January 16th, 2012
10:23 am

Nobody knew much about Mike Smith either. I am still pretty confident about next year now that the focal point of the team is fixing the physicality of the lines of scrimmage.

JoFo

January 16th, 2012
10:25 am

REALLY??? What were you thinking Arthur, TD and Smitty? Falcons New OC is Dirk Koetter? What do FALCONS fans have to look forward to NOW???

Hey fellow FALCONS fans; maybe we can all agree on a NEW team to support!

Someone start a voting poll for a NEW team for us to follow! I am SO DISAPPOINTED and ANGRY! :(

Sid

January 16th, 2012
10:26 am

WS January 16th, 2012 8:30 am
Its is funny, Smith is still hung up on run first. This is outdated football today. The main team he will have to play two times each year is Saints.
***********************************************************
WS, you don’t see the big picture. We are not a team that can go out and play pass first and not set up the play action. We have no offensive line protection and cannot allow teams to just sit back and bull rush us every play. The Falcons in 2011 averaged 41 pass attempts avg per game, 28 avg rushing attempts per game.

You mention Bill Walsh………in 1981 (SB Champions) San Fancisco ranked 7th in passing (Joe Montana), 32 attempts avg per game, with a 62% completion avg. Also that year they ranked 19th in rushing with 35 rushing attempts per game averaging 121 yards per game. Balanced attack.

You mention the main team they have to face is the Saints twice a year?? So what you are really saying is we need better defense. It’s a 16 game season, they could lose to the Saints twice and still win the division, the NFC Championship, and the Super Bowl.

Mike Smith has brought the Falcons 4 years consecutive winning records, 3 in the playoffs. And all that off of possibly the worst team debacle ever. We are just a few players away from a perennial contender but acquistions like Ray Edwards (a knee jerk signing) aren’t the answer. Maybe you should vent on Dimitroff, not Smith.

Big Ron

January 16th, 2012
10:27 am

Ima give this Guy a chance Jacksonville is terrible no weapons at all here n Atlanta we have weapons so we will see im mainly concerned about tha defense cause that’s what will determine how far we go.

JoFo

January 16th, 2012
10:32 am

Is the FALCONS organization doing all of it’s shopping now (coaches and players) in the BARGAIN BASEMENT? Is this what we have to look forward to, also, for a new DC??

I guess this is a sample of the type of bargain players we can expect in the NFL draft and the free agent market! WOW! Unbelievable! :(

SawThat1nce

January 16th, 2012
10:32 am

The GM needs to aquire some good, big, strong, tough OLinemen, for this OC, and let him see what he can do.
The weak OLine was the #1 problem for the Falcons offense this year.
The weakest link must be fixed in 2012 by TD, in order for this team to progress.

Sid

January 16th, 2012
10:34 am

FalconForever January 16th, 2012 10:05 am
Koetter. How do you pronounce that any way. When we are all cussing about it next year, we need to know how to pronounce his name. Is it pronounced like Kotter??
**********************************************************
I don’t care how you pronounce it as long as we get results.

alpha9

January 16th, 2012
10:45 am

hey didn’t Nick Sabin want to hire this guy to replace Kirby Smart???

Legend

January 16th, 2012
10:47 am

Let’s all agree this is just a ploy to get another stadium, paid for by the consumers, somewhere in GA. The Falcons lack attitude. We praise everyone for simple things. Ryan is a top tier QB. Only in the minds of the organization. Stats don’t matter. When you can’t or refuse to throw the ball more than 20 yards, when the entire world (defense) knows you’re gonna run the ball, when 4th and 1 is the same as 4th and 10 and you fail at each attempt. This is a joke of a team. We need a loud, serious, intelligent leader. Mr. B. if this doesn’t work next season, GET RID OF EVERYONE and your advisors.

countryron86

January 16th, 2012
10:47 am

It does not matter who they hire to run the Offense. Until they get rid of Matt Ryan the Falcons will never go anywhere. They need to trade his ass to the Colts for the first round pick, then select Robert Griffin.

Legend

January 16th, 2012
10:57 am

BTW: I was at the game in New Orleans where the egg’d us on when it was 4th and 1. The crowd begged us to run the ball. They were all chanting run, run, run…. and guess what, the falcons ran and failed…. Such a sorry team.

Sonny

January 16th, 2012
10:59 am

11am news conf..where, what channel…live are just more BS..

Ducktown, GA

January 16th, 2012
11:01 am

Is it just me, or with the Giants’ win, is this going to be the 3rd straight playoff loss by the Falcons to the NFC team that gets hot and makes it to the Super Bowl?
2009= AZ Cardinals (and they should have won the SB)
2011- Green Bay= Nobody could stop them.
2012= Red hot NY Giants.

If this is the case, you can’t be sad about it, you just wish we could have won a game or two in the playoffs instead of opening with the hottest team. I know you got to “beat” these teams to prove that you are championship caliber, but at some point the Falcons have to get lucky and get a team that isn’t the hottest team in football during the playoffs.

JoFo

January 16th, 2012
11:01 am

REALLY??? Why is this hire a solid choice Arthur? Our lack of quality on the O-line, DE and secondary is obvious! Our pathetic and PREDICTABLE play calling and “dead-give-a-way” formations are old and repetitive news!

We need solid play calling, solid, talented and aggressive players that want to win and that can actually execute “good” plays (some hopefully screen plays) and coaches that are aggressive and want more than anything to win, play to win and not to worry about playing not to lose!!

Foothills

January 16th, 2012
11:14 am

Got an advertisement for the “Atlanta Falcon Express” electric train in my newspaper. Predictably, It also goes around in a circle.

Sid

January 16th, 2012
11:15 am

JoFo January 16th, 2012 10:25 am

Hey fellow FALCONS fans; maybe we can all agree on a NEW team to support!
**************************************************
Dear Sir, please do not call me your “fellow” Falcon fan, jump on any ol’ bandwagon you wish just like all those opprobrious folks who never even wore a sack on their head from the Bayou. Sure is quiet from the smelly ones.

Sid

January 16th, 2012
11:19 am

countryron86 January 16th, 2012 10:47 am
It does not matter who they hire to run the Offense. Until they get rid of Matt Ryan the Falcons will never go anywhere. They need to trade his ass to the Colts for the first round pick, then select Robert Griffin.
******************************************************

Brilliant. Any comments from countyron’s other brother countryron……?

border dweller

January 16th, 2012
11:20 am

As a Falcons fan and a Jaguars fan, I believe I sit in a unique spot that qualifies me to ask “WTF?”

tt44

January 16th, 2012
11:23 am

WELL…go figure…I really am not sure if this is the right move.Howevr, I do know as a Falcon fan, that I am totally disgusted with being a doormat in the NFL playoffs! EMBARRASED. Smitty, with this hire (as with JJ draft) you need to make sure that you are not only the driver of your bus, bus make sure your desire, vision and focus are leading your bus up the right road! Because, I gotta tella, I am tired of loosing and cant make six inches forward when needed! Get U some tought mean O linemen, and D linemen, or your future doesnt look bright!

monty

January 16th, 2012
11:24 am

The way I see it, the 2 best QB’s in the league just went down in defeat to teams that were tougher than they were. Physically and mentally. Maybe not talent wise but definitely tougher. Tougher in the pass rush and in stopping the run Tougher O-lines, Protect the QB!! THat takes an offensive line that can give the QB time to go through progressions. Whatever Brees or Rodgers have over Manning, Manning proved to be deadly given and extra couple of seconds to find his receivers.

monty

January 16th, 2012
11:27 am

Not really an offensive guru. I’d say Smith just bought himself one extra year. If after the 2013 season we’re not any better, then the hole crew is toast, starting with Dimitoff.

birddroppings

January 16th, 2012
11:39 am

Get rid of that tacky rise up commercial because the falcons are going down with stupid moves like this

Die Hard Falcon

January 16th, 2012
11:41 am

This is sooooooo disappointing. I was depressed about our early exit again, but when I saw the press conference about “fresh perspectives” and knew that we were getting new coordinators, I thought, maybe this will push us over into a playoff-winning team. And then this…I’ll admit, I haven’t watched the Jags except when we crushed them this year, but we want to improve the team and then hire the O-coordinator of the 32nd ranked Offense?!?
I won’t say anything negative about Koetter, b/c I don’t know anything, but 32nd (dead last) speaks volumes and I just don’t understand how they expect a better result. I know the Falcons have much more talent on our offensive roster, but play-calling was a big part of our problem, besides a lack of physicality, and this just leaves me deflated. Boring, vanilla, conservative, lame, non-winning come playoff time. Those are the words that come to my mind. Believe it or not, I’m generally an optimist when it comes to my team, but this just stinks, I really hope they prove otherwise

PMC

January 16th, 2012
11:47 am

How can you be disappointed or thrilled with the hire?

They had a rookie QB who was AWFUL last year. They had WR’s that an incredibly overpriced corner back who hasn’t worked out in this city took to twitter after the game to denigrate.

MJD won the rushing title, when everyone knew they were going to run.

So clearly, the guy can get a lot out of talented players.

The Falcons main issue is that every team left in the playoffs is ACTUALLY physical and tough. Not just lip service. Every team left is more physical than the Falcons.

They HAVE to find a pro bowl guard this year and they have to start dropping opposing QB’s. Doesn’t really matter who calls the plays.

Mack

January 16th, 2012
11:48 am

MS has won 2 out of every 3 games in Atlanta, and that ain’t bad.
my take. Very seldom do teams replace both OC and DC without replacing the HC. It happened here because MS has a good record and these guys were not fired. MS wants someone he can influence as OC. He also wants to excell(if for no other reason than to keep his job)He thinks DK is his guy. He goes to TD and says DK is my guy. TD does his do diligence. He likes to reach. He tells MS OK but AB really likes this guy (Spags/Nolan?) for DC(big$$ big name HC type guy). TD has his bases covered for a year w/o many draft picks. If MS and DK do good he is a genius. If they fail he can say it was MS’s guy. AB gets to hedge his bets. If MS fails he promotes the DC.

I guess when they hire a DC we will see :)
Good luck coach DK! Welcome to Falcon land!

ron

January 16th, 2012
11:49 am

Matt Ryan did have a subpar offensive line but the truth is …..Matt cannot extend a play like Romo, Brees, Rodgers; nor can he scramble for nice gain every now and then like Alex Smith.

Matt cannot just sit in the pocket and throw…..the guy has to move around.
As for the OC……not sure what the heck is going on w/ the hire but will wait and see. Until we get a top notch DC, this looks like a setup for Failure.

GOOD BYE MR. SMITH

January 16th, 2012
11:55 am

PMS, What wss Jacksonville’s record? And what was the offensive rank? 32 out of 32! Sounds like he got alot outta his players! LMAO! What a joke!

Falconitis

January 16th, 2012
11:57 am

The selection of Koetter really shouldn’t surprise anyone. He is a good Coach and the Falcons offense will change for the better. Not likely to be GB explosive, but it will be better and take advantage of the tools we have in place.

My belief (especially after watching the playoffs) is that the pick for the DC will be way more important to the Falcons long term success.

Mack

January 16th, 2012
11:57 am

This old song lyric comes to mind
“free your mind and your a$$ will follow”
my remix
Fix your lines and the wins will follow.
:)
I like it better than Rise Up!

ole richie

January 16th, 2012
12:00 pm

The 32 ranked offense stat as a diss on DK is irrelevant. The Jags had absolutely NO talent on offense. MJD was the only good player on the offensive side of the ball. Every team the Jags played knew they were going to run and MJD still won the rushing title. Don’t tell me DK didn’t have something to do with that. In ATL, DK will have a great QB, a solid group of receivers and a good back to work with. That being said, we should all hold off our criticisms until DK proves he can or can’t get the job done.

bm2957

January 16th, 2012
12:03 pm

@Ducktown – Atlanta doesn’t need to beat the “hottest” team in the playoffs, they need to BE the hottest team in the playoffs. There’s no honor to felt that you were beaten by the team that wins the SB.

Falconitis

January 16th, 2012
12:04 pm

Also…I find it funny that all the Atlanta Fans on here bashing Mike Smith and Dimitroff.

Apparently you haven’t been fans very long because you do not know our history very well. I am disappointed by the losing in the playoffs just like everyone else, but before Coach got to Atlanta…it was hit and miss…mostly miss. The only thing that kept us from being completely ashamed was the Saints. Both have righted the ship about the same time…true they have a Superbowl win, but we have our share of success.

We can break through this playoff drought and become a contender for years to come…that team that other teams hate to play because they know that we come to play. We can become the Steelers or Ravens…just have to stick the course, continue to draft well, and play some defense.

The DC position pick is a much bigger decision for this team than the offense is.

Fair n Balanced

January 16th, 2012
12:16 pm

Nothing to do with Falcons……….when is GA going to get real about its basketball program? Dead last in the SEC and falling. Dang! This is unacceptable! When Fox was hired, did we really expect to be dead last in the conference at this time? Come on!

FenderMan

January 16th, 2012
12:17 pm

I hear Greg Knapp turned them down. May be we can get J Mora Jr to be our DC.

This is not the hire I was looking for. I’ll give the guy a chance but he and Smith are
on a short leash.

PMC

January 16th, 2012
12:27 pm

obviously this was a Mike Smith hire. When you hire the statistically worst coordinator in the league, you’re going to take some heat over it especially when your offense was dinosaur to begin with.

What this means, is that next year better be special, or we’re probably back to square one again.

brandy

January 16th, 2012
12:27 pm

Someone tell this guy to do a ‘ GREEN BAY ‘ right/left when the team needs 4 ” for a 1st down.

One and Done

January 16th, 2012
12:31 pm

Wish Mike Smith would have talked his Brother in Law “Brian Billick” into the job…..but doubt he would be anyones assistant at this point….he won a Super Bowl as a head coach. Either way, they could have tried harder to find a better option other than Smitty’s pal.

Sonny

January 16th, 2012
12:35 pm

No body covered the NEWS CONF..For Dirk? Must not mean much to Falcons.

Paul Johnson

January 16th, 2012
12:36 pm

Why didn’t I get a chance to interview. I would put Julio at QB, Turner at B Back, and Rodgers at A back. With my illegal chop blocking, I’ll have the other team whining to the ref’s all game. You know it would work until I started drafting Div II talent to plug into the offense. Also, I would bring ole’ Al Groh with me. You know he is the mastermind behind Bill’s defense in New England.

Trapped Section 322

January 16th, 2012
12:37 pm

Does anyone else feel trapped? As a season ticket holder, I do not want to re new this season but I will lose my seats that I worked hard to get…on the 50 yard line. Arthur Blank… you got bamboozled again.

Trapped Section 322

January 16th, 2012
12:39 pm

FOR THOSE OF US WHO WILL RE0NEW OUR SEASON TICKETS: BOYCOTT ALL CONCESSIONS, ALL FALCONS MERCHANDISE

Trapped Section 322

January 16th, 2012
12:44 pm

I have lost faith in the organization. Well, at least faith that we are an elite team. I only have faith that we will continue to be mediocre. Maybe I will just get 2 seats this year instead of 4.

Section 322 Row 7

January 16th, 2012
12:47 pm

Mediocre to me is good enough to make the playoffs but not good enough to win the (or even make) the Super Bowl. Isn’t that why the game is played?

JoFo

January 16th, 2012
12:49 pm

The Search for Falcons DC is Now Over. The Falcons organization announced today that Fred Dolittle has come to terms with the organization. Dolittle has been the DC for Small Fry Football League near Mayberry VA. for the past ten years. He comes with high endorsements from his grandfather on his on his mother’s side of the family and his uncle Barney states that he is a bodaciously good coach!

Go FALCONS!

rivercard

January 16th, 2012
1:00 pm

everyone is saying the Dc pick is bigger , but if you support Smith this seems incongruent. Smith supposedly is a great defensive mind. He obviously knows zero, nada, squat about running an offense. I would assume the offense will be handed over to Dirk. while Mike and dc concentrate on defense.

I usually just read but....

January 16th, 2012
1:01 pm

bad move bad move bad move bad move bad move bad move bad move bad move bad move
bad move bad move bad move bad move bad move bad move bad move bad move bad move
bad move bad move bad move bad move bad move bad move bad move bad move bad move
bad move bad move bad move bad move bad move bad move bad move bad move bad move
Did I mention this is a very bad move?

DECATUR FLASH

January 16th, 2012
1:10 pm

THIS HIRING OF KOETTER IS ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF THE LACK OF CONCERN THE FALCON MANAGEMENT HAS FOR THE SEASON TICKET HOLDERS. THE SEARCH FOR THE NEW OC WAS A SHAM. IF THEY DO THE SAME PROCESS WITH THE DC AND THE FALCON FLOP AGAIN. THIS COMING SEASON WILL BE MY LAST AFTER 10 YEARS. THE ONLY WAY TO STOP THE GOOD OLE BOY SYSTEM IS TO STOP PURCHASING SEASON TICKETS.

Joshing

January 16th, 2012
1:18 pm

The Falcon “fans” and the Falcons players have differing opinions. The “fans” treat it as a serious situation while the players treat it as a game. Which of the two are happier?

LOL

January 16th, 2012
1:21 pm

The ironic thing is, all these folks calling for Mularkey’s job already hate his replacement.

Well when you want an OC gone, you have to replace him…and this is an example of the risk that comes with such a thing.

Midseason of next year, people will be wishing Mularkey never left.

Brilliant armchair GMs and coaches in ATL. /sarcasm

LOL

Dennis

January 16th, 2012
1:26 pm

Censorship has reached new heights (or lows?) on NFL.com. I tried to post the following comment and it was kicked back saying it contained “inappropriate language”:

“I went to the first game the Falcons ever played and have been bleeding with them ever since. In all that time, I’ve not seen a hire that aggravates me more than this one, and that includes Petrino. To hire the architect of the worst offense in the league and try to pass it off as a good thing is just beyond belief.

I gave up watching baseball when it became clear the umpires had decided to take complete control of who wins and loses (by manipulating the strike zone) I’m REAL close to doing the same with football.

I know it won’t happen, but I’d like to see Blank step in and overrule this decision.”

KnockEmOut

January 16th, 2012
1:29 pm

The ATLANTA FLYING FALGUARS!

KnockEmOut

January 16th, 2012
1:30 pm

or THE ATLANTA FAGUARS!

GOOD BYE MR. SMITH

January 16th, 2012
1:37 pm

@Joshing,
Lets try not paying the “players” to play a game, and we shall see if the “players” start treating it as if it were a “serious situation”! Then we shall see, Who is Happier!

Michael M.

January 16th, 2012
1:41 pm

Heck…all the fussing about the Falcons and their moves and I was going to take a nap and thought about the Saints losing and got to laughing at them again Ha! Ha! Ha!………I just had to show up and let the Trolls know I was still laughing my axx off at them………..lololol……..what a bunch of Morons thinking they had that Superbowl Trophy in the Bag ! I bet hiram , SeenthisB4,and whodat1 and the rest are really having a bad, very bad start to the week Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Whats dah matter boys ?

I agree with some of these comments now, its time to start thinking about a new quarterback or at least a good back-up to start grooming cause as a few others have posted ” He Aint the One ” !
I am tending to agree with it now…..Atlanta needs to address that issue and running backs and secondary on defense and add some beef to that O-Line and they could be Contenders instead of Pretenders !

Come on mannnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn !

Dan Reeves

January 16th, 2012
1:42 pm

Enter your comments here

Dan Reeves

January 16th, 2012
1:43 pm

Mr. Blank, call me when you are ready, my number is 1-800-ha-ha-ha!

Michael M.

January 16th, 2012
1:45 pm

Hes getting too old now to be fooling with the Birds…………probably cause him more Heart Problems…………….laughing here

Pauls Johnson

January 16th, 2012
1:56 pm

What happened to SeenThisBFoe,,, He’s checked out,,, Hiramsaint,,, anyone,,,,,,,,,

Pnuts

January 16th, 2012
2:09 pm

Apparently, a gun fight broke out between SeenThisBFoe and Hiramsaint during or after the Anits’ loss to the 9ers, they will be sourly missed.

Pauls Johnson

January 16th, 2012
2:11 pm

Yep,, Applebees in Duluth,,, guess they can’t handle Duluth,,,,

Jeffro Bodeen

January 16th, 2012
2:13 pm

Same flavor….coming from a different store! You like vanilla??/….me like vanilla!! Huh huh drooool

Jeffro Bodeen

January 16th, 2012
2:15 pm

Four Cough Koetter!!

Pauls Johnson

January 16th, 2012
2:19 pm

Dirk,, what kinda name is that anyway.

jeff

January 16th, 2012
2:27 pm

I think we could have made a better hire for Oc but I can see what they may be driving at……..they dont want to be as dependent on a pass attack but an even attack jus look what happend to the pass heavy teams in the playoffs…..but it really depends on the DC we get…we cant stop the pass from anyone.we must have a better defense.

Pnuts

January 16th, 2012
2:42 pm

This is what I see that they maybe driving at……they are driving to be the other Jaguar of the south!

Pnuts

January 16th, 2012
2:44 pm

All that is missing now is an out-door stadium with real grass, then they would complete the Falcons –> Jaguars transformation!

Gianni Phipps

January 16th, 2012
3:18 pm

WHERE’S MY BLOG AJC?

trottsky

January 16th, 2012
3:41 pm

Here’s the deal….this joker has been in Jax for 4 years, well long enough to develop a coherent offense given what was there when he arrived and the subsequent drafts. In 2011, he had put that all together to achieve 32nd place in offense in the NFL…….anybody that wants to defend this, have at it…..and let me know how that works !!! Just made it another year of waiting for the new head coach and another year or so until we can actually have a team to reach the next plateau……I thought Blank had learned something

Jonas

January 16th, 2012
4:14 pm

Falcon Faithful

okay, it’s a bewildering choice. the brass obviously sees something that isn’t apparent to the outside world. That said, so was the choice of Mike Smith, who like it or not, is the best coach the franchise has ever had. Smith worked out, fingers crossed for Dirk Koetter.

off topic, I’ve been a loyal falcon fan since bartkowski/jenkins/andrews. i love the team, I hate the fanbase. this blog, filled with clueless haters, epitomizes the problem. I hope honestly that one day the birds will field a team that breaks through, and is supported by fans with some class. one can hope…

JMF

January 16th, 2012
4:20 pm

Should have hired Jacksonville’s defensive coordinator. He had a good year. We needed a fix, but I’m left 4th and inches and a QB sneak, (season over). Now we hire the coach with the worst offensive numbers in the league. WTF

jodi lynn

January 16th, 2012
6:29 pm

i hope after watching all this good football over the weekend,matt ryan realizes what a wus he is

Jerry

January 17th, 2012
6:34 am

I don’t see where the Jags set any woods on fire with this guy,so why do we settle for him? This is a good fit for Smith but not the team. We all know who goes next time.

Burt

January 17th, 2012
10:21 am

Southern hospitality must have left when Sherman came through here. Give da man a chance!

JerryLazarus

January 18th, 2012
5:03 pm

The Falcons “WELCOMED BACK KOETTER” with the hiring of smiths buddy Dirk Kotter. Then we find out that the new DC is also an old buddy of mike smith. Well, now that Mr. Kotter is in the fold to teach class to his new SWEATHOGS, maybe Arthur will change the name of the team to the Atlanta Sweathogs–ya think!

StatsGuy

January 18th, 2012
5:34 pm

For anyone who feels Koetter is no good >

Throughout his five-year tenure, Koetter has directed ASU’s all-time leading passer in Andrew Walter, its top career receiver in Derek Hagan, as well as Koetter’s only unanimous All-American honoree Terrell Suggs, who in 2002 established the NCAA single-season record with 24 sacks. Additionally, Suggs (2002) and Dale Robinson (2005) earned Pac-10 Conference Pat Tillman Defensive Player of the Year honors under Koetter’s guidance. Also, each Sun Devil team during Koetter’s Sun Devil career has showcased a 1,000-yard receiver. Prior to Koetter’s arrival in Tempe in 2001, only four times in ASU history a receiver had surpassed the 1,000-yard mark in a single season. http://www.thesundevils.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/koetter_dirk00.html

Career Record: 9 Years, 66-44, .600 W-L% (Major Schools)
Bowl Record: 6 Bowls, 4-2, .667 W-L% (Major Bowls)
Major Schools: Boise State (26-10) and Arizona State (40-34)
http://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/coaches/dirk-koetter-1.html

For anyone who feels we should be airing it out(instead of focusing on run and defense) >

Passing This Season
On Throws 21+ Yards Downfield

Eli Manning Matt Ryan
Comp 38 11
Comp pct 42.7 25.0
TD 10 3
Total QBR 98.0 56.6

http://espn.go.com/blog/statsinfo/tag/_/name/matt-ryan

For anyone who thinks QB’s need to complete a high percentage of deep throws >

Rank Player Team Deep Attempts Deep Completions Deep Comp%(’10 Stats)
20 Matt Ryan ATL 51 16 31.37%
22 Peyton Manning IND 95 29 30.53%
http://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2011/05/10/going-deep/