Falcons offensive line coach Paul Boudreau released
Falcons offensive line coach Paul Boudreau will not return for 2012. Brant Sanderlin / bsanderlin@ajc.com
Falcons offensive line coach Paul Boudreau was relieved of his duties on Tuesday.
Also, the team is expected to announce their new defensive cordinator shortly.
Boudreau joined the Atlanta Falcons coaching staff as offensive line coach in 2008 and spent four seasons with the team.
“We would like to thank Coach Boudreau for his contributions to our team over the past four seasons, and we wish him well in his future endeavors,” said Falcons head coach Mike Smith in a release issued by the Falcons.
Boudreau is the third coach from the offensive side of the ball to leave the team.
Offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey accepted the head coaching position with Jacksonville last Wednesday. Quartebacks coach Bob Bratkowski left to join Mularkey as his offensive coordinator last Friday.
On Sunday, the Falcons named Dirk Koetter as the new offensive coordinator.
The offense didn’t score a point in the 24-2 playoff loss to the New York Giants.
The Falcons’ line scrappy style of play, under Boudreau, drew criticism from opposing teams. Defensive linemen from the Lions, Packers and Giants accused the Falcons of questionable play. New York’s Justin Tuck callled the linemen “dirtbags” leading up the NFC wild-card game.
It didn’t help Boudreau or his unit that they weren’t able to move the Giants off the line of scrimmage on two key fourth-and-short situations against the Giants.
The Falcons contended that they are physical and just block, hit, push and shove until they hear the whistle stop blowing.
Under Boudreau, the Falcons’ offensive line was a finalist last season for John Madden’s most valuable protectors award, which goes to the league’s top line, after the 2010 season.
Also under Boudreau, right tackle Tyson Clabo, a former undrafted college player, went to the Pro Bowl last season.
Before coming to the Falcons, Boudreau, a 26-year NFL coaching veteran, was fired by the St. Louis Rams.
Boudreau, 62, worked with Smith on Jacksonville’s staff from 2003 to 2005.
Boudreau worked previously with the New Orleans Saints (1987-93), Detroit Lions (1994-96), New England Patriots (1997-98), Miami Dolphins (1999-2000), Carolina Panthers (2001-02), Jacksonville (2003-05) and St. Louis (2006-07).
–D. Orlando Ledbetter, The Atlanta Falcons beat blog
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126 comments Add your comment
E-Roll
January 17th, 2012
2:05 pm
It is good to see that Blank is not letting those responsible for our continued problems keep their jobs. Now this should put you on notice Coach Smith. You can be next if we do not see progrees, ie. playoff wins!
RJ Voorhees
January 17th, 2012
2:08 pm
the DC is going to be Nolan
railman311
January 17th, 2012
2:09 pm
C’mon Spags!!!!
Nique
January 17th, 2012
2:11 pm
Yes!!!! Not that I want ppl out of work, but if you look back to my post from a few weeks ago, I said 4 coaches had to go & be held accountable for that sorry excuse for a game & gameplan against the G-Men, the OC, the O-Line coach, the D-Line coach, & the DC- who needed to leave not due to the playoff game but overall inadequacy. Any rumors about names for his replacement yet, or on who will be the new QB coach, or DC yet D-Led?
CDG..
January 17th, 2012
2:11 pm
Agree and Cosign @ E-Roll!
Super Bowl Shuffle
January 17th, 2012
2:11 pm
Player need to be on notice also! Changes are a-coming!
CDG..
January 17th, 2012
2:12 pm
Coach Clean Shot and Matt get one more than Greyhound will be ready ta ship em out of here! ASAP! LOL!
Mr. Phil
January 17th, 2012
2:13 pm
Suprise right.
CGD..
January 17th, 2012
2:13 pm
Enter your comments here
SirReal
January 17th, 2012
2:13 pm
Looks like they’re cleaning house huh D Led? Boudreau was a great coach with a garbage line. Hopefully the new coach is as good or better. Now on to the D. THIS is what we’ve all been waiting for.
Nolan or Spags….I’d be happy with either!!!! I think it’ll be Nolan though. I wouldnt mind Nolan because I’d LOVE to see a 3-4 here with the LBs we have. I wouldnt mind Spags because of his exotic blitzes. Oh the suspense.LOL LOL
CGD..
January 17th, 2012
2:14 pm
Mularkey will hook up his former Boss for sure…
Nique
January 17th, 2012
2:14 pm
So 3 of the 4 coaches heads i called for are down & now there’s just 1 to go! & before i hear it from “true falcons fans” i love the Falcons & am a true fan, i want these changes to improve our team, I’m not one of these bloggers stuck in the past or needlessly calling for ppl’s jobs, just want ppl to be held accountable! & railman311 I’m with you, I want Spags!!!
Big Crimson 75
January 17th, 2012
2:15 pm
Blame the O-line Coach for Matty’s weak sneak attempts!! This team is blowing up before our very eyes. That 2nd sneak was on Ryan. He had a window behind Blalock, he just didn’t make the play!
I thought Boudreau did a heck of a job, with the line he inherited. His lines have produced a 1000 yard rusher every year with only 2 high draft choices : Baker & Blalock & Baker sux.
Come 2013, bye bye Smitty, HELLO NICK SABEN.
Finally a real Coach!
SirReal
January 17th, 2012
2:17 pm
@Nique Yeah you did call it….
hooper
January 17th, 2012
2:19 pm
Isn’t this the type of news that was bringing out all the saints trolls about a week or so ago? Wow, I wonder what happened?
Sid
January 17th, 2012
2:19 pm
There was no other way………….had to be. Now we are in competition with NO for a DC? Somebody is going to pull the trigger fast.
CGD..
January 17th, 2012
2:19 pm
Funny!
Arthur said on 680 the Fan interview he wasnt so sure Mularkey would get the HC job since his “offense did not sore any points” this past Sunday! Awesome quote from Mr. Blank……
Mike
January 17th, 2012
2:19 pm
@Nique, good call. When your excuse for not throwing downfield is “we can’t protect long enough” then the OC isn’t the only one who needed to go.
Shinebone
January 17th, 2012
2:21 pm
Matty Ryan you should also be put on notice…. If you continue to choke in the playoffs and can’t convert a fourth and inches when the team really needs it then you will be out of here also. YOU ARE NOT AN ELITE QB CANNOT UNDERSTAND WHY THE ATLANTA MEDIA KEEPS GIVING YOU A PASS!
sparky
January 17th, 2012
2:21 pm
This as martha would say is a good thing!
Freddy the Falcon
January 17th, 2012
2:22 pm
Hopefully with the new coaches / players to be had that things will be better next season…Hopefully they can make the playoffs next year and score some offensive points and maybe win a game.
SirReal
January 17th, 2012
2:23 pm
BREAKING NEWS: FALCONS HIRE JESSIE TUGGLE AND SCOTT CASE TO BE CO-DEFENSIVE COORDINATORS.lol
CGD..
January 17th, 2012
2:23 pm
When buster does not win a playoff game over the next two years. Will the so called “True Falcon Fans” have the same excuses they are giving out the past week and a half? Probably…..lol
Sid
January 17th, 2012
2:24 pm
Sure is quiet down in the Bayou? Crow doesn’t even taste good in anticipation. Come back you Peeshwanks, we only want to kick you while you are down.
SirReal
January 17th, 2012
2:25 pm
@hooper Please dont talk them up. Its been great to be able to not have to use air freshener.
J-Man
January 17th, 2012
2:25 pm
In your opinion if you had to make a bet who would you say is gonna be the next Defensive Cordinator DOL?
CGD..
January 17th, 2012
2:26 pm
Yea Shinebone, why does the media give Ryan a pass for his pathetic play in these blowouts time and again? Good questions Sir!
Larry Theisen
January 17th, 2012
2:29 pm
I agree, it is good think that those responsible for the Falcon’s failure have been relieved of their duties. However, Arthur appears to allow this ‘under achieving hiring”, rather than spending some cash and pursuing major coaching opportunities. This guys they hired as OC failed terribly in Jacksonville, but we go an hire him. Arthur, it is time to walk the walk of a REAL football team. Let’s be a Home Depot, not an Ace Hardware…..
Sid
January 17th, 2012
2:30 pm
Nique January 17th, 2012 2:11 pm
*******************************************************
I felt Boudreau should have been gone early in the season, forget saving face. That O line played like crap all year. Yes, they sort of, kind of, plugged some holes around game 5 but the handwriting was on the wall.
rick
January 17th, 2012
2:32 pm
Who are in the running for DC???
ken herock
January 17th, 2012
2:36 pm
Boudreau is one of the most respected OL coaches in the game. The players he had to work with were journeymen at best. Maybe you have to make a change just to shake things up but I’m would be surprised if Birds are able to hire anybody better.
RJ Voorhees
January 17th, 2012
2:37 pm
Nolan and Spagnulo, my guess is it will be Nolan. I would rather have Spags
Mako
January 17th, 2012
2:42 pm
Soon enough we’ll hear the name of DC Jack Del Rio!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yikes we’re becoming Jacksonville North…..oh no!!!!!!!!!!!!
Gerhart76
January 17th, 2012
2:43 pm
Sir Real @2.23 PM: Actually Scott and Jesse might be an improvement.
The reality is when comparing our D-line to those teams who made the playoffs, we might have the least talent. And its TD funky hair that’s getting the pass on that. The new defensive co-ordinator is certainly going to have his hands full. I just don’t want to see “blown” coverages half way through the season as a result of poor communication or misunderstading of the “scheme” called.
One thing for sure these type of coaching changes don’t forbode well for the upcoming season or for Coach Smith.
Mike
January 17th, 2012
2:43 pm
I will not be upset with Nolan. Before you guys start whining about wanting Spagnuolo more you should check the stats. Nolan’s D ranked 7th last season on 3rd down, the Rams were 22nd. I don’t disapprove of Spaguolo, but I’m just saying it’s not like Nolan’s chopped liver.
Michael M.
January 17th, 2012
2:46 pm
Wonder if they can collect unemployment checks while they looking for new jobs under Obama watch……………throw em in a few food stamps too………..lol………………………….all I can say is “Good Riddens” and ” Onward & Upwards with the Falcon’s Train “, theres a 60 min video on Falcon’s website with Blank ans TD and Smitty discussing on improving the Team form now forward
jerry
January 17th, 2012
2:46 pm
Let’s get the DC and let the release of the players who are only average begin…..oh wait, that would be just about the whole team.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
January 17th, 2012
2:46 pm
J-Man – I only bet with inside info. Spags’ agent hasn’t returned calls. Nolan has been fighting to get out his contract. Del Rio supposed to not be a “fit.” Working the phones trying to get us the intel.
mountain_jim
January 17th, 2012
2:47 pm
If you saw Blank at the press-conference talking about the failures of the oline, you knew the oline coach was a dead man walking.
RJ Voorhees
January 17th, 2012
2:48 pm
@Mike, that’s true but it would be an easier transition to Spags because Nolan runs the 3-4.
spokesman for
January 17th, 2012
2:48 pm
Mularkey, van Gorder, and Boudreau. You can’t make chicken salad out of …….you know the rest.
Sid
January 17th, 2012
2:49 pm
Colts have let go Jim Caldwell……………….
RJ Voorhees
January 17th, 2012
2:50 pm
Sounds like it will be Nolan. Hopefully he can improve the d
Mike
January 17th, 2012
2:51 pm
@ RJ Voorhees, it would not be as tough a transition as you may think. You would need to resign Lofton and Biermann, and get a NG. Spoon, Lofton, Dent, and Beirmann (was a 3-4 OLB in college) at LB with Babs, Peters, and Edwards rotating as ends. Spoon and Biermann off the edge would be better than the rush we’ve had the last two years.
Michael M.
January 17th, 2012
2:51 pm
No telling who they will hire as Defensive Coach………………I am expecting a shock here
Los Angeles Falcons
January 17th, 2012
2:51 pm
With these questionable moves sometimes I wonder if we are just biding our time until the team moves out to the Staples Center………….
Coleman
January 17th, 2012
2:52 pm
D-LED,
If nolan is the hire of defensive coordinator, Do you feel that Ray Edwards could be converted to an outside rush LB in the 3-4 scheme? If Mario Williams can make the switch it would seem Edwards could too. Thanks
PMC
January 17th, 2012
2:53 pm
Surely these Tim Lewis rumors are false?
RJ Voorhees
January 17th, 2012
2:55 pm
@Mike, I sure hope, im ok with anyone who can fix our defense. im just tired of our defense not producing. I don’t want the transition to be an excuse from management as to why we were not successful.
Great Falconi
January 17th, 2012
2:56 pm
To be fair, Boudreau was brought in precisely because the Falcons believed he could develop O-linemen.
Jimmy Crack
January 17th, 2012
2:57 pm
It’s no wonder they haven’t announced yet because they have to wait to see who gets thrown the bouquet for the EASIEST JOB IN THE NFL, the New Orleans Saints DC job. All the potential DCs in the league are putting on their best cologne and stepping on each other’s necks to get to the Saints’ DC job. Who wouldn’t want a job where you have Brees on the other side racking up points and your job is to keep the opponent under 30.
Mike
January 17th, 2012
2:57 pm
@ RJ, You and me both buddy. Sick of watching us play and not having reason to believe that we’re going to get the stop on 3rd down when we need or that we’re going to convert the 3rd down on offense when we need it.
SawThat1nce
January 17th, 2012
3:00 pm
Spend millions upon millions of $$, and trade a pile of draft picks, for the offensive weapons that the Falcons have acquired, then buy a KMart-bluelight-special OLine, to serve and protect those weapons. It doesn’t work or make any sense.
Solution. Blame it on the OLine coach. 86 him.
collegeballfan
January 17th, 2012
3:00 pm
I trust Koetter had a voice in this decision and will want to have a vote in naming his own OL coach.
Correct?
Najeh Davenpoop
January 17th, 2012
3:01 pm
It’s going to be Nolan according to Jay Glazer. I’m guessing this means John Abraham is gone.
Doc
January 17th, 2012
3:03 pm
D-Led: Whose decision was it to go into the season with our specific o-line personnel? Is that on TD, Mularkey or Boudreau? Wonder if Boudreau was screaming for help and is now the sacrificial lamb. I’m starting to wonder about the boy genius. Baker, Jerry, and Moore are all high profile busts. And as for the ability to find value in the lower rounds for O linemen, I present Garrett Reynolds, Mike Johnson, Joe Hawley and Andrew Jackson. I rest my case.
SawThat1nce
January 17th, 2012
3:04 pm
JC@2:57……..
question: Who wouldn’t want the DC job in New Orleans?
answer: Anyone that doesn’t like the constant smell of urine and feces.
GDawg
January 17th, 2012
3:04 pm
If not Spags or Nolan who else could it be?
josh
January 17th, 2012
3:05 pm
Nolan hired as new DC
Robert
January 17th, 2012
3:05 pm
Nolan named DC, yes, a 3-4 hybrid, this makes things interesting
SirReal
January 17th, 2012
3:08 pm
I bet it’s Nolan….if so…Spoon will be the new Demarcus Ware!!!
ATL O
January 17th, 2012
3:09 pm
little talent on the oline, but the coach didn’t have it either. the atl needs to clean house on offense.
walknbalk
January 17th, 2012
3:09 pm
you are late DLED!
Sid
January 17th, 2012
3:09 pm
ken herock January 17th, 2012 2:36 pm
Boudreau is one of the most respected OL coaches in the game.
**********************************************
The similarity in respect and results is they both start with “R”. I don’t argue your post, fish eggs and caviar are similar but they are not the same. It may even be that this was ulimately Koetter’s call to keep him or start anew. We have got to get some beef up there but how is it that we lose Dahl and it all goes to hell in a handbasket.
SawThat1nce
January 17th, 2012
3:11 pm
Are all of the wags going to hate the new DC, as much as they hate the new OC?
CGD..
January 17th, 2012
3:11 pm
Mike Nolan is your new base 3-4 DC!!!!!!! Good Luck!
David
January 17th, 2012
3:12 pm
Some of ya’ll are not ever going to be happy!!!!!
Great Falconi
January 17th, 2012
3:12 pm
Dimitroff worked for Belichick. Belichick likes to run multiple fronts. It’s one way to mess with the mind of an opposing QB.
Die Hard Falcon
January 17th, 2012
3:14 pm
I wasn’t aware the Nolan is still under contract, that could be a problem for us, if Spags go to the Aints and Nolan can’t get out of the contract, we could be left “holding the bag” and end up w/ another inept coordinator which would make this upcoming season very bleak.
slydog
January 17th, 2012
3:15 pm
Breaking News: Mike Nolan is the new DC. Thank the Lord!!!
mountain_jim
January 17th, 2012
3:17 pm
dang, even wikipedia already updated
slydog
January 17th, 2012
3:18 pm
One more thing: Baltimore runs a hybrid 3-4/4-3. So the basic scheme and the type of personnel will not change. But they will definitely be more aggressive and tricky. This is the same system Nolan and Mike Smith ran back in Baltimore.
slydog
January 17th, 2012
3:19 pm
Die Hard Falcon
January 17th, 2012
3:14 pm
I wasn’t aware the Nolan is still under contract, that could be a problem for us, if Spags go to the Aints and Nolan can’t get out of the contract, we could be left “holding the bag” and end up w/ another inept coordinator which would make this upcoming season very bleak.
We have Arthur Blank. Nolan’s contract will not be a problem.
Robert
January 17th, 2012
3:20 pm
yep, time to find a big space eating NT, any available??
mountain_jim
January 17th, 2012
3:21 pm
Falcons forum crashed as usual…
The Johnson Family
January 17th, 2012
3:21 pm
Matty Ice needs to thaw out a little. He was pitiful.
I saw Dirk Koetter
January 17th, 2012
3:22 pm
all the movies back in the 80s on VHS. I believe he was famous for the Aunt Flo scenes.
SirReal
January 17th, 2012
3:22 pm
I like Nolan. I have wanted a 3-4 here for quite some time. Now all we need is to get a power pig to plug the middle!!! The guy we need is Miami’s NT. He’s in our price range, young, and can be plugged in right away!
Robert
January 17th, 2012
3:23 pm
is he a FA?
SirReal
January 17th, 2012
3:23 pm
@Robert Asking me?
Samuel
January 17th, 2012
3:24 pm
All the four coaches that have left or got fired, isn’t anything new. All have been here four years, the National Football League is ever changing. And if you don’t produce from year to year you usually are the odd man out. Just wait and see the Falcons new roster next year, it will consist of some suprises. Some of these players on this team have gotten payed, for a little or no productivity…
The Johnson Family
January 17th, 2012
3:24 pm
The Falcons would be crazy to get rid of Abraham.
dirty bird
January 17th, 2012
3:25 pm
Turns out we should’ve spent to keep Harvey Dahl. Chemistry is priceless, and he and Clabo had it.
slydog
January 17th, 2012
3:25 pm
ken herock
January 17th, 2012
2:36 pm
Boudreau is one of the most respected OL coaches in the game. The players he had to work with were journeymen at best. Maybe you have to make a change just to shake things up but I’m would be surprised if Birds are able to hire anybody better.
Apparently, the Falcons are changing their blocking scheme in order to fit what the new OC wants. Some coaches are flexible enough to coach different systems in different ways, however, most of the “good” ones teach only one system. Plus, Koetter may want his own man and the O-line coach is just as important as a D-line coach to a DC. It dictates what they can and cannot do.
GT GRAD
January 17th, 2012
3:26 pm
There are a few bloggers who continue to claim/suggest Matt Ryan is not a “keeper” or not a future “elite” QB in the NFL……..what are these guys smoking? They are either mentally challenged or they sooooo biased that they cannot comprehend the truth.
It is simply silly to say Matt Ryan is not a good QB with the potential to be great!
The OL has been borderline pitiful with regard to pass protection for years. Let Matt Ryan play behind the OL at NE, NO, or GB where they give the QB 3-6 seconds on each and every pass play………he would be stellar (already and he is VERY young!). Matt typically gets 2-3 seconds before he has to get the ball out of his hands………seems to me like 2-4 times each game he has an interior defensive lineman follow him as he drops back to set up (because the RG missed completely)!! It is nearly impossible to throw deep routes on a consistent basis given the OL protection he has been gievn.
Given time (meaning his age and OL time), I think any/all reasonable people realize Matt Ryan has the potential to be a Great NFL QB.
mountain_jim
January 17th, 2012
3:28 pm
http://www.atlantafalcons.com/2012/01/nolan-named-defensive-coordinator/
slydog
January 17th, 2012
3:28 pm
Once again, you do not need a Big NT to run Baltimore’s 3-4 system , which Nolan (and supposedly Mike Smith) is bringing with him. It is more of a hybrid system which requires defenders to be able to do different things. One thing we can count on is press man coverage in the secondary, something the Falcons DB’s are much better at than a soft zone.
Marcus
January 17th, 2012
3:32 pm
I think it will end up being Nolan ……… only because he and Smitty overlapped for 2 seasons in BAL before Smitty left for JAX . They have some familiarity w/each other and right now, our HC is circling the wagons before he sees the Falcons gig circle the drain ….
Seems like we are following the Ravens model …. but without benefit of a Ravens level of defense ….
mountain_jim
January 17th, 2012
3:33 pm
(from above link)
The Atlanta Falcons today announced that Mike Nolan has been hired as the team’s defensive coordinator. Nolan is one of the most experienced defensive coordinators in the NFL, having served in that capacity for over 14 seasons.
“Mike Nolan is an established coordinator in this league,” said Falcons head coach Mike Smith. “He brings more than 25 years of NFL experience to our team and has been a coordinator at this level for 14 years. Mike has a history of developing physically intimidating defensive units, and we are fortunate to have him join our staff.”
Nolan spent the last two seasons as the Miami Dolphins’ defensive coordinator. In 2011, the Dolphins boasted the third best run defense in the NFL, allowing just 95.6 yards per game and 3.7 yards per carry. His defense also produced 41 sacks which ranked tied for 10th in the League and allowed the sixth fewest points per game at 19.6. The Dolphins also ranked seventh in third-down percentage (33.8) and sixth in red zone defense, holding opponents to a 44.2 touchdown percentage inside the 20.
In 2010, Nolan’s defense ranked among the league’s top ten in overall defense, pass defense and run defense, and was one of just five units in the League to accomplish that feat. Nolan joined Miami after spending the 2009 season as the defensive coordinator of the Denver Broncos. Under his tutelage, Denver’s defense improved to seventh in the NFL in total defense after finishing 29th in 2008. Denver’s pass defense was equally impressive, ranking third in the NFL, allowing just 186.3 yards per game through the air.
Prior to joining the Broncos’ staff, Nolan served as the San Francisco 49ers’ head coach from 2005 to 2008. During Nolan’s four-year tenure with the club, the 49ers were one of the NFL’s most consistent teams in stopping the run. San Francisco ranked fourth in the league in yards per carry during that period surrendering just 3.9 yards per rush.
Nolan spent four seasons in Baltimore from 2001 to 2004, including the last three as the defensive coordinator. Nolan’s group tied for the NFL lead in takeaways (106) while ranking fifth in the league in both points per game allowed (18.8) and third down percentage (34.7). He also coached five Ravens defenders to nine trips to the Pro Bowl, while tutoring back-to-back AP Defensive Players of the Year in LB Ray Lewis (2003) and S Ed Reed (2004).
The New York Giants made Nolan the NFL’s youngest defensive coordinator in 1993 at the age of 34. He spent the next eight seasons as a defensive coordinator with the Giants (1993-96), Redskins (1997-99) and Jets (2000). In his first year with the Giants, his defense led the League allowing just 12.8 points per game. His coaching career began at his alma mater, Oregon University, where he served as a graduate assistant in 1981. He went on to coach at Stanford University and Rice University as a linebackers and defensive backs coach before the Denver Broncos hired him to be the special teams/linebackers coach in 1987. He spent six seasons with the Broncos and helped the team reach the Super Bowl in the 1987 and 1989 seasons.
mountain_jim
January 17th, 2012
3:34 pm
Huge upgrade!
Marcus
January 17th, 2012
3:34 pm
wow, thats what I get for partially typing a note on yesteday’s thoughts then not coming back to hit the ‘Send’ button.
Shamrock
January 17th, 2012
3:40 pm
Now when do we release the receivers coach?
Shamrock
January 17th, 2012
3:42 pm
Ok, Marcus, we’re all stupid and believe you predicted the Nolan hire. Can you sell me something now?
Marcus
January 17th, 2012
3:42 pm
Now, this is interesting in what these choices for OC and DC have on our 2012 draft picks. I would assume OL and DL would be top priorities.
Taking into account where we are drafting (assuming we don’t have any wheeling and dealing to move up), TD will earn his paycheck getting potential starters/difference-makers in the 2nd and 3rd round.
We don’t have enough early-round picks to get everything we need, but I would luv to somehow pick up a developmental TE (the guy from Louisiana-Lafayette – Ladarius Green), a developmental replacement for Burner (Doug Martin – Boise State), and a potential plug-and-play at CB in case Brent Grimes is not renewed (UVA Chase Minnifield or UGA Brandon Boykin)
Marcus
January 17th, 2012
3:44 pm
Derp derp, looka me, I cutta paste from wikipdee bio mike nolan. I seem smart tuh tuh tuhday.
Ladarius Green
January 17th, 2012
3:46 pm
You know I shattered my fibia playing basketball last week and won’t be at the combine, right?
slydog
January 17th, 2012
3:47 pm
@GT GRAD
My weed smokes just fine thank you…lmao. Anyway, Matt Ryan is NOT an elite QB. You can’t find ONE reason why he should be labeled as such. However, he is a very good QB who can win the Falcons some games. But Matt Ryan does not possess elite talent (like Brady) nor does he play like an elite QB (like Brees, who also doesn’t possess a cannon for an arm). He nneds more help around him, including a superior line and running game, in order for him to be effective. Matt Ryan strikes me as the type who always does what the coaches say and never goes off script. This approach wins many games but not championships.
Marcus
January 17th, 2012
3:50 pm
rolleyes shamrock. Everybody had an opinion on who they thought or who they wanted for DC for the last week and a half, with everybody and dey momma [from AJC, ESPN, SI, etc.] reporting Spags and Nolan were the prohibitive favorites in the rumor mill.
I didn’t *predict* anything nor did I claim such.
Just my opinion that Smitty would opt for someone he knows and had previously worked with, and that he probably wasn’t too keen on a blitz-happy scheme that Spags (from late PHI DC Jim Johnson coaching tree) cut his teeth on. *shrug*
where is the middle finger icon when you need it?!?!?
slydog
January 17th, 2012
3:51 pm
The Falcons can get 2 of these 3 guys and improve: Orson Charles (replaces Tony G. next year), Ben Jones (replaces Todd McClure next year), and Brandon Boykin ( an actual talented nickel back and KR/PR). I believe Boykin will be off the board by the time they pick in the second round and will have to choose between Charles or Jones because they probably can’t get both. This is all pre-combine of course.
railman311
January 17th, 2012
4:03 pm
The new hot rumor is the Falcons will hire Andy Heck from …You guessed it J-Ville
slydog
January 17th, 2012
4:13 pm
Now all they need is Mike Singletary for LB’s coach and the defense might just get mean again.
Preston Thompson
January 17th, 2012
4:19 pm
Can somebody explain how you hire losers from one team and expect them to be winners with what’s here? This O line blew up when the right tackle left for Seattle, I think it was.
Frontman
January 17th, 2012
4:29 pm
slydog,
Boykin can’t cover guys in the pass-challenged SEC; how is he going to cover pros? Plus, he can’t tackle either. Convert him to a Devin Hester type and make him a receiver. He blows at corner.
Falcon 228
January 17th, 2012
4:48 pm
Not surprising.
Jerry
January 17th, 2012
5:10 pm
When are player changes coming at the Flowery Branch Country Club. I don’t care who the coaches are,if you don’t have the players, you can’t compete. First order of business,get rid of Robinson and Abraham ASAP!
George gill
January 17th, 2012
5:41 pm
I wonder what the REAL deal was when the Falcons QB sneak from an empty set backfield……where was Turner when they needed but 1 yard?….I suspect that the decision to sneak on 4th & 1 had nothing to do with Boudreau, but more with poor planning on down & distance with Mullarkey….or even “deer in the headlights” head coach Mike Smith…….Boudreau will continue to be one of the most respected veteran O-Line coaches in the NFL & will land on his feet, he always has…
Fred
January 17th, 2012
6:17 pm
Hire Ernest Byner….
bama falcon fan
January 17th, 2012
6:55 pm
Good move. Falcons need to blow the coaching staff and roster up and get rid of the trash. Our O-Line was awful this year. I knew it would be a long year when I saw Baker being blown off the line by the Bears and Packers.
bama falcon fan
January 17th, 2012
7:01 pm
Other moves I hope the Falcons do:
1) Cut, Baker, Abraham, Gongzales, Turner, Snelling
2) DLine Coach
Durt E Byrd
January 17th, 2012
7:19 pm
I guess Blank should have bought the Jacksonville Jaguars instead… Smith has just about brought everyone else from that organization to the Falcons.
What a waste.
bobby
January 17th, 2012
7:46 pm
LOOK FIRING THIS GUY IS NOT GOING TO HELP ANYTHING LOOK THE FALCONS HAVE NO TALENT ON THE OFFENSIVE LINE. THAT TALENT ON THE LINE IS SAD. EVERY GOOD DEFENSIVE LINE THIS LINE GOES UP AGAINST THEY GET THE **** KICKED OUT OF THEM IF ANYONE SAW THE LAST TWO PLAYOFF LOSES THEIR LINE WAS TOTALLY OUTPLAYED BY THE GIANTS AND PACKERS FRONT SEVENS. GIVE ME A BREAK. THE FALCONS HAVE NO RIGHT TACKLE, RIGHT GUARD, LEFT GURAD, CENTER AND THEY DARN SURE DON’T HAVE A LEFT TACKLE BY FAR THE WORST POSITION ON THEIR LINE. LET’S FACE IT THE FALCONS NEED FIVE NEW OFFENSIVE LINEMEN.
wisconsinfalcons fan
January 17th, 2012
9:05 pm
I know why the media gives Ryan a pass because he is the great white hope I not racist but it’s true like it or not
cmc
January 17th, 2012
9:49 pm
good move…….with new OC get some new blood and get these guys blocking again
WS
January 18th, 2012
12:14 am
Boudreau did a very good job with what he had too work with. One first rd thats a bust, one second rd pick and the rest came of FA or cut list.
Its not like he had first and second draft picks to work with.Mr Blanks mite be over doing it alittle bit.
With all the changes , Smiths better have the moving Van ready. Things start off bad , he will be fire before season is over and he got what he did’t want. A coach that he has to watch over his shoulder(NOLAN)
Birdthethird
January 18th, 2012
8:16 am
Off topic but Caldwell coached Peyton Manning for 7 years. Sounds like an excellent match for QB coach.
The Falconator
January 18th, 2012
8:35 am
Feel kind of sorry for the next OL coach. 60% of the OL starters need to be replaced immediately or Ryan will spend 2013 in a wheel chair and 4th and inches will always be a dicey proposition. Lower picks such as Johnson and Hawley won’t get the job done and TD’s first round gaffe with Baker really hurts. Scanning the board, the 55th pick of the 2012 draft is unlikely to produce any real help. If you were a top OL coach and this was your immediate future, would you want the Falcon job?
dub366
January 18th, 2012
8:44 am
releasing everybody on off. when you need to be looking for a Quarterback that have guts
BloodthirstyPatterson
January 18th, 2012
5:21 pm
Matt Ryan makes almost TWICE the amount of money ($13 million) as the leagues top three qbs: Brees $7 million; Rodgers $7 million and Brady $7 million. Ryan threw enough picks (interceptions) for the falcons to finish with a horrible record (10-6) and was responsible for the falcons not getting a bye in the first round and then not being strong enough to HEAVE THE BALL DOWNFIELD and locate his open receivers. At least tim tebow in that one miracle game against the steelers threw downfield all day and outplayed his opposite qb ben rothlisberger. IN OUR WONDERFUL ELIMINATION GAME AGAINST THE GIANTS, RYAN COULDNT EVEN THROW 10 YARDS FOR US TO GET EVEN ONE FIRST DOWN. As a result, the EMBARRASED Falcons offense was kept off the scoreboard. Only the defense scored a safety and that was only because Eli got flushed out and didnt have time to throw it within five yards of a receiver. Had eli had the chance to do that, the Falcons would have been skunked 24-0. Absolutely the worst playoff loss in the history of the nfl, and it belongs to our Atlanta Falcons. That alone should have gotten smith fired, but somehow smith ducked and avoided the pink slip.
pilot97
January 18th, 2012
7:15 pm
I guess 43 wins in 4 seasons, one of the best pass blocking lines made up of average talent and 1000 rushing seasons plus 4 wining season (never before done by a Coaching staff in Atlanta) isn’t good enough for Atlanta Fans or the owner. Based upon how the NFL rates Asst Coaches, Boudreau has always been in the top 10 and even top 5 within the league. Least amount of sacks ususally in the top 5 although this year they were 6th. My bet is he will be hired within the week and will do well again. It is easy to blame the coaches but so far this owner and his GM have not done very well drafting (Ryan may be the one exception). The O-Lines and D-Lines probably couldn’t make it on any of the finalists’ rosters now in the playoffs. So you so called knowledgeable fans wake up and put the blame where it should be on this owner and his GM and the crappy players they have put on the field.
NewOrleansJazz
January 18th, 2012
10:29 pm
Falcons Should have Kept All of Their Coaches
Why change? Keep things the way they were. What about stability?
Joshua malavenda
January 19th, 2012
3:05 am
Paul B. wasnt really at fault he did a great job for what he had and I thought we had one of the most underratted o-lines in the game untill we let dahl go. Letting Dahl leave in the free agency was really the problem and that was the front offices fault not Paul’s fault. Dahl was the leader of the O-line when they let the leader go it messed up the dyanmic of the o-line and didnt have a valid replacement for him caused a domino effect in the whole offense. I think they should hire Tom clements as the quarterback coach and hire Howard Mudd as the Offensive Line coach
here are the links to their bios:Howard Mudd’s: http://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/team/coaches/howard-mudd/742016c7-f12d-4d3e-8974-6b6d2dd110cc
Tom Clements: http://www.packers.com/team/coaches/tom-clements/bb67e02f-a2b1-4543-83af-00f437249c9f
If you want to win championships you have to surround yourself with people who have experience winning championships.
vesaversa
January 19th, 2012
10:23 am
It is good to see Blank clean house but Smith should have been fired too.
RomanGabriel
January 19th, 2012
11:34 am
BloodthirstyPatterson: good blog. you bring up a good point about matt ryan. I remember when matt came into the league with Joe Flacco, the media embraced Matt, gave him a great nickname “matty ice” and have been cheering him on as though they were related to him. Meanwhile Flaco has simply impressed every minute hes been in the league for the Ravens. There was once a debate whether Flaco was better than Ryan. well that debate is over. Since Flaco can throw the deep ball poised out of the pocket with precision, and Matt cannot, plus the fact that Flaco has been in four straight playoff games right out of the gate in his career and has done well, where matty ice has continued to have meltdowns to the point where most fans feel that Matt Ryan has become a BIGGER BUST THAN RYAN LEAF. I am pulling for Joe Flaco to win the superbowl so then maybe Flaco will earn SUPERBOWL MVP HONORS. That will be much different than what ryan will do for the superbowl as ice will be forced to watch the event on tv at home, while Flaco will be starring in it. Whos better now? Its Flaco by a landslide.
DelorisWatson
January 19th, 2012
2:32 pm
RomanGabriel: you are right on. I too noticed how flaco was improving dramatically at throwing the football downfield, while matty was struggling so much–it looked like he needed a high chair or ladder to get his throws off over top the defense. Matt looks like he cant see over the opposing defensive units and frequently has a ton of his throws tipped by opposing defenses. Ill state it one further–if the Falcons had drafted Flaco instead of Ryan, the Falcons might have already won two superbowls. Joe Flaco is an elite quarterback and represents what might have been, had the falcons hadnt been foolish to draft ryan over flaco. Enough said.
Joshua Malavenda
January 19th, 2012
3:16 pm
heres a great article from bleecher report that talks about mistakes made by the front office: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/999057-atlanta-falcons-thomas-dimitroffs-top-five-mistakes-exposed?search_query=Thomas Dimitroff
VernFlemming
January 20th, 2012
9:17 am
The Falcons should have selected Joe Flaco instead of Matty “Ice” Ryan. Flaco is becoming one the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history while Ryan’s ice is melting fast.