Q and A with new defensive coordinator Mike Nolan
Mike Nolan (Associated Press)
C-Viv reporting from Flowery Branch.
Here are excerpts of Mike Nolan’s conference call with the Atlanta media Wednesday after being named the team’s new defensive coordinator. The biggest highlight is he does not plan to switch to a 3-4 scheme, saying the team has been built as a 4-3 scheme and that currently works best with the personnel.
Q. Will you switch to 3-4 defense?
A. It’s my philosophy that you build your scheme around the players and not the other way around. What has been built there is a very solid foundation on a 4-3 defense. In my 25 years in the NFL, 14 years as a coordinator, seven of them have been in a 4-3 and seven have been in a 3-4. I’m very familiar with both. When I’ve been in a 4-3 I’ve frequently used the 3-4 as part of it. It would appear to me that is what is best for that football team.
Q. What do you know about team and its personnel?
A. I have limited knowledge. I’ve looked at some of it. I know they have a solid group. Overall, it’s an outstanding football team. They have been in the playoffs three of the last four years. They have a very good quarterback. As a group, Mike [Smith] and Thomas [Dimitroff] have done an outstanding job of putting together a roster. I’m just excited to be a part of it and hopefully add something to the defensive side.
Q. What is your relationship with Mike Smith?
A. Mike and I did work together in Baltimore. … I became defensive coordinator and Mike was the linebacker coach. I think we were together one year before he got the coordinator’s job at Jacksonville and left. … I’ve always had tremendous respect for Mike. I think he’s an outstanding coach. He’s coached some very good players. I think he gets a lot out of his players. He’s an outstanding person. We’ve stayed in contact and remained friends.
Q. You had other options, was it your relationship with Mike that brought you here?
A. It was the whole picture. Knowing Mike has a lot to do with it. I’ve also known Thomas for a number of years, but not near as well as I’ve known Mike. …. Big picture to me looked very good and it still does. … To me it’s a good fit.
Q. The secondary has been an issue. They were 20th in the league. Do you have a philosophy there or a plan to fix it?
A. I haven’t had a chance to look over all the players too much, so I can’t comment on an individual basis. But as a whole, I will say this, I think the secondary today is one of the most important areas today more than it was 15-20 years ago just because of the quarterback play nowadays. There are probably more good quarterbacks in the league than there has ever been. Outside of pass rush, the secondary is where the quarterback attacks you the most. It’s real import to have a good secondary. I’m kind of familiar with some of the guys. I think it’s a solid group but in order to play well it obviously takes 11 guys so you can’t put it all on one position. All I can say is it is a vital part of success nowadays in football. … People always talk about having four starting DBs but I think the future is there are really five starting DBs if these quarterbacks keep doing what they are doing.
Q. Coach Smith said he was looking for a certain skill set in new coordinators. In your case, what you do consider your skill set?
A. I think it really starts with what your philosophy is. The thing I’ve really prided myself on over the years is I’ve been very fortunate to be with some outstanding coaches over the years. … The coaches I’ve worked with have made me better. I hope I’ve made them better. Over my years in the NFL, I would say you build your schemes around your players, not the other way around. From a philosophical standpoint, or a skill standpoint, I’d like to think that I’ve been able to, along with the guys I’ve coached with, been able to do what’s best for the players and in turn for the team, whether that is 3-4 or 4-3, whether that’s more blitzes or less blitzes. Because some players do that well and some don’t. What I mean by that is some blitz well and some don’t. Some are better suited for different things. Outside of that, I believe I’m extremely passionate about what I do. I think the best job in football is coordinating. I’ve been a head coach before and there is a lot of thrill in that. But when you get to put your hands on players and coach them and teach them and see them have success and get to call plays, that’s a great job.
Q. Were you given the option of saying you wanted to coach 3-4 or were you told we are a 4-3 team?
A. When Mike and I watched film, he really asked. He said this is what we’ve built to, this is what we are but he said ‘What do you see it looking like?’ I was curious. It was the first thing I said to Mike is ‘What is your vision for this group?’ Mike was very honest and said we’ve built of 4-3 and this is where we are, what we look like, but I want you to look at it as well. When we were watching film together, he said ‘I can see the wheels turning in your head right now.’ Which they are because when I’m watching it I’m trying to see. But he, at no time, said ‘If you want this, this is what we’ve got to do it on.’ Mike is open-minded about that. But I do believe that the vision for them and the target they’ve been hitting is one we want to stay consistent with it and go forward in that respect. If I felt like it could easily be tweaked to got to something else because I felt it could be better, I would obviously suggest it. But I think the track they’ve been on is a good one. 4-3 or 3-4 is very relevant as long as you are doing what your players allow you to do.
Q. Are you looking for three-down guys?
A. The more three-down guys you can get the better. There is no question about that. These are when guys are talking about who to draft, it’s hard to draft a two-down player in my opinion. In the real high first round, you’ve got to try to get as many three-down guys as you can. Sometimes you don’t. Sometimes it takes years for those guys to develop into three-down players. … The way offenses are tempoing the game, you can’t get that guy on and off the field without a penalty. When an offense is in a hurry-up mode, you can’t send a lot of guys on and off the field so you need as many three-down guys as you can get otherwise you just bite the bullet and leave them out there.
Q. What is your pass rush philosophy?
A. … You are going to play a Cam Newton differently then you are going to play a Drew Brees or a Tom Brady. There is a lot that goes into the pass rush, the pass coverage. But they are so tied together and the success of either one, is so tied together. … I would rather have 10 guys get four sacks then only four guys get 10 sacks each because it’s a lot more difficult for an offense to look at your entire defense and say ‘We’ve got to block them all guys. That guy might come, that guy might come.’ That’s a real stress for a quarterback.
Q. Do you intend to keep the rest of the staff in place?
A. That’s Mike’s area, but it’s my understanding that Mike would like to keep everybody and keep this staff intact.
–D. Orlando Ledbetter, The Atlanta Falcons beat blog
Get instant updates on Twitter at AJCFalcons and you can join the Facebook Fan page at AJC Falcons.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
124 comments Add your comment
who dat dude
January 18th, 2012
3:34 pm
2 points?
truthbtold
January 18th, 2012
3:37 pm
The 4 – 3 has not worked well here in Atlanta for Mike Smith. We have a weak pass rush and we get killed on pass coverage. Nolan should use what he knows works. Mike Smith wants to use what makes him comfortable and people that will oblige that comfort. The Texans, 49ers, Steelers, and many other teams use the 3 -4 to have an additional man in coverage. If we have the same players on the D-Line and have been getting marginal results, how does running the same alignment improve things?
Fan
January 18th, 2012
3:39 pm
The falcons Secondary has been the problem for years. They all are gone but Moore & Dunta. They are tough tough players and BIG HITTERS. Robinson will move from CB too free Safety and the Falcons will have two NEW CB this season. ABE is gone
Bobo is Not the Problem
January 18th, 2012
3:40 pm
Guy doesn’t sound too bright. Love this exchange:
Q. Coach Smith said he was looking for a certain skill set in new coordinators. In your case, what you do consider your skill set?
A. I think it really starts with what your philosophy is. The thing I’ve really prided myself on over the years is I’ve been very fortunate to be with some outstanding coaches over the years. … The coaches I’ve worked with have made me better. I hope I’ve made them better. Over my years in the NFL, I would say you build your schemes around your players, not the other way around.
———-
So, his skill set is that he’s been fortunate to work with good coaches? And you build you scheme around your players (which he said earlier). Uh, Mike, that’s NOT a skill set.
Brownie
January 18th, 2012
3:45 pm
I’m guessing that Nolan’s comments about sticking with the 4-3 likely only apply to 2012, and even then he’ll blend in some 3-4 at key points. That’ll make it tough for opposing offenses to attack.
The strength of the Falcons’ defense from an athletic standpoint is the linebacker group, and the 3-4 will place more focus on those guys to make plays. Weatherspoon is gonna turn into a beast in that scheme. In reality, all they really need to be effective (if not great) in the 3-4 is a big NT – may be a focus in TD’s offseason.
There will definitely be some personnel changes before ‘12, between the FA situation and the new coordinators bringing in the new schemes – perfect time to make these player adjustments. Team may take a slight step backwards until they can get better players in, but it didn’t seem they were going in the right direction as they are currently constructed anyway.
Seeking GM asst Job
January 18th, 2012
3:48 pm
Truth be told, the Falcons were as stacked personnel wise as any of the teams in the playoffs. Falcons exited the playoffs early because the offensive line did not start its best five players. An alignment of Svetik, Blaylock, Hawley, Clabo and Baker can push a defensive line in critical situations more often than not. The Falcons may have been successful on 4th and 1 on more occasions with this alignment. Blaylock, Hawley and Clabo at RG(old position) would offer solid interior blocking and continuity regardless of the tackles. Atlanta could simply seek reasonably priced FA OT’s to push Svitek/Baker during training camp.
The point I am trying to make is that Atlanta truly is not far from having a championship team. Coach Smith was wise not to overeact by shaking up what is a top 10 offense. Fix the offensive line and the offense will be a terror next year. Here are a few other things to consider:
Give Snelling a chance to start. If successful, switch role with Turner and keep Turner fresh and healthy. J. Rodgers is a interesting change up. No need to tamper with RB’s. Wr’s are fine. Draft/FA a young TE with raw talent to develop. Fundamental execution will make this a better offense. Imaginative play calling will make it scary.
On defense I feel the Falcons lost a versatile DT in Trey Lewis. He was the best tackle in training camp 2010. A DT like Trey will give the Falcons the flexibilty to go from 4-3 to 3-4 in a simple shifting while on the line. He was a big tackle who would have excelled in both formations.
Dominque Franks looks ready to start especially against big WR’s like Andre Johnson. If so, he gives the Falcons real options at cornerback. Owens played his heart out and not deserving of some of the mean posts. Falcons are fine at corner and just need to let them play to their talents. If Falcons can get a steal at FS good, if not let Sanders compete with Decoud for starter. Decoud would make a solid backup.
My only reommendation for new players would Mario Williams as long term replacement for Abe, a Trey Lewis type DT, and some competition at the OT tackle position(move Clabo to RG)
This team was already stacked with talent.
2.
slydog
January 18th, 2012
3:49 pm
You see folks, THIS is a smart coach. You scheme around the personnel you have until further notice.
JONESBORO SLIM
January 18th, 2012
3:51 pm
Hey….We have to keep in mind that these picks (OC & DC) are Mike’s picks and if their isn’t any improvement Mr. Blank will be showing Smith the door…so his job is in their hands…I think these hires will have a say-so on who stays and who goes……………
No.1 Falcon Fan
January 18th, 2012
3:57 pm
Why did Blank waste his money on the two new coordinators? He could have just looked on this board and recieved 10x the knowledge, saved money and face.
Now let’ s blitz and throw bombs baby!
Cornerback Smurf
January 18th, 2012
4:00 pm
I guess my days are numbered
Sheffield
January 18th, 2012
4:06 pm
@slad3…NOPE…the offense needs pressure they need to SCORE POINTS! Period. Good D or not!!!
cdog
January 18th, 2012
4:07 pm
BAD MOVE ALREADY ON SMITH’S PART, LET MIKE NOLAN RUN WHAT HE’S BEST AT NOT WHAT SMITH WANTS BECAUSE THAT’S WHAT HURT THE FALCONS LAST YEAR IS SMITH’ STUPIDITY.THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN NO NEED TO HIRE A DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR IF SMITH IS GOING TO RUN THE DEFENSE. LET NOLAN HAVE THE DEFENSE AND RUN IT THE WAY HE WANTS TO
AlanFalcon
January 18th, 2012
4:29 pm
I like him already, he’s not following the company line yet he understands where they have been and for what he has seen seems to know where he has to go to be sucessful, sucess on defense rezonates on the offensive side. Good luck M. Nolan
Mediocrity continues...
January 18th, 2012
4:39 pm
Dude… Just because he overthrows his receivers downfield doesn’t mean he has a strong arm. How often does Ryan put a ball on a line to one of his receivers? Very rarely if ever. There is always an arc on his balls. HA, the guy has arc on his balls, I said that… But seriously, even the balls he throws that need to be on a rope are rarely ever that. Can’t deny the facts…
Ernest
January 18th, 2012
5:10 pm
Great comment by Wabe @ 1:10 pm.
harleyman
January 18th, 2012
5:19 pm
Very pleased with this hire.
ANTMAN
January 18th, 2012
5:21 pm
Trust me you don’t want to cut Chris Owens. YOu just need to know how to use him.Owens is probably the fastest man on the Falcons team if not mabe the fastest in the NFL. Loose him to another team and he will hurt you.
SirReal
January 18th, 2012
5:38 pm
I wanted more 3-4 elements but it is what it is. This is a guy who knows what he’s doing so I’m still fine with whatever they decide to do.
ohhhhYEAH
January 18th, 2012
5:45 pm
truthbtold
I’ll make it simple for you. On defense, you have what is called a “scheme,” there aren’t 11 players just running around crazy doing what they want. With that being said, Van Gorder’s scheming was TERRIBLE. Every now and then a blitz would land home and we would get to the qb. For the most part, his scheming was just plain bad (ex…wide receivers wide open in the middle of the field on 3rd downs, deep out on the sideline ALWAYS open, NO PASS RUSH)> All this is more of a reflection on scheme than personell. Mike Nolan is an amazing defensive coordinator and will do well with the pieces we have in place (assuming we bring back Grimes, Lofton, and Abe).
Michael M.
January 18th, 2012
6:11 pm
I bet you see a real defense out on the field next season fellas ………..Nolan wont put up with the BS like we saw in the past and I doubt if he will get much static from the players either because they know he is the real deal and means business. I am going to love watching what unfolds.
Opie Taylor
January 18th, 2012
6:13 pm
ohhhhYEAH, you are incorrect in your constant belief that the scheme was Briian Von Gorder’s scheme, this scheme was implemented by Mike Smith in Jacksonville and Atlanta will use it this year under Mike Nolan, who basically endorsed it in his interview. Who will take the fall after this season when you see the exact same soft zone in the preseaon? Mike Nolan is an exceptional DC, I hope our current bend but don’t break ultra conservative HC allows him to make adjustments and do his job.
Hot Bird
January 18th, 2012
6:21 pm
Yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We’re going to make a lot of scores next season . Come on and get up with me Falcon fans ! Yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Michael M.
January 18th, 2012
6:26 pm
Same ole Falcon fans doubters…..lol….it wont be the defense losing ballgames next Season, it will be the D keeping the Falcons in the ballgames and be on the Offense to put up the points to get the wins.
This isn’t going to be Van gordeeeee out there. This is a real DC that knows what it takes. One can sit all day trying to persuade a select few on here that but that select few will always be doubters on the Atlanta blogs.
New Orleans would have loved to had gotten Nolan on their side and they sure don’t like it that we did. You doubters just have to wait and see the difference on the field next Season I suppose………..
ohhhhYEAH
January 18th, 2012
6:30 pm
Smitty is a proponent of the man cover schemes. Look at the defense he ran in Jax, always tops in the league in total defense and sacks. So to say they were a result of how he likes to coach the d is inconsistent with the way he actualyl coached. You people are giving Smith too much credit for how heavy his hand is on the coordinators. Yes, Mike Smith does like a 4-3, but that DOESNT mean he wants the soft zone. If that were the case he would have found someone else to hire besides Mike Nolan, someone who doesnt like to blitz, and someone that relies heavily on the zone scheming. Just because Nolan said they will continue to run the 4-3 doesn’t mean they will continue to sit back in a mile wide zone and let the elits pick them apart. If you truly believe these defenses were a result of Mike Smith these past few years, jsut watch and see what you get this year. Scheming is on the DC, not the head coach. Smitty doesn’t micro-manage as much as most of you want to believe.
Jeff
January 18th, 2012
6:32 pm
who dat– You are home with us. Ain’ts blog closed?
ohhhhYEAH
January 18th, 2012
6:33 pm
elites*
Firsttimer
January 18th, 2012
6:34 pm
Before I make my comments I would like to say how wonderful it is to go to the blogs and not see all the Aint trash anymore. It’s going to be a great Superbowl because the Aints or the Packers will not be in it. To Who dat dude-yes two points. But two points or thirty-two the Who dat nation is on the outside looking in just like the Falcon nation. So, who dat up out of here. Now to the business at hand; Mike Nolan is a fantastic hire. He was my second choice and I am delighted we landed him. After reading yesterday’s article and the numbers backing his defensive production I am even more excited. I think Falcon fans are about to see Falcon players flying around, blitzing, stuffing the run, and yes creating turnovers. I think Dunta will shine under his scheme as well as Spoon, Lofton, and yes even Ray Edwards. Even Ray Lewis would look mediocre if he was asked to stand in one area of the field and react only if the ball comes into that area. I look forwward to seeing our defense rise to one of if not the top defense in the NFL. Great hire!
Michael M.
January 18th, 2012
6:34 pm
The Doubters have to see it to believe it…..you can tell em the room is pink and they wont believe it until they see it is so….anyone that thinks Nolan would take the job here to play wussy football and have that go on his resume as a black mark is nutsssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss
Jeff
January 18th, 2012
6:39 pm
Fact- not sure of the year. But when Nolan was DC and Smith was the LB coach the Baltimore Ravens won the Super Bowl. The first 5 games of that year they didn’t give up a touchdown….. I like it
Jeff
January 18th, 2012
6:40 pm
The offense I am pretty sure scored the lowest points total for a super bowl winner as well for the year.
Michael M.
January 18th, 2012
6:45 pm
If Nolan didn’t think he could come into Atlanta and help get this Team over the Hump and to the top level he never would have signed on the dotted line….Atlanta hit the homerun when they got him on the Team.
Foul-can
January 18th, 2012
6:47 pm
Must have realized we do not have the talent to run a 3-4 scheme.
Michael M.
January 18th, 2012
6:48 pm
Peyton Manning is retiring……………just saw a read on that one if its true I don’t know
ohhhhYEAH
January 18th, 2012
6:53 pm
No worries Mike M, Peyton is not retiring. Although, it’s not like he has much to go back to in Indy. Their GM is probably the most clueless in the league right now. Wow man…
Michael M.
January 18th, 2012
6:56 pm
yeah its all over a twitter message…..figures
Colts need to get it together over there.poor souls….lol
Michael M.
January 18th, 2012
6:59 pm
Just for Fun……………its a shame we couldn’t have gave Van Gordeeeeeeeeee to the Saints
Opie Taylor
January 18th, 2012
7:13 pm
Jeff, Nolan was not the DC when the Ravens won the SB in 2000 and Mike Smith was LB Coach, Marvin Lewis was DC. He is the HC of the Bengals and one of Mike Smith’s best friends in the NFL. It has been published the Smith and Lewis talk once a week unless the Falcons are playing Cincinnati.
DC Dirty Bird
January 18th, 2012
7:14 pm
I’m not sure why people are up in arms regarding Nolan confirming that we’d be running a 4-3 base scheme. You don’t come in to a team with top tier team talent and decide to switch the team to a 3-4 and set it back a year or two. It took GB two years to get their 3-4 going. As far as the quality of our 4-3, that will depend on the FA we keep, the FA we get, and any gems we can get in the draft. One thing is for sure, we won’t rely on the same “fringe” players as back ups and Decoud is as sure as gone. Given that Nolan coached 4-3 defense with the Giants and Redskins before, I have no question that he’ll be able to dial up defensive plays that attack the strenghts of Brees and Newton.
Joshua Malavenda
January 18th, 2012
7:25 pm
Falcons fans we will be just fine. He has done great every where he has worked and that wont change because he is with the falcons.
- Seeking a gm asst JOb- Yeah they would do better in a 3-4 because of personal.
yeah I agree they are couple players away from a chamiponship
The signing of Mario williams would be a great pick up but he got injured last year in a normal situation I wouldnt be too cautious but he tore his pectoral muscle which is a very hard injury to come back from and knowing Mario WIllams he wants a big ass contract so it might not be worth it to sign him but we might be able to sign him for alot cheaper just for that simple fact and he recovers from his injury just as good as he was before the injury it would be a steal. The good thing about mario is he is so versatile like you could use him as bliz linebacker untill he fully recovered from the injury and then you could use him as 4-3 de or Dt when he recovered from the injury. I would sign him for really cheap because of his injury and sign abrham to a one year or two year contract and then use abraham as the de and use mario williams as a rush blizer and sign Anvill and Let go of Bierman and just swtich them in and out with Edwards wow what a awesome defense that would be but since I just woke up out of dream world and that would only happen in a perfect world I would be happy with just one of those free agent signees and mathis wouldnt be too bad either
.
angry mangy mutt
January 18th, 2012
8:01 pm
So much talk about Ryan’s arm. No amount of weight training is going to help as someone mentioned. Actually too much is generally believed to hurt the throwing motion…sports science has proven it is mechanics and getting an explosive momentum towards target and permitting the necessary hip/shoulder separation – like Ryan does when on that play once a game where he fakes it to back and without looking slings it to wr (usually Roddy) running down sideline on his right. The ball is on a rope, pretty accurate, and seems to go unnoticed by the experts.
Michael M.
January 18th, 2012
8:12 pm
No more commenting on Matt from me I had a rough nite back a few ago about him being the reason so I rest my case and will just say it was a hard year on him taking so many hits and being hurried so much…….yep…………….that sounds good
John
January 18th, 2012
8:20 pm
Welcome again Coach Nolan….. I’m looking forward to seeing your work on the field and the results next Jan/Feb
Jockich Ahn Smelley, II
January 18th, 2012
8:49 pm
Will it be a 3-4 or 4-3? Should be good!
D man
January 18th, 2012
8:59 pm
What do we know anyway? We are just a bunch of fans that are passionate about our Falcons so we blog about them everyday. Here is what I do know. My Falcons have had 4 wonderful seasons in a row since Mike got here and if he thought these two new guys were good enough for him, then they are good enough for me. Go FALCONS!!!
Q and A with new defensive coordinator Mike Nolan | NFL Online News
January 18th, 2012
9:16 pm
[...] Atlanta Falcons This entry was posted in Atlanta Falcons and tagged Coordinator, defensive, Mike, Nolan. Bookmark the permalink. ← Rex Ryan, Jim Schwartz the last two left in 11-man coaching Class of ’09 (Yahoo! Sports) [...]
Michael M.
January 18th, 2012
10:03 pm
Lets see…….I thought the Trolls said that our Team was going to be sitting at home watching their Team advance and win the Superbowl this year……..Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! I never will forget that and let them off the hook on it………Sooner or later they will come back out again………………….The Cisco Kids put the Saints in the dust.
O'Brien
January 18th, 2012
10:06 pm
So Mike wants to keep his secondary coach? I dont like that idea
Blackie
January 18th, 2012
10:40 pm
I love the DC hire but hate the OC hire. Anyway, get Decoud and Owens off the first string and the D will improve two or three from this year. Too soft on 3rd downs. Abraham is the only pass rusher we have and he is double teamed most of the time.
Bojack
January 18th, 2012
10:49 pm
The offense needs to be more consistent to help keep the defense off the field especially against better teams over 500 otherwise they are timid and the O line is afraid to lay the wood on defensive tackles. Matt Ryan must improve in pass plays next season.
panic fan
January 18th, 2012
11:45 pm
Think alot of folks here are missing the point on our players, so last year we had good players and bad scheme (soft zone) still had a good defense except on 3rd down. So how many times do you remember us rushing 3 if my memory is correct that happened most every game at some point. I cant recall ever hearing either of our past cordinators say they would change scheme to better suite players ability, so with that being said we have good talent and we now have better coaches to cordinate it into better play on the field very excited to see if our new schemes will bring us playoff wins