Atlanta Falcons: Birds Embarrassed by Panthers
One of Worst Losses in Smith Era
No Falcon in Sight (Chuck Burton)
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It’s hard to know where to start on this one. To be blunt, this was one of the worst losses in the entire time that Mike Smith has been head coach. This team has serious problems and they just proved to all the doubters and skeptics that they may be right after all. The Falcons may not always win while under Smith’s reign, but they usually always play hard and fight until the end. Well, that appeared not to happen on Sunday in Charlotte. The Falcons were not only beaten, but flat out embarrassed. Fans likely started getting that same sick feeling in the back of their throats the way they did the last two years in the playoffs, because that’s how bad they looked. A look at the horror show that was:
Offense Just Pitiful
One Bright Spot (Chuck Burton)
15 yards in the first quarter. 40 total yards in the first half. Michael Turner 2 carries for 3 yards. Do those stats strike you as a team ready to make waves in the postseason? Sure, they turned it on when they decided to start playing, but by that point it was entirely too late. When they were well behind, they decided to start playing a little offense and looked pretty good in the no-huddle which bogged back down when they needed points. The running game was non-existent, the line was horrible, and Matt Ryan was off yet again. Most of us tried to chalk up the poor offensive game vs. the Saints as just a blip, but they actually looked worse against the Panthers.
Rodgers Should Get Bulk of Carries
That’s putting it nicely. The fact has long been that Jacquizz Rodgers has shown way more upside and the ability to carry the bulk of carries in the backfield. All Falcons fans appreciate what Michael Turner has done for this franchise and he’ll likely have a banner hung in his name when it’s all said and done, but he’s just not getting it done. It’s hard to part with players who have meant so much to the franchise, but the time has come. Mike Smith obviously hasn’t got that memo. The entire offense played terrible so it’s unfair to scapegoat just one player, but Jacquizz Rodgers is just better and the facts don’t lie. Rodgers had 21 yards on 4 carries and Michael Turner carried the ball 7 times for 14 yards.
Just a Blip or Playoff Preview?
Yuck (Chuck Burton)
This game had trap written all over it. The Falcons clinched the NFC South and were playing a 3-9 team with the Giants coming up next week. Fans are trying their best to chalk it up as just a blip, but there’s a growing fear that we’re starting to see an eerily similar storyline. In 2010, the Falcons won a lot of close games en route to a 13-3 season and the NFC #1 seed. The rest, of course, is history seeing the Birds have a complete meltdown catastrophe vs. the Packers. Being completely objective, the Falcons are still 11-2, have already won their division, and are still leading the NFC, but the nightmare scenarios are getting worse and not better with the Falcons seemingly playing their best football at the beginning of the season and playing their worst football closer to the playoffs. There’s still 3 games left and all 3 teams will be good tests for the playoffs. This one can be chalked up to a trap game, but we’ll know everything we need to about this team the next three weeks, starting with the Giants at home in a one week.
Ryan is Trending Downward
Yes, he threw for 325 yards and one touchdown, but he also does not look the same quarterback that he did in the first half of the season. He missed throws, looked jittery in the pocket, and just didn’t seem to be in a good rhythm. Maybe it’s playing behind a weak offensive line, maybe he’s suffering from a weak running game, or maybe his coordinator is not helping him at all. Who knows why, but the results say that Ryan is going in the opposite direction. He looks the most comfortable in an open, no-huddle type offense, but for whatever reason, the coaching staff seems to avoid it except when they are 23 points down. Here’s to hoping Ryan gets it figured out and quickly.
Defensive Line Must Improve
It’s been common knowledge that John Abraham has been the Falcons only pass rush for a long time. Problem is, when he’s not completely on his game, the Falcons have nothing else. Biermann has great hustle, but is more of a linebacker playing as a defensive end. No one has taken advantage of Ray Edwards absence whatsoever. In particular, the defensive tackle position appears particularly weak. Peria Jerry has never turned that mythical corner, Corey Peters is likely not 100%, Vance Walker is a good rotational player, and Jonathan Babineaux is playing more defensive end and on the downside of his career. The Falcons were gashed by the run yet again and it allowed Cam Newton be precise in his passing. All considering, the defense did pretty decent since the offense didn’t help whatsoever until entirely too late.
Where’s the No-Huddle?
This is Done (Chuck Burton)
Matt Ryan always does best in an open, no-huddle type of offense. If you think about some of Ryan’s best games, they have come from those type of gameplans going all the way back to the Ravens game in 2010. This offense is more in sync, has more rhythm, and it masks some of the weaknesses on the offensive line. The Falcons were at their best early in the season with many of the no-huddle type of looks and yet they are going away from it with diminishing results. Even the run game seems more productive in the no-huddle. Do they have to stay in all the time? No, but why not go with what works best. They only implemented it when they were down 23 points and, sure enough, they went right down the field. The great mystery remains.
Bad Calls
This may come off as sour grapes and ultimately it likely didn’t matter with how poor the Falcons played, but there were several questionable calls at a very critical juncture in the game. The first was one of the worst calls of the entire season. The Falcons scored a touchdown and converted a two point conversion. Even the line judge ruled the 2 point conversion good and was evidently overruled. The ref said that Roddy White bobbled the ball, but the replay clearly showed he never bobbled the ball whatsoever. It was only two points, but it seemed to cut down some of the Falcons building momentum. Another play showed a critical catch by a Panthers receiver who appeared to drop the ball, the play was ruled incomplete, but the refs overturned that call. Finally, Dunta Robinson was called for holding a play where the defense seemed to get a stop. He was holding and it was the right call, but there were tons of times when Julio Jones, Tony Gonzalez, and John Abraham were being held to no avail.
Tackling Still an Issue
Weak Tackling (Chuck Burton)
This is an issue that was supposed to get fixed earlier in the season, but the Falcons are still having issues bringing down their opponents. Corey Peters couldn’t bring down Cam Newton for a sack (but also got no help at all either) and there were several other instances where the Panthers running back or quarterback got extra yards after the first hit. At best, they’re simply inconsistent. Some weeks they’ll tackle well and others, they won’t. If they don’t get it fixed in a hurry, they won’t be going far in the playoffs.
Bird Cage Painkillers Turn
1) Simple missed tackle – how awful was this game?
2) Does this rank as one of the worst under Smith?
3) Is it panic time with the offense?
4) What’s most to blame on offense (besides the OL)?
5) When will the Turner Era end? Should it end?
6) Was this just a blip or playoff preview?
7) What is wrong with Matt Ryan?
8.) Which is worse: offensive or defensive line?
9) Why do the coaches refuse to run no-huddle, open attack?
10) Bad calls or sour grapes?
11) Will tackling ever get consistent?
12) Are you terrified of upcoming Giants game?
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1,438 comments Add your comment
D3
December 10th, 2012
10:54 am
I am by no means giving up on this year’s team whatsoever, but what I witnessed yesterday was a major reality check on just how good this team really is. Do we have the talent to go deep in the playoffs? Sure. Do we have the coaching capacity to win in the playoffs? I would say yes. But does Coach Smith have the ability to try and get away from his crutches (Turner, Smittyball, Refusal to Change, Obsession with numbers and averages, etc)? Not feeling very confident of that one.
There’s been a few times when we’ve looked like a legit playoff team. The Chargers and Eagles game come to mind. We’ve some great halves here and there, and some great drives and series, but when was the last time we were really after a complete win? To be honest, the defense has been winning and keeping us in these games and the offense has been complete crap. I’m a big homer and I’m fantastic and rationalizing stuff away, like looking bad but still winning against crappy teams, but that well has run dry. A simple way to look at it is that we finally got our @ss torched after we’ve playing with fire now going on almost 2 months. The Panthers didn’t beat themselves, took the points, kept our offense down, and built a big enough lead that couldn’t be overcome.
We go out and win any way possible, by any margin vs. the Giants and most will be forgotten, but let’s remember that we beat Green Bay at home in 2010 only to get destroyed only a few weeks later by the very same team.
Paddy O
December 10th, 2012
10:56 am
well, folks -we need to realize Cam Newton – as anal an idiot as he is – has evolved. Once he removed his own turnovers, the team became much more competitive. HOwever, in the 1st half, our offense did not show up. I blame the OC.
D3
December 10th, 2012
10:56 am
Sis-Boom — Excellent post @ 10:47 and Welcome to the Cage. You nailed it: PATTERN! It is and has been a pattern going all the way back to 2010. Changing coordinators and, even though the defense is better, the offense looks the exact same or even worse. Pitiful.
P. MILLS
December 10th, 2012
11:03 am
This always happens to Atl. Is it the coaching, or attitude? Hard to figure. Toooo many years watching and waiting on this team & this always happens. I predicted this at the beginning of the year and once again it has happened. So sorry for the players that give all….a real shame.
D3
December 10th, 2012
11:06 am
Well, we know that Smith will definitely get another year for certain. There’s no question about that. But assuming we’re one and one for another year, how much longer does he get? I really think that if he just left Koetter alone than we could get this thing going, but there’s simply too much evidence to the contrary for us fans who’ve watched every single game during the Smith Era. If it walks and talks like a duck, it’s a d@mn duck!
I mean, I know I sound like a terrible person on this one, but who would we go for if we did get rid of Smith? A lot of new hires haven’t worked out too darn well for a lot of teams. I know I sound like pollyanna, but I think it’s a legitimate question. I guess I would be comfortable letting Mike Nolan run the show. At least he would be aggressive for goodness sake.
D3
December 10th, 2012
11:13 am
I remember what I said way back in February, it was “stop talking about it and PROVE IT!” and I think that’s pretty darn accurate. Stop the whole “rise up” garbage and prove that you belong to be considered among the best. As hard as I’ve tried to defend this team against the onslaught of media taking shots at this team, how can we defend this? Yesterday proved that they were at least onto something if not being outright correct.
They can prove me wrong with the upcoming Giants game, but I’m holding my breath.
Finally, (taking a step away here for a little while) remember when the coordinators were hired we said that TD is giving Smith everything he needs to be successful and likely letting him choose his own coordinators. In other words, giving him rope to either pull himself up or hang himself. I think TD has more job security than Smitty. I know a lot of fans bag on TD and rightly so at times, but overall, I think he’s done a very good job, save for the OL. But as I said yesterday, TD has shown an ability to learn and adapt from his mistakes, while Smith appears not to be taking that same path.
Wings
December 10th, 2012
11:25 am
D3 – “If it walks and talks like a duck, it’s a d@mn duck! ”
Right again D3 because I have a duck named Moby Duck.
SOMEBODY NEEDS TO TELL THE TRUTH
December 10th, 2012
11:30 am
D3, I agree stop the whole “Rise Up” thing…and I don’t want to hear from the players, that a win, is a win, see where that got us against the Panthers. The mark of a good (Super bowl) are the one’s that do not rest on their laurels, they constantly strive to get better…even when winning.
Yesterday was indeed embarrasing. All I know is, the Seahawks throttled the Cardinals, winninig 58-0…the same Cardinal team came close to beating us in our own HOUSE?!?!. I doubt if a 100mg’s of Viagra would’ve assisted us in “Rising Up” against the Panthers.IMO.
Hamad Meander
December 10th, 2012
11:34 am
1. I hate the new stadium already. 2. The Falcons didn’t earn their paychecks on Sunday. 3. I hate Cam Newton and Steve Smith. 4. This team better get on the ball soon before they get bounced out of the playoffs in the first round.
Look, I know the Falcons aren’t going to win every game and that is fine. We are on the way to another 12-4 season and hopefully a bye in the playoffs. The things that are wrong with this team right now is that the offense isn’t in the hurry up enough and the tackling is abysmal. Those are things that can be fixed pretty easily, so I still have hope.
Big Ray
December 10th, 2012
11:38 am
Zoomie ,
Good post at 10:22 a.m.
Arno
December 10th, 2012
11:43 am
Scouring the post-game comments I couldn’t find one guy even half as mad as Big Ray. Every comment was about execution, not a single one about the tired-out scheme. The Falcons are capable in certain areas– why, why not put the best players and best scheme on the field? Wouldn’t the players execute better if they felt the scheme had a chance of success? I’d like to think Flowery Branch is in mutiny but only Gonzalez seems to be showing the frustration. Come on, Ryan– speak up!!
“Did anybody see anything innovative?” –Paddy O
Wow…. that’s a tough one. I did see a fake sweep shuffle pass that got a first down, but that’s it.
Big Ray
December 10th, 2012
11:43 am
Paddy O
I agree. I don’t like Cam Newton at all. I do recognize that he’s talented. But dominating? No way should that team have dominated us. We let that happen by only showing up on one side of the ball and eventually losing out THERE as well.
Bottom Line – we failed to compete.
Yes, some of the SB winners had bad games the same year they won the SB. Well, some of them also earned the benefit of the doubt and their problems weren’t a consistent pattern. They simply failed to execute a darn good game plan….and when they chose to execute, they beat the crap out of whoever they played.
Our problems just aren’t that simple. We fail to execute the same time we fail to maximize our strengths.
Big Ray
December 10th, 2012
11:52 am
Arno ,
Well, I’ll admit my anger has been more like when a dog gets mad – almost to the point of irrational.
Some folks might not understand – my focus is on getting past yet another “good” regular season. I want to see this team in the playoffs, making things happen.
You get enough regular season wins, you get into the playoffs. But that doesn’t mean you will win once you get there, and what I see from this team, what I’ve been seeing for the past several weeks, are the same kinds of issues that caused us to fail in past seasons.
Can’t tackle? That will cost you in the playoffs.
Can’t score? That will cost you in the playoffs.
We’ve found ways to win against teams that have not matched up well with us and teams that have matched up well with us. Then we finally lost to a team that corrected its own mistakes and beat us.
Now riddle me this – how does a 4-9 team correct enough mistakes to beat an 11-1 team, but the 11-1 team cannot correct IT’S mistakes?
Maybe the answer is this – when you lose, it has been proven to you that your mistakes are lethal. When you win, you don’t think those mistakes are lethal.
That’s the problem with us being 11-2 and everything being “alright.”
Big Ray
December 10th, 2012
11:56 am
Hamad ,
I think you’re right. And I also think that those things CAN be fixed pretty easily. So why have they not been fixed already? We’ve had offensive issues for several weeks now.
Does it really take a loss to get on track? I hope that’s what it takes, because if it doesn’t then I’m afraid we’ll NOT get back on track. I reckon we’ll know this Sunday, huh….
Big Ray
December 10th, 2012
12:05 pm
D3 ,
Getting rid of Mike Smith is certainly no easy matter and I’m still wondering if that’s the best move…if only because like you I’m not at all sure what move comes after that.
Nolan has been a HC before, which gives him a leg up on Smitty. Why? Because Nolan very likely now knows that he wants very little to do with heading up an offense. His is a defensive mind, and he knows it. Smitty does not seem to know this sometimes. Nolan would likely let an OC run things and make the “higher management” decisions like when to go for it, when to throw a challenge flag, managing the clock, etc.
Smitty watched a failure to break through a defense for 3 quarters. He then thought the no huddle offense was a good idea with less than a quarter to go and needing to score 24 points to eke out another one of his close wins.
This is the game plan for the last three games? For the playoffs? Or am I missing something?
I don’t want to say “Fire Smitty” because I can’t say who to hire. I also think he deserves this year to prove that he can or can’t get it done in the postseason.
What I do know (or actually, just speculation) is that if the heat is turned up really high…somebody has to answer.
Zoomie
December 10th, 2012
12:10 pm
” I really think that if he just left Koetter alone than we could get this thing going, but there’s simply too much evidence to the contrary for us fans who’ve watched every single game during the Smith Era.” — D3
I have a hard time with this. Not saying it’s not true; I don’t know.
There is no reason or logic to hiring an OC to run a wide open offense, then use your authority as his senior to cuff him. It’s so nonsensical, I just can’t believe it.
We’ve seen CMS, with a resume in D, pretty much take his hands out of the D. Why would he impose himself into the O, when its issues are so evident? CMS’s job eventually rests on the W-L record of this team, so why in the world would he willingly cut his own throat?
The O-line was bad last year, and worse now; no major moves made in the off-season to fix this issue. Clabo’s been a liability since Dahl left. Turner was definitely showing signs of decline last year as well.
No, I can’t believe Smitty is responsible. I know he sees an O-line that’s mediocre on its best days. He has a sideline view of Sir Sta-Puft and his backfield meltdowns.
The Theory of Zoom: this is Front Office intervention. FO ain’t gonna let $6M-per-year MT33 sit on the bench. FO ain’t spending big money on the LOS, when that money can be spent to bring high-profile, splashy players to the team. Look around in the dome: how many jerseys in the 70’s and 90’s do you see in the stands?
No, I believe we’re seeing the classic sign of micro-management, and I believe it’s coming from The Throne Room, above the head of the players and CS. This is the kind of idiocy you see when administrators get the keys to Operations.
Big Lou
December 10th, 2012
12:14 pm
D3
I would hire Norv Turner as the OC, and grab Andy Ried as the head coach. Imagine those offense minds with our talent….. West coast….
Mind = Blown
Hamad Meander
December 10th, 2012
12:15 pm
It’s crazy to think about firing Smitty. This guy has put the Falcons on course to get into the the playoffs just about every year. It’s funny how our expectations for this team have risen so quickly that a SuperBowl win is about the only thing we would tolerate at this point. 50% of the teams that make the playoffs one year aren’t in it the next. I’m not saying we should be satisfied with what we’ve got, but I am saying it could be a lot worse. Anyone remember the Falcons before Smitty?
The process is working and the team is getting better every year. No coach can guarantee a Superbowl. Let’s worry about finding a new coach when we’ve gone 6-10 twice in a row, instead of when we are 11-2.
Big Lou
December 10th, 2012
12:18 pm
Zoomie
No offense to your theory, but even the fans boo Turner at home when he doesn’t get yards… jerseys or not. I doubt AB would risk his sales and potential future stadium for a couple of pawns.
All I know is that the Giants game will be VERY telling. To be honest, I don’t want a close win or loss. I want a blowout either way. Blowout by the Falcons to shut fans up, or a blowout by the Giants to get things changed. Period.
Big Lou
December 10th, 2012
12:24 pm
Hamad
The problem with your suggestion is that it’s the view of most ATL fans in the great state of Georgia. We expect losers and get satisfied in getting into the post season. Regular season never mattered.
F!ck that noise. I rather be losers and not make the playoffs, them be pretenders and embarrassed on the national stage.
Also, players age. We won’t have this talent on offense forever. The more years they waste, the more unlikely they will do anything in the playoffs.
Heck, at least if we were losers, we would get good draft picks.
Fans are starting to wake up. We’re tired of not having a championship. It’s not accepted in places like Green Bay and New York. It shouldn’t be accepted here.
Granted, if they start winning playoff games, it will change.
Greg Mendel
December 10th, 2012
12:28 pm
One thing that can be fixed, and should have been fixed long ago is the “Turner Problem.” Again and again, I see Ryan trying to make 3-yard TD passes in the Red Zone, only to wind up with a field goal. No team should be stuck with a short-yardage running game so unreliable that its QB has to make repeated passes.
At one point yesterday, Turner failed to make a critical first down on a play that I am convinced would have succeeded if Rodgers had the ball. There was space, and a quick, agile runner would have made the play. Turner is neither quick nor agile. He used to gain yards with defenders hanging all over him, and that hasn’t happened in ages.
Geo
December 10th, 2012
12:31 pm
“why not put the best players and best scheme on the field?”
ya got me. the quick pitch to Quizz and the quick screen to Julio that scored a TD were about the only good plays that take advantage of the skill players. And the inside screen to Snelling that got a first and goal on fourth down. The rest of the game was like the interception late when we could have made a game of it, down 10 with 10 minutes — poor pass blocking while the receivers run short, simple stop or hook routes, with Tony and Roddy within five yards of each other. Hardly a dynamic offense.
Schleprock
December 10th, 2012
12:33 pm
It’s part of the Atlanta sports franchise DNA folks. It is their DNA. We don’t bring home the hardware. 1 time in it’s history??? Are we supposed to be OK with this while other, lesser cities teams, continue to rise to the occaision? We’re tired of the half measures and we’re sick of the mindset of mediocrite. Those other cities fans take losses much worse than we do because they expect their franchise to WIN! Until we change the Atlanta sports franchise mindset to a winning mindset and if we continue to accept this level of midiocrite we’re going to continue to be midiocre at best. Its so sad.
Year after year after year it’s the same thing and we’re supposed to just be OK with it. I’m not investing any more emotional capital as a fan until I see the mindset change to a winning mindset.
Meanwhile at Flowery Branch...
December 10th, 2012
12:36 pm
Memo from AB : Why in the hell do we have the same OL as we did last year? Did I not tell you this is unacceptable?
TD (thinking out loud as he sits in front of his computer) : Ummm, I drafted guys, but Smitty here would not play them, much less start them. Yeah, that’s a good start to this return email…
Smitty (walking by the office, stops in) : Hey! I’m starting Konz!
TD : Yeah…after Garrett got hurt….
Smitty : Yeah well you drafted me a guy with broken toes. Honestly, who does that? All the rest of them are UDFAs with no pedigree or experience. On top of that you got me the fat Samoan guy. He has cankles. I hate Cankles. I cut him for just that reason.
TD : Hey, nobody told me Holmes had broken toes man. I’m gonna have to fire a scout or something. Maybe a team doctor, I don’t know. I’ll talk it over with Rich. In the meantime, I got you Konz so he could play center, but noooo you wanted him to play Guard. Then you wouldn’t even give him the job. And I drafted Hawley to play center, but you won’t let him play, either. Oh wait, what were those two plays a few games back where you were throwing the ball to him? What is he, a tight end now? Yeah Mr. Smarty pants, explain THAT one to the old man! I dare ya! Manuwai I signed because you said you wanted a veteran presence at the Guard position. Cankles? Really? That’s your explanation? I even got you Mike Johnson from Alabama a couple years ago. What happened? If he sucks, why is he still on the team?
Smitty : OH? I didn’t hear you complaining when Mike Johnson caught that touchdown pass! Yes, I DO plan to make Mike Johnson a tight end. He’ll be a hell of a blocker at the position, and you know by now that blocking is what Tight End is ALL ABOUT. Hawley sucks, I don’t like him. I want you to draft me another Tackle so I can play him at Guard, then get me another Center so I can play him at Tackle, and a 300 lb running back so we can get back to the power running game you said you would like. On top of that, can you get me another 289 lb Defensive Tackle, a 250 lb Defensive End, and a Wide Receiver that only catches 7 yard slant routes that point towards the sideline and allow no room for yards after the catch? And please…no need to trade up for that.
TD : Oh? You finally getting wise and going to the 3-4 defensive base? Ok, so I got all you want for draft day…what is this, Christmas? You ask for so much. Why don’t I just draft a tackle to play tackle, a center to play center (I thought I already did this) and a Guard to play Guard? Did you talk to Matt Ryan about this Mike Johnson/Tight end thing? I think he actually likes, you know, Tight Ends that play Tight End. But what do I know…
Smitty : Hell no, I’m not going to a 3-4 defense. I want to build the fastest 4-3 base that has ever existed. To do that, you have to go down in size on the line. And why are you bugging me about where I play my offensive line guys? I know what I’m doing. I know offenses like the back of my hand. How about that 300 lb running back? Your scouts see anybody fitting that description? I want to really POUND a defense. And we don’t need another Tackle. Sam Baker is healthy now, and he’s the bees knees, the cat’s pajamas, the….
TD : Oh for crying out loud, what is your love affair with Sam? No, speaking of love affairs, what is with you and overweight running backs? I got you that little Quizz fellow so you would have an option. You know…a little thunder, a little lightning. Every time I turn around, the kid is doing something nice with the ball but then I don’t see him again for a while.
Smitty : I don’t want him to get tired. He’s not a power back. You can’t run a power game with a guy like that. Quizz makes us explosive. But I only like small explosions with very little flash, even less noise, and absolutely no lasting effect.
TD : Whatever. I should have never let Harvey Dahl go. I see that now. Whatever was I thinking, giving him up and then letting Tyson Clabo have all that money? Pro Bowler my arse. More like Cereal Bowler. Mike, the power running game thing stopped two years ago with Turner. He isn’t even motivated. He doesn’t hit the hole with any speed or urgency anymore….unless it’s in the VIP room at Magic City…or so Ray Edwards tells me. By the way…what is up with that guy and the tighty whiteys he wears and always used to try and show me when nobody was around? Who does he think he is, Michael Jordan? Underwear models. They shouldn’t play football. I’ll never live that one down. The nerve he had, telling me that he couldn’t come to a team meeting because he had an interview with Fruit of the Loom. Something about an opportunity to be the green apple in the next commercial…
Smitty : Well look, all this chatting is nice and everything, but I have to go over the 6 plays we are going to run against the Giants. I can count on you to smooth talk Artie, can’t I? Don’t forget about what I saw you doing with a mountain goat on one of your bike trails. Anything happens to me, those pics are going viral.
TD : Really? You’re going to go there? After all I’ve done for you. And for the last time, that was Steve Spagnuolo you saw, not me. Dadgummit, we don’t look that much alike. I can’t believe you. You’re going to get me fired. Especially if we lose 24-2 next Sunday. Don’t say it can’t happen…
Zoomie
December 10th, 2012
12:57 pm
Well, BL, I’ve been sitting here in the wake of yesterday’s epic fail struggling to make sense of it. The traditional thought processes, thinking in football terms, aren’t fitting. I finally came to the conclusion that to make sense of it in football terms basically means that Koetter or Smitty, or some combination of the two, is totally incompetent. That opens a whole new world of nonsense, so I can’t go there. Or it means that MR2 is not capable of running the O that Koetter wants to implement. Again, doesn’t pass the smell test, so can’t go there.
We’ve seen Smitty make a lot of great decisions since he’s been here. If he took his hands off the D, why would he micro-manage the O? Doesn’t make sense. He can clearly see the ineffectiveness of his O just like the rest of us, and has more insight into the whens, wheres, hows, and whys. Sometime recently CMS was interviewed and said the game of football is about controlling the LOS, yet this is where the team has put the least emphasis. None of this makes sense unless it’s being dictated from the FO.
I don’t know who it might be. Could be AB. Could be TD. Could be RM, in his position as President, brow-beating the young GM, whose expertise is personnel, not finances.
It’s a theory . . .
This, however is not, as far as I’m concerned: AB doesn’t believe for one moment that anything can stop him from getting a new stadium.
The Time is NOW
December 10th, 2012
12:58 pm
D3 – This is somewhat off topic about the Birds and is more about the Cage.
When I went to check the cage today, I could find no link to the fan blog anywhere on the AJC website. I had to access the cage through a google search (although now this blog is saved in my favorites). I am afraid that the AJC may be in the process of trying to phase out this blog. Hope I’m wrong.
D3, there are free options for starting your own blog (for example through Wordpress). If this looks necessary, I would attempt to get out info on the new blog address on this site before it gets shut completely down. If you would like assistance exploring blog options, feel free to e-mail me. If you lost the address let me know and I’ll email you. Hoping this is totally unnecessary.
Paddy O
December 10th, 2012
1:00 pm
I’m not sure where this confidence in Welcome Back comes from. What does his resume show to anybody? He got canned as a college coach, and when was the last time J’ville was considered good? You don’t hire mediocre guys with shabby resumes and expect them to be suddenly better. Some guys can’t coach talent. Bobby Valentine – who managed a 90 win Red Sox team to 90 losses and last place – did a lot with crappy talent. When he had more talent, he still wanted to do the asinine platoon system. Welcome Back apparently can’t design a good passing offense. When we try to force feed the run game, our pass blocking and run blocking goes to hell. The veil of pretense is off. I thought our defense played alright – but when the offense does not show up for 3 quarters, you are going to lose. But, I thought we should have had a shadow on Cam – perhaps we missed MOore more than I thought. BTW, from the main AJC Falcons page, I don’t see the bird cage listed anymore. We got too much reality for the AJC?
Paddy O
December 10th, 2012
1:01 pm
I consider Kotter semi-inept. He brings NOTHING of benefit to the offense. NOTHING.
Paddy O
December 10th, 2012
1:02 pm
we have a window. we’ve used up 5 years of it now. Tony G at the most will play another 2 years – at MOST. We need a better offensive coach.
Arno
December 10th, 2012
1:03 pm
Time NOW– very strange. I kept this page open today so I could follow along, but going back to the AJC Falcons page, the link is gone.
D3
December 10th, 2012
1:06 pm
Zoomie — Well, that’s fine and I’m sure that it may not be correct, but I also have come to learn how daggum stubborn Smitty is and how we are seeing the EXACT same problems on offense that plagued us when Mike Mularkey was here. I’m not saying that he’s intentionally torpedoing the offense, but I do think that his insistence on Turner is a major part of the problem. Maybe you’re right and Koetter was just a bad hire. That certainly could be the case as well.
Big Ray
December 10th, 2012
1:09 pm
Interesting theory, Zoomie .
One problem with it – why would TD do something like that when he knows it would point to him as the culprit, leaving the HC basically in the clear?
Big Ray
December 10th, 2012
1:11 pm
Koetter may have been a bad hire…but he was Smitty’s hire. The accountablility doesn’t go away.
Here’s the other thing Koetter is on record as saying they kept nearly all of the offensive playbook that existed when Mularkey was here .
So does Koetter like Mularkey’s playbook, or does he like his new job well enough to “like the playbook?”
Hamad Meander
December 10th, 2012
1:12 pm
Big Lou – thanks for your comments. I guess my theory is that any team that makes the playoffs has a chance to win it all and I’d rather have that than a higher draft pick. I hated when we would go back and forth between winning and losing seasons and I’ll take getting to the playoffs every year vs. that. I understand the frustrations of Falcon fans. I am not just a casual fan – I go to games and watch the games I don’t go to. I love supporting the Falcons, but I keep a realistic attitude toward what is success in the NFL. Most teams don’t make the playoffs and of the ones that do, half don’t the next season. There is a bit of luck that does into winning it all and we need to be successful enough to cash in when it’s available.
I think we have a good amount of talent on this team and they wouldn’t be 11-2 if we didn’t. I don’t think we are a superior team yet. Pieces are still missing.
The Time is NOW
December 10th, 2012
1:13 pm
I found a link under “Find other AJC accounts on Twitter, Facebook”. However, the link there goes to a facebook page. Not sure what’s going on.
Big Ray
December 10th, 2012
1:15 pm
Frankly, I just about don’t care. Maybe that playbook is great if your OL is much better. I know a LOT of things would be much better if that were the case.
I don’t believe Ryan is incapable of doing what Koetter wants to do. Koetter can’t do anything but gush about him….although he’s certainly been quiet about everything lately.
Big Ray
December 10th, 2012
1:16 pm
Definitely a link problem.
Had to go to browsing history to get back in here.
D3
December 10th, 2012
1:16 pm
RE: Links to the Bird Cage — Guys, ya’ll know as much as I do. They removed it from the home page several months ago and I can’t find it on the AJC Falcons page anywhere either. Maybe it’s just a messup or maybe they’re trying to send me a message
Wings
December 10th, 2012
1:17 pm
Big Lou – “Also, players age. We won’t have this talent on offense forever. The more years they waste, the more unlikely they will do anything in the playoffs.”
ON TARGET! Also fans age like me who are tired of waiting because we have seen the failures since 1966 and we have limited years to wait.
SOMEBODY NEEDS TO TELL THE TRUTH
December 10th, 2012
1:19 pm
D3, what gives? Know link to the cage on AJC’s main. They (AJC) must know what an assest you are to them. Your fan blog consistently gets more traffic than the other three writers combined. IMHO.
Arno
December 10th, 2012
1:20 pm
Maybe the explanation is that the AJC is running the Falcons’ offense, so they had to pull the blog to save face. No, that can’t be it… I see that DOL gave the Falcons a nine F grade.
Wings
December 10th, 2012
1:24 pm
Zoomie – “No, I can’t believe Smitty is responsible. ”
HC Mike Smith is responsible. He is the Head Coach and he is responsible for everything.
If HC Smith is the reason the Falcons are sticking to the old conservative ways and forcing Koetter to play Turner, he is responsible for that choice.
If Koetter is making the decision to go with the old plays and playing Turner, HC Smith is responsible for that choice for not ORDERING Koetter to make changes.
It doesn’t take an Einstein to look at the offensive situation and know what the problem is. I believe he meddles in the defense too. That is why the defense varies so much in performance. He didn’t have time to meddle mess with the defense against the Saints because it was a Thursday night game.
The bottom line HC Mike Smith CONTROLS everything.
I assume he is a perfectionist. Perfectionists are control freaks and never let others think or make choices or do things their way. Only the perfectionist can do anything correctly.
Either way Zoomie, he is responsible. It is the only way it can be.
Do you think it was HC Smith who made the choice to “get rid” of MM and BVG? He was forced by AB and TD after everyone else had seen for over a year those two were useless. HC Smith will not make tough decisions; he is more of a middle of the road guy.
Chop Buster
December 10th, 2012
1:34 pm
If you go to AJC > Sports > Falcons > More Blogs (that’s where you’ll find the Bird Cage now)
Wings
December 10th, 2012
1:37 pm
Zoomie one additional thought. People who lead other people do things for a variety of reasons. Often, the leader is driven by the power and control, and the decisions made may not be the result of common sense and evaluation of information.
From that, decisions by HC Smith may not always be the result of how poorly Michael Turner runs for example. He may be so resistant to change that he will not be told nor consider that changes should be made. Until he is forced to do it by AB.
D3
December 10th, 2012
1:38 pm
******BIRD CAGE FAMILY!*******
HERE IS THE BOOKMARK FOR THE BIRD CAGE RSS THAT YOU CAN PUT IN YOUR FAVORITES JUST IN CASE THERE ARE ANY TECHNICAL ISSUES
http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-falcons-fans/
Chop Buster
December 10th, 2012
1:38 pm
Wings (1:24) – you correct in every aspect when it comes to Smitty. All signs point back to him when it comes to the coordinators. That’s why we’ve seen this team look like BVG and Mularkey were still here at times this year. It was Smitty’s offensive and defensive philosphy while BVG and Mularkey were here and it’s still his after they’ve left. Smitty has done well with regular season wins, but fans have moved on and are looking to this team reaching the next level now (Championships).
Arno
December 10th, 2012
1:49 pm
http://www.ajc.com/form/contact-contact-us-feedback/
Wings
December 10th, 2012
1:51 pm
Thanks Chop Buster.
Often, people fail to grasp results made by a well-stated publicized decision has no more weight than a decision left untold. In fact, a decision left untold causes havoc because no one knows what to do.
The Time is NOW
December 10th, 2012
1:54 pm
Chop Buster (1:34) – Thanks for the info. Unfortunately, I don’t see “More Blogs” anywhere on the AJC Falcons page.
Arno (1:49) – Thanks! Good idea.
Wings
December 10th, 2012
1:57 pm
Chop Buster this is so important in what you said:
Smitty has done well with regular season wins, but fans have moved on and are looking to this team reaching the next level now (Championships).
So if there are any people who think we who are critical are not good fans, we have moved on to a new level and expect more. Critical thought results in improvement.