Mike Smith should’ve given Matt Ryan, offense a chance
Matt Ryan lost for only the second time in 21 home starts.
This season has been about comebacks.
This season has been about the Falcons making plays at the end of games to win.
This season has been about Matt Ryan engineering winning drives against New Orleans, San Francisco, Cincinnati, Baltimore, Green Bay and Tampa Bay.
Whether that magic carries over into the playoffs remains to be seen. But it ran out Monday night. One reason: a bad decision by coach Mike Smith.
With the Saints leading the Falcons 17-14 at the Georgia Dome and less than three minutes remaining, Smith pulled Ryan and the offense off the field. The team faced a fourth-and-6 from the Falcons’ 43 and the head coach went the conservative route.
Smith’s mindset: A good punt could pin New Orleans deep in its zone, the defense looked strong most of the evening and the Falcons could get the ball back in good position.
But that same defense had just allowed Drew Brees and the Saints a go-ahead, 90-yard touchdown drive.
Strategy: Epic fail.
The Saints got the ball back with 2:44 left. They made two first downs and ran out the clock.
Smith has made a lot of good decisions over the past three seasons. This was a bad one.
How do you pull Ryan off the field? The quarterback has been nothing but clutch. He excels in the two-minute offense. He excels in no-huddle. Actually, a case could be made that Ryan often is better in pressure situations and in the fourth quarter than in other situations.
Also worth noting: The Falcons went into the game with the NFL’s best fourth-down percentage (84.6 percent, 11 for 13).
Granted, Ryan wasn’t necessarily at his best Monday night. He completed only 15 of 29 for 148 yards and a touchdown.
But do you know what he didn’t do? He didn’t melt down. Even his counterpart, Brees, did that early in the fourth quarter.
With the Saints leading 10-7, it was Brees who threw a foolish shovel pass as he was being sacked by Jonathan Babineaux in the fourth quarter. The pass was intercepted by Chauncey Davis and returned 26 yards for a touchdown and a 14-10 lead Falcons lead. It was Brees who, on the ensuing New Orleans drive, was pressured and ultimately intercepted by John Abraham.
But in the end, it also was Brees who led the Saints to a 13-play, 90-yard touchdown drive, capped by a six-yard pass to Jimmy Graham.
The Falcons trailed 10-0. But that wasn’t all about Ryan. The Saints’ touchdown was set up by a bad snap by center Todd McClure — the ball never making it to Ryan’s hands. To open the second half, Ryan drove the offense down the field to the New Orleans’ one-yard-line, completing four of five attempts and throwing two passes that led to a pass interference penalty. But Michael Turner was stopped on first down and fumbled on second down.
Two turnovers — a 14-point swing.
Ryan’s seven-yard touchdown pass to Roddy White in the second quarter had closed the score to 10-7. Then came the Turner fumble drive in the third.
In September, Ryan led a comeback win at New Orleans. With the Falcons trailing 21-17 in the fourth quarter, Ryan took them on a nine-play, 85-yard touchdown drive, finishing with a 22-yard score to Roddy White to give Atlanta a 24-21 lead. The Saints rallied for a game-tying field goal, but the Falcons won the game with a field goal in overtime. It was a run-dominated, field goal drive but it was Ryan who set the tone with his calmness.
He wasn’t given that chance Monday night.
If the Falcons win next week over Carolina, their regular season goals will be achieved. They can clinch the NFC South Division, a first-round bye and the top seed in the conference. The memory of this loss will fade quickly.
The Falcons have proven themselves this season. They’re 12-3, still the best record in the NFC. But we know teams and quarterbacks are defined by the playoffs, not regular seasons. That’s not meant at a knock on Ryan. Fact is, everything about him — from his talent to his makeup and his leadership — suggests he will succeed in the playoffs. But consider it the unchecked box on his resume.
Thus far, Ryan has had only one chance. Two years ago as a rookie, he led the Falcons to an 11-5 regular season record but looked average in a playoff loss at Arizona, losing 30-24. Ryan threw two touchdown passes but was intercepted twice, sacked three times and fumbled once during an attempted handoff (leading to a 27-yard return for a touchdown by the Cardinals’ Antrel Rolle).
I remember thinking during and after the game that Ryan didn’t look the same and something must be wrong with him physically. I asked a couple of team officials about him, but the response I got was: Ryan was healthy. It’s just that the playoffs are a step up and the rookie quarterback wasn’t ready for that moment.
This season, Ryan has outdueled four of the league’s top quarterbacks: Brees (New Orleans), Carson Palmer (Cincinnati), Joe Flacco (Baltimore) and Aaron Rodgers (Green Bay). He has the best touchdown-interception ratio (26-9) of his career. He looks ready for the postseason.
It just would’ve been nice to see him get one more chance Monday.
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685 comments Add your comment
Boudreaux from St. Bernards Parish
December 28th, 2010
7:42 am
Tweet this…..Ya Got Beat by the Super Bowl Champs……BOOOM
2 words of advice….
DREW BREES
Boudreaux from St. Bernards Parish
December 28th, 2010
7:44 am
Deveil Dog…I would take you mama back with me to the Big Easy if she weren’t so ugly….Who Dat….FAL-CANT
Mrs. Butterworth
December 28th, 2010
7:48 am
`
Tampa Bay will upset the Aints in the Superdome.
Sports Review
December 28th, 2010
7:51 am
[...] Mike Smith should’ve given Matt Ryan, offense a chance – Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog)This season has been about comebacks. This season has been about the Falcons making plays at the end of games to win. This season has been about Matt Ryan engineering winning drives against New Orleans, San Francisco, Cincinnati, Baltimore, Green Bay and [...]
Give me the Ball
December 28th, 2010
7:53 am
When did Jenkins and Douglas become the top playmakers?
Ryan did not throw it to White in the 2nd half and only 2 Receptions to Gonzo
Throw it to the leading WR and HOF TE in crucial downs not Harry Douglas
mike
December 28th, 2010
7:56 am
Maybe the falcons could become doctors because all the local sports hackers offer nothing but excuses this morning. Reading their columns you would think Atlanta won the game last nught. It’s not the end of the season folks. But starting now, you goobers better start winning or you will be at the local sports bar watching the playoffs as usual.
DHD
December 28th, 2010
7:56 am
This is pretty lame. Coach Smith is the greatest coach in ATL history. I will trust his decisions more than a writer from the AJC who spends most of his time writing about Mike Vick for lack of a real story. Just lame.
Drew Brees
December 28th, 2010
7:57 am
Dear Roddy White: The City of New Orleans accepts your apology.
GEAUX SAINTS!
Give me the Ball
December 28th, 2010
7:58 am
its ok guys
We stole one in NO earlier this season. The Aints returned the favor.
We just need to be more aggressive in playcalling and give the ball to WHITE and GONZO
kaminari
December 28th, 2010
8:00 am
In times of adversity, I look at the positives. We are in first place boys with the chance to clinch a 1st-round bye in the playoffs with only Carolina, the worst in the league, in our way. Let’s wash away this ridiculous performance and look ahead instead. The land of milk and honey is within our reach. Let’s be happy we gave back what we took from N’ohleans earlier this year. It’s the time of giving. The Falcons are still the class of the NFC regardless of what other idiots far outside 285 say. This was a team loss. But let’s lose with dignity and say that the Saints were the better team. Today. Oh wait, that was yesterday.
kaminari
December 28th, 2010
8:02 am
Go Falcons!
Saints R.E.A.M.
December 28th, 2010
8:04 am
Gotta dance with the one you brought. Mike Smith got this lofty record for the Falcons by playing a conservative brand of football. By running the old “3 yard and a cloud of dust” offense & PROTECTING his quarterback with the running game. When the Falcons have a lead it is very effective. The Falcons are not built to come back offensively from multiple scores. They are not built to be unbalanced and throw more than run the football. 4th and 6….dictates that you run a passing play. The Saints are one of the top defenses against the PASS. Falcons fans….you may not like his decision….but it isn’t as bad as everyone is making it out to be.
crunching the numbers
December 28th, 2010
8:06 am
Falcons … 12-3
Saints …… 11-4
TheAntiMe
December 28th, 2010
8:06 am
That’s okay Saints fans. I understand why the game was such a big deal for you last night. That was your Super Bowl. Congratulations on beating the eventual 2010-2011 Super Bowl Champs by the same amount of points that they beat you earlier this year. You must be so proud to get even with a team that, unlike your own, is the pride of the NFC.
Saints R.E.A.M.
December 28th, 2010
8:06 am
I typed on this blog last week…That a loss like this could derail the whole Falcons dream season. Beware the writing is on the wall. Cinderella…..your glass slipper has broken.
Wake Up Call
December 28th, 2010
8:07 am
Well we can Tuesday morning quarterback this one all we want. Bottom line, Mike Malarky’s offense is too predictable to survive the second season. It is time to pull out the same looks and play action on first down. It is time to bring some totally different looks. Where is our short slant passing game, Brees hit open receivers all night on these when he had to. Where was Tony Gonzales? Where is Finneran? We tried to force the run on first down as if we were going to get a thousand chances to get it right. The defense showed up big time tonight (with the exception of Moore’s overpursuit blitzing and going conservative at the end) but the offense didn’t bring it. Time to regroup boys and take care of business. Show some intelligence and creativeness on offense. Steal plays from other teams if you have to for goodness sake. They are out there Malarky! You won’t get a second chance to get this right against smart, talented (and hungry) teams coming your way.
JSS
December 28th, 2010
8:08 am
“Ryan has outdueled four of the league’s top quarterbacks: Brees (New Orleans), Carson Palmer (Cincinnati), Joe Flacco (Baltimore) and Aaron Rodgers (Green Bay).”
Mr. Schultz…
Carson Palmer? Did you mean Carson Daly? Palmer is heading to the Joey Harrington world of missed opportunities…
Saints R.E.A.M.
December 28th, 2010
8:09 am
Our FG kicker gift wrapped the 1st game for the Falcons. Now do you think we have any doubt that we own the Falcons? I hope we play you in the Playoffs. Would love to finish you boys off and wash Roddy’s mouth out with soap while we’re at it.
Chop Buster
December 28th, 2010
8:10 am
These blogs are becoming a place where children hang out in attempts to make themselves feel good about their teams’ win. The Aints got beat at home and now the Falcons lost one game at home. So what? Na, na, boo, boo! Go get a life idiot. It was always the media hyping the Falcons are unbeatable at home…maybe some of our guys started to believe that B.S. Who Dat whatever and all you Vick lovers need to go study your school work–because I know grown men wouldn’t be on an opponents blog with all this silliness. Mighty funny you all were in silent mode while the Falcons were winning. Go back to your closets.
BIGWALLY
December 28th, 2010
8:11 am
Let’s not burn the Falcon for this one, New Orleans wanted it more, Drew Brees pull’s things out of his butt but that is what makes a good quarterback. Matt has only 3 years experience, I think he is doing darn good. Yes I wanted to win last night but the Saints are still a good team. I have a feeling Atlanta will take it out on Carolina next week. Jeff you are right, Smith did blow it, but even coaches make mistakes. I am sure he is thinking about that decision right now.
Tommy
December 28th, 2010
8:13 am
Before everyone jumps off a ledge. .
1) We still win the #1 seed if [when] we beat carolina this weekend.
2) We gave away 14 points, 7 to the saints with a once-in-five-years center fumble and another drop at the 1, turner’s 1st giveaway in 400+ attempts;
3) The team proved it could play a pressure defense and not get burned (this is HUGE). when we let up on that final drive and it cost us the game.
4) Yes, smith should have gone for it. There isn’t much difference between handing the Saints the ball at the 50 or the 25 in that situation. At least we would have gone down fighting.
Ask yourselves.; . .is it better to have skated by the Saints last night, think everything is OK, have the team get overconfident and have what happened last night occur in the first round of the playoffs, or is it better to have this re-focus the team and give them something to think about and prepare for when it really, really counts?
The team didn’t have it last night, and they still almost won. They are 5-3 against teams with winning records. Granted, we’re not the ‘85 Bears, but all of the other NFC teams are quite beatable. We’ll be fine. And if we do blow the Carolina game, we don’t deserve to go to the playoffs to begin with.
NFL seasons are about more than talking trash to people on a message board you’ve never met.
Saints R.E.A.M.
December 28th, 2010
8:13 am
In passing situations Matty is predictable. look for Roddy & Tony ….instead of finding open guys. The Saints limited those guys…and he had to throw to Jenkins most of the night. Matty was uncomfortable reading the defense all night long.
Packer Fan
December 28th, 2010
8:14 am
I hope we meet the Falcons in the playoffs. With the way Green Bay shredded the G-men on Sunday afternoon (500+ total yards), how we hung right in with the Pats while starting our backup QB, and the fact that you only beat us by a field goal and could never put us away on 11/28, I’d love to play the Falcons again.
I think we would win.
This is assuming, of course, that we get through the Bears on Sunday, which I think we will.
Boudreaux from St. Bernards Parish
December 28th, 2010
8:15 am
Crunching the Numbers….
Super Bowl Rings….Saints 1 – Fal-Cants 0
Unitl you win a ring….it just don’t mean a Thing
Vick Rules
December 28th, 2010
8:16 am
The Falcons should have never run Vick out of town. He’ll be in the Super Bowl with the eagles–bank on it, while the falcons go out in round 1 to the Saints or round 2 to the eagles.
bravesfansince66
December 28th, 2010
8:17 am
Two turnovers killed us and we never made any adjustments on our passing routes to take advantage of NO’s loading up the box. On the defensive side we had good pressure all night but when Drew had time he was throwing to the same areas (out route and dump over the middle pass)and the secondary players looked like they were bunched up and giving too much cushion.
AP
December 28th, 2010
8:17 am
Our feature running back has become a liability. He looks tentative, old, devoid of speed and doesn’t possess any moves or ingenuity when he has the ball, not to mention it just looks like he lacks effort. Time to draft a new running back!
elephanthead
December 28th, 2010
8:17 am
You have to put the blame for this one on the coaching staff. CMS- punting the ball away with under 3 minutes was a terrible call. BVG- called a good defensive game with the pressure packages right up until he went soft on the Aints scoring drive to take the lead. Give Brees 3 or 4 seconds and no one in his face and he will eat you alive. Mularkey – the one yard and a cloud of plastic scheme failed again. No imagination again. These guys were coaching not to lose – Payton and his staff were coaching to win. Period.
It should be apparent by now that the O-line is weak. Allowing penetration and getting pushed backwards consistently. Thats not gonna work against good defenses like playoff teams tend to have. Needs an off season rebuild – draft LT, Baker to guard, replace McClure.
Having gotten that off my chest, I still think the Facons have a good chance to make a playoff run if they draw the correct lessons from this. That was big boy football last night and 1 or 2 plays will make the difference in the outcome.
Coaches need to remember an old paratrooper saying “fortune favors the bold”. Go Falcs
Saints R.E.A.M.
December 28th, 2010
8:19 am
What do you prefer? A quarterback that doesn’t make mistakes or a quarterback that makes plays?
Ryan didn’t make mistakes (0 interceptions) but he didn’t make plays….That’s the identity of the Falcons whole team. Conservative.
Brees did make mistakes (2 interceptions) and made plays of all sorts….that’s the identity of the Saints….Aggressive. Take no prisoners….go for the jugular. If you’re gonna lose go down guns a blazing.
Nope the conservative Falcons put their guns down and come out with their hands up…a meek surrender.
until then: Saints Rule Everything Around Me!!!!!
Snake Doc
December 28th, 2010
8:19 am
Someone who would choke an animal with his bare hands is a step away from serial killer monster! Vick deserves a chance to rehabilitate – Still in my book he is low life scum and always will be! Post that up your arse Najeeh Poop!
Give me the Ball
December 28th, 2010
8:19 am
Vick rules:
If Falcons beat the Panthers they will have a 1st round BYE
Turners needs to stop fumbling in crucial games. In his two most important games with the Falcons he fumbles.
1st: playoffs against CArdinals
2nd: last night to clinch division
Does Turner choke? I hope he doesnt fumble in the playoffs
Rob Thomas
December 28th, 2010
8:20 am
I think some people are taking this loss a little too hard. The only thing this really means is that clinching #1 seed will have to wait another week. Sure, it would have been nice to beat the Saints on nat’l television and finally make everyone recognize that this team is real legit contenter, but this only thing this loss will do is keep the Falcons under the radar like they have been all season. Neither team exactly dominated, and the Falcons definitely did not play their best, but they hung with the Saints the entire game and only lost by a field goal. I still think the Falcons are very capable of beating the Saints if they meet again in the playoffs. The most important thing now is to put focus on Carolina next week; win that game, and its like this game never even happened.
And if your still feeling bad, here’s an interesting little fact: The last 2 times 10+ win teams met on MNF, the loser of that game went on to become the eventual Super Bowl winner (1990 Giants, 1997 Broncos; both lost to the 49ers).
jerry
December 28th, 2010
8:21 am
There is only one way to avoid a humongous ass kicking by the Patriots in the SB….lose before they get there.
Snake Doc
December 28th, 2010
8:21 am
I’m still waiting for Ryan to show that he can take over a game, be Bradyesque, when the Falcons can’t run the ball and the Falcons are playing an elite team. Haven’t seen it yet. Without a running game Ryan appears to be pedestrian at best.
TheAntiMe
December 28th, 2010
8:21 am
Boudreaux from St. Bernards Parish
December 28th, 2010
8:15 am
Crunching the Numbers….
Super Bowl Rings….Saints 1 – Fal-Cants 0
Unitl you win a ring….it just don’t mean a Thing
——————————— ——————
Sorry to break it to you Cindy, but your fairy tale ended last year. It’s going to be fun watching the Saints get eliminated while the Falcons are resting during their bye week for being the #1 seed.
On being 12-3
December 28th, 2010
8:22 am
Coach Mike Smith said.
” I think there’s probably 15 teams
that would want to trade with us so I like where we’re at.”
BaseballBuff
December 28th, 2010
8:23 am
Mike Smith made the right call. The offense did not inspire confidence. Matty Ice melted a bit, did not have a good game. Despite the two interceptions, Brees outplayed Ryan by getting it done when he had to.
It’s just one game, a tough loss against a tough team. We’re still going to the Super Bowl.
ctfalconsfan
December 28th, 2010
8:23 am
Ryan had a vey poor showing, 15-29 passing!!
Brees had tons of pressure as ATL was swarming around him all night but he was able to deliver the ball, except one time.. Ryan had more time than Brees but just couldn’t get it moving.
Smithy you have to go for it on 4th down!! Who cares if aints are going to try to kill the ball on their 20 or our 40?? Let your Offense have a shot then play defense if needed..
Ted Striker
December 28th, 2010
8:24 am
Agree with your assessment. Thought the Falcons should’ve called more screens and slants and perhaps a bit more play action early on. I thought the defense played about as good as they could’ve played from an effort standpoint.
Sid
December 28th, 2010
8:26 am
So we split the season………..the Saints didn’t look like champions last night either. We had the talent and team to beat them (again) and we shot ourselves in the foot. But that’s ok because if we have to see them again in the playoffs I know we will win (in our house again). I would not want to have to beat them 3 times in a season, nor would they us. I have no problem with the officiating last night except for the ref calling interference on both players, the ref had to call the interference on the Saints because everyone saw it but then to add interference on both players was a clear intention to negate the play………..a drive killer. We abandoned the running game so early and I am not sure why, you have to keep pounding to put a defense down. Would have liked to seen some passes to Finn but I guess he has to be on the field to accomplish that. Anyway, as a NFL fan a pretty good game, as a Falcons fan it was theirs for the taking and they didn’t do it. Let’s focus on Carolina, time to move on and finish this march to N Collins St, Arlington, TX Feb. 6th.
Saints R.E.A.M.
December 28th, 2010
8:28 am
Trent Dilfer, says that the Saints can beat the Falcons at home. I believe him.
Ry
December 28th, 2010
8:28 am
I agree with you about the decision by Mike Smith. That is the biggest diff. between Falcons and Saints, the coach. Payton is much more aggressive and Smitih is much more conservative. The conservatism kills alot of drives for Atlanta. This time, it cost them the game. I also thought they stuck with the run too long, when it was obvious the Saints were loading the box and playing man coverage. There is no excuse for not exploiting that coverage more, especially with Roddy White. When they did throw down field, they were getting pass interference calls, so why not stick with that and make the Saitns D adjust.
Wake Up Call
December 28th, 2010
8:29 am
Anybody else find it odd that the Saints lovers come out the woodwork on this blog instead of celebrating over on their own site at the Times-Picayune. The few who celebrate here are just looking for a blog fight since they are home from high school with nothing better to do. Some of us are on paid vacation wasting our time doing this! (Anything to avoid taking down Christmas decorations!) TCB Falcons!
JSS
December 28th, 2010
8:30 am
Just finished watching the DVR of Gregg Williams sending Matt Ryan and Mike Mularkey into the male equivalent of toxic shock.
http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-falcons-blog/2010/12/28/qa-sharper-tells-how-they-shut-down-the-falcons/?cxntfid=blogs_atlanta_falcons_blog
For all of you moaning about why Gonzalez (not Gonzales) and White were not able to make more plays; I’ll complement Ryan, he didn’t try to force it to covered targets. The Falcons secondary did exactly what most of their detractors thought they were capable of doing. That was nothing. Jam Harry Douglass at the line and under cut Finneran on his route. That leaves Jenkins, I’ll stop laughing later today… Poor Michael Turner, you people keep deriding him. Ladies and gentlemen, meet Baker, Blalock, McClure, Dahl, and Clabo… Turner could not get out of the backfield, the blame goes to the offensive line… The same goes for the pass protection.
I can not find fault with the defensive… That is as good of a game plan that Van Gorder has ever implemented on the NFL level… Payton is just better in adjusting, no shame in that……
Steve
December 28th, 2010
8:31 am
Falcons split the season series with the defending Super Bowl champions and probably one of the top 4-5 teams in the league and people are hating on them. Sad.
As for Ryan, my take is completely different than you haters. The Saints were getting solid pressure with 3 and 4 rushers all night. when you can do that and still drop 7-8 in coverage it is going to be tough on any QB. That was a failure of the Atlanta OLine. Take a look at the opposite side .. the Falcons were having to send 5 and sometimes 6 guys in order to get pressure on Brees, leaving them in man coverage all over the field .. and Brees still didn’t get ANYTHING done until the last drive. That just shows you how important pressure can be. If the Falcons could have gotten that smae pressure with four rushers instead of 5 or 6 then Brees does nothing. Also .. why did the Falcons stop blitzing on the final Saints drive for a TD? Silly.
On to the real goat. Michael Turner. I am nto talking about the fumble. 500+ carries withotu a fumble is nuts, so I am not going to beat him up for that even thoguh it probably cost us the game. My problem with Turner is that his intensity is lacking. I haven’t seen him run over a player all year. He tip-toes to the line and instead of busting it thru the hole he cuts it outside EVERY TIME. He used to hit up into the dsigned hole, trusting the blocking, and if he made it thru to the second level he was lights out. Now, he runs like a sissy. Time to make Snelling the feature back .. as he runs like he should.
Give me the Ball
December 28th, 2010
8:31 am
Falcons needed to throw more on 1st and 2nd down
They would run the ball on 1st and 2nd down and get in 3rd and long
The Saints then played zone to double cover White. If they passed when Saints were stacking the box on 1st and 2nd down they would have been more successful
Vick Supporter
December 28th, 2010
8:31 am
Vick is the bestest! I wanna have his baby…oh wait I’m a man. But I still love him. *sigh*
geauxsaints
December 28th, 2010
8:31 am
awww, the little sparrows fold to the World Champions. We even spotted you a free TD. We also beat you in week 3.
Saints R.E.A.M.
December 28th, 2010
8:32 am
Boy I’m so happy Brees beat you guys. Now he can come back and REAM me good like I like it.
JSS
December 28th, 2010
8:33 am
“Anybody else find it odd that the Saints lovers come out the woodwork on this blog instead of celebrating over on their own site at the Times-Picayune.”
Many of you said how much you looked forward to gloating over them. Well, be careful what you ask for…