Mistakes aside, onus is on Mularkey to fix Falcons’ offense
Mike Mularkey is getting heat for regression of Matt Ryan and the offense. (Curtis Compton/AJC)
FLOWERY BRANCH – Let’s start with the two biggest mistakes of the Falcons’ offseason.
One was not adequately replacing punter Michael Koenen after he fled for free-agent riches in Tampa. The Falcons drafted Matt Bosher and for some reason have kept him, as if holding out hopes that on one glorious Sunday, the bingo card will hit. The other was letting guard Harvey Dahl leave in free agency. It robbed the offensive line of its toughest, nastiest, limb-ripping creature, which is a problem when management is still waiting for left tackle Sam Baker to evolve into a species more intimidating than a Peep.
But that doesn’t explain everything.
The Falcons are 2-3. Even their most impressive win suddenly isn’t looking so impressive (Philadelphia is 1-4). There is no shortage of problems on defense, but that wasn’t the primary issue in Sunday night’s meltdown against Green Bay. The offense produced two touchdowns and 140 yards in the first two drives, then seemed to be vaporized. The rest of the game produced five punts, four three-and-outs, two interceptions and zero points.
There was a similar fizzle the week before in Seattle. The Falcons led 24-7 at halftime, then produced two field goals in the second half.
Bottom-line numbers: The Falcons, who promised us pyrotechnics, haven’t even provided improvement. They rank 19th in total offense (338.4 yards), 23rd in rushing (98.8), 22nd in pass-efficiency rating (79.9) and 20th in scoring (20.8) — all drops from a year ago. Some of the struggles can be attributed to the wailing wall up front. Quarterback Matt Ryan has been sacked 14 times in five games. He was dropped 23 times all of last season. He also has been less accurate and consistent in his decision-making.
But production or lack thereof generally starts with the guy pulling the strings. In this case, that’s Mike Mularkey.
It’s an offensive coordinator’s job to put players in the best position to win games. Whether the Falcons have become too predictable in play-calling, or players aren’t executing, or for whatever reason can’t stay focused for four quarters, it’s still about coaching and getting players to perform.
Here’s the most remarkable stat that has come out of the Falcons’ slow start: They’ve been outscored 61-13 in the third quarter. When presented those numbers Tuesday, Mularkey’s response was, “We try to score every time we get the ball, so that’s irrelevant to me.”
Should it be?
Coaches make halftime adjustments. The logical conclusion is defensive coaches are adjusting to Falcons’ play-calling and the offense then sputters. In the second halves of five games this season, the offensive has produced 0, 2, 1, 0 and 0 touchdowns. Is that just a coincidence?
Mularkey dismissed the adjustments theory, saying, “That’s the outside sources who would say that.” (I would be the outside source here.) He then pointed to penalties and breakdowns, not play-calling, as reasons for the scoring drop.
“The general public and yourself would not know that unless you studied film, knew what the game plan was and knew what was happening in the first half and not the second half,” he said.
He’s right. I don’t study game film. I also can’t rebuild a transmission, but I’m pretty sure I can tell when one blows up.
Mularkey doesn’t completely absolve himself of culpability (”We have to clean things up, and it starts with me.”) But he doesn’t look at tape on Mondays and declare, “Wow, did I blow that call,” at least not that he admits.
“We’re not doing it consistently now because something has happened in one place or another that has made that drive stall,” he said. “It’s not just penalties or a mistake. It’s a drop, a sack or something else. The same plays are being called.
“You ask if I second-guess myself? No, I don’t. Not like you guys do.”
He’s not too sensitive.
Mularkey actually managed a smile when asked if he was feeling heat.
“This is heat?” he cracked.
That was to be expected from someone who was a head coach in Buffalo (he resigned after two years). But until the turnaround comes, the questions won’t stop, and it’s only going to get hotter.
By Jeff Schultz
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297 comments Add your comment
Dan
October 12th, 2011
12:27 pm
Besides everything else, MattRyan isn’t even the best QB named Matt in the NFL. I’d take Stafford or Schaub before Ryan.
ctfalconsfan
October 12th, 2011
12:31 pm
Let’s not jump on the ‘blame Matt Ryan’ bandwagon when we should all have plenty of room on the ‘blame MM’ bandwagon…
As I have stated before MM would make an excellent OC at the service academies but just not in the NFL. I hope TD and Smitty fix this issue before it’s too late!
Chandler Going Deep..
October 12th, 2011
12:34 pm
Being able to execute the quick 5 yard slants would take a tremendous amount of pressure off your O-line and convert 3rd downs..But MM is covering for his QB who cant make that throw….sad
GooseDawg
October 12th, 2011
12:37 pm
ctfalconsfan,
I agree, our offense has been very anemic during the 3 losses & it simply must do better. I guess I just have some faith that MM can still run an offense, MS is a great coach & leader, & that MR will hit some throws in the near future. If we aren’t at least at 4-4 heading into the home game vs. the Aints, then my worry meter will start to rise. Until then, I think we’re a team trying to find it’s rhythm with some new parts on the O-line & a short preseason to work through the changes.
jjob55
October 12th, 2011
12:41 pm
changing the “play calling” will suddenly make the falcons better?? Amazing if that were possible!!!
Chandler Going Deep..
October 12th, 2011
12:46 pm
dan
October 11th, 2011
9:10 pm
“Let’s put this loss where it belongs: on the players, and in particular the QB play.
My patience is wearing thin for Matty Ice and his development. I don’t understand why he can’t win the close games this year. He did that what: 5 or 6 times last season? Are you seriously telling me that you can’t score a SINGLE TD IN THE SECOND HALF with Roddy, Julio, Tony,and Michael Turner at your disposal? It wasn’t even like Green Bay played that well. Our defense was outmanned vs. the Pack and still managed to get to Rogers 3-4 times. When your defense is playing well the offense has to step up! Did the Falcons REALLY expect to hold Aaron Rogers to under 14 points all game??? C’mon Man! Do the coaches REALLY need to tell Matty Ice to make plays in these situations. I’m growing weary of this “disappear in big games mentality” that Matty Ice has. You’re a 4th year starter!! You’re the franchise QB!! The O-Line isn’t blocking? Tough $hit, craw their arses until they do! That’s what elite QB’s do! That’s why the organization mortgaged their future to give you playmakers! Get your head out of your butt Matt Ryan and grow up!”
LOL….. DAN THE MAN!
falconfan58
October 12th, 2011
12:53 pm
WHY DO COACHES FEEL THAT THEY ARE THE ONLY ONES THAT KNOW HOW TO PLAY FOOTBALL? I KNOW AND SO DO YOU THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT DON’T COACH THAT KNOW A LOT ABOUT FOOTBALL. IT IS NOT ROCKET SCIENCE NOR DOES IT REQUIRE A MASTERS DEGREE. THERE ARE SOME REALLY GOOD COACHES THAT NEVER PLAYER COLLEGE OR PRO FOOTBALL. THE FALCON OFFENSE AND DEFENSIVE SCHEMES SUCK EITHER DUE TO BAD COACHING OR THE WRONG PLAYERS. SIT BACK 15 YARDS ON THIRD AND 10 AND YOU WILL GIVE UP THE FIRST DOWN JUST ABOUT EVERYTIME. STUPID OLD ME BELIEVES IT IS THE WRONG SCHEME FOR THE PLAYERS WE HAVE. AND DON’T FORGET DITH (MR).
Gatorman
October 12th, 2011
12:53 pm
I love you brainless dummies that right “Choke Ryan”, no brains? no life? When it comes to throwing the deep ball, these QB’s couldn’t throw the deep ball: Bart Starr, Joe Montana, Bob Griese. What do they have in common, they won multiple NFL championships. It’s the coordinator that is the problem, and sad thing is, he can’t adapt his offense to his players or the NFL defenses. He’s a cast off from other teams, so why is he here mucking up the Falcons? I said Ryans first, second and last year when they were 13-3. Ryan has not been coached up at all since he left college, just relying on what he learned there. Look for a replacement at the end of the season, and give Mularkey a chance to muck up another teams offense.
falconfan58
October 12th, 2011
12:55 pm
WRITERS, YOU NEED NOT FORGET THAT YOU ARE JUST AS DUMB AS THE REST OF US ACCORDING TO THE FALCON COACHING STAFF. FANS AND WRITERS ONLY COUNT WHEN THINGS ARE GOING GOOD AND THE FANS CAN SUPPLY THE MONEY.
nadsmasher
October 12th, 2011
1:03 pm
No need to do anything next years schedule will fix it all, a sub 500 record will get them an easier schedule
Garcia
October 12th, 2011
1:08 pm
It is not reasonable to make wholesale changes in personnel. In order to turn the season around, the coaching staff has to implement changes to get the most they can from their players.
We need to see different plays and tendencies. Defenses know exactly what to expect and are nullifying our offense.
Mularkey needs to be smart enough to adapt.
QB/DB
October 12th, 2011
1:09 pm
It’s not the OC or MR, it is what you stated at first, Dahl was a beast and they let him get away, look at our OL and DL lines that is not a Super Bowl type team calibre overall. The kicking game falls in that catergory too. And the WR could use another real WR. The Falcons have to seriously look at the way they draft. I mean Green Bay gets people injured and they can plug in productive guys. Sam Shields was an undrafted rookie last year, are you kidding me, no one on the Falcons staff saw to make him a 6 or 7 round pick? The draft has not been productive as they should be. If the Falcons are to make a move they have to look at the trade and free asgents, it is either that or hope GONZALES doesn’t retire and go hard for next year, because that dDIVISION is awesome.
ctfalconsfan
October 12th, 2011
1:10 pm
Regarding this year’s schedule versus last year or next year’s. There are only 2 games decided by a team’s finish the season before. So we play the same 14 games (counting within the divsion) as TB, NO and Carolina.
So the schedule isn’t as big of a factor as it used to be..
GO PACKERS!!!!
October 12th, 2011
1:21 pm
Dear fair weather fans… and that means all native Atlantans. The Falcons will pick it up and make the playoffs as a wild card team. Stop whining and support the team.
DJ Sniper
October 12th, 2011
1:23 pm
Can somebody please ask this coaching staff why they aren’t using Jaquizz Rogers? Over the past 2 games, he’s come in and made some good plays, and then they sit him on the bench for the entire second half. It’s clear to everybody that his speed and playing style can give this offense a huge boost.
NS frrom Kennesaw
October 12th, 2011
1:24 pm
The NFL lockout still cause betterness that leads me to just watch the Falcons on TV. With MM attitude like this, I’d probably spend my Sunday afternoon playing golf.
Why continue to spend out hard earn money to follow them???? These people got paid soo much that the fans have become irrevant !!
iceBIRDcold11
October 12th, 2011
1:29 pm
Matty melted ice needs it to get cold fast. The defense played better against a better offense and truly gave us a chance against Green Bay. We should have beat TB but the punchless 2nd half offense DID NOT MAKE ADJUSTMENTS at halftime. The GREAT teams who are consistent make adjustments to WIN THE DAMN GAME.
LifetimeFalconFan
October 12th, 2011
1:30 pm
Im going to say what Jeff is trying to say, but isnt allowed to: Its time we fire Mularkey. Its clear as day. He repeatedly sends Turner up the gut on first down. Everyone knows its coming and he still runs it. He calls the wrong plays at the wrong time ALL THE TIME. We need to bring in Billick and let him run the offense and Smitty run the defense. The Packers dont have that much more talent than we do, they just have better coaching. Think about it. FIRE MULARKEY.
ctfalconsfan
October 12th, 2011
1:34 pm
Hey lifetime, I agree I think our offensive talent is as good as GB or any team in the NFL however our coaching is not.
I like Smitty but I feel on Sunday’s that we are always being out-coached…
Mr Charlie
October 12th, 2011
1:36 pm
Do you know:
* This is Ryans 4th year in the league, it is Rodgers 7th
* In 2008, both Rogers and Ryan became full time starter
* In that time, the Falcons hold a better regular season record (this season included)
* In that time, the head to head record is 2-2
* Over that time, both teams have made the playoffs twice
* Over that time, we both lost in the Wild Card round the Arizona
* If we win next week, we will be 3-3. Green Bay was 3-3 after 6 games last year
Conclusion:
Something just clicked for McCarthy and the Pack last year, but up until that point, our teams have been eerily similar. Can something click for the Falcons?
L Boogie
October 12th, 2011
1:40 pm
Mularkey and Smith are pussyfooting around the subjects: Ryan isn’t what we thought he was, play calling is horrible, defense is soft and we can’t tackle anybody. Scrap It!
jbcatl
October 12th, 2011
1:41 pm
This team will be on a slow fizzle until two years from now Arthur Blank is forced to admit that it’s time to clean house. I don’t think Matt Ryan is as bad as he’s played, but he hasn’t played well, and is in danger of a season ending injury every time he puts his protection in the hands of our swiss cheese offensive line.
Then there’s Michael “Slow Burn” Turner who takes about 10 yards to get up to speed, but usually is stuffed after 3 very difficult yards up the middle.
I see little imagination in this offense and Roddy White just has not been as open this year as he was last year, even with Julio supposedly drawing some of the defense’s attention.
I just think we lack talent in way too many positions, particularly on the offensive line, running back and basically 90% of the defense. We are just a team with below average talent and at best average coaching. The other night we went up against the best team and QB in the league and were lucky it wasn’t a first half blow out.
Sputtering
October 12th, 2011
1:42 pm
Check out who has the most drops in the NFL:
http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcsouth/post/_/id/26128/guess-who-leads-nfl-in-dropped-passes-2
ctfalconsfan
October 12th, 2011
1:42 pm
Fair comment Mr. Charlie but I still don’t like MM
Pile of Mularkey
October 12th, 2011
1:51 pm
Here is the 2nd Half Falcons possessions, which I wanted to go back and look at relative to Mularkey.
1st Possession: MM trys to get run established in his conservative predictable way. Clabo penalty on a 3rd and 2 that should not have been a running play. Sorry MM Clabo penalty does not take you off the hook.
1st and 10 at ATL 39
M.Turner left tackle to ATL 42 for 3 yards (B.Raji). PENALTY on GB-E.Walden, Illegal Use of Hands, 5 yards, enforced at ATL 42.
1st and 10 at ATL 47
M.Turner left end to GB 48 for 5 yards (C.Woodson; C.Peprah).
2nd and 5 at GB 48
M.Turner left guard to GB 46 for 2 yards (B.Raji; C.Wilson).
3rd and 3 at GB 46
M.Ryan pass short right to R.White to GB 38 for 8 yards (T.Williams) [C.Matthews].
TYPICAL MULARKEY 2 RUNS and THROW
1st and 10 at GB 38
J.Snelling left guard to GB 36 for 2 yards (C.Peprah).
RIGHT BACK AT IT
2nd and 8 at GB 36
M.Ryan pass short left to T.Gonzalez to GB 30 for 6 yards (R.Pickett).
AGAIN – ROUTES THAT ARE SHORT OF FIRST DOWN YARDAGE
3rd and 2 at GB 30
J.Snelling up the middle to GB 29 for 1 yard (D.Bishop). PENALTY on ATL-T.Clabo, Illegal Use of Hands, 10 yards, enforced at GB 30 – No Play.
CLABO NO DOUBT HURTS DRIVE – BUT HERE AGAIN RUNNING ON 3RD AND 2 ,,BUT MAY HAVE GONE FOR IT ON 4th.
3rd and 12 at GB 40
(Shotgun) M.Ryan pass incomplete short right to J.Rodgers.
CRITICAL PLAY – MM CALLS FOR LOW PERCENTAGE SHORT PASS THAT HE THINKS WILL RESULT IN YARDS AFTER CATCH
4th and 12 at GB 40
M.Bosher punts 24 yards to GB 16, Center-J.Zelenka, fair catch by R.Cobb
2nd Possession: MM THROWS UNNECESSARY DEEP BALL on 2nd and 4
1st and 10 at ATL 20
M.Ryan pass short middle to T.Gonzalez to ATL 35 for 15 yards (A.Hawk). PENALTY on ATL-J.Jones, Illegal Formation, 5 yards, enforced at ATL 20 – No Play.
JULIO JONES ROOKIE MISTAKE HURTS – CREDIT TO MULARKEY ON THE PLAY CALL
1st and 15 at ATL 15
(Shotgun) M.Ryan pass short right to R.White to ATL 26 for 11 yards (C.Peprah).
AGAIN – OK CALL BY MM
2nd and 4 at ATL 26
M.Ryan pass incomplete deep left to J.Jones (S.Shields).
POORLY THROWN LOW PERCENTAGE PLAY THAT RYAN USUALLY THROWS OUT OF BOUNDS OR BEYOND THE RECEIVER…WHICH HE DID. COULD HAVE WAITED TO GET 1st DOWN BEFORE GOING FOR BROKE AND FORCING 3rd DOWN CRITICAL PLAY
3rd and 4 at ATL 26
(Shotgun) M.Ryan pass incomplete short left to H.Douglas.
COULD NOT RECALL WHAT HAPPENED HERE (i.e. DOUGLAS DROPPING THIS PASS OR POOR THROW)??
4th and 4 at ATL 26
M.Bosher punts 47 yards to GB 27, Center-J.Zelenka. R.Cobb to GB 30 for 3 yards (M.Peterson).
3rd Possession: CLASSIC MM ,,RUN ON 1ST ,,THROW SHORT ON 2nd ,,NOT SURE WHAT THE 3rd PLAY WHERE RECEIVERS WERE COVERED AND RYAN DID HIS WUSS SLIDE ,, BUT MM’s CLASSIC PREDICTABLE PLAYCALLING ON 1st AND 2nd DOWN SETS UP 3rd AND LONG. RODDY PENALTY WOULD NOT HAVE MATTERED MM…STILL WOULD HAVE HAD SH!TTY PUNTER ON FIELD.
1st and 10 at ATL 20
M.Turner right guard to ATL 20 for no gain (D.Bishop).
CLASSIC
2nd and 10 at ATL 20
M.Ryan pass incomplete short right to R.White [E.Walden].
AGAIN SHORT PASS
3rd and 10 at ATL 20
M.Ryan scrambles up the middle to ATL 29 for 9 yards (E.Walden). PENALTY on ATL-R.White, Unsportsmanlike Conduct, 14 yards, enforced at ATL 29.
RYAN PU$$Y …RODDY STUPID
4th and 15 at ATL 15
M.Bosher punts 38 yards to GB 47, Center-J.Zelenka, fair catch by R.Cobb. PENALTY on GB, Unsportsmanlike Conduct, 15 yards, enforced at GB 47. Penalty called on GB bench for coming onto the field, after receiving three warnings from officials
4th Possession: AGAIN GOES WITH LOW PERCENTAGE DEEP BALL ,,BUT AT LEAST HE DID NOT CALL FOR RUN ON 1st PLAY!! DECIDES TO THROW ANOTHER LOW % DEEP BALL ON 3rd AND 7 ,,WHICH WAS NOT ONLY UNNECESSARY BUT WOULD NOT BE IN THAT POSITION IF THEY HAD NOT GONE WITH UNDERNEATH PASS ON 2nd AND 10.
1st and 10 at ATL 22
M.Ryan pass incomplete deep left to J.Jones.
AGAIN THROWS LOW PERCENTAGE – FROM A RYAN STANDPOINT DEEP ROUTE ..POORLY THROWN BALL…JONES PULLS HAMMY TRYING TO GET TO IT.
2nd and 10 at ATL 22
(Shotgun) M.Ryan pass short right to H.Douglas to ATL 25 for 3 yards (A.Hawk).
CLASSIC UNDERNEATH SHORT YARDAGE SETTING UP 3RD AND CRRITICAL
3rd and 7 at ATL 25
(Shotgun) M.Ryan pass deep right to H.Douglas pushed ob at ATL 46 for 21 yards (T.Williams) [J.Bush]. Green Bay challenged the pass completion ruling, and the play was REVERSED. (Shotgun) M.Ryan pass incomplete deep right to H.Douglas [J.Bush].
WELL THROWN BALL BY RYAN,,BUT AGAIN LOW PERCENTAGE WHEN ALL THEY NEEDED WAS 7 YARDS
4th and 7 at ATL 25
M.Bosher punts 45 yards to GB 30, Center-J.Zelenka, fair catch by R.Cobb
5th Possession: AGAIN,, STARTS WITH RUN ON 1st AND GETS LUCKY WITH PENALTY. GOES WITH A RUN ON 2nd AND 7 AND LOOKS BRILLIANT WHEN TURNER GAINS 8…BUT ON 2nd AND 21 ..INSTEAD OF TRYING TO GET SOMETHING THAT IS 10 TO 20 YARDS ..THROWS ALL OUT BOMB FOR AN INTERCEPTION..NOT SO BRILLIANT!!
1st and 10 at ATL 16
M.Turner right guard to ATL 18 for 2 yards (C.Matthews). PENALTY on GB-A.Hawk, Unnecessary Roughness, 15 yards, enforced at ATL 18.
1st and 10 at ATL 33
M.Ryan pass short right to E.Weems pushed ob at ATL 37 for 4 yards (A.Hawk).
2nd and 6 at ATL 37
M.Ryan pass deep right to T.Gonzalez to GB 40 for 23 yards (D.Bishop, C.Peprah).
BEST PLAY OF 2nd HALF
1st and 10 at GB 40
(Shotgun) M.Ryan pass short right to R.White to GB 37 for 3 yards (M.Burnett).
2nd and 7 at GB 37
M.Turner up the middle to GB 29 for 8 yards (D.Bishop).
1st and 10 at GB 29
M.Ryan sacked at GB 40 for -11 yards (D.Bishop).
O-LINE
2nd and 21 at GB 40
(Shotgun) M.Ryan pass deep middle intended for T.Gonzalez INTERCEPTED by C.Peprah [C.Matthews] at GB 14. C.Peprah to GB 22 for 8 yards (T.Gonzalez).
AGAIN – ANOTHER DEEP LOW PERCENTAGE BOMB
6th Possession: IT’S OVER!!
1st and 10 at ATL 20
(Shotgun) M.Ryan pass short right to R.White ran ob at ATL 35 for 15 yards.
1st and 10 at ATL 35
(Shotgun) M.Ryan pass short right to T.Gonzalez to ATL 47 for 12 yards (T.Williams; M.Burnett). Penalty on GB-D.Bishop, Defensive Holding, declined.
1st and 10 at ATL 47
(Shotgun) M.Ryan pass short right to T.Gonzalez pushed ob at ATL 49 for 2 yards (T.Williams).
2nd and 8 at ATL 49
(Shotgun) M.Ryan pass incomplete short right.
3rd and 8 at ATL 49
(Shotgun) M.Ryan pass deep left intended for R.White INTERCEPTED by J.Bush at GB 30. J.Bush to ATL 35 for 35 yards (J.Rodgers).
HOW DOES THIS ARROGANT PRICK DEFEND THIS WITH BLAMING PENALTIES AND EXECUTION …. NEITHER OF WHICH LETS HIM AND HIS PAINT BY NUMBERS PLAY CALLING OFF THE HOOK. CRITICAL DEEP PASS PLAYS AT THE WRONG TIME HURT MORE THAN HIS RUNNING PLAYS.
Falcon James
October 12th, 2011
1:53 pm
I sees most all the falcon fan are on the James badwaggon now. If I say it once, I says it 20 time. the falcon need to be more aggressive on both side of the ball, but especially on offence and defence. now everybody see that dunta overpaid, abe too old and injured, ryan arm too week, turner leg tired, roddy back to dropping pass (knew that would happen, roddy lazy and lay out of practice all summer, gonzalez is too old like abe. our only hope still is bryant. he must have a different coach.
DJ Sniper
October 12th, 2011
1:54 pm
Overall, talent isn’t a major issue. We do need upgrades at some positions, namely left tackle and punter, but a major overhaul isn’t the answer. It’s mainly coaching at this point.
Florida Guy
October 12th, 2011
1:56 pm
I hate to admit this, because I am a Matt Ryan fan–huge fan, but it appears the falcons must adjust to his level of arm strength if they’re going to be successful. Matt is going to be a good quarterback, but he doesn’t have an arm like some of these other guys. That’s fine. Brady isn’t a big arm guy, now is Brees, but they are extremely accurate. Matt has to improve accurancy, and Mularkey has to shorten his field. A coordinator must emphasize the strengths, and minimize the weaknesses. This isn’t happening, and they certainly are not tailoring their game plans to this end.
Fire Mularkey!
October 12th, 2011
2:05 pm
I can’t think of one single offense in the entire league which is more pitiful more atocious and is as predictable as the Falcon offense.. That’s including JAC. I hate everything last thing about Mularkey’s offensive scheme!!!
Fire him now and lets move on.
Mr Charlie
October 12th, 2011
2:09 pm
Falcons were 19-27 the 3 season prior to MM, they are 33-15 the next 3. If everyone sucks, how does this happen? Sure, we are 2-3 and looking a little lost, but geez, don’t these guys deserve a full season before we set their fate?
OPEN YOUR EYES
October 12th, 2011
2:13 pm
@FIRE MULARKEY- FINALLY SOMEBODY THAT GETS ME LOL!!!!!
Fire Mularkey!
October 12th, 2011
2:18 pm
Pile of Mularkey puts his thumb on another shortcomming: CRITICAL PLAY – MM CALLS FOR LOW PERCENTAGE SHORT PASS THAT HE THINKS WILL RESULT IN YARDS AFTER CATCH.
I’ve seen them continually throw the most difficult damn passes in football in order to convert 3rd and short.. Over and over again. I don’t get it. They are low percentage plays where so many things can go wrong. Other teams don’t do that. It’s garbage! They can’t run no dam draws. they don’t bother with screens no Rodgers out in the flats.. All they run is that damn 20 yd flag to Roddy White which he barely catches on the sideline.. Even that play is a very difficult pass to complete.
bottom line: Fire Mularkey now!
DMHUDGINS
October 12th, 2011
2:34 pm
hire Ralph Friedgen!!! I second that
Chandler Going Deep..
October 12th, 2011
2:37 pm
Sunday night proved GB O is more advance and talented then the Falcons O..
Arron is 3X> Matt. How many GB teammates caught balls, 12?Rogers put on a clinic for millions to see!
Seek help immediately!….lol
…Dont get it twisted…
gt
October 12th, 2011
2:37 pm
I am with Mularkey that is not much heat. And if there is heat the front office has got to be in that mess somewhere. The offensive line was really good last year and really bad this year. Some of that is because the center has been missing and some of that is because Baker really sucks this year along with loosing the heart and soul of this line to free agency. This really negates Jones who can’t run deep while his quarterback in getting mugged.
clean house
October 12th, 2011
2:42 pm
if the falcons miss the playoffs, blank needs to clean house and get rid of mckay, dimitroff and smith and get top people who know what they are doing.
ctfalconsfan
October 12th, 2011
2:42 pm
Mr Charlie, we are 33-15 despite MM not because of him…
I wanted him removed last year as you can go back to several games in which we scored 0-2 offensive TD’S.. That wasn’t getting the job done then and so now he has more talent to work with and the team continues to struggle.
Let me refresh everyone’s memory about 2010
Pitt – 0 TD’s
San Fran, Clev, Saints(H) – 1 TD per game
Philly, GB – 2 TD each game
So our high powered offense scored 2 TD’s or less in 6 games!!!! THAT IS TERRIBLE!
MM is indeed the problem!
ctfalconsfan
October 12th, 2011
2:45 pm
I hope we win this week 9-0 and fire Mularkey Monday am!!
Dee
October 12th, 2011
2:49 pm
People who think that Ryan is the problem are idiots. Mularkey’s the problem. There’s a reason he absconded from Buffalo and why the Steelers won those SBs AFTER he left them.
Justin
October 12th, 2011
2:52 pm
Matt has no arm!
JASon
October 12th, 2011
3:00 pm
Wow, Jeff, this is actually a great article. You must have been reading my and other’s messages on here. You don’t have to keep changing your opinion, either; everything you said is spot on and it falls COMPLETELY on Mularkey and the conservative offensive mindset of this team. Its been this way for 4 years. We get a lead, and sit on it! We run the ball first. No matter what they promise, no matter how many big name playmakers they get on offense, they are going to be running that football on first down every time.
Chandler Going Deep..
October 12th, 2011
3:00 pm
The Falcons front 7 actually was putting good pressure on Arron is the 1st half. So what did Arron started doing to negate the blitzes coming his way?
He took 3 step drops and attacked the middle of the field and in 3rd and short situations, he would hit those quick slants to convert the 3rd downs!
A Clinic….
ctfalconsfan
October 12th, 2011
3:02 pm
Chris it was a clinic and I hope MM took notes and will use it this week in practice but somehow i doubt it!
warfalcon
October 12th, 2011
3:03 pm
“We try to score every time we get the ball, so that’s irrelevant to me.”
WHAT KIND OF FREAKIN STATEMENT IS THAT.MM YOU BETTER DO SOMETHING THE REST OF THE YEAR WITH THAT OFFENSE WITH A STATEMENT LIKE THAT. IRRELEVANT WOW.
monty
October 12th, 2011
3:03 pm
Look at New Orlean’s offense,and Green Bay’s, then look at the Falcons. It’s like looking at 2 well oiled machines and a machine that hits on 1/2 it’s cylinders. We had a supposed good game against Aaron Rodgers and he just missed 400 yds. passing. Personnel or play calling I don’t know, but Roddy doesn’t scare anybody, and Gonzo is 8 yards and a cloud of dust, Turner, 3.5 yds. and more dust. Without Julio there’s nothing to get you down the field in a hurry.
Chandler Going Deep..
October 12th, 2011
3:04 pm
Ryan has to start winning the money games….Blah 37-16? AND?
How many playoff games has Flaco won?
Mgibby
October 12th, 2011
3:16 pm
Aside from the BS holding call on Clay Mathews, The Birds stopped themselves offensively with a bunch of false start/Holding penalties. Add that to the fact that neither the O/D line can generate any push against any team and its obvious they have some issues to address.
With that said, the Sched gets easier after the bye, and they have time to come up with a fix. It would be nice to see Ryan hit on a deep pass once in a while tho!
Mack
October 12th, 2011
3:21 pm
Enter your comments here
SirReal
October 12th, 2011
3:25 pm
@Florida Guy Are you serious?! Brees and Brady can FLING it with accuracy anywhere. Ive seen Brees do it to Atlanta more than once. Ryan cant fling it. I dont know who’s worse. Ryan or MM. Maybe the relationship at this point is mutually UN-beneficial to both parties. MM needs to go somewhere else. Turkey Neck Ryan needs to get in the weigth room. Baker should have been traded. This whole organization is stubborn and doesnt really wanna win. They just dont wanna lose. I’m glad I took my emotions out of this years ago when I realized 1) Its just a kids game grown men get paid handsomely to play 2) People ALL sports are manipulated. They already know who they want to win. Why do you think you see the same teams most of the time and a few upstarts to break up the monotony. 3) I been a fan for 20 years. It seems like the same thing just a different regime. I just dont see a contender.
icedawg
October 12th, 2011
3:26 pm
Could the problems be lesser talent which shows up in poor execution? Face it, inconsistent blocking (the lack of) on offense is not producing a running game nor pass protection. Like last year, especially the end of last year, the defense is not stopping people and that affects the offense being able to develop a rhythm. The Falcons won’t get to the playoffs in this condition.