Mike Smith acknowedges Falcons don’t seem focused
Mike Smith is trying to figure out the reason for Falcons' inconsistencies. (Curtis Compton/AJC)
Over the past several weeks, the Falcons have dropped too many passed passes, committed too many penalties, missed too many blocks, allowed too many sacks, blown too many coverages, committed too many turnovers and, certainly in the case of quarterback Matt Ryan, overthrown too many receivers.
If they are not a mediocre team, they are at least playing like one.
Maybe few expected another 13-3 record this season, given a more difficult schedule. But to have largely the same core group of veterans in Year 4, possess this much talent and stand only 7-5 — which includes some relative hiccups for wins — should set off alarms.
The Falcons probably will play well at Carolina on Sunday. It’s what they do after bad losses, and last weekend’s loss to third-string quarterback T.J. Yates and the beat-up Houston Texans certainly qualifies as bad.
But any comfort level about the Falcons moving forward is long gone. So is any thought that they won’t be one-and-done in the postseason again.
There’s a focus problem. There’s a discipline problem. The aforementioned maladies – penalties, drops, turnovers – are physical mistakes that generally stem from mental lapses. Veteran teams should be past that by December. Thomas Dimitroff, the general manager, knows it. So does coach Mike Smith.
Early in the season, Smith reminded his players that they needed to play “with consistency, smart and with focus.”
Then a few weeks ago, he shuffled the order of those three things. “I said, ‘Guys, maybe I’m not coming across the right way. The first thing we have to do is have zoom focus.’”
Requiring that reminder is not a good sign.
Players love Smith. He and his coaching staff have had a lot of success in four seasons. But when players seem to drift into and out of consciousness, there are difficult questions that have to be asked. Like this one: Are they listening?
Smith doesn’t believe that’s a problem, but he agrees something is off.
“Physical and mental toughness, physical and mental preparation, they go hand in hand,” he said while sitting in office, which overlooks the Falcons’ practice fields at Flowery Branch. “The thing that we have going on right now is we have not played with focus. We have not played smart. When you don’t play with focus and you don’t play smart, you don’t play with consistency. It is a fine line between being 10-2 [the Falcons' record through 12 games last year] and being 7-5.”
Identifying the problems is the easy part. Smith can read from a sheet and go down a list of statistics that illustrate how his team has slipped in several areas this season. The most glaring: They have 74 penalties, which is tied for 13th best in the NFL. That’s already more than the 58 they had all of last season, when they were the NFL’s least-penalized team. Holding and personal fouls are way up.
Turnover differential has gone from a plus-14 in 2010 to minus-1 so far this season. There’s no official statistic on drops, but the Falcons had at least seven in Houston.
But this is kind of like going to a doctor and hearing him say, “You’re sneezing more this year.”
OK. But why?
“You can’t attribute it to the [lockout] and the offseason — everybody’s on the same playing field,” Smith said. “We’re not playing with focus and we’re not playing smart, but I can’t sit here and pinpoint why. We try to do that every week. … It’s very subjective. It’s not like you’re doing a mathematical formula where you can absolutely prove something.”
Veteran center Todd McClure said players are tuned in to Smith and his assistants. But he said the team’s mental lapses “definitely is a concern. The thing I keep thinking about though is the Green Bay Packers were in a similar situation last year, and then for some reason they started clicking. I know that’s saying a lot — Green Bay. But there’s that part that says we haven’t played our best football yet. If we do that, we can play with anybody.”
Maybe. But 7-5 doesn’t project greatness. And in the words of wide receiver Roddy White, “We better start clicking because it’s almost getting too late.”
By Jeff Schultz
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267 comments Add your comment
heartofdarkness
December 9th, 2011
5:41 pm
There were some encouraging developments in the design of the offensive pass plays last week. Lateral routes are getting receivers open on third down, but the Falcons haven’t developed much chemistry on vertical routes. More than anything, they have no ability to blitz the passer, which one would have expected last week with a QB making his first start.
On the bright side, there is a lot of tactics that are pretty standard throughout the league, which if incorporated at the right time, could make the Falcons much more formidable. If the coach is saying, “Hey, we’re teaching these tactics during the week, but it’s up to the players to execute them properly”, then it will be an off-season of discussions about personnel changes.
Pete
December 9th, 2011
5:46 pm
Remember we faced the toughest defense in the NFL last week. I was disappointed in the Falcons, especially all those dropped passes, but was also very impressed with Texas’s defense. We won’t face another defense that good again this year (unless we see Texas in the Superbowl
.
Falcon Pete
December 9th, 2011
5:47 pm
No big deal–the falcons were just flat against the texans, expecting an easy win with their 3rd team QB. Against carolina, an angry bunch of falcons will show up and shut down cam newton—look for an easy blowout win!! Falcons will make the playoffs–book it!
SilentCC
December 9th, 2011
5:48 pm
I watch the Falcons. Then I watch other teams Sunday night, Monday night. And the only word I can come up with that identifies the way the Falcons play is — plodding, like it’s a chore for them to move people off the line or run routes. Everything seems to bunch up in the middle and there’s no where to go from a handoff.
Maybe that’s an issue for Ryan, who may not be getting the crisp, strong play from his line he needs.
Stepchild
December 9th, 2011
5:49 pm
Fold up the tent and pack your bags! This season is over! Mike Smith doesn’t know how to fix them. He is supposed to be the answer man, the ultimate leader that has if not the answer at least A PLAN OF ACTION! He is confused and wishing that things just magically get better. They won’t. He’s got to do something to shake this group up….I don’t know…maybe bench Roddy for a few plays for dropping passes…he’s got to chew someone’s @ss up!!! Throw a chair..something.
The season is over when you start wishing you could turn into the GB Packers from last year…..nope the glass slipper has broken Cinderella and the clock has struck 12!! Your Dream season from last year is over and the nightmare shall commence. Gee Whiz….same old Falcons again.
JD
December 9th, 2011
6:04 pm
It’s all about desire and being hungry. Where’s the fire when playing a good team? Any team?
Falcon’s lack the intelligence to play smart or the killer instinct to put teams away.
Mike Smith and staff need to show some fire as well…ever see Madden or Ditka stand by
like these coaches, making excuses? They demanded max effort and players either gave it or were benched. If these guys can’t perform…replace em.
Michael M.
December 9th, 2011
6:08 pm
Falcons aren’t going anywhere……………………………..but around and around in circles
Saint Hiram
December 9th, 2011
6:15 pm
you said it brother
Tech75
December 9th, 2011
6:16 pm
Teams are a reflection of their coaches personalities.
‘Nuff said.
dawggone
December 9th, 2011
6:17 pm
Hey Coach Smith, ever think about sitting someone’s butt on the bench for dropped passes.How about that expensive defense end we got from the vikings who can’t even sniff a QB sack. How about tip toe thru the tulpis Turner. Oh yea thats right, this is the NFL, we wouldn’t ever think of doing that to our boy’s. The coach’s that win in the NFL aren’t player’s coach, their don’t give a sh!t what you think just do your job or I’ll find someone who will type of coach.
Saint Hiram
December 9th, 2011
6:21 pm
are you asking smitty to something that would be “uncharacteristic “.? thats his favorite post game word if ya haven’t noticed
dawggone
December 9th, 2011
6:21 pm
my boss acknowledged that I didn’t seem focused so far this year and guess what. I got fired today.
Doug
December 9th, 2011
6:26 pm
If the texans had been healthy, they would have won by 4 tds
Pathetic these losers couldn’t beat 3rd stringers.
Bill
December 9th, 2011
6:34 pm
The difference between last years 13-3, and this years 7-5 comes down to what happens in close games. Last year, the Falcons won virtually all of the close games. This year it is maybe 50-50. The difference is a fine line. This years 7-5 is not that far off from last years 13-3. Just the important little things. At any time, it could click and everything start to work again. It happened to Green Bay last year.
Saint Hiram
December 9th, 2011
6:40 pm
don’t forget the ref help that is not so prevalent this year
Mr Charlie
December 9th, 2011
6:53 pm
Bill, difference between 9-3 is two dropped passes by Roddy white in the endzone….maybe 10-2 if JJ hangs onto the ball Sunday. But in the NFL, you are what your record says.
PK
December 9th, 2011
7:15 pm
dawg gone
don’t worry another walmart or mcdonalds will hire you! lmao
Jeff O
December 9th, 2011
7:20 pm
Bill the problem is the falcons are suppose to be a better team than last year(not record wise but performance). And they clearly aren’t. They added a top receiver, giving up way too much, they added edwards and retained nearly everyone from last year. Ryans numbers are not as good as last years through 12 games. They struggle to beat the yikes with no Adrian P. They lose badly to the Texans with their 3rd string rookie qb and their best player out for almost a half. And they still couldn’t stop the run. Pathetic
falcon
December 9th, 2011
7:32 pm
Think back to last year. We won several games right at the end. We won 1 game vs SF that we should not have won. We weren’t that good last year and we’re not that good this year. Matt Ryan is slow as Christmas. Our OC is a dinosaur who does not believe in slowing down the pass rush with screen passes, such as NO and GB use sucessfully. MT runs like he’s dragging a grand piano behind him. Roddy White is a hothead and has hands of stone. Get over it people, we aint that good.
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
December 9th, 2011
7:49 pm
So Mr. PUNK COWARD Charlie has crawled from under his Bunker
Your boy looked real elite vs that rookie
Told ya CHOKE is nothing more than a clip board holder
whodat70816
December 9th, 2011
7:50 pm
GEEZ it’s no fun smack talking against the Falcons if their own fans are smack talking against them.
Or is this plot to get Saints fans to stop posting here?
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
December 9th, 2011
7:51 pm
Cam will give him a few pointers
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
December 9th, 2011
7:54 pm
That Mike Vick curse is foreverrrr
Falcants will never win another playoff game.
2004 & counting SUCKAS
Najeh Davenpoop
December 9th, 2011
8:11 pm
“Jesus, Roddy what were you thinking?
Her name is Stacey HOTT. If that’s not a red flag, I don’t know what is.”
Maybe if Roddy had made a classy portrait with her, she wouldn’t be so upset.
bobby's Cox
December 9th, 2011
8:14 pm
Everyone who has lived in atlanta all their life should read D-man’s comments:
D-Man
December 9th, 2011
4:45 pm
It seems to be the same thing with ALL Atlanta teams – underachieving shoulda beens. When the stakes are not high we fly, when the stakes ARE high we fold like a lawn chair. Same thing year in, year out. I’m all for being positive but day-um when will the Falcons, Hawks, and Braves play well when they are either supposed to (see last week’s loss to the Texans) or when it matters (pick ANY playoff run with any one of these teams)? It’s either fall on your face on the last day of the season (Braves), be on the wrong side of the most lopsided playoff loss in NBA history (Hawks), or have the #1 seed, a bye, and home field advantage only to get prison violated by a team that barely made the playoffs (Falcons). This list is so long over the last THIRTY years and people wonder why the fans here are apathetic? C’mon get it together! I only got about 50 years left in me b4 I die mannnn!
the truth Sux doesnt it?
bobby's Cox
December 9th, 2011
8:19 pm
And “Matt Choke Ryan”,
You really gotta get out of the house more. Find a boyfriend. Find a girlfriend. Take out the garbage. Read a book. Eat the peanuts out of someone’s sh!t. Anything, but the same old crap!!
Mtn Falcon
December 9th, 2011
8:20 pm
Falcons better “Rise Up” Sunday
JSS
December 9th, 2011
8:25 pm
@ Davenpoop…
That never gets old!!!
@ MCR…
Henny Youngman had a 7 decade career telling a version of the same joke… That never gets old either! It’s your stick, Playa!!!
jerry
December 9th, 2011
8:35 pm
Ask any Falcon player and he will tell you how good they are. “We can play with anybody”. Do it and then talk about it or shut the fu.
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
December 9th, 2011
8:43 pm
bby’s Cox
December 9th, 2011
8:19 pm
And “Matt Choke Ryan”,
You really gotta get out of the house more. Find a boyfriend. Find a girlfriend. Take out the garbage. Read a book. Eat the peanuts out of someone’s sh!t. Anything, but the same old crap!!
______________________________________
Don’t shoot the messenger – Shoot CHOKE for stinking up the place
If you want some new crap, then erase the legacy of no playoff wins since 2004
Don’t be madddd
…… Be happy……… 
I know I’m happy everytime CHOKE makes you fools look stupid for praising him
Vernal Equinox
December 9th, 2011
8:46 pm
It’s time for Blank to sell the team, and move them to Los Angeles. Atlanta will never have a championship team. It’s too goofy of a town.
JSS
December 9th, 2011
9:08 pm
Four words that show you’re in the Atlanta version of “Groundhogs Day:” “Falcons better “Rise Up” Sunday!”
fan of falcons
December 9th, 2011
9:09 pm
hmmm…..not focused……White making babies and Ryan’s new wife probably doesn’t want him maimed
Donaldo
December 9th, 2011
9:14 pm
Folks, let me repeat myself yet again, it is about leadership & coaching. We have a huge vacuum here, so do not be surprised with the outcome, it is all predictable given the lack of both.
dawg4u
December 9th, 2011
9:15 pm
The fact that we are not focused is no surprise to us long time Falcon fans. In 1980 we were 12-4 and won the division for the first time. The “experts” were predicting a dynasty and the 1981 team had a losing record. The ‘98 Falcons finished 14-2, winning the division and going to the Super Bowl. The ‘99 team had a losing record. Last year we were 13-3 winning the division and had the best record in the NFC. This season we are 7-5 and looking average at best. The Falcons have never followed up a great season with an even greater one. Even the ‘08 team which finished 11-5 regressed the next season to 9-7. The worst thing about the Falcons over the years (outside of all the losing seasons) has been their constant inconsistency. I’ll give Coach Smith credit for the last three winning seasons (a Falcon first) but this team is still not consistent and as frustrating as ever to watch.
Atlantan
December 9th, 2011
9:22 pm
They’ve never been the same since the playoff debacle last yr…oh, and no pass rush, Ryan always under pressure, terrible OC (this guy’s being considered for a HC job?)..
monty
December 9th, 2011
9:30 pm
No easy answers, hey look at Tampa Bay, who would have thunk it? I will say that perhaps the beat down GB gave them last season, put a bug in their head that they aren’t as good as they perhaps thought. I don’t think even hard core fans believe they can do anything with a Drew Breeze or Aaron Rodgers team come playoffs. Just not offensively on the same page with those two teams and defense depends on long scoring drives to keep them off the field. Matt Ryan is a very good QB but he’s not good enough to will his cast of characters around him to victory. Need a little Tim Tebow for that job.
atlkeith
December 9th, 2011
9:44 pm
VERY insightful dawg4u!!! As a History major and life long falcon fan, couldnt have put it better myself!!! Sickening isnt it???
Connie Lingous
December 9th, 2011
10:09 pm
Art’s marriage issues are creating major distractions at the Branch. I’m told he roams the halls looking for somebody to berate; Smitty and staff are getting worked to death putting together Football 101 presentations for angry Art on Monday mornings. TD has been seen on his mountain bike pedalling furiously away from the offices with Art screaming at him from the doorway about the Edwards signing – Art will not let that one go and TD is starting to lose it.
Yes, Matt’s arm is not top-caliber. But there is really only one issue right now: Until Art settles out that marriage, nothing else will be resolved at the Branch.
Noodle Arm
December 9th, 2011
10:25 pm
Yawn
Yuck
December 9th, 2011
11:01 pm
I’m not giving up; but I’m very afraid that I’ve seen this movie before. Like for the last 40+ years. And it never ends very well……
Mr Charlie
December 9th, 2011
11:26 pm
Of course we never followed up a good season with a better one, until we go the godsend Matty Ice in here, we never even strung together two consecutive seasons. Somebody called it the Vick curse, it happened when we passed on true greatness in Drew Brees to draft a great “athlete” who took the snap from the center, but we cannot call him a quarterback. Just be patient with Ice, if JJ and Roddy catch the ball like they are paid to do, we are 10-2.
Connie Lingous
December 9th, 2011
11:39 pm
The only dude at the Branch that won’t take Art’s crap is BVG, I have been told by a man who’d know that BVG has told Art to shove it and Art backed off – but still nobody else will man up to angry Art. Art is the problem here guys, Art and his troubled marriage.
JSS
December 9th, 2011
11:40 pm
Oh no, different blog, same tired excuses!!!
JSS
December 9th, 2011
11:45 pm
Oh yeah, he was a defensive holding play away from being tied with some rookies with a +3 turnover margin in the matter of 3 quarters of one game! He had 3 turnovers just like that, Julio’s poor route mistake included… The gig is up!
tulsadog
December 9th, 2011
11:51 pm
I don’t know anyone who cares about this team any more. Just get rid of all of them. If I were Mr. Blank, I’d feel cheated.
JSS
December 10th, 2011
12:16 am
@ Tulsa…
The Dead-ender (@11:26PM) still cares. They are like that ROTC parade street marshall cadet in ‘Animal House.’ “All is well, believe in Matty and the Falcons.”
SawThat1nce
December 10th, 2011
2:43 am
They need a stronger OLine, and a better pass rush.
Three of their losses have come down to one play.
.
Will G
December 10th, 2011
4:45 am
The offense is prediciable and can’t fool anybody. Michael Turner up the middle two time then a pass is attempted. How lame. Nobody fears the Atlanta offense. We need a scat-back with speed to throw the defense off our tail. Dig ATL.
just facts
December 10th, 2011
7:03 am
two things I am very weary of…. people mentioning this years falcons as a possible comparison to last years packers, they had aaron rodgers…… and Matty Ice, stop with the nickname. Matty Overthrow, Matty Bad Decision, Soft Matty. any of those or many others but stop the Matty Ice.