Poll time: How should we define success for Falcons?
Brian VanGorder and Mike Smith have a lot to fix before playoffs. (Curtis Compton/AJC)
(Updated)
The Falcons tell us how that just making the playoffs isn’t good enough any more. So you wonder why they played one of their worst games ever under coach Mike Smith — Monday’s 45-16 loss at New Orleans — the night after they had clinched a postseason berth?
But let’s move on. The Falcons play their final regular season game against Tampa Bay Sunday. The game may or may not their impact playoff seeding and match-up. Nobody’s expecting an overly festive atmosphere in the Georgia Dome for the season’s final home game. (The only way the Falcons could host another game would be as a No. 5 seed if they faced No. 6 Detroit for the NFC championship. Not likely.)
Loading ...For all of the regular season success under Smith, general manager Thomas Dimitroff and quarterback Matt Ryan, the team has whiffed in the postseason. They’re 42-21 in four regular seasons, but 0-2 so far in the postseason.
So what qualifies as success this season? Here are the choices:
• Achievement: Making the playoffs. Breakdown: The Falcons are there for the third time in four years, which is unprecedented in franchise history. But the bar was supposed to be raised. Conclusion: Not good enough.
• Achievement: Win one game: Breakdown: This would be an improvement over the last two years. It would mean the Falcons had beaten New Orleans, New York, Dallas or San Francisco. There are varying degrees of difficulty in those games. But what should be kept in mind is: What was the expectation level before the season? Conclusion: Better, but still not good enough.
• Achievement: Win two games: Breakdown: This could be as difficult as beating the NFC’s two best teams, New Orleans and Green Bay, on the road. The easier end of the spectrum would be finishing as a No. 5 seed and Detroit upsetting New Orleans, which would mean the Falcons would need to only defeat the NFC East champion (New York or Dallas) and San Francisco. Still, it would be impressive. Conclusion: Winning two road playoff games, regardless of the opponents, would qualify as success.
• Achievement: Get to the Super Bowl: Breakdown: For this to happen, the Falcons would need to be far more physical and consistent than they’ve been this season. There has been no indication that is going to happen, but we’ve seen strange postseason developments before. Conclusion: Definitely something worth celebrating.
• Achievement: Win the Super Bowl: Breakdown: Honestly, if the Falcons can winning three NFC road playoff games, beating New England, Pittsburgh or any AFC opponent on a neutral field wouldn’t seem as daunting. Conclusion: Duh.
Those are my thoughts. What are yours? What do you believe qualifies as a successful season?
The poll is up and the floor is yours.
By Jeff Schultz
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418 comments Add your comment
CGD..
December 28th, 2011
2:29 pm
Arthur shooting Blanks!
Oh forgot to mention the last two playoff losses were BLOWOUTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
CGD..
December 28th, 2011
2:35 pm
“I didn’t see this one COMING!” Mike Smith quote post game interview…WTF???????
Coach Mike Smith= Norv Turner, Wade Phillips…Round peg-Square hole…..
We need a QB
December 28th, 2011
2:40 pm
To the delusional Matt Ryan fans, here’s a list of teams that would never in a million years trade Matt Ryan.
Patriots, Eagles, Giants, Carolina Panthers, Saints, Texans, Dallas, Chargers, Bears, Lions, Packers, Steelers, Colts.
13 teams would rather have their QB than Matty Ice.
The truth is we have a middle-of-the-road QB throwing to elite receivers. Roddy and Julio could be great if they had Brees, Rodgers, Peyton on Stafford throwing to them. Instead, the stuck with Captain Check Down.
keepinitreal
December 28th, 2011
2:43 pm
I thought a reasonable goal for this season was to get to the NFC Championship Game. That can still be accomplished, but obviously I’m not feeling too optimistic at this point.
We really need to win at least one playoff game this year. Regular season success is great, but it’s only a means to an end. If it doesn’t translate to playoff success, then it’s kind of pointless. I like Smitty, but I’m tired of dominating the Panthers and Jaguars of the world and then getting our lunch money taken by the big boys. One playoff win in four years would not be asking too much, especially with the talent on this roster.
John Brockington
December 28th, 2011
2:47 pm
Last year was a cruel setup of expectations. That big regular season record was a mirage based an extremely easy schedule (NFC West was the worst division in the history of the league). After being exposed badly in the playoffs, management performed a knee-jerk overreaction with that ridiculous Jones trade that gutted any possibility to keep building year over year. Their shortcoming last year wasn’t “not enough explosive playmakers”, it was the defense. Now there are no draft picks to fix anything while the window is still ajar. That trade slammed their own window shut. Instead of getting better they will continue to get worse. Next year they’ll win 7 or 8 games and be in third place in the division. The wild card playoff loss will be the end to the greatest run of success in their history.
Samuel
December 28th, 2011
2:48 pm
A success would have to be winning a Superbowl, just Imagine the Falcons winning two games and then losing. It still would be incomplete- as far as goals are concerned. Besides you don’t know how long Tony Gonzales can stomach losing. At some point he’s going to retire, try replacing a hall a famer. If you think this offense sputters at times, Imagine it without Gonzales. It will take a special tight-end to replace him.
keepinitreal
December 28th, 2011
2:48 pm
We need a QB, while I’m not the biggest Ryan fan in the world, that’s a little misleading. The Bears and Texans may not be willing to give up Cutler and Schaub, respectively, for Ryan, but by the same token, I don’t think the Falcons would make that trade either. Lots of teams say they wouldn’t trade their QB for anybody in the league, but only one guy can be the best in reality.
Ryan is a good second-tier QB.
JoFo
December 28th, 2011
2:49 pm
How do I define FALCONS success? To suck, thats how! FALCONS say they want a rematch?? What are they going to do; embarrass all of their fans AGAIN???
CGD..
December 28th, 2011
2:52 pm
Andrew Luck would be an upgrade?
Hey JSS, what happened to MISTER CHARLIE? Did he throw in the towel and finally retire after 47 years of this ish? LMFAO!!!!
Fan from SAV
December 28th, 2011
2:52 pm
I read the column– all pipe dreams- the Falcons Mon night wasted all that had been building over the last couple of years -if I was not broke I would bet they are run off the field this Sunday
CGD..
December 28th, 2011
2:53 pm
Wow 790 the Zone has two amateur Bozo’s on the radio right now…lol
Joe Tess Fish House
December 28th, 2011
2:54 pm
No way is this team goin 2 the Superbowel. No way R they goin 2 beet the Sanits again. No way R they getting any good draft pix sense they traded them all a way for Juliet Jones.
woeismesince66
December 28th, 2011
2:56 pm
IF the playoffs were in something like a Maypole dance, the Falcons might have a chance, but we’re talking
about football. So I’m not sure the Falcons know how to play. You know all that blocking and tackling stuff is
sort of a mystery to them.
Unless the Bucs don’t play, I’m not sure the Falcons can beat them. By not play, I mean stay home with the wife and kids.
Oh well, We’ll get’em next year. Seen it all before.
CGD..
December 28th, 2011
2:56 pm
We need a mobile rocket launcher to stretch the field. This BC dude doesn’t have one…
CGD..
December 28th, 2011
2:59 pm
Arthur shooting Blanks!
Where are my PICKS? PICKS? PICKS?
tree rollins
December 28th, 2011
3:01 pm
I consider just making the playoffs a success overall. I will not renew my season tickets next year because I simply feel something is missing (boring offense, zone defense, etc.) but in the big picture this is as consistent as the team has ever been.
tree rollins
December 28th, 2011
3:05 pm
One thing I’ve noticed is the Saints keep reloading on offense with GREAT running backs. Meanwhile, we gave up 2 #1’s and almost an entire draft for Julio Jones – not the move of a steady and intelligent team. I don’t even think anyone gives up that much for Andrew Luck next year – huh? Falcons best players Abraham and Gonzalez are near the end. Anything coming to replace them? Oh yeah, like I said we gave the entire draft away. C’mon Julio – please hold onto the ball this time!
Burnt Birdies Boys
December 28th, 2011
3:07 pm
I think EVERY team should have higher aspirations than just making the playoffs. That’s like a dude riding in the car with a hot girl. You wanna do more than just ride in the car…
Burnt Birdies Boys
December 28th, 2011
3:08 pm
Abraham should retire. 3 sacks in 15 games for a man getting paid to lead the league in sacks is disgraceful.
Burnt Birdies Boys
December 28th, 2011
3:11 pm
If the Falcons had the Giants defense then they’d be talking Super Bowl. But Babs,Edwards,Abe,Grimes,Dunta,Spoon,Lofton,etc. can’t get it done. Each has their own individual flaws that makes a total bumfudged defense !
JSS
December 28th, 2011
3:11 pm
CGD..
December 28th, 2011
2:52 pm
“Andrew Luck would be an upgrade?”
“Hey JSS, what happened to MISTER CHARLIE? Did he throw in the towel and finally retire after 47 years of this ish? LMFAO!!!!”
If you’ll notice, I’ve been very quiet on the Charlie, Trademark, IJonathan, UGABugkiller, and etc front… I made a statement on the difference between “savor” and “gloat” a few weeks back when my user-name was being dragged through the mud here… There is only so many ways you can state the obvious to “rational people.” Beyond that point, it just becomes “wonky” and trying to battle the ignorant amongst us…
Remember stats mean nothing, thus “34/ 52 – 373 yards” = 16 points… Nuance is the most unkind mistress, get my drift?
tony
December 28th, 2011
3:11 pm
How can anyone expect this team to make it to the sb with a weak d-line and o-line? If it weren’t for the players detemination to fight too the end, their record would be worse than what it is. This team really plays hard for Mike Smith but the team is just too weak in the trenches. Sometimes I even feel sorry for them when teams blow them off the line of scrimmage. It’s not the hc fault for not having the right players to compete against teams with better players.
Until Dimitroff start building in the trenches on both sides of the ball with dominant players, this team ain’t going anywhere. This offseason, his number one priority should be to strengthen the d-line. We need a big strong body in the middle of the d-line who has the power to pose problems for rbs and qbs. Ahtyba Rubin-dt will become a free agent after this season so he should be our #1 priority.
Ahtyba Rubin 2011 stats:
74 tackles and 4 sacks
Calais Campbell-de is another free agent who Dimitroff should sign this offseason. He’s 300lbs and he is a tackling machine.
Calais Campbell 2011 stats:
71 tackles, 2 ffum and 8 sacks
On offense we need to try to sign free agent Kareem McKenzie-ot and draft Ben Jones-c in the 2nd rd if he’s still on the board by then. I think we can win a sb if we get those players.
Joe Tess Fish House
December 28th, 2011
3:11 pm
@ Tree
Finaly some one sees it my way. I 2 complaint about the Flacons giving up 2 much for Juliet Jones yet when I say it peeple call me stoopid and D Led band me.
Burnt Birdies Boys
December 28th, 2011
3:12 pm
I had a nightmare last night. I saw Drew Brees throw for 1,000 yards against the Falcons defense in one game. Dunta’s dreads had been burnt off and Spoon was a Fork. It was ugly.
open your eyes
December 28th, 2011
3:13 pm
look at the 49ers same team different coach.The window is closing Mr.Blank.Your G.M. has Wiffed on 2 many Draft Picks.Jerry,Owens,Decloud,Middleton,Sidbury,Baker,Renolds,A 3 Foot Tall Running Back who Looks Like An Umpa Lumpa From Charley And The Cocolate Factory,And Then The Whole Draft On a Wideout,When u Dont Have A defence.And Why Bring In And End Rusher With A Bum Knee.Oh Wait It Was A Minor Procedure Not Major Surgery Right Coach Smith.Wink,Wink.
Burnt Birdies Boys
December 28th, 2011
3:15 pm
Falcons don’t have a defensive stalwart like a Patrick Willis,Clay Matthews,Terrell Suggs,or a Brian Urlacher. There’s NOBODY to fear on the Falcons defense.
Joe Tess Fish House
December 28th, 2011
3:16 pm
Yeah
Burnt Birdies Boys
December 28th, 2011
3:18 pm
Teams don’t even double Abraham anymore. He gets beat by a o-lineman on every play.
Joe Tess Fish House
December 28th, 2011
3:19 pm
Dear Mr Blanks Its now are never sense you waisted next yeras draft on Juliet Jones.
ws
December 28th, 2011
3:21 pm
I don’t see falcans beating Cowboys or G-men, Eli and Romeo will have a field day with falcan defense. Be like seven on five. two falcons will take off. if they play any of the elite teams they will get blowed away. I do not even seeing them beating Lions. Stafford and Johnson will eat them. What a joke. play-offs!!!!
JSS
December 28th, 2011
3:22 pm
But on a very serious note, remember when Don Shula kept trying to prove that he could win a Super Bowl with Marino when it became obvious that his team needed to go in a different team structure (O-Line, run game, and build a stout defense)? Well, he kept trying to add weapons for the passer. He never addressed his team’s true weaknesses. So, this where the Falcons stand. Can you win with Matt Ryan, sure you might… But it will take a totally different team around him to pull it off… What is easier to replace, the QB who does not make all of his weapons viable, or the entire team to make the QB relavent? Time to make a choice…
blue
December 28th, 2011
3:24 pm
Was listening to one of the local radio guys yesterday, and he made a good point; we have a lot of really good players, but no “great players”, and certainly not multiple “great players”. The Falcons have taken a step forward AS an organization over the last 5 years, but they are going to have to decide if they are willing to part with the money it would take to get the missing pieces. They are going to HAVE to get some people of the cliber of Brees, or Jared Allen, or Charles Woodson, Clay Matthews Jr, Jimmy Graham, Jake Long, Patrick Willis, Sproles (not that any of those guys are available, but those are the KIND of impact players they are lacking). Until that time…they are going to teeter on the edge of being just pretty good…but not elite.
blue
December 28th, 2011
3:24 pm
that’s “caliber”
Burnt Birdies Boys
December 28th, 2011
3:25 pm
Defensive player evaluation :
Lofton : Great speed plays the run exceptionally well. Can’t cover a scarecrow though.
Witherspoon : Ditto on the run but overruns many plays (in the backfield while rb is up field 10 yards). Decent pass coverage.
Babineaux : No sacks or pressure. Never gets his name called. That’s not good.
Abraham : Lost his speed to rush passer. Plays run well. Not a sack threat any more.
Edwards : Plays run well. Seems to get pressure but can’t get sacks (what he was paid to get).
D.Robinson : Can’t cover a scarecrow. Can’t tackle in open field. Big name with no game.
Grimes : Too short to cover tall receivers. Plays hard but wouldn’t start for any other NFL team.
Franks : Thrown into the fire due to injuries. Covers well but bites on short passes and gets torched deep a lot
FEMA
December 28th, 2011
3:27 pm
Look on the bright side Falcons fans at least you don’t live in New Orleans where you will drown if there is a hurricane. New Orleanians went number 1 and number 2 on that field where their God Drew Brees plays. I hope when he gets tackled he lands on a spot where someone took a massive while they were waiting on us to help them. Hahaha, those losers!
CGD..
December 28th, 2011
3:30 pm
“Nuance is the most unkind mistress, get my drift?”
Now that is some classic Chit from JSS! LMAO!!!!
BTW IJ Rosenberg is a LEGEND IN HIS OWN MIND! lol
Falconsfan001
December 28th, 2011
3:30 pm
What were yall feeling when Brees broke the record on us with the crowd goin wild, and that damn song playing?
michael
December 28th, 2011
3:32 pm
Why is getting in the playoffs considered a success? The only success is WINNING A SUPERBOWL. Everything else is a FAILURE in my book. I hate to keep hearing from the media that the Falcons “Have a great culture with Dimitroff and Smith”.. I don’t care about culture or picking players that are good in the community.. I want Superbowls!! DIMITROFF AND SMITH HAVE NO PLAYOFF WINS SINCE THEY HAVE BEEN HERE- END OF STORY. They need to prove me wrong this year.
bigcrimson75
December 28th, 2011
3:34 pm
This team needs a playoff win. Who cares who its against. If we lose another playoff game in the 1st round, the talk of Ryan – Smith not winning in the playoff is only going to get louder.
I’m a little torn because i like our qb & our coach, but i absolutely hate our DC. Hell, if we win a game or 2 in the playoffs, then it may save his job.
We need help on defense. Another DT, another De, another safety & a whole new group of corners.
Once again, I ask the question of who MADE the decision to dump Zimmerman for BVG? This decision alone has cost the Falcons big time olver the last 4 yrs.
Sober reality
December 28th, 2011
3:35 pm
The birds are a floundering franchise! They are stuck in neutral and can’t move forward.
There are many reasons.
1) Coaching is average and not making players better
2) In game adjustments are slow, if any
3) Offensive line is subpar making Turner an even slower back…not a real threat
4) QB Ryan is slow at making pocket decisions and has an average arm (compare him to Stafford)
5) Defense is old and fat on the ends…have no inner drive. LB is good and promising
6) Draft is depleted thanks to Julio who has as much trouble catching the ball as Roddy! If you can’t catch the balle, you should not play receiver!
7) No real fan demand to get better.
We are a mid level team with little hope of getting much better in the forseeable future. The players are delusional….do you really want to play N.O. again as you are blattering? You must be kidding!
JSS
December 28th, 2011
3:35 pm
Jonathan is a OK guy; but he has a need to be liked on these blogs by the supposed “right kind of blogger.” He just as vocal last year before lauding Matt Ryan and his ascension to “elite” status.
The absence of the vocal has spoken volumes…
CGD..
December 28th, 2011
3:36 pm
“What is easier to replace, the QB who does not make all of his weapons viable, or the entire team to make the QB relavent? Time to make a choice…”
Sounds like after the next HISTORIC MELTDOWN the FAL-cons will be at a their “crossroads” and Mr Blank will have to pull the trigger or else expect the same type results…
JSS
December 28th, 2011
3:36 pm
“He was just as vocal” that is…
michael
December 28th, 2011
3:38 pm
Also,
I am not impressed with Dmitroff/Smith and I wish Jeff Schultz and others in the Atlanta media (yes I’m talking to you Bradley, DLed, the radio guys) would stop kissing their a** when discussing them and the “culture they brought to the Falcons”
CGD..
December 28th, 2011
3:39 pm
Agreed those “right kind of Blogger” silence has been stunning and speaks the Library of Congress…
JSS
December 28th, 2011
3:42 pm
Denver faced the same choice when they brought Shanahan back to coach Elway. Then they lucked into Terrell Davis, and they went got a real D-Line and stopped trying to pretending to be the Fun Bunch…
It is more than a crossroad, they can become the Chargers (Philip Rivers version) in the wink of the eye…
Burnt Birdies Boys
December 28th, 2011
3:42 pm
Its just sad and a fact the we all know that the Falcons can’t really compete with the Saints & Packers. The Falcons offense is geared to score about 24 points per game. That’s a mere half-time scoring for the Saints & Packers. You got to score in the 40’s to beat the good teams.
JSS
December 28th, 2011
3:44 pm
OK, I’m going back to “savor” some more, good luck trying to clean up Arthur’s version of “Sophie’s Choice!”
ramblingbuzz
December 28th, 2011
3:47 pm
To use a baseball analogy, the can’ts are like the Braves of the 90’s, get to the playoffs but can’t finish. Mike Smith = Bobby Cox, the coach the players love but the one who can’t produce the big win when it counts.
We need a dominant "D" or an elite QB
December 28th, 2011
3:48 pm
I keep hearing about our defense. What about the fact that we mortgaged our future on a reciever and yet we only scored 1 TD for the entire game? And N.O. doesn’t even have a good defense. In order for the Falcons to be legitimate contenders we either need a dominate defense or an elite QB. Right now we have neither.