Falcons’ flaws aren’t worse than any other NFL team
Mike Smith and Thomas Dimitroff will take their team's 8-1 record, flaws and all. (Curtis Compton/AJC)
FLOWERY BRANCH – This is the way the season has gone for the Falcons. They win games, and people find flaws. They finally lose a game, and people scream, “Aha!”
As if the struggles of the running game, or the instability of the run defense, or the fact that Ray Edwards too often seemed more passionate about conquering the art of modeling than the art of a tackle should come as any surprise.
The Falcons have flaws, but so does every team, and they’re not going away. This is the NFL. Rosters don’t morph significantly during the season. The league has a salary cap. There is little roster flexibility. Unlike baseball, there aren’t pyrotechnics at the trade deadline. Once a season starts, the best a team can hope for is that a backup evolves and contributes more than expected, or a player released by another team can fill a void, or that drop-kicking a high-profile veteran like Edwards gets everybody’s attention.
But from September to January (playoffs included), strengths, weaknesses and perceptions generally don’t change much. In the Falcons’ case, perceptions are that they’re not an overly physical team, they can’t even convert third-and-1’s, and therefore they’re not going to be a great team down the stretch or in the postseason.
So much for basking in 8-1.
“If the NFL had rankings like college football, we’d be last,” safety William Moore mused. “Because we don’t get the love. We can win a million games, but we’d be like Boise State. Maybe they’d give us a decent bowl game. … I like Shreveport.”
With their options limited, credit the Falcons for cutting Edwards. It was a bold decision, even if it meant admitting they goofed by signing him. It says a lot about the player (in terms of how far Edwards had fallen) and the team’s mindset (believing releasing him was addition by subtraction). There is no financial benefit to cutting Edwards now. He’ll still get his $11 million guaranteed. The Falcons merely came to the realization that he was dragging them down, whether in performance, attitude or both.
The damning analysis from coach Mike Smith: “We did it to make our football team better today and in the future.”
This about a player that the organization was going gaga over seemingly five minutes ago.
Edwards couldn’t rush the passer. He couldn’t defend the run. He wasn’t nearly as versatile or athletic as one might think for a guy who so proudly showed off his abs in his 2012 modeling calendar (12 months, 12 poses). Younger, cheaper, hungrier players with a pulse were better options.
Everybody realized the Falcons would not be a great power-running team this season, despite the team’s continuous, “We will be a power-running team” declarations. Michael Turner showed signs of slowing down last season. He’s not running behind an overly physical offensive line. The new offensive scheme clearly would maximize the team’s main talents.
At some point, one would think the Falcons will be able to figure out how to convert a third-and-1.
Offensive tackle Tyson Clabo said, “I still think we have a chance to be a good short-yardage team. It’s not that we aren’t blocking well, we’re just not blocking the right people.”
As flaws go, that would seem to be a correctable one.
Everybody has issues. New England ranks 29th in pass defense, and it lost at home to Arizona. Pittsburgh lost to Oakland and Tennessee. Also, Ben Roethlisberger feels like a piano just fell on him. Chicago has one of the worst offenses in the league (28th), punctuated by one of the worst passing attacks (30th). The mean, nasty, rip-your-head-off Baltimore Ravens? They rank 27th in total defense.
In Green Bay, Aaron Rodgers has been sacked more times (29) than any other quarterback. San Francisco’s offense is led by … Alex Smith. And they lost to Minnesota. Houston: Solid overall but not a great passing attack. Eli Manning has 11 interceptions — right between Cam Newton (10) and Brandon Weeden (12) — and has lost to three teams with losing records (Philadelphia, Dallas, Cincinnati).
None of this makes the Falcons better, it just illustrates that every team has to overcome something. We know the Falcons’ flaws. But 8-1 and flawed isn’t a bad place to be.
By Jeff Schultz
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
195 comments Add your comment
JSS
November 14th, 2012
9:59 pm
“They finally figure out they can’t win we a QB how is 224 years old, in dog years.”
Is there a dictionary for that one? And buy a new calculator…
Matty Bicep
November 14th, 2012
9:59 pm
One and done, super bowl loser means nothing. As the Bills.
JSS
November 14th, 2012
10:03 pm
@ 9:54PM
Hey Stephen Hawking, when did you learn to move your eyes enough to get all that typing done?
JSS
November 14th, 2012
10:04 pm
Roids’ are clouding your typing…
techmule
November 14th, 2012
10:09 pm
you DANG RIGHT YOU GOING TAKE THIS 8 -1 RECORD AND ITS FLAWS STUPID AND YOU DON”T HAVE A CHOICE EITHER.tHATS NOT ALL .YOU GOING TO TAKE ALL BLAME AND THE SECOND HALF OF SEASON 2 .YOU WILL FIND A LOT OF FAULT SOME WHERE OTHER THAN YOUR SELF FOR LOSING AND GOING HOME ONCE AGAIN (MAYBE THEY WILL RELEAVE YOU OF YOUR POSTION) AND DON”T GIVE THE BALL TO TURNER ON 3RD AND NOTHING CAUSE THATS ALL HE IS GOING 2 GET YOU(NOTHING) STUPID, STUPID, STUPID, STUPID.
Matty Bicep
November 14th, 2012
10:09 pm
They used to Say Ryan would not throw the long ball…He is 5th in the NFL in YPA.
They used to say MV7 was a better QB….LOL
They used to say Cam Newton was the future in the NFL. LOL
They still say MR2 has will never win a playoff game….Just a matter of time until that domino falls.
techmule
November 14th, 2012
10:10 pm
sTUPID
techmule
November 14th, 2012
10:11 pm
ssttuuppiidd
JSS
November 14th, 2012
10:13 pm
And he still lost to a now 4-5 team playing with their 2nd stand-in coach! :-0 LOL
JSS
November 14th, 2012
10:15 pm
Somebody’s Tony Eason, Rex Grossman, Craig Morton, and Rich Gannon envy is showing… They won playoff games too!
Answer This
November 14th, 2012
10:16 pm
Really Stephen Hawkings jokes?! Thats the guy we all know….taking shots at those who are physically challenged! What a tool!
JSS
November 14th, 2012
10:16 pm
Dang, I left off Chris Miller
JSS
November 14th, 2012
10:18 pm
Hawking is not “physically challenged” I’m taking a shot at you, you want to be a genius, get with the program…
Answer This
November 14th, 2012
10:19 pm
@dawgnole
Noticed I apologized about the post…..it happenend with the site…..posted once or at least I thought and it turned into 4.
Matty Bicep
November 14th, 2012
10:20 pm
And he still lost to a now 4-5 team playing with their 2nd stand-in coach! :-0 LOL
Yep, a team with a great QB, a QB who we could have drafted, but we were sucked into drafting a real dog of a QB. It has taken us a while to rid ourselves from the fleas of that mangy mutt.
Answer This
November 14th, 2012
10:20 pm
Nope you were not talking to me and yes he is! Dont weasel out of it!
Answer This
November 14th, 2012
10:24 pm
BTW….I turned the lights on…..you can scurry back under your kitchen fridge.
bigbobbles
November 14th, 2012
10:24 pm
I would rather be compared to a physically challenged Mr. Hawkings, as opposed to a spiteful mentally challenged loser with no future like Mr. JSS! But then, JSS blows on flutes for his enlightenment. Good for him.
JSS
November 14th, 2012
10:29 pm
He’s 99% “paralyzed,” that is not a “physical challenge.” Light is on, ain’t nobody running… Is that another one of those “urban legends” you like throwing around and then crowing about like you’ve done something? 15 yard penalty there Asante… Take a better angle next time!
Jeff Schultz
November 14th, 2012
10:32 pm
JSS — I see you’ve checked in to poke the bear. …. Regarding you’re first comment on the “psyche of doubt”: Obviously there’s some external doubt, but I can’t speak to their internal doubt. This much is certain: Until they do it, they haven’t yet done it. (That was almost poetic.)
Jeff Schultz
November 14th, 2012
10:33 pm
True Falcon Fan – Thanks.
JSS
November 14th, 2012
10:34 pm
Here comes Tewt playing his panpipes and trying to gravy-train some attention… Those cheap bobbles must contain lead?
Answer This
November 14th, 2012
10:34 pm
So you taking shots at paralyzed people? Thats much better thanks for clearing that up! And you still a roach……..makes you a BIGGER SCUMBAG….did they close the border behind you? No way we can take a box of dirt instead of you back on the blog?
JSS
November 14th, 2012
10:35 pm
Ha ha, you have been accused of payola Jeff Schultz!
Jeff Schultz
November 14th, 2012
10:37 pm
JASon — Actually the “Aha” reference isn’t just national media. It’s a lot of local fans too.
JSS
November 14th, 2012
10:37 pm
Nope, my visa is still valid, what’s your excuse? Oh, that’s right your razor can only get you to the Rite-Aid!
Jeff Schultz
November 14th, 2012
10:40 pm
JSS — I sent you $1 last week. You owe me 75 cents.
Answer This
November 14th, 2012
10:40 pm
I JUST wish we did not have to deal with you again…….it is so SUCKING and deflating to have you back on this blog….we only had to deal with the Aint Trolls but the Troll of Trolls is back to swim like SEMEN once again…..might get banned for this one guys….buy we all know what JSS stands for……just read between the line!
JSS
November 14th, 2012
10:47 pm
I know what it stands for, your 6 year attempts to trivialize it just shows how mentally unequipped you and your ilk to be adult… Rage crazy troll, it fits you…
JSS
November 14th, 2012
10:50 pm
Dang, Jeff Schultz, you know your bank charges .75 to check the balance! Man, I’m telling Wayne Brady!
Answer This
November 14th, 2012
10:50 pm
Because your knees are dirty…thats why you know
JSS
November 14th, 2012
10:54 pm
Wah wah wah, whatever you say there, don’t forget to plug in your battery pack… Did you miss your spray-on tan appointment again?
JSS
November 14th, 2012
10:56 pm
Poor answer, he ‘fraid of them…
Answer This
November 14th, 2012
10:58 pm
And brush of your chin…….you supposed to be getting married correct? I dont think she needs to know. We will keep it on the blog between the Rise Up Nation and you……
Jeff Schultz
November 14th, 2012
11:02 pm
Boys, boys, boys. … I’m going to sleep. Keep it clean or I’ll wave my banning wand in the morning. That is all.
Connor
November 14th, 2012
11:07 pm
If you guys don’t like JSS, just ignore him. He’ll soon go away. Or I would think so, I assume he has more of a life than going on blogs and bashing teams he doesn’t like
JSS
November 14th, 2012
11:08 pm
Nothing as funny as a little boy still stuck in a episode of My Beautiful Launderette for spazs… She knows that your “down low” phobia just reinforces the reason there’s a repressed psycho in your skin…
Answer This
November 14th, 2012
11:08 pm
We have tried that theory Connor….but I hate to say it does not work……but I am out also…..thanks for the warning JS!
JSS
November 14th, 2012
11:11 pm
Connor, mind your own business… And to Little repressed answer, drink some warm milk get that stick literally out of you…
JSS
November 14th, 2012
11:13 pm
Was here before you spaz, and will be here after you repressed fiends are priced out of blogging by digital subscriptions… Nite nite little fiends!!!
What's Important
November 14th, 2012
11:22 pm
Jeff, finally a voice of reason. Thanks for the article.
captguitarman
November 15th, 2012
12:12 am
Really? First and goal at the one yard line with less than two minutes left to win the game. A bona fide 8-0 Super Bowl contender with a great quarterback, one hall of fame receiver and two other destined to the Hal receivers, and tons of talent up and down the line — it knows that this is the time — this is the season to make its statement, to make its bones, to become made men. Let’s imagine for a moment. What would New England, their coach, and Tom Brady have done? What would Indianapolis, their coach and Peyton Manning have done? What would Green Bay and their coach, and Aaron Rogers have done? What would New Orleans, Drew Brees, and their coach have done? What would New York, their coach, and Eli Manning have done? What would San Franciso, their coach, and Joe Montana have done? What would Pittsburgh, their coach, and Rothlinsberger have done? What did the Falcons do? Dumb play calling (sooner or later guys, I’m tellin’ ya, this run right up the middle is gonna work), and lackluster, pedestrian, uncreative, unimaginative, call it in, and what a surprise they did that (not), pass plays. Oh, and also, letting the entire D-line into the backfield about the time Ryan gets the ball or hands it off to Turner. Not exactly what any of the aforementioned teams would have done, not nearly exactly. These guys have the Super Bowl talent. But that is not the question. Do they have the Super Bowl will? That is still a question. And New Orleans is coming again soon. Someone had better start thinking out of the box, and soon.
bassDawg
November 15th, 2012
1:27 am
LOL guitar! Besides SF w Gore they all wouldve passed!
Falcons’ flaws aren’t greater than any other NFL team | football-feed.com
November 15th, 2012
2:25 am
[...] to Original Content From Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog): read more Related Articles Share About Author [...]
Falcons Chic
November 15th, 2012
6:04 am
SI agrees with me.
http://nfl.si.com/2012/11/13/second-read-tony-gonzalez-jimmy-graham-lead-league-wide-te-outburst/?sct=obnetwork
RunninWithTheDawgs
November 15th, 2012
6:10 am
We’ve won too many close games to run the table from here. Even if we lose two or three more games, we will still have a good record and make the playoffs. Losses hurt but this IS the NFL and I’m going to stay optimistic ’till we go one and out in the playoffs then I’m gonna be p!ssed………….again. JS — Good Column. GO FALCONS
RunninWithTheDawgs
November 15th, 2012
6:22 am
Guitar @12:12 — I don’t know what all of the teams you mentioned WOULD have done, but I’m willing to bet that they wouldn’t have done what we did. If they had put Snelling and Quizz in we probably would have won.
JASS
November 15th, 2012
6:26 am
I’ve watched and hated the Falcons since 1966. I loathe everything about Atlanta and everyone who likes anything about Atlanta. I live on AJC blogs, because cracking on other people and pretending I’m smarter than them gives me a reason to live.
JASS
November 15th, 2012
6:28 am
If the wand lands on me Jeff, fine, it was worth it.
RunninWithTheDawgs
November 15th, 2012
6:52 am
Ja$$ — “Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind”