Falcons, Smith know now is when they’re getting judged
Mike Smith knows he'll be judged by how the Falcons finish the season and the playoffs. (AP photo)
Mike Smith tries not to curse a lot, certainly not in public. Even when recounting those few times this week when he dropped verbal grenades during film sessions, he edited himself for public consumption, either because he was afraid his mother might be hiding behind a tree (”Sometimes I say things that my mother wouldn’t want me to say”) or because he was concerned that I wouldn’t edit for him.
“Like, ‘I can’t believe we (pause) did that. Or, ‘That was a bad (pause) call.’ Or, ‘Why did I make that (pause) decision?’”
And yes, he really paused.
It’s generally wise for a coach to have a self-edit button. Expletives, fist-pounding and thrown objects play well with a segment of the fan base and can make you a star on YouTube. But the act gets old real quick, particularly with players. It’s more important that a coach knows he can command his players’ attention when needed. And about that: We’re about to find out how successful Smith was in connecting with the relative zombies who walked onto the field at Carolina last Sunday.
The Falcons play host to the New York Giants. The last time the teams met, the Giants wiped their shoes on the Falcons to open the playoffs (24-2) and went on to win the Super Bowl.
It’s debatable what’s really on the line this game. In theory, the Falcons could get blown off the field at the Georgia Dome and it wouldn’t matter. They’re 11-2. They’ve clinched the NFC South and, even with a loss, would still be in a good position for a first-round bye and home field in the playoffs.
But for perception, it means everything. This isn’t just about how the most second-guessed 11-2 team in NFL history measures up against the Giants. It’s also how the Falcons rebound from last week’s 30-20 loss at Carolina (which saw the Falcons fall behind 23-0). Every team has bad games. Great teams generally don’t have them in December.
The Falcons have generally responded to defeat well under Smith. They haven’t lost consecutive games since losing to Philadelphia and New Orleans in 2009, a span of 47 games. Overall, they’re 19-3 following losses under Smith, including 11 straight wins.
“It’s important to see how we respond,” center Todd McClure said. “We know the Giants are good and in the last few years they’ve been really good in December and they’ve gone on to win championships. So I guess it’s somewhat of a measuring stick.”
Not just for the players, but for Smith.
He understands that the focus is less on his unprecedented regular season success as a franchise head coach (53-23) than it is his playoff record (0-3). The Giants game impacts everybody’s comfort level going into January.
Smith laid into his players after the game Sunday. Then again on Monday in a team meeting. On Wednesday, players could sense Smith was still upset, and it filtered down to the rest of the coaching staff. “Even in defensive meetings on Wednesday, [Mike Nolan] was like, ‘OK, what coach Smith said Monday …’”
McClure said it’s easy to tell when Smith is upset.
“His face turns red,” he said. “He sticks his lip out, his chin out. You don’t have to hear him talk to know he’s ticked off.”
“On a scale of one to 10, it wasn’t a 10-through the roof thing,” Tony Gonzalez said. “But it was up there.”
Logic says this is when Smith turns the screw on players. But he said he would do the same if the Falcons were coming off a miserable performance in September.
“Guys have to know when they do something that it’s not acceptable,” he said. “You can’t change just because something happened in a different month.”
But isn’t there a greater sense of urgency now?
“Sure, in terms of it being near the end of the season. People don’t remember you for September and October, they remember you for December and January. We know that. This is when we all get judged.”
– By Jeff Schultz
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155 comments Add your comment
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
December 15th, 2012
11:39 pm
Mularkey & Van Gorder……hey CHOKE forced us out …. ha ha
Big Ben
December 15th, 2012
11:59 pm
Remember the Giants lost 2 weeks ago.They did not look that good that night.
bigbobbles
December 16th, 2012
1:29 am
choke …….you are the best………………dcksckr and you knowit..see you to morrow….and all your other dcknames……..good luck mikeevickeedicksckr
JSS
December 16th, 2012
5:26 am
^^^^^^^^^^^
@ 1:29
Living proof that real sodomites exist, and they are not alternative lifestyle folks… They are just blogging mental perverts… SMDH…
agent7g
December 16th, 2012
5:47 am
More garbage.
JSS
December 16th, 2012
6:24 am
^^^^^^^^^
And 5:47 shows its slime ball agenda (again)…
naysayer
December 16th, 2012
7:13 am
If the lowly Panthers crushed the Falcons what do you think Manning and the Giants are going to do to them
Nativebird
December 16th, 2012
7:57 am
If this team gets beat by the giants and beat rather handily, and if this team loses first playoff game, the worst thing about all of it will be that Arthur Blank will not have the stones to do what is clearly necessary to win a championship, fire your HC and clean house on an 11 win team, 4 of 5 years making the playoffs. This team has turned into the Atlanta Braves of the 90’s, (without the WS). An “okay” team that is allowed to be “okay”‘ due to the placated fan base because of the abject misery of 20 seasons before. Soooo many Atlanta fans say, “yeah, but look how bad they used to be”. Sad.
Mr_Buckhead
December 16th, 2012
8:11 am
Where’s the Love ??
After decades of pitiful Falcons teams, we’re reduced to this ??
“He understands that the focus is less on his unprecedented regular season success as a franchise head coach (53-23) than it is his playoff record (0-3).”
Am I the only Falcon fan who appreciates much better regular seasons ??
How many other Falcon coaches have taken 3 teams to the playoffs ?
Yes, I too want some playoff wins, but I’d rather see 53-23 than a reversal of those numbers or .500 ball.
Somebody’s always gonna complain (or the “B” word).
FactCheckk
December 16th, 2012
8:16 am
Have to agree. First test against a team with a potent offense and defense. Falcons Offense and Defense have to show up, if not, it is going to be massacre like NO.
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
December 16th, 2012
8:22 am
naysayer
December 16th, 2012
7:13 am
If the lowly Panthers crushed the Falcons what do you think Manning and the Giants are going to do to them
_____________________________________
They are waiting for that golden rainbow to swoop down and bring those magical unicorns to cast a spell on the Giants…..ha ha.
This fanbase has a problem with facts, and I can’t blame them, facts are not on their side.
Have not won another playoff game since Vick left…..FACT
Have an 0-3 playoff record….FACT
Have been blown out 72-23 in last 2 playoff games…..FACT
CHOKE has 7 picks in last 4 games….FACT
CHOKE has 14 picks in last 11 games….FACT
CHOKE has 60 picks in 75 games…..FACT
CHOKE is a LOSER…..FACT
Enjoy your loser, losers
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
December 16th, 2012
8:56 am
Poor Falcants fans. They hate Vick so much but CHOKE can’t win a playoff game…..ha ha
Mike "CHOKE" Dogs To Death
December 16th, 2012
10:08 am
Poor Vick fans. They hate Ryan so much but VICK can’t keep a job…..ha ha
Mike "CHOKE" Dogs To Death
December 16th, 2012
10:12 am
VICK has not started a game in over a month (and never will again)….FACT
VICK has served two years in a federal pen to Ryan’s zero….FACT
Enjoy your felon, felon
phil
December 16th, 2012
10:13 am
I hope this comes out right….
We have zero chance today. The tragedy in Connecticut will trump the lowly Falcons on its own. The league is making this awful event the new rallying cry for the Giants. They’re gonna run us out of the building in a hail of yellow flags thrown our way if that’s what it takes for the new poster team for tragedy to get its “just” win.
I sound horrible even saying this, but deep down, we all know it’s true.
And frankly, I’d rather just lose these silly games if it somehow helps folks. We don’t want a tragedy to rally around.
I almost don’t even want to watch knowing how the announcers won’t leave it alone. We are Atlanta, and we never really ever have a chance.
phil
December 16th, 2012
10:15 am
FactCheckk
December 16th, 2012
8:16 am
Have to agree. First test against a team with a potent offense and defense. Falcons Offense and Defense have to show up, if not, it is going to be massacre like NO.
**********
no chance today. Won’t be allowed.
Fan since 66
December 16th, 2012
10:22 am
Once again a blog about the Falcons becomes an immature, name-calling, player-bashing waste of time. You guys should know by now that “Choke” and JSS thrive on your responses to their dribble. They obviously have no life other than trolling the Falcons’ blogs, looking for ways to show their intellectual superiority. Choke obviously has severe issues with Matt Ryan. I wouldn’t be surprised if he stalks Matt whenever Matt leaves his house. As for JSS, I have given up on an intelligent football discussion with him. He is obviously too smart to engage in civilized banter on a blog about our Falcons. We love our Falcons. Nothing either of those two losers can say will change that. Yes, we do get frustrated at times…sometimes the frustration is almost unbearable.
But keeping it in perspective, the Falcons are atop the NFC, albeit, by a thin margin. Last week is what it is… a loss to a good team when our team might have been looking forward to the next game. Today’s game will give everyone a clue to the true nature of this Falcons team. If this game were a college bowl game it might very well be called the Respect Bowl. The Falcons don’t need this game to go to the playoffs, but a win today will go far in gaining the respect of the football nation. (excluding “Choke” and JSS of course!) But then again, we need to just ignore them…talk about irrelevant!
Go Falcons!
JSS
December 16th, 2012
10:27 am
Sad, it is not either or… You people are so easily pleased with the mirage of success… It took Bob Kraft nearly a decade to see the difference… He could have been satisfied like Atlanta fans have become with we’re winning, thus you’re going to elevate to championship… No, Parcells put them on stable plain… But he and Pete Carroll were just not going to get them over their past because they never made the personnel choices necessary to make them more than a team who was satisfied to be winning or really talented enough to be champions… When they made hard choices made great choices with Ted Johnson and Teddy Bruschi along with Ty Law to accent the drive of a Willie McGinist, they got it right… For all of their sleaze (Spygate), they didn’t take shortcuts in talent… Then all of Belichick’s schemes are not just smoke and mirrors… Since they first lost to the Giants, they’ve been skimping on defensive talent, and you see the results (playoff and Super Bowl failures). Don’t think Bill doesn’t know his leash might get pulled if this does not change… Ask a real Patriot fan what real expectations are like… Screw smoke and mirrors and thinking you that you are going to magically cover huge flaws, get real talent and develop it to maximum output… Until then, you are living in dreamland, and just should admit that you’re satisfied with that level… There are plenty of KC Chiefs, San Diego Chargers, and post 1973 Dolphins fans around who will welcome you to that club!
phil
December 16th, 2012
10:28 am
Fan since 66, how do we overcome league mandate? Part of the Giants fan base was directly impacted by the awful events of Friday. We probably weren’t gonna win anyway, but this sealed it.
We’ve played almost well TWICE this year. Twice. Not good.
phil
December 16th, 2012
10:31 am
People bash JSS but what did he just say minutes ago that isn’t exactly right?
He’s right and it translates to losing in the end.
Shultz I know nothing
December 16th, 2012
10:34 am
Shultz was evidently mourning the 41-17 Dawg-pounding Georgia took against the Gators. He went on to say that Meyer “suspended Brandon Spikes for only the first half of the Gators’ next game,” clearly insinuating that such a short suspension was nowhere nearly enough.
Fast forward to two weeks ago, when Shultz’ home-state team lost yet another meaningful game – mainly because its defense rolled over and played dead. When Georgia CB Sheldon Dawson eye-gouged Alabama’s Dee Milliner the SEC title game in Atlanta, Shultz barely mentioned it. Instead, he did what most savvy, agenda-driven journalists do. He deflected. Quinton Dial’s hit on Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray not only became the most questionable hit of the game. It became the only questionable hit of the game.
I am not suggesting that Dial’s hit was flagrant; It wasn’t. My conclusions are similar to the SEC office, which declined to take any action whatsoever because no action was warranted. Aaron Murray himself said he thought the hit was clean.
Shultz obviously disagrees, and he’s a hypocrite for doing so. Rather than boldly address the eye-gouging or even the severe helmet-to-helmet hit on Alabama quarterback AJ McCarron in the second quarter, Shultz put all of his limited brain power into the Dial hit.
bitman
December 16th, 2012
10:36 am
@Rise up: “He has moved on from dogs to coach killer!!!!” – Nah. Vick learned coach killing right here. The dogs were just a sideline.
JSS
December 16th, 2012
10:37 am
66…
Stopping implying what you think I “thrive on.” You don’t need me, and I certainly don’t need you…
MCR can speak for himself, but your issues are no better than anyone else across the myriad of blogs across the AJC spectrum regarding professional football. Note, I did not say the Atlanta Falcons… You need to stick to your own opinions, the rest of the world does that, well let me clarify that since there are a bunch of kids playing around here, and you enable them as much as anyone… Deny it all you like, you are just as indictable on the stance… You want to football, don’t try to spin the facts of a very flawed team, 11 wins are 11 wins, but that does not mean a thing unless you actually are post-season juggernaut…
phil
December 16th, 2012
10:41 am
Schultz I Know Nothing clearly knows nothing…..
Save your mindless, moronic drivel for your roommates.
Mike "CHOKE" Dogs To Death
December 16th, 2012
10:43 am
Fan since 66, guys like phil and JSS are simply realists. The Falcons haven’t ever won a Super Bowl and aren’t likely to this year, either.
But they have made tremendous strides since the bleak years of the 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s… and 2000s. They are at least respectable now. Despite a weak O-line and no pass rush at all, they still win games, because they finally have a smart young QB — the best one they’ve ever had.
Now, CHOKE, he’s (she’s?) a different story. CHOKE merely obsesses over this one player, Ryan. It is the FACT that Ryan is a franchise-type player that eats CHOKE alive, because CHOKES golden hero, the despicable Mike Vick, will never be a team leader. What a waste, from a number-one pick, awarded the NFL’s richest contract at the time. Picking him was the Falcon’s greatest mistake ever, in a history of bad mistakes.
For whatever reason, CHOKE is obsessed with hatred for the man who replaced his sick hero.
Fan since 66
December 16th, 2012
10:45 am
I don’t give a lot of credence to a “league mandate”. There was a lot of talk after the “Katrina” game that the game was given to the Saints. I don’t agree. They just plain and simply beat our butts. The emotion in the building and in the announcer’s booths was palpable, but that didn’t translate into a mandate. I am, as I’m sure all of us are, completely devastated by the events in CT. I expect that to be an emotional issue during the broadcast of the Falcons/Giants game, as well as most of the coverage throughout the NFL. Maybe all of us should pause at some point during our day of NFL fanaticism, and say a prayer for all those impacted by this horrendous event.
Go Falcons!
JSS
December 16th, 2012
10:46 am
@ phil…
Thanks for using the “drivel” in its correct form since someone who always takes shots at “intelligence” does not know the difference…
Fan since 66
December 16th, 2012
10:56 am
JSS, really? I’m trying to figure out what you just said, but guess I’m too ignorant. As for me “sticking to my own opinions” …I thought that’s what blogs were about. I have never questioned your right to express your opinion, just the way you constantly demean people who don’t agree with yours. You don’t like the Falcons…I get that. But you refuse to engage in an intellectual, civil discussion of our team. Most people on this blog are Falcon fans who will readily admit we are not a “post-season juggernaut”. Every team that has become a “post-season juggernaut” was not one prior to their success. Just because they have never had a great degree of success in the post season, doesn’t preclude the Falcons from becoming one. A long journey always begins with the first step. This may be the year for the Falcons’ long journey. Only time and football games played will determine that.
Unless you care to engage in a civil discussion, I don’t expect to respond to you anymore. Just not worth my time.
Go Falcons!
phil
December 16th, 2012
10:58 am
Ok, perhaps not a “mandate”, but it is what it is, that being the next best thing.
We’re the sacrifice this week.
Scott Brantley
December 16th, 2012
10:58 am
It’s real simple for the Falcons. Treat this game like it’s post-season. It’s time for Atlanta to make a statement, and a positive one at that!
phil
December 16th, 2012
11:00 am
But we can’t embark on a long journey when we don’t have the horses to get us there…
It shows up in January with great clarity. We can already see it now, actually.
We’re just not good enough.
phil
December 16th, 2012
11:02 am
Make a statement? We can’t. Even if we somehow did win today, it still means next to nothing.
Fan since 66
December 16th, 2012
11:03 am
OK, just one more response. (can’t resist it!)
Took the bait…told my girlfriend you would pounce on any grammatical or spelling mistakes. Hilarious! You didn’t fail me. You sir, are obviously my superior! Not to mention pedantic. LOL!
Go Falcons!
Shultz I know nothing
December 16th, 2012
11:09 am
Jeff Shultz of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution is a hypocrite. Then again, so is Furman Bisher and most of the Atlanta sports media. But those are stories for another day. Today the story is Shultz.
Three years ago, in the aftermath of the Georgia-Florida game, Shultz had this to say about Florida linebacker Brandon Spikes’ eye-gouging of a Georgia player.
Shultz I know nothing
December 16th, 2012
11:10 am
Florida coach Urban Meyer’s apparent policy on eye-gouging is now clear. Only a successful blinding or maiming can result in a full-game suspension.
JSS
December 16th, 2012
11:10 am
Nope, I didn’t pounce on it, I was going to let it be, but phil used it correctly and since your obsession is other people’s “intelligence;” might as well let the other barrel go… Get over yourself and yes “stick to you own opinions.”
Shultz I know nothing
December 16th, 2012
11:11 am
It’s no mystery why Shultz, Tim Brando and “professionals” like them have taken up the “Suspend Quinton Dial” mantra. They, like most of America, are sick and tired of Alabama winning national titles against their team or their league. There can be no other explanation other than stupidity – a push for ratings would fall under the hypocrisy label – and neither I nor anyone else can attach that label to either with a straight face.
No, this smacks of agenda-driven media – and to be blunt, jealousy – with Alabama being the source of that envy.
Most thinking people, including those in the SEC office, saw no real difference in any of the three plays I just recounted. All were reviewed. No one was suspended by the league. That is as it should be. But to hear a handful of whiny, jealous, agenda-driven media types, Dial and Dial alone should be suspended.
These self-proclaimed journalists ought to be ashamed of themselves. Quinton Dial is about to play in his last college game. If self-righteous, agenda-driven media members had their way, he’d be watching from the sidelines while other eye-gougers and head-bangers were playing out the string in Orlando.
Talk about targeting a defenseless player.
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
December 16th, 2012
11:12 am
Anybody seen Mularkey & Van Gorder? Oh that’s right CHOKE the coach killer. He got 2 coaches killed with one stone…..ha ha
JSS
December 16th, 2012
11:15 am
Furman Bisher “is?” Okee dokee… Is that “pendant” enough for you?
Mike "CHOKE" Dogs To Death
December 16th, 2012
11:16 am
Anybody seen Petrino or Andy Reid? Oh that’s right VICK the coach killer. He got 2 coaches killed with one stone…..ha ha
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
December 16th, 2012
11:18 am
Only Falcants losers get excited about a regular season game….ha ha
LOSERS
Mike "CHOKE" Dogs To Death
December 16th, 2012
11:22 am
Only Vick fan losers get excited about a regular season dogfight….ha ha
LOSERS
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
December 16th, 2012
11:34 am
30-24 48-21 24-2
Get your lotto tickets…ha ha
Fan since 66
December 16th, 2012
11:40 am
@ Phil…
Just watching the ESPN NFL Countdown,,,as expected, the impact of the shootings is evident in the Ga. Dome. All the Giants are showing some sort of remembrance on their uniforms. It is bound to provide some incentive for the Giants to play harder than normal. Hopefully, the Falcons can overcome this and play good hard-nosed football and win.
Go Falcons!
Mike "CHOKE" Dogs To Death
December 16th, 2012
11:50 am
33765-183
Mike Vick’s inmate number… ha ha
Mike "CHOKE" Dogs To Death
December 16th, 2012
11:52 am
548
Number of days Mike spent behind bars… ha ha
jax
December 16th, 2012
11:54 am
Smith should be mad -at The Players and himself- it seems that Falcons have talented roster,-when they leave Falcons most do well with other teams -Lofton, Brookings,etc.- I think that Mr. Blank has to take a hard look at his entire management staff if he really wants to go deep in Januay-if he just wants to have winning record and Fans keep showing up, fine
-Question-why does Matt Ryan get slammed so often when he steps up into the pocket,this happens way too much in 4Q Tight Games- is McClure getting too old ? Guards not quick enough and/or big enough to keep out the other team’s Nose Tackles and blitzing LB’s ?
Contender or Pretender
December 16th, 2012
12:49 pm
Today we find out…
Fan since 66
December 16th, 2012
2:21 pm
17-0 halftime! Looks like the ‘Birds came to play!!!
Go Falcons!
Fan since 66
December 16th, 2012
3:09 pm
Maybe the Falcons did indeed take a week off in order to prepare for a game that meant something! 27-0…so far!