Time’s up for Falcons: They need to win in postseason now
Mike Smith and Thomas Dimitroff know they're being judged on playoffs now. (Curtis Compton/AJC)
FLOWERY BRANCH – When Falcons coach Mike Smith was asked this week whether he could sense when a team was ready to take the next step, he gave a long, winding answer that never really arrived at “yes” or “no,” even if he spoke in well-crafted sentences.
It reminded me of middle school when I was faced with an essay question that I didn’t know the answer to, which led to something like, “The Taft-Hartley Act is considered one of the most important documents in history, written half by Taft and half by Hartley, both of whom were fine, distinguished gentlemen who liked to wear suits, and this had a big impact on the United States of America! You’re my favorite teacher! Oh, look at the birdies …”
This was Smith, on whether he knows when a team is ready to take the next step, or possibly the Taft-Hartley Act: “We feel very good about what we’ve accomplished thus far this year. We have expectations. We set our goals, and we’ve been clicking along pretty well this season. I like the way that we’ve played through the first season. The second season is getting ready to start, and I know that we respect everybody that’s in this tournament because they’ve fought very hard to get in it.”
I’ll answer for him: No.
I’ll also answer for general manager Thomas Dimitroff, who, in trying to avoid anything close to state-of-the-Falcons questions this week, has decided to make himself unavailable to the media: No.
In the NFL playoffs, there’s a tendency to handicap teams not by records, statistics or talent, but by resume. New England and Green Bay are feared. They’ve won Super Bowls. The Falcons are not. They scored two points in the Meadowlands.
In their past three playoff seasons, the Falcons went 11-5, 13-3 and 10-6. They lost their first playoff game each year, in stunning, increasingly humiliating fashion: 30-24 (Arizona), 48-21 (Green Bay) and 24-2 (New York Giants). In all three years, they were confident. In all three years, they thought, “We can do this.” They didn’t.
So now we watch again. A talented, confident, 13-3 Falcons team, following the luxury of a week off that’s afforded a No. 1 seed, faces Seattle at the Georgia Dome on Sunday. There’s a public concern because the Seahawks are hot.
But really, that’s not what this is about. This game is not about what the Seahawks are, but rather what the Falcons have been.
This is a one-game pass-fail test. It’s important to Dimitroff, the architect of this otherwise wonderful, five-year franchise makeover, who made the decision to make few roster changes from last season’s team until the late trade for cornerback Asante Samuel (a familiar face from their New England days).
It’s important to quarterback Ryan, who could be excused for getting outplayed in the postseason by three Super Bowl quarterbacks (Kurt Warner, Aaron Rodgers, Eli Manning), but probably not so quickly if he loses to a rookie (Russell Wilson).
It’s important to Smith, who likely will catch more heat than anybody — yes, even more than Ryan — if the Falcons lose this game.
The people who claim Mike Smith absolutely gets fired if the Falcons lose this game are wrong. So are the people who say Mike Smith absolutely would not get fired. Fact is, we don’t know. That’s one man’s decision, and regardless of what that one man, owner Arthur Blank, might say now, even he can’t imagine the difficulty of processing another defeat and where that would lead him. We’re talking about one of the more emotionally invested owners in sports.
But there are several good signs for the Falcons (notwithstanding the season-ending stink bomb against Tampa Bay). They seemed hardened by the criticism. There was less celebrating this season after victories. There’s a swagger on defense — certainly in the secondary with Samuel, Dunta Robinson, William Moore and Thomas DeCoud — that wasn’t evident before.
This has been Ryan’s best season. His completion percentage (68.6), touchdown total (32) and rating (99.1) all were career bests.
But the Falcons’ biggest step forward this season probably came in game-planning and decision-making by the coordinators. Mike Nolan (defense) and Dirk Koetter (offense) have been superior to their predecessors (Brian VanGorder and Mike Mularkey), in terms of motivating players and putting them in positions to succeed.
Smith said, “We’re a much more mature team because of our experiences. I think you learn from your previous experiences in the playoffs.”
We’ll soon find out. Because if they lose again, there’s a very good chance the changes would not be small.
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By Jeff Schultz
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353 comments Add your comment
GTBuzz85
January 8th, 2013
3:41 pm
Anyone is crazy to entertain the idea of firing Smith or even his coordinators regardless of what happens this weekend. We FINALLY have an excellent franchise with stability and consistency in winning. Playoff success is just a matter of time (and luck to a certain extent). Don’t get spoiled with winning. All Falcon fans recall the years and years of non winning seasons and little hope of it getting better.
Puleeeeeze Stop it!!
January 8th, 2013
3:41 pm
Ok…..Let today be the last time that ANYONE in this town compares Matt Ryan to Payton Manning in any way shap form or fashion!!!!
MG3
January 8th, 2013
3:41 pm
I agree with Larry, Falcons by 10 at least. I think we stuff the run and confuse the rookie. I also predict that winning a playoff game won’t be enough in the eyes of the media. Although Seattle are considered world beaters right now, as with all other teams we destroy in the dome, they will be flawed, rookie QB, etc. come Monday.
John Gruden
January 8th, 2013
3:42 pm
Mess this up and i’m taking you job SMITTY! That is if COWER or DUNGY doesn’t beat me to it….
MG3
January 8th, 2013
3:44 pm
Puleeez is right, Ryan has been far better than Manning through the first 5 years of their respective careers so let’s stop with the comparisons already.
Growler
January 8th, 2013
3:45 pm
The last part of Jeff’s blog entry is the most important — especially the defensive coordinator. The Seahawks and Falcons are the only non-rematch Divisional game: advantage Falcons. Nolan has been able to cook up schemes to confuse top-flight QB’s all year. Wilson may be one himself right now, but the result will be no different. He’ll struggle. The game will hinge on turnovers, and an opportunistic D should send Atlanta to the NFC Championship Game.
monty
January 8th, 2013
3:45 pm
As good as the record is this team isn’t dominant in any area. Everything is good or a little better than good but no one area that impresses you, other than tenacity and maybe that will be enough.
Puleeeeeze Stop it!!
January 8th, 2013
3:47 pm
MG3 tell Matt Ryan to keep up with Joe Flacco first…..When he win in January then you can talk. until then, pipe down…your boy has fewer playoff wins than TYLER YATES……
Elderly
January 8th, 2013
3:48 pm
Two things: 1. Wilson looked great largely because he wasn’t under much pressure given Seattle’s superb O-line. Can we provide any? What do YOU think? 2. My current fantasy is imagining us stuffing Marshawn Lynch and burying him at the line. My last fantasy was Patricia Clarkson, ah, taking a shine to me. That one had a better chance of happening.
Decatur Falcons
January 8th, 2013
3:51 pm
Truth, I will say this Washington Redskin Defense lost the game for them, RG3 Lead them to a 14-0 Lead. The miss opportunities to get turnovers in the game, something the Atlanta Falcons don’t do in games. One of Seattle Seahawks pass rusher is done for the season, I am looking for a close game, I enjoy watching Russell Wilson, but I want Atlanta to try and win their first Playoff Game in the Georgia Dome. If we play good Defense and get turnovers in the game and Matt Ryan play at a high level then we should win the game on Sunday. Mike Smith and his staff have to out coach Pete Carol staff period. People need to calm down, Washington Redskin Defense lost that game and we have a better Defensive Coordinator then the Washington Redskin; Mike Nolan will get these guys ready on Sunday. Dirk will get Matt Ryan going, just play hard baby. Take one play at time, convert on 3 downs and get touchdowns GO FALCONS!!!!
JSS
January 8th, 2013
3:51 pm
Mitch wrote…
“People forgot Belichick used to coach the Browns and they sucked bad. ”
Huh, they were only bad his first and his last seasons… His last time was 5 scores from going from 5-11 to 10-6 after going 11-5 (playoffs) the previous season… The other time they hoved around the .500 mark…
Chris is Seattle
January 8th, 2013
3:51 pm
Wow! “falcfan” says: “No way we lose on Sunday….Seattle is overhyped, and their rookie QB will get confused by Nolan’s D….all we have to do is stuff Lynch, and they will unravel.
I know this won’t be popular, but I also believe that we can run the ball on their D….we’ve had two weeks to add new wrinkles, and fresh legs. That will set up play action which will kill them ,esp. without their top pass rusher. People forget, in the midst of touting Seattles CBs as being big and physical, that Roddy and Julio are too, and have the advantage of knowing where the play is going.
Falcons win 31-3″
Unreal at the level of misunderstanding by this commenter. All season long, when the Hawks play a marquee game, sports writers/reporters and mostly blog commenters always say the “Seahawks are overhyped.” Well Jesus Christmas, what does it take to disprove that??? They’ve beat the Patriots, Packers, 49’s and now the Redskins. What more do you want? And don’t give me that crap about RG3. Yeah, he got hurt (worse) and was out of the game. Their D gave up TWENTY-FOUR unanswered points. How do you explain that? Seattle’s D is very good (not the best), and like most on these boards have mentioned, the key aspects will be the Falcon receivers vs. the Seahawks secondary. If Ryan and Co. and exploit Seattle’s DB’s and safeties and get big plays, and then covert in the red zone (which the Falcons have a little trouble doing), then I think the Falcons will get the W.
If Seattle dominates in rushing and then starts to mix up all the schemes, then Atlanta is in trouble. Their D isn’t exactly superior (10th against the rush and 14th against passing, but 24th overall!)
Should be another good game, but I caution many of you who are predicting some sort of blowout. The Redskins fans did the same thing. Look what happened.
inkspot
January 8th, 2013
3:52 pm
What worries me is that the Seahawks are very similar to the Panthers. Young mobile talented QB. Strong running game. Strong against the run. Simple game plan. That’s the Panthers. Who gave the Falcons fits this year. Advantage Seattle. The Falcons will have to do something special to win this game… like play the way they did against the Giants!
real talk
January 8th, 2013
3:55 pm
No smitty needs to be relieved of his duties if we lose this game. If you notice, that offense played differently for the first three games, then everything changed like smitty stepped in and flexed his muscles some. I think Smitty is holding this team back personally. he is good for game management but he isnt that coaching genius like some of the other coaches. I say lets pick up the old steelers coach or get lovie smith before he gets snatched by philly if we lose this game and they are available.
Falcons 1982
January 8th, 2013
3:55 pm
If the Falcons don’t win why shouldn’t Smith and Dimitroff be fired? Last season it was said that the DC and OC were the problem so we have new ones and they are doing well. So if things don’t change then it is time to change the only other common denominator left with losing in the post season is the GM and head coach.
MG3
January 8th, 2013
3:56 pm
If the Ravens had Matt Ryan they’d have won at least two rings in the last 4 years. Amazing that a QB who came to this horrible wreck of a franchise and has done nothing but win never gets credit, though I have a pretty good idea why. I agree that it’s time for playoff success though so if Ryan lays an egg again I’ll be the first to jump off his bandwagon.
SB
January 8th, 2013
3:56 pm
I think the national media is going to be awfully disappointed this Sunday when two of their favorite stories go bye-bye for the season: rookie QBs, and Falcons can’t win in January. Of course all energy will immediatlely swing into the Brady v. Manning frenzy.
Rey
January 8th, 2013
4:01 pm
The St. Louis Rams laid the blueprint for beating the Seattle Seahawks. I’m just no sure we have the same personnel that they have.
JSS
January 8th, 2013
4:03 pm
“Let today be the last time that ANYONE in this town compares Matt Ryan to Peyton Manning in any way, shape, form, or fashion!”
Only in your dreams, they’ll be rolling that one out there like they love rolling the one about him being the next Dan Marino!
Loyal Falcon
January 8th, 2013
4:04 pm
The team nobody wants to face…Please! This is the NFL! There is no fear here in Atlanta. We welcome whoever wants to enter the Dome. This is our house and we will protect it. All these so called analysts talking about a weak schedule, we haven’t played anyone, etc….We played who was put in front of us. We don’t make the schedule. Before the season started they said we’d be 8-8(because we had Dallas,Philly,Denver,New Orleans,Giants,etc). What did we do?…Go 13-3….Now all of a sudden we had an easy schedule. GTFOH!!!
Puleeeeeze Stop it!!
January 8th, 2013
4:07 pm
MG3..Right two rings…. He would have pissed the bed like he did vs. the Cardinals ( remember 2 ints, a fumble, a safety) or like he did vs. the Packers ( 2 ints a fumble) or the Giants (Stunk up the place)…… Keep on buying the hype. Until he does it when it counts, he is just a new school Phillip Rivers..
JSS
January 8th, 2013
4:11 pm
“The St. Louis Rams laid the blueprint for beating the Seattle Seahawks. I’m just no sure we have the same personnel that they have.”
Heck no, stud D-line, physical corners who can cover and a middle LB who stuffs the run… And they have nothing to compare with Brockers and Langford at DT… It clears up for Long and Quinn to get after the QB!!! They can attack the Read Option…
Falc1
January 8th, 2013
4:13 pm
relax—the atl will light it up and win easy—seattle doesn’t matchup with the ATL D. they beat a 1 legged QB by 10–no big deal. Atl 27 seattle 10
Angela
January 8th, 2013
4:14 pm
For you sports neophytes, Atlanta has won two playoff games before in 1999 – the NFC divisional and the NFC championship game in order to go to the Super Bowl XXXIII where they lost to the Denver Broncos that year. Where does this revisionist sports history come from? and most of you people are lifelong Atlantans?
Answer This
January 8th, 2013
4:15 pm
The I dont care blogger is here to show us he does not care….sure got alot of comments for someone who dont care! King Idiot remember you are crowned!
We are going to win so all of this will he get fired stuff can go out the window! Thats just stupid silly ( did you guys get that JustStupidSilly…JSS…heheheheh) to think we will not win. I think Sal Pal said it best this morning.on the morning talk show….the Falcons will win…..PERIOD! So get off the what-if bandwagons! The thing we have to guard against after we win the Super Bowl will be that let down and how we stay up after and want more after Matty gets the fat contract and how to fight from being complacent. Listen non-believers we will Rise Up on Sunday!
JSS
January 8th, 2013
4:15 pm
Could been worse, he could have called him the “New school Bubby Brister!”
JSS
January 8th, 2013
4:17 pm
Dang, even Bubby Brister won a playoff game!
JSS
January 8th, 2013
4:22 pm
Here comes the skipping record, finally got somebody to move the needle… Oh, there it goes again, new side, another scratch!!!
Hamad Meander
January 8th, 2013
4:24 pm
Crazy talk. This team is way better off than it’s ever been, and even with a loss on Sunday, I support Mike Smith, Thomas Dimitroff, and the team. Go Falcons!
Chris is Seattle
January 8th, 2013
4:24 pm
IF Atlanta can stop the run, then I think they win. If not, and Marshawn goes Beast Mode, then it may be a long day for Atlanta.
Also, many Redskins fans were claiming that there was no way that Seattle was going to travel across the country and beat THEM in their own house. Their hubris was ridiculous. That being said, I see much more measured and meaninful comments from the good people of Atlanta. Thanks for not being a bunch of bat-sh*# crazy psychos like the Washington fans.
Answer This
January 8th, 2013
4:27 pm
How that stopping Seattle do for St. Louis? Stud Dline, linebacker…etc…… In the famous words of Charles Barkley….they gone fishing!
@Loyal Falcon…..BEST POST ALL DAY!…I remember the talking heads and many of these same bloggers predicting the same thing some even worse, however they are to coward to step up and admit it!
@Mitch…hovering around = sucks bad! You are correct!
SB
January 8th, 2013
4:32 pm
Even if Mike Smith deserved to get fired (he doesn’t), there’s 6 other teams you’d have to compete with in finding a new head coach. #NotGoingToHappen
Iluvnutella
January 8th, 2013
4:33 pm
i think our HC and our GM are two of the most OVERATED people in the NFL. Mike smith is nothing more than the Bobby cox of the NFL…..good reg season coach, but when the bright lights are on, he folds up like a cheap suit. Dont get me started on dimitroff. While I love Julio, we gave up way too much for him, and as a result, we have NO O line or D line. Dimitroff is a boob, much like Wandstedt and Turner, disciples of jimmy johnson, but nowhere near as good.
JSS
January 8th, 2013
4:40 pm
Somebody feed that Minor Bird…
DJANGO
January 8th, 2013
4:41 pm
The “D” may be silent but if they lose again Monday
Will be loud on every channel.
Iluvnutella
January 8th, 2013
4:43 pm
@MG3….dude…..doesnt Joe Flaco have a playoff win in every year he has been in league?
Answer This
January 8th, 2013
4:48 pm
@Iluvnutella
Bobby Cox of the NFL…funny! However I dont agree with that “gave up to much” for Julio. He is one of the main reasons we are where we are today! He pulled alot of pressure off of Roddy and Roddy is not getting any younger, so the crown is soon to be passed to Julio. Can you remember any of the guys chosen after Julio and what they are doing today in the NFL? I am sure some King Idiot does and will tell me about 30 other players who was chosen and who are better but right now not one rings a bell off the top of my head. We will continue to address the Oline and Dline…but memory fails me if there are guys causing havoc in the NFL after we choose Julio. Help me out. I think The Baker man has proven he was hurt last year and he has had a solid year. We need some more help ( like all other teams) but that Julio trade was something that many fans here in Atlanta said we never had the guts to do with any of our franchises here and he is an All Pro! Remember to Rise Up!
Elvis is Alive
January 8th, 2013
4:51 pm
I have always been a disciple of the POWER of POSITIVE THINKING!
For some reason Coach Smith doesn’t exude confidence. I have to question why?
Have the critics of his style gotten to him?
Does he believe he may actually lack the ability to really”step on the gas”?
I would rather hear a coach say openly that he feels that the team can win the game.
One statement! We can WIN this game!..and then say it again! We can WIN this game!
Not all the duplicitous mumbo jumbo about goals and the second season Coach speak.
This is not a corporation sales talk, this is FOOTBALL, mean, nasty, in your face, bloody, broken and bruising FOOTBALL. There should be no excuses..prior to the game and after.
Leave it all on the field!
If the Coach feels the team may or may not win is so lacking in confidence and the players sense this demeanor.
Wonder if he would feel better by saying his team doesn’t stand a chance and they will be one and done.
Then he can step to the podium and deliver his press conference complete with tears about how this is the best team who really rallied and fought hard to WIN THIS GAME.
And the public loves him..fa la la la lah..
Stop the nonsense and everybody settle down.
WE CAN WIN THIS GAME!
Coach,if you can’t stand the heat, go sit in the locker room and phone it in..
Otherwise get some guts and stand up and yell at the top of your lungs in front of the entire staff and management..WE CAN WIN THIS GAME..
And remember FALCONS..it is up to you…he can’t intercept three passes and recover their 2 fumblesl.
Honestly, I want to see him cry about how this is the best team and then, with a little blood in his eye..say ..WHO”S NEXT ?
It’s Now or Next Year…FALCONS
WE CAN WIN THIS GAME!!!
RISE UP..ANGRY BIRDS..RISE UP
Elvvis has left the building..thank ya..thank ya very much
Thomas Brown
January 8th, 2013
4:51 pm
Now would be a good time.
Elvis is Alive
January 8th, 2013
4:59 pm
*ELVIS* and thanks for all the Bithday wishes
Puleeeeeze Stop it!!
January 8th, 2013
4:59 pm
Answer this…..Yeah… How about Randall Cobb…. ( He only lead the league in yards from scrimmage) or Tory Smith from Baltimore…Yeah…there are dudes that are balling and their team did not get rolled in order to sign them!!!
Answer This
January 8th, 2013
5:01 pm
@Elvis
You got me ready to run through a frigging brick wall!
Answer This
January 8th, 2013
5:01 pm
@Elvis
You got me ready to run through a frigging brick wall!
JSS
January 8th, 2013
5:01 pm
Ha ha, Torrey Smith and he’s won and played in championship game… Feed the Minor bird!
JSS
January 8th, 2013
5:01 pm
Ha ha, Torrey Smith and he’s won a playoff game and played in championship game… Feed the Minor bird!
Answer This
January 8th, 2013
5:04 pm
Thanks for finding that one gem! I knew someone could! Julio is not balling? You tell me who else? And for King Idiot I knew you would come up with someone…..the guy who does not care! Lol. Wow, Torry Smith is an All Pro reciever correct?
Maestro
January 8th, 2013
5:05 pm
SEATTLE SCARES THE HELL OUT OF ME. There,I said it. Any team that gets down 14-0 in a place like FedEx Field and comes back not only to win but win convincingly isn’t a team to be trifled with. They are as hot as Green Bay and it wouldn’t surprise me if they make it to NO. They are playing with confidence and they are playing loose which in my opinion makes them just that much more dangerous. The Falcons will need to play a perfect game Sunday to get by the Seahawks. They have earned my respect. For all you bloggers who think that the Falcons are just going to walk all over this team, you better think again. This is coming from one of the biggest Falcons fans anywhere.
Answer This
January 8th, 2013
5:11 pm
Randall Cobb plays for Green Bay correct? Heck suit me up and let Rogers throw to me! He makes stars out of many. Every receiver on that team is lethal because of him! We can agree to disagree on this one Pleauuuuuze. It took guts to make that movr and its paying off. It signaled that the we were changing with the leauge and we made the moves to.do so. With that move the Falcons became what we fans wanted….more up field moving. When we had another #1 receiver ( Stinking Jenkins) and Roddy the combo was no where as lethal! Just for giggles….with those picks tell me who you who have choosen?
JSS
January 8th, 2013
5:13 pm
Oh there are more, especially for D-line and LBs if you’re going move up and secure depth and playmakers…
Say what
January 8th, 2013
5:13 pm
“Amazing that a QB who came to this horrible wreck of a franchise and has done nothing but win never gets credit, though I have a pretty good idea why. ”
Same here. I can’t think of any other explanation that makes sense.