Mike Smith: From “Who’s he?” to “He’s really good!”
Not long ago, more than a few folks wondered who Mike Smith was and why the Falcons hired him. And now, 17 months on the job, Smitty finds himself rated in the upper 25 percentile of the NFL’s head coaches.
According to RealScouts, which is Sporting News Today’s evaluative panel of former NFL scouts, Smith is No. 8 among the elite 32. He trails Bill Belichick, Tom Coughlin, Andy Reid, Jeff Fisher, Mike Tomlin, Sean Payton and Ken Whisenhunt — three of whom have won Super Bowls, six of whom have been to the Super Bowl.
Admittedly, this was the year to move upward, what with Tony Dungy, Mike Shanahan and Mike Holmgren no longer coaching and Lane Kiffin having moved his genius to the SEC. Still, eighth for a guy who hasn’t won a playoff game — and who has worked only one season as head coach — is heady stuff. (And Smitty is ranked one spot above John Fox and 12 above Lovie Smith, both of whom have taken teams to the Super Bowl.)
Loading ...And we know Smith is ranked where he is on merit. Because when it comes to on-the-record schmoozing, he’s among the worst. This isn’t a criticism: Smith is a genuinely nice man who works hard at saying little. (Belichick, by way of contrast, is a genuine pill who works hard at saying little.) As if to underscore the point, Sporting News Today runs a Q&A with Smitty on the facing page, and he says absolutely nothing.
And where, you’re wondering, might Jim Mora be in the rankings? No, not 32nd. (That’d be Josh McDaniels, who succeeded Shanahan in Denver.) Young Jimbo, entering Year 1 as the head Seahawk, is ranked a suprisingly kind 19th, which puts him ahead of Lovie Smith, over whom he was hired to coach the Falcons in 2004. Writes SNT’s panel: “Mora is smart and will learn from his mistakes in Atlanta.”
(I used to think Mora was smart, too. Then I decided he was just a smart-aleck. But I digress.)
Kudos to Smitty, who has come a fur piece, as we say in Kentucky, from his year as an assistant at Morehead (Ky.) State, where he ran a Christmas tree farm on the side. And an early happy birthday as well: Mike Smith turns 50 this Saturday.
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84 comments Add your comment
PMC
June 9th, 2009
10:47 am
What isn’t there with Coach Smith might be the best. No, notes on the lockers after he skipped town. No Lamborghini rides, no shennigans, no worrying about the nonsensical. No kicking media members off the team bus… no whining about the QB or acting as if people asking relevant questions are crazy.
Then you see where he saves his intensity and aggressiveness. Defending his guys on the field stepping in front of a fight, confidently tossing the red flag and going for it on a short 4th and 1.
Confidence, Professionalism in spades… we just aren’t used to it with our football franchise. We are used to gimmicks. That’s why he’s good. It’s pure football and he loves football not being a star… and that’s no gimmick.
brewdawg
June 9th, 2009
10:48 am
Remember folks, Jim Mora orchestrated a similar turnaround in 2004, only he reached the NFC championship game. Let’s not crown this regime just yet okay? I’ve been fooled before.
Mark Bradley
June 9th, 2009
10:55 am
“Crown this regime”: BrewDawg channels Dennis Green!
But he’s got a point. I remember describing Mora, McKay and Blank as “smart, smarter, smartest” in the summer of 2005. Another Bradley winner.
carmatter
June 9th, 2009
11:03 am
brewdawg, that’s exactly what I was thinking.
I do think Smith & Co. are the real deal, but let’s get on our knees and pray we don’t get fooled again!
Mark Bradley
June 9th, 2009
11:03 am
Another MB blog post is now available, if you’re so inclined. It’s on the Pirates and the backlash they’re getting from last week’s doings. I’d be obliged if you’d take a look, but I understand if you don’t. Only so many hours in the day.
Dtruth
June 9th, 2009
11:07 am
Smitty did one great coaching job last year. Matt Ryan was all the rage but in reality Coach Smith set the table perfectly and allowed Matt to succeed. He had a great runner, great scheme, game plans, made great game day decisions, took advantage of opponents weaknesses and won. Smitty did an incredible job and deserves all the credit he gets. This year will be a great challenge because of the rough schedule but Smitty is the MAN and I hope he continue his success!
Dr. (Robert Penn) Warren
June 9th, 2009
11:09 am
It will be a pity if Smitty cannot bring his undermanned defense a passion for the nitty gritty.
PoliticalMan
June 9th, 2009
11:09 am
Mark,
RE: seeing smart where it’s not. Correct me if I’m wrong, but isn’t it you who has seen in the over-the-hills, never-weres, and what passes for management of the Braves the seeds for good seasons. I suppose brutal honesty gets you kicked out of the clubhouse. In fact, didn’t you just say that a few days ago?
SlimG
June 9th, 2009
11:12 am
Mora was always a side show. He’ll do worse in Seattle b/c no MV7. As far as the birds, I agree with us winning the South. Regardless of the record, just make the playoffs and go from there. This will never be said, black Atlantans still hold a grudge toward Arthur.
Here’s hoping Jerry Jones wants vick!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Matt
June 9th, 2009
11:12 am
Hey, I’m with everyone on not “crowning this regime” yet, and the record being worse, but Jim Mora had a far more talented team that was just missing the quarterback (I guess he could be called that) from injuries. The defense last year was also made from smoke and mirrors, I would not doubt Smitty and Van Gorder could do the same. Finally Atlanta wont have 42-35 games, too effecient in ball control.
NoleRick
June 9th, 2009
11:15 am
I will give Smitty another year before I say he is this good. We all know how well Jim Mora’s first and second year went.
BugKiller
June 9th, 2009
11:51 am
brewdawg… come on man.
Look, Little Jimmy Mora was the beneficiary of a team Dan Reeves put together FINALLY getting healthy, an easy schedule, AND Mike Vick doing crazy stuff before teams learned how to shut him down (as they did the next two seasons… something all you Vick-Idiots never seem to remember).
Mark, correct me if I’m wrong, but Little Jimmy Mora, more than any other NFL coach except for maybe Dave Shula, is a coach in the NFL because of who his daddy is, and NOT based on performance.
His defenses in San Fran were pedestrian and mediocre. Never top-10, never even top-15. He got the job in Atlanta because Rich and Artie felt more “comfortable” with him than Lovie, who’s abrasive.
Little known to them, Little Jimmy was just a b.s-er who’s great in the interview (love those MAGIC notebooks of his), but lacking in the follow-through, where Matt Winklejohn will tell you, he’s an abrasive, arrogant, petulant, spoiled little brat of the kind that only comes from someone who got to where he is based on who he knows, not what he does.
Little Jimmy Mora is a jerk. He’s got that errudite air of the privileged that do not deserve their current position in life.
You don’t question what he says. Just look at all of his interviews. He believes he’s untouchable.
And the worst thing about Little Jimmy Mora, and I bet Mark can back me up… he comes off as SO disingenuous.
He’s as fake as they can be. Smiling at your front, while looking for a place to stick a knife in your back.
Now, Mike Smith… he and his coaching staff… they’re hard workers. They’re nose to the grindstone kind of guys.
They’re not flash. They’re block and tackle. That is why the Falcons will be winners.
To often this franchise has looked to style over substance.
Run and Shoot.
Mike Vick.
Little Jimmy and his BFF Take A Knapp.
Now, like in the Reeves era (but with a much better GM – natch!), they have a meat and potatoes coaching staff who actually knows what it takes to win.
This season may be rough, because the Falcons did have an easier schedule last year.
But it is no mirage.
There is substance to this team, and great evaluators of talent in the GM office and on the sideline, and who are two separate people, meaning it’s not all on one guy, like in the Reeves era.
The Falcons are now the class of Atlanta, and unlike the team that used to be, I have a feeling that the Falcons coach, as opposed to the Braves horribly overrated manager, can actually win in the postseason.
rob
June 9th, 2009
11:52 am
Coach Smith deserves the high ranking..The process is working from top to bottom in attitude, character and expectations..I think the Falcons will win more than 8 games despite the so called tough schedule. As far the schedule goes, remember the teams on the Falcons schedule better be worried that THEY have to play US…Nuff said
Mark Bradley
June 9th, 2009
12:15 pm
I know you’re getting tired of me writing stuff, but what can I say? It’s my job. So here’s a new one on Michael Vick possibly playing for Orlando of the UFL. (What’s the UFL, you ask? Good question.)
Jimv
June 9th, 2009
12:36 pm
“Who’s he?” is always a good idea in selecting a new coach. That’s why I really like UGA’s basketball choice.
JDE
June 9th, 2009
12:48 pm
I can’t believe they even put Bobby Petrino’s name in here!?! Don’t you have to finish at least an entire season before you are considered a legend? Bobby was a stain on the city, a gutless coward who left a Dear John note to the team taped to the lockers. What a wuss! I wish him bad luck at Arkansas.
David Smith
June 9th, 2009
1:08 pm
I first had my reservations about Mike Smith (especially since we were coming off one of worst seasons ever in Falcons history) because I had never heard of him (much like Petrino). I love his fiery coaching style and how he loves his players (without kissing their behinds like Mora did). I also like how he gets the most out of his players (Grimes, Harry Douglas, Chevis Jackson) and his play calling only got better as the year progressed. I’m very excited about this season and hope we can break that 43 year non consecutive win streak that is holding us back to achieving greatness.
D Hunter
June 9th, 2009
5:31 pm
If the Falcons stay healthy, this will be another 1998 for us. Even with the “more difficult” schedule (who’s to say some of those supposedly decent teams won’t have bad years) there are concrete reasons why this team is going to be better this year.
1. Mike Smith is at the top of the list of those good reasons. I don’t think coaches are susceptible to being figured out in their 2nd year. Usually it’s more like they start figuring it out themselves. Coach Smith didn’t have the defense he wanted last year and still had them looking decent most of the time. This off season was all about the defense Smith wanted, faster and younger, ball hawks and play-makers. Everything we lacked last year. Not a lot of experience to be sure, but that’s where the coach will prove his top tier status with defensive schemes and adjustments (I hear we may even introduce that new-fangled thing they call blitzing). This year’s defense is going to have the stamp of a defensive minded head coach, and they have the players to make that a reality right now.
2. The defense is going to look so good because the offense is going to hold onto the ball 60/40 over the course of the season. The Falcons will be among the lead leaders in 3rd down conversions for the first time since he who shall not be named was at the top of his game. The difficult schedule actually only has us playing against 4 top 10 ranked defenses (one of them is Tampa and we know they will not be that good this year). New England’s defense may get worse as well so that just leaves NY and Washington. We’ll break even in defensive battle type games this year. Ball control and red zone touchdowns will be the major difference between this year and last year offense.
Martin
June 9th, 2009
5:37 pm
To be honest, I love Mike Smith.
SirReal
June 9th, 2009
5:58 pm
I think the squad is headed in the right direction. Sure the schedule on paper looks like it’s a mountain but we’ve all seen how teams end up being mediocre. I am cautiously optimistic (I’ve lived in ATL my whole life and have been with the Birds since I knew who they were.lol So excuse me if I hold my breath….JUST a little….) With what we have on offense, we’ll have enough to sustain us in games until the D gels. The huge factor for us will be the D but if they can get us enough 3& outs and turnovers, our O can handle the rest. (They should be top 5 offense this year) GO BIRDS!!!
Kane337
June 9th, 2009
9:14 pm
Mike Smith is awesome. I love how he patrols the sidelines. He’s very fiery during gametime, gets in the refs faces after bad calls (see game at Tampa, see non-muffed punt vs Eagles, see Turner non-fumble vs Rams). He even gets in opposing players faces (see Antonio Bryant). Then right after the game he does his post game press conference and is cordial, polite, and classy as can be. You can’t but have so much respect for the man.
His philosophy on football is so old school. Run the football and stop the run. Proof was in the pudding in 2008. It’s not smoke and mirror like we have seen for so much of Atlanta Falcons football history (see Glanville’s red gun offense, see Jeff George’s rocket arm in June Jone’s run and shoot offense, see Mora’s and Knapp’s zone blocking scheme with a WCO and a running QB, see Petrino’s college offense).
If the young defense can gel quickly in 2009 and the team can stay relatively healthy like they did in 2008 I think the Falcons will have a successful 2009 season.
Go Falcons
BTW, l enjoy reading your columns Mark Bradley. Have for many years.
Mark Bradley
June 9th, 2009
9:35 pm
Why, thank you, Kane.
gene
June 10th, 2009
8:10 am
I’m a longtime Falcon fan and I’ve seen this played out to many times to be impressed by one winning season. I’m thankful for the past season because the team and the city needed closure after Michael Vick self destructed. The fans of this team are so starved for wins that they will jump at any sign that things are improving. I do hope that things have changed for the Falcons but it will take more than one winning season against inferior opponents to make the case. Let’s see what happens this year when the schedule gets tougher. At any rate, GO FALCONS.
Craig Walker
June 10th, 2009
9:44 am
Gene… I know what you’re saying but the whole “inferior opponents” junk is played out. We played the same schedule as the rest of our division last year and will do the same again this year. I don’t hear anyone talking about how they got it easy. This years schedule will not be nearly as tough as people want to think. Mike Smith is the man, any doubters will see soon enough. GO FALCONS!
Barry
June 10th, 2009
9:59 am
The architect of a “ONE HEARTBEAT!!”. He gets my vote everytime. He turned this team, in one year, from an ego busted, individualist group of team members, whom he traded, into a “UNITED” team that “TAKES CARE OF BUSINESS” on the field, WHER IT COUNTS. He made this team a young, “football intelligent” team, with great assistant coaches, to help in the continued “PROCESS” of making this team “conisistant winners” on their way to SUPER BOWL(S). He, with help from Dimitroff, have changed the Falcon organization, team, and football community in “ONE HEARTBEAT!!” in one year. I give “KUDOS” to him and the team. No one can take that away because it is now instilled in the organization, the team, the fans , and the community. We are ready to fight al comers in trying to take this away from us. WE ARE THE FALCONS!!!!!! WE CAN’T WAIT UNTIL UNTIL THIS SEASON STARTS. AND THAT”S NO JOKE!!
TAKE IT TO THEM SMITTY!!!!!! IN “ONE HEARTBEAT!!!”
GO FALCONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is a SECRET from a FALCON FAN. TELL EVERYBODY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
……………………….”ONE HEARTBEAT, BABY!!!!!”……………..
JWW
June 10th, 2009
10:49 am
Okay, I’ll ask…If we go 8-8, make the playoffs and go to AT LEAST the second round…Can we call that back to back winning seasons and move on? Or do we ABSOLUTELY HAVE to go 9-7, even if we don’t make the playoffs?
Mark Bradley
June 10th, 2009
10:51 am
I’ll check with Seymour Siwoff at the Elias Sports Bureau and get back to you, JWW, but my guess is that there’ll be no dispensation for 8-8.
JWW
June 10th, 2009
10:53 am
And another thing…All this talk of us having this “tougher” schedule. I think it is, all these teams we play that should be saying, “Wow, we have got a tougher schedule this year…We’re playing the NFC South!
nhe
June 10th, 2009
12:20 pm
It surprised me that Jim Mora hired Greg Knapp again as his OC……..I have a hard time putting him at 19 based on that move alone.
Re: The Falcons this season, I think people largely forget that (save for two not common opponents) the rest of our division has our same schedule. It won’t be a cake walk for any of them either. However, it does look like the Falcons have the toughest road schedule of the group.
With that said, the Falcons can achieve at least 9-7 and win the division by going 5-1 against the division.
We’ve got to show that we’re far superior than Tampa Bay, and sweep them. Then we’ll have to earn a hard fought sweep against either Carolina or New Orleans……..if the Falcons are as good as we think they are, they’ll find a way to do this. Certainly, if we go 5-1 in our division, there are 4 more wins out there from among the remaining 10.
Adam
June 10th, 2009
12:44 pm
Smith is Leeman Bennett with a vision and a plan — he won’t rest on his laurels. He calls his players “men” and you can easily see the bond that he has created with his players. First-ever back-to-back winning seasons shouldn’t be a problem and as far as the schedule goes, by midseason teams will be fearing the Falcons more and more. The tough schedule will easily prepare this team for the playoffs. And by the way — he has GREAT assistant coaches — just look at Roddy White.
For you 27 who voted for Petrino, you must’ve been in a coma and still think he’s at Louisville. Go away.
As for Mora — a player’s coach but when you put your trust in guys like Knapp and Donatell forget it. He’ll do the same thing in Seattle that he did with us. A year up, a year down.
DK
June 11th, 2009
4:30 pm
Someone mentioned that Jim Mora looked pretty good after one year and that we should wait a little longer to judge. I agree with this. However, I could see problems in the way he handled his players (and let them handle him). He wanted to be their buddies and they (the players) didn’t respect him because of it. Petrino was the polar opposite to Mora. He obviously didn’t understand how important it is to treat NFL players like men rather than treat them like boys. The players didn’t respect him either. Coach Smith is the perfect balance. The treats his players like the professionals that they are without opening himself up to players who can feel that they can “get over on their buddy”. Every player seems to feel that Coach Smith is fair, but that he’d kick their butts if they have it coming. One only needs to listen to the current crop of Falcons players to hear just how much Coach Smith is respected by the players. Even at training camp last year this had become obvious; a complete turnaround from the year before.
If this season isn’t as successful as last year’s team it will not be because of any sophomore slump on the part of the coaching staff or Matt Ryan. It will be because of injuries. If this team stays relatively injury free, we’ll probably go to the big game, or at least the championship game. This team is the goods. The offense maybe the best offense in the NFL this year; the defense is the unknown, but the defensive coaching staff is for real and the new defensive players may very well jell quickly and become a top-notch unit too. Time will tell.
Southernmarine25
June 16th, 2009
11:43 pm
Just like with the Raven’s Joe Flacco, teams now have tape on Matt Ryan and will be looking for ways to exploit his weaknesses.
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