Mularkey on Falcons’ offense: Do what we do, only better
What are Tony Gonzalez's strengths? Only everything, Mike Mularkey says. (AP photo)
Flowery Branch – We know what can happen when we assume, but here’s a case study. Outside consensus holds that the Falcons’ offense will be both expanded and expansive in 2009, what with Matt Ryan being an established pro and Michael Turner being a money back and Tony Gonzalez being aboard. Lots more plays! Lots more looks!
Said Mike Mularkey, the offensive coordinator: “We’ve taken out about 30 pages of the playbook. Last year we didn’t know who we had and what we had, so we put everything in. This year, from OTAs [organized team activities] on, we’ve said, ‘We don’t have to expand anything. We just have to do it better.’ And that’s we what want to do: Just do what we do good, and do it better.”
Those concerned that the addition of the All-Pro Gonzalez might induce Mularkey to overpass don’t know Mularkey. (And shouldn’t that be the title of the Falcons’ pruned playbook? “A Bunch of Mularkey”?) He wants to run the ball. “That’s always been my philosophy,” he said. But his guiding principle is even more pragmatic.
“We want to score every time we touch the football. There are no boards, no sheets, no objectives [posted in the offense's meeting room]. We don’t say, ‘We’re going to get 20 first downs and eight explosive plays [20-plus yards] or have 35 percent of something. If you score every time, every goal you’d shoot for is going to accumulate.”
Against every expectation, the 2008 Falcons mustered a first-rate offense from a rookie quarterback, a career backup tailback and an offensive line regarded in preseason as the NFL’s worst. They finished 10th in scoring, sixth in yardage, 14th in passing, second in rushing. The team that we figured — well, I sure figured — would need to win every game 17-14 wound up scoring 20-plus points 12 times in 16 regular-season games.
The 2009 offense should be better still, for many reasons. Chief among them: Gonzalez. “I know what his strengths are,” Mularkey said.
What are they? “Everything. He doesn’t get enough credit for his blocking. He’s one of the best blockers I’ve ever graded coming out of college. We’re not going to create a whole new offense for him, but we can move him around.”
Another misconception: The Falcons simplified their offense a year ago owing to their rookie quarterback. Mularkey: “The easy answer would be to say, ‘Yes,’ but I look back and we had more checks [audibles] going into the Detroit [season opener] than in any game I’ve ever been part of. I must have had confidence in him.”
Loading ...Ryan’s potential? How high is up? “He grows from everything he does,” Mularkey said. “Even if it’s something he does well, he wants to expand it. He’s never going to get comfortable. He’s not settling for normalcy.”
Given that we on the periphery were so wrong about everything regarding the 2008 offense, are we right to expect bigger and better? “Teams are going to be a little bit better prepared for us,” Mularkey said. “But the thing I don’t know is if they can prepare for how hard we play. People ask how Michael can do what he does. He can do it because the rest of the team is running downfield knocking defenders off him. That’s hard to prepare for. I’ve never seen it anywhere else I’ve been.”
And here we pause to note: Mularkey worked for the Pittsburgh Steelers under Bill Cowher. That team had a defense to complement its O. These Falcons figure to need to score in bunches to prop up a fledgling D. But that’s another assumption, and we know all about those.
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188 comments Add your comment
leland
August 24th, 2009
3:41 pm
Dear Mr. MB–I liked the old FALCONS SORRY better. Remember, vengence will be serve. Your pal, Leland
tipical bloger
August 24th, 2009
3:45 pm
whoever pavlov’s dogs are, MV7 didn’t do ‘em.
tbhawksfan
August 24th, 2009
3:51 pm
That’s very funny, even the sign in name……too much
Hercule Poirot
August 24th, 2009
3:58 pm
Why did mitch become leland again? Very curious situation.
Hastings
August 24th, 2009
3:59 pm
Yes. Very curious indeed.
Sherlock Holmes
August 24th, 2009
4:01 pm
Elementary, my dear Poirot … but first … Watson, the needle.
Lance
August 24th, 2009
4:04 pm
that’s hilarious… “Bad News” is so obviously a huge fan of another team who got nervous enough about the Falcons being better than his own team that he felt it necessary to find a pro-Falcons blog and vent about it. there are certainly valid issues with the Falcons that can be discussed (youth of the D, depth at certain positions, etc.), but he doesn’t even know enough about the team to bring them up, and instead harps on things that don’t even make any sense… signing of Gonzalez isn’t that significant??? Matt Ryan is the problem?!?! amazing.
YUP!!
August 24th, 2009
4:05 pm
Mark……..the Panthers have never had back to back winning seasons.
Archie
August 24th, 2009
4:09 pm
Honest question here… can IP or email addresses be banned from AJC forums? If so, is that ever used to curb the blatant flaming on these boards? Half the comments I read of these threads would get your IP address banned on any blog or message board I know of. Even Deadspin wouldn’t allow comments like some of the ones I read on here. Seriously, what is the purpose of these blogs, is it serious discussion or a cyber food fight? Serious readers shouldn’t have to sift through all the nonsense replies just to read well thought out comments, at least I know which ones to ignore since the flames are usually written in all caps.
leland
August 24th, 2009
4:11 pm
There are too many “Mitch” bloggers on here, all Philistines, and I did not want to be confused with them. And HP, the last time you raised this question, I asked you about Ms Marple, but you, you Belgian quack, didn’t have the courtesy to reply.
Lance
August 24th, 2009
4:11 pm
by the way, i haven’t had a chance to watch the pre-season games yet… can someone tell me how Peria Jerry is doing? i’ve read really conflicting analysis of his play so far. some have said he’s looked overmatched, some have said he’s looked fantastic and that DT is going to be a huge strength for us. anyone have any insight?
wxwax
August 24th, 2009
4:18 pm
Being a worrier by nature, I worry about injuries. Who replaces Turner? Who replaces Ryan? Who replaces Gonzalez? Who replaces White?
Norwood’s the only outstanding backup, but his body won’t allow him to be used like Turner.
I also worry about that stat showing a drop-off for running backs the year after they carry the load.
But assuming everyone’s healthy, this offense should be exciting to watch. Defensive coach Mke Smith could supervising an explsoive offense.
How ironic that sometimes in the NFL a head coach whose specialty is on one side of the ball ends up leading a team that excels on the other side of the ball. Dungy, Billick… Mike Smith?
leland
August 24th, 2009
4:25 pm
And, HP, the point I made earlier regarding FALCONS SORRY’s earlier offerings should have caused a stirring in you, and would have, if you were able to set aside your Belgian nosiness. Further, I can’t think of a single thing you’ve said that ranks with FS’s best, among which was the ringing, “vengence will be serve.”
"Thug" Definition
August 24th, 2009
4:34 pm
What is a thug anyway? Is it a low-life or is it a tool used to insult a certain demographic? How about this list:
Ben Roethlinberger (suspected rapist)
Tom Brady (multiple children out of wedlock)
Matt Jones (drug & alcohol abuser)
Dick Cheney & CIA interrogators (violated Congressional laws)
George W Bush (lied about WMD)
Are these guys thugs?
All I'm Saying Is...
August 24th, 2009
4:34 pm
Everybody should calm down because very little can be determined about a team’s capabilities during pre-season aside from what non-first round rookies have earned a spot and which veterans are on the bubble and, therefore, can be dispensed with (likely DJ Shockley).
St. Louis was 2 and 14 last year so our offense romping over their first stringers means little. Despite his blather, Falcons Sorry was right in that we won’t really know what we have on offense until the regular season starts and, maybe, when we play the Ravens or Chargers during pre-season.
Lance: Peria Jerry has some things to work on as he was basically man-handled versus the Rams. Don’t worry, though, he’ll get better.
wxwax: Injuries are part of the game and some can be withstood (Norwood for Turner) and some probably not (Gonzalez). Chris Redman is a veteran, seems like a professional, and won a couple of games he started in the season before Ryan showed up so he could manage the team if necessary.
LET’S GO FALCONS!
Hercule Poirot
August 24th, 2009
4:41 pm
Miss Marple is awaiting you in her boudoir, Leland. She says she has for you, how you say, a never-ending itch? Bon soir, mon amie.
Falcons Sorry they drafted Vick instead of Drew Brees AND LT
August 24th, 2009
4:46 pm
Falcons Sorry seems to have chilled out. Must have borrowed some of Vick’s weed.
The Offense will be fine. The season hinges on all the young defensive players we have. But given the choice, I’d rather have inexperienced talent on defense than offense.
Bobby McGreevey
August 24th, 2009
4:47 pm
Vick’s all about the Grey Goose these days.
Haevy Beer Dirnker
August 24th, 2009
4:50 pm
How did everybody under estimate last year’s team, specifically the offense? Because we don’t know what’s going on with the way the players are coached, motivated, and taught. If the defense, as average as it seems, can get that same type of attention maybe something special can happen. I’m a believer that enough credit is not given to mind over matter. Big things can happen when you get in that “zone”, especially when you start to have consistent success.
Bad News
August 24th, 2009
4:52 pm
I keep hearing you guys go on and on about the past – last season. Well that’s fine, but if you are going to base the 2009 team on 2008 performance(s), you have to look at the whole picture.
The offensive numbers were padded on by teams such as:
Detroit
St. Louis
Kansas City
Oakland
Denver
San Diego (before they jelled)
That 2008 team played in the benefit of the 9th “EASIEST” schedule in the NFL. This season:
4th toughest schedule in the NFL
4 games playing teams coming off of a bye week
5 straight road games against 4 teams that were in the top 10 in defense
Now, that is what they had to deal with after the season ended in 2008, that does not include the unknowns such as injuries and lack of depth due the following losses in personnel:
Keith Brooking
Lawyer Milloy
Foxworth
Michael Boley
Grady Jackson
Harry Douglas (gone for season)
Houston (hamstrings linger for a very long time)
This defense finished 24th in 2008 and with the mentioned losses of personnel, they could possibly fall to 28 or worst. Even the New England offense couldn’t compensate for a defensive liability as great as this one, and the Falcons offense is nothing close to the Patriots.
That’s why even Arthur Blank said on the NFL Network that the team is better but the record probably will not be. What that says is, he likes the players but knows they can’t win nearly that many games again this season.
FAN OF FALCONS SORRY
August 24th, 2009
4:54 pm
FALCONS SORRY IS THE MAN! MATTY HOPELESS DON’T HAVE NO CHANCE WHEN THE KING RETURN TO ATLANTA! TONY GONZOLEEZ IS OLD! TURNER BURNER IS A RUNNIN BACK! AUTHUR BLANK IS CHICKEN SALAD! THE EAGELS WILL CRUSH THE FALCONS WORSER THAN THE GERMANS BOMBED PEARL HARBOR! GO VICK! GO EAGELS! GO FALCONS SORRY!!
Bad News and Good News
August 24th, 2009
4:57 pm
The Falcons may take a step back record-wise this year, but I don’t think anyone can reasonably expect that they will be a less talented team than last year. I still think they will make the playoffs, and then it’s basically a crapshoot as long as they aren’t the lowest-seeded wildcard. They are lining up their major skill players to be at peak ability for the next 2-5 years, so I see that as being this group’s window for a Super Bowl run anyway.
Clay
August 24th, 2009
4:59 pm
I think Falcons Sorry posts his rants out of fun to see what kind of reaction it gets. No one could believe that anyone really thinks Falcons Sorry’s posts are legit.
“Thug” Definition brings up a good point about Matt Jones. There was almost an uproar over Vick not being signed (until he was) but no one cares that teams are avoiding Matt Jones. Why the double standard?
FAN OF FALCONS SORRY IS NOT A FAN OF SPELLCHECK. OR OF SPELLING IN GENERAL.
August 24th, 2009
5:01 pm
Who are the Eagels? Are they in the same league as the Chefs? Do they compete on the Food Network to see who has the best chicken salad recipe?
YUP!!
August 24th, 2009
5:03 pm
The Falcons will have a top 10 defense by mid-season.
Chicken Salad is delicious!
August 24th, 2009
5:08 pm
Nobody cares about Matt Jones because he’s never done anything noteworthy as a professional except use drugs. And maybe eat Chicken Salad.
Haevy Beer Dirnker
August 24th, 2009
5:15 pm
2009 aint got >>squat<< to do with 2008, just like 2008’s got nothing to do with 2007. If that was true why bother playing the games?
leland
August 24th, 2009
5:19 pm
Thank you, M. Poirot. Should you see her, please tell her that only she can quench my thirst and assuage my hunger, and that only she can redeem my longing. And if you can remember, please tell her that I know how to scratch her never-ending itch. Thank you, dear M. Poirot.
YUP!!!
August 24th, 2009
5:24 pm
I forgot to mention that the season will be over by mid season.
Lance
August 24th, 2009
5:32 pm
Bad News – i don’t really understand what your point is. if it’s that the Falcons could end up having a worse record than last year, then yeah, i think most Falcons fans would agree with that. but you seem to also be suggesting that this team is just going to be way worse, and you’re using some flimsy arguments in the process, not to mention being completely selective just to make the Falcons look worse (which tells me you are more than likely either a Bucs, Saints, or Panthers fan)
you say that the offensive numbers were padded, but you completely ignore the fact that we put up a lot of points against some good defenses last year. on the one hand, you criticize the Falcons fans for basing everything on last year, but then you harp on the difficulty of the schedule which is based on – GUESS WHAT??? – last year. aren’t you kind of contradicting yourself there? the parity of the NFL is such that we don’t really know how hard the schedule will be. everyone thought they had an easy win on their schedule when they played the Falcons last year, and they were wrong 11 times.
and as far as the defense goes, you seem to think that just because we cut some players, the defense is just going to be horrific… but you ignore the fact that several of the players you mention weren’t producing that well anymore and were well past their prime. don’t you think there was maybe a reason we cut those players?? Brooking, Milloy and Boley weren’t producing at a high level at all and have been replaced by players who could easily become upgrades (i think Peterson over Brooking already is). so for you to make that argument as if it’s just a given is pretty baseless.
and concerning the Falcons offense not being close to the Patriots offense, i’m sorry, but that’s just a HUGE exaggeration. i’m not saying we are where the Patriots are yet, but i will say that we are a more well balanced offense (our running game is way better) who very well could be as good as the Pats offense this year. you talk like the Pats had the #1 offense last year and the Falcons were #32. the disparity between the two isn’t that large, and the Falcons could easily be a top 5 offense this year. most analysts i’ve read expect them to be.
Southside Falcon
August 24th, 2009
5:39 pm
Right on “thug”Definition it does seem like only a certain demographic gets “thug” and other demographics get no label, when accusations of rape come out, people have kids out of wedlock, or have substance abuse problem, regardles of what some would say thug is just another word for “N”. As far as them birds the O wil be unbeliveable, and the DEFENSE will suprise. I truly wish no one would label anyone or pass judgement and save the immature name calling and insults for grade school
Southside Falcon
August 24th, 2009
5:44 pm
BTW yall Bad News is a saints or should i say ‘Aints Fan check the other blogs
Jack G.
August 24th, 2009
5:46 pm
FALCON SORRY
Have you ever noticed that all the clothes washers in the appliance Dept. at Sears are WHITE, but when you open the lid, all the agitators are BLACK
mark
August 24th, 2009
5:59 pm
The offence looks great. I think Shockley has regressed, he needs to go get a job on his degree.I hope anderson is cut he looks pathetic against 2nd and 3rd teamers. Bierman looks great. Oay no attention to the negative blogers, that is a cry for atention and perhaps a clogged crack pipe.
Dwayne
August 24th, 2009
5:59 pm
Ben Roethlinberger (suspected rapist) suspected is the key word.
Tom Brady (multiple children out of wedlock) he pays his child support, I hope, if he don’t, throw him in jail and call him a thug.
Matt Jones (drug & alcohol abuser) I was at one time. I’m o.k. now. Thank You for caring.
Dick Cheney & CIA interrogators (violated Congressional laws) Show me one person who is without sin.
George W Bush (lied about WMD) All politicians lie. Deal with it.
Are these guys thugs? Call them what you want. Free speech. God Bless. Amen.
crabapplejoe
August 24th, 2009
6:13 pm
Clay wrote: “There was almost an uproar over Vick not being signed (until he was) but no one cares that teams are avoiding Matt Jones. Why the double standard?”
You know the answer to the question…..I’m sure Tony Dungy is getting ready to start “mentoring” Matt Jones as we speak. All of Matt’s “brothas” from around the league are speaking out on his behalf. Country club members all over the USA are getting prepared to riot if the NFL continues to black-ball Matt Jones for drinking a beer on a golf course. LOL
Mark Bradley
August 24th, 2009
6:15 pm
I think Sidbury might wind up being the key Falcon rookie, Falcon Sorry.
And I can’t tell the Mitches from the Lelands, either. Need a scorecard.
oldbrave
August 24th, 2009
6:26 pm
As vet of a war to protect this country I feel Bug Killer has earned the right to say what he damn well pleases to say I have the up most respect for all our vets they have earned the right where most others on here have only enjoyed the benefits of vet service
bigeasy830
August 24th, 2009
6:28 pm
The Falcon’s suck, it is only preseason and they only played the The Rams and the Lions, come on man. They will not score more than 17 points against the Dolphins first game of the season.
And Bugkiller, I know FALCON SORRY personally. He has more patriotism in his pinky than you do your whole sorry body.
Falcons 4-12 in 2009
“Back To Life, Back To Reality”.
Mark Bradley
August 24th, 2009
6:32 pm
And Yup is indeed correct. (Meaning: I was wrong.) Carolina has never had consecutive winning seasons. Thanks, Yup.
oldbrave
August 24th, 2009
6:33 pm
tour in nam here and when youre getting shot at youre all brothers color has no place in the fox hole or this country all racist white , black , red are wrong period
ugag
August 24th, 2009
6:50 pm
what?, another puppyDAWG QB cant make it in the pro’s. Unfreakinbelievable
FALCONS SORRY
August 24th, 2009
7:18 pm
Falcons Sorry they drafted Vick instead of Drew Brees AND LT: I AIN’T SMOKING NO WEED YOU FOOL! I AM LIKE MV7…A CHANGED MAN!!! YOU FEEL ME FOOL? CAN WE ALL GET ALONG?
BY THE WAY I NOW LOVES DOGS. I GOT ME A COUPLE OF PIT BULLS, I NAMED THEM RON MEXICO AND OOKIE.
tjhook
August 24th, 2009
8:11 pm
Falcons Sorry, we need to keep you around. You’re like the dog in the neighborhood that runs barking up to the gate and makes a ton of noise while people walk past, evening pushing the gate forward while leaning on it. Then on the occasion the gate is left open, does not go out wondering but stays in the yard. Fighting loneliness with passion. Come enjoy the Falcons with us this season, Falcons Sorry . . . Our chicken salad needs more seasoning.
tjhook
August 24th, 2009
8:12 pm
sorry about misspell. even pushing the gate forward . .
eddiedawg
August 24th, 2009
8:19 pm
Screw the haters.
I grew up with this team and learned that every winning season meant bad things were coming the next. If you haters (FALCONS SORRY, BIG EASY and BAD NEWS) can’t admit that this team is FINALLY heading in the right direction, then get off the blog. The Vick thing is over-screw him as well. We may not go 11-5 again this year, but we will be in EVERY game, and that’s all you can ask. I think 9-7 wins the South anyways.
This to all the stupid Saints fans on this blog-you may have an explosive offense also, but your head coach is a dumb@$$. Gimme MIKE SMITH ALL DAY LONG.
GO FALCONS.
FALCONS SORRY
August 24th, 2009
8:28 pm
TJHOOK, WHAT???YOUR COMMENTS DON’T MAKE NO SENSE FOOL. WHO YOU CALLING DOG???? I’LL COME ALL RIGHT AND BITE YOUR AZZ….
Charlie
August 24th, 2009
8:39 pm
The difference between demographics of MJ and MV is one believes in personal responsibility, and the other makes excuses.
Nobody supports Matt Jones because he brought it on himself, he blew his privilige of playing in the NFL. Quite frankly, I have better things to do and worry about a idiot how blew (no put intended) his chance.
I also feel the same way about Vick, however, he paid his dues, he deserves a chance. However, I am not optimistic that he will be in the NFL in 2 years.
Those who support Vick are make excuses, and accept excuses. It is really the main reason why the black members of society seem to struggle.
Charlie
August 24th, 2009
8:42 pm
No matter what anyone thinks, you cannot have watched the game last Saturday and not think this team is going to be good.
crabapplejoe
August 24th, 2009
8:53 pm
Charlie wrote: “Nobody supports Matt Jones because he brought it on himself, he blew his privilige of playing in the NFL. I also feel the same way about Vick, however, he paid his dues, he deserves a chance.
So, let me get this straight, a convicted federal felon (MV) did not “bring it on himself” and deserves a second chance but a guy who violated probation by drinking a beer on a golf course (MJ) does not deserve a second chance….wow….just wow. And I assume you don’t think Michael Irving should be in the HOF because of his substance abuse problem? Just askin’