Key question: Do the Falcons still know what they’re doing?
It has gotten this bad: Even the Bucs are mocking the Dirty Birds now. (AP photo)
Tampa – The Falcons are too good to be playing this way. They’ve trailed by double figures in all three games. They look great when they finally get serious, but by then their margin for error has been reduced to the nub, and any more wobbles — a dropped pass, a sack that shouldn’t have been taken, a lurch offside with the game literally on the line — can result in a good-looking team taking a big ugly L.
Asked Sunday night if he has been seeing the team he thought he’d see, coach Mike Smith said: “No, I’m not seeing that team … We’re making way too many mistakes.”
The same question was posed to center Todd McClure, who said: “No. We’ve got a great group of players, but we haven’t put it all together.”
Then this: “I feel like we’re holding ourselves back. We’re not making the plays that are there to be made.”
The obvious next questions: Why not? Why is a team fancied as a Super Bowl winner darn fortunate to be 1-2? Why do the Falcons start so slowly? Why has their devotion to details — a Smith staple — gone missing? Why must the long-promised “explosive” plays be saved for the desperate hours?
Nobody seems to know. The Falcons spent three quarters letting an OK Tampa Bay team get ahead and stay there, and it wasn’t as if the Bucs seized every moment. They netted three points from two sacks-and-recovered-fumbles inside the Falcons’ 20. They had a chance to pull ahead by three scores but threw an interception on the first play of the fourth quarter, whereupon a mystery guest appeared.
A team wearing the Falcons’ uniforms drove inside the Tampa Bay 5, then got the ball back and scored in two plays, then got the ball again and surged to the 5 again. At that moment you’d have sworn this team would seize the lead and win the game and talent would have finally been served, but at the same time you wondered: Where had this team been for 2 1/2 hours?
Let’s not fault the defense. It held the Bucs under 300 yards. Let’s turn instead to the high-priced offense, which has in two road games managed one touchdown. Asked if the Falcons aren’t a better team when three wide receivers are deployed and the no-huddle offense is implemented, Matt Ryan said: “I think we’re a good football team regardless of our personnel.”
For the first time in the four years of their partnership, it’s possible to wonder if Smith and general manager Thomas Dimitroff are as like-minded as we’d come to believe. Dimitroff traded 21 spots upward to land the hugely gifted Julio Jones, and through three quarters Sunday the receiver had one catch. He had five — for 97 yards — in the fourth. How hard is it to pull a Keyshawn Johnson and say: “Get that guy the darn ball”?
But it cuts deeper than tactics. There’s a weird air about this team. On the one hand, the Falcons seem careless. (Three turnovers and five penalties in this first half.) On the other hand, they seem scared to cut loose until circumstances render cutting loose a last resort. Former Falcons punter Michael Koenen, now a Buc, told the Tampa Tribune: “Up there, it’s a lot tighter. There’s a lot more nervous energy.”
There’s pressure on this team, yes. Dimitroff didn’t make big moves for Jones and Ray Edwards because he thought the Falcons might win a Super Bowl sometime in the next 30 years, and Arthur Blank — he of the not-exactly-relaxing late-game sideline appearances — has made it clear his only goal is to win a ring. But is a 53-man roster that includes only two Super Bowl winners capable of knowing what it takes without having ever come close?
The Falcons’ stated position is a reasonable one: They have enough talent to do whatever needs doing and enough time to correct the errors. Said John Abraham, the defensive end: “We’ve got to be back to playing Falcons football.”
For three seasons we thought we knew what that entailed — power football, focused football, precision football. Today we see a team that can’t handle the small stuff and seems, big-picture-wise, not to know what it’s trying to do. It’s as if the Falcons keep falling behind because falling behind is the only way they get to play the way they play best. It’s as if this grand design has lost all coordination.
By Mark Bradley
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598 comments Add your comment
P Rose
September 25th, 2011
10:42 pm
Mr. Swamp People
September 25th, 2011
10:24 pm
FAILCONS go 0-16, SAINTS go 16-0 WHO DAT
The Falcons have already won a game, and the Saints have already lost a game. Idiot.
marty
September 25th, 2011
10:44 pm
Actually I hate it when we play the Falcons !! you guys do have a solid team !! Blank is a great owner !! here is what I think Matt Ryan seems to get a little shaken when he is pressured, the guy will kill you …but if he is sacked a few times it appears to rattle him. Tampa knows this , and they know getting to him is there only chance to win. Matty ICE looks like he needs to ” beef” up…reminds of Chris ” the sissy” Simms that played for us. Tunner the ‘ BURNER” has lost a step.. it happens. I love your head coach … your receivers are MONSTERS !! To many players on your defense are getting long at the tooth ! Atlanta takes a step back this year !!
Eric C.
September 25th, 2011
10:44 pm
I actually don’t feel too bad about the Falcons defense…think they are improving despite the pressure put on them by the poor play of the offense and special teams
whodat70816
September 25th, 2011
10:46 pm
@Eric C…
Saints fans can say their team is 2-1….can falcon fans say the same?
Yes the Saints Defense has SERIOUS issues, but Saints fans can also say as long as Drew Brees is on the field the Saints can win dispite their awful defense….
Can falcon fans say that?
FAILCONS
September 25th, 2011
10:46 pm
LOL !! LOL!! LOL!! What do you think .. cities like ATL should not pay to watch teams like Falcons or Braves, they are good for nothing.. they play for money .. no talent like GB to take the big step instead took 10 steps back this season .. so with this management and players we will never make to SB. Please fire Mike Smith, Mularkey we need a offensive minded coach and top aggressive defensive coach to build a new team from the ground up.. Trade Matt Ryan, Turner as soon as possiblewhen they have value.. get some draft picks for next year .. someone hear me before we are stinkers like Detroit was in past decade…
GetPrepared
September 25th, 2011
10:47 pm
One thing for sure, Tampa didn’t win the game, the Falcons lost it. Horrible offensive line protection in the 1st half, Roddy White deflecting a pass for an interception that cost us 3, dropped another that cost us 6. Offsides on defense at the END OF THE GAME? This team better get it together soon. Even with Ryan throwing for over 330 yards, Turner running for 20 isn’t going to cut it.
Mr Charlie
September 25th, 2011
10:48 pm
Marty, don’t disagree with anything you say. Good analysis….not having another 13-3 season, but hopefully we get in the playoffs, and maybe even win a game.
PJ
September 25th, 2011
10:48 pm
The only thing worse than the play calling was the execution. There seems to be something missing on both sides of the ball. At times, Ryan looks lost (especially when teams drop 6 and 7 in coverage). The defense kept the game close, but they too look lost. And against the Bucs, there is no reason for that because they run out of running sets and pass out of passing sets. Really nothing complex. Not sure what Mularkey is seeing. The offsides penalty was inexcusable.
The good news is the team is healthy and have some cupcakes in the next few weeks.
GetPrepared
September 25th, 2011
10:48 pm
Prose, hate to tell you but the Falcons can’t go 0-16 they won against the “DREAM TEAM” Eagles
Arthur
September 25th, 2011
10:49 pm
Hey, Blank, I’m still in the book, but I’m not a nice guy looking for friends.
GetPrepared
September 25th, 2011
10:49 pm
For all of you who are doubting, don’t forget Green Bay backed into the playoffs last year with a 10-6 record and you see what they got!
take it from me.
September 25th, 2011
10:50 pm
most of these pretending teams winning now want be winning 2 games down the road,and teams that are suppost to win, will start winning! the cream allways rise’es to the top.The NFC south is looking kinda week since the falcons are not winning, since they are the power n the divison.
Mr Charlie
September 25th, 2011
10:50 pm
White got hot, he dropped a few, but rather now than later….Julio also got in the action, but he does not have “Green” hands, but who does? Would love to see Jizz get in the actions, loved the playcall to him, just good coverage. Lot of football to play..only a game out….lines gotta pull it together.
monty
September 25th, 2011
10:58 pm
Eagles are 1-2, stuff happens.It isa long season, but I don’t think Ryan has enough time to sit back and pick out targets. Always seems to get rattled by the pressure, that’s constant.
Bartkowski
September 25th, 2011
10:59 pm
Is Ray Guy still available ?
Can Charles Haley replace Abraham ?
Can Deion Sanders replace Brent Grimes ?
Can the Chiefs Tony Gonzalez replace the Falcons Tony Gonzalez ?
Can last year’s Roddy White replace this year’s Roddy White ?
Can the Falcons offensive line be replaced ?
Michael M.
September 25th, 2011
10:59 pm
The Problem with this Team is they need to just settle down, forget last year, forget what King said in SI, and start next week off as its the beginning of Season and they all brand new to the NFL and Play the Game one game at a Time. Even forget they have so much talent on the Team .
This loss today is unacceptable to the Fans, to the City, to the State and even to their own selves as Pros in NFL.
The answer is very simply to start with the Basics, run the ball to set up the play-action pass, let Ryan call the plays and operate that offense the entire {ENTIRE} game period !
We keep telling them whats the key to win, but nobody seems to be listening .
HELLO ? IS ANYBODY OUT THERE ?
P Rose
September 25th, 2011
11:01 pm
GetPrepared
September 25th, 2011
10:48 pm
Prose, hate to tell you but the Falcons can’t go 0-16 they won against the “DREAM TEAM” Eagles
I know that. I already pointed it out myself. I was responding to an earlier poster who made that comment.
Bartkowski
September 25th, 2011
11:01 pm
Somebody should have clocked Freeman after he mocked the dirty bird ! No pride on this team at all…
Najeh Davenpoop
September 25th, 2011
11:04 pm
“Somebody should have clocked Freeman after he mocked the dirty bird ! No pride on this team at all…”
Actually he did get clocked in the 4th quarter on a helmet to helmet hit that didn’t draw a flag.
houstondawgfan
September 25th, 2011
11:05 pm
This team is not a Superbowl Contender. They will end up 10 -6 or 9-7 this year. I have been a diehard Falcons Fan since the Dan Henning/ David Archer days. Its funny how it looks like they are poorly coached and get pushed around like a bunch of sissies.
It starts with attitude and above average coaching. That last drive for Tampa Bay was proof of how bad Brian Van Gorder is, he knew they were going to run the ball to run out the clock.
The defense has the players and I hope Dimitroff can see that Poor Defense Coaching is to Blame.
For the Falcons to be at the Next level, Brian Van Gorder will need to be replaced. He is an awesome College Coach, but not in the NFL. Sort of like a Spurrier or Pete Carroll.
FYI, Don’t expect any difference this year if the Falcons happen to make the playoffs.
P B Orr
September 25th, 2011
11:05 pm
Be patient – much of this I attribute to the lockout and the killing playoff loss. Everyone needs to relax, including the team. Detroit is 3-0 – are they going to be 10-0? No. Is Buffalo? No. Last year we got clobbered in a similar game on the road in Philly. We were 4-2. I’ll bet my hat we’ll be 4-2 again in a few weeks. We suck on grass. We only have two more grass games, in December when the field is likely to be faster. I knew when I saw the field it was going to be a long day – for some reason our schemes don’t work on the grass fields – maybe it’s just a matter of footwear.
Rahvi
September 25th, 2011
11:08 pm
If Vick didn’t get hurt they would be 0-3 and heading toward a disaster of a season. Ryan is vastly over rated and in a league defined by parity, the Falcons are just another average team.
Von
September 25th, 2011
11:12 pm
Like I’ve been saying, Falcons trying to change their identity by drafting Julio Jones. Wrong move. The fact is the Falcons aren’t getting all the breaks they got last year. They have problems scoring and can’t stop anybody. Boy, what’s going to happen when they play the Saints and need to score 35-40? Real ugly.
2 GOOD DOGS
September 25th, 2011
11:12 pm
THIS TEAM CAN’T TACKLE .
RODDY SHOULD HAVE CAUGHT THAT LAST BALL FOR A T.D.
RYAN DOES NEED ALOT OF WEIGHT ROOM WORK. HES PUNY BY NFL STANDARDS.
DUNTA ROBINSON NEEDS TO BE GONE BY NEXT WEEKEND. CAN’T COVER ,CAN’T TACKLE.
RYAN NEEDS TO SHOW HOW SMART AND HOW MENTALLY TOUGH HE’S SUPPOSED TO BE.
HE COMES ACROSS AS AN IMMATURE WUSS. HE IS TO QUARTERBACK WHAT PETE CARROLL IS TO A HEADCOACH IN THE NFL..
Johnny T
September 25th, 2011
11:12 pm
Turner is not being used enough. All he needs is one crack of daylight………….Remember?
Who Me?
September 25th, 2011
11:15 pm
This team looks undisciplined and unsure of their abilities. It may be a result of the missed camp time or some other miserable excuse but the bottom line is this team looks like it still thinks it is playing preseason ball.
Lack of focus. Until our OC and staff can get on the same page, Ryan and Turner may as well be playing on different teams.
russ spooner
September 25th, 2011
11:18 pm
this is the team we’re going to have until the offensive coordinater is replaced !!!!!!
GT81
September 25th, 2011
11:20 pm
only problem is they have stopped blocking. period
Master Thesis
September 25th, 2011
11:20 pm
Matt Ryan is overrated people….
Dirty Bird Hater
September 25th, 2011
11:21 pm
Playoffs! Playoffs! You kidding me! Who Dat 1 and 2 and looking up at the Saints and Bucs? I thought you folks had it together. How come Samuel L Jackson and the choir in FalCant red aren’t singing the praises of that sorry a$# team of yours? The FalCants aren’t going anywhere fast! Guess we will have to bring the NFC South trophy back to the Big Easy where it belongs. Does a body well in New Orleans to see ATL lose. You are lucky to be 1 and 2.
Dirty Bird Hater
September 25th, 2011
11:23 pm
We love it in The Big Easy! Fakeons are 1 and 2!
Big Wally
September 25th, 2011
11:25 pm
Offensive line is awful. Sam Baker couldn’t block sunlight.
slobberknocker
September 25th, 2011
11:28 pm
The offensive line can’t protect. What happened? Did we get a new OLine Coach? If we did, bring back the old one. If we didn’t, he’s not doing his job and we need to get someone else. I think we need a new Offensive Coordinator. The big explosive plays aren’t there. And the Defensive Coordinator appears in over his head. A simple 4th and 1 where all the DLine needs to do is just stay put and not jump offsides, and it can’t do that. During that timeout, the DC should have told them to stayput over and over again. And in the end Roddy probably scores and we win the game if Roddy doesn’t drop that pass. Oh, and why pass the ball when we have a 1st and goal at there 5 – very bad play calling there.
tousheezy
September 25th, 2011
11:29 pm
The FALCONS SUCK!! MURLARKEY SUCKS!! Those coaches need to go, offensive line can’t pick up a blitz. Ryan is weak in the pocket. Offense didn’t do anything in the first half. Roddy should have caught that pass!!
P Nice
September 25th, 2011
11:31 pm
I am a Falcons fan for life but to be honest giving up four draft picks for one guy was the first mistake. The way we lost in the playoffs last year get some help on D. Basically CB’s. Fire Both the OC and the DC they both are weak as hell. Play calling sucks!!!!! And Ryan lookin like C. Chandler, garbage,
Just play wit a little more heart and urgency and stop embarrassing the city. Still early in the season, get yall head out yall ass and some F&*ing Football \/.
Lets go Falcons!!! w/o mike mularky or Dumb Van Gorder!
Arthur
September 25th, 2011
11:31 pm
Peter Principle! Goodnight
The hot seat....
September 25th, 2011
11:37 pm
So Mark, is coach Smith on “the hot seat”?
Steelers lead Colts 10-0 at end of 1st – Atlanta Journal Constitution
September 25th, 2011
11:38 pm
[...] Key question: Do the Falcons still know what they’re doing? [...]
The hot seat....
September 25th, 2011
11:39 pm
P Nice
September 25th, 2011
11:31 pm
“I am a Falcons fan for life but to be honest giving up four draft picks for one guy was the first mistake.”
Absolutely.
Waffle House or Bust
September 25th, 2011
11:40 pm
NFL might forgive Mike Vick but looks like God is not done with him yet.
Joshua
September 25th, 2011
11:41 pm
“It has gotten this bad: Even the Bucs are mocking the Dirty Birds now. ” Since when were the Falcons the NFL’s chosen ones? You speak as if they are entitled to be and elite team. It takes a franchise years to build a championship caliber club and the to go win one. I am saying this as a Bucs fan……..I speak from experience from watching the Bucs as a fan win a Superbowl title. You know, the title the Falcons dont have!
extremus
September 25th, 2011
11:43 pm
I think the playbook (or at least the offensive coordinator) is in need of an overhaul if the Falcons are ever going to deliver on being “explosive”. You don’t get much explosiveness by drawing up 95 percent of your passing plays for less than ten or fifteen yards…which is what’s been happening. And these draw plays that end up short of the line of scrimmage; ditch ‘em! Don’t advertise what you’re not able to or don’t intend to deliver.
And yes, the O-line needs serious help if not some outright replacements; Matt Ryan is getting crushed out there because of this bunch.
As for the Falcons’ locker room not being “loose”, perhaps on some levels that might help a bit…but then again the Patriots, where Dimitroff hails from and the Falcons are attempting to emulate on so many levels, would probably not be described as an overly “loose” bunch given the personality of their coaching staff. If anything, any feeling of pressure Koenan got in Atlanta probably was the product of a franchise (and a city on a sports town level) trying desperately to shed a very negative past image. They’ve largely done just that, but everyone knows they really won’t have completed the journey until the Lombardi Trophy is paraded down Peachtree. Hence the pressure; nothing less than a championship is a successful season. Welcome to the big leagues, Atlanta, and all of what comes with it.
I agree with Mr. Bradley’s assessment; something does feel “off” with the Falcons in the same way the Braves have felt “off” all season long…and that doesn’t bode well, I’m afraid.
bobwhite
September 25th, 2011
11:45 pm
I’m dam sick & tired of being sick & tired with these “dirty birds”!! Total team sucks from the owner to the water boy..These ass’s will break your heart from year to year and game to game!!
If Arthur Blank can’t control his personal life..what in God’s name can he do for an NFL franchise???
Hire a G.M. via web cam? Yeah..right!!
Barry
September 25th, 2011
11:46 pm
The problem here is the O-LIne. Defense played good enough to win, no sacks though. Ryan does have a noodle ARM, Juio had to darn near come to a stop to catch that pass, but he can’t throw the ball at all if he is alwas on his back. Could’nt’ throw the ball out of the back of the endzone when on the run, but we know this so we need to play with our personnell. A lot of QBs do not have great arms and do okay for themselves.. Not a big Ryan fan, but OLine needs to do better and we can be okay with our limited arm strength, cause i do think Ryan is pretty smart.
Coaches better figure something out becasue opposing coaches have figured us out. fixing all the penalties and turnovers would be a start but that is largely a function of the OLine.
Concerned Fan
September 25th, 2011
11:49 pm
I have been watching Atlanta sports since I moved here in 1971. At first I thought the Atlanta professional sports teams needed better players, coaches and owners. Now it seems to me that the teams just play for a paycheck with little emotion. Matt Ryan talks a great game like how they need to clean up a few things and they will be allright. C’mon Matt, two fumbles and an interception in the third game of your fourth year as a starting QB in the NFL. Ryan’s first pass was an off target heave to the fullback. You have to give the receiver a catchable ball and lead the receiver if you want yards after the catch.
On the last fumble Ryan was facing an obvious blitz package right up the middle and he had no backs in the backfield to block. How about taking a clue and checking off that play or fire the ball out right away or call timeout. Maybe we’re just not thinking how to win. Just punch the clock and collect a paycheck.
Show me some emotion and I’ll be back.
James
September 25th, 2011
11:51 pm
The Falcons were overrated anyway they aren’t as good as people were saying they are the real contenders in the NFC South are New Orleans and Tampa Bay. The Best team in the NFC is Green Bay and the Falcons are no where near as good as the Packers.
Wow
September 25th, 2011
11:51 pm
The Falcons offensive line couldn’t keep toddlers – no blitzing corner or linebacker toddlers mind you, just the 4 down line-toddlers – from sacking Matt Ryan. It might be the saddest display of professionalism and pride I’ve ever seen. Apparently, Harvey Dahl was fairly important.
The only thing worse could be our punter, who’s managed to put together (I believe) a two game streak of punts <20 yards in length. By the time the sun comes up a printout of this blog might be longer than those gems.
Good thing I got excited about this season!
David Smith
September 25th, 2011
11:57 pm
Our offensive line is letting Ryan get hit more than a pinata on Cinco De Mayo. Matt simply cannot get into any rhythm with a defender in his face or in the process of being sacked (13 times in three games) every time he takes a snap.
JayCool 4DaBirds
September 25th, 2011
11:57 pm
The Defense played amazing, the offensive line sucks, and Roddy just dropped too manty passes. We need to stay in the no huddle.
JayCool 4DaBirds
September 25th, 2011
11:59 pm
Concerned Fan that interception was Roddy’s fault and the offensive line caused those fumbles.