The story of the Falcons’ season: One Giant step backward
Julio Jones was supposed to make a difference. He made none Sunday. (AP photo)
East Rutherford, N.J. – In April they traded five draft picks to grab one wide receiver because they felt they needed to be more “explosive” to reach the Super Bowl. On Sunday the Atlanta Falcons saw that grand design blow up in their corporate face.
Their sleek offense ran into the NFL’s 27th-ranked defense and managed nary a point. Think about that. In a league where nobody can stop anybody, the Falcons’ offense was outscored by its own defense.
A year ago it was possible to write off the Green Bay loss as a case of the No. 1 seed being undone by a hot quarterback. These Falcons lost to a 9-7 opponent that didn’t do much itself until it was clear the visiting team could do nothing.
Said Mike Smith, 0-3 as a playoff coach: “I don’t know that there’s anything you can take from this game and say, ‘Gosh, they did this well.’ ”
How does that happen? How does a team with Matt Ryan, Michael Turner, Tony Gonzalez, Roddy White and the almost-as-good-as-advertised rookie Julio Jones play a postseason game to so little effect? In his first two playoff losses, it was possible to cite Ryan’s turnovers as the determinant. He made no turnovers this day … and his team lost by 22 points.
It was hard to tell what sort of game Ryan had. The Falcons’ offense wobbled so violently that the quarterback, who the in NFL is supposed to be a difference-maker, made no difference. The Falcons’ longest gain from scrimmage was 21 yards. They managed 247 yards. They failed twice on fourth-and-inches — should have gone for it the first time, shouldn’t have the second — and breached the New York 20 only in the game’s final two minutes.
We ask again: In a league that hinges on quarterback play, how was Ryan marginalized? Smith tried to say that his line couldn’t protect long enough for Ryan to throw any deeper, but he was sacked only twice — once on the Falcons’ final snap. In a game that demanded bold measures, the meek Falcons undid themselves.
Perhaps you see it otherwise. Perhaps you believe this game is proof that Smith is an affable dunce and Ryan an untalented plod who will never win a big game. I don’t believe either is true, but it’s hard to mount a passionate rebuttal after this one. The Falcons were so unassuming — they couldn’t even bring themselves to call timeout near the end of the first half — they made you wonder why they bothered to come.
“We did not play consistent football,” said Smith, speaking of the season, but he had it backward. The 2011 Falcons were very consistent: They beat teams of lesser talent but wilted against those of comparable resources. They were, in a sum, a bully. And when the playoffs commence there are no 90-pound weaklings.
Said Arthur Blank, the owner who hasn’t celebrated a playoff victory since January 2005: “I don’t think we took a step back [this season]. Obviously 0-3 in the playoffs [under this regime] is not where anybody wants to be.”
Then this: “It was disappointing not scoring any points … They made a couple of explosive plays.”
Those were the plays the Julio-boosted Falcons were supposed to make this time. None were forthcoming. Nobody made any plays. Nobody, at least on offense, did anything. When that happens yet again on the big stage, we must ask if the failure goes beyond the guys wearing the helmets.
Asked if he was confident in his franchise’s leadership, Blank said: “I think we have the right people in position because they’ll challenge themselves and ask the right questions. We’ve got to do a thorough diagnostic on why we didn’t perform to our capability. The beauty of Thomas [Dimitroff, the general manager] and Smitty is that they’ll ask the right questions. Where that takes us, I can’t tell you.”
Said Dimitroff: “Anytime you’re unable to get first downs when it’s less than a yard, you’re disappointed.”
Contrary to popular belief, not every team loses because of its offensive coordinator. (Or defensive coordinator, depending on the setting.) It is clear, however, that Mike Mularkey isn’t the man to maximize this personnel in the video arcade of neo-football. There’s a chance he’ll be hired away as someone else’s head coach. If he isn’t, it’s time for the Falcons to try somebody new.
For three years under Smith/Dimitroff the Falcons made clear and consistent progress: From the stunning playoff appearance of 2008 to the strong finish of 2009 to the 13-3 of 2010. There was no ground gained this season. There was only a glaring case of diminishing returns.
Even the man who works hard never to say anything spicy conceded the point. Asked if the Falcons had taken a step backward, Matt Ryan said: “We certainly didn’t take a step forward.”
By Mark Bradley
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1,923 comments Add your comment
Great Falconi
January 8th, 2012
8:19 pm
How about that Broncos’ D, baby? They hit Big Ben a lot today.
Dick LeBeau should retire. Mike McCoy ate his lunch. Tebow did nothing in the second half, but he got the game-winner in OT thanks to a VanGorder-level meltdown in the secondary. Congrats to the Broncos. They earned that win.
Ron Hyatt
January 8th, 2012
8:19 pm
Go Falcons! And take the Braves with you!
Ready for the braves?
January 8th, 2012
8:19 pm
If u like 7 yard outs and 5 yard curls…Mularkey is ur man!!
Big Dude
January 8th, 2012
8:20 pm
Forth and inches with no backfield. Then let skinny Matt Ryan try to run it through the center of the pile says it all.
Jackets' warlock
January 8th, 2012
8:20 pm
we don’t have a 1st rounder.
remember
Roddy White
January 8th, 2012
8:20 pm
Look fellaz. The ball takes so long to get to me, I am actually tired of getting blown up by defenders.
I must admit I am a little nervous. Matty Lice will kill you
Yo Vince
January 8th, 2012
8:20 pm
I’D RATHER HAVE MY DEAD GRANDMA THAN DUNTA. SHE’S GOT WHEELS
Bobby's Cox
January 8th, 2012
8:20 pm
Arthur Blank is a Sap and a loser
stendek
January 8th, 2012
8:20 pm
After every horrible season fans of Thrashers were told that team was headed in right direction. Never knew they meant Canada! Proved to be right direction after all. How do ya think Falcons will like cold climate there?
hitithard09
January 8th, 2012
8:20 pm
Mr. Blank please cut all the overpaid dead weight and sign us some COMPETITORS who will not accept anything less than 110 percent and who only want to WIN WIN WIN. somebody like Drew Brees or Tom Brady or Aaron Rodgers, those guys are worlds better than MattyMelt and they are not satisifed until they win it all. (and they have)
Reality
January 8th, 2012
8:20 pm
The facts which our owner will not face:
1) Coaching is subpar in all areas
2) Personell is over rated and subpar
3) Ryan will never lead Atlanta to the super bowl…slow thinker and a poor offensive line
Suggestions:
1) Sign Matt Flynn of Green Bay at QB
2) Trade Ryan for two 1st rounders and use them to get two offensive lineman
3) Trade Turner and get a more athletic RB that can turn the corner
4) revamp the over hyped secondary
Cruel reality- The Falcons are no closer to a super bowl than the Hawks are to a championship.
Prediction: very little will change and I’ll post this comment again next year if we make the first game of playoffs!
Sad, really sad!!!
In conclusion...
January 8th, 2012
8:20 pm
the Falcons need a few thugs.
Dr. Don
January 8th, 2012
8:21 pm
and now, with few draft choices, we miss out on chances to get better in a lot of areas. Tsk, Tsk.
phil
January 8th, 2012
8:22 pm
stizz
January 8th, 2012
8:13 pm
Facts:
Tim Tebow: 1. TJ Yates: 1. Matt Ryan: 0.
Negative Nancy!
aaa
January 8th, 2012
8:22 pm
Dear lord, the worst “qb” in the league (Tebow) wins his first playoff game against a really good Pittsburgh team and the Falcons can only muster 2 points. This is embarassing and unacceptable for the owner and the fans. Something has to change, otherwise the Falcons will always be the bridesmaid. I’ll have to skip the national sports news for the next week because you know the Falcons will be the biggest joke of all. Thanks Smith, Malarkey and Van Gorder.
MTSeats
January 8th, 2012
8:22 pm
Remember, this is a process. A process to mediocrity.
Yo Vince
January 8th, 2012
8:22 pm
NEW DC AND OC OR I WILL BECOME A BRONCO FAN DAMIT
Mark Manasso (Fox Sports)
January 8th, 2012
8:22 pm
Mark Martz for OC.
Average Ice
January 8th, 2012
8:23 pm
Tebow has done something Ryan cannot do (and really, based on his history, who knows if he ever will), win in the playoffs.
BIG MIKE
January 8th, 2012
8:23 pm
Mularky is and has been the problem. Quote from one of the GIANTS…. WE KNEW THEIR OFFENSIVE SCHEMES AND CAME TO PLAY. Falcon offense is predictable with the worst OL I’ve seen them give a paycheck to in the 36 years I’ve been watching them. Coaching and talent/physical presence/intelligence on the offensive line are severly lacking.
GOODBYE MULARKY.
hating on prayer really??
January 8th, 2012
8:23 pm
anyone hear the cbs announcers make fun of tebow and prayer??
I missed it do you have a video link?
Red
January 8th, 2012
8:23 pm
Ryan is no Brees. We need to bring in another QB and let them fight it out.
Hillbilly D
January 8th, 2012
8:23 pm
They sure were dogging Tebow on the pregame shows. Wonder what they’re saying now?
volquest
January 8th, 2012
8:24 pm
After 30 years as a season ticket holder I gave mine up 10 years ago,,, was I smart or what?
Howdy Doody in a helmet
January 8th, 2012
8:24 pm
I was really pulling for Tebow, despite being a UGA homer and AFC Steeler supporter. It’d really hard to root against someone who puts it all out there…Congrats, Denver and Tebow!
And then…there is Matt Ryan…I need another beer!
phil
January 8th, 2012
8:24 pm
Reality – well put. Ryan is a slow thinker. Then it’s too late.
Tebow is that way but today, he overcame it admirably. Why? He’s a winner.
katherine
January 8th, 2012
8:24 pm
bye everyone….see you on the braves blogs
Bob-Bob Baran
January 8th, 2012
8:24 pm
First of all, Home Depot wouldn’t have been successful without Bernie Marcus….The FALCONS need BERNIE MARCUS…….get rid of Awtie Blank too!!!!!!!
The Truth
January 8th, 2012
8:25 pm
Tebow is awful. The guy is the beneficiary of a great defense and a weak conference. The Broncos beat a Steelers team that was missing some of it’s best players. The Broncos will be exposed once again next week.
@ Ready for Braves – coaching? Are you insane? Sure, the Falcons lack some talent on their coaching staff, but to be fair, it’s hard to coach-up players that lack ability. Ryan’s shortcomings make it difficult to dial-up a robust passing attack. The Falcons need more talent at key positions like on the lines and at QB and RB.
The President
January 8th, 2012
8:25 pm
Tebow >>>>>>Ryan
Chopper
January 8th, 2012
8:25 pm
FOR SALE
1 used and abused football team likes red and black colors and do well in season…….then go in playoffand be one n dun. Do it ever year. Can keep same ole mangers and coaches ..Idun ‘t care.
Will sell or trade whole works for good used dependable volkswagon or a well used fiat !
otherwise askin price can be nogotiated
Contact me at Auther Blank @ we know where duh falcons are going.
Jackets' warlock
January 8th, 2012
8:25 pm
Any OC with a clue calls a QB bootleg and run or pass for the 1st (if not a TD) on 4th and one.
Marshall Kerlin
January 8th, 2012
8:25 pm
Terrible play-calling is the Falcons playoff trademark – just try Turner twice on the ground/ get 3rd and 8/ try throwing/ punt it away. Also the team has NO HEART 45 of them have less than One Tim Tebow. Thankfully it’s almost baseball-Braves time. What a FUN game for the Broncos – versus the sleep-inducing Falcons. GoBraves
Chop Buster
January 8th, 2012
8:25 pm
Ryan is a crack under pressure type QB. Whoever gave him the name Matty Ice must have meant he freezes under pressure. Simply pitiful showing of a team with SOOOO much talent. Smitty and his joke of a coaching staff should all be ran out of town.
Jackets' warlock
January 8th, 2012
8:26 pm
This should be called the Fourth and Dumb game.
billya
January 8th, 2012
8:26 pm
Read Mark’s article. Blank believes in these coaches. They’re going to ask the right questions. This loss was not a step back. You all must be delusional. The fan’s saw some good games this season, didn’t they?
phil
January 8th, 2012
8:26 pm
Hating on haters of prayer isn’t any better than the original hating.
Let it go.
why
January 8th, 2012
8:26 pm
Can somebody remind me why we signed ray edwards
Isthaturbesteffort....roflmao
January 8th, 2012
8:26 pm
falcons fans……STAY away till changes are made. Otherwise we will be in a pertual average/slightly above average virtual loop like the Hawks and braves franchises. Its too hard on the heart…giving us enuff to WANT to believe, then dropping a big fat dose of reality once the curtain is lifted.
Loserville USA
January 8th, 2012
8:26 pm
RUMOR: Ryan just signed to do DANCING WITH THE STARS.
Eric
January 8th, 2012
8:26 pm
Well, there is nothing that I can really say other than that Choke, JSS, Najeh, Seen B4 and all the other Falcons haters were right: This team yet again lives up to the ignominy of Falcons football. I hope you guys are all really happy….
The President
January 8th, 2012
8:26 pm
Tebow = WINNER Ryan= LOSER.
Who Me?
January 8th, 2012
8:26 pm
Woeful. And the problem is so deep, where do you start?
> O-line needs to be completely re-tooled
> D-line, ditto.
> No pass rush – personnel problem or scheme problem?
> QB – We’ve seen enough. Get Payton or someone of his ilk in here to work with him in the offseason or trade him to a team that can develop him. Either way, Matt Ryan – worldbeater that he is – is done here in Atlanta.
> RB – Like Michael Turner, he’s not the running back of the future for this team. Sorry. for that matter, the jury is still WAY out on JQ.
> DB’s – maybe the single most glaring problem on this team.
> Front office – how can you have confidence in TD when all of your draft picks are gone and you lose in the first round of the playoffs for the 3rd year in a row? is it Coaching or is it personnel??
> OC – Mularkey has coached his last game here. BVG should really be feeling the pressure about right now too. Mike Smith – bad as I hate to say and i respect this Coach alot, I think we’ve seen him give it all he’s got for 4 years now and we have still come up short. Wasn’t Leeman Bennett fired for “not getting us to the next level”??
’nuff said.
Loserville USA
January 8th, 2012
8:26 pm
And WHO IN THE HELL IS RAY EDWARDS?
TheCityOfNewOrleans
January 8th, 2012
8:27 pm
See you next year ATL
phil
January 8th, 2012
8:27 pm
Whew.
One less oak stump with whom to deal.
MTSeats
January 8th, 2012
8:27 pm
The sad part is, there are those who will spend hard earned money to watch, average.
CGD..
January 8th, 2012
8:28 pm
Tim Tebow just beat the #1 NFL DEFENSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
Are You Kidding ME…
The #27th ranked defense shut out Matt Ryan?? Are you kidding?
A total complete BUST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Donaldo
January 8th, 2012
8:28 pm
Management needs to contact the Niners and learn what they did to turn their team around. You will probably find it is top flight coaches who understand more than X’s & O’s, they know how to evaluate their talent and manage the players talents, obviously the Falcons lack this ability, including the Owner. Anyone who can not be frank and take criticism from the fans who pay their salaries, needs another career.
Over it
January 8th, 2012
8:28 pm
I thought the falcons had a great week of practice, were playing with fire, were hungry for a playoff win, were ready to give it too the giants. Same old falcons. I will not renew my season tickets. WTF atlanta. And the same old bs during the interviews after the game. I wish I was born in Green bay.