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
duronimo
January 8th, 2012
8:52 pm
The defense played close to their capabilities. In fact they played well enough to win, had the offense gotten off the bus.
WhoDat4eva
January 8th, 2012
8:52 pm
HAHAHAHAHAHA one and done again!!
HAHAHAHAHAHA
phil
January 8th, 2012
8:53 pm
he should be at a loss for words….
He played horribly….again.
cmc
January 8th, 2012
8:54 pm
Bring back Vick! LOL…couldnt hurt .he was the last QB we had who won a playoff game here….took us to the NFC Championship game that year………..
phil
January 8th, 2012
8:54 pm
Mom’s calling. Gotta go vacuum my room.
jodi lynn
January 8th, 2012
8:55 pm
i just would hate to see where we would be without that offensive master mind. what the heck was that. my 14 year old could have been more clever. GO TEBOW
CGD..
January 8th, 2012
8:56 pm
MR BLANK SHOOTING BLANKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
SIR DO YOU REALIZE THE ENORMITY OF THIS LOSS? PROBABLY NOT TILL NEXT YEAR WHEN TICKET SALES DROP SIGNIFICANTLY..
YOUR 72 MILLION DOLLAR QB GOT SHUTOUT IN THE FREAKING PLAYOFFS…
THAT ALMOST NEVER HAPPENS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NEVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
Falcon4ever
January 8th, 2012
8:56 pm
Matt Ryan is not the Answer. Time to part ways.
Dawg_Mike
January 8th, 2012
8:56 pm
Whew. This should take all the blog space up for a while and take the heat off of CMR and CMB.
Hart
January 8th, 2012
8:56 pm
4th and 1 twice — did they not learn one thing when they tried this with NO – this team should not have been in the playoffs. They were shut out on offense in this game — did not score one point.
We are a joke to other teams!
Doves
January 8th, 2012
8:56 pm
@snakedoc, you are right my friend, but after so many years of this bad smell you don’t know even notice it anymore. As much as it truly hurts me to say, Vick was our best shot at climbing out of the ditch, but you know ho that one ended. How will this latest horror story unfold? And make no mistake it is a horror story.
Voice of Reason
January 8th, 2012
8:56 pm
@Falcons4Eever … Here is the problem, who are you going to get picking in the second round? I’m as frustrated as you, believe me, but I’m trying to be real. I think we need to improve the O line and RB position and give the current talent a chance with a new Offensive Coordinator. Another poster made a great comment about Drew Bees when he was thrown out at San Diego. Sometimes it’s coaching. But in this league, you don’t go find a great QB until you’re like a 4 – 12 team or less. If I’m wrong, someone please give me an example that worked.
Jackets' warlock
January 8th, 2012
8:56 pm
btw good column Mark.
Hart
January 8th, 2012
8:56 pm
4th and 1 twice — did they not learn one thing when they tried this with NO – this team should not have been in the playoffs. They were shut out on offense in this game — did not score one point.
We are a joke to other teams!
Hart
January 8th, 2012
8:56 pm
4th and 1 twice — did they not learn one thing when they tried this with NO – this team should not have been in the playoffs. They were shut out on offense in this game — did not score one point.
We are a joke to other teams!
Who Me?
January 8th, 2012
8:56 pm
Here’s hoping we wake up in the morning to news that coaches have been fired and we’ve just signed Matt Flynn for the 2012 season….
0-45Falcons
January 8th, 2012
8:56 pm
Are we going to lose the Hawks next season? LOL. Atlanta teams sh*t all over their fans and have for over 40 years.
Mystikal
January 8th, 2012
8:56 pm
“The Falcons’ offense was outscored by its own defense.”
MTSeats
January 8th, 2012
8:56 pm
It’s a process, 4 more years!
Najeh Davenpoop
January 8th, 2012
8:56 pm
“From what we saw for the entire season, were you surprised that the Falcons O-Line was dominated? I wasn’t.”
I wasn’t surprised they had trouble pass blocking, but I was pretty surprised they had such a hard time running in short yardage.
mr. vent
January 8th, 2012
8:56 pm
0 points by the offense! absolutely pathetic. you can’t trade your future away for Julio to be more explosive and continue to lay offensive eggs when you play the big boys. no more excuses, this offense is a joke a new OC is definitely needed if the falcons are going to win a playoff game or any meaningful game for that matter. please don’t come back next year with the same OC and play calling schemes this squad to be able to put up points with ease. absolutely terrible offensive football today displayed by the birds.
ls1z28chris
January 8th, 2012
8:57 pm
I do not understand why anyone still has faith in Ryan. Every single year, you watch him in big games and he looks like a nervous, scared child. His play reflects his outward demeanor. He crumbles rather than steps up.
We saw today what a relatively new QB stepping up looks like. It pains me to say this, but Tebow looked like the real deal today. He didn’t get nervous or crumble. He kept making big plays. I’d prefer a QB make big plays because they have faith in their talents and those of the people around them, as opposed to an imaginary friend, but hey. Tebow got the job done.
But Ryan? Year after year. Season after season. You can see hints of it in the regular season. But in the playoffs? Glaringly obvious. This kid looks like he wants to cry. Trying to back into a first down on a fourth and inches? Diving into the ground five yards short of a defender?
There is no excuse for anyone giving this guy a pass. He is a horrible quarterback. Good quarterbacks don’t behave that way during crunch time. And I cannot understand why in the world anyone thinks he is good. Even during the game, Aikmen said that Matt Ryan was failing to do what Matt Ryan is famous for doing. Famous when? Five years ago when he was in college and when the Falcons had a prayer of winning a playoff game?
You know what, though? Keep the delusion that Ryan is a good quarterback based on his play against mediocre third rate schools up in yankee town. That means my Saints will have less to worry about in the NFC South.
Who Me?
January 8th, 2012
8:57 pm
Hey ESPN’s Parker – don’t think ATL fans care about their sports, take a read knothead…
mecca
January 8th, 2012
8:57 pm
@Ready for the braves? I agree, if we could only get a good coaching staff this team would be great for years but unfortunately with MM and BVG calling the plays on offense and defense, we will never reach that status….I truly believe the pieces are there we just need to get better coaching…..
oh yea and SEENTHISB4 hate to tell you, but your AINTS are going to get an a$$ whooping next weekend, they dont have a chance against the 49ers defense…..
Jason
January 8th, 2012
8:57 pm
Tebow did not win because he has good defense, he wins because he has the heart of a Lion. He is not giving in to anyone even if it is the Steelers, Ravens or Patriots. He may not win them all but he is going to fight, no one scares him. Before he was drafted and I heard all the critics knocking him, I prayed he would drop to the later rounds and that the Falcons would grab him. I was never a gator fan but I liked Tebow’s passion and leadership.
Gamer
January 8th, 2012
8:57 pm
Besides the dull offensive play-calling and poor coaching decisions of Smitty on 4th and inches, Ryan’s arm strength is pathetic…
Until Ryan get his weak arm fixed then the Falcons will never take the next step, which is winning in the postseason.
RYAN GOT SOME OF THE FASTEST RECEIVERS IN THE GAME BUT HE CAN’T HIT HIS RECEIVERS IN STRIDE CONSISTENTLY….
THE GIANTS STACKED THE BOX HEAVY AGAINST THE RUN CHALLENGING RYAN TO BEAT THEIR COVERAGE AND HE COULDN’T DO IT, END OF STORY.
I’M NOT SAYING ANYTHING ABOUT THE OVERPAID DEFENSIVE PLAYERS FOR THEIR UNDERPERFORMANCE..WHAT HAVEN’T BEEN SAID ALREADY?
IF RYAN IS SERIOUS ABOUT TAKEN THE NEXT STEP THEN HE NEED TO GET IN THE WEIGHT ROOM AND WORK THE RESISTANCE BANDS TOO.
THEN DEFENSES WILL RESPECT HIS ARM STRENGTH COMBINE WITH HIS RECEIVERS SPEED AND THE RUN GAME WILL OPEN UP RESPECTIVELY.
billya
January 8th, 2012
8:57 pm
To Atlanta Fans: Please give us another chance. We’ll ask the right questions. Just give us one more chance..
MARKBRADLEYISGAY
January 8th, 2012
8:57 pm
MULARKEY IS AN EFFIN JOKE AS IS VAN GORDER-RYAN LOOKS WORSE THAN TEBOW FROM THE POCKET AND THEIR OL SUX NUTS…TURNER IS TOO DAMN SLOW…TIME TO CLEAN HOUSE-STARTING WITH THOSE SORRY OL AND DL
steve
January 8th, 2012
8:58 pm
After this debacle and with all this new stadium chatter, I suggest that the fans (citizens) of metro Atlanta put Arthur’s notion of a new stadium through the “process”. How about you give us a better product and we will give you a better venue. Rile the legislature and prevent us from having to further subsidize this sham. We have rarely competed in spotlight situations, but we need to build a new stadium? That makes no sense.
As much as I despise the Cowboys or the Yankees, there is an apparent sense of urgency to win with those teams that begins with the man signing the checks and while Arthur has elevated the franchise, I do not sense any urgency that we compete for championships. I do, however, sense an urgency that the Falconts are profitable.
I have no interest in spending any dollars (private or public) to support the Falconts.
Skeezix
January 8th, 2012
8:58 pm
It has been a rough period for Georgia sports. The hockey team runs off to Canada. The Braves’ Sept historical collapse. The the Bulldogs blown out in the SEC championship game.
But just when all hope is lost, the Falcons make the NFL playoffs. But then how do the Falcons represent their home state in the very highly televised and watched NFL playoffs? After 4 quarters, they manage to score only two lousy points. Thank goodness for the safety or they would have been shut out. At least the Braves could usually score two lousy runs over nine innings.
All you Saints fans coming here to gloat
January 8th, 2012
8:59 pm
I want to remind all the Saints fans that you all were BAD for a LONG time. So much so that you all were not too long ago called the Ain’ts. So don’t remember where you came from and remember the journey you took to get where you are. Because if Drew Brees ever left or was out for a season your weaknesses would again be exposed. The Pats could survive without Brady, The Packers could survive without Rodgers, and the Texans have made it on a third string. Could you all? Don’t get too cocky. The Bucs were one and done. And you could be to.
jsmooth
January 8th, 2012
8:59 pm
I think Mike Bobo made a cameo appearance as offensive coordinator for the birds today. Looked a lot like Monday.
daniel Lyons
January 8th, 2012
8:59 pm
Same old falcons. Been a falcon fan since 1973 with general Bob lee as our starter. This team has way too much talent to lose like this to a slightly above giant team. Both offense and defensive coordinators need to go. Offense is stuck in the 90’s playbook football playbook. Defense has no pass rush, Robinson is a waste of money, corners are too small to cover the big wideouts in this league. Mike Smith I give him the off season to make the coaching changes, if not he is in the front of the line to be fired after next season.this falcon team cannot compete with the saints of this league. the panthers will probably over take us next season. matt Ryan so far ha sshown me he is a good QB, not great just good, Just good gets you 7 to 9 wins. Falcons make no changes, I see thsi team slippimg to 7 to 8 wins. 2011 season in one word conclusion, SAD
lamac66
January 8th, 2012
8:59 pm
Mike in New Orleans
January 8th, 2012
7:48 pm
As an outside observer it seems that the Falcons have strayed too far from their success formula–a dominant running game–that controls the clock and gradually bludgeons the opposing defense into submission. It is as if they have fallen in love with the “Matty Ice” persona and have rebuilt the team in that style. Up to now he hasn’t shown that he has what it takes to be THE MAN. He is fine as part of a system based on a strong running game where he is not being asked to carry the team.
I think the Falcons have to look back at what made them successful and forego the flash and glitz. Smith may have to go as his decision making is highly questionable and the team clearly regressed this year.
Link Report this comment
Ta Da, that sums it up. I myself am hoping that this organization won’t come to this obvious conclusion. Keep on thinking Ryan is Peyton Manning, Jr. How’s that working for ya?
pologroundsmarty
January 8th, 2012
8:59 pm
HA HA HA HA HA!
I guess Eli wasn’t in trouble!
If it wasn’t for that stupid safety call, the Dirty Birds would have scored nothing!
duronimo
January 8th, 2012
8:59 pm
The Braves collapse, The Falcons collapse, Tech collapses, Georgia turns the other cheek. The only winners around these parts? Georgia State Basketball
Jason
January 8th, 2012
9:00 pm
All who are ready for the Braves why do you think it will be any better? You seem to be a sucker for bad teams, and poor Managers.
Dawglasville
January 8th, 2012
9:01 pm
WhoDat4eva – You’ve over stayed your welcome.
I don’t care what combination, Ryan, Turner, White, Jones… trade two of these guys and get some linemen. Oh, and can both coodinators. Letting Dahl and Jenkins go was a mistake. At least Jenkins would catch the ball. We don’t need two speedsters who can’t catch the ball out running a pass thrown by a guy who can’t throw the ball deep. We are more than a couple pieces away. Hey, the bright side, our punter turned out to be pretty good.
Rise-up-to-a-FG
January 8th, 2012
9:01 pm
I liked the part where we went into the lockerroom, down by 8, with two timeouts and not a CLUE how to move the ball for a FG in the 2nd.
That was beautiful!
We didn’t win a game in preseason, and played better than today in all four of them.
b
January 8th, 2012
9:02 pm
Berman just said Falcons should be ashamed of themselves.
Did you hear that, Dimitroff,blank, and smith”
Peter
January 8th, 2012
9:03 pm
Well Blank better wake up or we are here next year same time…… defense wins….and to think Turner is still a burner is a joke, along with a weak O line.
New Orleans features 4 backs when all are healthy, I understand we lost our full back, but we need other backs to spell Turner as he is Burnt out with all the use he has gotten here !
Email Profiling Is Wrong
January 8th, 2012
9:03 pm
“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?
You answered your own question. It’s Matt Ryan. Whatta noodle-armed stiff. What an un-atheltic athlete we have in #2.
Matty Nice is now 0 and 3 in the playoffs. Anybody see any hope that he’ll improve? He’s more a game manager than a play maker. He’s over-matched physically for the pro game. He failed miserably today on two QB sneaks – primarily by assuming the fetal position at the snap of the ball. I guess his hope was that the O-lineman’s draft would pull him to a first down.
And the one time he ran for yardage, instead of sliding he gracelessly hits the ground like somebody shot him.
Does Donovan McNabb have an employer yet for 2012? Not saying he’ll replace our spazoid QB, but perhaps some legitimate competition would do Ryan some good. We need a legitimate alternative to Ryan. Point to his stats all you want, he’s not getting the job done.
Richt
January 8th, 2012
9:04 pm
Falcons are just to slow as a team. Especially def secondary
no more SB
January 8th, 2012
9:04 pm
Panthers on the rise, 69ers are strong, and the Taints ain’t going anywhere…the falcons could be in the cellar next year
CGD..
January 8th, 2012
9:04 pm
TEBOW= WARRIOR
MATT= __________ FILL IN THE BLANK…
Voice of Reason
January 8th, 2012
9:04 pm
At 9 PM EST Chris Berman on ESPN just announced the obvious: the Falcons should be “ashamed” of themselves. Who could disagree? Major changes are in order. Some personnel (running game, O-line, secondary), and the rest, and most importantly, the coaching — BVG and Mularkey.
Nola Cola
January 8th, 2012
9:05 pm
Playoff Wins: Drew Brees – 5 ; Tim Tebow – 1 ; Matty “Melted Ice” Ryan – ZERO ……Rise Up, ATL!!! (lol)
Ichabod
January 8th, 2012
9:05 pm
On a positive note, the defense looked pretty good, but finally gave out of gas when the offense didn’t help. It sure looks like Smith-Malarkey combo has advanced as far as they are capable. It’s hard to believe that none of our receivers were ever open. I suspect Ryan froze up cause he is so afraid of an interception on his record. He may be cerebral, but it didn’t take Tebow long to get used to the NFL. As they will keep Ryan, they need to bring in some competition for him, somebody that’s mobile and has a strong arm. Even that last gasp pass was way short of the endzone. That last qb sneak was on the coaching staff, with an empty backfield and Ryan close to the line, the play and result were obvious, it wasn’t going to work. Turner is not the answer either, he can’t cut, and is far too slow off the mark. We need some new blood, but where are our chips?
Failures
January 8th, 2012
9:05 pm
Let’s trade away Ryan for Manning. Whoooo. We got rid of Vick, Schaub, Favre. Why not Ryan. It’s clear that these QBs cant perform here……..it’s the coaching that prevents them from doing diddlysquat. Run a QB sneak with no Hb in the back? Are you serious? Mularkey was thinking about his next job, he been gave up on this one……
phil
January 8th, 2012
9:05 pm
Tebow was only 10-21….
He’s a loser.
Wait. What? They won?
Ryan completed 24-41.
He’s a winner.
Huh? He lost yet again?
Hmmmm.