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
Falcon Realist
January 8th, 2012
9:32 pm
Why is everyone upset? Who in their right mind expected anything different from this group? Smitty is a nice guy and an average coach. Thomas is an overrated ex-Patriot front office employee. I’m not a huge Ryan fan, but I’m starting to wonder on the coaching he is getting. Denver maximizes Tebow’s limited talent and Ryan certainly has more talent. Ryan has a West-Coast offense arm, so add West-Coast plays. Jerry Rice caught the slant and took off downfield. Julio Jones can do the same.
Next year will be more of the same.
where julio
January 8th, 2012
9:33 pm
all those draft picks and julio didn’t even make one play in the big game!!! Dimitroff—brilliant!!! Smith—brilliant!! blank—brilliant!!! keep it up!!!
Q King
January 8th, 2012
9:33 pm
Until Matt Ryan can prove to teams that he can beat you with his arm, the Falcons are always going to be a one and done team. He lacks arm strength and accuracy on the deep ball. 2011 stat on deep ball thrown more that 21 yards matt ryan is 11 for 44 with 3 tochdowns….thats a whopping 25% completion percentage on passes beyond 21 yards. Say what you want but numbers dont lie
Samuel
January 8th, 2012
9:33 pm
I think Malarky needs to go, he was a good hire from the onset, hence the Michael Vick debacle. Now that the team has some success, we need an inovative offensive coordinator who can take the team to the next level. Dimitroff has brought in some players like Edwards, Decoud, Jerry, Robinson and Beirman who aren’t consistently productive. You try to replace Abraham and Tony Gonzales and your’e really in trouble. These guys won’t be around too much longer. The offensive line is not as good as last year. Sam Baker and Reynolds haven’t seem to pan out and the rest of the line is inconsistent. Matt Ryan doesn’t seem to play well under duress, although he didn’t turn the ball over he didn’t make any big plays with the long ball. Harry Douglas has been invisible the last couple of games. You can’t keep putting a product like this on the field and expect people to show up and support you. I said early on the team lacks mental toughness and no killer instinct.
Chris
January 8th, 2012
9:33 pm
Are all Atlanta and the state of Georgia fans delusional? Think so! Your hometown sportswriters feed you the Falcon kool aid all week long…”better players up and down” as one Mr. Bradley said…really? Really? You got beat by a BETTER team with BETTER PLAYERS today! Period! Giants versus Falcons (regular season, playoffs, SUPER BOWLS, players, coaches, HISTORY) is a HUGE mismatch. Matty who?…I’ll take Eli and the Big Blue all day long, thank you!!!
SLBReb
January 8th, 2012
9:33 pm
We spend all our draft picks and energy to bring in a wide receiver but let half the offensive line leave via free agency. We do not make any attempt to address the defensive side of the ball except Ray Edwards who has done very little. Management made this team regress. It is sad that 4th and an inch and our offensive line gets blown up. Great job TD.
Tom Coughlin
January 8th, 2012
9:33 pm
We knew exactly what the Falcons were going to do. One word to describe your philosophy and schemes on both sides of the ball: VANILLA. This is 2011, time to adapt and adjust to the current times. You can’t get explosive from predictability.
Pmc
January 8th, 2012
9:33 pm
Matt Ryan doesn’t even care. He’ll be in Maui playing golf in a week.
AtL > tampa
January 8th, 2012
9:34 pm
at least atl beat tampa bad!!! Atl rules the bucs!!!
McGarrett
January 8th, 2012
9:34 pm
You muggs sound surprised like you were expecting a different outcome. That I simply cannot comprehend. The problem with these birds is between the ears, the mindset. When I say they are sorry I don’t mean physical ability or talent. They have a sorry state of mind hell we want them to win more than they do themselves.
Question is why has it always been like that for the Falcons?
matt cryin
January 8th, 2012
9:34 pm
I am not a CHOKER, I just play one for the FALCONS.
gcs
January 8th, 2012
9:34 pm
I said it before, I’ll say it again, shoulda resigned Harvey Dahl.
Fire Ryan
January 8th, 2012
9:35 pm
I stop being a fan when they let Mike Vick go that why Falcon losing every playoff.
Ryan cant even run the ball he is a sorry quarterback.
Falcon fan should boo Ryan everytime he get the ball in his hand in the next season.
Voice of Reason
January 8th, 2012
9:35 pm
Seriously, trade up to get a QB (RG3?) in this draft? What would we trade without picks? Half the team? Let’s focus on things we can fix, please. Starting with Mularkey. And then the O-line and the running game.
James
January 8th, 2012
9:35 pm
A. Blank the Cultpit….going through a divorce…. Tiger Wood style….say no more…
Pmc
January 8th, 2012
9:35 pm
The line of scrimmage on this team is horrid and 80% of the fault lies with Thomas Dimitroff.
painter
January 8th, 2012
9:35 pm
Great column. Stupid team. Atrocious end. The end of Falcan’t fan me.
Jaguars, Colts, Buccaneers
January 8th, 2012
9:35 pm
Now you know how we feel! Ryan sure looked like Gabbert, Painter, and Freeman today!
phil
January 8th, 2012
9:36 pm
Told you guys…
The oline can’t block.
The dline can’t rush the passer.
Giants will kill us.
And they did. Not hard to see coming.
CGD..
January 8th, 2012
9:36 pm
PUBLIC SERVICE Announcement:
Don’t use drugs!
Anyone who thinks Matt Ryan is greater than Chris Chandler should get checked up from the neck up…LMAO
GT 72
January 8th, 2012
9:36 pm
How bout tebow and demaryius thomas! I’m a broncos fan the rest of the playoffs!
take it from me.
January 8th, 2012
9:36 pm
WE need to deman Mr blank fix this team,or else!
keepinitreal
January 8th, 2012
9:36 pm
“MR2 is not the problem. Chris Chandler took the falcons to the superbowl and ryan is a better qb.”
Ryan will probably end up having a better career than Chandler, but he’s never been anywhere close to the elite level Chandler played at in ‘97 and especially ‘98. Chandler threw a beautiful deep ball, which allowed him to average 9.6 yards per attempt that season, the then-highest total since 1953 and is still the 7th highest in NFL history.
Ryan still can’t stretch the D and probably will never be able to.
Dr. Warren
January 8th, 2012
9:37 pm
In the third quarter the wide receivers sat back on the bench, their legs extended way out, as though they had given up. This team gives up too easily.
Keith Brooking
January 8th, 2012
9:37 pm
I’ve had much better luck in Dallas!
Time to go home!
January 8th, 2012
9:37 pm
Good analysis Mark. Maybe Blank will read it and make some changes. If no changes are made, I will not be watching this team next year. I’ll just jump on the Tebow bandwagon. At least he has some heart and his teammates are believing in him. I don’t think the Falcons can believe in each other. It’s like a bunch of guys running around doing there own thing with any care in the world.
Bobby's Cox
January 8th, 2012
9:38 pm
I NEED A BACKRUB
RG3 in ATL!
January 8th, 2012
9:38 pm
Trade Ryan, 2nd rounder in 2012, 1st rounder in 2013 for RG3! He’s smarter than Ryan, stronger than Ryan, faster than Ryan, younger than Ryan. He’s going to be Cam Newton without the idiotic & boneheaded plays.
CGD..
January 8th, 2012
9:38 pm
Chris won playoff games!
Ryan not so much…
Disappointed
January 8th, 2012
9:38 pm
Need to trade Roddy for some draft picks, too many drops and will not work to get open when QB needs help.Our Punter was the highlight of the day.
Deion Sanders
January 8th, 2012
9:39 pm
And you chumps wonder why i left!
Losers.
Bobby's Cox
January 8th, 2012
9:40 pm
TIME TO GET LOADED, ENOUGH WHINING
GulfwavesGary
January 8th, 2012
9:40 pm
If someone is so stupid that to bring back the Dog Killer that has so little brain power to know electrocution of poor dogs or bashing their head against concrete until dead, you must be a brain dead moron. The Falcons OC sucks and have multiple, multiple problems, but bringing my former hero back requires that writer to be the brunt of multiple attacks by dogs that Vick did not kill. No points is so bad and Mularkey needs to go and if Mike Smith does not agree he needs to go also.
plucked
January 8th, 2012
9:40 pm
The offense laid an EGG today y’all…. Maybe Mr. Blank should think of investing in a couple of new offensive linemen that can run block well enough to convert the 3rd and 4th short downs in the offseason.
I felt after the MNF Saints loss this team was ready for the offseason and they showed it today….
ed
January 8th, 2012
9:40 pm
The team name should be changed to Atlanta Scrimmagers then maybe they could live up to their billing. They make a good practice team for the other NFC teams. Beyond that, nothing.
Matt Ryan
January 8th, 2012
9:40 pm
I’m a choker
I’m a joker
I’m a stinking mother ******
Can’t hit no receiver on the run……..
Michael Vick
January 8th, 2012
9:40 pm
At least I won playoff games, Matty Meltdown chokes in the playoffs. Between me and him, you know whose the bigger DOG in the fight.
Bobby's Cox
January 8th, 2012
9:41 pm
TEBOW IS GOING TO WIN THE CHAMPIONSHIP
Michael Turner
January 8th, 2012
9:41 pm
I define elite runner.
realitycheck
January 8th, 2012
9:41 pm
Where are Michael M, SeenthisBFalcon, and all these others that have constantly made idiots out of themselves with this season’s posts? Is it possible there could have been a suicide attempt or two today?
KBB
January 8th, 2012
9:41 pm
Big Ben ran with more guts and passion and fearlessness than Matty “ice”. Ryan plays scared. On that one play where he was flushed out of the pocket (rare since he usually backs up 5 yards and throws the ball away), he slid 5 yards short of the marker with the only defender 5 yards away. Play to win you big sissy@!
Voice of Reason
January 8th, 2012
9:41 pm
RG3 in ATL — who is supposed to take that trade? Not Indy. Not the Rams. Who?
Yuck
January 8th, 2012
9:42 pm
Ouch! This was embarrassing! This really exposes how bad the Julio Jones pick was. Obviously, the front office can’t be honest with itself; to think that a wide receiver was the missing piece. If you’ve watched this team the past three years, they’ve struggled to score points in the pre-season. But it really does look like, and I hate to admit it, that Matt Ryan isn’t the man to lead the team over the hurdle. Without a qb who can pass for 450 yds a game, you don’t stand a chance. This team could do just as well as Green Bay or New Orleans if they could put up 35 points a game. But that’s not gonna happen anytime soon
Julio Jones
January 8th, 2012
9:42 pm
I actually miss Greg Mcelroy, this Matt Ryan has a terrible noodle arm!
James
January 8th, 2012
9:42 pm
9:35 pm
A. Blank the Culprit….going through a divorce…. Tiger Wood style….say no more
Time to go home!
January 8th, 2012
9:42 pm
When are the Mike Vick butt lickers gonna move to Philadelphia?
Dan Reeves
January 8th, 2012
9:42 pm
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!
Dawglasville
January 8th, 2012
9:43 pm
It’s funny that so many forget about Chandler. The guy who took us to the Super Bowl. I guess he wasn’t “electrifying” enough. It’s not like he played in the 60’s. He was the guy whose wife was being heckled and threatened in the stands by some fans who wanted to be entertained instead of wanting championship football.
GT 72
January 8th, 2012
9:43 pm
Mike Smith coached the game based on what the talking heads on cbs and fox said after he went for it against new orleans and failed. Do a qb sneak. So he does it 3 times and fails. What about a PASS. You have the best hands in TG and not one play action to him. Once you failed the first time, you mix it up. But not these idiots. They are idiots and have no clue how to win a football game. Worst coaches in the nfl
Caesar
January 8th, 2012
9:44 pm
Mike Vick won playoff games in two different seasons with 1/2 the talent of Matt Ryan’s Falcons. And Vick had the unfortunate situation of being coached by Jim Mora Jr.