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
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
1,923 comments Add your comment
RG3 in ATL
January 8th, 2012
9:44 pm
Voice of Reason – Rams aren’t picking RG3, they have Bradford. Colts are picking Luck. Trade it to the Vikings, they would take Ryan in a heartbeat!
Dirtiest bird
January 8th, 2012
9:44 pm
Front office should ship Matty Sluch and Roddy off in a trade to get RG3
GameChanger
January 8th, 2012
9:44 pm
OK, I’ve seen enough. Matt Ryan needs to go. How many times today did we see him just stand there and NOT pull the trigger. I kept thinking, JUST THROW THE FRICKIN BALL! He has great receivers who can make plays and he just stands there or throws it away.
He is NOT an elite QB at all. Cokes BIG TIME in meaningful games. Has NO HEART. Did anyone see Brees dive over the line on 4th down against the Lions? Now that’s courage and heart.
We’ve got Ryan falling down in his fetal position hoping somehow he will make the 4th down yardage.
Disgusting. We are going NOWHERE with this guy.
Kroy Bierman
January 8th, 2012
9:44 pm
I thought I could.
I couldn’t.
Release me.
Bobby's Cox
January 8th, 2012
9:44 pm
We need to trade for Tony Romo.
GT 72
January 8th, 2012
9:45 pm
Again the same idiots on espn are asking where was m turner on the short yardage. Even the idiots in the media are clueless. Turner would have been just as bad as we saw what happened against NO. You CAN pass the freaking ball on 3rd or 4th and 1 ya know. It works. Look at new orleans and GB. they do it all the time. Turner + Ryan = overpaid losers.
Time to go home!
January 8th, 2012
9:45 pm
The Falcons front office seems to think wide receivers and quarterbacks are going to win games. Games are won in the trenches. Look at the Texans. They are on their 3rd string QB and are still winning. They are winning because they win the line of scrimmage. The Falcons mix and match here and there and think they can still win. It doesn’t work. They need to draft linemen and worry about the other positions later.
Sean Payton
January 8th, 2012
9:45 pm
Atlanta, leave your program the way it is now, I want the free two wins every year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bobby's Cox
January 8th, 2012
9:45 pm
WE NEED ROMO
GameChanger
January 8th, 2012
9:46 pm
I meant “Chokes” not cokes. He certainly wasn’t coked or stoked.
Michael Vick
January 8th, 2012
9:46 pm
You guys turned your backs on me.
You get what you deserve.
White Lightnin'
January 8th, 2012
9:46 pm
the falcons are all nice guys. sadly, nice guys finish last. playoffs are for men with heart and soul and an winning appetite. these guys just know how to roll dice and hope the roll turns out lucky. they’re not ready for prime time. everyone could see this train wreck coming but denied it. realism, not optimism. love da playa but hate da game. they need to get on their knees like Tebow.
take it from me.
January 8th, 2012
9:46 pm
Ryan mite not be the whole problem,but he is part of it.The problems go a lot farther than Ryan,this team needs a make over,what ever thats means.Oh well the season is over,and its winter time,put another log on the fire ,and get ready to watch the saints march to the Super Bowl.
David C
January 8th, 2012
9:46 pm
If you would have asked me which QB playing today would be most likely to have 3TD passes and 300+ yards, I probably would have picked Ryan, Manning, Roethlisberger and Tebow in that order. Turns out it was just the opposite. Ryan is a good QB but may not have what it takes to be a great one.
Pathetic effort by Falcons, from the coaching staff who made multiple bad play call choices to the players that quit.
Bobby's Cox
January 8th, 2012
9:46 pm
WE NEED BLAINE GABBERT!!
mike
January 8th, 2012
9:46 pm
As a casual Pro-Football fan and a Alpharetta native since 1954 I don’t really care about any Pro sports team in Atlanta. Who in there right mind wants to drive down town in our crime ridden city to watch a bunch of overpaid spoiled jocks play games as grown men that we all played for fun as kids. After reading some of this blather, it appears some of you folks need to turn off the tube, get out of the house and get a life! This is sad to see grown – ups get so spun up over a kids game. Mercy!
billya
January 8th, 2012
9:47 pm
The Falcon’s have no leadership. How can guys get fired off. Their QB stands off by himself separating himself on the sideline from the rest of the team. The only time the coach shows emotion is when its all going his way. His team plays like a bunch of kids that can’t get out of bed to go to school in the morning and he just passively stares blindly out to the field. There is no “Heart of a Lion” here? Did you see anybody getting in anyone’s face out there? Did you see any leaders not accepting anything but the best from there fellow man out there? Where is it…show me?! This is a sad, dysfunctional example of anything you might vaguely call a deserved playoff contender.
Dawglasville
January 8th, 2012
9:47 pm
It won’t happen but if you’re going to keep Roddy, Julio, and this crappy excuse for a line, RG3 would be a better fit than Ryan.
pfffft
January 8th, 2012
9:48 pm
bawahhhhhhhhhhhh
Voice of Reason
January 8th, 2012
9:48 pm
RG3 — Hoesntly, why wouldn’t the Vikings just take RG3? Ryan’s stock is piss poor right now. And the 1st rounder (assuming we have RG3 and he’s awesome) won’t be worth much either …
CGD..
January 8th, 2012
9:48 pm
Julio was a horrible pick!!
He could not save this noodle arm QB!
Where’s the picks Arthur is asking for McKay?
Pete
January 8th, 2012
9:48 pm
This was a good thing. If we managed a win we might fool ourselves for another year, but football is played on the line and our is sub-standard. That’s where our efforts need to go and money needs to be spent. I think the defense deserves a lot of credit, especially for their play in the first half. You can’t win if you don’t win in the trenches. We could fool bad teams, but this is What Must Be Fixed for the Falcons to matter again.
Bill Belichick
January 8th, 2012
9:48 pm
Thomas Dimitroff was an addition by subtraction. Thanks for not signing Josh Mcdaniels and keeping Mike Mularkey.
MattCryan
January 8th, 2012
9:49 pm
Ok Falcon fanbase……you can stop using Elite and Matt Ryan in the same sentence. Dude is no where near elite!
Bobby's Cox
January 8th, 2012
9:49 pm
JUST GOT OFF THE PHONE WITH JEFF GEORGE!! HE SAYS HE CAAN STILL THROW THE ROCK!! LETS GET HIM
Who Dat
January 8th, 2012
9:49 pm
Don”t compare us with yall loss we have a ring
JD
January 8th, 2012
9:49 pm
Did anyone pay any attention to the first paragraph of this article. I said it during the draft and I have been saying it all season. You (Falcons) trade five draft picks for a rookie wide receiver and you know you already have the smallest and arguably the weakest defensive backfield in the NFL. This wasn’t a smart move at all. JJ is good young receiver but it screwed up the chemistry that was there already. They could have found a veteran who had never came close to a Super Bowl and been fine at that position with Harry Douglas getting more touches. Just didn’t make sense and it came back to bite them and those draft picks are gone. Really surprised AB went with that. I guess Thomas Dimitroff’s NE magic doesn’t work in ATL. Terrell Owens played last year and did not cause any problems. Not saying he would’ve been a boy scout with the falcons but all they had to do is go face to face with him and lay it on the line and let him know that this is a team and we want you to be a team player and the first sign we see that you’re not you’re outta here. Plain and simple. Football doesn’t need TO, TO needs football. It’s going to be hard for them to sign any FA’s with this meltdown. As a 49er fan, I still root for the Falcons but reality has reared it’s ugly head from that trade. The tone for the season was set at that point. No player would publicly say it but I bet my paycheck that at least ten Falcons were questioning that move and it stayed with them the whole season. One other thing to ponder, the season started short and the Falcon’s spent most of training camp trying to work JJ in and it messed up the chemistry early in the season. By the time they found a rhythm they were already down 3-4 games and lost home field to NO. Good luck next year. Go Niners.
Bob Smith
January 8th, 2012
9:50 pm
I think we should find someone else to write this column. Going backwards.
CGD..
January 8th, 2012
9:50 pm
RG3 is 5x>than Melt!
Get him in here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bobby's Cox
January 8th, 2012
9:50 pm
BRING BACK JEFF GEORGE!!! NOW!!!
AND JUNE JONES
Rob
January 8th, 2012
9:51 pm
Mike Bobo, Paul Johnson and Mike Mularkey. Three of the worst OC’s I have ever seen.
Dear Mr Blank
January 8th, 2012
9:51 pm
Four years ago Smith and Malarky developed a very conservative “run first” “don’t make mistakes” strategy. It is an ideal strategy for average teams. This strategy can provid average teams with winning records.
But this strategy will always fail against elite playoff teams. NO, NE, GB are not conservative teams.
They run unpredictable offenses. The Falcons are the most predictable team in the NFL.
Smith and Malarky need to go because they will never play gutsy balls-to-the-wall football.
The Falcons run Turner inside tackle on EVERY first down in big games. You can’t beat good teams being so predictable. Turner is stopped for a loss on 30% of those run on first down plays.
Bring in coaching who play gutsey unpredictable football and the Falcons CAN start beating elite teams.
Brandon W
January 8th, 2012
9:51 pm
Matty Melt!
1 4 GT
January 8th, 2012
9:51 pm
That was just about the most inept play calling and overall offensive execution I believe I have ever seen. I’ve been a Falcons fan since day 1 inception. This game was really hard to watch and stay fairly calm. I no longer think Matt Ryan can win a championship. His performance today was awful. The coaching staff needs to be let go en masse. Problems on both lines will take, IMO, minimum 3 years to fix due to trading so many draft choices for JJones, although he will be a beast if he can stay healthy. After 46 seasons of mostly ineptness from the Falcons, my support is waning. Oh yeah, will anyone ever take responsibility for poor play or poor coaching?????
Thomas Dimitroff
January 8th, 2012
9:52 pm
I am going to trade 5 picks(2 this year, 3 next year) for Justin Blackmon. We need more explosive players!!!!! I will also sign a terrible defensive end and cornerback for elite type money!!!!! We need more pass rush and more corners to be burned!!!!
Leeman Bennett
January 8th, 2012
9:52 pm
Pathetic! Even I could do better than that!
Bobby's Cox
January 8th, 2012
9:53 pm
SOMEONE PUT ME OUT OF MY MISERY….KEITH BROOKING WONT LEAVE MY HOUSE, ALL I WANTED WAS 3 ROOMS AND A HALLWAY CLEANED…
curious
January 8th, 2012
9:53 pm
Bring on Favre.
Najeh Davenpoop
January 8th, 2012
9:53 pm
I actually like the idea of bringing in Peyton Manning a lot. It’s not like this team is that far away, and Peyton can get more out of this offensive supporting cast than Ryan can. Who knows, the Falcons may catch lightning in a bottle in the playoffs with Manning. I certainly have more faith in that happening than Ryan leading this team to a Super Bowl.
GOP Cannon
January 8th, 2012
9:53 pm
Despicable game…. I just do not understand how a team with so much tallent, suddenly plays like an 0-16 team the second that they get to the playoffs.
I want to see something change with the Falcons next season… heads need to roll after this terrible performance.
Arthur Blank
January 8th, 2012
9:53 pm
I have a dilemma, FREE HAM.
CGD..
January 8th, 2012
9:54 pm
Read between the lines: “Suckers born everyday” PT Barnum
Mr Blanks means Chit happens..Get over it! There’s always next year season ticket holder(suckers)
Bobby's Cox
January 8th, 2012
9:54 pm
BRING BACK GLANVILLE NOW!!!
budd
January 8th, 2012
9:55 pm
Bradley,
Thanks once again for picking the sparrows and once again insuring victory for my beloved Giants. And thanks also for staying consistent. You build up the local teams beforehand then rip them after they lose. When I go to the dictionary and look up bad sports writing there is your picture. But again thanks for your picks and complete lack of understanding of football.
billya
January 8th, 2012
9:55 pm
If tomorrow’s or the next day’s Sport’s headline doesn’t read “Falcon Fan’s Have Had Enough!” then its an indictment of the western news media..
keepinitreal
January 8th, 2012
9:56 pm
If I were the Falcons, here’s what I do (or at least try to do this offseason)…
- Fire Mike Mularkey. This is a no-brainer and requires no explanation.
- Hire Mike Martz as the offensive coordinator. I know some people don’t like Martz. He can be demanding and a little full of himself. But if you ask me, that’s exactly what the Falcons need. Martz had Jay Cutler playing the best ball of his career before he got hurt. If anyone can get Ryan to elevate his level of play, it’s Martz.
- Reluctantly hang on to Brian Van Gorder. Upon reflection, I think the defense showed enough progress this year that he deserves one more shot.
- Get rid of Michael Turner. He looks like he’s on his last legs as a productive back. The explosion he had two or three years ago isn’t there anymore. Savvy teams are able to recognize when runners are about to fall of a cliff, and it looks like Turner is quickly reaching that point. I personally think we’d be fine with Rodgers and Snelling as the top two backs.
- Focus all our efforts in the draft and free agency on getting stronger in the trenches.
- Give Mike Smith and Matt Ryan mandates that they must perform better against quality opponents, or else. These guys have gotten too comfortable.
Voice of Reason
January 8th, 2012
9:56 pm
Najeh, in all seriousness, what would we have to give up for Manning? I can’t imagine this is possible. But I’m open to being convinced otherwise. That’s why I think we need to start with the coordinators and see what happens.
Falcon Ben
January 8th, 2012
9:56 pm
Its easy to see that our GM has made the correct moves over his tenure. Its also as easy to see that the offensive coodinator has no idea how to use this incredible talent assembleled. If Van Gorder dosent improve the defense next year he needs to make room for a fresh face also. As for Smitty, I am still in full support of you and all the crucial calls to go for it today. Stay aggressive in those situations…
Tebow
January 8th, 2012
9:56 pm
TEBOW!!!
Time to go home!
January 8th, 2012
9:56 pm
Whoever is in the QB position isn’t going to matter until the line gets fixed. No QB will look good running for their lives. Any QB that want to continually scramble with this line will get hurt badly!