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
lamac66
January 8th, 2012
11:04 pm
At least Jenkins would catch the ball.
WTH! LMAO@ this. Is Jenkins even in the league. He was a #4 receiver on his best day.
To board trolls
January 8th, 2012
11:05 pm
Finally, after three years of telling folks…..” Matt Ryan played NOBoDY in college and he was not that good”, has been recognized……just sayin….
Heck even bc wasn’t that good with Ryan, how do you expect an NFL team to win with him. He can’t throw over 15 yards. Trade him for tebow!!!!
DawgDad
January 8th, 2012
11:05 pm
“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]. ”
Uh-oh, the main-man is in denial. This does not bode well for the home team.
I’m convinced the problems stem from coaching. The Falcons didn’t adjust and IMPROVE coming out of halftime, they played worse. They once again demonstrated a fatal determination to “impose their will” with smash-mouth football when everyone with two functioning eyes can see they have one of the weakest offensive lines in football. They (and the QB) seem obsessed with “getting into the right play” at the line of scrimmage, at times confusing their own players and killing the execution. This team as constituted has peaked; have the guts to blow it up and re-tool.
On Ryan’s part, one of the worst games I’ve seen him play. His rookie year he was too green to know he shouldn’t be making all those plays. Today he seemed nervosuly wild, timid, afraid to make a mistake, and plain physically overmatched. He needs a new offensive coordinator — desperately, and who knows if that will get him over the hump.
OSCAR
January 8th, 2012
11:06 pm
I’m not sure if Mike Smith is the problem. If your players dont’ play their tails off for you than that’s a problem, right?
A Complete Blank
January 8th, 2012
11:07 pm
As a Falcon season ticket holder from the ’80’s and ’90’s… I dumped out when current Ownership fired the only coach that ever took us to the Superbowl… Dear Ownership: You cant hire the Patriots wannabes and think you are the Patriots…. Ownership is getting what they deserve for MISMANAGEMENT OF THE FIRM!!!!!!!!!!! HORRIBLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Regression
January 8th, 2012
11:08 pm
Well Mark,, Ryan did actually turn the ball over twice today, it just didn’t happen by way of fumble or interception. 2 failed sneaks is as good as a fumble in my book. I thought we had way more ahead of us when Blank took over the Falcons and moreso when he hired Dimitroff ,,, but I can see mediocrity will be our calling for years to come and that is a shame. Ryan is not leading this team to any Super Bowl and has proven he panics when it counts.
DEEPatriots
January 8th, 2012
11:09 pm
Don’t forget Rich McKay fire his ass too it all started with him”……….
Loserville USA
January 8th, 2012
11:09 pm
I just find it comical that in a year we were to become EXPLOSIVE the team scores ZERO offensive points. What an indictment of the personnel department and Mularkey’s play calling.
Team that breaks camp in August will look a lot different, I believe — coaches included.
FALCANTS
January 8th, 2012
11:10 pm
FALCONS SEEM TO ALWAYS WANT TO STICK TO THEIR GAME PLAN RATHER THAN ADJUST TO WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THE GAME!!!!!!!!!
Quarterback sneek again… really??
intellibird
January 8th, 2012
11:10 pm
Obviously, Michael Vick will not be coming back to Atlanta, and I am thankful for that. Anyone who wants to watch him play can move to Philly. The dumbest player to ever wear a football helmet ain’t ever gonna win anything of importance.
Can you imagine Bill Belichek game planning against a Michael Vick QB’d team? Wow. “Superman” would wind up tangled up in his underwear.
William
January 8th, 2012
11:11 pm
An open letter to Arthur Blank:
Dear Sir,
I have been a Falcons’ fan for the entire 40 years of my life, and while I admit that the most recent history have been the most exciting and successful, it should be abundantly clear that this is about as good as it’s going to get for a while. While I am not one to tell you how to run your organization that you paid for, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to realize that Dimitroff mortgaged this organization’s furture for nothing. He did this by trading five draft choices for Julio Jones. Nothing against the Jones, but no single player has EVER been worth 5 draft choices in the NFL. (Think Ricky Williams, Herschel Walker, etc…) Dimitroff was the architect behind this even though the team didn’t need another #1 type receiver and had SO many other GLARING holes, even with a 13-3 record the previous year. It takes a truly honest man to accurately access where a team is, and that 13-3 record did not accurately gauge the team’s ability, especially after being just railroaded at home by the Packers in a playoff loss. That single game alone showed where the team was in relation to the NFL elite, and no one or two additional player was ever going to push that Atlanta team over the top. Even if you wanted to quantify that Julio Jones could’ve been even more than Calvin Johnson and Jerry Rice combined, he still would not have been worth the loss of 5 draft picks to help fill the team’s MANY other glaring holes, especially since we already had the league’s number one receiver. Now because of Dimitroff, this team will still have those holes and now the team is a year older and with no championship. Sadly, this is the future that is being brought to us because of not filling these holes and looking forward to the future. In the NBA, there have been some moderate and sporadic successes with a WIN NOW approach where a team was truly “on the cusp”, but in the world of the NFL, I can’t think of a single instance where this has succeeded (there have been instances of teams that were already successful that opted to further mortgage their future for a WIN NOW approach – Think 49er’s before their decline). Those who do not study history are doomed to repeat it. The Atlanta Falcons have just become the latest chapter of what not to do to build a champion.
A Complete Blank
January 8th, 2012
11:12 pm
I heard an interview with then Rams GM Bill Devaney a few years ago… He said ” We are modeling our Organization after the Falcons”….. He and all his hires have recently been FIRED….. Thats about the DUMBEST thing I have ever heard a NFL GM say……. This is the future of Smith and Dimtroff and HOPEFULLY OWNERSHIP!!!!!!!!! Horrible!!!!!!
lamac66
January 8th, 2012
11:14 pm
4th and short, and your power back is on the sideline while Peyton Manning, Jr. err uh I mean Matt Ryan get’s stood up in the backfield trying a QB sneak? Your powerback on the sideline shaking his head in disbelief. Humiliating!!
Loserville USA
January 8th, 2012
11:14 pm
From AP story:
“We talked about trying to establish the running game because we didn’t think we could pass protect,” said Falcons wide receiver Roddy White, who was limited to five catches for 52 yards with a long of only 21 yards. “We played right into their hands. I mean, if they sack us every down and we can’t move the ball, OK. But let’s try.”
White’s remarks echo private comments of several other players who have pointed at a disconnection who offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey’s approach. Numerous players believe Mularkey is too conservative, particularly in tense situations like the playoffs.
Or as one player put it: “Something has to be said to [coach] Mike [Smith] this offseason.”
jb
January 8th, 2012
11:15 pm
Braves, Falcons and Hawks suck..Both teams need new leadership.Both happy to just show up and draw a check..screw the fans is there take. Fire Wren and sell the Braves. Fire Mularkey and “D” cordn…Spirit get a Star for Hawks, not one on team. Damn shame Atlanta can’t put a winner on the field are floor..
khut21
January 8th, 2012
11:16 pm
The ORGANIZATION IS WEAK, FROM ARTHUR BLANK ON DOWN. FAILURE AT PERSONNEL FROM PERLEES PRICE TO RAY EDWARDS, WHEN WILL ARTHUR BLANK DEMAND MORE!!!!!
lamac66
January 8th, 2012
11:16 pm
I heard an interview with then Rams GM Bill Devaney a few years ago… He said ” We are modeling our Organization after the Falcons”…..
SERIOUSLY?
Ole Skool
January 8th, 2012
11:16 pm
As a Falcons season ticket holder over the last 9 seasons, it pains me to say that this franchise is CLUELESS on how to build a team via THE DRAFT…Peria Jerry, Jamal Anderson, Sam Baker, Weatherspoon…not an All Pro in the bunch! Take a look @ their draft picks since 2005 & the only “big name” is Roddy White! Take look for yourselves…http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlanta_Falcons_draft_history
Regression
January 8th, 2012
11:17 pm
Oh and you are correct on many on this blog voting affable dunce and untalented plod…to go with moronic GM and predictable OC …. The latter of which will be gone by Tue or Wed .. Which is now not likely to come from his being hired by a team stupid enough to make him their head coach ,,so it will be Blank placating the angry masses.
Sick of the hype
January 8th, 2012
11:17 pm
Will Roddy White please not ever talk trash again?
Also, will they please FIRE MM AND BVG? MM has no creativity. When will he learn that we have the weapons to put up 30-35 a game EASILY. BVG’s soft zone is maybe the worst system I have ever seen run.
Anyways, at least Mike Smith doesn’t run his mouth like Rex Ryan. I still think Smitty is a good coach, he just has some TERRIBLE coordinators.
lamac66
January 8th, 2012
11:19 pm
I can’t wait to listen to Mayhem in the AM tomorrow! The Ryan spin apoligist machine should be halarious
Loserville USA
January 8th, 2012
11:20 pm
No way Mularkey gets a HC job — not after today. No way. He’s done.
C’mon — what team would commit PR suicide by hiring this guy?
No one.
scope
January 8th, 2012
11:20 pm
I don’t know, the whole year is what it was and this game was reflective of it. It was a down year. Happens all the time in the NFL when a team has a great season record-wise, and then has to come back next year and play a much tougher schedule. Plus, are we really expecting a rookie to push them over the edge into greatness? Really!?! Julio is and will be a fine player, not worried there.
As an Atlanta native, it gives me great pleasure to say it was a down year… and we were 9-7 and made the playoffs. Please, please, let’s not do another Leeman Bennett.
lamac66
January 8th, 2012
11:20 pm
Can’t wait to hear Buck and Kincaid also, this is going to be a week for the ages here. Zoloff, Prosac, Lithium and all are in order
UGAGOLFER
January 8th, 2012
11:21 pm
It’s pretty simple. The Falcons do not have the personnel necessary to move to the next level. Trading prime picks for a wide receiver when your weakness is on BOTH lines of scrimmage tells us the management has no idea what it takes to win big. Plus, the Falcons have too many older guys who are a step away from retirement (especially OL and DL). The Falcons are falling back while the Saints are already at the top and the Panthers are on their way (they will split or win both games against Atlanta in 2012). Better hope the Bucs don’t hire a good coach, because once they find a running game (something missing in Atlanta), they’ll move up quickly. They are very young.
Smittie
January 8th, 2012
11:22 pm
KEEP GRIMES AND MOORE, GET RID OF THE REST OF SECONDARY!!!!!!!!!!1
UGAGOLFER
January 8th, 2012
11:23 pm
P.S. Michael Turner may be closing out his career as an effective back. Time to fnd AT LEAST TWO additional running backs.
lamac66
January 8th, 2012
11:24 pm
No way Mularkey gets a HC job — not after today. No way. He’s done.
C’mon — what team would commit PR suicide by hiring this guy?
Oh, he’ll get a chance. I think teams will look at the WHOLE situation and realize Malarky’s hands were tied somewhat. If you have a QB that can’t get the ball downfield accurately regulary, you have no choice but to be rather conservative.
The Missing Dawg
January 8th, 2012
11:26 pm
Perhaps Ryan should consider public prayer.
DawgDad
January 8th, 2012
11:27 pm
“As an Atlanta native, it gives me great pleasure to say it was a down year… and we were 9-7 and made the playoffs.”
So how do you get BETTER next year??? You didn’t show BETTER in the playoffs this year, you showed WORSE, and you gave up your draft to get worse.
Dirty Bird
January 8th, 2012
11:27 pm
Hey Arthur – forget the nice new building to park your klunker. Get your house in order. People are not going to pay to watch this every year. I like coach Smith and I like Ryan. The coordinators need to be sent packing. I am hesitant to look forward to Sept for the start of the season. The fans deserve better.
Buddy
January 8th, 2012
11:28 pm
THEY ARE WHO WE THOUGHT THEY WERE!!!!!!
ls1z28chris
January 8th, 2012
11:30 pm
That is garbage, Dirty Sanchez. For every Peyton Manning there is a Tony Romo. Don’t act like you’re an offensive genius simply for knowing that Peyton Manning didn’t come out of the womb winning Super Bowl games.
Answer me this. In those playoff losses, some of which were pitiful, did Manning ever look like he was going to cry standing there on the middle of the field? Did he try to BACK his way into a first down from fourth and inches?
All you seem to be saying is “their records in the playoffs at this point in their careers are similar.” Do you expect that to be heartening to anyone over there in Atlanta? That is a garbage platitude. What do you actually see in Matt Ryan that would lead you to believe that he is about to turn the corner and lead the Falcons to victory? All I see is a dude on the verge of tears who can’t pass a deep ball. And it is hilarious.
lamac66
January 8th, 2012
11:31 pm
Everybody is bashing Turner and Jones. See, they just don’t realize Turner is the key to the offense. They give up on the run so quickly. Sometimes out of necessity. You’re just not built to come back from a two possession deficit against a quality team. Yes, you spotted Carolina 3 scores a couple of weeks ago.
What is your record when Ryan throws 40+/game vs when Turner runs 20-25/game? This is how you beat the falcons with your eyes closed. Score on YOUR first possession, stop the falcons on their first possession. Score again.
Now the Falcons have to rely on Ryan to win the game. Yes, Ryan can rally you back if the score is close in the waning moments but from 2+ possessions down against quality teams…..forget a-boouuut it
Loserville USA
January 8th, 2012
11:31 pm
lamac66 — His hands were NOT tied. He could have called run. The only time Falcons moved the ball consistently is when he included Snelling and Rodgers with Turner.
He always made a habit of showing it — and then trashing it. But it always worked. His hands were in no way TIED. We have ball control personnel, and he chose explosiveness for a total of ZERO points. His choice. On fourth down all season we either sneaked or ran up the middle. Easy to defend.
I cannot believe Tampa Bay, Jacksonville or Miami would sign him after watching today’s debacle. Would be highly unpopular.
Regression
January 8th, 2012
11:33 pm
There are problems everywhere up and down the line in this org. It is the dawn of realization for Mr. Blank,, unless he just can’t handle any major shakeups following the Vick and Petrino debacles,,which I think has a certain degree of truth. He probably thought he would get a longer break after what he went thru ,, but stupidity in trusting an unproven GM like Dimitroff does not go unpunished,,, so time to make the tough call Blankity Blank.
Ole Skool
January 8th, 2012
11:36 pm
When is the last time someone saw the Falcons run an effective screen pass?? Quizz would be great for such a thing, just the way the Saints use Sproles! The Birds have a 1st ballot Hall of Fame TE & couldn’t use a play action pass to him on 4th & 1…Oh I forgot that Michael Turner was on the sidelines so the run threat was never there…silly me.!?!?
Dan
January 8th, 2012
11:36 pm
Well in all this doom and gloom…The Falcons DID beat the Eagles and knocked Vick out of the game. So SOMETHING got accomplished. With no NFL Lockout in 2012 maybe things will look up.
NC Brave
January 8th, 2012
11:36 pm
I guess the Falcons are the new Braves of the lat 90’s/early 00’s. Can get to the playoffs but stink it up when they get there.
Regression
January 8th, 2012
11:37 pm
Btw,,, Falcons were 10-6 ,,, not 9-7
Loserville USA
January 8th, 2012
11:37 pm
If we had a screen game the offense would smoke.
You kidding me? Quizz, Julio, even Snelling or Douglas?
Ridiculous we don’t have a screen game. It’s why Mularkey has to go.
billy
January 8th, 2012
11:38 pm
1300 responses and 25 pages. I think the people have spoken. But to be sure, lets keep filibustering here until changes are made or the AJC shuts it down. Because honestly folks, I don’t think AB hears us or cares..
Loserville USA
January 8th, 2012
11:38 pm
Screen game with Quizz/Julio/Douglas/Snelling would ignite the offense.
Hopefully we’ll get an OC who will screen teams to death. It’s what Falcons need.
Loserville USA
January 8th, 2012
11:39 pm
Falcons had ZERO signature wins in ‘11. And don’t include Detroit. C’mon.
yo mama
January 8th, 2012
11:41 pm
first of all, no one in Atlanta has stated that the defense is not a 4-3 D. If you cant pressure the QB with four, go to the 3-4 and get more agile linebackers to mix it up! look at what the 3-4 did to uga with grantham. heck they were a top 5 defense in the nation! hell georgia never has a D that good. pay him the money to come down to atlanta. Todd Grantham for D coord, and interview Mike Martz, or Brad Childress. Get some offensive minds in here. there i said. Blank gives Smitty, one season. get new coordinators, or hit the highway.
Bill from NJ
January 8th, 2012
11:42 pm
Giants fan here. I was surprised by the outcome. Going into the game, I thought the Giants and Falcons were about even… 50/50 chance for either to win today. Knowing the Giants, two things surprised me. #1… Falcons defensive line… the Giants ran for 170+ yards… they never do that. They had the worst rushing attack all year. Not sure what happened there, maybe Eli and Nicks made all of the Falcons D concerned about the pass, and it opened up opportunities to run. #2 Falcons O-line… while I am not surprised that Ryan was sacked twice and put under pressure a lot (pass rush is what the Giants have going for them) I was really surprised that the Falcons couldnt run against the Giants. The Giants have not been good against the run this year and Turner just never got going. That surprised me a lot.
What didnt surprise me is that once the Giants were up two scores, they took off and never looked back. When the Falcons are forced to pass a lot, it lets the Giants defensive ends just go nuts. While only 2 sacks, the pressure was there all game, and Ryan had to get rid of the ball before Jones and White could even finish their deep routes.
That said, I see a lot of negativity here, yes, it is incredibly disappointing, but dont give up on the Falcons. They have so many pieces in place and should be a strong team for years to come. Ryan is only finishing his 3rd year… he is very young. I remember as a Giants fan when in Eli’s 3rd year, we got shut out by Carolina in the playoffs. It was terrible. Everyone hated Eli. Then the next year, we won the whole thing…. it takes time, be patient… the Falcons are in much better shape than most of the rest of the league, and you can be confident that for the next five or six years you will have winning seasons, and it takes QBs time to mature, its hard but be patient with Ryan, he may surprise you. It wouldnt surprise me seeing him hoist the Lombardi in the next few years.
Fan
January 8th, 2012
11:42 pm
We just suck man the falcons record against teams with winning records was horrible and our offensive line is doo doo and why did we sign edwards he doesntmake any plays only reason he made plays as a viking is because allen was on the other side and decou is a bum get him out of here and robinson can follow man how does tebow progress and we get worst at least tebow has the will to win i dont think ryan has it his voice doesnt show he has it it quivers like he wetting his pants chris berman destroyed the falcons saying man up you have to stnd up to the better teams not lay down and let then take yuou man hood
Once Recent Reader
January 8th, 2012
11:42 pm
The Bad: Today’s game . . . terrible. What was that??
The potentially Good: Well I can now focus on Patriots . . .and I believe there next game got a bit easier. Not to say Broncos can’t beat NE . . .but honestly . . .who would you rather face this year? Don’t think many would say Broncos.
The Truly Bad: Another year to read the No Playoff Wins ridicule
MGM
January 8th, 2012
11:42 pm
Tim Tebow has 1 playoff win. Matt Ryan has zero in 3 tries. Not all his fault but he was off today. This was pointed out a couple of times by the commentators. He hasn’t stepped up in the clutch. Unfortunately, we are committed to this QB and coaching regime. We are in nfl purgatory. Mediocre such that change of any magnitude doesn’t seem necessary. Been a fan 40 years and the optimism is gone. I predict 4 to 6 years of mediocrity. Coincides with Ryan’s career here.
blueboy
January 8th, 2012
11:43 pm
All Georgia’s sports teams are a joke! That’s why most Georgians root for other teams.