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
Kapoonka
January 8th, 2012
6:42 pm
It’s almost as if any decent offensive gains with the Falcons is pure luck and a big deal. When Drew Brees or Aaron Rodgers runs a team you KNOW offense is going to happen and it’s expected..par for the course. The Falcons were completely lost , had no offensive flow and their equilibrium rocked.
moboman
January 8th, 2012
6:42 pm
This falls on the QB. He played scared all day long. Capt Dink n Dunk is a perfect description. All he does is play it safe. Throws for 5 when we need 7, 8 when we need 10. Thats how we ended up 4th and inches twice. Cant throw hard on the run. Got Roddy creamed a couple of times because the ball arrives so slow. No pocket awareness, telegraphs his passes, and afraid to get hit. Tebow may not have the skillset, but at least he has cojones.
TechFan77
January 8th, 2012
6:42 pm
Justin Tuck was right… are O-Line are dirt bags. They are crap!! Our missing piece is O-Line and Secondary. Dunta is crap too!
jay
January 8th, 2012
6:42 pm
I’m embarassed to call myself a fan! Hey Arthur, what’s the return period for these idiots? I’d like my time back for the 17 games I suffered through this year.
Clean house and start with getting a real coaching staff (can you say Cowher or Gruden…), a real QB (can you say anybody except this over-rated noodle-armed fatty ice…What about TJ Yates when schab and linert return, he’d be a significant improvement) and at least a couple players with heart!
Wally W.
January 8th, 2012
6:42 pm
Decision to not kick a field goal near the end of the third quarter was not just stubborn, it was stupid. Score could have been six point differential with game still winnable. That decision completed deflated the entire team. Team fought hard and stayed in the game to that point. No energy after that.
Jessie Wilson
January 8th, 2012
6:42 pm
I honestly do feel for “true” Falcon fans. It has to be frustrating.
Geaux Tigers
Who Dat 2012
Caesar
January 8th, 2012
6:43 pm
I feel bad Julio Jones has to play with garbage like Matt Ryan. Twice he was open on slant routes and noodle arm threw it behind him.
Natty ice cold
January 8th, 2012
6:43 pm
Trade ice and move up to take RG3
Falcaints
January 8th, 2012
6:43 pm
At least the Falcons play in Atlanta where the press is so considerate. How many tough articles will we read about just how sorry the Falcons are? My guess is none.
BosnianBaller
January 8th, 2012
6:43 pm
I bet Dimitroff pulls a Frank Wren and does nothing in the offseason.
phil
January 8th, 2012
6:43 pm
Ryan Leaf is better…
Blank Is Onlly Interested In New Stadium & Hosting Superbowl
January 8th, 2012
6:44 pm
Blank will NOT change HC or GM which shows you his ineptness at running a football organization. The Falcons wiill never win a Superbowl with Arthur Blank as the owner.
The fans of this city deserves better than Dimitrioff and Smith. Its NOT fair
KC
January 8th, 2012
6:44 pm
Mark RG3 willl be available!
Tommy B
January 8th, 2012
6:45 pm
Matty ice more mighty mice
JN
January 8th, 2012
6:45 pm
But who would want Ice and how much is he worth?
ZACK
January 8th, 2012
6:45 pm
I agree that you were too nice Mark. You are our voice!!! The ESPN story was correct in a way. The teams does not deserve to win in the playoffs because they are flawed! Why waste time!?!?!? FIRE SMITH NOW!!! Season ticket holders RISE UP AND DO NOT RENEW!!!
Ward
January 8th, 2012
6:45 pm
Let me go on record before I comment, that I am not a Falcon fan. I do not root for them or against them; I am just an observer, having watched most every game…From my seat, it appears that Matt Ryan is this decade’s Dan Marino. While he may not have Marino’s stats, he will win enough to keep the team in the 9-7 to 12-4 record; he will do enough to have us all believe that if he were surrounded with just one more piece he may be able to win the big one, but the fact is he is just not clutch… I think Mike Smith is good solid coach, doing the most he can with the talent that Sir Thomas surrounds him with here. Smith has guts and fire, but a roster that is limited on talents… The Falcons need another RB, bigger offensive linemen, DEs that are not aging and can get after the QB, and CBs that can make big plays…until there is a talent upgrade, Smith in my mind is over-achieving with the roster he has… There seems like there is more because there are a few “star” names, but fact is this team is undersized and long in the tooth in many key areas.
katherine
January 8th, 2012
6:45 pm
Jessie Wilson
January 8th, 2012
6:42 pm
I honestly do feel for “true” Falcon fans. It has to be frustrating.
Geaux Tigers
Who Dat 2012
the voice of reason…thank you
Black Dog
January 8th, 2012
6:45 pm
used to be a season tix holder….would be hard to plunk down cash on this product….i turned it off on the 3rd quarter of Saints game ….and then today on the Giants game……gotta a real problem with no cap room and no draft picks…..
MTuck
January 8th, 2012
6:45 pm
Mike Mularkey should defiantly be fired. He went for it on 4th and inches with a 4WR set??? No TE but 4WR set??? No mentioned R White who after getting his big payday lead the league in drops this year and had 3 today. He even dropped a screen pass?? Our O line is pathetic against the run with no push at all.
Archie Manning
January 8th, 2012
6:45 pm
WHO DAT, snitches???
Ghosts of loserville
January 8th, 2012
6:46 pm
Mularkey was leaving anyway now we can fire him .. .
Call him the Joe Paterno of pro football this year.
KBB
January 8th, 2012
6:46 pm
This team is nothing but smoke and mirrors. Gutless, spineless…..
The post interviews have made me almost as upset as the actual games. Im so tired of cerebral responses to everything. Rationalizing problems might be good at times, but you can rationalize ANYTHING to pacify and overlook problems. We FOLD in big games. We get fat off of the weak teams. We fool the fanbase into thinking we are “elite”. Our qb cant throw the ball more past the first down markers and is TERRIFIED of the pass rush. His own college teammate (Mathias Kiwanuka) called him out on it. Just play a soft zone and tighten up in the red zone. Our best offensive player is 73 years old (TG) and our best defensive guy is in his late 60s (Abe). We are so flawed its funny.
Our coaching staff is over there heads. We have a college assistant (Van Gorder), a NFL retread (mularkey), and someone who should have been a lifelong coordinator (mike Smith), our GM is a glorified college scout. We reached on almost every position in the staff. For Blank to ask the fan base to trust in these clowns is laughable. What have they did to earn our trust except for beating bad teams? What was our signature win this season? The lions?
dawg150
January 8th, 2012
6:46 pm
You know, I’d love to write this off as a young, aspiring team getting overwhelmed in the moment……..forget it….. the Falconnots are a joke…a BAD JOKE…..how in the Hell, in this day of offensive football, do you get shut out?????? nuff said……cant even talk about this anymore……I love this team, this region of the country, but today’s performance was just embarrassing…….pitiful…..no damn excuses…..no “we’re gonna learn from this”….no “we’re coming back to make this right next year”……clean out your lockers and GO HOME!!!!!!!!
CGD..
January 8th, 2012
6:46 pm
Mr Blank shooting Blanks!
You QB failed you today..AGAIN! 3 times straight is not an accident its an indictment!
A total and complete Bust!
A total and complete failure!
RG3 is an upgrade….
kennyg
January 8th, 2012
6:47 pm
I blame Michael Vick and Bobby Petrino.
Jackson B
January 8th, 2012
6:47 pm
A truly ugly and stinging back for the team, the fans, and the city. Will lead to, unfortunately, reinforcing the negative things in the ESPN article. Will result in a lot of justifiably angry rants, points of view, etc.
But it is not an easy fix.
Stop the madness
January 8th, 2012
6:47 pm
Mark Bradley You did notice your qb did not generate any points? he cannot throw deep and is afraid of the rush. Keep covering for him, but you got what you wanted the “Golden Boy with no arm!
Natty ice cold
January 8th, 2012
6:47 pm
Kathrine u like ice or RG3?
Kapoonka
January 8th, 2012
6:47 pm
@Mark..Matt is just not mobile or athletic enough to get out of jams, and his is arm is not good enough to get the job done alone. He has the brains and game knowledge, but something gets lost when trying to physically execute plays….waddyathink?
Archie Manning
January 8th, 2012
6:47 pm
WHO DAT?!? NOT Y’ALL!!!!
phil
January 8th, 2012
6:47 pm
katherine
January 8th, 2012
6:45 pm
Jessie Wilson
January 8th, 2012
6:42 pm
I honestly do feel for “true” Falcon fans. It has to be frustrating.
Geaux Tigers
Who Dat 2012
the voice of reason…thank you
******
Echo. Very frustrating.
JSS
January 8th, 2012
6:48 pm
You guys need stop have got to stop fooling yourself. Griffin the III and Luck will be long gone. But, if you are rally bold, this is really deep year for QBs. However, I don’t trust Bratkowski to wheel out out a buggy full of groceries… You’ve got to get some real linemen on both sides…
eastbound and down
January 8th, 2012
6:48 pm
The falcons have an undersized offensive line. it is not like in the 80s when the redskilns had the hogs or some team had a special jumbo package to come in and pick up a yard. the falcons O line cannot push the other team off the line of scrimmage on 3 and 1 or 4th and one and this has been demonstrated over and over this year. also, i agree with Mr. C about Dimitroff; except you can add Sam Baker and Dunta Robinson to the list. Also, if Smith is 0-3 in the playoffs as a head coach, what makes you think this will change. btw, he should have mentioned the team was outcoached and outplayed.
Angie O'Plasty
January 8th, 2012
6:48 pm
I thought Arthur Blank knew what he was doing. This piss-poor organization is no better than the Smith regime. Enough with the phony “Rise-Up” baloney, and cheesy commercials from local celebrities . I’ll bet the Steelers don’t have a catch phrase. How about drafting the right players ( football players). Don’t need another 4.2 or 36 inch vertical guy. We need guys with a football heart. I will not go to a game next year. I will spend my money elsewhere.
Jackson B
January 8th, 2012
6:48 pm
that’s “stinging setback”
realitycheck
January 8th, 2012
6:48 pm
To all the dreamers…………..Forget RG3………The Falcons have no draft and would have nothing to offer to move way up to get him. The dam has broken, and this regime is drowning quickly!
Loserville USA
January 8th, 2012
6:48 pm
YOU KNOW….THE 24-HOUR RULE DOESN’T MEAN CRAP BECAUSE IN ESSENCE, I’M USING THE 51-WEEK RULE AFTER LAST YEAR’S GREEN BAY GAME.
1. To change philosophy of this team with ZERO OTAs was MORONIC. Could’ve waited for 2012 camp.
2. IT IS CLEAR Mularkey used this season selfishly to boost his resume at the expense of the franchise and the fans. He needs to go and in a way, he got what was coming to him.
3. We ran EVERY 4th down play up the middle this season. Why even cover the outside?
4. The ONLY elite OL we have is Justin Blalock. WHY? Because his name is NEVER called. And dammit we miss Harvey Dahl.
SOLUTIONS?
Nothing right away, but if you want Ryan to progress past being a game manager the priority HAS TO BE solidifying the offensive line. If needed use EVERY pick
1. Baker needs to go. He is AWFUL.
2. Svitek is a solid backup, no more.
3. McClure is getting old.
4. Clabo MUST improve. It’s clear he’s a better run blocker and he misses his buddy Dahl.
Anything else can come later. Offensive line regression is the story of 2011 and possibly beyond. Explosive is fine, as long as Ryan stops dancing in the pocket. Given time, he’s pretty good. As presently constructed, he’s Chad Pennington on steroids.
Ghosts of loserville
January 8th, 2012
6:48 pm
What have they did to earn our trust except for beating bad teams?
Well, in fairness they did beat the Eagles. Finally.
Ward
January 8th, 2012
6:48 pm
Too many of you are bagging on the coaches…fact of matter is, this roster is below average… Only the Broncos have less talent of all the playoff teams.
JaxCurtain
January 8th, 2012
6:48 pm
What a complete waste of talent!!!! They showed about as much heart as psssst UGA playing Boise State. What a flipping joke…How many times are you gonna go for it on 4th and inches next year you big doucshe??? The only thing i could think about during this game is how bad New Orleans left the Falcons in their dust and how the Eagles really should of had the Falcons play off spot. Atlanta Falcons are a complete waste of talent as long as you have the current coaching administration in charge. Congratulations on another underperformed shameful season of college level football. Good Job!
Najeh Davenpoop
January 8th, 2012
6:49 pm
“How many quarterbacks are there who are demonstrably better than Matt Ryan? Of that number, how many would be available?”
Rodgers, Brees, P. Manning, Brady, Roethlisberger, E. Manning, Vick, Rivers, Stafford, and Newton are clearly better. Luck and RG3 both will be. The jury is still out on Freeman and Dalton who may very well end up being better, as well as Locker, Bradford, and Ponder who haven’t played long enough to know. I wouldn’t rank Cutler, Schaub, or Flacco ahead of him, but you could probably make a decent case for any of them.
Luck and RG3 are available if the Falcons make a Herschel Walker trade. The other ones are probably not available for a reasonable price.
Bird-poop
January 8th, 2012
6:49 pm
You guys give Ryan so much crap, but he can’t make receivers get open, block for himself so he can pass, or block so Turner can try not to run into a group of 5 defenders. Ryan has had more success than any Falcons QB. And if that is true and he has the right OC he can be elite. Ryan is a Corvette being driven by a 13 year old boy (MM). Time to take the keys away and let someone else try.
katherine
January 8th, 2012
6:49 pm
Natty ice cold
January 8th, 2012
6:47 pm
Kathrine u like ice or RG3?
I think rg3 is a great player but I dont think the falcons could get him because they have a long term contract with ryan right?
realitycheck
January 8th, 2012
6:49 pm
Angie O’Plasty…………amen brother!
Objective fan
January 8th, 2012
6:50 pm
“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.”
Ya think? Worst collection of coaches in the league.
Offense never elite, defense always mediocre. Case closed. Find some coaches with some killer instinct, not conservative on offense and soft zone on defense.
katherine
January 8th, 2012
6:51 pm
that being said…I am not giving up on matt ryan….you cannot blame this whole thing on him
Herschel Talker
January 8th, 2012
6:51 pm
MB:
Simply disgraceful on all fronts. Someone needs to be held accountable for this.
HT
Rise Up!!
January 8th, 2012
6:51 pm
Get samuel to make more commercials! Get jimmy! Rise up! Get the ajc to write more suckup articles!! ATL—2012 is the year! They have a bunch of excuses this year!! next year!!!
phil
January 8th, 2012
6:51 pm
The Eagles beat themselves….
As i’ve said for weeks now, our problems are mostly the two lines.
Neither is very good.
And Ryan hesitates to throw the ball. Then it’s too late.