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
Smokewagon
January 9th, 2012
8:08 am
JSS- I did not say that every quarterback in the SEC is NFL material but the cream does rise to the top. You can’t go wrong with SEC players in key positions. No ACC whatsoever.
Mo
January 9th, 2012
8:09 am
Falcons Dave Archer takes a jab at Mularkey play calling LOL
http://www.atlantafalcons.com/falconstv/?video_id=1374771899001
Starring Kam Fong as Chin Ho
January 9th, 2012
8:10 am
Birds will be birds. Nothing has changed, average team in good years, pitiful in bad.
JSS
January 9th, 2012
8:10 am
Leave that conference crap on the college pages… Tebow threw to a Tech man! Stafford threw to a Tech man! Maybe Matt needs a Tech man? Nah!!!
FalconFan
January 9th, 2012
8:12 am
Fire Matt Ryan and get a real quarterback!
lamac66
January 9th, 2012
8:12 am
After watching all the games this weekend, it is obvious someone(some people) in the Falcons organization are shielding Matt Ryan.
The media and sports talk here in Atlanta is guilty as well. But listening this morning I see that starting to change because now you can’t justify the coddling of Ryan because it makes it look obvious that is exactly what you’re doing.
jrs
January 9th, 2012
8:14 am
Changes have to be made to get us to the next level . You can’t blame every thing on Matt . Both Mularkey and Van Gorder cannot adjust their plans to win, got to GO….
kelli
January 9th, 2012
8:14 am
saints beat falcons twice..check, check falcons got their ass whipped again in the playoffs…priceless. almost as good as the saints beating detroit. who dat baby!!!! oh yea, not the falcons. nanananananna hahahahahahahahaha. the sound you heard sunday at 3:00 was all of new orleans laughing their ass off!!!!!
lamac66
January 9th, 2012
8:14 am
But did you see how much time Tebow’s line gave him in Denver?
You do realize that was by design on Pittsburg right? They wanted to force T-bo to beat them with his arm and rose to the challange and did just that!!
Dwayne
January 9th, 2012
8:15 am
was booboo calling the plays?
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
January 9th, 2012
8:16 am
Mrs Charlene
Where are you COWARD
fripp487
January 9th, 2012
8:16 am
It starts at the top….With Blank! If he doesnT see this as a major step in reverse then there is no hope. TD doesnt know how
to draft and Smith doesnt know how to manage his staff. Sure MM needs to go but that is something Smith should have taken care of
long ago! This may not be the best group of players but properly managed should go a lot farther in competing with better
teams. If Blank and Smith think this is just a little mis-step all hope is lost! They are an embarrassment to NFL playoffs!
Orlando
January 9th, 2012
8:18 am
This game should be NO SURPRISE.
1st – This team can’t beat good teams. Regular season or Playoffs. Same result. (no surprise)
2nd – Predicable Offense. I’m sitting on my couch guessing what the next play will be based on the lineup and 90% of the time I’m right. If I can do that imagine what real football players are doing on the defense. Might as well hand them your playbook.
3rd – Ryan overrated. One thing I noticed in watching Green Bay and the Saint’s play is that more often than not their quarterbacks can deliver a pass in under 2 seconds. Ryan had ALL the time in the world (Thanks O-Line), yet still couldn’t find an open receiver. Given the time he had to throw, you KNOW Brees would have been feasting on the secondary.
These were the same problems they had last year and the year before and the year before.
It will also be the same problem next season unless someone designs some better offensive plays that even a neophyte like me can’t guess with regularity.
Londonman
January 9th, 2012
8:20 am
My NFL season over – who cares who wins. Bring on the European Champions League! This was a horrendous performance and the coaching staff needs to change. 4th and 1 and no one in the back field, are you f*&#ing kidding me. I have been saying for the last 3 years – Mike Mularky is as bad an offense coordinator as you can find. He is not innovative or creative. Why any team would want him as a HC, is beyond belief and if Jacksonville wants him, please take him. You think Del Rio wasn’t getting it done, watch Mularky Jacksonville Fans! He was the HC of the Bills and did absolutely nothing in 2 years! He’s been here 4, time to go you losey coach! Time for Arthur to contact Bill Cowher or Jon Gruden!!
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
January 9th, 2012
8:20 am
Flacco is 2 games away from the Superbowl……………….
HA HA HA
Peachtree John
January 9th, 2012
8:21 am
Thanks for the article Mark. Good work. falcons? Obvious they need better linemen across the board. If you can’t get one yard time after time something is wrong. Why is it that other backs hit the same wall the falcons do, but bounce off it and run around it? In order for the bolling ball to roll, it must have a hole to go through. He can’t run around anyone. I know you are paid to wright, and I respect the fact that you don’t cuss and stomp like us rednecks do.
Ed
January 9th, 2012
8:23 am
This loss is on Mike Mularkey and Matt Ryan both of them are game managers even when things are going badly for their teams Brees, Eli, and Rodgers improvise and lead their teams to victory. The weapons around Matt Ryan are decent Roddy is one of the best receivers in the league and Julio is going to be as well, but their success is dependent on Ryan’s ability to get them the ball. I say Mularkey needs to go, hopefully Jaxonville will take him but if Matt Ryan doesn’t grow up in big games then we also need to look for a new QB in the future. Whatdoes it say for Matt Ryan when TJ Yates, the 3rd string QB of the Texans wins his first playoff game, not to mention he beat the Falcons head to head when they played.
Frontman
January 9th, 2012
8:23 am
Although the offense stank in this game, let’s not forget the defense. They played well for one+ quarters. They got the safety early in the second quarter, and then other than the Giants’ 3 and out (due to a bad spot) late in the first half, here are the number of yards on each drive: 85,72,79,85,71. Think about this, folks. After the safety, the defense stopped the Giants ONCE (and again, that was due to a bad spot by the ref). This defense was largely worthless in the second half this year. Time and again, they got completely whipped in the second half: Green Bay, 2nd NO game, Tennessee (with a rookie backup at QB), and the Giants. There may be more that I don’t remember. This team gets ZERO pass rush in the 2nd half. Don’t know if it is depth, conditioning, or coaching, but they are not getting it done.
The other curious thing is that this team seems unable for one or two of the three units to pick the other one up when it starts to falter. Always seems with this squad that when the offense can’t get things going, the defense just can’t pick them up, and vice versa. Great teams figure out ways to win; this team and coaching staff cannot do that yet. Start on the 2012 season now. Hopefully, Mularkey will get the job in J’ville or Miami. If not, fire him.
DC Dirty Bird
January 9th, 2012
8:24 am
VT was in the Big East when Mike Vick was there. Fact check before you post.
When we have an offensive line that can pass block long enough to give Matt Ryan time to make all the throws, then I’ll judge him. Until we have an offensive system that is geared at putting pressure on defenses with the pass, I’ll withhold judgement on Matt Ryan.
Some of our so called Falcon fans are so wrapped up in how much a player makes that they forget to actually ask why said player makes that much. Likely because we had to pay him what other teams were willing to pay him. Ryan, Roddy, Dunta, and Abe make a lot of money. Do our offensive and defensive systems highlight their talents? I think not.
Why no blame laid on Mike Smith and Mularkey for the offensive line. We crush TD for his moves, but don’t you think the coaches gave the GM a priority list for the offensive line? Seems like they liked Blaylock and Clabo over Dahl. Lastly, did Dahl make the Pro Bowl or did Sam Bradford get his rear end handed to him all season. Guess Dahl’s nastiness doesn’t work in St. Louis.
Ted M
January 9th, 2012
8:25 am
The Falcons were blessed to have such an easy first round playoff opponent and they still got blown out.
Matt Ryan is average.
Aushau
January 9th, 2012
8:25 am
I am a Falcon hater, thats because the Michael Vick chapter. I could give a rats ass if they ever win a game, let alone a playoff or championship of any sort. The MV thing could have been handled better.
ChillyMutt
January 9th, 2012
8:27 am
It was obvious that going for it on 4th down (since the Saints overtime meltdown) and less than a yard has gotten personal with Coach Smith. I would expect a head coach to act and make decisions with more maturity. Those 3 calls eroded the Falcons confidence and diminished hopes of coming back in that game.
Girth Brooks
January 9th, 2012
8:27 am
If this was a hardware store, I’d lock the door and sell. Ryan is great against sub-par talent. In a real game, he sucks eggs.
PooBear
January 9th, 2012
8:29 am
It’s that time Atlanta…It’s time to Rise Up!!!!
The Falcons belong in a minor league football system.
RISE UP!!
DC
January 9th, 2012
8:31 am
It seemed to me they didn’t open the playbook for Ryan at all…first qtr they had 3 step drops most of the time…they gave the defense too much respect.
DC
January 9th, 2012
8:32 am
FYI people anything with MV in it they are trolling and it is generally 1 person doing it…just FYI to ignore it.
ChillyMutt
January 9th, 2012
8:32 am
Matt Ryan has a very limited skill set. He has good game manager and can throw the short to intermediate pass well. But he can’t extend plays, has little to no running ability and his deep throws look like punts. He may be serviceable but if we hope to win in the playoffs …. win a Superbowl, we need a quarterback with more tools.
Dimitrov's Folly
January 9th, 2012
8:32 am
Two glaring indictments yesterday of this regime, the coaching staff and the team that they have constructed: #1 On 4th and inches you have an empty backfield and your supposed #1 running back on the sideline??? Come on man!!! What knuckle head wants to take ownership of that call, Smitty or Mularky? #2 Near mid field with 47 seconds left in the half and two time outs to use we let the clock run out without even making any attempt to move the ball down field and score??? Come on man!!! Do you think that they are haunted by the pick six by Green Bay at the end of the first half last year? Either thay have no faith in their quarterback or they are scared of their own shadows. Either way, a real indictment of their spinelessness.
Falcon's Fix
January 9th, 2012
8:33 am
Come on people…all the Falcons need to start winning playoff games is a new stadium.
Johnny
January 9th, 2012
8:34 am
I am from Boston, and Matty Ice Cold did college up here. I dont follow college, but one look at that guy and I can see he is NEVER going to be a good NFL QB. I know because I have been watching the best for 10 years – Brady.
You need a strong nasty attitude and a want to decimate your opponent. I have never seen that type of hate/fire from MR. I have really only seen him from afar and he is lame. I think your HC Mike Smith is a coward, punting on 4th and 1 ? Wimp. I hate the NYG and was so hoping ATL would defeat them, but I knew that wasnt happening….
DawginLex
January 9th, 2012
8:35 am
I told you they would not beat the Giants
There are 2 yeams in GA that need a new OC and new QB
Trade for Peyton Manning NOW
DC
January 9th, 2012
8:37 am
DawginLex…o-line can’t block for Ryan..what do you think of someone that is slower than Matt ryan behind center.
Really?
January 9th, 2012
8:38 am
Based on the pic- you pin this on Julio Jones for starters. How about an O-Line that can’t give the QB time to pass, a RB that cannot catch a swing pass, a # 1 WR that leads the league in dropped passes, an aging TE that doesn’t get off the line like he used to- Not to mention a defense that can’t get off the field on 3rd down. And special teams is sub-par. Atlanta needs a dominant punt returner as a kick returner is basically a thing of the past now thanks to the new kick off rule.
Flack
January 9th, 2012
8:38 am
It sounds like Arthur Bank is channeling Rankin Smith, Sr. ‘So, we lost again? Oh shucks. But we still made money, right?’ What a bunch of pathetic losers.
Hugo
January 9th, 2012
8:39 am
Sorry but I cannot understand how you run a sneak with no one in the backfield. The Gmen were licking their chops at that DUMB playcalling. Help.
Seems like the Giants have a better formula than us. Still cant believe what I saw yesterday. Yikes
mike
January 9th, 2012
8:40 am
Bradley, why do the Atlanta sports teams lack of championships stress you out so much? I don’t care about them so nothing they do (or don’t do) bothers me. And it feels great.
DC
January 9th, 2012
8:40 am
I’m surprised Dunta Robinson isn’t getting more heat from this game….
Flack
January 9th, 2012
8:40 am
It sounds like Arthur Bank is channeling Rankin Smith, Sr. ‘So, we lost again? Oh shucks. But we still made money, right?’ What a joke.
RB
January 9th, 2012
8:41 am
It was obvious that Falcons Management was distached from reality when they hocked the future to get Ryan a deep threat. Everyone (but them) could see that Ryan can’t throw an accurate deep ball. That being the case, The Falcons biggest problem might be in the front office along with the coaching.
Lousy Birds!!
January 9th, 2012
8:42 am
OK, so I lied. Friday I said they would bu 21…… ops it was actually 22. That team is soooo pathetic.
CGD..
January 9th, 2012
8:43 am
MATT RYAN IS THE MOST OVERRATED QB IN THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE!
Joanne todd
January 9th, 2012
8:44 am
Don’t hire an Atlantic Coast Conference quarterback – look at the bowls – no “wow” power. Ryan belongs in the board room (notice I did not say “bored”. He is too corporate to know how to compete. Give us a defense – get a 6′ 8″ receiver – maybe two and throw the ball high where the little guys can’t knock it out of your hands. Actually what we need is excitement. It is the year of the tech not the engineer.
Need Defense
January 9th, 2012
8:44 am
Lots of talk about the struggling offense and justifiably so. The offense sucks, no doubt. But where has the defense been. How many 3rd and longs does the sorry excuse for a defense give up? I bet they lead the league. There is absolutely no pass rush whatsoever. This is a below average defense and an average offense. This combination will never go further than a 1st round playoff appearance with a loss. No draft picks to build either. Prepare for 3 more years of mediocre to less than play from this organization.
CGD..
January 9th, 2012
8:45 am
ARTHUR BLANK=MR. DENIAL..
UNTIL TICKET SALES DROP FEROCIOUSLY..
MATT RYAN IS A WUSS! A PUSSCATUR…
Chubbyboy
January 9th, 2012
8:46 am
A new OC and DC are a must…It is obvious these guys can get you to the playoffs but can not get put together a gameplan to generate 1 playoff win….You must have a big shake-up when you are 0-3 in the postseason. The coaches will be the first to take the fall and must be held accountable. I am so disappointed with our play yesterday…Once again no screen passses. The offensive gameplans are too predictable and are only successful against mediocre teams!!!
Changes are coming, I hope!!!
CGD..
January 9th, 2012
8:47 am
MATT RYAN IS PLANNING HIS SECOND CAREER AS A PRO GOLFER..HE EVEN SOUNDS LIKE TIGER WHEN HE OPENS HIS TRAP……
St Simons - we're on Island time
January 9th, 2012
8:47 am
why won’t he let anybody post “matty sp1ce”?
If u wanna be my luvva
can’t be afraid of ends
losin lasts forevah
excuses nevah e-e-nd
Red-Helmets swarm
January 9th, 2012
8:47 am
All atl sports really mediocre (Hawks ?) & I’m discusted; tired of the noheart,no passion;saints fans right; we’re watchin em’ at home on the tube, sick man! atl medicre in sports is true.
GA3MOM
January 9th, 2012
8:47 am
An ESPN commentator said it best: “Shame on you Falcons”. I have been a fan of Ryan’s since day one, but, yesterday he was an embarrassment. The entire organization needs to be re-evaluated and lots of changes made. SMITH, make changes. This is not pee-wee football.
Blank, do not let the Atlanta Falcons fans down. Make changes. Don’t forget the Monday night game and think about how the other 35 NFL teams were laughing at the Falcons yesterday. What a joke!!
Again Blank, make the needed changes!! Start from the top and work your way down!!
Blank, Smith and Ryan: learn something from Tim Tebow. He and his team played with HEART, ATL played LIFELESS!! Again, like ESPN said, SHAME ON YOU FALCONS.
CGD..
January 9th, 2012
8:49 am
RICH MCKAY= YOU ARE THE WEAKEST LINK….