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
Mike Bobo 17 INT
January 9th, 2012
8:49 am
Too much focus on offense, and no enough focus on defense….business as usual for most modern day football programs, including college and pro.
DC
January 9th, 2012
8:49 am
Guys you really think Arthur Blank would tell the media how he feels after a horrible loss? He’s not that stupid…
CGD..
January 9th, 2012
8:50 am
FOCUS IS OFFENSE WHEN YA GET SHUT OUT BY THE #27TH DEFENSE!!!!!!!!!!!! DUH?????
THAT ALMOST NEVER, NEVER , NEVER HAPPENS IN THE PLAYOFFS..PLAYOFFS??????
Mike Bobo 17 INT
January 9th, 2012
8:52 am
A good offense will get you to the playoffs…a great defense will win you championships.
lamac66
January 9th, 2012
8:52 am
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.
Funny how we like to pick and choose how we judge a QB based on OL play huh? You had a QB who ran for his life most sundays here previously, but when it was pointed out that the OL was porous it was glossed over
bob
January 9th, 2012
8:53 am
THE FALCONS WILL STAY LIKE THEY ARE NOW UNTIL THEY GET SOMEONE WITH
MORE TALENT ON CALLING PLAYS FOR THE OFFENCE AND MATTIE ICE QUITS TRYING TO CALL THE PLAYS AT SCRIMMAGE LINE.HE IS NOT A PEYTON MANNING.ALSO THEY NEED A SCATBACK THAT CAN RUN PLAYS OTHER THAN UP THE MIDDLE AND GETTING NOWHERE.;TURNER ONLY GETS YARAGE WHEN HE GETS OUTSIDE WHICH IS NOT VERY OFTEN
Zon
January 9th, 2012
8:53 am
I don’t mind losing to a superior team, but this was incompetence on parade. It also shows a real failure on the part of management and coaching to correctly analyze or address the weakness of the team. The list is too exhaustive to go through but some major ones include the failure to see Turner is a liability rather than an asset. He is very slow to hit the hole, goes down with the first hit more than any RB in the league and has more runs for short gain or losses than any other RB. All his same yards would have been attained and surpassed by almost any other NFL RB. Secondly, Ryan is so afraid of throwing a pick he will never make plays like Brees or Rodgers. Several times yesterday he had time when he broke out of the pocket to complete a big pass, only to throw it away. On those same plays, Brees, Rodgers, Brady, and now even Tebow (for God’s sake) complete passes for big plays. Finally, the failure of the coaches, QB or even the water boy to use our 3 timeouts at the end of the first half to at least work ourselves into FG range is inexcusable. Do these people know the rules of football? I mean this is their only job. It’s all they do, and yet they still don’t seem to understand something as basic as how timeouts work. So what’s clear to me is that if they can’t even handle calling a timeout, how can we ever expect them to win a meaningful game?
PackerFanTom
January 9th, 2012
8:54 am
The Falcons need more credible weapons at the wide receiver spot. Roddy White ad Julio Jones are fine players. Tony Gonzales is still a decent pass catching TE. But Harry Douglas caught one pass yesterday and he’s certain not on par with the Giants WRs of Cruz, Manningham and Nicks. The Packers have 5 credible options at wide receiver. Get Matt Ryan more weapons. Pick up some depth at OL too, it will be helpful. If Mularky can’t adapt to today’s NFL 3 and 4 receiver sets then the Falcons need a new OC. There are going to be some decent WRs in free agency. Just spend the bucks to bring one or two in.
This tight formation dink and dunk game the Falcons offense plays isn’t getting it done. The Falcons need to spread it out on offense a lot more.
CGD..
January 9th, 2012
8:55 am
Hey JSS and Choke, Mister Charlie went MIA again?
At least IJ ROSENBERG took a peak last night and crawled back into his fox hole. LMAO!
CGD..
January 9th, 2012
8:56 am
Atlanta Fal-cons, the epitome of incompetence!
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
January 9th, 2012
8:56 am
I will repeat myself………………………….
The Mike Vick Curse is in full efect
SirReal
January 9th, 2012
8:56 am
@CGD You said to what for it and it came. People delusionally believed we actually had a team that could win.
The O-Line is rag tag. Turner has been hurt and isnt the same. This “power running” team is no where near that. I dont even really know what this offense is supposed to be.lol Defensively, it just needs to be blown up…period. The Falcons wont make the playoffs next year anyway so I’d focus on getting some actual power pigs in the middle that wont get man handled at the line of scrimmage. With so many key free agents this offseason, they may have to anyway bc some guys are gonna bolt.
St Simons - we're on Island time
January 9th, 2012
8:57 am
Bosher = bust
Owens = bust
Edwards = bust
PJerry = bust
Ryan = Bust
Dunta = bust
Baker = buuuust
No Dahl = bust
No Laurent R = bust
Hawley = really?
These are Management decisions
DC
January 9th, 2012
8:57 am
@PackerFanTom….you can’t be serious…
Matty Cold as Ice
January 9th, 2012
8:57 am
“We didn’t really play well enough in any phase of the game to give ourselves a chance to win” said Falcons coach Mike Smith. That was Smith’s comments after the team got DESTROYED by the Saints on Dec. 26. The final score was 45-16, and it could have been much worse. And remember, that was when the DIVISION TITLE was still on the line.
As far as the latest embarrassment against an average Giants team, NO leadership (Smith or Ryan), PATHETIC gameplan and “Deer in the headlights” looks AGAIN. There is nothing sneaky about the Ryan QB sneak. Take that play out of the playbook IMMEDIATELY.
Now, after venting, remember these things. Grimes was out, Abraham is the ONLY pass rusher and a REAL QB would make a huge difference. Its time for Blank to open the checkbook and make a run at Matt Flynn (or Vince Young with the proviso that they tape his mouth up). The defense HAS talent, but just had too many breakdowns yesterday. Bring in the DC from the Bengals (Zimmer) who actually has a pair.
Mr Cool
January 9th, 2012
8:57 am
It’s simple.The Falcons SUCK! Mularkey is dumbest OC in the NFL. Van Gorder is not a good DC. Smith is not a good coach. Bottom line…they all need to be fired. They quit yesterday!
Star Falcon
January 9th, 2012
8:58 am
At least Matt Ryan is consistent as quarterback in playoff games, he generates little or zero offensive points. He is surrounded by talent. Where is Bart Starr or Joe Montana when we need them? Who is laughing at T Bow now? Like it or not Matt Ryan peeked his first year in the pros.
CGD..
January 9th, 2012
8:58 am
Matt Ryan= throw back, non- athletic, slow reacting, non-playmaker…
The perfect line could not help this bust!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
All I'm Saying Is....
January 9th, 2012
8:59 am
Can’t believe anyone is blaming the Defense for this loss. Defense did their job. Offense was putrid. Score was 7 to 2 at half time. Think about that people: our Defense outscored our Offense for the whole game. Offensive coordinator has to go.
I say hire Martz as new offensive coordinator. Chicago blamed him for their G.M.’s bad judgment in not getting a better back-up QB but Martz has at least been on a Super Bowl winning team (and another Super Bowl team that lost). His play-calling can’t be worse. The real question is whether Matt Ryan can improve or has he reached his limit. A new offensive coordinator will be able to answer that one.
LET’S GO FALCONS!
Red bird
January 9th, 2012
8:59 am
Mv7 never beat a team with winning record in atl.
Same falcons
After yesterday nobody wants any of our coaches!
Third and 1 and we go to empty backfield. Why don’t we just tell them we are going to pass?
Chad Pennington
January 9th, 2012
9:01 am
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.
Hey, I not in the league anymore man!
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
January 9th, 2012
9:01 am
2004 will be this franchise last playoff win until Mike Vick removes the curse……………….
HA HA HA
Manny
January 9th, 2012
9:04 am
Good Morning. I slept on this bad display and I have a few thoughts:
The Drafting of Julio Jones
It was a good pick in drafting Julio Jones, but not in this offense and not with this quarterback. Julio Jones is a young burner. He can kill you down the field, but you have the throw it up. You have to pull the trigger and Matt Ryan cannot or will not do so. If you want a more explosive offense, you have to replace the quarterback, but you can win big games and even the Super Bowl with a game manager. You just have to be realistic and actually build an offense around what you got. Julio Jones simply doesn’t fit well with Matt Ryan.
The Passing Game
I am very disappointed with the passing game. I think that utilizing Mike Turner and Rodgers #22 would be a natural target for someone’s with Ryan’s game. I simply do not know why they weren’t used more. I’m still waiting for that to gel and the season’s over. I saw glimpses, but it should have been a staple.
The Running Game
Our running game is lost. I simply do not know why, on 4th and inches, Matt Ryan had the ball in his hands. And Mike Turner was on the sidelines. I don’t get it. If you cannot run your backs on 4th and inches, you have a fundamental problem with your offense. And that problem is top-down. The bottom line is that the running game needs help. Once again, you gotta open up the playbook, beef up your offensive line and use Rodgers more.
Coaching
First of all, Paul Boudreau should be fired. I do not expect him to return. And Mularkey should either be put on notice or let go as well. I don’t fault Mike Smith going for it on 4th and inches. You supposed to be able to pick up 6 inches on a down. By not being able to do so is the main reason why Boudreau should be gone.
Also, I would have open competitions at both quarterback and tailback.
Defensively, I think they did a good job, especially factoring the injuries. 24 points isn’t good, but it isn’t bad, either. Plus, they were the only ones that scored. BVG did an OK job.
The Off-Season
I would get a quarterback that can throw downfield, spread the defense somehow (by passing or running) and is young. I would also build my offensive and defensive lines and line-backing corps. And I would have open competitions at quarterback and starting tailback. There has to be changes made and made quickly. And Roddy White would have have to be penalized for every dropped pass. I would look for a clutch receiver.
Here’s the bottom line: As far as I’m concerned, the Atlanta Falcons has no franchise quarterback, running back or receiver. And your best offensive and defensive players are so old that they may retire at any moment. That means that we need to rebuild and rebuild fast.
lamac66
January 9th, 2012
9:04 am
Brutal on here today. I notice some of the regular apologists absent. I will say in Malarky’s defense he hands are tied with not having a QB that can throw downfield though. Anyone agree?
CGD..
January 9th, 2012
9:04 am
MV7 is long gone bubba..
But your savior Melt is here and failed miserably 3 straight times? Insanity to think this bust is worthy of being a starter after this horrific QB play yesterday..He’s a clip board holder…..
And it looks even worse when so called bust Tim Tebow beat the #1 Defense in the NFL last light even thought the refs clearly wanted Pittsburgh to win…
TBone
January 9th, 2012
9:05 am
These falcons are good enough to make it into the playoffs but no further. Like Bear Bryant used to say paraphrasing; their line is whuppin’ our line and we gotta do something about that. If you have spent the great majority of your resources on skill position offensive players, you will soon discover your deficiencies. Is it just me or do the falcons seem to have problems making adjustments at the half and at other times?
phantom9277
January 9th, 2012
9:05 am
Roddy White, J Jones, some others/ etc are not players with character and character does matter.
Sorka
January 9th, 2012
9:06 am
This loss was embarrassing. The Falcons did not deserve to be a playoff team. The thing that bothers me the most is that the leadership says nothing in response. Their response is as bland as the team’s play yesterday. I would hope that behind the scenes changes are being discussed, but I fear that they won’t do a thing. The league and the national media either ignore us or laugh at us – I wonder why?
McKay is still in the building
January 9th, 2012
9:06 am
Blank and his brain trust of McKay and Dimitrov traded five picks for Julio. I must assume that they thought that he could run, block and pass the ball to himself as well, because they mortgaged the future to get him. I ask you, do the Patriots, the Saints, the Ravens, the Steelers, the truly elite teams that are in the hunt year end and year out ever make “bold moves” like that? Nuff Said
Ted M
January 9th, 2012
9:07 am
on the hail mary at the end of the half Ryan couldn’t even make it to the end zone…it was that far.
The Falcons will probably lose twice to NO & Carolina next year.
CGD..
January 9th, 2012
9:07 am
McKay GREYHOUND IS READY WHEN U ARE BUSTER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
Ted M
January 9th, 2012
9:08 am
oops – it wasn’t that far.
lamac66
January 9th, 2012
9:09 am
And it looks even worse when so called bust Tim Tebow beat the #1 Defense in the NFL last light even thought the refs clearly wanted Pittsburgh to win
Interesting take there. I would say there has been this peculiar hate on T-Bo. I suspect because there are many players with his skill set in college that will get looks that they would not have never gotten prior to T-BO thus makiing the day of the statue QB with limited mobility a relic?
I will say that T-Bo’s build seperates him from most of the others.
Pit Bull
January 9th, 2012
9:09 am
DAMM !!!!! At least score a TD….. Patty Ice has a Lump Noodle arm….. he needs to be playing Arena Football at best…..Hee- Hee !!!!!!!!
Matty Cold as Ice
January 9th, 2012
9:10 am
Only NFC Big Boys left
Its no coincidence that the Packers, Saints, 49ers and Giants are left. You’ve got the 3 top teams in the NFC, and a default NFC East Champ who is peaking at the right time.
The Falcons just aren’t a top team. Its really that simple. And 0-3 for Ryan and Smith in the playoffs is clearly starting to get in their heads.
Old Dawg
January 9th, 2012
9:10 am
Pafreakingthetic!
Techmate
January 9th, 2012
9:10 am
The most unimaginative offense in the league. ABC football while the rest of the league does the rest of the alphabet.
boilerup
January 9th, 2012
9:10 am
You idiots keep blaming Matt Ryan goes to show how much you know about football. How many picks did he have. How many dropped balls did we have? How many times did he get sacked this season? He will win playoff games and win a SB very soon. Let’s not forget where we were 5 years ago when we had Vick and Joey. Go Falcons!
WhoDat own ATL
January 9th, 2012
9:10 am
This song goes out to the Dirty Turds,
You had a bad day
You’re taking one down
You sing a sad song just to turn it around
You say you don’t know
You tell me don’t lie
You work at a smile and you go for a ride
You had a bad day
The camera don’t lie
You’re coming back down and you really don’t mind
You had a bad dayyyyyy’aaaa ya had a bad day
who dat.,.,.,. lol
CGD..
January 9th, 2012
9:11 am
Drew Brees Quarter Backing the Falcons, puts up 40 on the board!
No Shock
January 9th, 2012
9:11 am
This team is boring and that game were flat out disgusting. We had no business being in that game and it showed for the last 3 quarters. As a long time fan and season ticket holder, I’m getting sick and tired of the same ineptitude over and over. The truth is we are an average team in all facets- we don’t excel at anything. We continue to make the same mistakes no matter who’s in charge- McKay/Dimitroff (bad drafts/free agents ), Mularkey/Knapp (stagnant offense), Mora/Smith (pitiful game management), P Price/White (dropped passes), R Buchanon/D Robinson (getting burned in big moments), etc……….
Atmosphere at the dome is as boring as the team. It’s gotten to the point where I can’t even give my tickets away anymore. Arthur Blank has a serious problem on his hands that wil not be corrected quickly. He lowered prices to get people in the first time and may have to do it again to keep the dome from being empty on Sunday afternoons (I don’t see this team getting any primetime games). Even lowering ticket prices will not create excitement about the team. That will require tangible evidence that this team is heading in the right direction and is actually fun to watch. At this point, the Falcons couldn’t be further from that level.
DawginLex
January 9th, 2012
9:11 am
The defense hung in there as long as it could but got ZERO help from the offense.
phil
January 9th, 2012
9:12 am
It was a truly pathetic performance yesterday.
Not at all surprising, of course, but still embarassing all the same.
Atlanta, Ga….where sports dreams go to die!
Peter
January 9th, 2012
9:12 am
There is no doubt we need a QB that is a warrior, and not a scared Kitten.
The end of the first half told me all I needed to see, his falling down, instead of running for yardage, or getting out of bounds to protect the clock was it.
Non Football instincts, and scared like a child.
His new nickname should be “Matty Nice”.he has zero toughness, or the ability to lead through example !
phil
January 9th, 2012
9:13 am
Fire FG!!!
CGD..
January 9th, 2012
9:13 am
Falcons Brain Trust+ Matt Ryan= Stupid is as Stupid does!
MG3
January 9th, 2012
9:13 am
First off, I’ll say that all the MR2 haters are having their field day today and rightfully so. He was terrible yesterday, but let’s face it so was the entire offense. I think a new OC is a must and let’s see what this bunch can do under new management. No improvement, then personnel changes have to be made as well. It’s unrealistic to think we can do much in this off season though with all the draft picks given up. The defense has too many guys who will be in free agency and that side of the ball will addressed this year.
phil
January 9th, 2012
9:14 am
boilerup
January 9th, 2012
9:10 am
You idiots keep blaming Matt Ryan goes to show how much you know about football. How many picks did he have. How many dropped balls did we have? How many times did he get sacked this season? He will win playoff games and win a SB very soon. Let’s not forget where we were 5 years ago when we had Vick and Joey. Go Falcons!
Well, thankfully we have you around to set us straight. Do you have manure for your brains?
CGD..
January 9th, 2012
9:14 am
Mularkey has been trying to cover for this pusscatur…..
MG3
January 9th, 2012
9:17 am
@ Peter – you are right on. That inexplicable fall a the end of the first half was everything I needed to know about MR2. I’ve been his biggest fan but that was ridiculous, especially since he could’ve gotten out of bounds or more yard. Then to not call a time out??? It’s like the coaching staff just wanted to get into the locker room as quick as possible. What has happenned here. I watched Ryan drive to a field goal win against Chicago in his rookie season with only 11 seconds on the clock. This team has definitely regressed!