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
LOL_YaBought_aNumber2Jersey?
January 9th, 2012
10:50 am
Enter your comments here
Rob Parker
January 9th, 2012
10:51 am
Like I said in my ESPN article, Falcs didn’t deserve to win. The sad thing for ATL is that they are now the 3rd best NFCS team, they will go 0-2 against a surging Carolina next year and continue to feed the Saints 2 easy victories each year. It’s time for Arthur Blank to think about moving the team–LA or San Antonio are both good spots he will consider.
swgafalconfan
January 9th, 2012
10:52 am
Need wholesale house cleaning from Dimitroff on down, at least with Smith on down. Gruden is available! Robinson, Tucker, Ryan, White need to be sent out the door. A team that cannot gain less than a yard on not one, not two, but THREE tries is totally inept – including the play calling by Mularkey!
C from Marietta
January 9th, 2012
10:53 am
@ Ignorant
You mean not a real fan (like getting season tickets for the past 20 years)? I ripped up my form and I am mailing it back to them. IMO the quit. I have been on this earth for 41 years. Been a Falcon’s fan my lilfe. NO LONGER. The positive I got out of this game, was I know what’s important life. It’s NOT NFL football and their prima donna show.
Regression
January 9th, 2012
10:55 am
Here is what I saw…. The brilliant Mularkey game planned to run Turner against what was perceived and proven to be a poor run D. They also looked at the weather reports and thought they were going to be getting sloppy conditions as well, which further pushed them to run. Makes sense to me pile of Mular-key. So, they come out in the first series with what I think was back to back handoffs and said we are running the ball ,,,try and stop us,,, do you think the Giants didn’t see that coming when it was put on the Marquis all week. They got stuffed both runs and then it was Mularkey scrambling to adjust to something else,, because he had no other plan as a fall back. If he had any creativity, he would not have run right out of the box and proven that is what we game planned and we have nothing else. Once that happened, you saw that Ryan was like oh sh!t,,, there goes that game plan. When they did move it on the 3rd possession and looked like they had adjusted ,,, it came down to play calling and execution on 4th and 1 and this is where you saw why Mularkey needs to be sent packing. I knew when they did not go for it, when they should have at the 40,, and elected to punt,, and subsequently saw Eli scramble his way back to the 40,, that the game was over. We can all just hope that Mularkey is as bad as of a strategist in prep and in-game, as he has proven to be,, that the right OC could make this offense sing. Maybe, within the same hopes, Ryan gains confidence thru having the right OC and believes in the gameplay,,, which he probably does not and it shows when he goes out there with scared eyes. Confidence is bred thru believing and I will hope that Ryan just did not believe in Mularkey and gets the right system to build him back up. Having said this, I still think that Ryan’s limitations are the problem and whoever the right OC is,, will recognize this and play to his strengths. It is theory hope we have going forward,, other than freeing up your Sundays and not caring.
ricker
January 9th, 2012
10:57 am
What is clear to me from reading all of these–most well thought out and clearly presented–is that we, as a team, really don’t have a clue WHERE to start fixing this broken team. There are so many non-functioning parts in this engine, where do you start? I, for one, admit that tho I love football, and the Falcons in particular, I’m not competent to present a solution. My fear is…the guys that are SUPPOSED to be competent enough to do so–aren’t!!!
david a.
January 9th, 2012
10:59 am
that was bad!!!!!!!!!! i turned the T V bad !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
SaintsFanSince67
January 9th, 2012
10:59 am
Well, off to work here. Looking forward to speaking with you guys next year. In all seriousness I hope somebody in the “higher ups” read all these posts and fix (read, fire) what needs to be fixed (read, fired).
KBB
January 9th, 2012
11:00 am
Why is there only one article up about this epic failure? No wonder this is such a bad sports town…….
SenoiaDawgs
January 9th, 2012
11:01 am
Never liked Ryan from Day 1. Always thought his arm was weak and the running game masked it. Now Turner is on the down side. The only way the Falcons make it past the first round playoff game is a new RB(Turner way to slow now), mean effective offensive lineman, pass rushers and another lock down corner. Otherwise start over at QB with a QB with some fire and strong arm.
reality gator
January 9th, 2012
11:01 am
Lets see, Tbow wins his first post season after 2 seasons in the NFL, Ice with all his skills can not win a post season game after 4 seasons, and Michel Vick was the last Falccon QB to win a post game:
The Falcons fans did not like either QB but they win, I will take heart over skills any day, Matt R. does not have heart, when is Bradley going to point that out and stop making excuses, for this post season loser.
Chico
January 9th, 2012
11:01 am
The Falcons will never win in the playoffs with Matt Ryan as QB. He just doesn’t have it. He was horrendous yesterday I thought.
WhoDat own ATL
January 9th, 2012
11:02 am
i cant stop singing it,..,.,.
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
LOL
who dat,
Chico
January 9th, 2012
11:04 am
One other thing—Mike Mularkey did a terrible job as head coach of the Buffalo Bills. He didn’t know what he was doing and was basically clueless. The Falcons would be wise to part ways with him.
Atl130
January 9th, 2012
11:04 am
Atleast Vick could win a playoff game. Yes he is a moron and wasted the prime of his career in a prison cell…..but he could win a playoff game unlike Ryan who is now 0-3. Idk if Ryan can ever get out of this hole he has dug for himself. It’s one thing to lose, but its another thing to not even show up to the biggest game of your career up to this point.
Nobis
January 9th, 2012
11:04 am
Did the Falcons even go to the game?
Rod
January 9th, 2012
11:05 am
Anybody who still takes up for Ryan PLEASE KILL YOURSELF Stevie Wonder can tell he has weak arm and is not mobile 2 recipes for disaster in todays NFL
WhoDat own ATL
January 9th, 2012
11:06 am
2 points.,.,
really 2 points,.,
- Playoff’s (you gotta use the Jim Mora’s voice)
Nate
January 9th, 2012
11:06 am
I live here in Dallas and this looks very familiar. Suspect play calling. No leadership. Poor execution. Am much as it pains me, Im starting to wonder if Matt Ryan will be the next Tony Romo. That may be a unfair to Romo because he will at least try and challenge a suspect secondary. But then again, this may go back to the coaching and play calling. They may not call those “explosive” plays or aggresive plays they talked about all season because they know that Ryan cant make those throws. I dont know. But in my opinion, EVERYONE SHOULD BE EVALUATED!!!
Gbal
January 9th, 2012
11:09 am
I cant get over how these professionals let a missed 4th and 1 turn their attitudes! Just as if they quit.
Now the play calling was BOBOesque. Dont teally mind the sneek per se but runnin out of that tight formation with no backs in the backfield… Just as well have the PA announce “here comes the QB sneak”. Not a chance. And did it repeatedly.
Just a pi$$ poor day all around from top to bottom. And what a letdown after the offensive explosion last week!
Matty Cold as Ice
January 9th, 2012
11:09 am
Matt Ryan vs. Peyton Manning
To those comparing stats on Ryan vs. Manning, you’re missing the point. If you’re even a casual NFL fan, you have to realize the difference between the two players. Peyton Manning is (was?) a premier passer, has (did have?) a rocket arm, and is (was) a Superbowl MVP and Champion (and league MVP multipe times).
And again, Matt Flynn CAN be had (on the cheap by NFL standards) if Blank opens the checkbook. It will be interesting to see what (if any) moves are made this offseason.
ZAP
Good post. Evaluate your evaluators is job No. 1. That can be said about alot of teams this offseason.
Tennis Girl
January 9th, 2012
11:10 am
I recently heard Arthur Blank on Sports Zone and he said that his 3 interests are: his family, his charities and the fans. Arthur, if the fans mean one single thing to you, we expect some real housecleaning: in the staff and in the team. Seriously!
Tumbledown
January 9th, 2012
11:11 am
Most people on this message board seemed to be allowed to post their displeasure of the Falcons. I, however, am not so fortunate as my last post was not posted. Ok then, the Falcons are wonderfully clutch performers and I enjoy how they reach the playoffs. Is this ok?
Dawglasville
January 9th, 2012
11:12 am
Rod – “PLEASE KILL YOURSELF.” Really, and leave the world to geniuses like you? What do you think the Falcons should do at quarterback?
john
January 9th, 2012
11:12 am
its hard to defend ryan but i do. the offensive line and playcalling however is terrible falcons can win next year with a better offensive line and an offensive coach who can call a playoff game i mean come on two quarterback sneaks! wheres your balls mularky. you dont win games by putting a chain on your quarterback bc youre afraid hell throw a pick. The window is closing
Mountain Man
January 9th, 2012
11:12 am
What did anybody here expect? Look at the Falcons wins and losses this year. Who did they beat besides Detroit?
Surely nobody was (or is) expecting this team to go anywhere with our current offensive and defensive lines. But we can’t exactly fix them now because we mortgaged the future for Julio Jones. This team will remain average for years to come, they will even make the playoffs from time to time, but they won’t go deep.
Once Recent Reader
January 9th, 2012
11:14 am
Nobis . . . I’m as upset with the performance yesterday as anyone. But unless Falcons could get Brees, Rogers, Brady, P. Manning, maybe E. Manning, Big Ben, maybe Rivers, . …I’m still going to support Ryan and hope for better days. Again, bad day yesterday – very disappointing. There’s a wall that they (he) has to get over. But I’ve also seen enough good play from him to still believe he can perform well in the future against the best teams. I don’t know if it’s Ryan, the line, the receivers, the scheme . . ..but I rarely see the receivers as open as they seem to be for teams like the Pats, Saints, Pack, . ..even other teams. I just don’t know why it always seems every one is normally pretty well covered. Again . . . .is it Ryan? I don’t know.
PS: I’ve decided I will not take my own life per your recommendation. I will suffer until next year and hope for “continued” Falcons success in regular season . . ..and that elusive Playoff Victory. (Target: Victories)
Rod
January 9th, 2012
11:16 am
C’mon man the guy was average at BC it’s just a saying really I mean no truth to kill yourself but I know you are a apologists well let me tell you Matt Ryan is DoDo ok I’ll put in country hick words so you can understand I hope he never returns put Redman hell at least he will heave it instead of scramble to throw outta bounds
Once Recent Reader
January 9th, 2012
11:17 am
Sorry Nobis . . . .I mixed up names in the post. My last message was meant for Rod – who is calling for a “Jonestown end” to us Ryan supporters:)
Can't Believe
January 9th, 2012
11:17 am
The Falcaints have a legacy of losing. It hard to overcome. They are exactly where the GA Bulldogs are….and afable coach who is limited in his ability….not smart enough to figure out what is going on… oh, lets just brag on the players …..be a players’ coach…be a nice guy…but only smart enough to be a number two guy… never the capacity to be an inovator and that a team to the level of supreme. I can’t believe some of the calls and mistakes they keep making. 1st of 2nd year maybe…not after that. Mark Richt will never take the bulldawgs to a NC. There is no SB in Mike Smith’s future.
LakeDawg
January 9th, 2012
11:18 am
Has UGA fired Richt yet?
alex
January 9th, 2012
11:18 am
NOT a single player on this team is very good to great,agree with lawdawg (which is very painful!) Tony G. may have class, but he has vanished in games with decent safeties and LB’s. Ryan would be an excellent BACKUP.
Once Recent Reader
January 9th, 2012
11:18 am
Rod . . .average at BC?? I am an alum from same years as Flutie? I watched every Ryan game . . many in person. He was not average at BC. It’s one thing to pan him for Falcons play – particularly last two playoffs . . .but don’t try and rewrite his BC history.
Atl130
January 9th, 2012
11:18 am
So with Turner near the end of his career….what do we do about a running back?? use Snelling or try to draft a new one? Turner is about to turn 30 and we know what the means for backs in the NFL…..see ya
Rod
January 9th, 2012
11:19 am
Draft Nick Foles from Arizona someone anyone I agree he needs some competition hell I’ll give for a Tim Tebow clone right now
ryano
January 9th, 2012
11:20 am
Dontay Robinson is the biggest load of &(*(*&&* I’ve seen….I cannot believe that Smith, Dimitrof, etc., cannont look at game film and see what a bust this guy is…..
Rod
January 9th, 2012
11:21 am
I remember him at BC please tell me what BOWL he won anything significant please ill wait?
Once Recent Reader
January 9th, 2012
11:21 am
Rod . . .what was average at BC . . . many of the players around him on the offensive side. Definitely we were sprinkled with some very good lineman on O and D. Raji played a couple of his years. Unfortunately Ryan’s senior year Raji had to sit out due to some academic mix-up. But his RBs, TEs, and WRs . . . .totally, totally average. He made that team get much farther than anyone expected . ..all the way to a crazy #2 ranking about 7 or 8 games into his senior Year.
Loserville USA
January 9th, 2012
11:22 am
Get Ryan an ELITE offensive line and then judge him.
We have 2 guys – Blalock and McClure — who presently qualify. Clabo has regressed. Hawley is a tough backup. Ditto Svitek. Baker? Enough said. Adios.
Every penny should go into that OL so the guy has time — then we’ll see what he really is. When the guy keeps his feet still he’s pretty damn accurate.
Arx Ferrum
January 9th, 2012
11:23 am
Losses like this stay with you like a bad hangover; there’s no feeling good the next day or even the day after that. It will take time.
I hate predictions but in this case, there seems little doubt that big changes will be coming along soon. I foresee a new OC, DC and perhaps a new HC for the Falcons for the 2012 season. There’s really no telling how high the headman will reach. The current game structure paradigm has clearly failed so… there’s little sense in keeping it around for another disappointment. Beyond that, we may see Matt Ryan and Michael Turner traded away within the next few years as well.
It’s going to be an interesting off-season because when we get to September, i think we’re going to be starting from scratch again.
Once Recent Reader
January 9th, 2012
11:25 am
BC normally does not get picked for bigger bowls due to smaller alum base. The school is private and probably 1/10 the size of a GA or other big Public schools. To add to that, College Football is just not a big deal in Boston. So outside of the Flutie craze, BC just does not travel well. So since we could not beat VA Tech in the ACC Championship game, we were relegated to lesser bowls. Many thought by record and who we beat we should have been to better Bowl games (pundits) . . .but it just is the way it works during selections. We BC folk understand and are used to that because we don’t pack them in like the big (population) schools. I believe Ryan did win every Bowl game he started (3) and one was against the Bulldogs of Georgia.
Rod
January 9th, 2012
11:25 am
One recent reader I’m waiting still lol
gabuldawg
January 9th, 2012
11:25 am
I repeat my statement yesterday. Atlanta has some of the dumbest fans in the NFL. Please start following another team so we can spread the idiots around. Why do we have to have them all…. Just last year, Smitty was the coach of the year. He goes 10-6 and he and our GM are idiots. There is a reason that some of you pick up my garbage instead of perform the duties of a GM or Coach. You don’t have a clue… Now get back to work. My trash needs sorting!
Terry Lively
January 9th, 2012
11:26 am
Mark, you really need to do a series on the failure of major athletic teams in Georgia, both college and pro. Cover the general malaise, the lack of testicular fortitude of coaches and alleged “big time” players alike, as well as the likely “whys” that nobody from this state can get it done when something of value is on the line.
At worst, run the parallel between the Falcons and Georgia…the similarities are uncanny over the years.
WhoDat own ATL
January 9th, 2012
11:26 am
.Rod,
you cant kill whats already dead.,.,. lol
Once Recent Reader
January 9th, 2012
11:27 am
I was typing Rod:) Hey, I can’t think of many Georgians (not sure where you are from) who truly would follow BC so I think I have a leg up on knowing that Football Team since I’ve been VERY closely following them for over 27 years. Heck . . .I don’t blame Georgians on that . . .. many Bostonians don’t even follow them:)
Splendid Splinter
January 9th, 2012
11:28 am
I’m glad to see that there is some reasonable people out there rather than everyone being a wild-eyed reactionary. Yes – I was mad too at the performance of the Falcons. So mad that I missed a great Steeler-Bronco game because I didn’t want to see anymore football for a while after that game.
I didn’t read all 1687 comments but it looks like Mike and gregpatrick got it right. The offensive line couldn’t block my sister. Matt Ryan was pressured all day and you couldn’t have squeezed a pea thru the holes the offensive line opened up for Turner and the other backs.
Obviously everyone is very young and doesn’t remember how bad the Falcons were before the arrival of Smith, Ryan and Turner. They’re challenging for a playoff spot almost every year.
I did think Smith made a lot of bad calls – not just yesterday but all year long. He single-handedly lost the 1st New Orleans game. That set the tone for many bad calls from the sidelines culminated in yesterday’s loss. How could they not call a timeout with 36 seconds left in the half with two timouts left and potentially get at least a field goal before halftime? How could they line up for a fourth and inches one with no one in the backfield – why didn’t they just post it on the score board before the play started they were going to run a q-back sneak? Smith wanted to out-muscle the other teams and they didn’t have the talent for it.
Let’s allow Dimitroff to work his magic in the off season. He has worked miracles in just a few years. This team has come a long way. They have a lot of good players but the need a few more on the offensive and defensive lines. Let’s not throw the baby out with the bath water.
And oh – by the way. You morons who want to bring back MV7 – please give me a break. Look where the Eagels were this year. Even the Falcons beat them. MV was an embarrassment off the field before he left, and all the other teams have figured how to defense him now. I wish him well, but he is not for the Falcons.
Rod
January 9th, 2012
11:30 am
I’m a Tech fan by the way so I can’t crap on BC lol not trying to but Ryan isn’t the answer but 2 more years of this everyone who says he sucks will be right I need to go to West Paces Ferry and see if I see Arthur jogging so I can tell him Ryan can’t get it done
Once Recent Reader
January 9th, 2012
11:32 am
Rod:
2005 Season: MPCComputer bowl – BC beat Boise State
2006 Season: Meineke Car Care bowl – BC beat Navy
2007 Season: Champs Sports Bowl – Victory over Michigan State
Note: Ryan was not QB of BC Team that beat Georgia in a Bowl game as I had mentioned. Not sure when that happened. Not great bowl games, but that is the price to pay playing at BC. Have to win the ACC Championship to go to Orange Bowl . .or go undefeated for chance to play for the Big Prize. (Not likely!)
bullwinkle
January 9th, 2012
11:33 am
Sad to say, but Ryan really looks no better now than he did as a rookie — maybe worse.