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
Loserville USA
January 9th, 2012
1:11 pm
Del Rio would be a HR as DC, as would Rahim Morris.
OC: We should go get Musgrave, who is under fire in Minnesota — but works well with Ryan.
And EVERY draft pick — EVERY free agent signing — should address either OL or DL. Can’t be EXPLOSIVE unless you protect Ryan. He needs a wall. And we need a legit pass rush. It’s a joke.
jack bull
January 9th, 2012
1:15 pm
Have to disagree with ya there, Mark…Missing the playoffs would’ve been a ’step backwards’, missing the playoffs by a lot would’ve been a ‘Giant step backwards’…i don’t think we went forward or backwards, we are exactly where we were at last year.
But that’s just me..disappointed? yes. Blow the whole dang thing up? no.
other than the obvious 4, give me any other QB’s you would rather have to start your franchise for you. starting today, with all we know, ages etc…
Rivers?(what has he done? nothing- is older than Ryan)
Romo?(chokes more than any QB in the league-and is older than Ryan)
Newton?(gotta win more than 4 games a year to be considered)
Flacco?(his Defense makes him look better than he is)
Tebow?(Come on, Man!)
oh, how bout Kyle Orton? or Jay Cutler? Not…
Jwelsh
January 9th, 2012
1:16 pm
I’ll be honest.I only checked this columun to glote over your failure in yesterday’s game.As a loyal Saints’ fan I have seen a lot through the years.I feel yall are being too hard on your regime.From top to bottom of your organization the Falcons have been a worthy adversary.Maybe you just need a little luck when it comes to getting unexpected talents like Marques Colston or Jimmy Graham. Maybe have a friend like Darren Sproles as Drew Brees. I stll get angry when I think about how easily you got Michael Turner. The Falcons will be a thorn in our side for years to come.I really don’t think your team is far away from further success.You keep adding new pieces every year.I know this loss hurts badly.But hey you are still one of the best teams in the NFL.We will see you again next year.Keep the nucleus of what you have we will be hunting for the hated “Dirty Birds”
Red-Helmets swarm
January 9th, 2012
1:17 pm
I’m resolved now to say all da who Dat nation; go ahead & lay it on pretty thick; we deserve it, I’m tired of debat’n; Ya’ll got a great team full of hunger & fire,the atl has been one great big joke & choke & it’s old man.
WhoDat2012
January 9th, 2012
1:17 pm
http://www.nj.com/times-sports/index.ssf/2012/01/jones_trade_appearing_to_be_a.html
Eric C.
January 9th, 2012
1:18 pm
@ CGD.. “Drew Brees Quarter Backing the Falcons, puts up 40 on the board!”
You’ve got to be kidding. Drew works behind 2 all-pro guards and an A+ offensive line, has running backs who run with authority, a Darren Sproles, and a scheme that gives him wide open receivers all over the place…at least at home. Get the Saints on the road and they are capable of losing to Tampa and the Rams. Drew may have scored more, but not nearly that much…the Falcons issues on offense start with the OL and resonate through an aging Turner and regressing running attack.
Having said that, I’m not apologizing for Matt Ryan…we have to face the fact that he will never put the team on his shoulders and turn them into SB contenders by himself…but Brees would not have done that either with this Falcons team. Brees is in the perfect system at NO with an offense built for success.
JB
January 9th, 2012
1:19 pm
Mirror image of the Georgia Dawgs,…..Nice guy for a coach…..not a bad coach…….But that’s about it. Will never coach them over the top. Falcons made it to the playoffs. Dawgs made it to the dome and both ( typical) failures. Sad, but just true.
WhoDat own ATL
January 9th, 2012
1:24 pm
JB
LOL,
GOOD REPLY
WhoDat own ATL
January 9th, 2012
1:25 pm
JB this song goes out to you,.,.,
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
UGA 1999
January 9th, 2012
1:25 pm
Another disappointing year for an Atlanta sports franchise. There MUST be changes within the coaching staff NOW. I have seen better play calling at an 8 year old game. 4 and 1 and you empty the back field so that Ryan can run into one of the largest defensive lines in the NFL….HORRIBLE!
Pete
January 9th, 2012
1:26 pm
Pretenders.
Period.
Vanilla Pudding Pretenders.
ijonathan
January 9th, 2012
1:27 pm
This past summer, Mark Bradley asked why there wasn’t more buzz about the Falcons. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that after this huge debacle of a game, we’ve had what, ONE whole piece from an AJC sports columnist about it? I know Schultz is covering the BCS title game, but c’mon. WEAK.
International ATL Fan
January 9th, 2012
1:28 pm
“Falcons Only Score 2 Points!” Mike Smith needs to go! He should have been fired after the Saints game for not kicking the ball! Then he repeats the same poor decisions twice on 4th down in the playoffs. If he can not make routine decisions, how do you expect him to make a complex game plan to beat the elite NFL teams? To piggy back off Charles Barley’s statement about the “Hawks being nice guys”, the Falcons have a “soft” like Pau Gasol approach to playing football. I am a life long Falcons fan. I had to endure the opening day loss in my Falcon’s jersey at Soldier’s Field. I am so glad I did not waste my money going to NYC to watch the Falcons show no heart! Tony Dungy got fired from the Bucaneers after several playoff appearances and John Gruden came in and won the Superbowl the next year. Mike Smith has had his chance now let’s get a real head coach with some tenacity and proven championship pedigree in Atlanta! Bill Cowher and Brian Billick are available Mr. Blank!
Falcon Fan 4 Life
January 9th, 2012
1:28 pm
I guess since everyone else is putting their 2 cent in, I will put mine in as well. The problem as I see it is Matt Ryan is what he is. He can’t throw the deep ball and he does not have pocket awarenes. I will bet anyone a box of Krispy Kreme that in a foot race, Matt beats Tom and Drew. His problem is knowing how to feel the rush and avoiding it. I also blame Smitty because he knew that Matt has little to no pocket awareness. I can’t lay the blame squarely on Matt. He is doing the best that he can. He will never be an elite QB. It is up to the powers that be to make that change (new franchise QB). Everyone talks about we need defensive upgrades. If someone can tell me that the NEW upgraded defense will get 16 shutouts a year, we still will have the same offense. The same offense that got shutout in a playoff game to the 27th ranked defense.
Eric C.
January 9th, 2012
1:28 pm
Mark Bradley,
Thinking back…other than the horrible “no timeout” and qb sneak decisions, a play that irks me is Ryan missing JJ on the seam route in the first half…he completed the pass, but JJ was running full speed and had to slow down to catch it resulting in a modest gain. If Ryan hits him full stride, then there is a good chance he takes it to the house and we are not worried about a qb sneak failure. Those are the little things that lose a playoff game. You could see JJ was disappointed even though he got the first down.
My question is…was Ryan’s throw altered by the Giants DL/pressure, or was Ryan too timid and off with the throw?
UGA 1999
January 9th, 2012
1:30 pm
Blank will not fire Smith. He is too loyal.
ZT4
January 9th, 2012
1:31 pm
Falcons record against teams with winning records this year? 2-6
C from Marietta
January 9th, 2012
1:32 pm
Ok folks. I know the Falcons stink, However, if your on here touting Cam Newton. Your a fool. He HAS NOT WON ANYTHING in the PROS. GET OVER CAM NEWTON.
lamac66
January 9th, 2012
1:32 pm
@ Eric C
OC: We should go get Musgrave, who is under fire in Minnesota — but works well with Ryan.
OC: We should go get Musgrave, who is under fire in Minnesota — but works well with Ryan.
And whose fault is that?
Eric C.
January 9th, 2012
1:34 pm
Also, it is interesting there were no turnovers in this game…although two 4th down failures were just as good as turnovers. It may reflect the fact that the Falcons were focusing too hard on “holding on” to the ball and not on WINNING the game.
ijonathan
January 9th, 2012
1:34 pm
Eric C…I saw that too with JJ. there was another point in the game too where Julio caught the ball but was obviously upset he couldn’t do more with it. IT is becoming a common thread with the receivers…Ryan isn’t giving them a chance to be explosive, at least most of the time. All you had to do was watch Tebow lead his receivers last night to see how it is done.
1eyedJack
January 9th, 2012
1:34 pm
When do pitchers and catchers report?
ijonathan
January 9th, 2012
1:35 pm
Eric C…yup…Ryan made some comment before the game, in relation to the Tramon Williams pick 6 last year, that he had to “know when not to try for something that isn’t there” (or something like that). I had a feeling that was code for “I’m going to play really, really safe.” Well, we see what safe got us.
JB
January 9th, 2012
1:36 pm
There are very few coach’s that have the total package. A lot them have parts….but few have it all. And the one’s that usually have the “total” package are “dicks”. See the guy at New England…. and Saban.
It takes a special talent. Mike Smith, like Richt, has about 6 of the 10 traits that make a Championship coach.
lamac66
January 9th, 2012
1:37 pm
I will bet anyone a box of Krispy Kreme that in a foot race, Matt beats Tom and Drew.
I like lemon filling BTW. Drew would never lose a foot race to Ryan. People don’t realize how good an athlete Drew is. He was a tremendous tennis player in HS. Don’t sleep on Drew’s athleticism.
ijonathan
January 9th, 2012
1:39 pm
Matt Ryan in a footrace? LOL. Not only would he lose to Drew (definitely) and Tom (probably) he would fall down before the finish line.
JB
January 9th, 2012
1:39 pm
Richt & Bobo could learn something from watching Denver play yesterday. Giving little hope winning, Elway advised Tebow before the game to ” turn it loose and open it up”. Nice Win.
GTSteve
January 9th, 2012
1:41 pm
about 42 days eyed jack….and I am ready…I have had it with football
Andy
January 9th, 2012
1:42 pm
I think the heat needs to be placed squarely on T. Dimitroff. He’s had 4 years to try and build this team and the best players he’s added to this team are M. Turner and Sean Weatherspoon? He whiffed on Ryan, he wiffed on D. Robinson, he wiffed on R. Edwards, and he hasn’t drafted a single player outside of Weatherspoon and maybe Julio Jones who will return the value where they were taken. Peria Jerry??? Sam Baker??? Curtis Loften??? William Moore??? Akeem Dent???? Take a look at the players he could have taken in some of those drafts….Darren McFadden, Vernon Gholston, Ryan Clady, Chris Johnson, Ray Rice, Matt Forte, Vonte Davis, Clay Matthews, Hakeem Nicks, LeSean McCoy, Brooks Reed, Cameron Hayward….I don’t know if it’s his scouts that aren’t getting the job done but he has done NOTHING to improve the Falcons through the draft and besides brining in Tong Gonzalez and Turner has done nothing in Free Agency, all the while putting WAY to much faith in a QB which has shown he can beat up on the weak teams but does little against a good team with a good defensive scheme. Mularky can’t really be blammed for this since he’s consistently given Ryan a good scheme since 2008 and his offenses have ranked in the top 10 in the NFL almost every season. You have to look at the product on the field and the games you’re playing, and I think if you do that you’ll see that the Falcons are missing the IMPORTANT pieces you need to be successful. OH…and if you look at the other QB taken in the 1st rnd of the 2008 draft, Joe Flacco, he has almost compariable numbers as Matt Ryan, and Baltimore got him at 18. Just sayin.
JB
January 9th, 2012
1:42 pm
Gator and a Yellow jacket beating the Steelers. Talk about an odd couple. A college QB who they say can’t pass, and a WR from a school that doesn’t pass.
Loserville USA
January 9th, 2012
1:42 pm
HISTORY LESSON FOR ANYONE WHO CARES, BUT HERE’S THE SOLUTION.
Steve Bartkowski suffered knee injuries in 1976 and 1977 — poor offensive line play.
But in 1976, Falcons drafted Dave Scott – STARTING GUARD
In 1977, Falcons drafted Warren Bryant and R.C. Thielmann – STARTING TACKLE, STARTING GUARD.
In 1978, Falcons drafted Mike Kenn – STARTING TACKLE.
We already had a stud center in Jeff Van Note.
Helped Bartkowski regain his job – changed him as a QB. Playoffs 2 of the next 3 years (despite the choke in ‘80, Falcons were the best team in the NFL).
We have an elite center – McClure.
We have an elite guard – and in my mind an All-Pro – Blalock.
Now we need bookend tackles and a guard in the draft or free agency, Elite ones. Clabo has regressed.
If Dimitroff addresses this issue Ryan should show massive improvement. You can get linemen in the 2nd and 3rd rounds — good ones. You draft an OG/OT in the 2nd/3rd rounds. Then you look at a guy like Ben Grubbs of Baltimore to play right guard. Keep bringing Hawley along to replace McClure at some point.
But this is the answer. History says so.
Eric C.
January 9th, 2012
1:42 pm
lamac66, I’m just crossing my fingers Mularkey gets the JAX job. Could we have a more inconsistent offense? They can look like world-beaters and chumps in the same game way too often…no adjustments, or the wrong adjustments against quailty teams unless the other team goes into prevent and MR2 takes over.
JB
January 9th, 2012
1:43 pm
Andy @ 1:42……………Good post…and true dat.
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January 9th, 2012
1:44 pm
[...] fatal fourth downs, and schooled all that and $4.25 will buy them a venti latte during Starbucks, writes Mark Bradley in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The Giants indeed know how to win playoff games and have a reward of removing prohibited during [...]
Whopper Dawg
January 9th, 2012
1:45 pm
Mark,
You got a ton of comments, but I still had to weigh in. Smith is OK, not great. MM needs to go as you said, I think his offense is designed to put you in as many third downs as possible.
But the guy who is primarily at fault here keeps getting a pass and that is the divine TD. After four years of his guidance, the offensive line is in taters, there is no difference maker on defense although Spoon has a chance, he is still looking for a pass rusher, the left tackle he traded up to get is riding the pine, the franchise QB was the worst QB that played on Saturday or Sunday and that includes he maligned Teebow, Jerry is a complete bust, Edwards still hasn’t shown up, Robinson is OK but no shutdown corner, a WR that TD jettisoned (Robinson) had as good a year as Jones, and the creme de la creme – the complete miss-assessment of the status of the franchise when he pulled the trigger of a king’s ransom in draft picks for a WR from Bama, which was even against the advice of his mentor Belichick.
If Mr. Blank thinks he has the right people in charge, he better think again, and he better figure out where the problem really is. And it is at the top.
JB
January 9th, 2012
1:45 pm
Loserville USA………………..send that post to Athens also. Horrible, horrible OL play the last 3-4 years.
Eric C.
January 9th, 2012
1:48 pm
ijonathan, and you saw that horrible slide at the end of the first half…if there was ever a concession to “not failing,” that was it. The end of the first half really epitomizes the Falcons attitude on offense for that game.
WhoDat own ATL
January 9th, 2012
1:57 pm
JB
The only parade Atlanta will ever have is “The Pride Parade”,.. lol
because they will never win a Superbowl to have a Superbowl Parade,.,.,
2points.,.
Mars
January 9th, 2012
1:57 pm
An elite QB makes his players around him better. Matt Ryan doesn’t seem to be able to do this consistently. Especially, in big games. Once you are a veteran QB; it’s hard to dramatically improve. Well, I guess Jim Plunkett is one of the few that did. But, he is one of the few exceptions.
Maybe, Ryan could eventually end up having a career like Matt Hassleback. A good QB that did at least get his team into the SB once.
WhoDat own ATL
January 9th, 2012
1:58 pm
Im on a roll baby,
Loserville USA
January 9th, 2012
1:59 pm
And it doesn’t matter if Mularkey SOMEHOW gets the JAX job — he’s done with the Falcons.
Players will rebel. Read the quotes from yesterday.
We’re getting a new OC — hopefully a new DC as well.
Can’t fire Smitty for being historically good, but it’s time to get to the next level.
P Rose
January 9th, 2012
2:08 pm
Rob B.
January 9th, 2012
1:07 pm
“I was going to write a poem about the Falcons but couldn’t think of a word that rhymes with mediocre.”
How about “choker?”
P Rose
January 9th, 2012
2:11 pm
Loserville USA
January 9th, 2012
1:42 pm
“HISTORY LESSON FOR ANYONE WHO CARES, BUT HERE’S THE SOLUTION…”
You hit the nail right on the head. I hope Blank and Dim-wit-roff are reading and I hope they take note.
P Rose
January 9th, 2012
2:14 pm
WhoDat own ATL, you’re absolutely right – this year’s Saints are one of the all-time great teams, and will probably win the Super Bowl, while the Falcons are an under-achieving mess. But why do you feel the need to rub it in so hard all day long? You must delight in the misery of others.
WhoDat own ATL
January 9th, 2012
2:18 pm
P Rose,
I gotta talk my trash,
why you getting all sensitive?
That’s the 2nd unmanly thing you’ve done today.,,. lol
This is all in good fun..,.
listen, last year when we lost in the 1st round nobody went light on me.,.
I had to hear it for months,..
Gerhart76
January 9th, 2012
2:19 pm
Wow that was horrible. The play calling in the first half was just awful. Looks like we wanted to see if the Giants would err first. From all standpoints this was bad.
1 We don’t have the talent we think we have. TD needs to start taking some heat for some poor player selections (both drafts and free agency)
2 The coaching has got to get better. The QB sneak with an empty backfield was absolutely the worst I can recall
3 Without a better D line we are stuck with the scheme we have
I think the poster who said we are closer to the bottom than the top might be correct
WhoDat own ATL
January 9th, 2012
2:19 pm
What is the difference between a Dirty Bird and a Dirty Bathtub?
The bathtub has a RING,.,.,.,
LOL,.
Who Dat
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January 9th, 2012
2:26 pm
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old man
January 9th, 2012
2:40 pm
Loserville USA,
Your assessment is dead on. I have been unfairly tough on Turner this year. Ryan is being bashed. Maybe it’s neither one of them. Maybe we just need to massively upgrade the O-line.
I had forgotten about those great O-line names in your post. Those guys were good.
old man
January 9th, 2012
2:48 pm
We were out-coached for sure. I think the Giants staff were certain that we would fear their pass rush, so we would not pass, and would run it between the tackles from the git-go. And that’s exactly what we did. So they prepped all week to stop our run. And that’s exactly what they did.
We need to have more guts and take some chances in order to out think our opponent–mis-direction, screens, quick passing game, etc.–something they are not expecting. But our guys figured if we did that and lost they would be crucified for not running. So they figured that if we lost they could not be blamed for running the ball against the worst run defense in the league. It’s almost like they are more concerned about devising a politically correct game plan and not so much with winning the game.
If you are going to say to your opponent, hey we are going to run the ball, and we are going to keep running it, you sure as heck better have the O-line it takes to enforce that. And we didn’t have that.