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
DetroitBraves
January 8th, 2012
6:51 pm
Mark, all those guys you named are skill position guys. I’m sure a lot of people on here will argue that some, or all of them are overrated. They may or may not be right but it is definitely true that football games are generally lost at the line of scrimage, based on the play of the non-skill players. The Falcons fall short here. Little pass rush all season, suspect OL whether running or throwing the ball. I also have little faith in Mularkey but the reason for me why the Falcons don’t win against better teams more often is because they can match up stars at the star positions well enough most of the time, but while the Saints are sending three off their O-line to the probowl the Falcons have Clabo, etc., etc.
Grandmaster JeJe
January 8th, 2012
6:51 pm
FIRE MULARKEY
FIRE LD
Ghosts of loserville
January 8th, 2012
6:51 pm
What a complete waste of talent!!!! They showed about as much heart as psssst UGA playing Boise State. ..
I knew this season was a bust when the tanked against Boise St!. .. lol
primo
January 8th, 2012
6:52 pm
Cue the muisc please, “so you had bad day the cameras don’t lie, you had bad day…la la la. Go Black and Gold.
redweather
January 8th, 2012
6:52 pm
The Falcons need a new offensive playbook. They are predictable. They have way too many good offensive players to get smacked by the Giants like that. And they need a more consistent pass rush. Other than that they looked . . . like a bona fide fifth seed.
hire mularkey, please!!!
January 8th, 2012
6:52 pm
jacksonville, tampa, miami—please hire mularkey!! The ATL will pay big money to any team that hires him!! please!!!!
Leeman B
January 8th, 2012
6:52 pm
Marty Ice.
Good one today, McFly.
Ward
January 8th, 2012
6:52 pm
Think Atlanta could trade Ryan to the Colts for the #1 pick?
katherine
January 8th, 2012
6:53 pm
Rise Up!!
January 8th, 2012
6:51 pm
Get samuel to make more commercials! Get jimmy! Rise up! Get the ajc to write more suckup articles!! ATL—2012 is the year! They have a bunch of excuses this year!! next year!!!
So what would you have them do? make commercials that dont get fans excited?
Caesar
January 8th, 2012
6:53 pm
Where are all the “Falcons will win. Mark it down.” people? LOL.
Tim
January 8th, 2012
6:53 pm
Falcons are not a good football team in that they cannot compete against the better teams in the league. They have demonstrated that in the last two years. Mr. Blank is incorrect in his statement that the team did not take a step back this year. They did. The lack of draft picks will make it difficult to improve next season. Today’s performance was an epic failure. Pure and simple.
CGD..
January 8th, 2012
6:53 pm
Melt is a 10 speed bike next to any QB in these playoffs….
smith + dimitroff
January 8th, 2012
6:53 pm
the most overrated duo in the nfl—winning seasons? what a joke! that’s why atl = loserville.
Leeman B
January 8th, 2012
6:53 pm
Even though he plays for fans that are amongst the worst on this planet, Ryan’s ineptiness makes you appreciate how great Brees is.
Just say it, Bradley!
January 8th, 2012
6:54 pm
Bradley – you should give back whatever money you make from the AJC. Teams don’t lose because of their offensive or defensive coordinators? Aren’t they in charge of scoring points or stopping the other team?
As usual, the press around here sissy foots around the issue. Malarkey isn’t the man to maximize? How about saying this: We have the least explosive offensive of teams in the playoffs. We have enough playmakers to make it work. If you say “they need to fire Malarkey” it might be a little uncomfortable the next time you meet up. Hate for that to happen.
The Falcon’s are a midtier team in the league without the will to win from top to bottom.
The press from NY has it correct. The fans (like me) are horrible here because the teams and press don’t give us much hope.
Let’s all start working on improving in 2012 so we can get right to improving in 2013…….
CGD..
January 8th, 2012
6:54 pm
Matt Ryan= FOOLS GOLD…..
Caesar
January 8th, 2012
6:54 pm
We should sign Peyton in the offseason. Could you imagine what he’d do with these receivers?
Atlantans are idiots
January 8th, 2012
6:54 pm
You Atlanta fans are STILL talking about Michael Vick? LMAO what idiots.
Tim
January 8th, 2012
6:54 pm
Ward – No. A rookie Andrew Luck > 5th year Matt Ryan.
CGD..
January 8th, 2012
6:54 pm
He’s proven to be a GIANT LEAP BACKWARDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11
Leeman B
January 8th, 2012
6:55 pm
Wonder if Ryan still has happy feet on the airplane home.
Najeh Davenpoop
January 8th, 2012
6:55 pm
“He went for it on 4th and inches with a 4WR set??? No TE but 4WR set???”
Brady does this all the time and it works fine for him.
When your QB is 6′5″ and you need less than a yard, QB sneak is not a bad call. Blame the interior offensive line which was dominated by the Giants’ D line all game.
Howdy Doody in a helmet
January 8th, 2012
6:55 pm
1. Colts are taking Luck. Peyton, if he can actually play, which I think he can – will not stay. Can you imagine him piloting Roddy, Julio, Tony G and Turner??? Wow!
2. Philip Rivers for Matt Ryan is a possibility. The Chargers are dumb enough to keep Norb Turner around and also made the trade that essentially sent us Vick. I am sure they’d at least be willing to listen as they sent Brees packing for Rivers. Why wouldn’t they send Rivers packing for Ryan?
3. Just about any retread that is better than Josh Freeman, but not better than Cam Newton. Honestly. We are in trouble and it does not really matter if it is Ryan, Grossman or Mike Morowski.
We are done with Ryan at QB. His teammates do nor have his back. I am telling you!!!
JSS
January 8th, 2012
6:55 pm
“Corvette?” That dude is Chevy malibu…
katherine
January 8th, 2012
6:55 pm
eeman B
January 8th, 2012
6:53 pm
Even though he plays for fans that are amongst the worst on this planet, Ryan’s ineptiness makes you appreciate how great Brees is.
fans that are amongst the worst on the planet? saints fans used to wear frickin bags on their heads
Bobby's Cox
January 8th, 2012
6:55 pm
MB:
I have been a falcon’s Loyal fan since I was a kid. I am 39 now. I am so MAD. You know why? Not Because these Coaches are constantly getting out-coached. Not Because we have a of lack talent on this team. Not because its the same old Falcons losing in new ways.
Its because no one seems to get angry on this team, Including Blank. Same ol Sh!t after every game. ” We weren’t consistent in all Phases of the game, no execution, we weren’t reselient enough….BLAH, BLAH, BLAH” How about WE SUCK. WE CANT COACH!! WE CANT MAKE EVEN ONE PLAY!! WHAT THE HECK WAS THAT.
Ask Mike Smith anything and he’ll give you an accurate picture of what they failed to do and how next week hes going to prepare to do it all over again.
Mark, this Sucks, and I want somebody to finally get MAD!!
FIRE MIKE SMITH NOW !!!!!!!!
January 8th, 2012
6:55 pm
IT’S TIME TO FIRE TD, MS,BVG , MATT RYAN AND EVERYONE’S FAVORITE , MM . THIS WAS BEYOND EMBARASSMENT , THIS WAS A SMACK DOWN BY A MEDIOCRE TEAM THAT SQUEAKED IN. ARTHUR , YOU NEED TO CRACK SKULLS AND CAN PEOPLE NOW. IF YOU GO WITH YOUR GOODY GOODY TWO SHOES ATTITUDE , YOU WILL SEE A LOT OF EMPTY SEATS GUARANTEED !!!!! TIME TO NUT UP AB AND DO YOUR JOB !!!!! WE ARE ALL TICKED HERE.
SINCERELY A FORMER SEASON TICKET HOLDER OF 16 YEARS.
CGD..
January 8th, 2012
6:56 pm
Matt Ryan is a pair of mud shoes…
1990_Champs_GT
January 8th, 2012
6:56 pm
Mark, you can’t defend Mike Smith this time. That load of Mularky has to go and so does VanGorder. That speaks to the philosophy of the team; Smith’s philosophy. Mularky called the fourth down plays today, like he did against NO. But Smith made the decision to run them.
Ultimately, Smith is responsible for this season. He and the entire staff should pay the price.
MrDan
January 8th, 2012
6:56 pm
If Mike Smith is as good a coach as I think he is, he’ll reassess his OC and DC positions along with everything else, and make the necessary changes. Otherwise he’ll fall into that category of good coaches who can’t win the big games. Wade Phillips, Chan Gailey, Norv Turner, etc. There’s a cast of coaches who keep getting hired in the nfl after years of proving they can’t win. And your article Mark is spot on. This team won against equal or inferior teams, and that’s it. I’m not a coach, but if I were, I would definitely say every position on this team is wide open for tryouts.
Smitty, do what you have to do.
Pmc
January 8th, 2012
6:57 pm
Watching highlights, everyone down to the freaking media staff should be fired.
This organization has no hope. They are hot garbage
Falcaints
January 8th, 2012
6:57 pm
The Falcons are not talented, please quit deluding yourselves.
Keep that bar nice and low
January 8th, 2012
6:57 pm
2 points!
Way to go! Somewhere Jeff George and June Jones are beaming with pride. An effort we can be proud of.
tjg
January 8th, 2012
6:57 pm
Why in the world did they continue to run up the middle in those 3rd and 4th downs??? Play action and roll out with a run-pass option!!! The flacons are not good enough to dominate with big boy macho football. They need to take chances, a little trickery, mix it up…not powerful enough to win it without that. Bad ego at play here (”we have to be able to make one yard”)…rethink and reload. Nice season overall but GB wins next week no matter what.
CGD..
January 8th, 2012
6:57 pm
YOU gotta go after Rich McKay.. He is the weakest link…
stan
January 8th, 2012
6:57 pm
3 PTS scored in the last 4qts. nuff said !!!
Where were u Ray
January 8th, 2012
6:57 pm
Where was ray edwards? Need to get 300 pounder on the ol an the dl.Do you agree? Mattie Ice ie melting.
XBIRD
January 8th, 2012
6:57 pm
Time to overhaul the coaching . . . if these so-called coaches cannot prepare better for a play-off game, then they need to be fired! An offense that can’t even score a point against the 27th ranked defense is pathetic! A QB that gets pressured and panics needs to move to the practice squad. And a head coach that has NO CLUE needs to start over as an assistant somewhere else like Jacksonville. Bring in someone that knows how to prepare and game-plan and adjust as the game goes along. These dodos can’t adjust their headphones!
Atlantans are idiots
January 8th, 2012
6:57 pm
You idiots are still talking about Vick after he screwed over your franchise? LMFAO
Loserville USA
January 8th, 2012
6:58 pm
Why is Atlanta the worst sports town in America?
It’s the only place in the U.S. that can have a winning team in EVERY major sport and leave the fans bitter at the end of the season.
Atlanta sports fans are SUCKERS because they’ll continue to buy tickets knowing full well any of their teams will not be equipped by ownership to make a SERIOUS playoff run.
WINNING TEAMS = TICKET SALES = YOU PEOPLE ARE SUCKERS.
ROB PARKER = CORRECT = L O S E R V I L L E
katherine
January 8th, 2012
6:58 pm
ok all you “former” ticket holders…..promise?
Kyle
January 8th, 2012
6:58 pm
If they sit on these same coaches and players like the Braves do they might as well get ready to buy their own seats for next year. I can’t imagine the fools that will spend their hard earned money on this no matter how great football is.
Pmc
January 8th, 2012
6:58 pm
There is Nothing repeat Nothing to build on. They could go 16-0 regular season and it wouldnt matter.
This group is toast.
OMG
January 8th, 2012
6:59 pm
How about how the refs 100% made up a rule to allow pitt to keep the ball. Of course that play is reviewable. That is bs. I’ve seen that play reviewed at least 10 times over the past 5 years. That was a backwards pass and should have been Denvers ball. But they want pitt to play NE and not tebow. What a crock of bs
sam
January 8th, 2012
6:59 pm
I’ve been an ardent supporter of this team for the past 4 years, but I agree it’s time to shake things up. Trade White (too many drops) and Turner (too slow to the hole) for some picks, get rid of the OC, and open up the offense. Oh, and PLEASE take away 4th down decisions from Coach Smith!
stendek
January 8th, 2012
6:59 pm
Greetings Dawson. I compliment you on your truthful column. Glad you told it like it is. As an avid Falcon follower since 1966 – actually when good news of the awarding of franchise by NFL – I feel compelled to comment on these Falcons. It is lengthy but perhaps sound therapy as I am angrier now than I ever have been following a Falcon giveup debacle. I have seen some truly heartless and gutless Falcon performances in my lifetime but this is the absolute worst. These players lack fire. No desire to excel. Far less talented Falcon teams over the years overcame adversity to prevail or just barely fail. These Falcons simply gave up. Though technically the offense never gave up since it never showed up. I do give the defense some props since a safety prevented a shutout defeat. Losing is no disgrace as long as every single player gives all from start to finish. These Falcons simply did not do that. The only offensive player who seems bothered by defeat is Tony Gonzalez. I share in his helplessness. Just wish guy would be traded to Super Bowl contender in twilight of his career. Just a few comments:
QB Matthew Ryan was phenomenal in his rookie season. Provided reason for optimism. Whatever special qualities MR possessed vanished in his second season. Play of QB has regressed since initial campaign. Lying stats have improved but that winning intangible is no longer there. Case in point today was slide when no defender was within 10 yards of him. In a playoff game. Giany QB made big plays when protection broke down. All MR did was throw ball away or fold like a piece of Nifty notebook paper in pocket. MR experiment is failure. No better than Joey Harrington or Chris Miller when it comes to heart and leadership. Cut bait now.
Roddy White has become liability with all his drops. Many catches do not overshadow fatal drops. Time to part ways.
Julio Jones is overrated plus cost Falcons their future. May be excellent but with no QB to get the ball to him what does it really matter? Would let him go but too much tied up in receiver.
Offensive line no better than average college line.
Michael Turner has become a liability. Slower and heavier. Time to send him packing.
Falcon kicker returners are complete busts.
FG kicker is highlight.
Punter caught his stride in later games.
Defense has far too many liabilities to ever be top tier. Donthing Robinson the worst but untalented bum has plenty of company.
What all this means is that $$$$ cannot buy heart or want to. These Falcons may be physically talented – although that can be successfully debated – but they have no heart or toughness.
Statistics lie. Giants worst defense to reach playoffs but MR held to zero points in 60 minutes. I know far less talented Falcon teams from years past that would have chewed these Giants them spit them out in front of their arrogant fans.
These Falcons dropped their drawers then bent over. Just hope some kind of lubricant was utilized.
This bunch is far worse than 1966 group which at least gave fans effort!
The more things change…
No reason for optimism. None. More dark days ahead. Lots more…
katherine
January 8th, 2012
6:59 pm
rob parker is a steaming racist pile of………………..
Hey gutless Bradley
January 8th, 2012
6:59 pm
Be nice if you ever admitted you were wrong (you practically handed this win to NY in your last article). Maybe you have in the past, but it is few and far between.
Falcaints
January 8th, 2012
6:59 pm
The truth was the Falcons could not get a big name coach to come to Atlanta, Smith was the best they could get. They have the same problem with the best free agents, Atlanta is a great place to live and retire, but not to win.
Leeman B
January 8th, 2012
7:00 pm
@ Katherine: bashing saints fans…hate them, worst in the NFL. Wish we had their QB: he plays w/ unbelievable heart and is a WINNER-a concept this regime knows nothing about.