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
katherine
January 8th, 2012
7:00 pm
stendeck..im sorry you are old and negative and grumpy and live to make other people as miserable as you are….there is always hope just fyi
ohhhhYEAH
January 8th, 2012
7:00 pm
@ Tom D is a moron
You’re kidding right? You trust Mularkey? I MIGHT give u the benefit of the doubt in trusting Smith. But clearly you have no clue. Who do u think came up with today’s HORRIBLE offensive game plan that accomplished ZERO points? I’ll give you a hint. It wasn’t Matt Ryan. And find me a time Ryan had enough time to throw deep. We didn’t throw one deep ball today so saying he wasn’t accurate on the deep ball is a dumb statement. You just showed your football intelligence. You’re clearly on par with Mularkey, which is probably why you’re the only one in the world who thinks he’s any good
ZACK
January 8th, 2012
7:00 pm
I WILL TAKE TEBOW MARK! FOR GOODNESS SAKE GET US A WINNER IN HERE! THE TEAM IS TOO PASSIVE. AND CAN WE PLEASE COMMENT ON COACH SMITH’S BITTER BEER FACE WHEN THEY ARE GETTING THEIS AZZES KICKED! IT IS A SIGN THAT HE HAS NO CLUE.
SEASON TICKET HOLDERS RISE UP AND DO NOT RENEW!!! NEW STADIUM MY AZZ!!!
CGD..
January 8th, 2012
7:00 pm
Mr Blank shooting Blanks!
Back to the drawing board, Grandad?
stendek
January 8th, 2012
7:00 pm
Sorry Mark. Meant to alter opening. Just had nothing to add.
kurula
January 8th, 2012
7:01 pm
if carolina takes a big step forward next year, they just may step on the falcons. atlanta is in danger of becoming the third best team in the NFC south next year. there are too many holes on this team and not enough resources.
katherine
January 8th, 2012
7:01 pm
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.
brees didnt have that winning concept when he was at san diego…just saying
san diego steve
January 8th, 2012
7:01 pm
Falcons are in big trouble if the Bucs hire Mike Sherman. He will turn that team around in a hurry. Carolina is only going to get better. The Falcons will need to make a bold moves like hiring Norv Turner as OC (if he is fired) and replacing most of the o-line or 2012 will be 6-10 instead of 10-6.
Gritz
January 8th, 2012
7:01 pm
There’s no substance or heft to this team. It’s constructed of cotton candy and spider webs. The coaches (starting with Smith) scheme and play scared. That will get you killed in the NFL. Both lines are a couple of players each away from being substantial….Dimitroff has had some major whiffs in both the draft and free agency.
Unless there is a drastic overhaul at Flowery Branch this will continue for the immediate future.
?
January 8th, 2012
7:01 pm
SMITH LOOKED LIKE HE WAS GOING TO CRY, ON THE SIDELINES. SAME OLD MATTY NOODLE ARM RYAN. WHO IN THE HELL THINKS HE’S THE BEST THING SINCE SEX. IT WILL ALWAYS BE THIS WAY AS LONG AS HE IS THE QB.
DJ
January 8th, 2012
7:01 pm
It’s really pretty simple. Either this is all Ryan is capable of, or the OC and Smith are holding him back. The rest of the league is playing a different game. Falcons look like 1980’s college football, comparatively. Which is it? Extremely simple passing routes and reads. No pressure on the defenses. Can’t afford to give up on Ryan yet. So, OC has to go. See if there is anyone else out there who can get more out of Ryan and the offense. If the Pats, without Brady, could go 11-5 with Cassell and limited offensive skills, then somebody can make more of Ryan and this team. Find that person. And ground and pound is over. Can’t win with it. Realign Smith’s thinking, too. Or fire him too.
Having said that… I fear that maybe these coaches know they have a limited QB. Again, which is it? It’s Dimitroff’s and Blank’s job to find the answer.
James
January 8th, 2012
7:02 pm
What a great (sarcasm) article by a great (sarcasm) contributor to the AJC. Mr. Bradley, so many things wrong with this post. I for one stopped reading after the 1st paragraph.
1. Julio had 7 catches on 8 targets Sunday. He did all he could, that isn’t his fault.
2. How did the design “blow up” in the Falcons face? Julio had a phenomenal season, not even for just a rookie. He missed games and despite a lingering hamstring performed exceedingly well.
If you’re gonna blame someone, blame Ryan, blame Mularkey, blame the offensive line. Don’t blame Julio.
Not that I ever took an article from you seriously anyways.
boots
January 8th, 2012
7:02 pm
Mark, you are spot on. This was an epic fail. We have weapons all over, and we did not manage a single offensive point. There is so much fault to go around. I am left wondering if the leadership of this team cares. I get the feeling they will all meet at Arthur’s house for a post-season dinner, talk about the few things they can do to improve and declare the season a success with a variant game at the end.
1990_Champs_GT
January 8th, 2012
7:02 pm
@MrDan:
I’m a Tech fan. Chan Gailey is not a “good” coach. Not convinced? Ask a Cowboys fan.
Jim
January 8th, 2012
7:02 pm
I predicted 27-17 Giants; was very close on the Giants, but like everyone else overestimated the Falcons. The constant positive attitude that so many people have had about this team throughout the season just was not justified by their play. They were dogged by good teams, and they beat some poor teams. When they beat a sorry team, all we heard was “we can play with anybody, etc.” I think Blank needs to run a few more of those full page AJC full page apologies like he did a few years ago after a Monday night blowout. All the hype sells tickets, $7 pretzels, newspapers, and gets people to watch on tv; but anyone who knows squat about football knew all along this season that this crew was going absolutely nowhere…and that is exactly what happened. It will be fun to watch Blank’s spin to keep ticket sales and other revenue strong, but I sure don’t see much different on the horizon for the Falcons next year without wholesale changes. The comment about no hope? We get hope alright, false hope…and false hope leads to despression. How are you feeling just now?
todd grantham
January 8th, 2012
7:02 pm
Fire Mike Bobo!
stendek
January 8th, 2012
7:02 pm
rob parker is a steaming racist pile of………………..
You finally said something I totally agree with Katie! Keep on keeping on.
Shet! Just being helpful.
CGD..
January 8th, 2012
7:03 pm
He’s not a playmaker? Huh?
Leeman B
January 8th, 2012
7:03 pm
Billy Joe Tolliver could’ve guided this O to more points today.
Mountain Man
January 8th, 2012
7:03 pm
Matty Mouse and The Real Atlanta. Housewives embarassed themselves, the city, the county, and the state. 2 points, 2 fourth and nones… Oue explosive offense in action. We are too slow, too careful, too passive, too soft and too comfortable with mediocrity. Why should the fans care? The girls don’t. Where was A Blank today? Fire somebody just to make me feel better!
arff
January 8th, 2012
7:03 pm
The Falcons aren’t physical enough on defense or explosive enough on offense. They should have tried to shore up their defense in the off-season instead of drafting Julio. Ray Edwards clearly wasn’t the answer. If Dimitroff is the genius he is made out to be we’ll see what moves he makes.
Also gotta agree with the earlier posts, the Hawks are the best playoff team in Atlanta.
Mr. Mustard
January 8th, 2012
7:04 pm
Well, Coach Smith went for it twice on 4th downs, and sneaked it as many demanded, including me, and Ryan could not the yard. Then he fell down while running.
Roddy White dropped balls that must be caught, and when he did catch a pass, he fell down.
Tony Gonzalez has good hands, but cannot turn around and run if a Giant was chasing him. Oh wait.
Michael Turner, the Burner, who is our identity cannot break a tackle, and cannot get a yard on his own, when we NEED HIM, no one else, HIM and he falls down after bumping into the line.
Eric Weems actually ran the ball out twice! Unfortunately, only to the 20 or less.
And when we are in a playoff game in the NFL, with supposedly one of the best offenses in the league, we fail to call timeouts with over 40 seconds in the first half. Either they were scared or they were unaware that scoring more points than the opponent is the point of the contest.
Sorry guys, but this franchise’s current management team needs to hear it from us, loud and clear.
Drops. Falling down. Conceding precious time because we don’t want to fail in the first half.
Inability to gain one yard three different times.
Why is is as if the opposition knew what the Falcons are going to do. Could that be? Nah!
These guys are professionals at the highest level, and they would KNOW that predictability is a weakness. Right? Right?
Well, at least we signed slow poke, lumberjack Gonzalez to another year because we don’t have a zillion draft choices stocked up, because we traded 4 away for one player who runs faster and farther than our QB can throw.
Well at least we run crossing patterns to get him the ball and then marvel at his ability to avoid tackles.
I could go on all day.
Hey GM Dimitroff, you have some problems sir.
Finally, I have enjoyed your columns Mr. Bradley, and thank you for your honesty today.
The brass needs to hear it from you, and us and I am happy to oblige.
Until “draft” day fellas, its been one heckuva year, and Coach Smith is doing one “heckuva job”. Barf.
Pmc
January 8th, 2012
7:04 pm
A brain dead chimp could have called a better game than mularkey in this one. What happened to 88? Why did we waste 2 time outs in the first half? Why 2 horrid sneaks with an OL this bad?
Mike mularkey phoned this one in. He shouldn’t make the trip back.
This was the worst coached game in Falcon History and that’s saying something.
Loserville USA
January 8th, 2012
7:04 pm
stendek — Don’t go overboard. The 1966 group was way overmatched. 1967 group was worse.
This group was not placed in a position to win. It all boils down to the offensive philosophy and an offensive line that regressed a great deal.
Ryan’s going to get hurt if this doesn’t get fixed.
Thomas Dimitroff is a moron
January 8th, 2012
7:04 pm
Jesus, please let ESPN or someone write about Matt Ryan’s pitiful play
Since we couldn’t trust Bradley to not pussyfoot his write-up
nwedd
January 8th, 2012
7:04 pm
all i can say is mike vick
Great Falconi
January 8th, 2012
7:04 pm
Any fan who wants Matt Ryan gone is a moron. Any fan who wants Mike Smith gone is barking up the right tree. Any fan who wants Mike Mularkey gone is a friend of mine.
CGD..
January 8th, 2012
7:04 pm
The only way Melt sniff a championship is with a clip board….lol!
Leeman B
January 8th, 2012
7:05 pm
2 points.
Way to redefine a new low for dropping a deuce.
Sid
January 8th, 2012
7:05 pm
Failure at so many levels………….but at least it wasn’t a shut out. (tongue in cheek)
Blank Is Onlly Interested In New Stadium & Hosting Superbowl
January 8th, 2012
7:05 pm
@Angie O’Plasty …me too.
I really feel bad for him and find myself pardoning him for his ignorance of how to run a successful football organization. I think he really tries but consistently hire the wrong mgmt team to run the team. This can be attributed to his obsession to keep a good image team/look…it’s not working.
TD is the proble(m with this organization. Its one thing to have the wrong personnel on your team, but to have your personnel mgr consistently choosing the wrong players is a HUGE problem and put an organization back years, if not decades (cough-Falcons)
Also, my heart really goes out to the veterans. like Abraham and Gonzalez, on this team who bought into Mike Smith/Thomas Dimitrioff bluff.
By the look on that team’s face, Smith has lost them and many want to move on…
MM
January 8th, 2012
7:05 pm
Vince Lombardi once said that to play and win a professional football game you must psyche the players up to the point that they HATE the other team. THIS TEAM PLAYS WITH ABSOLUTELY NO HEART, NO FIRE, NO NOTHING. TEBOW IS BEATING THE STEELERS ON NOTHING BUT HEART. Must be something in the water in North Georgia, UGA plays exactly the same way.
Black Dog
January 8th, 2012
7:05 pm
still in shock…..zero points for this offense…..
stendek
January 8th, 2012
7:05 pm
Fix in in for Steelers! Lateral cannot be incomplete pass. Broncos should have had another takeaway! Came prior to Steeler TD. So sad league wants thugs like Steelers to stay in playoffs! Pure crapola.
jack bull
January 8th, 2012
7:06 pm
fox should’ve challenged the fact that number 7 fumbled, not an incomplete pass.
CGD..
January 8th, 2012
7:06 pm
Rich Mckay= I SEE STARS!
KBP
January 8th, 2012
7:06 pm
Since Sean Payton calls the plays in NO, hire Saints OC, Pete Carmichael as our OC. Hire Steve Spagnuolo as DC. Draft O-linemen and a RB with speed.
atlantato seattle2015
January 8th, 2012
7:06 pm
ITS TIME TO REEVALUATE MATT RYAN!!SEEM TO BE GOING BACKWARDS INSTEAD OF FORWARD..THE LOSS AGAINST THE SAINTS AND 3 PLAYOFF LOSSES ISNT GOOD FOR THE FALCON FAN BASE HERE IN ORDER TO PUT FOLKS IN A DIE HARD FALCON FRENZY YOU MUST PUT SOMETHING ON THE FIELD WORTH WANTING TO PAY FOR DURING THESE HARSH ECONOMIC TIMES..I WILL HOLD ON TO MY MONEY FOR SEASON TICKETS NEXT YEAR THIER ARE OTHER THINGS TO DO WITH IT!!!AFTER LOSING TO THE AINTS I WAS SORT OF PUT OFF WITH THE FALCONS EFFORTS…MICHEAL VICK PLEASE COME BACK YOU BELONG IN ATLANTA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
shook955
January 8th, 2012
7:06 pm
Matty Ice. Yeah right. Instead, put him on the Waffle House Menu cause we have a Matty Melt. Can’t win without throwing ball down the field. He is an identical QB as Chad Pennington. Smart guy that works hard. Great guy. However, arm isn’t good enough to throw the ball deep. Rodney Harrison and all the ex-players say so. I like him as a person, but that doesn’t win against the big QB teams like Green Bay and New Orleans. He is going to get you 9 wins a season, winning against mediocre teams. Now he also has to beat Cam Newton twice a year. Only way to win with him is to have a dominate defense and we are 6 players or so from having that. He will be the Jon Koncak of this team, a contract keeping us from being great. Please don’t keep holding on to the hope that he will be great. Ask Dallas how that has worked out with Tony Romo. I beg you to change directions! We have too many offensive weapons to blame it on somebody else.
MrJoad
January 8th, 2012
7:07 pm
A coach that panics. A QB that is not a leader. LB’s who talk smack and run out of gas. An overrated secondary-remember Grimes vs. Graham, or Dunta vs. anybody. A porous O-line. An impotent owner. A front-running fan base. Other than that, we’re a great franchise. Excuse me while I puke.
jack bull
January 8th, 2012
7:07 pm
and how bout that fumble last night in the Saints/Lions game, should’ve been a Lion TD..TERRIBLE officiating, in the playoffs nonetheless…
Arthur Blank's wallet
January 8th, 2012
7:07 pm
If Blank wants so fans in the seats next season, he will make some changes, if he doesn’t you can bet there won’t be one sell out. Rob Parker thinks we are the worst fans in sports, I think we are the smartest fans in sports. We don’t pay money to see losers, we pay money to see winners, plain and simple.
CGD..
January 8th, 2012
7:07 pm
if MV7 got 2 years Ben should have got 30!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Keith
January 8th, 2012
7:07 pm
I ahte to say this and I kow this is mon night QB’ing, but 1st Van Gorder needs to go, our defense has reached a plateau and has no fire, 2 I really hope Mularky get one of the Head Coaches JOBs, but I feel this game may have hurt his chances which will leave us stuck woith him I give him credit for Matts initial development but when it comes to play calling, he’s more pridictiable than an airline schedule, even with the No Huddle the Giants seemed to know exactly what the hell we were going to run we need a Romo crenell or maybe even a college Defensive Coord, and we need ot go after a top flight OC. Matt look furstrated out there trying to work the plays that were called and not finding anybody open (not to mention the drops we had today. i’m just beside myself at least the Bills lost 4 superbowls, they at least made an effort today the Falcons plaed 30 mins and looked primed light the Giants up in the 2nd half and then the locker room doors opened and a pee wee team showed up on the field
ohhhhYEAH
January 8th, 2012
7:07 pm
Great Falconi, I see we are friends indeed
stan
January 8th, 2012
7:08 pm
i see Tebow MAKE PLAYS. THAT MATT COULD NOT DREAM OF MAKING !!!
Leeman B
January 8th, 2012
7:08 pm
Shook, good call. Koncak=Ryan. Overpaid guy that says all the right stuff…bark>bite.
cornell sims
January 8th, 2012
7:08 pm
FIRE MIKE MURLARKEY…….FIRE MIKE MURLARKEY…….FIRE MIKE MURLARKEY……..
Pmc
January 8th, 2012
7:08 pm
This group has proven over 4 years what they are. If they are serious about winning a championship they had better be serious about finding better coaches and players because this 53 have peaked.
phil
January 8th, 2012
7:08 pm
katherine
January 8th, 2012
7:00 pm
stendeck..im sorry you are old and negative and grumpy and live to make other people as miserable as you are….there is always hope just fyi
*******
Why the need to antagonize upset fans?
You obviously don’t see this flaw in yourself.