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
smith + dimitroff
January 8th, 2012
7:26 pm
smith and dimitroff–overrated—they’ve “built” a mediocre team that will have “winning seasons,” make the playoffs in some years and go out in round 1. Congrats to the city of loserville!
katherine
January 8th, 2012
7:26 pm
Enter your comments here
Athenzdawg
January 8th, 2012
7:26 pm
well im certainly glad we traded all those draft picks to improve our offense with Julio Jones. By the way for those who were keeping score today Defense 2 – Offense 0. Since we have no picks for the draft I hope Arthur saved up all of his money to buy some good free agents this year. Free agents along the lines of Dunta Robinson DO NOT COUNT!!!! SOOO PISSED!!!
phil
January 8th, 2012
7:27 pm
We lost today because of fredi gonzalez…
Clearly.
MG3
January 8th, 2012
7:27 pm
I’m a lifelong fan and have been a huge supporter of this regime, as well as a season ticket holder. Well, no more. The Falcons just lost me. I can handle losing but that nonsense at the end of the 2nd quarter was pathetic. Had time and three time outs and we all but kneel on the ball…clean house Arthur!
Jack shepard
January 8th, 2012
7:27 pm
Bring back Leeman Bennett, He will build another great offensive line and find another quarterback like 10 Steve Bartkowski and wide receivers
like Ken Burrow, Alfred Jenkins, Alfred Jackson, and Stacy Bailey.
CGD..
January 8th, 2012
7:27 pm
Rich Mckay is behind the scene hiding.. But I see you…
Greyhound is ready for ya buster…………
AJC Suckup Writers
January 8th, 2012
7:27 pm
Not to worry–another total choke, but the suckup AJC writers will proclaim the falcons “on the rise” and predict “big things” for 2012! chumps in atl will eat it up!
Caesar
January 8th, 2012
7:27 pm
Matt Ryan is the weak link on this team We’ll never make it to the Super Bowl with him at QB. Here’s why: Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees, Matt Stafford, Eli Manning, Cam Newton, Mike Vick.
If we face any of these QB’s in the playoffs we are doomed because our QB plays like a female dog in big games.
CGD..
January 8th, 2012
7:27 pm
Hire professor DAN REEVES to get it DONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!
jack bull
January 8th, 2012
7:28 pm
wow, did someone really say they’d really be happy to go 6-10 next year than make the playoffs? dang, you’ve lost your mind, son..
hitithard09
January 8th, 2012
7:28 pm
you said it Dawg79 exactly what I was thinking. fact is, there is no passion or anger, because they just don’t care. they got paid their mega millions and they are taught to go shake hands and laugh and smile and there is always next year. this wussy mentality is a reflection of their coaches philosophy and attitude, just like the Bulldogs too. many of these players would be cut by coaches like Parcells, Ditka, Belichek, etc. No real effort. With them, its not win or go home effort. Its win if you can, but if not, “its Ok, we will learn from it, we will come back next year and try again”. cry me a river, give that wimpy O-Line a game ball for “trying so hard”
katherine
January 8th, 2012
7:28 pm
ok we get it….to those of you who say…”im not a fan anymore” or “no season tickets for me” …why are you still here…if you arent a fan anymore go root for your new team
CGD..
January 8th, 2012
7:29 pm
RG3 is already an upgrade and hasn’t play a professional down yet..wow!
phil
January 8th, 2012
7:29 pm
Some of you oak stump bloggers tend to enter your comments here….doofs.
PapaDawg
January 8th, 2012
7:29 pm
Rankin is not the owner anymore but the Falcons suck as always.
DEPOT
January 8th, 2012
7:29 pm
You have a deep threat receiver and he can’t get the ball from his QB down field..,,,,, That’s a major issue.
Season Ticketholder
January 8th, 2012
7:29 pm
The biggest problem with the Falcons offense is Matt Ryan. Anyone who don’t see this has their head up their a$$.
jack bull
January 8th, 2012
7:30 pm
yeah, those days of Steve, the Alfreds, Billy, Ken, Stacy, man, we were awesome, made the playoffs year in and year out…?!?!?!?
dumba….
CGD..
January 8th, 2012
7:30 pm
Bring Rankin Smith back! lol
OPEN YOUR EYES
January 8th, 2012
7:30 pm
WE NEED TO DRAFT QBS KELLEN MOORE OR BRANDON WEDEN ASAP!!! THEN SWITCH TO A WEST COAST OFFENSE!!!!! BUT FIRST FIRE MIKE MULARKEY!!!!!!!
katherine
January 8th, 2012
7:30 pm
phil
January 8th, 2012
7:29 pm
Some of you oak stump bloggers tend to enter your comments here….doofs.
WHAT THE HELL IS YOUR DEAL WITH ME? you are really really creepy and no matter how much I ask you, you wont leave me alone. Get over it geez
Just up the Street
January 8th, 2012
7:30 pm
I was watching reruns of Pawn Stars. Did the Falcons lose? I wouldn’t waste my time watching that garbage team.
Loserville USA
January 8th, 2012
7:30 pm
Next season is YEAR 5.
If you want to find out if Ryan is elite or he’s Chad Pennington then hand him the keys. Give him the Peyton Manning treatment and let him call plays. Then you’ll know if he’s elite and can take the next step. Because the last 2 seasons have seemed like a power struggle between our quarterback and our offensive coordinator.
Situation needs to be rectified. Mularkey won’t get a head coaching job after today (good!) but he needs to go elsewhere. So does Van Gorder.
See if you can get Musgrave back to work with Ryan. Then get Rahim Morris as DC who will relate well to Curtis and ‘Spoon etc. That’s the solution.
Samuel L. Jackson
January 8th, 2012
7:31 pm
Quick question…
If last year’s playoff collapse was called “The Debacle in The Dome”, will this year’s caption be “Malarkey in the Meadowlands” ?
hahahahahahahhahaha where is that clown Michael M????? Talk crap now while your watching the Saints on tv next weekend you a$$ jockey!!!!
Ghosts of loserville
January 8th, 2012
7:31 pm
Rankin is not the owner anymore but the Falcons suck as always.
They don’t have Rankin to kick around any more.
But his spirit lives on in Falconland.
CGD..
January 8th, 2012
7:31 pm
Matt Ryan is a BUST!!! Throw in the towel.. He’s toast!
BIGBEN42
January 8th, 2012
7:31 pm
Enter your comments here
Caesar
January 8th, 2012
7:31 pm
Tim Tebow has led 4 scoring drives against the Steelers today. Remember last year when the Falcons faced the Steelers and their back-up QB (due to Big Ben’s suspension) and couldn’t manage a TD? It’s not the OC guys, it’s the QB. The guys is a timid little female dog.
Eric
January 8th, 2012
7:32 pm
Rise up!!! are you kidding me Arthur. I am rising out of my seat at the Dome and going home.
tony
January 8th, 2012
7:32 pm
I have nothing against Matt Ryan but I never thought he was a 1st round qb. Heck, he threw 19 interceptions in his senior season. Dimitroff need to stop experimenting with this team and find away to draft Kellen Moore, sign Ahtyba Rubin -DT 6-2 330lbs and Calais Campbell-DE 6-8 300lbs this off season.
jack bull
January 8th, 2012
7:32 pm
when Polumalou stops playing football, he won’t be able to get out of bed his body will be so damaged..
Big Country
January 8th, 2012
7:32 pm
OC has to go. Can’t fire coach with best record and most consistent with playoff appearances. Need better faster RB. Birds do not need much to be top tier. Somethings definitely needs to change or Mike Smith will quickly become the Bobby Cox of football. Thank you to Bobby at least for 1995!
Bob-Bob Baran
January 8th, 2012
7:33 pm
Falcons….Braves….what’s the difference? One and Done!! Typical in the ATL!
Season Ticketholder
January 8th, 2012
7:33 pm
Next year’s season tickets are available in section 216 row 9. Damn if i waste anymore money on this team.
phil
January 8th, 2012
7:33 pm
If we simply had 2 good pash rushers and a couple of more really good OL, we’d be quite good next year.
stendek
January 8th, 2012
7:33 pm
Official NFL rules state that a backward pass is a lateral. A lateral cannot be an incomplete pass since it is behind the line of scrimmage. Total BS officiating in favor of Steelers. Have seen at least three facemask violations on Pitt unseen by zebras. SUPRISE!
Gritz
January 8th, 2012
7:33 pm
I’m convinced at this point that Dimitroff, Les Snead, Mike Smith, Mularkey ans Van Gorder has no idea what they are doing.
They got so blinded by the early and unexpected success they had in ‘08 that the accountability lowered while the expectations rose to ridiculous heights.
I don’t see any fire or passion on this team.
They’re still the Atlanta Falcons and maybe always will be.
fatz
January 8th, 2012
7:33 pm
matty ice ought to watch tim tebow- learn a little bit about having some heart. its more than being smart – you gotta want to be a football player. thanks mr dimitroff- you overpaid for ryan, julio jones, ray edwards, dunta-wanta-cover-nobody robinson, etc., etc., etc…. only tony gonzalez has worked out for you, but i’m sure you will rely on him 1 too many years…
Tom1
January 8th, 2012
7:34 pm
As a teenage fan from the Norm Van Brocklin days, I just want to say THANKS to Messrs. Smith, Mularky, Van Gorder, Dimitroff, Arthur Blank, Matt Ryan, Michael Turner, John Abraham, and the rest of the Falcons team and staff for another winning season and your best efforts. We know that there will be big changes in the off-season and I wish all of you well. Best regards.
Bob-Bob Baran
January 8th, 2012
7:34 pm
Let’s remember in ATL….we want a corporate professional environment on the team, in the locker room, and in the Community…….We don’t want any troublemakers…..
JIm
January 8th, 2012
7:34 pm
I’ve been a Falcons fan for 27 years….I quit….Go Dawgs
Nativebird
January 8th, 2012
7:34 pm
How much more proof do we Falcon fans need. This regime has maxed out. The coaching staff, while great guys, are not elite NFL coaches. They’re not aweful, they are just not good. The NFL is at pure parity in terms of athletes. It is coaching that separates the champions from the pack. Arthur has some big decisions to make. It is time.
Nola Cola
January 8th, 2012
7:35 pm
Way to “RISE UP”, Atlanta!!! Or should we say, more like “CRASH AND BURN” (lol)! Seriously, though — you guys really do kinda suck……..
katherine
January 8th, 2012
7:35 pm
Tom1
January 8th, 2012
7:34 pm
As a teenage fan from the Norm Van Brocklin days, I just want to say THANKS to Messrs. Smith, Mularky, Van Gorder, Dimitroff, Arthur Blank, Matt Ryan, Michael Turner, John Abraham, and the rest of the Falcons team and staff for another winning season and your best efforts. We know that there will be big changes in the off-season and I wish all of you well. Best regards.
No, thank you for your thoughtful post
phil
January 8th, 2012
7:35 pm
Paranoia in the ranks.
Sad.
Season Ticketholder
January 8th, 2012
7:35 pm
@phil. The problem is Matt Ryan.
MARK
January 8th, 2012
7:35 pm
GET RID OF MATT RYAN!!!!!
No Shock
January 8th, 2012
7:35 pm
Mr Blank’s comments disturb me the most. This year was clearly a step backwards and will become evident when 25-30% of season tickets are dropped. This season started and ended poorly with an average middle. This team never won any game of consequence this year yet this is not a step back? I and tens of thousands of fans beg to differ sir.
Dawg79
January 8th, 2012
7:36 pm
I want someone besides the fans angry. I want to see “Matty Ice” get hot and blow his top. I want PASSION. Lose like it killed you, not the “oh well, we will be better next year” crap.