Those lucky Falcons: Mike Mularkey goes to Jacksonville
Double M leaves! Touchdown! (AJC photo by Curtis Compton)
The Jacksonville Jaguars, for reasons unclear, have hired Mike Mularkey as head coach. That means the Atlanta Falcons lucked out. They’ve been spared having to fire him as offensive coordinator.
The belief here was that Double M, as he’s known, wasn’t going to be retained, but that’s not to say the decision would have been painless. The Falcons won a lot of (regular-season) games with Mularkey overseeing the offense, and it’s never easy to break a winning pattern even if you know the pattern needs breaking.
Moot point now, though. Mularkey is gone, same as defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder. The Falcons have two key hires to make this offseason, and the offensive position is surely the more important. In the end, offensive failings undid this talented aggregation. The Falcons need to find a man who could make these glittering pieces more of a whole.
Mike Martz is a name that keeps surfacing, but I might look first to Rick Neuheisel, who was just fired as UCLA’s head coach but who’s an offensive man by trade and who worked as coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens. That’s just a first look, though. There are a handful of good men out there whose addition would constitute an upgrade.
The Falcons, I say again, lucked out. A staleness had come over this coaching staff. That’s inevitable after four years together, and now the team gets to change on both offense and defense without having to fire anybody. Auburn and Jacksonville came calling at the right time, Jacksonville especially. Time now for Smitty and Thomas Dimitroff to make the most of this opportunity. Time to hire even better coordinators.
By Mark Bradley
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465 comments Add your comment
Saints R.E.A.M.
January 11th, 2012
9:11 am
Gbal – Vick didn’t put his heart into it off of the field – his preparation sucked.
But on the field he played with his heart out there…. There are guys that can just play and never were any good at preparation or didn’t know how…because they never had to due to god-given talent….I think Vick falls into that category.
Falcons Fan
January 11th, 2012
9:11 am
We all get to really see how good Dimitroff is (or not) this offseason when it comes to free agency. Falcons have a lot of decisons to make. So far his record is pretty bad especially with the Robinson and Edwards signings. I think TD gets a pass in this town when it comes to accountability and I am not sure why
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
January 11th, 2012
9:11 am
@Falcons4Never
0-3 in the playoffs and shut out
AlpharettaGuy
January 11th, 2012
9:12 am
REAM, good comment. Gbal, I think Vick didn’t put his heart in it in game prep and off the field. On the field, he went for it. It’s the opposite with Ryan.
Jarrett
January 11th, 2012
9:12 am
No Hue Jackson please. Just reminds me of Petrino the punk too much.
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
January 11th, 2012
9:13 am
CHOKE could get a tuto and still SUCK
shortcircuit
January 11th, 2012
9:13 am
It’s about time!!! With all that talent not to score a point is a bunch of “Malarkey”
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
January 11th, 2012
9:15 am
Don’t forget to watch Flacco’s journal to the Superbowl
PMC
January 11th, 2012
9:15 am
They need to develop an offense that gives Matt time at the line to read the defense, maybe even stay in the no huddle primarily and get the ball out of his hand quickly.
We have reached a point where we are going to have to throw in order to do what they really want to do run.
Short quick passes across the middle have been very effective for this team, not sure why Mularkey bascally ran the Danny Ford (strait through the middle of the line) Clemson offense so much of the year.
It’s bad when you can think of only about 3 plays that were creative or inventive and worked.
The Quizz TD against Carolina was one of the best play calls all year, don’t know why it was such a struggle for them to break out of the 3 yards and a cloud of dust mold. It’s not 1985 anymore.
tjhook
January 11th, 2012
9:16 am
How do Falcon fans feel about trading Ryan to a bottom feeder for an opportunity to draft RGIII?!
Coach Killer
January 11th, 2012
9:16 am
It due time all realize that Matt Ryan is a coach killer. I guarantee the Jags offense will throw the ball down the field more than ATL.
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
January 11th, 2012
9:16 am
I look forward to next season.
@Mrs Charlie
I know you are reading these posts you COWARD
CRO-MAGNON MAN
January 11th, 2012
9:17 am
NOW IT’S SURE FIRE SUPER BOWL WIN. IT’S NEVER THE PLAYERS, ALWAYS THE COACHES…
Falcons4Eva
January 11th, 2012
9:17 am
@ Saints R.E.A.M.
Is it not enough for you (and the other trolls) to be happy your Saints are still in the playoff playing? Why are you guys STILL discussion FALCONS?
@ CHOKE and other VICK supporters – VICK is NOT coming back here! Thank Goodness. Get over it. Must suxs that you can’t come tailgate anymore at the DOME and support your team. (I know deep down inside you, you really love the Falcons. Your comments are just a CRY for attention.
I bet you anything…if RG3 was here you’d be BACK on board. That tells me a lot about you and your character.
orlando Dawg
January 11th, 2012
9:18 am
Falcons need to call Mike Nolan for the DC job
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
January 11th, 2012
9:18 am
@Coach Killer
These coaches are jumping ship faster than the Titantic
Gator in Enemy Territory
January 11th, 2012
9:18 am
Mark:
Hue Jackson from the Raiders. He has passion, and look what he did to that franchise in his time there.
Let’s bring him in!
Peyton Manning
January 11th, 2012
9:18 am
How do Falcon fans feel about trading Ryan to a bottom feeder for an opportunity to draft RGIII?!
—————————-
How about we trade him for Peyton Manning. All the pieces are in place. We just need someone that isn’t afraid to take chances down field.
CRO-MAGNON MAN
January 11th, 2012
9:20 am
It’s all about selling tickets anyway…
Chad
January 11th, 2012
9:20 am
Thank God! These two moves have made my whole week!
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
January 11th, 2012
9:20 am
24-2
45-17
47-21
Those are not lottery numbers……………..
HA HA HA
JSS
January 11th, 2012
9:20 am
Neuheisel is the one that should be attacked more than Jackson. His last 2 years in Baltimore were a diaster. He did not coach up McNair, Boller, or Troy Smith. The only thing that kept him from being canned with the rest of the staff that year was the UCLA hiring. He’s left a trail of wrecked careers and promises where ever he’s landed.
Donaldo
January 11th, 2012
9:21 am
Thank goodness, how lucky can you get. Now go out and hire a first rate, proven OC, QB coach, & DC.Take your time, be deliberate, and get it right.
phil
January 11th, 2012
9:22 am
Wonderful news!
Hire anyone! It can’t be much worse than Sunday’s zero….
Stop the Nonsense
January 11th, 2012
9:22 am
I’m heard Theisman on the radio this morning and he said only difference between Matt Ryan and Drew Brees is Jimmy Graham. Are you kidding me? He also said that Atlanta fans should be patient and look at how far the team has come. This is where outsiders just don’t get the frustration of an Atlanta sports fan. Besides the Braves in 1995, we’ve experienced 45 years of disappointments, disasters, epic collapses, primetime meltdowns, bad owners, teams leaving town, etc………. When Blank bought the Falcons, he had to lure fans back through low prices and commitment to winning a Super Bowl. 9 years later we have a better team but nowhere in the realm of what Blank promised. If anything, fans see the team heading more in the direction of years past versus getting closer to the Super Bowl. In addition, it’s a tough economy and a day at the Ga Dome doesn’t come cheap. If this was Buffalo, the recent progress made by the team would garner some attention. In Atlanta, we need to see a realistic road to the Super Bowl before we’ll get on board again. This is the only way to repair the damage done over the last 45 years.
d.carter
January 11th, 2012
9:23 am
HELLO YOU BLAME MULARKY BUT:
I see Matt making call changes at the line so is that Mularkys fault?
Mularky does not tell matt where to throw the ball.
WE DIDNT SCORE ON OFFENSE!!!
Sonnty Clusters
January 11th, 2012
9:24 am
Stinky Wintes
JSS
January 11th, 2012
9:26 am
And for all of decrying Hue Jackson because of Petrino; I bet most of you would not raise an eyebrow if Mike Zimmer was brought back… But here’s the good news. after their first experience here, why would Jackson want anything to do with the Atlanta Falcons? You people think everyone has the heart of an mercenary!
Terrell
January 11th, 2012
9:26 am
Dominic Hughes
You’re right about Houston and the 5 picks, but he’s still getting beat like he did in Atlanta. He just has a better d-line in front of him to help him. Trust me, I live in Detroit, I see the games.
PMC
January 11th, 2012
9:28 am
The names that I’ve seen for OC in this town I don’t get.
What about Tom Clements? What about Pete Carmichael?
JB
January 11th, 2012
9:28 am
Questions maybe Mark could address:
1. Wasn’t Bratkowski brought in here in case Mularkey got hired? Why wouldn’t it be him? Mind you, if it actually is Bratkowski then my initial response is “meh.”
2. Wouldn’t it be possible to use one coordinator position to leverage the other in order to get two great ones? That is, maybe an out of work DC out there is interviewing for the Falcons, but is mulling over other opportunities. Wouldn’t Smitty want to be able to say “The reason you want to coach here is that we are about to sign [insert name of S*** Hot OC], so you know we’ll be able to control the ball, put up points, generally make your job easier, etc?” It would also work the other way (e.g. “This DC we just hired is going to be able to get off the field on 3rd down and keep the score down.”).
3. Is this the time to go to 3 – 4 defense? Lots of free agents are up, but only 5 draft picks. But then again, there are lots of names out there that coach the 3 – 4. Will Smitty and TD limit themselves to only the 4 – 3 or is this a good time to retool to meet the challenges of Brees, Newton & Freeman?
4. Why Mike Martz? Wouldn’t he just get Ryan killed the way he got Cutler killed behind the O Line?
Interested in answers to that stuff, of course. Thanks for the job you do, Mark!
DC
January 11th, 2012
9:29 am
haha Falcons4eva tell us to do something and he does exactly what he told us not to do…
Terrell
January 11th, 2012
9:30 am
We need a better oline. I don’t care what OC you bring in this Oline is not consistent enough. Yes they don’t give up a lot of sacks but they give up hurries and hits. If it wasn’t for Ryan throwing the ball away or the quick passes there would’ve been more sacks.
Our Dline doesn’t get enough pressure consistently. You could bring in Gregg Williams and we still wouldn’t be good because our Dline is not consistent enough. We need more bulk on both lines.
mark
January 11th, 2012
9:30 am
It seems clear to me that we need a throw first guy and find out if Matt Ryan is the guy to take us all the way. I like the kid I think he is tough minded and works hard at his trade, but results matter and his results in big games is not good. If we change philosophies to pushing the ball up the field which we have to do we will find out in the next 3 years if he is the guy, otherwise if not then time to start over but I am willing to give him the next 3 years to prove me right. Let Turner go, resign Grimes and Lofton and find an OG in free agency move Hawley to Center and draft a rb in 3rd or 5th rd. The pain is still deep from Sunday but in the last 3 days I feel optimistic.
Tommy
January 11th, 2012
9:31 am
Al Grogh
Foosball
January 11th, 2012
9:31 am
Kappa101 – Please READ my post again. I did not say anything about not hiring a minority – in fact I said to hire the best man for the job REGARDLESSS of (that means WITHOUT PAYING ATTENTION TO) minority status. How can you possibly construe that as “not considering a minority”? My statement is EXACTLY OPPOSITE of that! WE SHOULD HIRE THE BEST MAN FOR THE JOB, PERIOD. Is that concept simple enough for you to grasp? Minority status should have NOTHING, ZERO, NADA to do with it!! Secondly, I did not call MM and BVG the best – I simply wished them the best. There is a huge difference there. Can you grasp that concept as well?
JSS
January 11th, 2012
9:31 am
But I will say one good thing for Neuheisel. He’s bad; but he better than Bratkowski!!!
FILA
January 11th, 2012
9:32 am
Hey Mark,
Can you give us a list of possible OC and DC that are on the market?
jb
January 11th, 2012
9:33 am
TD & Smith knew this for a few weeks…They know who they want and may have to get permission to talk to them. Just a matter of time.
Treeofwoe
January 11th, 2012
9:35 am
Go get Holgorsen from West Virginia. Led more than one college program’s offense from obscurity to top 10. He adapts to talent. He gets results in a short time period. This isn’t based on the Clemson game. Go out and look at his body of work. I’d at least interview him.
All I'm Saying Is....
January 11th, 2012
9:36 am
FILA: You will have to do your own research as Bradley rarely actually does any real work—just taps out a blog or two.
Theoretically, every NFL and/or major college OC is available and, on one level, you want to consider those at the helm of high scoring teams. I say find out who is Sean Payton’s right hand in New Orleans and give him a chance to run our offense. Clearly, they have something in place that works even for a QB lacking a strong arm.
LET’S GO FALCONS!
Treeofwoe
January 11th, 2012
9:36 am
By the way Mike Leach is still out there unhired.
ghostwriter
January 11th, 2012
9:37 am
My dream choices would be: Hue Jackson for OC and Jack Del Rio for DC
I doubt either will happen, but it’d be nice to hand the offense over to Hue, who has had a lot success, while Smith and Del Rio, who know each other, can work on the defense.
Lpac74
January 11th, 2012
9:37 am
Todd Haley would be a great OC!!
Lpac74
January 11th, 2012
9:38 am
Treeofwoe, Leach was hired over a month ago at Washington State
Treeofwoe
January 11th, 2012
9:39 am
Scratch that…he got hired in November in Washington State….I’d still interview him if he was open to it
Treeofwoe
January 11th, 2012
9:40 am
Yeah thanks Lpac I must have missed that over the holidays. We were doing home renovation.
Falcons4Eva
January 11th, 2012
9:42 am
Bottom Line Falcons Fans (and anyone left standing to defend Mike Mularkey)
Lost @ Chicago Bears
L 30-12
Lost @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
L 16-13
Lost vs. Green Bay Packers
L 25-14
Lost @ Houston Texans
L 17-10
Lost @ New Orleans Saints
L 45-16
Lost @ New York Giants
L 24-2
These loses are ALL the offense. Our average points scored in these loses were 11 points per game. There is no damn excuse for a team with Matt Ryan, Roddy White, Tony Gonzalez, Michael Turner, Julio Jones and Harry Douglas, and Jaquiz Rogers should score anything less than 21 points per game.
The fact of the matter is, In addition to Mike Smith should be held accountable too (along with Mike Mularkey)….if Sean Payton, Mike McCarthey, Bill Bilicheck had this very same team, No way in hel! do we not score more than 11 points in each of those game. Surely we would have gotten more out of this offense than what we’ve gotten thus far. It was time for a change.
Whom ever comes in as the offensive coordinator go to do a better job than that.
jb
January 11th, 2012
9:42 am
Packers OC Joe Philbin is also available….he interview for Chief’s job
O'Brien
January 11th, 2012
9:42 am
I am a Matt Ryan fan. But I dont think the Falcons organization realize/will admit that Matt is not as good as they thought he would be in year 4.
That being said, I think Ryan is still good enough to help this team win a SB. Rex Grossman went to a SB with Chicago, Neil O’Donnel went to a SB with Pittsburgh, Trent Dilfer won a SB in Baltimore, Tampa’s QB when they won with one of the Johnson’s (was it Brad?).
They key is to have the right pieces around him (line, and defense), and the right coaching staff, because he is still a top 12 QB (imo).