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
Chris
January 11th, 2012
1:30 pm
Wonder what the Jacksonville fans are thinking…
Luv 2 Hate Me
January 11th, 2012
1:31 pm
Falcons need to go after Kirby Smart for Defense Co. Throw the bank at him and it’s not like Blank doesn’t have the money. He needs to see if his defensive schemes can work in the NFL.
UGA 89
January 11th, 2012
1:36 pm
Not only Tampa game but what about the Jax game? The entire Jaguar defense was on IR. it was made up of entirely practice squad players and players off the street. We didn’t beat the Jags. There was nothing to beat.
smyrnaBob
January 11th, 2012
1:39 pm
They definitely needed somethings to change. Hope the new DC is not another Smith underling, but someone with fresh perspective to enhance what is already in place.
Najeh Davenpoop
January 11th, 2012
1:42 pm
“Wonder what the Jacksonville fans are thinking…”
Reaction seems mixed, but it’s hard to tell because apparently Jags fans spend more time talking about Tebow than their own team.
moorman
January 11th, 2012
1:52 pm
HUE JACKSON……………….. he worked wonders with palmer, ocho, and the other receivers up in cinncinatti, and had petrino’s offense headed in the right direction when he was here………
crackbaby
January 11th, 2012
1:55 pm
Would like to see an aggressive D coordinator – in the style of John Tenuta.
Offense needs someone who is innovative and also aggressive.
Falcons also need an O-line coach to teach and demand solid technique.
TenaciousD
January 11th, 2012
2:00 pm
This is the guy we need to be talking to for the OC job: Joe Lombardi
Quarterbacks; born June 6, 1981, Seattle. Tight end Air Force 1992-94. No pro playing experience. College coach: Dayton 1996-98, Virginia Military Institute 1999, Bucknell 2000, Mercyhurst 2002-05. Pro coach: Atlanta Falcons 2006, joined Saints in 2007.
TheAntiMe
January 11th, 2012
2:01 pm
The Jaguars hiring of Mularkey was a big surprise. I totally had him taking the vacated OC position at Alaska A&M. Go figure.
UGA 89
January 11th, 2012
2:09 pm
Najeh Davenpoop… Ur an idiot. Stick to basketball and worry about your Falcons. Have you ever been to Jacksonvile? I haven’t seen any championships from your team in Atlanta so stop worrying about other teams and worry about your beloved Falcons.
Rocky Mtn Falcon
January 11th, 2012
2:11 pm
The same people wanting Hue Jackson are probably those fans that want MV7 instead of Matty Ice. The Raiders offense was terrible. Not quite sure why the NFL is the only place someone can fail and still be considered for another job. Man I wish corporate america would take note. I’ve crushed every job I’ve ever had yet, I’ve never gotten a chance to be the CEO. Trying hiring someone who was sucessfull in their last job.
JSS
January 11th, 2012
2:18 pm
@ Davenpoop…
Wow, they are coming out of the dry rot like termites today!!!
Ichabod
January 11th, 2012
2:21 pm
Let’s hope MS and TD are having a good day when they decide….
UGA 89
January 11th, 2012
2:43 pm
JSS…
Re post @2:09
That goes for you too!
UGA 89
January 11th, 2012
3:04 pm
Go Jags!!!
jerry harrington
January 11th, 2012
3:11 pm
MM has been over thinking, made some stupid play calling. But Mat Ryan and his eyes are the key. He looks scared and un-confident. MM may have cause some of this with his over thinking or maybe he and Ryan just no longer connected. Send Ryan to dance class or something, maybe karate class he moves like a mule.
East Point Bully
January 11th, 2012
3:14 pm
My picks for coordinators:
Defense
Mike Singletary
Mike Nolan
Offense
Charlie Weiss
Hue Jackson
Any questions?
lamac66
January 11th, 2012
3:15 pm
He said maybe your QB is forced to throw the ball away (he mentioned how Matty was only sacked twice against the Giants but was under constant pressure), maybe he is forced to take the check down instead of going deep.
I’m glad Arthur stepped in.
Ok course he stepped in to protect Ryan. No one can criticize this QB. ANY of his shortcomings is the result of others.
JSS
January 11th, 2012
3:18 pm
Ha ha, when you learn how to spell and punctuate, send it my way!!!
lamac66
January 11th, 2012
3:20 pm
@ Rocky
Not quite sure why the NFL is the only place someone can fail and still be considered for another job. Man I wish corporate america would take note. I’ve crushed every job I’ve ever had yet, I’ve never gotten a chance to be the CEO.
Oh, and this doesn’t happen in coporate America! The good ole boy network exist there as well.
lamac66
January 11th, 2012
3:23 pm
I declare 790thezone 3pm show is the offical Ryan apologists conglomerate.
submariner
January 11th, 2012
3:27 pm
Best news I’ve heard since the safety on Sunday!
lamac66
January 11th, 2012
3:28 pm
CANT WAIT, we shall see who gets the blame next year
bobwhite
January 11th, 2012
3:58 pm
I hope you people are happy! After all..the previous O/C and D/C..all they did was Win!! Evidently most of you dogs were not around for all the losing years!
With the hiring of new people..Its a “crap shoot” at best..Welcome to more losing!
BullDogMike
January 11th, 2012
4:42 pm
Kirby Smart only holds title of D.C. at Bama. Everybody knows Saban is in charge of that defense. I think I would talk to Chavez the D.C. at LSU if I were the Falcons brass.
Hapless Falcons
January 11th, 2012
4:49 pm
Hapless Falcons….some things never change.
sainthiram
January 11th, 2012
4:57 pm
things are looking up for the failclowns- now they have to hire 2 people who just got fired . go figure!
TheAntiMe
January 11th, 2012
5:20 pm
Being that the only time the Falcons offense was able to gain any momentum this season was when Coach Mike Smith went to the No-Huddle Offense and Matt Ryan was calling the plays, the Jags fans better hope that Mike Mularkey has someone else other than himself calling the plays. If not, the Jags are totally screwed.
UGA 89
January 11th, 2012
7:13 pm
JSS…
I’m looking for grammar mistakes but can’t find any. Come up with something new. That’s an old standby. Oh yeah, I’m not a GT fan hence my name. You are just mad because I am right. The Falcons aren’t as special as the fans want to believe.
UGA 89
January 11th, 2012
7:19 pm
You must mean (Ur). Which stands for “you are”. Yes, I know the difference. Have you never texted before? Try being a realist instead of putting down others when they have an opinion that does not coincide with yours.
Salvador Hoshaw
January 11th, 2012
7:27 pm
I am still learning about ZUmba but so far I love what I see!
RICK IN JAX
January 11th, 2012
8:39 pm
DEL RIO HAS BEEN DISINTRESTED IN TEAM FOR YEARS . LAST COACH TO ARRIVE AND FIRST COACH TO LEAVE EACH DAY . BAD GAME DAY MANAGEMENT .
RICK IN JAX
January 11th, 2012
8:45 pm
JAGS WERE LAST IN LEAGUE IN OFFENSE . SO ANYTHING WILL BE INPROVEMENT!
Joe_Camel
January 11th, 2012
9:57 pm
June Jones for OC and Jerry Glanville for DC!
Eric C.
January 11th, 2012
10:35 pm
How is this for historical context?
Peyton Manning, 0-3 in first three playoff games…third playoff game lost 0-41.
JR from VR
January 11th, 2012
10:53 pm
I nominate Tom Clements QB coach at Green Bay for OC and Keith Butler linebackers coach at Pittsburgh for DC
JSS
January 11th, 2012
11:22 pm
UGA 89
January 11th, 2012
2:09 pm
“Najeh Davenpoop… Ur (I will even endeavor to express how wrong that usage happens to be in context-You’re next time) an idiot. Stick to basketball and worry about your Falcons. Have you ever been to Jacksonvi(l)le? I haven’t seen any championships from your team in Atlanta(;) so stop worrying about other teams and worry about your beloved Falcons.”
1998 NFC Champions just to refresh your memory…
By the way, have you really read any of my critiques of the Atlanta Falcons football organization over the last 7 years? No one is wearing rose colored glasses around here… And they weren’t fooled by that Thursday night farce in Week 15 at Georgia Dome.
Oh, i played enough in LaVilla visiting my cousins the Odoms growing up to always consider J-Ville special. Be more careful in who you try to disparage while being snarky…
I’ll let Davenpoop speak for him self… But he was commenting on football before he posted in the Hawks Blog… (Before 2006)
JSS
January 11th, 2012
11:25 pm
@ UGA89…
Tell Bradley to email you my reply to your little blurp from his filter. This is not an SMS platform, some keyboard shorthand is cute; your is not so much…
Jason
January 11th, 2012
11:30 pm
I will not blame either of the now departed Coordinators as the reasons for the teams failures, but I am glad both of them are gone. Van Gorder or BVG was carrying out Smitty’s decisions, he was calling the defense exactly how Smitty wanted it. Mularkey on the other hand had a much freeer rein, to call the plays on offense, except for decisions be Smitty to go for it on 4th and 1 even at his 29 or to use Ryan for the sneek, when the oline was getting pushed back all day.
With Mularkey gone Ryan will be exposed, it will be seen that it was not all Mularkey’s fault. A QB in this NFL has to be able to side step the rush at times thereby making the defensive player miss, and deliver the ball. He also has to be able to fit the ball in tight spaces at times, but Ryan has not done neither. The blame cannot all be on Ryan though, his protection has been terrible not only this year but for several years. Last year the line proved they could run block but not very good pass blocking.
Left tackle, Center and Right Guard are positions on the line that requires upgrade, and should be TD’s main focus in the offseason. There are other great needs, but building the line should be paramount. Later a FS must be found to replace Decoud and a DB for Owens.
TCCB
January 11th, 2012
11:40 pm
Go away Falcons; and take the Braves with you!!!!!!!
Jason
January 11th, 2012
11:58 pm
Dimitroff will look as good and as smart as his scouts will make him look. Are these the same scouts that have been with the Falcons from Dan Reeves tenure? TD and Arthur may want to consider replacing some of these guys, who are suppose to visit the schools and scout the talents not just in game situations on Saturdays and Thursday Nights but also in practice.
Did anyone watch tapes of Dante Robinson and Ray Edwards prior to giving them Arthur’s money?
It would seem that these scouts are playing too much golf when they go scouting and Arthur may need to look into their job descriptions now.
FalconJim
January 12th, 2012
1:49 am
Hey, JR from VR – I like that idea!!! Just might work!!! Get ‘er done, TD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
tyger
January 12th, 2012
3:18 am
Falcons Presser notes…
1. One positive, we’re not losing b/c of our owner…
2. They are in either in denial or boxed in, re. Matt Ryan…
3. All QBs are rushed in the playoffs, good ones buy time…
4. OL’s needed overhaul for 2 years, why try and bully Giants front 4?…
5. Team doesn’t need implosion, needs on-field leadership…
6. 3 yrs. in a row, Ryan’s had the “deer in the headlights look”…
7. That’s who he is, “no pocket presence”, he can’t feel it…
8. Is game too fast for him?…Others slip tacklers, not him…why???…
9. Hail Mary attempt, couldnt even get to endzone after 3 step windup…
10. There’s not a dink/dunk QB left in the tourney…only studs…
a. Saints – defense holds gets INTs, Ryan – nothing, punt…
b. Rothlisburger – one leg rally, TJ Yates – rookie win, Tebow – knuckleball win…
c. Ryan “0″ points…”0″ – don’t put it all on the O-line…
d. When he had time, he threw into the dirt, scared as hell…be honest!
RMikel58
January 12th, 2012
5:57 am
Someone’s garbage is another mans treasure. Van Gorder never thought coaching in the big leagues was this difficult. Not boys in those lockerooms. They cant be fired, they cant be talked down to or can they be kicked off the team.
Theyre suppose to be Professionals in the league. Where they know fundamentals of football. Blocking, tackling, and know all the angles of their respective positions.
What happened to the Ronnie Lotts, Fulton Kuykendall, Deion Sanders of this world?
Often pretty soft tacklers in the defensive backfields, these guy’s couldnt put a hit on a pile of dunn if you ask me.
Oh our LB’s and DL isnt that way but those thugs in the secondary are. None of them are infamous for hard hitting DB’s. Theyre only known to play dirty and foul.
Wow what a reputation to have.
Grimes is the only decent player in the secondary that atleast tries. Plus how in the world is it that you cant wrap up a player and bring him down instead of just trying to hit him down?
Revamp the secondary please!
I would not be hurt or need therapy if Atlanta got rid of Michael Turner. Fat, slow and stupid. Not a visionary runner, no speed, and no guts. He is a contract boy. He only thinks about when his contract renewal comes up that then he’ll play.
Our OL is atrocious…………. i’d rather them put prisoners from jail on the line then to see a bunch of soft, overweight, lineman then to block or protect Matt Ryan.
Matt Ryan has gone about as far as he can go. Getting no better or getting no worst. Not a tough QB like Rodgers or Drew Brees……….which is exactly what we need.
Their not gonna trade Matt Ryan so they need to revamp the entire OL and get a more faster and harder runner at RB than Turner.
If Matty doesnt have to scramble and can sit back in the pocket with protection then this fits him to a Tee.
Biggest problem is the OL and RB.
Should be an interesting Off Season.
ranjo
January 12th, 2012
9:28 am
It would appear the the Thursday night Jacksonville game was MM’s interview. That was the only game of the year thet our offense wasn’t offensive.
Matty Cold as Ice
January 12th, 2012
9:32 am
I think it is pretty simple. If MM REALLY believed in Ryan and thought he could actually IMPROVE, he probably would have stayed. This is more an indictment of Ryan’s lack of ability (0-3 in the playoffs), especially in big games.
Van Gorder probably saw the same thing on D. Great talent, but no “thinkers” and too many breakdowns (see Giants game) again, in big games. Lofton, Weatherspoon and DeCoud are solid overall, but “ME” players like Robinson really cause problems. William Moore is talented, but can’t stay on the field.
This team still had a chance at the division title, and got WAXED in New Orleans (on National TV) again in a BIG game. What was the score, 45-17?
merril hog
January 12th, 2012
12:29 pm
I think my top 3 for any OC or DC job would be 1.Mark Bradley 2.Colin Cowherd 3. Skip Bayless All 3 know everything, just ak them; they could straighten any team out, just ask them, they are the greatest, just ask them. Plus with so much knowledge you could hire as both OC,DC, and special teams co-ordinator, just ask them. Think of the the money you would have for players. But wait a minute, with their self-inflate ego’s would thier salary be more than the national debt?
Eric C.
January 12th, 2012
1:32 pm
RMikel58 —- “Biggest problem is the OL and RB.”
Yep
“Grimes is the only decent player in the secondary that atleast tries.”
Right on…and Hayden was doing well before he got hurt.
Woof woof
January 12th, 2012
1:35 pm
As a Dawg fan:Bobo to the Falcons PLEASE!
As a Falcon fan: Peyton to the Falcons PLEASE!
Eric C.
January 12th, 2012
1:36 pm
RMikel58, no joke about Turner…it is time to find a new #1. The guy was awesome running for the 80 yd TD against Tampa…but he is no longer a game-changer vs the better teams.