In hiring Koetter, Mike Smith deserves the benefit of the doubt
Slogan suggestion: His name is Dirk, and his responsiblity he won't shirk. (AP photo)
Flowery Branch – No, it doesn’t look so good: An offense that couldn’t manage a point in losing its playoff game has been handed to a man whose most recent unit finished last in the NFL. Why not hire Darrell Royal and have him install the Wishbone?
But here’s where we take a deep breath and say: Dirk Koetter isn’t as bad as all that. For what the Atlanta Falcons need in the year 2012, he’ll be better than Mike Mularkey. (Though you know that Jacksonville fans are thinking what we around here were wondering when the Jaguars made Mularkey their head coach: Is that team nuts?) And here’s where we must take a bunny-hop of faith.
At Falcons HQ Monday, Mike Smith stuck his head in the hallway where the media relations staff has its offices and was spotted by this correspondent, who posed three questions.
Is Koetter the guy he wanted? “Yes,” Smith said.
Is the head coach comfortable that Koetter is indeed the right guy? “Yes,” Smith said.
Is the head coach confident this offensive coordinator can lead the Falcons upward? “Absolutely,” Smith said.
And there you have it — yes, yes, absolutely. Skeptics among us will sneer: “So what did you expect him to say? ‘I hired a moron’?’ ” But ultimately every hire in every profession comes down to one thing: Do you trust the guy doing the hiring?
Me, I trust Mike Smith.
He knows Dirk Koetter (pronounced “Cutter”) better than you or I, having worked with him in Jacksonville in 2007. Smitty also knows his personnel better than you or I, having watched every move made in a practice or a game both live and on tape. The latest numbers don’t flatter Koetter, but let’s ask this: After seeing the Jaguars lose 41-14 here in December, where should that offense — with a rookie quarterback and receivers Falcons cornerback Dunta Robinson was overheard to call “jokes” — have ranked?
Another stat to consider: The 2010 Jaguars, as coordinated by Koetter and with a quarterback (David Garrard) who would subsequently be cut in training camp, finished 8-8 but outgained — by two yards over 16 games — a Falcons team that finished 13-3 and had Matt Ryan, Michael Turner, Roddy White and Tony Gonzalez.
With the Falcons, Koetter will have access to better players than he ever did in Jacksonville, and if he hadn’t managed to articulate a coherent vision regarding those players he wouldn’t have gotten the job. This is the biggest hire Smith has made since he first arrived, much bigger than having to replace Brian VanGorder as defensive coordinator. (The defense wasn’t the unit that grossly underperformed in the Meadowlands.) He didn’t hire Koetter because the guy once bought him lunch at Wendy’s. He hired Koetter because he believes this is the man he needs.
Speaking with the Atlanta media via a conference call Monday, Koetter said some of things you hoped he’d say: That he “believe(s) in the vertical [passing] game”; that he was prodded by Smith to make the Falcons “a better screen team” and that he’s “a big believer in the screen game.” He also extolled the virtues of offensive “balance,” which is as sexy as suggesting that veggies are good for you, but he also made a salient point.
Loading ...“It’s easy to say it’s a passing league and that defense doesn’t matter and running doesn’t matter,” Koetter said, “but look what happened this weekend.”
The Packers and Saints, the NFC teams who sling it best, were undone in the playoffs by more prosaic opponents. Koetter again: “Ask any defensive coordinator, and he’ll say the hardest thing to defend is balance.”
Little about Koetter’s background suggests he’s a stick-in-the-mud. He worked on a three-man staff with Andy Reid, who’s one of the NFL’s better schemers, at San Francisco State. As head coach, Koetter had consecutive 10-win seasons at Boise State before anybody cared about Boise State. He spent six seasons as Arizona State’s head coach, and the Pac-10 was always ahead of the national curve offensively. Also this: He has spent 25 years calling plays.
No, Smitty didn’t hire the mad scientist we around here were hoping he would, and yes, it looks a little funny for a team desperate to win a Super Bowl to turn to a guy whose staff got fired in Jacksonville, but let’s recall: In 2008 Mike Smith hired four assistants — Mularkey, Keith Armstrong, Terry Robiskie and Glenn Pires — who had just overseen a 1-15 season with Miami. That foursome helped the Falcons go 43-21 over the best four-year run in franchise history.
Lest we forget, Smith himself wasn’t the hottest name on the market four Januarys ago, but he has spent four seasons earning the benefit of the doubt. Here’s where we need to extend it.
By Mark Bradley
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254 comments Add your comment
Jeff
January 16th, 2012
7:04 pm
V- Point taken. But Saban isn’t a good wat to judge this. AL. has a great following with kids (atheletes) so do most big name colleges with kids. Can you actually say you have heard a kid or HS player say I grow up I want to play for TROY, GA State, Middle TN State, etc? No so they have a line of gifted athelets to chose from. Sure they ca
Sid
January 16th, 2012
7:05 pm
So if he wanted Koetter why didn’t he bring him 4 years ago?
Explosive Explosion
January 16th, 2012
7:11 pm
The Mike Smith Process
is still evolving.
Mark Bradley
January 16th, 2012
7:13 pm
Probably because Koetter already had a steady job. He was offensive coordinator of a Jaguars team that had gone 11-5 and beaten Pittsburgh in the playoffs.
Dirt E Byrd
January 16th, 2012
7:13 pm
I worry that Smith too often chooses familiarity over what would be best for his team. I want to believe that he chooses the team but he seems to be too high in control and less on letting others do their jobs.
We’ll see.
If this next year doesn’t get it done Mike will be done.
great recession
January 16th, 2012
7:15 pm
Can Saban go coach up the U.S. Congress ?
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
January 16th, 2012
7:16 pm
ff
January 16th, 2012
6:01 pm
YOUR belove TEBO and YRAPES had a defense which we couldn’t muster with VAN GORD HEAD who buy the way was let go from GA Southern. YEP GA. Southern.
Choke you need to go to the AINTS blog. I have read enough of your idiot comments this year.
__________________________________________________
4 years later and still MILKING the bad defense EXCUSE…HA HA HA
The defense was holding up their end, but CHOKE was so PATHETIC the defense got worn down with all the 3 and outs…………
Next excuse?
HA HA HA
redwave
January 16th, 2012
7:17 pm
MB–should read he knows his personnel better than “you or me” and not “you or I”. why can’t people get this right? “Me and my cousin” knows this just ain’t right!!
ValientOne
January 16th, 2012
7:18 pm
Personally, I think Koetter’s preference is to be pass first, like he was at ASU, where he finished in the top 20 in passing 5 out of 6 seasons. No easy feat.
At Jax, he was asked to develop an effective run game. Look at Maurice Jones, #1 in the NFL in yards per game in 2011. EVERYBODY knows JAX is going to run the ball, but year after, Koetter’s run scheme can’t be stopped.
And I really like the way he gets production, without the turnovers, a very difficult offensive feat to pull off, but he does it.
Look for the Falcons to be balanced, run game, AND ESPECIALLY pass game, to improve. Look for 30 points a game. Look for excellent ball protection at QB & RB.
Mark Bradley
January 16th, 2012
7:18 pm
Say the Falcons go 7-9 next season: Do you really think Blank would fire Smith after one losing season?
Sean Payton went 7-9 in 2007. He kept his job. Mike McCarthy went 6-10 in 2008. He kept his.
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
January 16th, 2012
7:18 pm
Jeff
January 16th, 2012
6:02 pm
CHOKE we can all tell your ethenic group. Go watch the Hawks.
_____________________________________________
And your point is?
What does my ethnicity have to do with 0-3 in the playoffs?
HA HA HA
Stinger2
January 16th, 2012
7:19 pm
Thanks for the reply Mark. On a Braves note, they just lost out on Seth Smith, who could have been a good pickup as a corner outfielder. The Rockies traded him to the Oakland A`s for a couple of so-so starters.
Mark Bradley
January 16th, 2012
7:20 pm
That’s wrong, redwave. He should know his personnel better than you or I know it. (The “know it” is implied, but you wouldn’t say “better than you or me know it,” would you?)
Mark Bradley
January 16th, 2012
7:21 pm
The Braves will be OK, Stinger2. Provided Hanson is OK. That’s the key to 2012.
redwave
January 16th, 2012
7:24 pm
This hiring is no different than the many coaches Bobby Cox employed. No matter who was giving him guidance his teams still strived for the 3 run homer. He didn’t care for the hit and run or suicide squeezes so he didn’t use them. Smitty can have all of the OC’s he wants and he will still run a conservative offense. It’s his team and he will always have his “yes” men with him.
Jeff
January 16th, 2012
7:27 pm
Choke-Did Vick and Shockley go to the playoffs? Is Shockley even in the NFL? Vick is a lot of hype. But he isn’t a true QB though I did root for him and enjoy watching him as a Falcon. I don’ think in a
ZACK
January 16th, 2012
7:27 pm
ATL LOSERS IN 2012!!!
ValientOne
January 16th, 2012
7:28 pm
Mark,
I thought Ryan looked strong in the hurry up, and that he looked bad when blitzed, so I like what Koetter’s going to do, without completely overhauling the offensive line to protect better on long developing plays (hard task), screens & draws will make teams think twice. And using the hurry up a lot more, will get more series per game, and more points, and tire teams out in the 4th quarter.
Mark Bradley
January 16th, 2012
7:29 pm
There’s a big difference between the way a baseball team is run and the way a football team works. The manager is essentially the only strategist in baseball. (Sometimes the pitching coach calls pitches.) In football the two coordinators call the offense and defense.
redwave
January 16th, 2012
7:30 pm
MB–You are correct sir and I sit here feeling downfallen. I did not add the implication which would make the statement correct. You are the professional and I should not try this at home. Alas, me thinks I will have another adult beverage. My apologies to you and yours.
Mark Bradley
January 16th, 2012
7:31 pm
The screen is the biggest weapon against a hard pass rush, ValientOne. I could never understand why Mularkey didn’t utilize it.
I know this makes me an armchair quarterback, but that part baffled me. And I’m pretty sure it confounded some people who work for the Falcons.
Mark Bradley
January 16th, 2012
7:31 pm
That’s OK, redwave. I’m wrong so often my default position is usually to ‘fess up.
rainman
January 16th, 2012
7:32 pm
Mark, I gotta say I’m a little suprised at how secure you think Smith is. If we go 7-9 next year, he may not be canned immediately, but the hot seat would become the ‘VERY hot seat’.
Jeff
January 16th, 2012
7:33 pm
Wow- 14 hours is too long. Need to go to bed.. But as I was saying. I don’t think Vick will win more playoffs games as Ryan will. Had he kept his nose clean and had kept the Falcons that I am a fan of out of all the trouble, things would be very different. But as the saying goes! it is what it is! And if you are a real Falcons FAN then this is could be a great hire given time.
Mularky I believe was gone either way hired or fired. Same with Gord Head. It is what it is.
Mark Bradley
January 16th, 2012
7:34 pm
We’re going to have to agree to disagree, rainman.
How many owners would even think about firing a coach whose winning percentage is .671?
Jeff
January 16th, 2012
7:34 pm
Mark- Do you have any iside info. or gut feeling on the DC search? Williams just left for STL and word is that Aint;s, Eaglenauts, and Falcons are in a bidding war for Spags.
Thanks
Mark Bradley
January 16th, 2012
7:35 pm
I think the Falcons would be happy with either Spagnuolo or Mike Nolan, Jeff.
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
January 16th, 2012
7:35 pm
@Jeff
Please define true quarterback.
Definition, not examples please
Mark Bradley
January 16th, 2012
7:36 pm
I don’t think VanGorder would have been fired. I think Mularkey would have.
ValientOne
January 16th, 2012
7:36 pm
There’s a lot of ways to handle the blitz, none of which the Falcons (or the Dawgs) did well this year.
1- Screens
2- Draws
3- Keeping in tight ends to block
4- keeping in 2 backs to block
5- shotgun
6- hot routes and better communication
7- short outlet receiver
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
January 16th, 2012
7:37 pm
Sorry guys but Spags is going back to Philly or New York, and Nolan is going to the Saints.
No high profile coaches wants anything to do with CHOKE
FalconFanInNC
January 16th, 2012
7:37 pm
If he knows that Tony Gonzalez’ position is TE and that Tony Gonzalez can catch the ball and understands that Tony Gonzalez, after catching the ball, will get six yards every time, then give him a shot.
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
January 16th, 2012
7:39 pm
QUARTERBACKS TO WIN IN THE PLAYOFFS AS A 1ST YEAR STARTER SINCE 2002:
Mike Vick
Big Ben
Flacco
Mark Sanchez
Yates
Tebow
Who’s missing from that list…………hmmmmmmmmmmmm……It’s coming to me…………
HA HA HA
Jeff
January 16th, 2012
7:46 pm
QB- Run this offense asRyan does, Leader on the field/locker room, put players in the proper position to make the correct play. (not that it always works) see Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, Joe Namith and others. and stay out of JAIL. among many other things a TRUE QB must do which your too guys couldn’t and have not accomplished
Not Hike-(Vick)— Oops my guy isn’t open I better run for my life as I just took 6 seconds to find my one guy.
Since you are a Shockley fan I will flatter you. Not holding the clip board and staying off the practice squad.
Now again don’t get me wrong when Vick was here I loved it. He was exciting and unpredictable. But we weren’t really going to go any where with him and the Eagles didn’t either. Vick isn’t a leader and is not a TRUE QB. But is very exciting to watch.
Jeff
January 16th, 2012
7:50 pm
Choke- Everyone of the QB’s you just listed has a defense that can stop someone. Isn’t that funny? We didn’t have a defense. We played soft zones. Which Van Gord Head loves. Auburn and or any college team will thrive with that philosiphy.
SirReal
January 16th, 2012
7:51 pm
I’m over it Mark. I have to give the benefit of the doubt. I honestly dont know much about Koetter and wont base what I know on what nerdy statiticians have to say. Sometimes the guy you least expect works out the best. I remember a lot of us wanted Rex Ryan to be the HC that year. We see how much of a mess their locker room and chemistry is now.
Honestly, I feel like DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR is the more important hire. Any word on anyone? Has anyone been interviewed yet? Probably so but they are keeping it hush hush like they said. I wanted Spags but I think Nolan might actually be the better man for the job. Either way, the Falcons have to get this hire right.
Jeff
January 16th, 2012
7:52 pm
I am out Falcons Fans. Good Hire not Great. I would like some info on DC though.
2012 here we come
Mark Bradley
January 16th, 2012
7:53 pm
I think there’s a decent chance Spagnuolo winds up here, SirReal.
SirReal
January 16th, 2012
8:01 pm
If so Mark, that would be tremendous. I’ve already heard from Saints fans who would HATE for us to land him.lol Thanks for getting back to me on that!!
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
January 16th, 2012
8:02 pm
Spags will be in high demand – why would he come here?
What is the incentive?
Jeff
January 16th, 2012
8:03 pm
Just read Tim Lewis is going to be the DC.
Phil Lunney
January 16th, 2012
8:16 pm
Mike Smith has given us 4 years of good football. Some great games, a few bad losses, but no excuses. He tries to be straightforward and his players seem to like him. Although it has been said that he is not a lot of fun (maybe the new OC adds a little comic relief). Maybe a lot was learned in the 2 week pre-season to help prepare the team for the new coaching changes. Good luck Smitty, it will be a busy off season.
32 of 32
January 16th, 2012
8:25 pm
jaguars==32 of out 32 in nfl offense. now he’s going to make a couple of mil coaching atl! nice to be friends with the head coach.
Eric C.
January 16th, 2012
8:25 pm
Peyton Manning, 0-3 in first three playoff games and lost 0-41 in last game
Hairy Dawg
January 16th, 2012
8:26 pm
The Falcons needs to draft the future in Orson Chalres. Gonzo is long in tooths but probably has another year. Then we need more Dawgs on team which shows how Dawgs talent wins in NFL.
NtheNo
January 16th, 2012
8:28 pm
Typical loser falcon hire – i’m done with um’.
Daniel
January 16th, 2012
8:37 pm
Last year they threw tons of screens to Snelling
Who usually made something happen
What happened to that?
Groundhogday
January 16th, 2012
8:42 pm
Good point Daniel………they also did the year before when Turner was hurt.
South Georgia
January 16th, 2012
9:04 pm
The Falcons greatest need is to trade for a “big game” quarterback. Ryan melts every time a moment is large or a defensive lineman gets within five feet of him.
jerry
January 16th, 2012
9:09 pm
He better have a herd out in front if he screens to Turner. He’s about as agile as a 2×4.