The Falcons had to change to move forward, and they have
The man in the white shirt has had a busy New Year. (AJC photo by Curtis Compton)
Flowery Branch – Even as we grouse about recent results, we need to step back and admire the broader view. If, in the dark days of January 2008 — Michael Vick in jail, Bobby Petrino in Arkansas, the franchise in tatters — someone had said, “The Falcons’ next staff will win 67.2 percent of its games over the next four years and make the playoffs three times,” we’d have taken it in a Meadowlands minute.
But that was then, and now is rather different. And now is why the doings of January 2012 have been essential to the continued growth of a team described by Mike Nolan, its new defensive coordinator, as “very close” to its “ultimate goal.”
The staff Mike Smith assembled in 2008 served the Falcons well, but it had reached the point of diminishing returns. The 10-6 season just completed was the first of past four that could be construed as a reversal. Had Mike Mularkey and Brian VanGorder and Paul Boudreau done slipshod work all along, the Falcons wouldn’t have spent the last week seeking new coordinators — they’d have been searching for a new head coach. But there comes a time where better is required.
Over those four seasons, the Falcons got good enough for us to feel disappointed that they weren’t even better, and the 2011 season told us that better wasn’t apt to be forthcoming if this staff remained intact. The offense was out of plumb. The defense couldn’t pressure the passer. The O-line didn’t push the opponent backward on three galling fourth-and-1’s (once against New Orleans, twice against the Giants).
Some of that has to do with personnel, sure, but the Falcons happen to like their personnel. (Most of it, anyway.) The in-house belief entering the playoffs was that this team had enough talent to play beyond Round 1 and even Round 2, and one awful Sunday in New Jersey made it clear that talent was no longer being maximized.
The Falcons got lucky in that they didn’t have to fire Mularkey, the offensive coordinator, or VanGorder, the defensive man. We’ll never know now, but the belief here is that Mularkey would have been fired had he not become Jacksonville’s head coach but that VanGorder, who left for Auburn, wouldn’t have. Boudreau, the line coach, was fired Tuesday. Thus were the Falcons positioned to build Staff of Smitty 2.0.
We cannot pretend to know how this will play out, but early impressions are that the Falcons have upgraded: Dirk Koetter, whose addition has been locally lampooned, should be able to find uses for these offensive players that Mularkey, who was stubborn to excess, could or would not, and Nolan has a better history as an NFL coordinator than VanGorder. (The Falcons haven’t hired Boudreau’s replacement, but whoever takes the job will surely be tasked with rendering a finesse-type line more forceful.)
There was cause to believe the old staff had peaked; there’s no cause to believe this team has. Speaking with Atlanta reporters on a conference call Wednesday, Nolan said of his new employer: “The big picture looks very good.”
Nolan has recently espoused the 3-4 defense, but he noted that half his 14 seasons as an NFL coordinator were spent coaching the 4-3. During his interview, Nolan was asked by Smith to view tape and relate his “vision” for these defenders. Nolan’s verdict: “The track they’ve been on [meaning the 4-3] is a good one.”
Of even greater importance than scheme is the importation of new voices, new methods. Through three seasons there was no crying need for Smith to shuffle staff because the team was winning at what was, by Falcons’ standards, a dizzying rate. The only dizzying part of 2011 was how ordinary this gifted team looked when matched against comparable opposition.
It’s not easy to change when you’re winning — ask Mark Richt — but the Falcons’ underperformance of 2011 proved that status quo would no longer suffice. They could and should have done better. They needed a jolt. Two new coordinators and a different O-line coach should do the trick.
Next season won’t be business as usual, and it couldn’t have been if the Falcons expected to reap more than another one-and-done postseason. This hasn’t been the easiest January of Smith’s tenure — on the contrary, it has been the trickiest — but there’s no easy way to win a Super Bowl. Over the past few days, he has nudged his team a bit closer to that ultimate goal.
By Mark Bradley
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
129 comments Add your comment
slydog
January 18th, 2012
3:47 pm
You didn’t hear the news? He just Kirkpatrick just got popped for smoking in his car…lmao. Justin Houston dropped from sure 1st rounder to 3rd round. So it can happen.
Ivan
January 18th, 2012
3:56 pm
Mark, you’re making the roster sound much better than they actually are. It wasn’t just the O-line coach, it was practically the entire O-line.
O-line couldn’t protect Ryan.
O-line couldn’t get a yard.
O-line couldn’t block on a screen.
Receivers dropping passes.
Ryan overthrowing receivers.
3rd down efficiency on Defense.
All these were on the coaches? Sorry, no. Not buying it. The players weren’t playing up to playoff caliber standards.
But it’s over now. Old coaches are gone, new ones in. But if the Falcons go 8-8 next year and miss the playoffs, then what?
rollo lawson
January 18th, 2012
4:02 pm
Dirtybirdsin 12 and Great Falconi, Thanks for that. I was thinking we gave that up in the Julio trade. Man I feel better now!!!
bobby
January 18th, 2012
4:03 pm
MR. BRADLEY BOTH YOU AND I KNOW THAT THE FALCONS DON’T HAVE ANY TALENT ON THE OFFENSIVE LINE. MR. BRADLEY FIRING THE O-LINE COACH ISN’T GOING TO HELP AT ALL AND LET’S FACE IT AND YOU AND I KNOW THIS IT DOES’NT MATTER WHO THE FALCONS GET TO COACH THE O-LINE UNTIL THEY GET FIVE NEW BETTER PLAYERS ON THE O-LINE, WHAT YOU SEE IS WHAT YOU GET DOES’NT MATTER WHO COACHES THAT OFFENSIVE LINE. MR. BRADLEY, THE PREVIOUS O-LINE COACH HAD NO TALENT TO WORK WITH AND THAT CAUSED HIM HIS JOB.
DawgFan
January 18th, 2012
4:16 pm
People keep taking shots at the choice of Koetter for OC, but think about this…in Jacksonville, Koetter had ONE dependable offensive weapon (MJD). In Atlanta, he’ll have FIVE or SIX weapons (Ryan, Roddy, Julio, Turner, Quizz, and Gonzalez(if he stays)).
Opie Taylor
January 18th, 2012
4:16 pm
MB, Are you an objective reporter or the Falcons PR Officer? What did you expect Nolan to say about Mike S,mith’s 4-3 Scheme after they hired him. Typical, another Yes Man! I am referring to this quote from your article.
Nolan has recently espoused the 3-4 defense, but he noted that half his 14 seasons as an NFL coordinator were spent coaching the 4-3. During his interview, Nolan was asked by Smith to view tape and relate his “vision” for these defenders. Nolan’s verdict: “The track they’ve been on [meaning the 4-3] is a good one.”
Yes the track is so good that they have been blown out by every single team above 500 and 0-3 in the playoffs. Total BS. Would you buy stock from a company that loses a million dollars a day? shareholder
QB/DB
January 18th, 2012
4:29 pm
That is a problem the Falcons think they have the talent to go to the SUPER BOWL. They don’t, they are at least 5 players 2 high impact short.
jerry
January 18th, 2012
4:35 pm
Defense: Disrupt-Disorder-Destroy……………..Drew Brees.
AlanFalcon
January 18th, 2012
4:37 pm
Don’t forget Koetter, he is of a different mine set than MM, he will put some zip into the offense that we all are going to appreciate. Good luck Dirk !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Stan
January 18th, 2012
4:47 pm
Still can’t believe they would hire mm as head coach. What idiot ownership
ernisTbass
January 18th, 2012
4:56 pm
So now we get to see if these guys can make cheekin salad from cheekin sheet, it will be interesting to see what players with health questions but great character will be added to the recipe. Let me see Peria Jerry or Ziggy Hood???? Owens, Middleton, Baker,you get the point.That Boley guy that sacked Ryan looked good, glad we got rid of him. I remember watching the draft and TD passing on Jason Pierre-Paul, can’t remember who he took instead but he has spent lot’s of time on IR I would imagine.
trademark
January 18th, 2012
5:04 pm
Is it just me being bloodthirsty, or do anyone else think that the Receivers coach (Terry Robiskie) and D-line coach (Ray Hamilton) also need to go? Those units were AWFUL this last year, with White leading the league in drops, Julio dropping game winners, and our D-Line getting NOTHING in terms of pressure on the QBS. I mean, Hamilton is probably safe, he coached with Smith at J-Ville, and we all know that is practically guaranteed job security in Atlanta….but still….
All I'm Saying Is....
January 18th, 2012
5:21 pm
Time is over for talking, 2012-2013 season is time for winning — regular season and playoffs. Don’t care anymore who has been hired or who will be drafted: in the name of future HOF Tony Gonzalez, let’s win now baby!
LET’S GO FALCONS!
Bipolardawg
January 18th, 2012
5:31 pm
I still dont believe just yet falcons can be contender again, better or worse well wait and see.
Bob
January 18th, 2012
5:36 pm
Good article Mark, but to change and to improve are not always the same.
Von G
January 18th, 2012
5:50 pm
i say seek grimes and lofton and douglas abraham is solid but too old get some experienced, new and young talent
BigHittas
January 18th, 2012
5:54 pm
they’d better find someone to play RG while they’re at it.
Opie Taylor
January 18th, 2012
5:55 pm
QB/DB, you are correct, these guys are delusional if they think that they have the personell to compete with anyone. The OL is a total joke! His CBs are too small, LB’s to slow, other than Weatherspoon. What would you expect TD to say? He drafted this marginal talent. He put up his black dots and removed the best palyers availble. Mularkey, Van Gorder, and the OL Coach are being blamed for coaching the way Mike Smith asked them to coach. He is their boss!! They could not implement anything without his approval, in fact, the offensive plays each game has Mike Smith’s name all over them.
Mike Smith is also a culprit of selecting marginal talent and expecting pro bowl performances, there is a reason for a person to be selected in the 5th-7th rounds, the are below average players who needs to be developed. At what point will the leader of this team Mike Smith accept responsibility for this season? Last time I reviewed the Falcons Website it stated that Mike Smith was the Head Coach, not Brian Van Gorder, not Mike Mularkey, not the OL Coach. The failure is his and his alone!!
Everyone in the AJC Blogs are surprised by Alex Smith’s season, don’t be misled, this kid was selected first overall in 2005 for a reason, he is talented, he performed at a high level at Utaj for Urban Meyer before the Tim Tebow era began in Floirida. My point, Alex Smith finally has a stable Coach, Jim Harbbaugh, whom played the position at the University of Michigan and Mike Ditka and the Chicago Bears. He developed a scheme for the kid to excell and he let the kid play. Mike Singletary is good on defense, but he is a horrible Head Coach aka Wade Phillips, Great Defensive Coordinator, lousy Head Coach.
Fred Macmurray
January 18th, 2012
5:58 pm
Spotted SeenThisBfoe on the espn nfc south blog today crying with all his Aints buddys. What a Coward… If he had half a sack he would come on here a take it like a man…
Stinger2
January 18th, 2012
6:04 pm
Maybe the coaching changes will help the Falcons move closer to a title (Mark`s last sentence above). However,
coaches can only do so much. They have to have the right players which is the responsibility of the GM. In turn, the players must preform like they want to be winners.
RedandBlackPeachy
January 18th, 2012
6:18 pm
The Falcons may not do much in the draft but are positioned to do things in free agency. I wouldn’t worry about Carolina this year as their cap situation is very tricky and they have some real needs that they probably won’t be able to address financially. And like or love Smitty and/or Dimitroff, in 4 years they have the fanbase disappointed with winning season. Imagine that…winning seasons are no longer good enough. Getting to the playoffs is no longer good enough. I absolutely agree with that (I was livid and crushed after the Giants game is a mild way to describe my feelings), when you step back and look, they have created the environment for the very expectation we feel. I have been a fan of football since I was a kid and my Dad before that. Falcon football is the only football I have known and embraced but this is unprecedented. Part of the path of success is changing the culture, the expectation. So when putting things in perspective, we are enjoying some level of success. Now that being said…I expect a Superbowl very, very soon. Wouldn’t it be great to win it in NO’s backyard next year? I’m just sayin’….
Joe
January 18th, 2012
6:23 pm
Smitty, BTW you are on notice for the 2012 season…so making us the Jacksonville Falcons may not be in your best interest!
tvradioguy
January 18th, 2012
6:25 pm
Speaking of Mark Richt, I think we are way past the point where BoBo’s play calling has peaked. Definitely time for a fresh set of eyes and scheme.
Greg
January 18th, 2012
6:35 pm
It’s interesting that Mark Bradley consistently thinks we have a team with exceptional talent; yet as I read the posts by the fans, most of us don’t think so. We have some very good players, but also too many average and below-average players. We don’t think a coaching change will fix things. We need to upgrade talent at several positions. I don’t mean we have to “tweak.” “Over-haul” is maybe too strong a word, but probably something in between those two.
Bill
January 18th, 2012
6:40 pm
Good job Mark..that would also apply to Braves.
Glad Falcons made the moves, Cutter and Nolan will do very well. Looking forward to seeing the new everything they bring to O & D…time to get’re done!
Bill
January 18th, 2012
6:42 pm
Was wishing DK would bring Ernest Byner with him to coach running backs.
72 Million Bust
January 18th, 2012
6:46 pm
Cant move a limo with a honda driver.
DUMP THE BUST!
phil
January 18th, 2012
7:15 pm
GTT
January 18th, 2012
2:36 pm
How long before JSS trolls in with his gloom and doom?
******
Well….
He’s usually pretty close to right.
phil
January 18th, 2012
7:24 pm
George Stein
January 18th, 2012
2:56 pm
Go on YouTube and watch the “America’s Game” story of the 2006 Colts. The parallels are remarkable, up to a bunch of whiny, spoiled fans complaining because they haven’t won a Super Bowl every single season.
The Falcons are fine. Exhibit a bit of patience and you may find yourself rewarded.
********
It’s the same George Stein who thought the Braves were ” fine” too.
How’d that go for us, George?
yo Vince
January 18th, 2012
7:54 pm
Dre Kirkpatrick will be gone bye bye. Like #15. We gotta get rid of Dunta, Beirchic, and Turner. I have always been a Burner fan. but he still has value and can be replaced with younger faster. Baker must go! Period. Jerry didn’t pan out either. Douglas needs 1 more chance to make some noise and that’s it. We gotta get someone at safety and DB that can run support and stop the 3rd and 20 crap. I love our linebackers, Matty had a record year. Roddy needs stickum. Julio is about to blow the freak up, I can tell ya that. Had he played every game, he would be givin Cam a run for Rookie of the year. Go Falcons. I’m still in shock for the N Y azz beat.
Jockich Ahn Smelley, II
January 18th, 2012
8:54 pm
Hey, new coaches….same cast…..I’m so excited…..can’t wait til next year…….Ryan will take us to the Promised Land for sure now!!! Hey who is he going to hide behind??? What excuses will he have in the next year???? Hey Tony G…..My WIFE will have your baby….after all you’re both former B-ball players…..girl, start dribbling his ball….go girl….grasp it….shoot it……get it in the hole!
Draggin Fly
January 18th, 2012
9:08 pm
Only 67%? We’ve reached a plateau. We need someone like Dan Henning to take us to the next level.
SeenThisBefore2.0
January 18th, 2012
9:28 pm
Failcants talking smack about the Saints….who has the Lombardi? Yeah, we dat….your team has the epic failure trophy…what a joke of a franchise….
Sausage King of Chicago
January 18th, 2012
11:37 pm
Why in the H. E. Double Hockey Sticks didn’t anyone ask Nolan about his views regarding press vs zone coverage. Isn’t that choice utterly fundamental to how our linebackers and safeties complement cornerback pass coverage, and hence, sneakily blitz the opposing quarterback, and hence, put that quarterback on his ass? Especially Brees! I’m sure he’s a fine human being and all, but twice a year I just want to see him on his own 12-yard line on his ass!!
In all fairness, ya can’t say the Falcons don’t play hard. There isn’t anyone of us blogging on our couch who would want to wake up Monday morning after playing an NFL football game for the Atlanta Falcons. They hurt for us. Just sayin’.
Well, except for John Parker Wilson. Damn, I want his job. Getting a tan in practive, pickin’ up tipsy Alabama co-eds Friday night, and then holdin’ a clipboard on Sunday. For like 300 grand a year.
Ain’t right!
Save Ferris!
Tree rollins
January 19th, 2012
12:31 am
Anybody else think it’s time for Dimitroff to add to or change his staff also to do a better job with the draft?
JSS
January 19th, 2012
12:38 am
@ GTT…
Boy, you can’t go a day without calling me out of my user-name…
I said Mike Nolan is a solid defensive coach. What do you want? Until I see what this roster is going to be like, I’m not buying into anything regarding Atlanta… The problems remain the same today as they were when the final gun sounded in Jersey. Robieskie has not forgotten how to coach wideouts, just like George Stewart didn’t forget how to coach them when he was being blamed for Roddy’s drops years ago. Sooner or later, Roddy is the problem, he can only address his hands, his routes, and his dedication to something besides an early exit. Julio has a muli-million dollar contact, get on a plane to Germany and see some of those innovative European sports medicine folks and get that hamstring taken care of!
While not a big fan of Hamilton, he has gotten a lot out of very overrated group of ends and developed Peters and let us just face it, two players who are just enigmas (Sidbury and Jerry)… And an enigma is not a bust… Still, Jerry is making Jamaal Anderson look like the Chris Dolman in comparison (sarcasm)…
I won’t talk about Ryan because you folks are simply unable to have a blog conversation about him without being silly…
Look, your team is not as talented as you think, there is nothing wrong with understanding that. A new set of schemes may mask it for a while (it did in 2008), but until you get dedicated to being bigger, stronger, and more mentally ready than your opponents, don’t cry at me when I state what is obvious to the rest of the world…
JSS
January 19th, 2012
12:41 am
Mark Bradley, what’s going on with your filter?
PaulieOldSchool
January 19th, 2012
1:26 am
Good column, MB, I agree with you.
Brian Friel
January 19th, 2012
5:40 am
Mike Kenn for OL coach!
The Falcons had to change to move forward, and they have | football-feed.com
January 19th, 2012
6:08 am
[...] to Original Content From Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog): read moreSee more stories on Google: read more Related Articles Share About Author [...]
Buckeye
January 19th, 2012
6:53 am
The dogs record sucks against top 20 talent
Getaway
January 19th, 2012
7:14 am
Buckeye’s record against the SEC sucks worse.
tom
January 19th, 2012
7:53 am
Let us play WHAT IF? What would the Falcons have done if their Offensive Coord and Defensive Coord had not left on their own? Would they have still made the change? Do they have the you know what to make those decisions. I do not think so.
hooper
January 19th, 2012
7:54 am
Dirk, you have a guy on the roster named Harry Douglas. His jersey number is 83, he plays receiver, and I hear he’s pretty good across the middle. Just thought I’d throw that out there.
yo Vince
January 19th, 2012
8:04 am
JSS
I’ll be nice to you and say I agree with 1/2 of your post. Matty broke a few nice records this year and ran the no huddle as good as any QB in the NFL. 1st down run up the middle, for a 3 yard loss every series tends to limit a QB. Roddy has done more for this team than any Falcon in history, period. He needs to remove head from azz, not body from team. Turner seems to be the biggest issue to me. He has lost a step and a 1/2. The play calling and soft zone was bigger an issue than personnel to me. We gotta get a JPP type DE.
take it from me.
January 19th, 2012
8:11 am
Falcons have to many holes to fill to be anything ,but average this year,i don’t care who you hire!
Samuel
January 19th, 2012
8:13 am
The Falcons have maybe a few players that have won a Superbowl or went deep into the playoffs. I’m ok with the new hires, I just want this team to be competitive against winning organizations. Those are the teams you must beat as a confidence builder. It seems to me that when the bright lights come on, and the whole worlds watching, the Falcons have a propensity to get blown-out. You have to play under extreme pressure and find a way to win games, especially in the post season. Sometimes I don’t get the impression that when some of these players step on the field, the attitude is, I want to be the best at my position as I step onto the field.
Taylor Wooten
January 19th, 2012
8:32 am
Move forward?? You cant be serious. They hired the ousted offensive Coach from the Jags. That has to rank as one of the worst management moves in the history of the NFL.
Where is Arthur Blank? I thought he was smart.
ATLbred
January 19th, 2012
8:42 am
OL coach was fired because of REQUESTING a certain type of offensive lineman, smallish and smart. It appears that philosophy is changing to a more traditional one. Drafts and FA moves were made to build other parts of the team, perhaps because of OL coach’s ability to do more with less. GM went after lineman that OL coach wanted. A new OL coach with a different philosophy may prioritize abilities and importance of larger nastier linemen a bit differently.
I'm Gumby, dammit
January 19th, 2012
8:55 am
Let’s get back to the Johannsen/Vergara debate!! Okay, back to reality.
To those screaming about us passing on JPP, I believe we took Spoon with that pick. I have no complaints with that.