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
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129 comments Add your comment
jjm
January 18th, 2012
1:45 pm
First?
Mark Bradley
January 18th, 2012
1:46 pm
Kudos, jjm.
JipWiz
January 18th, 2012
1:52 pm
second
Willie Coyote
January 18th, 2012
1:53 pm
Player decisions are going to be interesting.
Norm Van Brocklin
January 18th, 2012
1:58 pm
Just slap em around a little horse collar!
rollo lawson
January 18th, 2012
1:59 pm
What do you think about the Falcons targeting Carl Nicks are their #1 priority in free agency. Also, I say snag the best running back available in the 3rd round to share carries with Rodgers and Turner. Out of all our free agents, we should focus on Abraham and Lofton, along with Harry Douglas. Everyone else is expendable.
hand solo
January 18th, 2012
1:59 pm
To hell with em, I’ve given up after peeing away 4yrs of season tix
Sid
January 18th, 2012
2:00 pm
What is a Meadowlands minute you ask. It’s 4 quarters of football where all you can do is score 2 lousy points.
Paul
January 18th, 2012
2:01 pm
Nolan’s 4-3 will be interesting. Agree w/ Willie Coyote on player decisions.
Kelvin
January 18th, 2012
2:01 pm
I like the new hire’s. We’ll see what happens, but it was obvious we needed a change.
The Mighty Quinn
January 18th, 2012
2:03 pm
Just the fact that the new OC made it abundantly clear he intends to throw screen passes may be enough by itself to rate as an improvement.
Walker, Texas Ranger
January 18th, 2012
2:05 pm
Mark, The Falcons are going through coaches like if you have Scarlet Johansson but there is Sofia Vergara, you will do what ever to get Sofia even if it means dropping all the way down to Phyllis Diller if it doesnt work out.
SawThat1nce
January 18th, 2012
2:05 pm
Well, IMhumbleO, IF the GM and coaches can somehow assemble an effective OLine, an effective defensive front, and aquire an additional RB, that is fleet of foot and can do more than run left, right, and up the middle, I think that they have a very very good chance, of making a long run into the playoffs in the next season.
Like It
January 18th, 2012
2:07 pm
Let’s hope Nolan gets some new faces on defense to work with. We shifted the head folk, now with 17 unrestricted FAs, let’s shake up the faces on this team, for the better.
SawThat1nce
January 18th, 2012
2:08 pm
Walker 2:05pm……I would be thrilled to have Scarlet. Most people would, IMO.
ChopAttack
January 18th, 2012
2:08 pm
If the Panthers improve on defense next season they’ll pass the Falcons. Cam Newton improved the worst offense in the NFL to 7th. That was with injuries on the offensive line. It will be tough for the Falcons to make the playoffs if the Brees and Newton are healthy.
Seen (Sean Payton) This (cross picket lines and play as a scab) B4
January 18th, 2012
2:13 pm
The Panthers will improve but beware of a sophomore slump for Mr. Newton. Regarding the Koettner hire, it would help if every article didn’t tout his work under Dan Henning as a positive.
JTH
January 18th, 2012
2:16 pm
I hope you’re right Mr.Bradley. We fans are So hungry for a Championship that we’re disappointed in a 10-6 season now.
@LukeDixonATL
January 18th, 2012
2:23 pm
Once again Mark, right on point. It’s good to know this franchise isn’t settling at just making the playoffs.
Sid
January 18th, 2012
2:25 pm
It’s the coaches job to get players to play with passion, give 110% every play. Players like Spoon, Grimes, Bierman, Lofton…..they do it already. Smith has to get that same level out of his coaches. My guess would be that Smith’s tenure with the Falcons is on a precipice should the Falcons not reach the playoffs in 2012. He won’t be fired for not winning the South, nor in the playoffs as a one and done, nor failing to bring home the Lombardi (God how sweet that would be). But even with the numerous coaching changes Arthur would probably not wait to drop the hammer on Smith for anything less than a 1-6 seeding in the playoffs. Lots of personnel moves to come, I’m looking forward to seeing the 53 man roster.
Media conference call interview with Coach Nolan.
http://www.atlantafalcons.com/
abby normal
January 18th, 2012
2:26 pm
The first order of business must be upgrading the offensive line. Second, find a way to generate a pass rush. Third, figure out how to get Julio Jones and Rogers more involved in the offense. Fourth, find a running back who can spell (or replace) Turner.
GTT
January 18th, 2012
2:36 pm
How long before JSS trolls in with his gloom and doom?
david
January 18th, 2012
2:39 pm
so, other than O line, D line, offensive play calling and Rb we are set– right? jeez, we are in trouble with a capitol T
dtanner
January 18th, 2012
2:42 pm
thomas the twerp is the one who should have been fired, just look what the little man has done,traded awawy the futere for one guy,signed a bunch of bust’s as free agents,edwards, robinson et:al,drafted a bunch of busts
falCANS
January 18th, 2012
2:43 pm
WOW SOOOO BRENT GRIMES IS EXPENDABLE???? DO YALL WATCH DA GAMES??? HE LET ABOUT 10 catches on him ALL SEASON!!! Priority #1 Curtis Lofton #2 BRENT GRIMES!! ReleaseD.Robinson now
PLEASE
Kramer
January 18th, 2012
2:44 pm
Hand solo, time to go spend sometime by yourself and live up to your name. You had season tickets like I have million dollars. I like both hires and what their exepreience has been. The player moves will be fun to watch and F/A could be real interesting.
Hey SeenThisB4...you there?
January 18th, 2012
2:49 pm
Everything okay little buddy? You wanna talk about it? I know, I know–the whole “two dat” theme gets tougher the farther you get from that one championship…it’s okay…I’m sure the Saints got an extra dose of painkillers from Coach Payton after that loss!
Marcus
January 18th, 2012
2:53 pm
MB,
any line on new QB coach or OL coach?
along those same lines, would one consider Jim Caldwell a dud candidate for QB coach, given that being Payton Mannnig’s position coach probably doesn’t involve a lot of heavy lifting …
dan
January 18th, 2012
2:54 pm
I’m not going to excuse the Falcons for scoring zero points in their loss to the Giants. Nor will I excuse them for that horrible loss to Green Bay last year. But if the Giants win the Super Bowl or make it but lose( like the Cardinals who beat us back in 2008), then you have to say that the Falcons are just snakebit in the playoffs; kind of like how the Colts were in the mid-2000’s losing to eventual champs New England, Pittsburgh etc. And like the Colts( who replaced Jim Mora with Tony Dungy) , the Falcons may need a change at head coach to get them over the hump.
Unlike UGA, who NEVER MAKES A CHANGE UNTIL ITS FAR TOO LATE, the Falcons at least trying to make changes for the positive. Koetter is a question mark, but then again so was Gene Chizik when he took the job at Auburn, and that turned out OK. I think the key for the new OC is whether or not he can get the ball in the hands of his playmakers and use them interchangeably. I think that’s the biggest knock against Mularky, he didn’t know which weapons to use based on the situation. Vs. some teams you run it, some you pass, some you strive for balance. I don’t think the Falcons have the kind of offense like Green Bay or the Patriots where they can score on you in a hurry. But they DO have a very versatile offense, and with the right coordinator, you can win with this bunch. We shall see.
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.
George Stein
January 18th, 2012
2:57 pm
Seems dan and I were on the same page.
Lumpkin
January 18th, 2012
3:01 pm
Well, as Atlanta fans have muttered since 1966, we’ll see…………
Just saying..
January 18th, 2012
3:01 pm
Guess I’m easy, but I like both hires. Let’s give Koetter his shot – just ANYTHING more imaginative that runs over guard on EVERY 4th and 1.
Dontavius Supremo
January 18th, 2012
3:02 pm
Atlanta fans are long suffering, patient, and by and large are grateful for small measures. It just gets tedious at times, doesn’t it?
North Avenue Ned
January 18th, 2012
3:04 pm
I’ll reserve judgment until January 2013, if you don’t mind.
KBP
January 18th, 2012
3:06 pm
Agree that player decisions are going to be interesting. Wish we could somehow hoodwink Chicago into taking Turner and Snelling for Forte.
I like him and he’s a definite HOF’er but should not have resigned Gonzalez. He can no longer beat those backers and run 15-20 yd routes like he did when he first got here. Just sayin.
Dirtybirdsin12
January 18th, 2012
3:16 pm
I say we do what it takes to sign Nicks. Obviously gotta bring back Lofton and Grimes. Then in the 2nd and 3rd rounds snag the best TE and DE or OLB available. Then play a lot of 2 WR, 2 TE sets and copy the Patriots success with 2 stud TE’s, but we’ll also have 2 stud WR’s and better RB’s than New England.
Dirtybirdsin12
January 18th, 2012
3:17 pm
That’s assuming we can get a legit TE in round 2 or 3. I don’t know much about this draft class.
rollo lawson
January 18th, 2012
3:22 pm
We don’t have a second round pick. Also, we fix the pass rush by drafting a DE/OLB tweener that can get after the passer on passing downs. There is one out there every year. Our Scouting Department needs to find him. A more athletic Kroy Biermann is what I’m talking about.
1eyedJack
January 18th, 2012
3:29 pm
Perception is a funny thing, especially when viewed over time. Before this regime, as you say, we would be ecstatic with these results. It seems that now these results are contemptuous.
The same is true at Georgia. During the Goff/Donnan years we would have given the proverbial left nut to have the results that Coach Richt has given us over his tenure. Now he’s perceived as an average to slightly below average coach.
It seems that early success breeds later contempt. And to those that say that neither team is capable of winning a championship I place my thumb to my nose and wave my fingers. Phhfffttthhht!
slydog
January 18th, 2012
3:35 pm
If Dre Kirkpatrick falls to the Falcons, there is truly a God in Heaven
slydog
January 18th, 2012
3:36 pm
That will be the best weed ever smoked
Dirtybirdsin12
January 18th, 2012
3:37 pm
We have a second round pick. We don’t have a 1st or 4th.
J-Man
January 18th, 2012
3:38 pm
We need to go after Wisconsin’s O Line coach. Because every year they produce 1st round talent and seem to be better than our pro talents.
Great Falconi
January 18th, 2012
3:39 pm
We have a second-round pick this year. We do not have our first and fourth-rounders.
Great Falconi
January 18th, 2012
3:39 pm
Thanks, Dirtybirdsin12.
eastbound and down
January 18th, 2012
3:43 pm
Mark, I always find it interesting that you agree with moves after they are made, Falcons or Braves, but rarely call for moves to be made immediately after the team fails to meet expectations. of course, this way you will never be wrong or write anything with the least bit of controversy.
Gordon
January 18th, 2012
3:44 pm
Who hires and fires coordinators? Does Dimitroff or Blank have to sign off?
Bobo is Not the Problem
January 18th, 2012
3:45 pm
“out of plumb”?
Anyhoo, if we had been told four years ago that we would make the playoff three times and lose all three times, we would have puked.
And if you think 2009 was not a step back, I don’t know what you’re smoking.
slydog
January 18th, 2012
3:46 pm
“…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…”
So why is BoBo still the OC and why hasn’t his offense changed since 1993? It doesn’t contain even “one” tweak except a direct snap to a defensive back playing offense.
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
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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.
tfalcon
January 19th, 2012
9:09 am
i dont see how any body could be comfortable going with the present personnell on the offesive line,we need a center,guard,lt dos any body out there really believe hawly,renyolds,johnson are going to get it done
Arno
January 19th, 2012
9:12 am
We hear this FOUR YEARS thing beat like a gong. Four years ago, Smith said his priority was a team strong up front. Four years later we have the Giants game.
NtheNo
January 19th, 2012
9:21 am
WIth the falcons its always “gonna’ get better.” Over the years I’ve learned to distance my emotions and interest – I don’t go to games anymore and I watch them on television only if there is nothing better to do. Despite that – I wish them well and will follow at a sub-emotional level. Its all good.
Sherrill
January 19th, 2012
9:38 am
How could Mike Smith put up with the offensive play calling all this time? Does he not realize he is the head coach and that winning is more important than sticking by his friends? Prediction: Falcons finish 3rd in NFC South behind Saints and Cam Newton. Watch Mike Smith on the sidelines; he is not involved in what is going on on the field. This is not going to end well.
tony
January 19th, 2012
9:39 am
I say the GM is the reason why the falcons played poorly against good teams and here’s why:
1) In 2008 the falcons rush defense rank 26th in 2007; falcons draft Matt Ryan instead of Glenn Dorsey. They could have taken Joe Flacco in the 2nd rd.
2) They did better against the run the following season(2008) due to the linebackers but that put the LBs at a disadvantage against the pass so what did they do? They decided to draft injury prone Peria Jerry instead of Clay Mathews. They thought Jerry would help their pass rush but backfired!
3) In 2009 the pass defense is still rank very low(rank 22nd) so they are forced to draft Weatherspoon. They just ignore the o-line. Bryan Bulaga-OT(@greenbay) was still on the board when they drafted Weatherspoon. Now he is in Green Bay keeping those nasty linemen from killing Rogers.
4) In 2010 the pass defense is rank 22nd: impatient Dimitroff gives away 3 draft picks for a reciever(J.Jones) I sure was hoping they would Muhammad Wilkerson-DT/DE and Randall Cobb-WR. Think about this…had Dimitroff drafted by the book, we could have drafted these players in 2010:
1st rd Muhammad Wilkerson-DT/DE(@NYJ 49 tkls, 3 sacks)
2nd rd Randall Cobb-WR/PR
3rd rd Justin Houston-DE/OLB(@kansas 56 tkls, 5.5 sacks)
Our team would have looked like this had Dimitroff drafted by the book:
Offense: LT Will Svitek, LG Justin Blalock, C Todd McClure, RG Joe Hawley, RT Bryan Bulaga
QB-Joe Flacco, RB- Michael Turner, WR-Rodney White, WR-Jenkins, TE-Tony G
Defense: LDE-Muhammad Wilkerson, LDT-Jonathan Babineaux, RDT-Glenn Dorsey, RDE-John Abraham, LLB-Clay Mathew, MLB-Curtis Lofton, RLB-Justin Houston
In this year’s draft we could have taken Kellen Moore-QB in the 1st rd or either move up and take ROBERT GRIFFIN III-QB, BAYLOR and continue to strenghten the o-line in the 2nd and 3rd rounds but now since we gave those picks away, the falcons are in the dumps.
That’s the way I would have built the team.
Dimi
January 19th, 2012
9:43 am
I’m so excited.
My Falcons will discover the screen pass.
And with fewer picks, no one will notice my lack of talent evaluation skills for another year.
tony
January 19th, 2012
9:45 am
I say the GM is the reason why the falcons played poorly against good teams and here’s why:
1) In 2008 the falcons rush defense rank 26th in 2007: the falcons draft Matt Ryan instead of Glenn Dorsey. They could have taken Joe Flacco in the 2nd rd.
2) They did better against the run the following season(2008) due to the linebackers but that put the LBs at a disadvantage against the pass so they decided to draft injury prone Peria Jerry instead of Clay Mathews. They thought Jerry would help their pass rush but it didn’t work the way they planned it.
3) In 2009 the pass defense is still rank very low(rank 22nd) so they are forced to draft Weatherspoon. They just ignore the o-line. Bryan Bulaga-OT(@greenbay) was still on the board when they drafted Weatherspoon. Now he is in Green Bay keeping those nasty linemen from killing Rogers.
4) In 2010 the pass defense is rank 22nd: impatient Dimitroff gives away 3 draft picks for a reciever(J.Jones) I hoping they would Muhammad Wilkerson-DT/DE and Randall Cobb-WR. Think about this…had Dimitroff drafted by the book, we could have drafted these players in 2010:
1st rd Muhammad Wilkerson-DT/DE(@NYJ 49 tkls, 3 sacks)
2nd rd Randall Cobb-WR/PR
3rd rd Justin Houston-DE/OLB(@kansas 56 tkls, 5.5 sacks)
Our team would have looked like this had Dimitroff drafted by the book:
Offense: LT Will Svitek, LG Justin Blalock, C Todd McClure, RG Joe Hawley, RT Bryan Bulaga
QB-Joe Flacco, RB- Michael Turner, WR-Rodney White, WR-Jenkins, TE-Tony G
Defense: LDE-Muhammad Wilkerson, LDT-Jonathan Babineaux, RDT-Glenn Dorsey, RDE-John Abraham, LLB-Clay Mathew, MLB-Curtis Lofton, RLB-Justin Houston
In this year’s draft we could have taken Kellen Moore-QB in the 1st rd or either move up and take ROBERT GRIFFIN III-QB, BAYLOR and continue to strenghten the o-line in the 2nd and 3rd rounds. Now that they gave away those draft picks, they probably won’t do much to cleanup the mess Dimitroff has created.
That’s the way I would have built the team.
tfalcon
January 19th, 2012
9:53 am
@tony man missing mathews hurt,good point to ur draft dont fordet about william moore hell he cant stay healthy
tfalcon
January 19th, 2012
9:55 am
IM not totally down on TD lets see what kind of deals he comes up with this yr
Therut
January 19th, 2012
10:31 am
Scroll back up and read KDP. He is dead on. $7 million for Tony? NOOOOOOOOO. I don’t care if we have the worst o-line in history, I never see Turner fake out a defender. He has to go (and lose 30 lbs)
tony
January 19th, 2012
10:44 am
ttfalcon, I watch the Steelers in 1974 when I was 12 years old and I knew at a very young age that the Steelers were good because they had a strong d-line and o-line. I felt that if the falcons would build their team like the Steelers that they could compete against the best teams in the league. Here we go 38 years later and the falcons continue to ignore the trenches.
Heck, Mean Joe Green, AC Greenwood and company were so dominant up front that the LBs and the secondary could go on vacation. Their O-line was dominate that Franco Harris could gain 20 yards a carry but Bradshaw had to spread the ball around to keep everybody happy.
The falcon should consentrate on building the trenches until the o-line and d-line becomes as dominant as the old Steeler’s defense and quit reaching.
JeanE
January 19th, 2012
10:57 am
Smith has 1 more year to make progress then he’ll be gone if he doesn’t. Unless a rash of horrific injuries occur which would be out of his control. This team does have talent, but for whatever reason, positively wilts and melts down once the postseason starts. That is in itself, extremely alarming. I had really hoped for an installation of some sort of hybrid west coast offense to make use of Ryan’s strengths. Guess that’s not happening. I’ll reserve judgement on the new hires ’til after next season. But Smith and Dimitroff are on the hot seat as well. It seems like TD’s personnel choices are about hit as much as miss and that’s not going to cut it. We have to develop a team toughness that is sorely lacking. We left our meanest SOB Dahl, go to another team. Bad move. Imperative to somehow improve our O-line and D-line. This will help Ryan and our secondary. Time always tells.
GTT
January 19th, 2012
11:20 am
Is Glenn Dorsey still in the league? He’s certainly not a star and Ryan, flawed as he is, has given the Falcons a whole lot more than Dorsey. And, Flacco has six TDs and seven picks in the playoffs. They have won playoff games because of their defense, not because of Flacco. Forgive me, tony, but that’s just dumb.
GTT
January 19th, 2012
11:33 am
I agree completely with your last post, tony. The only other period of excellence the Falcons had was when Leeman Bennett, Eddie Lebaron and Tom Braatz were brought in and the first thing they did was start concentrating on the trenches.
Please forgive the “dumb” remark. That was rude and I apologize.
tony
January 19th, 2012
11:52 am
Correction: LC Greenwood
@Therut, last I check the falcon’s rush offense was rank #2 in 2008 and has been steady declining ever since. I blame the decline on their weaker o-line and because of Matt Ryan’s inability to throw the deep pass. Defenses can now clamp down on the those intermediate passes and make the falcons a 1 dimensional team.
Every1 knows that Turner is a north and south rb. He’s not the problem but I would like to see Rodgers get more carries.
diehardsufferingfan
January 19th, 2012
12:37 pm
i love the nolan hire. lukewarm on koetter but he deserves a chance. hell, raise your hand if u though chisik (spelling?) was a good hire for auburn? thats what i thought. first off, nolan needs to get dunta back in man to man where he belongs, not 10 yds off the friggin wr. or lets put him at safety and pick up another corner. decoud has to go, along with baker and at least 3/4 of the o line. i am cautiously optimistic but very grateful we r at least competitive and somewhat consistent in winning. i grew up with this team. this run is better than anything i have seen short of that super bowl season. lets get it dirty birds!
Ed
January 19th, 2012
12:57 pm
I’m interested to see what Mike Nolan does to the secondary. I think the Falcons need a ball hawk free safety like Michael Griffin or LaRon Landry.
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January 19th, 2012
1:20 pm
[...] The Falcons had to change to move forward, and they have [...]
Wet Willie...keep on smiling
January 19th, 2012
1:43 pm
Smith has one year to get to the NFC CG or he will work for Mr. Blank at Home Depot. Throw the damn ball to Julio!
SAL
January 19th, 2012
1:50 pm
Move’em to Chattanooga!!!!
Falcon Realist
January 19th, 2012
6:32 pm
Food for thought… how much change is there if you change out the coordinators but keep the other assistant coaches… how do the players respond to the same position coaches.
RNew
January 19th, 2012
8:10 pm
We need to start a “dump D. Robinson” movement. He has had two seasons. His production has not increased. They can cut him and save millions I’m sure. D. Franks has played tougher and more consistent down the stretch.
cornell sims
January 19th, 2012
11:51 pm
I like the hire of Nolan. Everywhere he has been, he as produced a top 10 defense. The hire of Koetter is still up in the air for me until I start seeing in game production. I am tired of turner, we need to get a more athletic TE, upgrade at defensive tackle (I think that if we can get a good push up the middle more often then our DE would look a lot better, I do believe that daunta robinson can be a very good corner in the right system. He is a bump and run corner who is 10 times better playing man then that soft zone that we ran to damn much, hopefully Nolan allows Daunta to play to what he is comfortable doing. We need to let abraham walk (what we will have to pay him to stay we can find a much younger DE who production is a lot more consistent year to year and who doesnt rack up his sack total in 2-3 games. Resign snelling, lofton, douglas and cut/trade turner. We need to found a every down back. Grimes is going to cost to much to bring back plus I think Nolan likes bigger and more physical corners. (example: San Fran Corners). What do yall think
Not a Falcon fan
January 21st, 2012
5:36 pm
The falCANTS have moved “forward”. That’s funny!!!! I needed a good laugh !!!!!
Just Wondering
January 21st, 2012
6:11 pm
I completely agree with Falcons Realist about the need for position coach changes as well. The defense and offense coords should be able to pick their own position coaches. It’s obvious that the current position coaches were being tuned out by the poor play from the players.
Joshua Malavenda
January 22nd, 2012
1:30 am
Cornell sims-
We think the same and I agree with you with everything except two things I think we should just trade dunta because we owe him eff ton of money that he is not worth and we can at least get 2 and 4th rd pick for him and the added cap room will be very handy to get the best free agents liek we already 3o million under and so we be at least 40 million if we did that and then we traded turner for like 3 and 4 th and maybe liek or 6 or 7 next year we could take off liek another 5 million but we wont get rid of abrham because of his leadership and will mess up the dynamic of the lockerroom simialr to dahl departure last year. we will have alot of money to play with in free agency and also the draft picks we could use to make up for the lost ones for julio jones. I think also they realease snelling and sign tolbert in free agency and try to get some high profile free agent running back and also I ahve this feeling the texans are going to let mario williams because they had more sacks when he was injured and they alot cheaper so they will let him walk and we will get him next year for really cheap because he got injured last year.
jojatek
January 22nd, 2012
8:36 pm
While we’re changing things, let’s go back to the old uniforms and logos (1966). Keep it simple and focus on being a serious football franchise and perennial contender with the classic look of a team that’s been in the league for a while. Anyone else tired of the new/old look…?
Pilot97
January 23rd, 2012
8:29 am
Most of the players on the oline wouldn’t make it on any of the other finalist in the playoffs. The line coach doesn’t make the picks he is dealt them. BOUDREAU made the Falcon’s line respectable. Promises to make better picks and more for him were never met. It is easier to fire a coach than an owner or GM and even players can be cut but usually with a cap hit. So my prediction is Ryan will get happy feet and regress further next year the new coach won’t get his promised relif with good players and won’t get things going so Boudreau will be missed but he will be appreciated at his new team.. All you yahoos who want a championship might want to move to another city.
Fred Macmurray
January 23rd, 2012
12:50 pm
I agree Pilot97.. Its just stupid to blame Boudreau,,, the man did a great job with the players he had