Are Dimitroff, Smitty and Matty Ice still right for the Falcons?
The general manager, the coach and the quarterback. (AJC photo by Curtis Compton)
More than just a giddy ride, the Falcons’ 2008 ascent from oblivion constituted a watershed: A franchise that had gotten a zillion things wrong got three major things right. In one offseason, the Falcons had found the right general manager, the right coach and the right quarterback. Could world domination be far behind?
Here it is 2012, and we’ve seen the Falcons fashion four consecutive winning seasons — this from an operation that had never known two in a row — and three playoff appearances. But there has been no Super Bowl surge, not even a postseason victory. And now we ask the chilling question: What if Thomas Dimitroff, Mike Smith and Matt Ryan weren’t the right guys after all?
Touting Thomas: The GM had a bravura beginning, landing Michael Turner in free agency and drafting a starting quarterback (Ryan), a starting left tackle (Sam Baker) and a starting middle linebacker (Curtis Lofton). Also included in that first class: Harry Douglas, the slot receiver; Kroy Biermann, who has started at defensive end, and Thomas DeCoud, now the free safety. In 2009 Dimitroff landed the All-Pro tight end Tony Gonzalez in a pre-draft trade. In 2010 he snagged linebacker Sean Weatherspoon, who’s a rising star, with the 19th overall pick, and in 2011 he traded up 21 spots to land Julio Jones, who’ll be an All-Pro soon, in the draft.
Doubting Thomas: Baker’s effectiveness has waned, and defensive lineman Peria Jerry, taken in Round 1 in 2009, got hurt and has done nothing. The big free-agent signings of 2010 and 2011 — cornerback Dunta Robinson and defensive end Ray Edwards — haven’t yet panned out. Of the nine Falcons named to Pro Bowl rosters over the past four seasons, only three were Dimitroff acquisitions. The defense, which ranked 24th in the 32-team NFL in 2008 and was summarily gutted, still hasn’t cracked the top 10 (it was 12th last season); the offense, which ranked sixth in 2008, has since finished 16th, 16th and 10th.
Touting Smitty: This coach has won 67.2 percent of his regular-season games, which trumps the winning percentages of Bill Belichick, Sean Payton and Mike McCarthy. Only in 2009 have Smith’s Falcons lost consecutive games, and not once over four seasons have they lost three in a row. He’s the only coach in Falcons history to post four winning seasons. (Leeman Bennett had three, Dan Reeves two.) Over those four seasons, the Falcons are 34-7 against teams that didn’t qualify for the playoffs, which means that in an any-given-Sunday league they’re not given to lapses.
Doubting Smitty: He’s 0-3 in postseason games, and each time the Falcons entered with the better record. Over four regular seasons, Smith’s teams are 9-14 against eventual playoff qualifiers, which means they aren’t nearly as impressive when matched against teams of comparable worth. He’s 2-6 against New Orleans.
Touting Matty Ice: Ryan and Steve Bartkowski are the only quarterbacks to lead the Falcons to the playoffs three times. Over four seasons Ryan has thrown for 14,238 yards with 95 touchdown passes against 46 interceptions. He has presided over 11 fourth-quarter comebacks and led 16 game-winning drives, which beats Aaron Rodgers’ output (three and six) and is comparable to Drew Brees’ (12 and 17) over the past four years.
Doubting Matty Ice: He hasn’t finished higher than eighth in NFL in passer rating, and in yards per attempt — a key indicator — he ranked higher as a rookie (fifth) than as a fourth-year pro (15th). He made six turnovers in his first two playoff losses and couldn’t lead a scoring drive in the third. The Falcons are 3-12 in regular-season games when Ryan throws 40 or more passes, and he hasn’t had even a 200-yard game in the playoffs.
Conclusions (mine, anyway): I remain impressed with Dimitroff — the five-picks-for-Julio draft deal was a big risk that will yield a bigger reward — and see no reason why a coach capable of winning in the regular season won’t find playoff success. But Smith seemed stuck last season between his GM’s desire for a more “explosive” offense and coordinator Mike Mularkey’s more plodding scheme.
It’s the belief here that Mularkey, who left to become Jacksonville’s head coach, drummed the daring out of Ryan, and a championship quarterback cannot be timid. The hires of Dirk Koetter as offensive coordinator and Pat Hill as line coach — each of whom should better fit Dimitroff’s vision of “urgency” — offer the chance for a needed offensive reboot.
Dimitroff, Smith and Ryan have done great work to lift the Falcons to a place where it’s possible to be disappointed in a playoff season, and they remain bright and driven men. But the job isn’t finished, and it wouldn’t be wise to let Arthur Blank begin to wonder, as infamously happened with another Falcons owner, if his beloved club has reached a plateau.
By Mark Bradley
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275 comments Add your comment
Philip
February 15th, 2012
1:35 pm
It’s crazy to read all of these comments. It is even worse that Mark Bradley would interject a piece like this. That tells me he nothing better to write about. I have been in Atlanta 38 years and I can tell you I am happy as hell to have the Falcons doing what they are doing. Do we want a Super Bowl……YES! But to question the results so far is just crazy. All three have done an admiral job. I keep hearing about Ryan’s arm strength. You don’t have to throw the football 70 yards to win games. As far as giving up a boat load of draftees for Julio….c’mon, how do you know the guys WE MIGHT have gotten would even pan out. Did you think guys like Jemarcus Russell or Vince Young would have been busts? The draft is a crap shoot anyhow. Be happy for what you have and support a great organization that will only get better. You people have SHORT MEMORIES!!!!
ChillyMutt
February 15th, 2012
1:36 pm
Good read Mark.
Leeman Has Bennett
February 15th, 2012
1:37 pm
Look, I’d love to have Matt Ryan as my neighbor but not as my QB unless I was just going to be happy with 1st round play-off exits for the next 10 years. He just doesn’t have “IT” like Rodgers, Brees, Manning, Brady, etc and not enough of a team around him (especially O-Line) to help make up for the shortcomings. ATL will NOT win BIG with Ryan.
Bluestreak
February 15th, 2012
1:37 pm
Are we REALLY asking this question? REALLY?
Do we need playoff success? Yes. Should that be a final judgement on the success of a coach/GM/QB? No. Why would I say that?
Would you rather have Jimmy Mora, Mike Vick and our former GM (whose name escapes me right now even though he is our team president, sorry)? We all know that Mora and Vick were running the show last time we made the playoffs. Mora won’t let us forget.
SO, would you rather have the playoff success and total chaos of Mora and Vick or the consistent success (albeit without playoff success YET!) of Smitty, Ryan and TD?
Yes, I think these three are the right guys at the right time. The playoff success will come.
brew
February 15th, 2012
1:38 pm
TD is on point
Smitty is no longer handcuffed by an OC who was not on the same page with he and TD. Should be interesting.
Matt still has some growing to do. He has the arm strength as most of the time he overthrew the deep ball when receivers had a step. Also in the 4th quarter against New Orleans when we were trying to come back, he attempted a pass to Roddy across the middle in the end zone. Matty put the ball on his back shoulder instead of down and away where only Roddy could get to it. Instead of a game winning touchdown, the ball was knocked away. Those few feet are the difference between good and great. I know it is a growing process so let’s see if he does under a new OC. I’m betting he will.
Dirtybird 82
February 15th, 2012
1:39 pm
I don’t think Matt Ryan is the problem, it’s TD and Smitty. In college Matt had no problem with playing big in big games. Remember he was a Heisman canidate. Mike Smith and his conserative behind has caused him to become a check down Charlie and scared to cut it loose.
georgiavol
February 15th, 2012
1:40 pm
Another beach chair mail-in article. Two in a row, too. You are on a roll, for sure. Are you getting paid for this drivel?
Bruce Benedict
February 15th, 2012
1:41 pm
Like the Braves before them, I’m sure the Falcons ownership and management has come to realize that in order to be a profitable organization in professional sports, they simply just need to win occasionally and make the playoffs from time to time. Winning championships does not need to be the goal. Besides, it’s not like they have any kind of championship tradition to live up to around here anyway. In places like Boston and New York, it’s WIN IT ALL OR YOU SUCK. Down here in Atlanta, we don’t require that our teams win it all. We’ll show up like suckers and buy season tickets, spend 20 bucks to park, and than wait for the inevitable pants pooping at season’s end. THAT is the Atlanta tradition, and I’m sure the Falcons over the next 10 years will uphold that tradition proudly.
J15
February 15th, 2012
1:42 pm
I agree with Jeff. How about an article about Wren being given ample time.
Philip
February 15th, 2012
1:42 pm
Hey Brew your comments “Matty put the ball on his back shoulder instead of down and away where only Roddy could get to it. Instead of a game winning touchdown, the ball was knocked away.”
I watched replays, and that ball was right in Roddy’s hands. It had “ZIP” on it and Roddy didn’t catch like it did so many times like Tampa Bay gane and others. C”MON now!
hottrod
February 15th, 2012
1:44 pm
In Atlanta, the bar is set so low for the Falcons and Braves. Set so high for the Hawks. Set so low for the Freddi G. and Smith, but high for Drew. Set so low for Matt Ryan and Chipper Jones, so high for Heyward and Johnson. Set so low for Liberty Media and billionaire Blanks, but so high for ASG.
blazerdawg
February 15th, 2012
1:44 pm
Still missing pieces, but not these three. Pass rush and cover corners.
Me Too
February 15th, 2012
1:47 pm
The same horse (Michael Turner) was ridden too much. It takes a team to win big games. You can’t depend on a one dimensional running back and his blocking fullback year after year. The fans saw it coming and Mike Smith has not yet recognized the problem yet.
PMC
February 15th, 2012
1:47 pm
I’m behind them. Full Support, even though a lot of times I may disagree with a move or seem negative.
I want to see Ryan get more agressive and be more fearless in the pocket but all in all, yes absolutely, I’m still very confident in the leadership of the team and I support them.
kingdaddy
February 15th, 2012
1:51 pm
Not time to start over. Move forward, sign a LT. Move Baker to G. That may give us some depth. Don’t giveup on Baker till he gets try at G.slot. Then sign biggest, meanest, ugliest, smelliest DT on FA. Fill in rest in draft with Nolan and Koetters input. Move Forward.
ATL Rocks
February 15th, 2012
1:53 pm
I think that we have the pieces in place to go all the way. I would like to see Smitty and Dimitroff continue devoloping a system so that if you loose a key player to free agency or injury, it is not life threatening because you can plug in another guy.It is a team not dependent on individual talent. Look at how the Pats always seem to develop new talent to use in their system. The problem is that this takes time to create and fans are not patient. Consequently you end up making gutsy calls like the Julio trade. No doubt, Julio is an impact player, but you have to wonder what would happen if the Falcons followed the Pats model and traded top picks for numbers of lower tiered draft picks. Rather than have one stud pick, you would have 20 or 30 lower round picks to develop into your “system.” All I know is that I would like to see more 10 to 15 yard screen passes because the talent we have now can gain additional yards when they get the ball in their hands. “Explosive” plays don’t always have to be Hail Mary bombs.
PMC
February 15th, 2012
1:53 pm
It would have been pretty unrealistic in 2008 to think these 3 were going to lead them to a super bowl. 4 years later we’re crushing them for not being able to get there because they have failed miserably to compete the last two times in the playoffs against eventual super bowl champions.
They’ve made mistakes, don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater.
cedrick
February 15th, 2012
1:55 pm
It was a decent article about the state of the Falcons. I do believe that our GM has made some good picks. I think Smitty waited one year too long to fire both Murlakey and Van Gorder. Now, I have noticed our GM has distanced himself from the latest Offensive and defensive coordinators which Smitty has picked, WHY?????? Sounds too me that our GM does not fully trust these two pickups. I believe if Matt Ryan cannot throw the ball deep with some accuracy then the all this is for nothing……….. and we have the wrong QB.
Philip
February 15th, 2012
1:56 pm
I agree with “Me Too” about Michael Turner. We need an explosive running back. All I saw from Turner this year was to run into anyone and the “wind” would pull him down. He is NO POWER RUSHER” for sure.
DJ Sniper
February 15th, 2012
2:02 pm
I usually try to avoid responding to Choke’s foolishness, but I can’t let this one slide:
Dude, did it ever occur to you that the reason Flacco’s rookie contract was less than Ryan’s is because Ryan was picked 3rd overall and Flacco 18th? Also, it was done under the old CBA. Lastly, do you really believe that getting Ryan a new deal isn’t a priority just because nothing has been announced yet? Jesus, put down the pipe for a change?
kingdaddy
February 15th, 2012
2:03 pm
If Matt had as much time to throw as Brees or Arron, he could be all world .. Get Carl Hicks from N.O. and kill two birds with one stone. They will have to replace him. We have to give Matt more time in pocket.
Blazerfan
February 15th, 2012
2:11 pm
Dimitroff is a keeper. Smith is so-so. Ryan is not the right one. If Ryan does not get it done in 2012 he should be gone. He has new offensive coaches and returning offensive weapons, no more excuses. Smith may have peaked as a head coach. Dimitroff should be in Atlanta a real long time.
kingdaddy
February 15th, 2012
2:17 pm
Giants did it with a dominant pass-rush. Mr. Blank, please hire Mario from Houston. This will give us impact defensive line. Don’t give Brees and Arron all day to pick secondary apart.
ohhhYEAH
February 15th, 2012
2:22 pm
its funny that CHOKE, that little girl, still has never seemed to answer my question. Instead he dodges it by saying how great Flacco is, instead of responding to my question, which is……What good are all Flaccos playoff wins if he doesn’t have a ring? Oh thats right….they dont matter at all. You think anyone is every going to say “that Joe Flacco is clearly one of the best quarterbacks in NFL history, do you know how many playoff games he won?” And if they do say that….all it takes is a simple…”But how many rings did he win?” And boom, CHOKEface has no valid argument. So sad little troll, so sad
don't know nuthin
February 15th, 2012
2:25 pm
Matt Ryan is missing a couple of skills that all top quarterbacks have – great footwork and a quick release.
In particular, Matt seems to have to wind up and put his whole body into anything longer than 20 yards. The top guys seem to be able to fire the ball from their ear as soon as they see somebody coming open.
Regarding footwork, watch Brees or Rodgers. Just when you think they’re sacked, they take one, maybe two steps back into their protection, everyone misses the tackle and they fire the ball over the middle for a first down.
Ryan can already out-think almost everybody out there. I don’t know if these skills are teachable. If they are, then I hope Ryan learns them. Those skills are what it takes for him to move to the next level and if he can get them, he’ll be doggone near unstoppable.
kingdaddy
February 15th, 2012
2:25 pm
I think T.D. is a keeper but think he needs to get Smitty to loosen up on both sides of ball. Let’s see what Matty does in Koetters O. M.B., when you doing interview with Koetter and Nolan?
AGTFan
February 15th, 2012
2:26 pm
You want to throw the deep ball, you’ve got to give a QB some time. When they tried the deep passing attack, Ryan was sacked like 5 times and hit 11. I think it takes a little more time to go from a total losing franchise to Super bowl champs. TD, Smitty, and Matty Ice are victims of their own success. I think a little more patience is advised. We can return to what we had before these three came to town really easily. All we have to do is change from what’s brought us 4 straight winning seasons. As a Falcons fan since thier inception, I had pretty much given up getting concecutive winning seasons at all before the three amigos showed up. Anyone who wants to get rid of any of them at this point, qualifies for a quick trip to the looney bin.
doggoneit
February 15th, 2012
2:31 pm
Get Hinds Ward if harry douglas Leaves!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Veteran of a Thousand Psychic Wars
February 15th, 2012
2:37 pm
Really?
Are Dimitroff, Smitty and Matty Ice still right for the Falcons? | football-feed.com
February 15th, 2012
2:42 pm
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GradyBABYinATL
February 15th, 2012
2:43 pm
Great comment from; “Coach Ralph Fontaine” (I Think his was trying to say Ralph Friedgen”). Dan Reeves was the “Best Coach” the Falcons had and we fired him because he wouldn’t kiss A”"…particularly…Mr Michael Vicks. He was great for the Falcons…. He implemented the “Tom Landry” style of play. He got the Falcon’s to the big dance (which he’s gone as a player and Coach). And, as a Falcon fan, I thought that would never happened. As much as I hate to say this, The Saints will go to the Superbowl in their own Dome…only if they pick up Abraham or Mario Williams, or Mathis (Sprag will have them ready)
RM
February 15th, 2012
2:48 pm
I think the Julio trade set this team back 2-3 years. That was just way too much to give up for a WR. If they had kept their pick last year, they could have drafted the speedy WR that ended up at Baltimore. Tory Smith or something like that… When I learned of the trade I said that’s a bad move unless he plays DB too. Didn’t see him helping that sorry D out any…LOL!
BravesFan79
February 15th, 2012
2:52 pm
Dont forget, people were saying the same thing about Eli Manning after his first 2 playoff disasters.
Stinger2
February 15th, 2012
2:57 pm
Mark: My take on your last paragraph is you are suggesting that Arthur Blank consider making change(s)
yet you did not come out and say this. Am I right or wrong?
Mark Bradley
February 15th, 2012
3:01 pm
Wrong, Stinger2.
Mark Bradley
February 15th, 2012
3:02 pm
If I thought a change was needed, I’d say, “A change is needed.”
Hugo
February 15th, 2012
3:03 pm
Will someone please tell me who Cleveland drafted for those picks and how they fared?
J
February 15th, 2012
3:04 pm
As a season ticket holder for decades that endured when the Dome was all but empty save the road team fans that far outnumbered us, if the current Falcons don’t satisfy your immediate need for instant Super Bowl gratification then find another team to root for now. My family is thrilled with meaningful and exciting regular season games with a hope for more every year. We only get 8 home games a year and the face value of the tickets is sky rocketing. I thank the current regime for making the games worth the trip downtown. As for Matt Ryan, Chris Chandler led us to a Super Bowl! Ryan is better than him.
Reality
February 15th, 2012
3:25 pm
Results have shown Matt, while a likable young man who represents Atlanta well, lacks the skills of quick rfeet and a quick mind. Not to mention an average arm. With a weak OL, it accentuates his shortcomings.
Coach Smith must become better at in-game adjustments.
Dimatroff made some bad moves on Robinson, Edwards and others and has yet to prove his talent assessment abilities.
Bottom line, read the 0-3 playoff record. We are miles from a Super Bowl appearance!
AlanFalcon
February 15th, 2012
3:29 pm
Damn if you do and damn if you don’t, the real reason that this last year turn out to be is that Smitty put to much faith in his friends (MM, BVG and PD) because of this mistake and his faith he failed. I don’t think that it will happen again, if so he’s gone and I think that would be a mistake for his future, anyway I’m betting on a different outcome and feel we will go deep in the playoff’s if not all the way.
Go Falcons and Go Southern Rush !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
layinlow
February 15th, 2012
3:33 pm
Matt Ryan is simply not an elite QB and it shouldn’t take a rocket scientist to figure that out. The guy is a slightly above average QB who is a good game manager which will usually get you to the playoffs but not much else. He will not lead this team to a championship like an an Aaron rodgers or drew brees. He is not on that level.
.
jambro
February 15th, 2012
3:43 pm
To all of you doubters,re-live the past 30 years of losing are we that spoiled after only 4 years of winning?
doggoneit
February 15th, 2012
3:45 pm
HINDS WARD Leader, Play-maker, Classy!!!!!!!! GET HIM NOW!!!!!!!
colelinski
February 15th, 2012
3:49 pm
Fire everyone at the Falcons org. and then fire all the sports writers at the ajc. Then start with new players, new coaches, gm and whatever else is needed. Do the same with the ajc.
Don
February 15th, 2012
3:49 pm
Matt Ryan is the weak link bring in Manning for one year let Ryan go
Sid
February 15th, 2012
3:50 pm
Considering that this franchise was only a DUI arrest away from self imploding only 4 years ago I am on their bandwagon, pedaling their paddlewheel, touting their tenacity, patiently waiting on the pieces, seeing Super Bowl on our Serengeti. To Blank, Dimitroff, Smith, and Matty Ice………..drive her like she’s stolen.
DawginLex
February 15th, 2012
3:51 pm
Mark
homesick?
This place is hoops crazy. 8,000 people at a freaking practice.
Showing it on ESPN3 too
http://www.ukathletics.com/allaccess/?media=301928
Don
February 15th, 2012
3:53 pm
J the dome was full when Vick was here so what the hell you talking about?
tidog
February 15th, 2012
3:54 pm
I remember Canonball Butler and Harmon Wages years. Absolutely the right men for the job an impressive first four years without a doubt.
Texas Pete
February 15th, 2012
4:05 pm
Let’s go for Peyton Manning. The Colts don’t want him. I personally don’t feel Matt will ever win a championship. He doesn’t have the killer instinct necessary to win it all. The Falcons surrounding cast would immediately fall into Manning’s lead and you would have a Super Bowl team the first year. Pull the trigger. Go all out for Peyton Manning.