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
IceColdATLien
February 15th, 2012
4:08 pm
“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”
Best line of the entire article is that one. For the younger fans who don’t recall the pre-Vick years don’t understand how to appreciate what’s happened since TD took over… but I do! While disappointed in the post-season results (duh), I’ve always blamed Mularkey for those outcomes. I mean, how can an OC not be able to get Ice over 200 yards in any of the 3 playoff games (which surprised me – nice stat, MB)?
TD better not go ANYWHERE and, barring an Indy-like season resulting in a #1 pick in a draft with a guy like Luck or RG3, I can’t imagine how the Birdz will get a better qb than Ryan. That said, further January results like those might spell the end of Smith’s reign sooner rather than later… and, unlike the GM or QB, there are almost always a couple of good head coaches available each year. Just sayin’…
PMC
February 15th, 2012
4:09 pm
Seriously J, It’s been pretty awesome to be a Falcons fan during the regular season the last few years.
good old joe
February 15th, 2012
4:11 pm
LESS KEEP THE 3, I BELEAVE WE ARE ON THE WAY TO WINNER’S DO JUST A LITTLE RETOOLING .AND WE WILL BE ON THE PLATEAU OF A WINNER—–
Dawgdad (The Original)
February 15th, 2012
4:13 pm
I don’t expect much change this season. The offense and defense we had were the ones Mike Smith wanted and will insist that his new coordinators “perfect” and “tweak”.
If we have a similiar season as last year, all three need to move on. Of course, with Blank’s track record of picking coaches and GM’s we have a significant chance of doing much worse. He probably should beg Dan Reeves forgiveness and ask him to help him hire replacements.
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
February 15th, 2012
4:15 pm
Mike
February 15th, 2012
1:24 pm
Here is the thing about the Falcons and this “urgency.” This is the most successful stretch in Falcons’ history. They have never had two winning seasons in a row before Ryan/Smith/Dimitroff. I will repeat that
_________________________________________________
Here is another fact:
Since 2002 the Falcants have never gone 4 seasons with a new regime to be winless in the playoffs.
Here is another:
The Falcants have NEVER been shutout in a playoff game (offensively).
George Stein
February 15th, 2012
4:15 pm
I cannot understand the folks that think we should terminate the coach that has delivered the longest period of sustained success in the Falcons’ history. I hope y’all don’t have bosses with such unreasonable expectations of you.
coloradobulldog
February 15th, 2012
4:17 pm
Fans just need to be patient and not forget how bad we were before these three. Ryan’s # of comeback wins speaks volumes of type of leader he is. Three playoff loses with no wins hurts, but each of our opponents were hot and made the super bowl – two won it all and one came darn close to winning. I’m not settling for mediocrity but seriously, we’ve made the playoffs three of last four years – In an era when NFC is # of dominant teams no less!
Jeff B
February 15th, 2012
4:18 pm
Great article, Mark. I thought from the title that it would irritate me to read, but it’s actually fair and balanced.
I think some fresh ideas are just what this offense needs. Let’s put a bit more daring back in our passing game! Let’s first make that possible by upgrading the O-line. I do believe in Ryan. We need to put him in a position to succeed.
Jack G.
February 15th, 2012
4:19 pm
what has a lot of you confused is the lousy past of this franchise.
We are now better than, but not as good as (before and should be)
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
February 15th, 2012
4:20 pm
Mr. Thomas Anthony Jones, SR
February 15th, 2012
1:35 pm
Fire all three of these guys. They are failing. The fans need to boycott the Falcons until they are fired!
_____________________________________________
Well said…..Mora got fired after THREE seasons even though he owns the LAST playoff win for the Falcants.
That’s why Flacco is getting a new deal and CHOKE is….well….CRICKETS from the front office……
HA HA HA
Gemeabreak
February 15th, 2012
4:25 pm
Answer: They are right fit. Preasure is always on in a Arthur Blank enterprise, ask anyone who has worked for him. Part of the deal. If we want Matt to take more chances, the D must improve. Look at the most confident QB’s (Brady, Brees, E. Manning…) they have solid D, a turnover rarely kills. Improve the Defensive side of the ball and the offence will score enough.
Wow I hope SeenThisB4 is okay
February 15th, 2012
4:26 pm
…I kinda miss the little guy around these boards…guess the second consecutive Saints choke in the playoffs has him down…who can blame him…lost to Alex Smith LOL.
BGH
February 15th, 2012
4:26 pm
So you steal something(probably $) from a teammate and you get kicked off the team…you hit your girlfriend at least twice and you get a 2 game suspension. Just like at Fsu. No class.
BGH
February 15th, 2012
4:28 pm
So you steal something(probably $) from a teammate and you get kicked off the team…you hit your girlfriend on multiple occasions and you get a 2 game suspension. Just like at Fsu. No class.
Flappin Falcon
February 15th, 2012
4:29 pm
Are you kidding? These 3 are easily, and by FAR the best things that have ever happened to this franchise other than Blank. I’m a life long Falcons fan. Call it a curse or whatever you want but I was born in Atlanta and these damn birds are in my blood. I root for them when they suck and root for them when they’re good. Am I satisfied? Not till we win it all. Am I happy with the Falcon’s direction. Absolutely!
billcanoe
February 15th, 2012
4:34 pm
Dimitrof, Smith and Ryan are definitely right for Atlanta. Keep them and give them all the support we can.
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
February 15th, 2012
4:42 pm
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!
___________________________________________________
Amen
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
February 15th, 2012
4:44 pm
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.
____________________________________________
Can I get an Amen?
HA HA HA
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
February 15th, 2012
4:46 pm
Don
February 15th, 2012
3:49 pm
Matt Ryan is the weak link bring in Manning for one year let Ryan go
________________________________________________
Dang that’s cold…………..but true…………..
HA HA HA
kdubble
February 15th, 2012
4:47 pm
As far as Robinson being a bust I will hold judgement on that…we play too much soft zone coverage…receivers will be open often…I really dont think he fits that scheme
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
February 15th, 2012
4:48 pm
Soooooooo………………..
When is CHOKE getting that new contract?
HA HA HA
Never gonna get, Never gonna get it.
Can I get an Amen?
HA HA HA
Who Me?
February 15th, 2012
4:49 pm
Matt Ryan is the WEAK link, haven’t seen a week link lately…
This offense has been stagnant for 2 years, and glaringly so with the addition of Julio. The ineffective/non-existent short passing game (what the hell is a screen pass anyway???) combined with the plodding running game this past season doomed our defense as much as anything else.
The disappearance of Ray Edwards was hopefully one of function and not capability. not sure if 3-4 will help or if its even being considered looking ahead, but certainly you have to be concerned about the upfield rush this draft…
All I know is, CMS and the new staff have a very short rope this year. Nothing short of winning the NFC will appease the fans methinks…
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
February 15th, 2012
4:52 pm
coloradobulldog
February 15th, 2012
4:17 pm
Fans just need to be patient and not forget how bad we were before these three. Ryan’s # of comeback wins speaks volumes of type of leader he is
________________________________________________
Has he ever brought his team back from a 25 point deficit with 7 minutes left in the game? Ask the superbowl champs how that felt.
Has he ever put up 6 total touchdowns in 3 quarters? Ask the Redskins (Game of the Century).
Have a nice day
DJ Sniper
February 15th, 2012
4:53 pm
Choke, did you forget how quick Jim Mora fell apart after that playoff season? And I will ask you again: Do you really think that a new contract for Ryan isn’t a priority for this team just because they haven’t mentioned anything about it in the press?
Your logic (and I use that term loosely) is completely delusional.
atltodolavida
February 15th, 2012
4:54 pm
Mark, which plateau are you alluding to at the end of the article? The Leeman Bennett firing?
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
February 15th, 2012
4:54 pm
0-3 in the Playoffs………. DEAL WITH IT!
HA HA HA
DJ Sniper
February 15th, 2012
4:55 pm
Choke, ask Vick how that season ended for him. The same way it ended for us; a loss to the eventual SB Champs. Another fail on your part.
DJ Sniper
February 15th, 2012
4:56 pm
Ryan’s playoff record is well known. It still doesn’t mean anything in regards to your logic and mental state. Also, as many playoff games as Flacco has won, how many rings does he have?
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
February 15th, 2012
4:59 pm
0-3
HA HA HA
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
February 15th, 2012
5:00 pm
ZERO offensive points in the playoffs………………
HA HA HA
kingdaddy
February 15th, 2012
5:01 pm
@M.B.
You answered Stinger2s question will you please tell me if you plan an interview with Koetter and Nolan and when it might be?
Big Dawg Daddy
February 15th, 2012
5:04 pm
I remember the last plateau the Falcons tried to overcome by firing Bennett. Two decades later they are winning again. Stay the course!
mark
February 15th, 2012
5:06 pm
Manning started 0-3 in the playoffs and has a losing record in post season games and won one Superbowl in 14 years the same amount of Superbowl rings as the awesome Trent Dilfer he of the 55% completion percentage and 113 TD to 129 Int! Last I checked if were not for Mr Self-Exposure throwing the worst interception in playoff history Breese would not have one either. Aaron Rogers and Drew Breese choked this year. Ryan is a tough kid who will figure it out and win playoff games. Coach Smith will figure it as well, I think you will see a big difference this year on both sides of the ball.
kingdaddy
February 15th, 2012
5:17 pm
I remember when the Clampets used to own the Falcons. Gee Doggie Granny, them football boys eat almost as much as Jethro. Ely-May you put that Bar-tow-cow-key fellar down. Thank-you Mr. Blank for bringing a highly entertaining team to Atlanta. Don’t complain, give construtive criticism. Go Falcons …
Ross
February 15th, 2012
5:19 pm
Mr Bradley, This was a first rate article very well thought out. Ive been a falcons fan since 1969, I remember all the terrible years of Van Brocklin, Pat Pepler and Dan Henning.I dont want to go back to those days lets be hopeful of better years to come. Russ
doggoneit
February 15th, 2012
5:25 pm
Matt “CHOKE” Ryan your mama so ugly they call her taco bell because when everyone sees her they run for the border
doggoneit
February 15th, 2012
5:28 pm
GO FALCONS!!!!
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
February 15th, 2012
5:30 pm
Arizona+Green Bay+NewYork = ZERO……………..
HA HA HA
doggoneit
February 15th, 2012
5:31 pm
Matt “CHOKE” Ryan talking about your bank account again eh?
Nativebird
February 15th, 2012
5:37 pm
Mike Smith’s game day management, playoff preparation, and stubborn loyalty to failing coordinators are the weak links in this triumvirate.
duronimo
February 15th, 2012
5:41 pm
Good article but I’m still savoring the work you did on the Hawks a few days ago.
Best article I’ve read in years.
Perspective
February 15th, 2012
5:45 pm
The Falcons have been on the best run in their history. The sad part is what their history is. While some (CHOKE) live in the past with a fumbling often injured eagles QB, the reality is that Ryan is a decent not great QB. He is better than most but not as good as the elite. To date he has not won crucial games by putting team on back and carrying them. Reality is he may not be able to. He is inaccurate long but doesnt often get the time from a weak line to throw long. He also doesnt hang in the pocket and fearlessly look down field like Eli Manning. The Falcons can win in the playoffs with Ryan but they will need a stronger team including both lines than a team with a truly elite QB.
DC Dirty Bird
February 15th, 2012
5:53 pm
Choke
You seem to like to compare Ryan to Flacco. Last I checked Flacco has wasted two SB caliber Ravens defenses. Only this year did he actually play at an acceptable level and he still couldn’t put up points on a weak NE defense.
I will say this, Ryan leaves a lot to be desired with the deep ball right now. However, last I checked, that isn’t a requirement to get to and win the SB. He’s not the best QB in the league, nor is he on pace to be one of the best ever to throw the pigskin, and I don’t blame him for our playoff failures since he’s been here.
Samuels
February 15th, 2012
5:57 pm
The falcons will own the NFC & NFC South with the right OC & DC. I think they have those two areas know. We struggled too beat the falcons with bad coaches on OC & DC. All this about the Panther and the rest.. The falcons were a half of a team and won both meetings. I hope all of these Panthers & Saints fans find another blog too post on. The falcons will be a better team then all of them this season. People talk and talk but when was the last time the Panthers beat Atlanta??? The Saint lucked up and won the one in Atlanta. The falcons still was a better team with no OC or DC. We will own the NFC South so ANY QUESTIONS?
Whopper Dawg
February 15th, 2012
5:58 pm
They have cobbled a team together that usually beats teams it should (they are probably in the top third of teams) so that means about a nine wins a season, maybe 10 depending on the schedule and how the ball bounces. But they usually get their rears handed to them when they play a top third team.
And that is where this team is.
I have no idea what you are talking about when you say Jones will bring even greater reward. He won’t unless he plays both ways and is a pass rushing, shut down corner in addition to a good receiver.
Samuels
February 15th, 2012
6:00 pm
We need too get rid of these FAKE Falcons Fans off of this Blog. 90% are not fans
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
February 15th, 2012
6:11 pm
DC Dirty Bird
February 15th, 2012
5:53 pm
Choke
You seem to like to compare Ryan to Flacco. Last I checked Flacco has wasted two SB caliber Ravens defenses. Only this year did he actually play at an acceptable level and he still couldn’t put up points on a weak NE defense
__________________________________________________
The Ravens are working on a long term contract for Flacco.
Looks like they are happy. Where is CHOKE’s new contract?
It’s amazing what 4 straight seasons of winning in the playoffs will do.
HA HA HA
Paddy
February 15th, 2012
6:12 pm
Have we reached a plateau? Under Rankin Smith there was no plateau, period. I do believe that if Smith is to be the coach of the future he will need to be much more aggressive this coming season. The run first mentality was fine when Turner was explosive. He is no longer that type of back. It is a pass first game now and we do have the recievers and qb to compete in that type of game. make it happen!
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
February 15th, 2012
6:14 pm
Samuels
February 15th, 2012
6:00 pm
We need too get rid of these FAKE Falcons Fans off of this Blog. 90% are not fans
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90 percent of the City are not Falcants fans………….
HA HA HA
SawThat1nce
February 15th, 2012
6:23 pm
The 2-6 record against the NO saints, you can put 2 of those loses on Roddy White, dropping game winning TD passes in the closing seconds of the games, 1 in the 2008 season, and 1 in the last season.
You can give credit for the 2 loses in 2009, to the NFL conspiracy to get the saints into the SB that year.