Are Dimitroff, Smitty and Matty Ice still right for the Falcons?

GTT

February 15th, 2012
12:28 pm

Yeah.

Drew

February 15th, 2012
12:30 pm

As a fan of a team that hasn’t made the playoffs in 12 years, I would say yes.

crose714

February 15th, 2012
12:31 pm

First, Seriously? Nice article Mr. Bradley.

crose714

February 15th, 2012
12:31 pm

Darn… Second, is only the first loser…

GTT

February 15th, 2012
12:33 pm

Amen. This plateau is the mountaintop for this long suffering Falcons fan. Let them keep trying and the playoff wins will come.

Brave Hokie

February 15th, 2012
12:33 pm

At least there is no 1st round pic to screw up!

Mr brightside.

Ryno

February 15th, 2012
12:34 pm

If it was 2006, I bet the Indy Newspaper was writing similar article about Peyton, Irsay and Dungy.

We are lucky to have all three.

Coach Ralph Fontaine

February 15th, 2012
12:35 pm

I’ll take this for 10 yrs compared to the Smith Family era.

GooooFalcons

February 15th, 2012
12:35 pm

Dimitroff – let’s not harp on the Peria bust, there is no saying who will ever pan out in the draft. For the most part, though, you have to be impressed with the fact that most of the players we’ve drafted have stuck around the league instead of entirely washing out.

Smith – a fine coach, but not a marquee name, which I think will ultimately be his eventual downfall if no playoff success unfolds.

Matty Ice – Doesn’t seem to have the arm strength for this downfield attack we are pushing. Great guy & a good QB, but not sure if he’s the right fit for us.

GTT

February 15th, 2012
12:37 pm

Take it crose714. I’ve been first lots of times.

Coach Ralph Fontaine

February 15th, 2012
12:38 pm

They are all getting better including the owner. He realized he made a mistake by firing Dan Reeves and who do we have coaching now? Dan Reeves light.

St Simons - we're on Island time

February 15th, 2012
12:38 pm

if Smitty doesn’t lose that soft zone & get a secondary, all 3 are gone.

my grandmother’s knitting circle could get wide open for 5,000 yards

ChopAttack

February 15th, 2012
12:39 pm

The rise of the Panthers and Cam Newton could present series problems for the Falcons next season and going forward.

GTT

February 15th, 2012
12:40 pm

Ryan has arm strength. What he doesn’t have is touch. Those balls are going over the receivers, not falling short.

Ted M

February 15th, 2012
12:41 pm

Matt Ryan is the week link.

hottrod

February 15th, 2012
12:41 pm

Matt is a very scary “leaders’ who doesn’t quite know how to locate the 1st down marker. So many dropped passes because of his thros. QB sneaks are trash. And he runs slow. Our offense getting 2 points out of him is crazy. We’ve survived off our defense so much this year, they;ve probably scored more than our offense. Mike Smith decision to allow his offensive coach to dictate bad plays falls on. Can’t blame the OC this year. Such an unpsetting team w/ a billionaire ownership

Ted M

February 15th, 2012
12:41 pm

weak

elroy

February 15th, 2012
12:42 pm

Is mark bradley right for atlanta or the ajc? No, time to move on!

Matt Ryan's Dad

February 15th, 2012
12:44 pm

Dimitroff seems to be the only one with a set…Smitty and Ryan are way too conservative. Being conservative may have worked in Baltimore when he had a great defense, but the run first mentality doesn’t work against Green Bay and New Orleans.

Sage of Bluesland

February 15th, 2012
12:48 pm

I’m glad to see our boy-wonder GM included in a measure of accountability. Our drafting success needs to be better for us to take the next step; free agency has proven not to be the way to build a team.

I believe his trading of the farm for Julio will be his ultimate downfall. It’s one thing if this type of trigger was pulled for a franchise QB….but a WR? Come on.

If he actually thought we were just one player away from elite, then he needs to be fired. We are far from elite on either side of the ball, namely along the lines of scrimmage.

Matt "CHOKE" Ryan

February 15th, 2012
12:50 pm

Bradley

You know the answer before you even asked the question.

Look no further than the Rookie Coach & Rookie Quarterback that started their 4 straight years of playoff wins and you have your answer.

To make matters worse the Ravens got their guy for 42 million less. That’s why the Ravens are locking Flacco in for the long haul.

The honeymoon is over, and Bradley you are quoted as saying this is the best coach in Falcants history and that CHOKE is the 2nd coming of Manning. Well Manning is a pain in the “neck” and CHOKE is a pain in the rear end

Delbert D.

February 15th, 2012
12:50 pm

Yes. Is Mark Bradley still right for the AJC? Yes, when he doesn’t use blog teases for headlines.

buster brave

February 15th, 2012
12:52 pm

well said mark; i remember all too well the “plateau” during the rankin smith era. accurate article dude !!

Jimi

February 15th, 2012
12:52 pm

All three are doing a very good job…can’t wait for new season to start.

ashvillle dawg

February 15th, 2012
12:54 pm

These guys have brought in the most successful “era” in Falcons history.Just changing the pieces for changes sake would be unwise. Changes, just for the sake of change, don’t always work.

WD

February 15th, 2012
12:54 pm

I think in a league like the NFL (NotForLong) that demands change so often, there is something to be admired by the Falcons stability. Being able to maintain that stability and still make the playoffs isn’t admired in Atlanta because the city is so starved of champions. The Falcons are in a much better place than that bball team next door (Name not be mentioned). Whom constantly tout their mediocracy.

Lon Stotts

February 15th, 2012
12:54 pm

I like the boldness of the move, but I can’t say I agree with you on the Julio trade being an indubitable smash hit. We gave up a lot. Julio is a freak of nature athletically, but I still question whether or not he possesses the one attribute every WR must have- good hands. We all know he (and Roddy for that matter) has battled “chinchilla hands” bouts since his ‘Bama days. If it was for AJ, then it woulda been a sure thing. Also, the questions about Matty’s downfield efficacy affect my view on the trade and will linger until he shows the doubters he can throw deep. Hope Koetter can help alleviate those issues.

Smitty is my favorite coach in Atlanta sports right now– he’s prone to the sugarcoating and BS that every coach in ATL may spew after an ugly loss, but I have no doubt his players like and respect him, and he’s not afraid to shake things up to produce results.

Matt "CHOKE" Ryan

February 15th, 2012
12:56 pm

No playoff wins since 2004. Not so easy to replace the guy that many of you said it would be so easy to replace him.

No playoff wins this season and this marriage will split wider than Sarah Palin’s mouth.

This experiment has failed, and because all the draft picks have gone to Cleveland this franchise will quickly return to 2007 status.

Anybody that thought 22 picks as a 5th year senior doesn’t matter, now you know

hottrod

February 15th, 2012
12:58 pm

Falcons are trash… With Roddy, Douglas, and Jones, we should have beat the Giants, but Matt doesn’t have the winning mentality to move further or EVEN win a game. Much like the Braves, people will go light on them b/c of who the leaders of the team are, but are so quick to go at Josh Smith and Joe Johnson. Hold them all to the same standards.

Matt "CHOKE" Ryan

February 15th, 2012
12:58 pm

Jimi

February 15th, 2012
12:52 pm

All three are doing a very good job…can’t wait for new season to start.

__________________________________________

Spoken like a true winner

honest_abe

February 15th, 2012
12:59 pm

the upcoming season will tell us alot. although mularkey was criticized, it’s his conservative, run first approach that allowed this team to win a lot of games. now that MM is gone and there is a philosophical change in the o-coordinator things will either get drastically better or alot worse. i dont’ believe next year will be repeat of this season.

hottrod

February 15th, 2012
1:00 pm

Traded away all the picks, but left with John Abraham, Snelling, and Turner… Really? Brent Gimres is nice, but who else is in the secondary. Matt Ryan is Mr. “3 and out” and the fans here know it. They just excuse it b/c being in Atlanta, it’s a likeablilty contest.

JR

February 15th, 2012
1:01 pm

I still believe in the three. We look more like a football team with them than without. We are a joke without Dimitroff and Ryan. I love Mike Smith, but some of his moves have been questionable. Not sold on the new OC, but we will see.

Matt "CHOKE" Ryan

February 15th, 2012
1:03 pm

Andy Reid has some 6-7 division titles, 5 Championship game appearances, 1 Superbowl appearance, and he is on the hot seat.

Smitty has an 0-3 record in the playoff and his fan base is happy.

That’s the difference between a winning franchise and a LOSER organization.

HA HA HA…..You guys deserve never ever winning another playoff win

Greg

February 15th, 2012
1:04 pm

We usually beat weak teams. We rarely beat strong teams. We have an average NFL team that has benefited from a weak schedule. You are way too kind to TD. You say Robinson and Edwards “haven’t yet panned out.” They weren’t signed to “develop,” and there’s no reason to believe we haven’t yet seen what they bring to the table. They were signed to make an impact. Robinson is a major embarrassment. He has played as a sub-par corner since he got here. Horrible talent-assessment by TD. Edwards has done better, but is still just a solid, average DE. Has shown practically nothing in the pass rush, which is what he was signed for. Another miscue by TD. You say the Julio trade will pay off. I say he’ll be a great player, sure, but you have to put something in the other side of the scale…namely, all the talent we could have gotten that we gave up. That’s a total unknown, but all I hear from NFL analysts and former players is that we paid too much. Could all these guys be wrong? I doubt it. IMHO, another stupid move by TD.

hottrod

February 15th, 2012
1:04 pm

Not to mention, We picked of the Jaguars leftovers who were last in the league in offense.. lol Who swap OC with a team that has yet to make a playoff under the OC reign? Falcons. Much like the Braves who traded away Yunel Escobar (solid infield defense), Gregor Blanco ( great backup CF), Matt Diaz, & Melky Cabrera ( great OF defensive arm) for out of shape non base running Hinske, Freeman, etc.

Ostrich Racer

February 15th, 2012
1:04 pm

It’s called “addition by subtraction” — with Mularkey gone, maybe we’ll get down to business.

My wife (who is not a noted football analyst) summed it up in the second Saints game: “If they needed 6 yards, why did he only throw it four yards?”

Heisenberg

February 15th, 2012
1:06 pm

Robinson is a bust and a late hit cheapshot artist. Need to ackknowldge that mistake and move on. Otherwise, the continuity of GM, HC, & QB are on the right track. There will be a breakthrough soon enough.

Matt "CHOKE" Ryan

February 15th, 2012
1:08 pm

Zero offensive points in the playoffs & 0-3 in the playoffs and you guys are happy….

HA HA HA

jhughes

February 15th, 2012
1:11 pm

Choke
how did vick do in the playoffs this year? and didnt the Falcons beat the Eagles this year too ? HAHAHA your pathetic

Mack1124

February 15th, 2012
1:14 pm

I am still a believer in Ryan and Dimtroff. I question Smith. Watching other playoff teams this year, made me wonder (for the first time) if he has what it takes, to be CONSISTENT in going and winning playoff games. Each playoff game gotten worse by the way. Everyone wants to blame Mularkey but I still think it always go back to the Head Coach. Maybe Smith was the right guy for the job at the time (Dogfighting, QB in prison, Petrino, 4 win season). Not sure if he has what it takes.

Matt "CHOKE" Ryan

February 15th, 2012
1:17 pm

jhughes

February 15th, 2012
1:11 pm

Choke
how did vick do in the playoffs this year? and didnt the Falcons beat the Eagles this year too ? HAHAHA your pathetic

________________________________________________

0-3 & ZERO offensive points in a playoff game……………….

Vick is not the Falcons qb…..stick to your sorry team……………….

HA HA HA

Who was the last qb to win a playoff game for the Falcants? I keep forgetting

Bill Cody

February 15th, 2012
1:23 pm

Please remember where the team was 4 years ago !!
The 2007 Super Bowl winning Giants lost playoff games two years in a row and were blown out the year before they won the Super Bowl.
For years Peyton Manning legacy was questioned since he hadn’t won a Super Bowl.
Give the entire group the 2012 $ 2013 seasons before we ask for their heads, we could always try to hire Bobby Petrino or Marion Campbell again !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.

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:

The Falcons have never had two winning season in a row before Ryan/Smith/Dimitroff.

Why is that important? Winning is bred into a franchise and so is losing. I would say right now, the losing history has been basically shaken off. The Falcons are now a playoff staple which is uncharted territory for them. The next step is learning how to win when you get there. Then the championships will come. Just like for Tampa and Indianapolis in the 90s, this can take some time.

Mark, as you point out, they have made some coaching moves that should help them take that next step. The offense should be in much better hands. I expect solid improvement there. The defense should also improve. Mike Nolan is an excellent DC and should be an improvement over Van Gorder.

The whole “win now” bit is OK, but put into perspective, this team is right where you want them to be…shook off losing history, became a playoff staple, and now ready to truly be a factor in the championship and complete the turn around of the franchise!

Admiral Obvious

February 15th, 2012
1:30 pm

It’s a good question that’s about eleven (11) months too early. It was obvious in the loss to Green Bay in last seasons play off game the Falcons had issues that needed more than a couple of nifty personnel moves which is all that occurred. Their so called play-makers on offense, play to not get hurt(Michael Turner – touch him and he falls down and runs like frozen molasses) And to borrow a quote from Giselle Brady that I believe also fits the Falcons receivers; “My husband can not f****ing throw the ball and catch the ball at the same time. I can’t believe they dropped the ball so many times.”. Their defense is not a shut down defense it’s a bend us a few times and We’ll break defense.

That said, these three will be on the hot seat at the end of next season should there be a similar failure. And of the three I blame Matt Ryan the least. I believe Mularkey was the biggest issue on offense and he’s now gone. I believe our most serious player issues are on defense. I give Van Gorder for getting as much out of them as he did because all he had to work with was Abraham and two pretty good linebackers.

Jeff

February 15th, 2012
1:31 pm

Now can we get an article about Wren, Gonzalez, and Liberty Media being wrong for the Braves?

jhughes

February 15th, 2012
1:35 pm

choke you come on here with your crap all the time and you used to want to talk about how the falcons made a mistake with vick but now that he was awful this year nothing? hahaha grow up dude get over it and move on

robdawg08

February 15th, 2012
1:35 pm

It all depends on what Mr.Blank’s definition of success is. For a man like him I’d think the Super Bowl was the goal not just making the playoffs. There’s too many other GM’s,coaches,and qbs out there that might get him that Super Bowl. I’d like to hear his thoughts.

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!

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?

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.

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

_____________________________________________

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.

Mike FR

February 15th, 2012
6:35 pm

@Matt “CHOKE” Ryan … now all of the sudden a saints fan know all about winning tradition and continuity? haha give me a break…

Sorry for being happy about finally getting a tradition and being a team constantly mentioned on the playoffs… It’s something we’ve never had, and when it comes, I think it’s “ok” if we appreciate the people who have brought this. Of course you know all about this, the saints have always been contenders, they’re up there with the packers, steelers and all of those tradition teams.or not?

kingdaddy

February 15th, 2012
6:46 pm

I think T.D. is working hard to make the Falcons a consistently competitive team kinda like N.E.s franchise. Do you remember the Ain’ts? Paperbags on their heads but they turned it around and so have we. Just a little more people. I believe Mr.Blank will make the right decisions when it comes to his team. He’s a winner not a whiner. If he needs to get rid of Smitty or Matty, I’m sure he will. This is not a democracy, he owns it. Its better than what we had.?

Najeh Davenpoop

February 15th, 2012
6:49 pm

1. Maybe
2. Yes
3. No

kingdaddy

February 15th, 2012
6:57 pm

Also, I hate the ain’ts with every fiber of my being. They still have a great front office and you can never take them lightly. That’s why I think Mr.Blank needs to hire Carl Hicks away from them to protect Matt. Then get Mario Williams and we’re set for future.

Philip

February 15th, 2012
6:58 pm

C’mon guys lighten up!!!!!!! You all have a short memory. Not being satisfied with Matt Ryan and blaming him LAME. Think back, I can’t even remember the last sub-par QB we have had.Matt is going to be a GREAT QB…he just needed a decent OC.

Like one other blogger just said, I hope your bosses don’t have the same expectation of you and your jobs. Be thankful for what Dimitroff, Smith and Ryan have been doing. Yes, there have been some flops like Robinson, Edwards, Peira…but come on….love what we have.

jerry

February 15th, 2012
7:04 pm

If they had what it takes, they woulda done it by now.

MSD

February 15th, 2012
7:12 pm

Funny, I thought this was Blanks decision, not a bunch on journalists and readers. Let’s stir the pot, find something controversial to yammer about. You can make that decision when you have something at stake.

kingdaddy

February 15th, 2012
7:26 pm

Thankyou M.B. I’ll backtrack. Hope there’s something more in-depth coming later this year. Would like to know if Smitty will turn them loose. Love the way you get the masses stirred up.

SawThat1nce

February 15th, 2012
7:41 pm

I think that Dimitroff needs to make some kind of showing this season.
He has got to get a better OLine, period.
As for as the comments being made about Ryan, it is kind of hard to throw down field, when you have around 2 seconds for the plays to develop, before the pass rush is eating you alive.
I hope that Mike Smith will let this new OC open up the offense.
If the Falcons can’t get a decent pass rush in place, the good QBs will continue to eat the defense up.
You look at the choices that the NO saint’s GM makes in personnel signings, and then look at the ones that Dimitroff makes, and it appears that the saints man is out-classing TD.

Big Crimson 75

February 15th, 2012
7:42 pm

1. Yes
2. No
3. Maybe

Hillbilly D

February 15th, 2012
7:59 pm

Get a better offensive line (and defensive line to a lesser extent) and TD, Smitty, and Ryan will look better. Fail to improve the lines and it’s the beginning of the end. Anybody who’s watched the Falcons since 1966, knows how fast the snowball can roll down the hill.

Jockich Ahn Smelley, II

February 15th, 2012
8:05 pm

Yes, Smitty, Dimi, and Matty Ice are right for the Falcons and Atlanta…..They are the BRAVES of the 1990’s!!! Not good enough for a Super Bowl Victory but a good product to offer to the ATL!

Nail on the Head

February 15th, 2012
8:05 pm

One of the best assessments you’ve made in some time MB. Imho, I think all three will be gone after two more seasons. Dimitroff’s drafing ability is about 50/50 so far…..same with his free-agent signings. Last I checked, .500 gets u fired in this league.

kingdaddy

February 15th, 2012
8:13 pm

Sorry Hillbilly, it doesn’t snow in Savannah and we don’t have hills. We do have a nice bridge though. Anyway, it’s not time for the Falcons Faithful to panic yet. Concerned, yes but its in good hands …

kingdaddy

February 15th, 2012
8:19 pm

Its funny how half the people on this blog see the glass half-empty and the other half see it half-full

Hillbilly D

February 15th, 2012
8:23 pm

half the people on this blog see the glass half-empty and the other half see it half-full

Either way, you still gotta wash the glass.

kingdaddy

February 15th, 2012
8:25 pm

@Hillbilly D
I agree with you about both lines and Savannah is overdue for Snow. Still ain’t got any hills. SCPD won’t let us play on bridge …

kingdaddy

February 15th, 2012
8:31 pm

@Hillbilly
You only have to wash half the glass.

kingdaddy

February 15th, 2012
8:48 pm

Half-full

Milledgeville Dawg

February 15th, 2012
9:22 pm

Bradley, you are an idiot. Go back to Louisville, Ky in a big hurry.

Kontract

February 15th, 2012
9:57 pm

Great work as usual Mark!

Joseph Allen McWhorter

February 15th, 2012
10:30 pm

There is no need to wonder about Dimitroff, coach Smitty, and Matty Ice still being the right men for the Falcons. They were four years ago and they still are. New hires for offensive and defensive coordinators should get much greater production. The Falcons will be in much better shape in the 2012 season. If this team can just win one playoff game, it will make all the difference in the world Just look at what it did for the Giants after they defeated the Falcons in early January. The Falcons will be fine. They are in much greater shape than the basketball Hawks. But that is another story.

tfalcon

February 15th, 2012
10:59 pm

@mark bradly i really think nolan was the best hire an yes even over spags in my opinion spags is over rated nolan resume is much more impressive sure spags has got a ring from 07 but that D was already there if u take that yr away what has he got just a decipule of jim johnson which is great.I just hope that smitty dont have a rope around is neck

tfalcon

February 15th, 2012
11:07 pm

@choke ryan to bad the taints aint got a board for u to play on u loser A$$

Mora less Petrino

February 15th, 2012
11:55 pm

We shall see what difference the new coordinators make. I believe the Falcons are a talented team that were held back by timid play calling. Get an offense that is more daring and improve the O line, which hopefully will give the Birds a few more minutes of time of possession in each game, and that can make a huge difference.

FalconJim

February 16th, 2012
12:41 am

Yes MB, Dimitroff, Smitty and Ice are still right for the Falcons…..right now.

But depending on how the next two seasons go, I might be inclined to change my mind. I’m willing to give this trio 2 more years to get it right, mainly because we don’t have a 1st round pick this year. Then if Dimmy pulls another bone-head stunt like he did last year, I’M DONE!!!

We should have got more help on “D” and O-line, instead of drafting ANOTHER WR. We had one of the best in White, and with HD coming back, and Gonzalez doing his thang, we didn’t need to do something that foolish! O. K., I’m done…..where’s the Tylenol?

GO, YOU DIRTY BIRDS!!!

tyger

February 16th, 2012
12:55 am

Mularkey drummed the daring out of Ryan?

The guy cant throw the ball 45 yards in the air…

He had 20 ints coming out of college…

When has there been any sign of “daring”?

Yes, he can throw the 15 yd out, that’s it, thats all…

Everything else is dink/dunk to the TE and curls…

He doesn’t have the arm to serve justice to Julio’s talents…

Not mentioning the “deer in the headlights” frozen stiff playoffs…

Playoffs! Playoffs! We were in the playoffs????

Matt "CHOKE" Ryan

February 16th, 2012
1:32 am

All these excuses for CHOKE is so tiringgggggg………………..

2007 Ravens were 5-11
2007 Falcants were 4-12

Flacco got it done and CHOKE didn’t……………..end of conversation.

There is no excuse for CHOKING every season when your rival in Baltimore has ZERO 1 & dones.

There is no excuse for not getting your team in the endzone in the biggest game of the season.

There is no excuse for making the franchise wait 7+ seasons for another playoff win.

You LOSERS will be making excuses until CHOKE is in an old folks home

Luckily Blank is not giving this LOSER another contract. If he was anything close to the future, he would have a new contract by now.

Sorry LOSERS but the experiment is over and it FAILED

TRUEFAN

February 16th, 2012
1:58 am

For the last time people,Julio trade was 4 picks. WE SWAPPED FIRST ROUND PICKS WITH CLEVELAND LAST YEAR AND TOOK JONES.

Falcons

February 16th, 2012
2:44 am

With Eli, Drew, Aaron, and now Cam in the mix, the Falcons don’t have a snowballs chance in H3LL of making it to the SuperBowl!!!!!!

FL dawg

February 16th, 2012
6:36 am

Don’t the Falcons have enough WR’s? What would have been nice would to have VinceYoung on the sideline when Ryan couldn’t do squat against the Giants defense. Atl needs to get a QB to push Ryan, bet they’d get a first down on 4th and inches.

dan

February 16th, 2012
6:42 am

My thoughts on the Falcons

Mike Smith –I like what Smith has done for the Falcons franchise. However, someone is going to have to explain to me how his teams NEVER seem ready for the big stage. Why do good teams dominate the Falcons?And why can’t they seem to make adjustments when something is not working? There is more going on here than just coordinators. There are deeper problems with team philosophy and execution. I think Smith might be what I call a “fundamentals coach”, someone who can clean up a locker-room , add a few players, and win with a basic scheme. But like Jim Mora in Indy, he may be only able to take them so far. They may need another guy who can come in and that them over the top.

Matt Ryan – is he a good QB? Yes, I believe he is currently one of the top 10 best QB’s in the NFL. However, I am not sure what his ceiling is, and at this point, that is a problem. Can he develop more? I don’t know, but what I do know is worrisome. Why does he disappear in big games? Why – when surrounded by all pro’s, does the offense get embarrassed against quality competition? Was it play calling? More than likely. But what if Mularkey called vanilla offense because that is all Ryan can handle?

Thomas Dimitroff – Dimitroff has had some hits and some misses. Every GM misses, such is the nature of the game. HOWEVER, the single biggest question for this franchise moving forward is the Julio Jones trade. This could be Dimitroff’s crowning achievement or his Waterloo. For in this trade one has to ask the question; why try and change the entire makeup of what the team did well? Were there other forces at work? And if so, what were they? Dimitroff clearly tried to change the dynamic of the team, and so far it has yielded minimal results. So he either did not understand what the team’s identity was going into the draft – a problem – or he wasn’t aware of the limitations of the current players on his roster – a bigger problem. If the Falcons bottom out next year, Dimitroff’s head will be on the chopping block right alongside Smith’s.

dagnabit

February 16th, 2012
6:56 am

Oh no. Not the dreaded plateau! Speaking off. Where are you going next?

Buckeye

February 16th, 2012
7:02 am

Fouth and One. Just sayin’

Even Jim Tressel play- actioned on a Fourth and One vs. Purdue (to former Bird and #1 pick Michael Jenkins) to score a go ahead touchdown in the waning seconds en route to their 2002 National Championship.

Arthur's Skank

February 16th, 2012
7:56 am

Matty Ice has turned into Matty Slush. His arm is like an egg noodle hanging from his body. Throw the big money at Peyton Manning and watch how it is done.

Buckeye

February 16th, 2012
8:22 am

ShaKwanzaa,

Nice try you closet 1%er.

T. Greer

February 16th, 2012
9:20 am

You are truly an idiot!!

B-man

February 16th, 2012
9:38 am

This is rediculous…everyone wanting Dimitroff and Smith fired needs to do some research. Look at the Steelers under Bill Cowher (who almost any team in the NFL would like to hire), it took him several years of playoff losses and just being in the hunt to finally get over the top. The reality is there is only 1 team out of 32 every year that is truly happy. But that doesn’t mean that you fire the two men directly responsible for bringing complete respect to a team that was the laughing stock of the league for 30 years. I say just keep getting to the playoffs, eventually the stars will align and a special season will happen (or even multiple seasons). Do the birds need to get better? Yes, and I believe they will. As for Matt Ryan, we can stop the elite quarterback talk. He does not have the skills to be a Manning, Brady, Rodgers or Brees. But is he good enough to win a super bowl? We will see.

what of it?

February 16th, 2012
9:41 am

ATTENTION PLEASE!

this is a wind-up. this is only a wind-up.

Stop the Madness

February 16th, 2012
9:43 am

Dimitroff – NO, was inexperienced and still being mentored by McKay
Smitty – NO, too conservative
Ryan – Over rated right now. Maybe if someone gave him a dose of Big Balls he might have the courage to play big boy football

I’m not impressed with any of these clowns. Arthur still keeping McKay around says all I need to know. The Falcons will have winning seasons now. Yall happy now?

Rtruth

February 16th, 2012
9:49 am

As long as Ryan and Smitty are here we will never go to a SB much less win one.
That guy with the high hair has to go too.

mark

February 16th, 2012
10:02 am

Choke I see you ignored my post, facts are a hard thing to deal with according to your logic after Peyton’s first 4 seasons you would be saying the same things about him? Go back to your mothers basement you pussy.

vafalconfan

February 16th, 2012
10:11 am

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.

Mark- this is the quote of the year, well said!

Devil's Advocate

February 16th, 2012
10:16 am

The only piece of information that really matters here concerning wins is the 3-12 record when Ryan throws more than 40 times. The Falcons recent success was largely due to Michael Turner pounding the rock behind a nasty (opponents called them dirty, I say they were doing their job well) OL. Why did Ryan have such a promising rookie season? Because he was not asked to sling the ball all over the yard like Brees, Brady, the Mannings, or Rodgers. He had a dominant running game which afforded him an adequate number of opportunities down field to the best receiving TE in history and an emerging Roddy White.

I’m tired of people making excuses for the passing game by blaming the OL’s pass blocking. Every NFL QB is under pressure every game. The great QBs know how to protect the ball and negate the pass rush by throwing to the void left in the defense. Without that dominant running game the tougher opponents are taking away the passing game. The Falcons need to restore their running game to get defenses to pull off the receivers and make things more comfortable for Ryan. We don’t need Ryan to be a gunslinger racking up crazy numbers against the scrub teams while looking ineffective against playoff caliber teams. This is where the OL needs an upgrade or attitude adjustment. We need to get back to knocking people off the ball and allowing our RBs to run. We also need a new RB for 2013 IMO because Turner probably has one great season left.

SavDawg

February 16th, 2012
10:16 am

When TD & Smitty first came to ATL the first thing I heard was we’re going to build from the inside out!!! I wonder where that phols. went? We lose argueably our best OLman last year to FA. but mortaged our future w/ a skill position. MR nor any QB cannot function W/O time.
Some on this blog have said a top QB can function even w/ weak OL. Would someone tell me who and how ??

zbulldawg

February 16th, 2012
10:20 am

Matty NEEDS TO GET HIS BUTT IN THE WEIGHT ROOM !! HE HAS THE FRAME TO BE STRONGER !! This practice of leaning so hard on just the starters DON’T Work any more ! The only none starters makig big plays is Greg Williams running down somebody who is making a big PLAY ! Harry needs to be used more !!! Roddy quit powding when Matty goes to someone else ! Tony great as he is ! Is always double or trippled ! By the end of the season Turner is wore out ! The OL SUX !! The DEFENSE is vanilla Any decent college team could move the ball on them ! The special teams is below average ! This team just needs to GROW UP !! NO MORE” IT’S OKAY ” NO THE HELL IT’S NOT OKAY !! EITHER PLAY or GO AWAY !! This all starts with the head coach GET TOUGH SMITH !!!!! NO decent team fears the FALCONS !!

Devil's Advocate

February 16th, 2012
10:27 am

SavDawg,

The Saints, the Giants, the Patriots (stop living in the past pretending that they have the great OL from 7 years ago), the Giants, the Bengals, and the Lions all have decent OLs. It’s a chicken and egg thing. Is the OL considered great because the QB is so effective getting rid of the ball and calling audibles at the line or is the QB able to throw for so many yards because the OL won’t let anyone in the backfield? All I know is if you objectively watch multiple NFL games they all look the same. NFL DLs apply pressure, some better than others but they are all bringing it. The “great” QBs all get hit just the same as the not-so-great ones but the biggest difference is they get rid of the ball in a productive manner. Brees and Rodgers always seem to have a defender on them more than Ryan IMO.

SavDawg

February 16th, 2012
10:31 am

Hey KingDaddy are u from Savannah?

SavDawg

February 16th, 2012
10:39 am

DA idon’t know seems to me Ryan is constantly under pressure. I wonder if their any any stats on how long each QB in leauge has to execute play (average).Also our run game seems to have gone downhill since harvey dahl left.

Devil's Advocate

February 16th, 2012
10:46 am

SavDawg,

I don’t disagree that Ryan is constantly under pressure. I’m just saying that applies to all QBs. Ryan still threw for a lot of yards but unfortunately they hardly come against the good teams and that’s on Ryan IMO. He’s billed as a smart QB who can make adjustments at the LOS so he needs to show that against the better defenses. That’s when he’ll be elite.

Your second point is exactly what I referred to in my first post. Bring back our dominant run blocking and Ryan is a non-issue but we’ve got to replace Turner soon because we’re on borrowed time with him.

Taxi Smith

February 16th, 2012
10:52 am

Another question: Is Bradley still right for the AJC??

Dontavius Supremo

February 16th, 2012
10:55 am

Some of you idiots wouldn’t know a good quarterback if he bit you in the a$$. Go back to your cubicles and shut up.

SavDawg

February 16th, 2012
10:56 am

DA i agree somewhat but against the better “D”’s is where our OL’ is really outmatched. I don’t know how many adjs. can be made with no time. I wonder if our inabilty to run screens & other plays to slow down DL’s afects any adjm’s he can make.

T

February 16th, 2012
10:58 am

If the jeremy lin story had happened here, it wouldn’t even be big. It’s all because it’s in new york

Ronald Millsaps

February 16th, 2012
11:47 am

“crose714″— This “second place is the first loser” nonsense is just that: nonsense, and the benchmark it uses for success is totally wrong.

Also, even if the non-winners were indeed losers, the second-place individual would be the last “loser”, so you’re system is mathematically flawed————-and unfortunately, this classless drivel, like a lot of other classless drivel, made its way to many a t-shirt.

Each team and player have “x” amount of God-given potential. Developing that potential should be the goal. Many a player has worn a Super Bowl ring without contributing that much to it. Many have contributed much and never worn one.

The Falcons’ playoff record really should read 1-2 or 0-2* because that Arizona game should’ve been played in Atlanta, and the outcome likely would’ve been different otherwise. In 2010, Green Bay at full strength was a lot better than Atlanta at full strength, and the former hit their stride in the playoffs. I didn’t expect Atlanta to win that game, nor did I expect them to beat the Giants, a team with much-stronger lines of scrimmage, among other things.

As it is, Atlanta is pretty good. Getting to the next level entails making some key adjustments, i.e. bolstering said lines of scrimmage, opening up the offense, and using wiser play-calling. Smith’s a terrific football guy but is terrible in that regard.

Email Profiling Is Wrong

February 16th, 2012
12:13 pm

I don’t have high hopes for the 2012 Falcons. Carolina is on the come, and New Orleans is far superior to us. I think free agency is gonna gut the team of some of its best talent (Abraham, Grimes and perhaps Lofton on defense) and Harry Douglas on offense. Harry who? If he bolts for greener pasturplodding two-headed monster Mularkey and Ryan.

Being the third best team in our division doesn’t bode well for our earning a playoff berth.

We are stuck with free agents, Dunta and Edwards and a pimply-voiced QB who’s most asset to date seems to be an inexhaustible reservoir of good will with the legions of fans who continue to make excuses for his numbing mediocrity.

On the hopeful side, we had wholesale turnover among the coordinators. I believe we have a new O-line coach and DB coach coming in as well.

Maybe these new movers and shakers can mold Matt into the man the PR spin from Flowery Branch claims him to be. Perhaps the Birds can scheme up a pass rush and figure a way to get the opposition off the field on third-and-anything.

We’ll see.

It’s too early to abandon this ship. But I think it’s prudent to make sure you know where your life jacket is.

Email Profiling Is Wrong

February 16th, 2012
12:17 pm

For nobody’s benefit but mine. That first paragraph should read:”

I don’t have high hopes for the 2012 Falcons. Carolina is on the come, and New Orleans is far superior to us. I think free agency is gonna gut the team of some of its best talent (Abraham, Grimes and perhaps Lofton on defense) and Harry Douglas on offense. Harry who? If he bolts for greener pastures, we’ll hear his name plenty. His 2011 production was a victim of the plodding two-headed monster Mularkey and Ryan.”

Tony in johns creek

February 16th, 2012
12:37 pm

Stay the course. We need offensive linemen. Period. We need one of the best offensive lines in football. Turner gets more holes, Ryan has more time to throw DOWN FIELD, receivers need to catch the ball IN STRIDE. Need a more versitle running back, who can catch screen passes. A good OL will keep our defense more fresh too, by keeping the ball in time of possession too.

Ackshun

February 16th, 2012
12:42 pm

Look go get Manning and let Ryan learn from him. We would win a superbowl next year and Ryan would be awesome as heir apparent under Mannings tutelage.

juststoppingby

February 16th, 2012
12:50 pm

oh yes….mediocrity is so popular these days.

Rickster

February 16th, 2012
12:54 pm

Mark Bradley: 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.

Mark, could this be because, over the last four years, NO and GB haven’t had to come from behind as often as the Falcon have?

In baseball, if a batter drives in a run to give a team a lead which it never relinquishes, that’s called a game-winning RBI. If Rodgers or Brees leads a drive in the first quarter that puts them ahead 7-3… isn’t that a game-winning drive?

smooth

February 16th, 2012
1:17 pm

I think it is time to get rid of Mark Bradley! The Falcons have made the playoffs 3 times with the 3 mentioned. I think also that Thomas Anthony is all wet and probably was a cheerleader in HS.

FalconE

February 16th, 2012
1:29 pm

dimitroff, smith, ryan—overrated. ATL will never win a title with this group. But, Arthur better get his new stadium soon, or he’ll threaten to move somewhere!

just facts

February 16th, 2012
1:33 pm

could you please cut out the “matty ice” stuff. it is embarrassing for everyone including him. the only thing “ice like” in his performance under pressure is the way that he “freezes up”

just facts

February 16th, 2012
1:38 pm

but, even with my last comment, ryan is not the biggest problem. the fact that blank has bought into the belicheck (wanna be but never will be) dimitroff is the biggest problem. dimitroff shoulb be held accountable for the numeous draft and free agent busts that he has had. if dimitroff HAD BEEN working for many other organizations he would now NOT BE working for them anymore.

Just saying..

February 16th, 2012
2:13 pm

Mark-
When did you get so edgy, asking awkward questions, man?

I love it.

goodgod

February 16th, 2012
2:45 pm

when the falcon start beating winning teams then i’ll know they are on the right track.

Brandon

February 16th, 2012
3:08 pm

It’s a good analysis, but its a huge improvement for the team historically. Note the long standing, success organizations in the NFL. Consistency breeds success.

The playoff record of 0-3 kills me to, but note that all 3 of those teams that beat us made the Super Bowl and two of them won it. Granted, our performance in all 3 games left something to be desired, but it would have beed different if those team were blown out in the following rounds.

mark

February 16th, 2012
3:16 pm

What Choke too busy cleaning up your room in the basement to respond? Facts suck for guys like you b/c it gets in the way of your agenda. Aaron Rodgers and Drew Brees still chocking after all these years. What about that Dilfer vs Manning comparison. What a douchebag, you must be related to that other ahole Seen This Before. I guess he is still busy crying over is vaunted Saints loosing to the Niners.

Capt. "No" Comeback Vick

February 16th, 2012
3:23 pm

Vick = two 100 million dollar contracts, a prison term and 1 NFC championship game (appearance only) in 11 years…. OMG!!!

I think he’s awesome

FANtastic

February 16th, 2012
4:20 pm

Run first doesn’t work against Green Bay and NO? That must be why they won the SB… Oh wait…

MJ

February 16th, 2012
5:49 pm

How ’bout them Bobcats?

NUNNA

February 16th, 2012
6:30 pm

Hey Mark,
Stop giving these guys a pass!!
You know dog gone well that we have a noodle arm for a QB and that he is not gonna get any better than he is now..
And TD cannot be that good if the PATS let him go so freaking easily..Think about it..
Its like they said we asked if we could talk to him and they looked at him and said,
“Gone”!..And he packed and on his way to atlanta..

I like Mike Smith..He is humble,a great mind,and i interviewed him during the 1st annual black college football hall of fame induction at the W hotel 2 years ago..

TD said on draft day that the thing he loved best about Ryan was the fact that he sounded like Tom Brady..Not that he played or lead his team to championships like Brady but because when talking to him he sounds like the guy..

Give me a freaking break!!

Trade Ryan for higher draft pick for RG3..
Bring back Ken Herock or get permission from anyone in the packers or the saints organization to bring in someone to become our next GM and give Mike the team and talent he needs..to get us to the super bowl..

NUNNA

February 16th, 2012
6:32 pm

Correction:
ts like that we asked if we could talk to him(TD) and they looked at him and said,
“Gone”!..

NUNNA

February 16th, 2012
6:33 pm

Correction#2:
Its like that we asked if we could talk to him(TD) and they looked at him and said,
“Gone”!..
Im sorry..Im about to do a radio interview and i am rushing my typing..

Techbuzz

February 16th, 2012
6:42 pm

Mark……REALLY……REALLY….why even write a piece like this???? How many years and playoff loses did it take for Elway to get HIS rings? The Buffalo Bills went to FOUR STRAIGHT SB’s and no one refers to THEM as “busts”. I know you write these pieces just to get hype and speculation moving, but seriously, COME ON!!!!!!!

This tandem of TD, Smitty, and Matty Ice have been the most successful tandem in Falcons HISTORY!! FOUR straight winning season, 3 out of 4 years in the playoffs, the last two BACK 2 BACK. Mind you, all of these accolades, would be a PIPE DREAM of Falcons fans from 20 years ago and longer.

Is there room for improvement, without question. Do things need to be tweaked, heck yes, but to blow up the whole thing and start over is just…… ASININE to even consider or entertain. Our BIGGEST issue(s) this season was the O-Line, and no pressure on opposing QB’s. Matt Ryan can’t throw the ball when he has no time to throw, heck, Joe Montana can’t even do that (remember when he was crushed in that game against the Giants).

Ryan does need a better deep ball, and that is obvious, but he DID break Steve Bartkowski’s single-season passing record this year. And while that does attribute to the O-line, to a point, it is STILL a broken record. Matty Ice IS our franchise QB, and should be until he retires. And now with Mularkey gone, hopefully now, our offensive weapons can be better utilized instead of wasted.

If we don’t get a pass rush on opposing QB’s, and CB’s that can cover, and get INT’s, then we will NEVER get past the first round. As the Giants proved in the playoffs, yet again, any team wanting a SB championship, NEEDS a solid defense!! I won’t go into specific players, and issues dealing with them, b/c we have done that to death, and we ALL know who the REAL players are on D, and who needs to be sent packing, b/c there isn’t any sacking.

I have FULL faith, and trust, in TD and Smitty. Look where they have brought this franchise. Do they need a playoff win, YES, most definitely, but do we REALLY want to go back to 5-11, 4-12, or worse seasons again just b/c we panicked? Hail no!!!!!!!

loserville

February 16th, 2012
11:23 pm

in atlanta, having a “winning season” or “making the playoffs” is considered a huge year. In championship cities, that’s mediocre. The reason atl will always be loserville.

demetrius

February 16th, 2012
11:43 pm

All falcons players suck the whole damn franchise.

doggoneit

February 16th, 2012
11:53 pm

Matt “CHOKE” Ryan : You could never be sooooooo wrong! It’s a Team sport. Not a player sport! ACT your age, OH sorry, you are. BTW your so dumb you got fired from the M&M factory for throwing away the W’s

doggoneit

February 16th, 2012
11:56 pm

GO FALCONS!!!!! EVERYONE ELSE MOVE TO ENGLAND!!!!!! SUPPORT YOUR TEAM!!!!!

THE NEXT GREAT GM!!!

February 17th, 2012
1:20 am

It is true that matt , mike, and thomas has brought winning to the city of atlanta..hurray…but the fact of the matter is thomas could have made much better choices in free agency as well as the draft..the signing of ray edwards will turn out jus fine if falcon fans relax and duanta robinson, grimes if resigned,witherspoon, lofton, moore, decoud,and dent are impact players on defense wen used to there strengths…howeva..what about anderson, perry, hall being traded,boley being lossed, perry,bierman, the o linemen we lossed last season….

THE NEXT GREAT GM!!!

February 17th, 2012
1:35 am

last year once again we allowed some great defensive palyers in free agency slip right out our fingers…players who would have gotten this team over the hump…charles johnson,banaan,rogers cromartie, asi,and so on..julio jones will be the greatest asset we eva had on o and even thoe hes over paid roddy is a nice number 2 option and harry is nice in the slot..but we need not only more speed at the wr position we need a line to protect ryan..thomas has to realize that matt is not mobile and his arm strength is not like rogers,brees,manning,or brady…in order for the falcons to have success in the future we need to start with both lines on offense as well as defense..we need size, speed, and strength on both sides..we also need to simply admit that mike was not a great offensive coordinator..he had talent and made dem good the great ones take the ones around them to another level he was predictable and nieve..the defense simply did not have the talent to take us further look at the giants d line and backs compared to ours..football is simple but do to a nieve GM in thomas, a nice coach in smith(great head coach jus needs to b tuffer dats all) a few missing pieces of offense and defense, as well as a owner who knows nothing about football thats the reason the falcons struggle..if i had a shot a GM give me 2 yrs falcons a b in the superbowl in 5 i garuntee we would have atleast 2 rings with my football knowledge..check my comments i was right about the playoffs as well as the season i know talent and how to use it you are doing it wrong ARTHUR BLANK AND THOMAS …LOOK ME UP AND GIVE ME A SHOT I CANT DO ANY WORST THANU GUYS I WANT A CHAMPIONSHIP FOR THE CITY FOR THE FANS FOR THE GAME….

Edo River

February 17th, 2012
2:29 am

I come here first when I come to the sports section. Well put. The three are definitely on the same page, whatever page that is. The harmony and familiarity of the relationship which has developed should not be undervalued. 5 years is an interesting sign post. surely after 5 seasons we’ll be able to assess what needs improving. Well, we know the defense needs the highest priority this year and the next, don’t we?

Gritsfed

February 17th, 2012
4:50 am

I don’t know what Mike Smith has, Lord knows I have never been too impressed with him, but his teams win (regular season) alot. Next year is the end of his 5 year contract–unless Mr. Blank gave him an extension while I was in hibernation. The 2012 is and should be a make or break year for the falcons. If Smitty doesn’t get the team, at least to the NFC Championship game, let him go! I think it’ll be interesting to see what Matt Ryan does under the new O coordinator. And it will be especially interesting to see what happens with Michael Turner. I think Turner is done!!! And who will they get to replace him. Matt Ryan HAS TO have a running game to win the games he has won, nevermind about the playoffs.,,,,,the Falcons HAVE TO find a big time running back!!!

Samuel

February 17th, 2012
6:53 am

Well, all three are under pressure this year, especially Mike Smith, he has to win a playoff game. If not he should be fired. Besides, he hasn’t been competitive in his playoff loses, save The Arizona Cardinals game. He doesn’t seem to get his players ready for big games against stiff competition.

old fart

February 17th, 2012
8:00 am

The problem with all our Atlanta teams (Braves, Falcons, Hawks, etc) is us … the fans. We accept mediocrity. If we were as rabid, demanding, and vocal as the Phillies, Mets, Patriots, Packers etc fans are … we’d have won several Super Bowls and World Series. We do have many great fans … but not enough of them (how many sell outs have we had at any of our must win or prime time or playoff games?). Governments fall when its citizens rebel. Atlanta fans must also rebel and demand better results from our teams.

WELP

February 17th, 2012
9:27 am

Falcons are trash, Hawks are trash, Braves are trash.

All of them should relocate so we can focus on what really matters… Strip clubs!

monty

February 17th, 2012
9:42 am

Last 2 years we got beat by the eventual SB winners. No shame there except for the scores. Not like we lost to some has-been teams. We got beat by the teams that beat the Patriots and Steelers (or whoever it was). We got beat by a HOF QB and perhaps another one in Manning. Teams with better QB protection and better defenses at game time. Swap QB’s and do the Falcons win automatically? I don’t think so. The problems lie in pass rush and pass protection. Does MR need to step up and get some grittiness? Absolutely! Go watch Eli Manning game tapes of the playoffs everyday and try to copy!

PMC

February 17th, 2012
9:58 am

Question: The last two franchise QB’s that the Falcons have employed, Vick then Ryan have come to the team and had immediate success. That success has also eroded somewhat as they have gone along. Ryan has been more consistant probably because he does so much work off the field, but Vick obviously was a lot more talented and brought a lot of skills to the table that helped an otherwise lightly talented team win all the way up to an AFC championship game appearance.

Why is it that the Offensive Coordinators during that time after Reeves was fired (so essentially Knapp, Mularkey) got worse over time?

Why do we hire guys who are so inflexible they can’t either adapt or change what they do to fit the strengths of the players they have or they are simply hard headed about their methods?

Last year obviously from game one it was apparent Right Guard was awful and it wasn’t getting better. The line had a fairly crappy year all around even if Svitek did shore up the blind side, yet we were incapable of modifying what we do to account for weaknesses.

Green Bay has a phenominal QB, no question and they have great receivers but they couldn’t run to save their lives, and they had countless injuries to key members of the offensive line… and yet they succeded until very late in the year when the injuries and the like finally caught up and the previous year they weathered the storm and won a super bowl.

It is remarkable that the offensive staff that has been here cannot find ways to adapt and score points.

I know the OL is not exactly made up of pro bowl talent, but they are all NFL players, they can’t execute screens? Why?

The offensive philosophy here has been the primary failure of this team in the last 8 years.

Mo Joe

February 17th, 2012
10:05 am

smith and ryan–nice guys, but not championship caliber. But, they will keep their jobs because they are so “nice!”

Michael from Macon

February 17th, 2012
10:21 am

Sadly, I think coaching is the key and Smith has not proven he has a killer instinct as a coach, and thus his players have adopted his character. They are thoughtful and considerate men who like football and would like to win, but at the end of the day do not possess the killer instinct to win. I was one of the first to say Smith should go. But now, I think with the new staff hires on both sides of the ball, this should be his last chance to show he can lead a team. That goes for Ryan (who seems to regress each year instead of progressing each year) and Dimitroff. What TD does in free agency and with his own pending free agents will either make him this year or get his fired.

Alex

February 17th, 2012
10:38 am

This happiest I’ve ever been as a Falcons!! Best era ever. The team is better than its playoff record but the QB/GM/Head Coach aren’t the problem. Thank goodness for the different coordinators.

doublebogey

February 17th, 2012
12:24 pm

stupid article—-beaten by superbowls champs two yrs. in a row, maken the playoffs, lets panick and start over—why not bring back the Smiths

ASHCAN!!!!!!

February 17th, 2012
12:44 pm

Hey choke,i think you are getting to these sorry bird brain fans.You speak facts and they combat by bringing up vick.Deep down they really know that matt ryan will not produce.So they take up for him by responding with yo momma jokes ect….this is 2012 and in 2020 the same bloggers will still be making excuses for this sorry franchise.If blank was smart he would make nolan the coach,smitty is a BIG crybaby and pitiful game manager.Matt weak arm ryan will not cut it and soon you blind as a bat fans will see.

ASHCAN!!!!!!

February 17th, 2012
12:48 pm

And if you(Whom ever) don’t like my comment,well you can KISS MY ASHCAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

78dawg

February 17th, 2012
2:06 pm

Tom D. has been a miserable failure…..Smith an average coach….Ryan needs to learn to throw on the run and lose the happy feet..if not trade him after next year,

FATS OKELLY

February 17th, 2012
2:19 pm

Maybe this Ryan kid just aint the right guy for the Falcons. We need some guy that spits fire in the huddle and he turns into Howdy Doody at playoff time. That s all

Matt "CHOKE" Ryan

February 17th, 2012
2:26 pm

Anybody seen Mr. Charlie?

He dropped off the blogs since his elite CHOKE failed him again

I believe he is using another name or he could be working overtime at Chuck Cheese

Matt "CHOKE" Ryan

February 17th, 2012
2:29 pm

Brandon

February 16th, 2012
3:08 pm

It’s a good analysis, but its a huge improvement for the team historically. Note the long standing, success organizations in the NFL. Consistency breeds success.

The playoff record of 0-3 kills me to, but note that all 3 of those teams that beat us made the Super Bowl and two of them won it

______________________________________________________

Nice spin, but if the Falcants beat them, then they would never have played in the superbowl.

Nice try though

Matt "CHOKE" Ryan

February 17th, 2012
2:37 pm

@ASHCAN

They can’t handle the truth…..ha ha.

If CHOKE was so good, he would be locked in long term. It must hurt them so bad that Vick can get a 130 million dollar contract………………..go to prison…………….get another 100 million dollar contract.

I mean Vick went to prison and when he gets out his playoff win still remains the last time a Falcant qb has won a playoff game………………..that’s gotta hurt………….

HA HA HA

Matt "CHOKE" Ryan

February 17th, 2012
2:39 pm

Flacco is about to get top 5 qb money while CHOKE is about to get a chicken dinner…………

HA HA HA

PFT: Tebow draws ‘few more girls’ in Westwood « Sports Greatest Rivalries

February 17th, 2012
3:34 pm

[...] Bradley of the Atlanta Journal Constitution wonders if the Falcons have [...]

Gunner

February 17th, 2012
3:46 pm

Dang, you’re hard to please. Gi9ve the coaching changes some time.

doggoneit

February 17th, 2012
5:21 pm

Matt “CHOKE” Ryan Matt ryan good who do you suggest we get? gosh thats right!! you have no clue either…. HA HA HA HA

cmc

February 17th, 2012
5:48 pm

I think most Falcons fans remember the days of the paper bag years when we were ashamed to be seen with anything that had an Atlanta Falcon logo on it. Yes it’d be nice to have done better in the playoffs but getting there is not as easy as most think it is with the intangibles week to week of a 16 game NFL season. I am willing to give the new coaches a chance this year to input some new philosophies on offense, get Ryan and Julio Jones clicking (did I hear someone say Randy Moss was coming back?) and let’s go at it again. Four winning seasons in a row would have been the biggest joke of the 70s, 80s and most of the 90s too in this town with this organization. There are some weaknesses yes but I’d take us being upset about not progressing in the playoffs over us talking about another 3-13 or 4-12 or 5-11 season year in year out as we did decades past. I think the fact Braves fans see what it feels like to have sit out five ouf of the past six seasons in the playoffs that its far better to experience disappointment in the post season than not to have a post season at all. Good article Mark and agreed.

vesaversa

February 17th, 2012
6:54 pm

Matt Ryan have weak arm the Falcons knew that before they got him.Coach Smith is a good sideline defensive coach but he is not NFL head Coach quality.

Dennis

February 17th, 2012
9:53 pm

Do not for rget how long it took Payten. We have a quarterback. We need to keep this quarterback. He knows and studies the game. The Newtons, Vicks, RGIII etc. are exciting atheletes.but they come and go. Defenses figure this out quickly. If this style of ball is what is consistant, guys like Matt, Tom, Eli, Peyton, etc…and hundreds before them would have not been taught the game the way they were. Do you want to rebuild ever three or four years? Or develope a tradition with the possibillity of a winnig club year in and year out? And, by the way tell Beau Bach he is not and has never been the icon sports authority he attempts to project!

Dennis

February 17th, 2012
9:54 pm

Who in the hell would you have replace them at this point and time???

brian reed

February 17th, 2012
11:06 pm

we should get mario Williams because we was a pass rushing DE and he became a grand OLB so him in mike Nolan’s 4-3 3-4 hybrid with Kroy Beirman in on the 3-4 schemes there is your pass rush

Jim

February 18th, 2012
4:14 am

We can all agree on one thing: everybody is uneasy about the lack of playoff success. Where the blame will eventually fall if anyone’s guess, but the ax will nail someone (emotion or logic will drive it) if the playoff situation continues. Something is just not right with this team, they just cannot win the big game…it is a consistent problem.

Matt "CHOKE" Ryan

February 18th, 2012
10:19 pm

I hope you CHOKE lovers have given him a good bye kiss because if you have been following what is going on with Peyton Manning, CHOKE’s days are numbered.

Manning is a hall of famer. Sorry guys but you guys will have to look for another great hope to replace the legendary Mike Vick……………

HA HA HA

whylongball?

February 19th, 2012
10:16 am

Matt Ryan does not have to throw the long ball, everyone gets hung up on the long balll and arm strength. Find wide outs and tightends that can run great routes and that will move the chains.
the San Francisco 49ers won a lot of playoff games and championships by running great routes and moving the chains. Always in 3rd and long will kill you every time.

Jason

February 19th, 2012
10:43 am

Going to the playoffs every year is not a bad thing people, how soon we forget how bad Atlanta teams were in the past. so this isn’t all that bad, you think the Saint fans are mad, if so , they need to be thankful as well, they absolutly stunk for ever, I’m glad we are not out of contention by game 8 or 9 every year. I remember how bad the Braves were too, Georgia Bulldogs too, Hawks are still bad but getting a little better, jus sayin

Rainbow ATL

February 19th, 2012
10:50 am

Choke, I loved Mike Vick as much as anybody but he will tell you he was the laziest person in the Nfl, I still pull for him BUT, he don’t play for the Falcons no more, let it go man, How come you are not on the Brett Favre bandwagon too, he was lazy and stupid so Glanville cut him after numerous warnings, Brett said he would have cut himself looking back at how lazy he was, Brett went on to win a little bit more than Vick by the way, it ain’t a black thang is it? we are better than that I hope.

Yorker

February 19th, 2012
10:59 am

You don’t have to be the most athletic qb to win football games. Being smart plays a big part. Joe Montana, Payton, Eli, Marino, Elway, ok, Bradshaw was not a rocket scientist.

Opie

February 19th, 2012
12:30 pm

Yorker, you don’t have to be athletic, but you do need a SPINE to be sucessful in this league. The facts are Ryan is 4-12 vs elite teams, the facts are Ryan is 0-3 in the playoffs, the facts are Ryan has happy feet and can’t push the ball down the football field. This is not a roadmap for Championships.

You can’t compare him to all of the quarterbacks above because they WON under pressure. Elway, Joe Montana were Mobile Quarterbacks. Tom Brady has pocket awareness, he moves around the pocket and completes plays under pressure Ryan the checkdown king panicks and falls to the turf. I have watched this guy fold in person in the GA Dome for 4 years.

The NFL is not horseshoes, either you are playing for titles or wasting your time. Stop making excuses for Ryan!! Mark Sanchez is less talented than Ryan but he had 4 playoff wins, Joe Flacco is better than Ryan he 5 playoff wins, Tim Tebow is better than Ryan, he has 1 playoff win, Do you see the trend here? The NFL just like any other Business is a results oriented bottom line business.

CEOs are replaced all the time for not completing the task the board requires. RIM (blackberry) CEO was replaced a month ago becaus the blackberry is close to bankruptcy, the are looking to be aquired by another carrier. No one is patting him on the back for past successes!

Smith, Ryan , and Dimitroff have a year to start winning playoff games or they should all be replaced.

Opie

February 19th, 2012
12:39 pm

Raggee, you called Choke a racist, but your comment, He probably loves Obama too! Why because he is a Black President? You and many other’s HATE President Obama because he is not White!!

Matt "CHOKE" Ryan

February 20th, 2012
3:27 pm

Rainbow ATL

February 19th, 2012
10:50 am

Choke, I loved Mike Vick as much as anybody but he will tell you he was the laziest person in the Nfl.

_________________________________________________________

Did you interview every player in the NFL? How do you know he was lazier than EVERY player on the 32 teams in the NFL?

Even if he was the laziest player in the NFL and still managed to lead this organization to playoff wins in separate seasons, while ZERO talent around him, yet CHOKE has more talent than any previous Falcon team, went to practice, so played harder, yet has ZERO playoff wins.

What does that say about CHOKE?

Everytime you guys throw the lazy title to Vick, you just raise his legacy that much higher

Matt "CHOKE" Ryan

February 20th, 2012
3:33 pm

From Dominique Wilkins, to Andruw Jones, to Mike Vick, everytime Atlanta got greedy and listened to the dumb part of the fanbase, they haven’t been the same in the playoffs.

The facts don’t lie. About President Obama, don’t hate the man because everything he touches turns to gold, even when the whole Republican Congress did everything possible to make him fail. God don’t like ugly

HA HA HA

goodgod

February 20th, 2012
9:44 pm

Matt butter Ryan…..he melts like a ice cream cone on a hot summer day…..he did play in boston where the chilly weather probably kept him from melting so much……julio jones and matt ryan are so mismatched unless julio is running a 10 yard route……matt has no ball placement unless you mean on the ground when he fumbling, and his long passes are 10 yards off target…..no wonder he produced no points against the giants……he peaked in his rookie season…….season ticket holders better stock up on ulcer medication next year will be another repeat of this one……i do know who will win next superbowl the team that beats atlanta in next year first round…….matt ryan the seventy million dollar genious, he must smile each time payday rolls around……

Coach

February 21st, 2012
10:05 am

All you brilliant guys out there so you cut Matt Ryan who is your quarterback then Redman going get the job done hey Choke Vick is not coming back to Atlanta he did not do so good with his dream team did he.

Matt "CHOKE" Ryan

February 21st, 2012
10:52 am

Coach

February 21st, 2012
10:05 am

All you brilliant guys out there so you cut Matt Ryan who is your quarterback

________________________________________________________

At this point a bucket of balls for CHOKE would be a better value……………..

HA HA HA

goodgod

February 21st, 2012
1:38 pm

i say trade matt ryan for cam newton. the teams would fit them better. matt talent would match the panthers recieving core and can newton would be better match for atlanta’s.

Capt. "No" Comeback Vick

February 21st, 2012
7:55 pm

Choke said, ” Everytime you guys throw the lazy title to Vick, you just raise his legacy that much higher ”

Umm… well that comment pretty much makes fun of itself

Are Dimitroff, Smitty and Matty Ice still right for the Falcons?

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Are Dimitroff, Smitty and Matty Ice still right for the Falcons?

275 comments Add your comment

About Mark Bradley

We’ve Moved!

One Subscription. Total Access.

Search this blog

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Archives

More from the AJC

Categories

Bradley's blogroll (sports)

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