A Very Falcoholic Discussion: Why Mike Smith Has Been A Success
by Dave the Falconer
on Nov 29, 2008 2:00 PM EST
in Editorial
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Some food for thought before your discussion.
As we head into this weekend against the Chargers, it's pretty clear that coaching has had a big role in how far the Falcons have come. Mike Smith and his merry team of coordinators and position coaches have scehemed aggressively and have this team playing without any semblance of fear.
The question is, how do you think Smith has managed to so effectively transform this team? Is it an influx of young talent at key positions, is it the result of excellent game-planning or Smith's quaffing of a legendary coaching elixir?
Your theories, please, in the comments.
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Two major areas of improvement this year
1. Our coaching staff is smarter and more experienced. They know how to use personnel and scheme well.
2. They treat the players like grown men. The players buy in to good, knowledgeable leadership and respond with improved play.
Somewhat out of Smitty’s control is the fine job so far by Dimitroff, in acquiring coaching and on-field talent. Not to minimize the coaching staff’s accomplishments, but it all started with Our Most Heroic Comrade. Go Falcons!
by tom slick on
Nov 29, 2008 2:25 PM EST
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Top five
5. He respects the players
They are professionals. Bobby P treated ‘em like college players. ’nough said.
4. Our running game
We run. Like a lot. ’nough said.
3. Matty Ice
Mike Smith is doing a fine job … but having a rook QB like no. 2 doesn’t hurt.
2. Personnel
I agree w/ Tom Slick here. They are smarter/more experienced and it shows.
1. Good Mo Jo
Our time has come boys (and girls). Can you say DYNASTY?!
"He's getting better, but he's not there yet ..."
by FrankyWren on
Nov 29, 2008 2:45 PM EST
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Almost EVERYTHING has gone right this year, so far
We’ve got kind of a ‘Perfect Storm’ thing going. NOTHING beats the old mojo, you ranked it #1 appropriately. Cheers!
by tom slick on
Nov 29, 2008 2:51 PM EST
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We got our mojo a'workin.
And Lord help those in our way.
"The nice thing about supporting a bedraggled-cum-decent team? Watching all those analysts eat their words."
by tlozwarlock on
Nov 29, 2008 10:29 PM EST
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Two words:
Top Hat.
We’ve heard that a million monkeys at a million keyboards could produce the complete works of Shakespeare; now, thanks to the Internet, we know that is not true.
by iRonin on
Nov 29, 2008 10:55 PM EST
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Concurred.
“I say good sir, did you just predict a 4-7 team will defeat my good chaps? Get out.”
"The nice thing about supporting a bedraggled-cum-decent team? Watching all those analysts eat their words."
by tlozwarlock on
Nov 30, 2008 8:20 AM EST
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All joking aside
The top hat is funny because it’s counter-intuitive to what Mike Smith has really brought to the table: Attitude.
Under Mora, the players had no discipline. Under Petrino they had to much. Smith brought in a winning attitude with an air of respect for his personnel. There’s no complaining. Of course, it’s not just Smith, Dimitroff and Blank are on the same page too. Is anyone griping about their contract numbers?
Anyone feel like they’re getting short shafted? I imagine the only person who might even feel that way is Norwood, who clearly has the talent to get more touches, but Turner’s doing so well and built so much better for the ‘everydown’ vibe that he’s taking a backseat. And even still he gets a chance to get his hands on the ball pretty often as is between catches, runs, and returns, he’s getting his fair share.
Performers get to play. Quitters and retards get cut. I’m loving it. It’s just a change in culture, and I believe it’s a winning culture. I believe it’s the culture Thomas Dimitroff saw in New England, and I believe he’s replicating it here. Now let’s hope Ryan really is the next Tom Brady, because at that point we can start counting Super Bowls, obviously barring injury.
We’ve heard that a million monkeys at a million keyboards could produce the complete works of Shakespeare; now, thanks to the Internet, we know that is not true.
by iRonin on
Nov 30, 2008 10:42 AM EST
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Coach Smith
is also respectable. He has a strong sideline presence and actually looks like he’s leading the team. The way he engages the referees and the players shows that he does, in fact, care about this team and the men under his tutelage. It is that care that has nurtured and matured this team in such a short time.
These players trust Smitty. Smitty trusts them. If you’re out of line, or if you’re not doing your job…you’re gone. That’s what he brings to the table: efficiency. He seems to realize that, even in the spotlight, these players, this team, it’s a work environment and that he, as boss, has to develop the talent he has to work with and make them play with 110%. That’s not to say that this team is more than the sum of its parts. It works because we have so many parts that fit in. Dimitroff is making sure we have the parts we need and Smitty is making sure they’re oiled and running smoothly.
"The nice thing about supporting a bedraggled-cum-decent team? Watching all those analysts eat their words."
by tlozwarlock on
Nov 30, 2008 11:35 AM EST
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