Atlanta Falcon Coaching Staff Lauded By ESPN
by Dave the Falconer on Jun 22, 2009 12:00 PM EDT
17 comments
The praise train keeps rolling on!
ESPN's Pat Yasinskas has been ranking positions all through the off-season in the NFC South, and the Falcons have been at the top or close to it of most of these rankings. The frosting on this cake of enthusiasm has to be the latest article, where Mike Smith and his merry band of coordinators and coaches draw the top spot out of the four teams, beating hot shot New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton, oft-lauded Carolina Panthers coach John Fox and rookie head coach Raheem Morris for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It's a pretty incredible honor after a single year.
Smith has been successful because he's a players' coach, but he's also a gruff son of a gun who expects the best everyone in the organization can give. Mike Mularkey has drawn some fire for scheming in a way that seems to recall James Bond villains (Turner, you'll clear the spike trap just in time for Baker to throw the screaming defender into the bottomless minefield), but there's no denying his creativity and he's smartly used his players in a way that will help them succeed. Brian VanGorder should do very well next season with more firepower on the defense. Overall, it's a staff that can safely be accused of putting the team in a position to succeed while staying firmly in the background. Can't say I mind that.
Of course, the turnover of coaching staffs at the NFL level suggests that Mularkey and VanGorder may not be around forever if their success continues. It's a testament to Mike Smith's strength as a coach that I believe we could weather that, but hopefully that's not something we're going to have to deal with any time soon. I like change as much as the next guy, but only if it's for the better.
What are your thoughts on Smith & Co.?
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its karma
for the petrino era.
Ive never supported a successful sports team….this is scary.
go hard or go home
by TO falcon on Jun 22, 2009 12:16 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Agreed
I’ve been a lifelong supporter of UGA.
Last year we opened the season #1- only to finish nowhere near the top. It seems like every team I support is projected to do well but misses something along the way, heres hoping the Falcons can break that streak!
by Nikolas on Jun 22, 2009 4:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It's tough
To put them at #1 after just one year (ahead of Fox and Payton) – but Yaskinas is clear he’s talking the entire staff, not just Coach Smith. So with Smitty, both Coordinators, Emmitt Thomas, Paul Boudreau, Terry Robiskie, Bill Musgrave, etc. – the staff certainly is strong on both sides of the ball.
by orang3b on Jun 22, 2009 1:21 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
This is a big DURH!
But honestly, I see them as #2 right now. The media is really heaping on the hype. I really hope we can live up to just half of it.
You have opinions. Share them.
by tlozwarlock on Jun 22, 2009 2:40 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Sorry to bring bad news
But the only reason Smith is ahead of Fox is because Pat is from Charlotte, and is scared of looking like a Panther homer.
Fox is the 2nd most tenured coach in the NFC. During his time as head coach, the Panthers have more wins then any team in the division. He’s been to 2 NFC Championships and a Superbowl. AND the one year Mike Smith has on his resume, he still fell a game short of Fox. Any owner in need of a head coach would take Fox over Smith, because of a proven resume.
To be fair: I’m NOT saying the Falcons don’t come and kick the Panthers butt in ‘09. You guys look to have a great young team that is going to give us fits! It’s bad enough for Panther fans that most analysts think you won the NFC South last year. So please be honest on this one, and see through Pat’s insecure posting.
on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city
by southtunnel on Jun 22, 2009 11:03 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I admit its close but...
As orang3b mention, Pat is talking about the entire staff not just the head coach. As Pat says in the article Fox has the most impressive resume in the division but he is now missing his ENTIRE defensive staff from last year with the Falcon’s retaining the same staff that turned a 4-12 team into one that made the playoffs.
by Leon07 on Jun 22, 2009 11:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
true
Fox is a more proven coach than Smith.
However, Thomas Dimitroff could easily win the honors of best GM in the division. Also, if you are looking at the media hype beyond just PY, TD did get honored as #1 GM and Smith did get honored as HC of the year. This is a very debateable point that isn’t going to prove itself for another few years.
know what you believe in and why you believe in it
by MentallyMIA on Jun 23, 2009 12:40 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I more or less agree with you
I’m thrilled to have people recognize Smith, but Fox is a talented coach and probably deserves the top spot.
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by Dave the Falconer on Jun 23, 2009 12:57 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Smith turned around a 4-12 team
… yeah, but Payton did similar his first year… And Fox took a 1-15 team and in 2 years had them in the Superbowl.
And if it’s really based “supporting staff”, than that means Fox beat him last year with a less talented staff.
on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city
by southtunnel on Jun 23, 2009 10:27 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
No, it means
Fox’s staff had some major changes in the offseason. Just about the entire defensive staff left voluntarily and that makes you wonder about things like harmony and chemistry. There was a time early in his tenure when Fox had one of the league’s best coaching staffs. Maybe the new coaches will work out well, but we have to wait to see.
Again, read the story.
by orang3b on Jun 23, 2009 10:39 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
just to add to that
This was one of the tougher calls (at least for the top two spots) and it’s important to note, we’re not just ranking head coaches. We’re factoring the entire coaching staffs
That statement alone means that Fox himself was nearly solid enough to beat out an entire coaching staff. No doubt, it’s a close call, but apparently, though still young, the Falcons staff has a little bit of continuity that helped sway his choice.
know what you believe in and why you believe in it
by MentallyMIA on Jun 23, 2009 11:03 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I read it... the logic just doesn't make sense
He has held a team together despite staff changes. And how can you use that to put him below Smith… His staff has only been together a year? Obviously he is stretching to avoid looking like he is supporting the home town… Pat has to do that because the Panthers don’t have a huge market.
on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city
by southtunnel on Jun 23, 2009 1:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Because two states isn't large enough amiright?
"If Woody were Captain of the Titanic, he'd argue the boat sinking speaks to how effectively they put rich people in life boats and lock the poor folks below."
-jrauch commenting at Hoopinion on Woody's (non)logic in his post-game comments
by Jesse28 on Jun 23, 2009 1:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Correct
Atlanta’s population is larger than all of SC. And the Panthers have only been in existence 15 years.
on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city
by southtunnel on Jun 23, 2009 1:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Regardless
This is what makes good rivalries. I’m sure we will have many more down the road. And looking forward to it!
on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city
by southtunnel on Jun 23, 2009 1:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
still, thanks for stopping by
there’s nothing quite like a good debate between rival fans.
You did bring a lot of good points, and I agree, it is a close call with arguable points for both parties. However, my biased is enough to sway my vote, as I’m sure yours does the same.
know what you believe in and why you believe in it
by MentallyMIA on Jun 23, 2009 2:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
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