Half A Game Is Totally Lame: A Falcons-Packers Recap
by Dave Choate on Oct 10, 2011 7:30 AM EDT
in Game Recaps
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PrintThe Atlanta Falcons are incapable of playing four quality quarters of football.
You can point to the injuries, which were no insignificant. The Falcons did lose William Moore for the game, never had John Abraham and got dinged up along both lines. You can point to the Packers, who are simply an otherworldly football team that makes great adjustments mid-stream. Ultimately, though, the Falcons have to stare in the mirror and see their own fingers pointing back at them.
For a half, at least, the Falcons seemed to have the blueprint for beating the Packers. They ruthlessly moved the ball down the field, played tough defense and got after Aaron Rodgers. They held the Packers to field goals and hung 14 points on Green Bay. An eight point lead is not insurmountable, but there were reasons to be extremely optimistic.
Then the second half happened. The Packers came out with a more aggressive defense and decided to go hard after the Falcons' secondary on offense, basically abandoning the run. Those adjustments got them 16 points in quick succession. The Falcons, on the other hand, did nothing, and a game but overwhelmed defense was on the field way too often thanks to a lackluster offense.
It's hard to put into words just how frustrating it is to watch a talented, smart football team shoot itself in the foot with its refusal to make smart changes to its gameplan. The changes they did make--going pass heavy in reaction to Turner's ineffectiveness, for example--did not pay off, and the execution was poor. The defense did not account for Rodgers' crazy passing ability and the sudden effectiveness of the Packers' offensive line. And so, once again, the Falcons saw a first half lead whittled away, this time against one of the best teams in the NFL. The results were both predictable and all too familiar.
Look, this wasn't a game I expected the Falcons to win. But they showed they could do it, and then they flopped hard. It's become the most frustrating theme of the season thus far.
There's so much work to do before the Panthers game next week, work that I am sure will begin today. As frustrated as I am, this season is far from over, so let's not act like it is. If the Falcons start playing full football games, they're going to win a lot of them. If.
After the jump, highlights, lowlights and the wrapup, as always.
THE HIGHLIGHTS
- Tony Gonzalez did his best. Four catches for 46 yards only, yes, but he put in a heroic effort all game long. It's unfortunate that one of those efforts led to a tipped pass and an interception, but I don't blame him for it considering he was stretched out and the defender made a nice play.
- Roddy White had a couple of nice catches and flashed a wizard-like ability to get open. If he could just do it all game long, we'd have ourselves an unstoppable force of nature. If wishes were fishes, I'd be having tilapia right now.
- I give Brett Romberg props for stepping in at guard and playing well. He really did.
- The defense, at least in the first half, was great at getting at Aaron Rodgers. They finished with four sacks, split between Sean Weatherspoon, Corey Peters, Ray Edwards and Lawrence Sidbury. It was an uneven effort, yes, but you have to give the D credit for getting after one of the most mobile quarterbacks in the league. It was encouraging, to say the least.
- Credit to Brent Grimes for forcing a fumble, and Vance Walker for recovering it. The only turnover of the game for the Falcons, and it warmed my craggy heart.
- Big ups to Mike Smith, Mike Mularkey and Brian Van Gorder for their respective first halves. They both called brilliant games, for the most part, and put together schemes that could beat the Green Bay Packers. The wheels fell off, of course, but it's reassuring to know they're at least capable of calling some very good football.
Also, to be fair to BVG, I thought the pass rush not executing was less his fault than it was the players'. The D held up better than the offense, so he gets one gold coin. None for you, Mularkey.
THE LOWLIGHTS
- Matt Ryan had a bad game. All season long, I've made excuses for Ryan because of the performance of the offensive line, but I'm not in the mood to do it today. Yes, Ryan was under pressure. Yes, Ryan didn't have a lot of open guys. But he also forced throws, was wildly inaccurate on more than one pass and just had a shaky game overall. He finished 18/32 for 167 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.
That's accounting for the fact that neither of those picks were really Ryan's fault, too. - Michael Turner suffered behind the line, too. He had a typically uneven performance, finishing with 56 yards on 16 carries, or just over three yards a carry. I'm equally tired of defending his inability to shrug off defenders or dial up extra speed when he gets a head of steam, though. A guy who is 5'10" and 245 should not struggle to push ahead against a linebacker twenty pounds lighter.
- Roddy White's drops are starting to become a real issue. His drive-killing bobble in the fourth led to Ryan's second interception. The Falcons probably would've lost anyways, but this is officially a concern.
- Julio Jones struggled to get separation and then got hurt. In fact, let's just note that having Garrett Reynolds, Jones, William Moore and Sean Weatherspoon all hurt in the same game is awful. Especially because we don't know if Jones and Moore, in particular, are going to be long-time losses.
- Matt Bosher was incrementally better, but it's not good enough. A 37.8 yards per punt average is still abysmal. At some point, the Falcons are either announcing to the world that they're okay with suffering through a learning year or they dump the Boshinator.
- The line was completely incapable of getting to Rodgers in the second half, with two reserve tackles in the game. Watching Kroy Biermann and Ray Edwards get manhandled off the edges was...unpleasant.
- The secondary struggled all the way around, but that's somewhat understandable given the caliber of the passing game the Packers were playing. Frankly, holding the Packers' prolific offense to 25 points was a minor miracle. Frankly, in coverage, they make the best of unenviable matchups.
This defense's tackling is killing me, though. Cornerbacks whiffing, linebackers falling down, defensive ends farting around....we really saw it all.
If you didn't see Dunta Robinson, for example, try to make a tackle that involved a lunge, two gently encircling arms around the head area and then a tumble to the ground, then you probably still have sight and sanity. I am currently typing this on a Braille keyboard from a padded room. - Wrap up, Thomas DeCoud! Please!
- At what point is Mike Mularkey going to either lose his job or be told to do his job differently? This offense is hamstrung by his inability or unwillingness to keep a creative, up-tempo offense going. The players aren't executing, either, but it's not like Mularkey is giving them gold in the first place.
THE WRAPUP
Game MVP: Frankly, I don't want to give this to anyone. If I was forced at gunpoint to choose, I'd give it to the defense for not allowing the Packers to run all over them. Oh God, that's so sad.
Game Theme Song: Sometimes, the angst of the Violent Femmes says it best.
One Thing To Take Away: We root for a football team that cannot consistently play great football.
Next Week: The hated Tealcats and magic running quarterback Cam Newton! Visit Cat Scratch Reader for more.
Final Word: Toughloss.
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Question for you Dave..
Do you know if any of the Falcons players or coaches read these blogs on the Falcohilic? I sure as hell hope so. I want to know if they hear the fans rants and observations. Just curious.
and the following long comment is what I added to the last thread this morning in response to an arguement between mwelax and Caleb. The "Oh man, oh man, oh man" Thread.
.. to mwalex’s defense, MM IS the “coordinator”. The O plays what he calls. Period. Until Matt Ryan is allowed to call plays on the fly and MM is calling the plays, we will not see a better offense than this. MM has a reputation to this point of being “not creative”, “un-imaginative”, “predictable” and so on. You know that this seems to be true when looking at the Falcons on offense the last 3 seasons. Obviously MM is your guy, and that’s fine, but as a fan of the Falcons, as well as every other, or nearly every other person on The Falcoholic, this teams play is orchestrated by our OC who is not creative enough to produce an offense sustainable enough to last 4 qtrs. Watching the game last night, I gave up. I literally gave up on my Falcons. NOT because of the players, but because of our OC and DC. BVG had the guys flying to the ball and all over the field in the first half, but we all saw in the second half, we play WAY to soft in coverage. I, for the life of me, don’t understand how BVG doesn’t see that the soft coverage (off receiver), zone coverage scheme isn’t working. I, for the life of me, don’t understand how he won’t let these guys try some bump and run coverage. Some zone WITH man on man coverage at times. Mix it up to confuse the offense. I don’t get it. So as I was saying. Last night. I gave up and this is what I said. I said “I will from now on NOT expect my Falcons, to consistantly win ball games on offense nor will I expect for my Falcons to consistantly win ball games on defense UNTIL we get rid of MM and BVG”. They haven’t shown me any consistancy to give me the fighting chance to believe we could beat the good teams in this league today. I’m a Falcon’s fan for life and have been since before the Deion Sanders days, but my faith in our OC and DC is totally shot to hell. I will route for my birds regardless, but I will not expect greatness anymore with our current administration of Coordinators. And that, folks, is my rant.
by TheSpectr on Oct 10, 2011 7:56 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
In the no huddle, Matt calls plays on the fly, or so I'm lead to believe.
We used it last night. We still scored nothing. Normally, we’re better, yes, but last night, we weren’t.
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by Caleb Rutherford on Oct 10, 2011 8:35 AM EDT up reply actions
Or Capers was prepared for it
Capers figured out MM after 2 drives got bored and decided to take on Matt’s no huddle offense.
………the call signs for the audibles never changed……..really….if you listened to the audibles they led to the same play……..i.e. olive! olive! was always a straight dive play…..just saying….
The truth is......
Matt Ryan makes too many bad reads……the coaches don’t adjust………and Turner can’t hit a hole ……….
Turner can't hit a hole?
What freaking holes? There were few holes last night and those came when GR was stunting. Why can’t people put the blame where it belongs?
....can't hit a hole
There were holes……and the edges………admit it….he can’t get there….
He’s is good….and better than many…..but damn…he’s slow to the hole…..and it isn’t being patient waiting for blocks.
Dead On
I picked up on Olive Olive Olive right away. Ryan called Olive at least three times and each was a Turner dive behind right guard. If I can figure out the Falcons’ pre-snap audibles while lounging on my couch, I’m sure AJ Hawk has it figured out standing 10 feet from Ryan.
Nitschke never wore an earring!
Actually
“Olive” most likely means “opposite”. (football lango, our word for opposite at the U was “Orange”) There’s the original play and then there;s the rehursed or designated “opposite”, maybe the defense showed Ryan something where he thought he could burn them with a run instead of the pass and he made the switch.
by dirtybirdy84 on Oct 10, 2011 4:54 PM EDT up reply actions
They were rushing the edges heavily
a big run play right up the middle would bring those rusher back in flat, I totally understand they decision, unfortunately it just didn’t work.
by dirtybirdy84 on Oct 10, 2011 5:50 PM EDT up reply actions
Everyone in the nation knows what "olive" means now...
The game announcers even picked up on it, commenting “and apparently ‘olive’ means straight up the middle for 1, maybe 2 yards…”
by williamandrews31 on Oct 10, 2011 9:13 PM EDT up reply actions
Actually
Most of the second touchdown drive was Matt calling the plays at the line. We used it twice in the second half. The first drive stalled with the Harry Douglas drop and the second drive died on the TG target/interception.
So, it was somewhat effective – it was yielded field position and did get us one score. The offense also looked much more in-sync when in the no-huddle.
slow starts
It always appears our offense has to get past the first few plays before they start looking fluid. We’re especially slow after an opponent scores, like we’re trying to slow the game down a little. Do we ever run the no-huddle after receiving a kickoff and we’re not running out of time?
Our offense also doesn’t recover well from penalties, which unfortunately is happening a lot this year. We had a great play to HD in the 2nd quarter for 47 yards that got negated by a holding penalty. Instead of being on GB 33 yard line in range for a field goal at worst, we are backed up to our 10 yard line for a 3rd and 20 and the only defense unable to prevent that conversion is on the bench. We went 3 and out and gave GB time to come back down and kick a FG. The O-line has had some drive crushing penalties this year.
I'm sure someone in the org has stumbled across it
I don’t have anyone on the player/coaching side who’s told me so, though.
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Also, I'm looking on Youtube...
…and I don’t see any post game interviews on “AtlantaFalconsNFL”. Did Dave not do any interviews last night?
Adjustments
At the start of the broadcast Collinsworth made a comment about Mularkey knowing Caper’s defenses which made me groan. It only took Capers two drives to solve his offense.
by Sabre on Oct 10, 2011 7:56 AM EDT via iPhone app reply actions
Time for serious change
When a team is so easily handled in the second half of every game, it’s a clear sign that the issue is coaching. Last night’s game proved that we have the players to keep up with any team – even the Super Bowl champions.
The fact that we’re 2-3 doesn’t bother me as badly as the fact that this team has not played a complete game of football since early last year. Say what you will about Ryan’s sub-par game last night, the real issue here is coaching, and it’s time for all of us as fans to wake-up to the fact that it goes to the top. Yes – Smitty is failing this team now.
Don’t get me wrong – Mularkey’s scheming in the second half was horrifying and refusing to let Ryan run the offense, when that is his greatest strength, is a form of stubborn that has no equal. And BVG’s soft-zones and vanilla blitz schemes are too awful to think about.
But the bottom line ends with Smitty, and he has failed to create a “killer instinct” in this team. We have a team with tons of talent, but no passion or drive. The vanilla talk after the game is proof. I want to hear how incredibly pissed our team is about losing. I want it to drive them nuts like it drives Rodgers and his team nuts.
I hate to say it, but unless Smitty can make some amazing changes in the next several weeks, I’m no longer convinced that he’s the man to lead this franchise to the promised land.
by The DW on Oct 10, 2011 8:02 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
I have to agree...
I really am starting to wonder about Smitty. I love the guy and he has done so much for our beloved Falcons, but I dont know if he is the guy. He is way too professional, he seems to not get pissed off in the public eye anymore, and he just spits out the same post game vanilla answers. I think he is too conservative. And comments that we have specifically heard from Koneon about how out locker room is tight and not very relaxed…that there is alot of nervous energy is disturbing. I dont like the feeling that this team is beginning to have. It feels like they are acting like they have earned something, which they have not. I hope Smitty can get it turned around, I just dont know if he can.
Agreed....
Mike Smith got the team started down the right path……..but he clearly doesn’t know where to go from here……….BVG now holds the status egomaniacal idiot……….I mean, what part of putting constant pressure on Rodgers didn’t click??
and Mularkey…..is just a bunch of plain ole vanilla mularkey……..
This was the first game of the year I was able to get to
Of course, the last game I went to last season was GB. I’m starting to have a feeling that maybe I shoudn’t go to Green Bay games.
The offense looked great for the first couple of drives. I think there were a couple of other drives that started well, but then stalled. MM needs to stop calling the same effin’ plays. I think the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over, expecting a different result.
The defense looked good for a half, but then BVGs playcalling got too predictable and the execution was even worse. You know its bad when I can call the defensive play before they break the huddle. I’m sure AR12 was chomping at the bit to get the play called so he could pad his stats.
I know it’s defeatist, but I’ve seen the Falcons’ season go this way for many a year. They need to step up now or the season is lost. (Of course I’m typing this after my wife nearly started swinging at me for being “so damn negative”, but what am I supposed to do?)
This team doesn't know how to play with a lead
They are at their best when they are chasing another team. Think of all the games that the Falcons have made much closer than they should have been after jumping out to big leads.
The Bengals, Bucs and Ravens last year, the Seahawks, Packers and Eagles this year.
The coaching staff just doesn’t seem to make any adjustments if the team is ahead. They seem to think that whatever worked in the first half is going to work in the second half. And the play calling is always far too conservative with a lead. This team never seems to go for the jugular. They let the other team back in the game and then only start getting aggressive when they absolutely have to. The Falcons are at their best when they are down or tied, this team with a lead is never safe. Questions can be asked of everyone in the organisation, including (for one of the first times) Mike Smith and Thomas Dimitroff. Why pick Mike Johnson in the 3rd round if he can’t beat out a guy they’ve cut several times in Brett Romberg?
by Mosugo on Oct 10, 2011 8:42 AM EDT reply actions 2 recs
Or hold on to a guy who was clearly outpunted in the preseason
This team is to conservative. They need a killer instinct and I don’t know if its Smith veins. Thats why a lead is never say. Thats why the pats are so good(besides having Brady) he doesn’t give a fuck. He lets his players loose and if you can’t stop them you can’t stop them.
That is accurate
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Johnson was inactive
Romberg was active because he is the backup Center, not because he “beat out” Johnson as the b/u Guard.
"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein
But on the flip side Johnson, a 3rd round pick hasn't been able to beat out Reynolds, a 5th rounder
Despite RGGR, how shall I put this nicely, playing some very uninspiring football.
I feel like Reynolds has been improving almost every week
Plus, he’s been in the “system” a year more than Johnson (not to mention Johnson’s pre-season concussion that set him back in the competition for the position).
"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein
rec'd
and here’s the irony – we play better when we’re down, but when we are really down you get an impression we won’t come back and win it. many teams overcame 20+ point deficits this year. but with our team and its offensive playcalling I personally don’t expect that.
it’s that run-run-pass mentality of Mularkey, or Ryan’s happy feet and heroics from Gonzo to save yet another 3 rd down conversion.
Atlanta Falcons fan in Moscow, Russia
Drive-Killing Plays
Penalties. Oh god, the penalties. Yes, a few were absolute horseshit, some of the most harmful ones, in fact. But this team has got to stop that crap.
In addition, there were just many bad plays at bad times. HD caught that ball by every definition except the NFL’s, Roddy getting an unsportsmanlike penalty for god knows what on what was to be a 4th and inches, Roddy’s drop, Falcons inability to test the safeties in the middle of the field (has their been a pass to a WR in the deep middle of the field this year? Does MM know we can use that area?). Spoon following a brilliant 1st half with a terrible 2nd. Bad tackling leading to concussions and stingers.
Yes we got Tripletted (Name of the Ref last night who has been my most hated for years now), but made just as many bone-headed mistakes when we could least afford them.
by KMarch on Oct 10, 2011 8:51 AM EDT reply actions 2 recs
oh, and
the inconsistency on what was and was not ‘Illegal Hands to the Face’ was baffling. I challenge you to go back and watch ANY play in which the Pack OLine was not giving Falcons DLine hands to the face. It was all over the slo-mo replays last night, and even Collinsworth was mentioning it. It just didn’t make sense what was called as hand’s to the face (esp. when they were crucial penalties that killed our drives) and what wasn’t.
Agree...
The penalties hurt…
But…
That’s not why we lost. (Not saying you believe that; just making a point.)
"Don't go ninja'n nobody that don't need ninja'n!" ~ Kung Fu Hillbilly.
Sorry if I sound bitter...
I am…
Why?
Our big wins: a squeaker over the Seahawks and a lucky (yes, lucky) win over a 1-4 Eagles team…
The Bears aren’t that good, and look at what the Niners did to the Bucs…
Good news for Atlanta: we get the Panthers twice (yes…we can’t take them lightly), the Bucs again, the Saints twice, the Lions, the Texans, the Titans…
Seriously…I think we’re in trouble. Good times.
"Don't go ninja'n nobody that don't need ninja'n!" ~ Kung Fu Hillbilly.
Officials
…..been awhile ….but I did get bent with the calls….particularly the one sided holding calls……but no….not the reason for losong…..
Bad calls on each side, fellas. If you complain about the refereeing in the NFL, all you’ll end up with is an ulcer. There were some head-shakers called on the Packers, also.
Nitschke never wore an earring!
by Packer Pete on Oct 10, 2011 3:54 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
.....and some head shakers not called
Next time……respond to the whole post instead of picking a part of it to have your say out of context……
They're playing undisciplined
And I don’t understand it, because they’ve been one of the most consistenly disciplined teams the last 3 years.
They’re just not good enough to overcome all these “shoot yourself in the foot” type mistakes.
"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein
Quick hitters...
1. Can we cut Baker immediately? He’s trash, but y’all knew it. I was blinded by my Southern Cal allegiance…
2. Defense actually played well, all things consider. Given how poorly the Pack D has played, if you told me before the game we’d hold the Pack to 25 points, I’d say we would win…easily…About that…
3. How do we not score more than 14 points against that defense? Pathetic.
4. Finally, the hardest hitter of all: is Matt Ryan that good? Don’t get me wrong, Ryan’s better than a lot of QBs in the league, but he’s simply not elite. He has all the tools but one: the ability to throw beyond 15 yards. You can’t make a living only throwing 8 yard passes. We complain about not throwing downfield more, but, honestly, I don’t think Ryan can hit the guys anyway…so why bother…
Frustrating.
"Don't go ninja'n nobody that don't need ninja'n!" ~ Kung Fu Hillbilly.
The D did well
The Packers had been averaging 37 PPG. Holding them to 25 was very good. The offense simply should have done much better. They proved that they could and then just seemed to stop trying.
True...
Abe’s absence hurt, but, honestly, the Falcons had 14 points at the beginning of the 2nd quarter.
I don’t care if we had LT out there, once the offense mailed it in, we didn’t have a prayer…Heck we still lose holding them to 17 points…
"Don't go ninja'n nobody that don't need ninja'n!" ~ Kung Fu Hillbilly.
True
The offense stalled on Matts inaccuracy. I don’t get how with a 14-9 lead we abandon the run. A couple 3 and outs and bam the pack has the lead again. Its frustrating and confusing to see a team with talent doesn’t play a full game through 5 weeks.
Truth is....
…..Ryan isn’t all that……and we need a running back………whatever – Turner is to running backs what Ryan is to quarterbacks……..missing key elements……
EVERYONE PLEASE READ THIS LINK!!!
EVEN THOUGH GREEN BAY WON – THEY ACCUSE US OF LATE HITS: http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d822ff654/article/packers-steamed-after-game-about-alleged-late-hits-by-falcons?module=HP11_headline_stack
Late Hits?
I didn’t see any, I’m sure the Refs would have spotted them. Besides, looked to me like GB took some late shots on Ryan too.
I seen those...
But I seen late hits by both red and white…and good acting by both teams trying to sell the late hits.
Dont cloud the issue with facts!
You could tell that pre-game planning is not the issue
We came out and dominated. We had answers for their offense and defense, and it was glorious. But as soon as Green Bay made adjustments, we looked surprised, like they’re not allowed to do that or something.
Until we can make adjustments on the fly when our opponent adapts, mid-game, we’re going to be mediocre. We need some genius-scholars of the game at our coordinator positions.
by TheAreopagite on Oct 10, 2011 9:10 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Yeah we need some new blood in
TD needs to search for a offensive guru or someone capable of utilizing talent and making adjustments to come"relieve" MM of his duties. No wonder Ten didn’t hire MM.
Id like to see someone new
Maybe a Kubiak or Haley if they are let go. Maybe a Norm chow. Just someone who won’t abandon the power run game all together.
We'd be better off finding someone up and coming
Either from the college ranks or a promising assistant elsewhere. We’ve gone the re-tread road before (MM).
by TheAreopagite on Oct 10, 2011 9:39 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Again, it's not that we lost, it's how we lost and keep losing.
"I'm about rings now"
~Arthur Blank
by CollegePark4Life on Oct 10, 2011 9:10 AM EDT reply actions
Bottom line?
To paraphrase an overused term, we’re not who we thought we were. Last night’s effort would be good enought to beat, say, 28 of the other teams in the league. It’s just not enough to beat the Packers. Our inability to sustain creative game planning, and make adjustments during the game are, for sure, big issues. Beyond that, we’re still not deep enough, or talented enough top to bottom, to be elite. We can make the playoffs, and we could get lucky enough, or good enough, to win a game or two there. But I don’t see a Super Bowl in our foreseeable future.
by randomaxe on Oct 10, 2011 9:14 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Disagree
Our effort wasn’t enough to beat half the teams in the league. Packers would have lost last night to a halfway competent offense. Mike Mularky might as well give the opposition his 5 page playbook.
5?
So whats on the other 4 1/2 pages?
Dont cloud the issue with facts!
Then we both disagree
and that’s fine, but Green Bay played well last night, and I think their effort was good enough to beat almost anybody, especially to those teams that wouldn’t, or couldn’t bring the defensive effort we did. I agree that our failure to adjust, or even sustain our offensive effort from the first quarter cost us dearly. I just don’t think the outcome would have been different with any of 28 other teams at the level they’re currently playing
You are
who your record says you are. We are mediocre. The evidence: we are unable to put 4 quarters of fine football together against anyone.
If you were directly above him, how could you see him? Because I was inverted. [Bullshit] No, he was man. It was a really great move. He was inverted.
What we need is a change in the Offensive Coordinator and Defensive Coordinator
I would love to see Arthur Blank come back in TV like he did with the Mike Vick/Bobby Petrino failure and announce that the Atlanta Falcons will be getting new Offensive Coordinator Jon Gruden and Defensive Coordinator (And Mike Smith’s brother – in – law) Brian Billick! What does everyone think?
Brian Billick is an offensive coach
that’s what I think
"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein
Okay. Lets do it this way then
Arthur Blank announces that our new Offensive Coordinator is Jon Gruden and our new Defensive Coordinator is Eric Mangini. What does everyone think now?
by Antonio Grimes on Oct 10, 2011 9:35 AM EDT up reply actions
NO to Man-genius. Look what he did to NY and CLE. No thanks.
by TheSpectr on Oct 10, 2011 9:38 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Thats when he was a Head Coach
Not every assistant coach can be a head coach. Thats why I have him in an area where he’s good at.
by Antonio Grimes on Oct 10, 2011 9:40 AM EDT up reply actions
Yep
He’s stictly a 3-4 guy anyway.
And why would Gruden leave the MNF booth for an OC gig? He’s a Super Bowl winning Head Coach.
"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein
This is why
First, Bill Cowher will not come here unless it was as a Head Coach or we have the name Pittsburgh stamp somewhere on our butts. Secondly, Jon Gruden would come for the right amount of money and a hands on attitude on both play calling and players.
by Antonio Grimes on Oct 10, 2011 9:46 AM EDT up reply actions
My comment above was about Cowher as HC; then he could figure out whom to hire for OC and DC
Gruden is damaged goods, and I’m not so sure he won’t wait for a HC gig or stay in broadcasting.
by TheAreopagite on Oct 10, 2011 10:03 AM EDT up reply actions
Mike Mularky is pathetic
Why don’t we just give our 5 page playbook to the opposing team… Why did we not once use Quiz? We got a playmaker and when we can’t make plays what do we do, we sit him on the bench? Why?
But the players share the blame. Turner is too fat and too slow. Our O-Line is handicapped by Baker. Ryan is too timid. Harry Douglas is useless, Roddy and Julio were MIA, only Gonzo did good even with 2 or 3 players draped over him.
Jacquizz was used twice I think
I think one play was a screen that caught Green Bay off guard and another was a run so Turner can rest. Then they just went back to Jason Snelling.
by Antonio Grimes on Oct 10, 2011 9:49 AM EDT up reply actions
Snelling is OK
I almost prefer him to the slower Turner, but we need to utilized Quit if we actually want to mix up the running attack and have a back that can catch.
Quizz had two apparent brain farts though,
Once it looked like Ryan was trying to hand him the ball but he wasn’t looking for it, then he failed to get off the field when he was supposed to, causing a substitution penalty.
'There are two pains in life. There is the pain of discipline and the pain of disappointment. If you can handle the pain of discipline, then you'll never have to deal with the pain of disappointment,'- Nick Saban
That I can look over
That goes back to him being a rookie and not being used that much to get comfortable with the offense.
by Antonio Grimes on Oct 10, 2011 9:55 AM EDT up reply actions
Maybe so
but in a big game you just find your ass on the bench doing stuff like that. That’s why rooks get eased in during garbage time first.
'There are two pains in life. There is the pain of discipline and the pain of disappointment. If you can handle the pain of discipline, then you'll never have to deal with the pain of disappointment,'- Nick Saban
Whats Bakers Excuse
He apparently can make dozens of mistakes a game and yet always is in there…
by Falcons1133 on Oct 10, 2011 10:05 AM EDT up reply actions
He just gets whipped.
That’s different than not knowing the plays.
'There are two pains in life. There is the pain of discipline and the pain of disappointment. If you can handle the pain of discipline, then you'll never have to deal with the pain of disappointment,'- Nick Saban
To his credit
on that illegal sub penalty, in the camera shot where Quizz was running off the field, I saw Turner and Snelling on the sideline. Something wasn’t right with that, because we almost always have an RB on the field.
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by Caleb Rutherford on Oct 10, 2011 10:49 AM EDT up reply actions
except the announcers commented that he was the only back in the huddle
so unless they were going with 5 WRs it was someone else who screwed up on that penalty
People, our coordinators suck, but did you notice Sam BAKER???
Holy crap, this guy #72 sucks. This guy caused #2 to get hit a few times on critical downs by totally letting the guy pass by. But, we all know how terrible our 1st rounder is right, then how come our coaching staff cannot make adjustments? Utilize more people, give others the chance? If no one can play better than Baker, then we are screwed for the next 2 years.
If you noticed, we have been talking about the same issues for a while now. Same exact issues. I don’t believe that it’s our players fault or most of it. We demonstrated that we could beat them, but then we gave the game away. This is a coaching flaw.
Finally, and I love Smitty, but I don’t want to keep hearing “We’ve got to play better in all phases” crap. Dude, show some emotion, as this team needs some damn testosterone injected into them. Hit people, score 50 in the first half if possible and stop allowing your DC to use DL in coverage and soft zones. Damn it!!!!!
How is Sam Baker still Starting?
Matt Ryan actually yelled to pick up #55 in the audible, everybody and their mother heard it. And what happens. #55 comes untouched and sacks Ryan. Apparently, that would have been Bakers guy. And I seen a couple plays where Ryan was being chased by an End that blew by Baker. He is horrible.
Sam "Where is my lunch?" Baker
“number 55. why do i keep hearing that number. maybe he’s got my lunch. is he somewhere over here by the center. nope. hmm, there was this guy standing in the middle of the field. maybe he knows where my lunch is. well, he’s gone now.. i sure am hungry. where did i leave my lunch?”
Some people think football is a matter of life and death. I don't like that attitude. I can assure them it is much more serious than that. - Bill Shankly
by armchair quarterback on Oct 10, 2011 7:18 PM EDT up reply actions
My favorite Sam Baker play
One Green Bay lineman lined up over Sam Baker (5 tech), a linebacker outside his outer shoulder (7 tech), both crash down (the LB then drops), and he blocks the linebacker who is dropping into coverage. The lineman goes unblocked. While you might say it was Blaylock’s man, he had a lineman head up on him, so that seems unlikely.
by TheAreopagite on Oct 10, 2011 10:06 AM EDT up reply actions
When something like this happens
When you have a player that is not being consistent – you change the rotation. Have Sam Baker play some downs and his backup play others.
by Antonio Grimes on Oct 10, 2011 10:16 AM EDT up reply actions
That's a failure of the basic rule of football - fundamentals.
OL block inside out. It’s the OL’s job to communicate who’s blocking who. If nobody picks the inside guy, then let the outside guy run free. Do not let the inside guy run free. You insta-lose then, and then you look like a total failure.
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by Caleb Rutherford on Oct 10, 2011 10:39 AM EDT up reply actions
exactly my thoughts
Even with a free release, the outside guy has more distance to cover, and thus gives your quarterback more time
by TheAreopagite on Oct 10, 2011 11:22 AM EDT up reply actions
Smitty...
I am tired of all these comatose post game interviews he gives. I want to see him come out after lighting his players and coaching staff up and hear bleeps for half the interview. Kind of like mommy always saying wait till daddy comes home and daddy does nothing…all that changes when mommy flips the &%( out all over the (&^(& place and rips heads off and &^$# down their throats and makes the *(&^$ players start to &%# tackle.
Just a thought.
Dont cloud the issue with facts!
by muuzilla on Oct 10, 2011 10:36 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Do you guys know what would be the ultimate insult?
If the STL Rams some how handing Green Bay their first lost! What would that say about not only our coaching staff but our team?!
The same about every other that GB beat?
'There are two pains in life. There is the pain of discipline and the pain of disappointment. If you can handle the pain of discipline, then you'll never have to deal with the pain of disappointment,'- Nick Saban
What I'M afraid of..
..is the possibility that the Falcons will start “cutting” or “trading away” players we have that are very good players because they assume they’re not “playing well”, or they aren’t good when in all actuality, it’s the coaching. The scheming. The coordinators that has them in all the wrong positions to be successful. As I’ve said before. The Falcons simply HAVE THE TALENT. Coaching, namely the OC and DC are KILLING us.
However..
.. the Falcons can feel free to cut Sam Baker, Matt Bosher and if Dunta doesn’t get his act together, him too.
I dont know about that
Baker needs to not start a few games and play backup until he earns his starting job back. Matt Bosher really does need to go. And Dunta is not being used in a way his skills can be highly accessible. You can’t put a guy that excels in Man Coverage and Bum n Run coverage and tell him to play off a guy 8-10 yards. Thats taking his ability away.
by Antonio Grimes on Oct 10, 2011 10:00 AM EDT up reply actions
Ya know, I agree with that..
I said that earlier in the year and even last year about Dunta. But he’s been in the system long enough now, I would think, to at the very least be better than he is while playing off the receiver. But I do agree. Dunta showed himself to be a beast in man to man, bump and run coverage. BVG should see that. However, Grimes is better in playing off coverage (zone).
He's too little to jam anyone.
'There are two pains in life. There is the pain of discipline and the pain of disappointment. If you can handle the pain of discipline, then you'll never have to deal with the pain of disappointment,'- Nick Saban
Because even though Brent is small - he's fast
And he also has those former basketball skills that Tony Gonzalez has. But if you watch all the games in the second half for the Falcons – BVG always having these guys playing 8-10 off. Brent can recover because of his speed – but Dunta can’t because he’s more of a Man to Man or Bump n Run guy. Dunta is a hands on kind of guy
by Antonio Grimes on Oct 10, 2011 10:11 AM EDT up reply actions
Philly is doing the same thing to Asomugha
he’s playing zone in Philly, where he’s horrific. He’s a man coverage guy (one of the best) but Philly refuses to use him that way.
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by Caleb Rutherford on Oct 10, 2011 10:40 AM EDT up reply actions
Wait a minute
can you blame BVG for DR’s being misused while not blaming MM for the offensive issues?
Nice try
but unfortunately, you won’t find any posts from me in the past two days where I said explicitly that MM was not at fault.
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by Caleb Rutherford on Oct 10, 2011 2:55 PM EDT up reply actions
No trade all of them except bosher
TD needs to improve his drafting as well. We have passed on several players that could have helped this team. But yet again even if we had the talent it would be under utilized with this coaching staff.
I wonder can we do the same thing for Coordinators
We should have a Draft for Coordinators, Assistant Coaches, and QB coaches
by Antonio Grimes on Oct 10, 2011 10:26 AM EDT up reply actions
The time has come...
to properly evaluate Matt Ryan as mediocre and run-of-the-mill. There. I said it. Defenses are reading him like a book. We cannot move chains with consistency. We don’t have a bread-and-butter play that will guarantee a 1st down on 3rd and 4 to 3rd and 7.
To sum up: too many “Pro Bowlers” living on last year’s hype. In fact, not a single one of them, save TG, is earning their keep. That comes down to pride and self discipline.
Cut list today: HD and Bosher. Get Weems in the slot before this ship sinks. He’s not returning 50% of kicks, anyway.
Sam Baker is overrated. Completely overrated.
This Jekyll and Hyde team will not make the playoffs.
If you were directly above him, how could you see him? Because I was inverted. [Bullshit] No, he was man. It was a really great move. He was inverted.
Seriously, you folks crucifying Ryan
All of you need to take a serious step back. Did he have a bad game? Yes. Did he make some poor throws? Absolutely.
But to say he’s mediocre and run-of-the-mill? That’s just stupid.
Ryan’s greatest strength is his football mind, but he’s being held back by conservative play calling and an absolute refusal to turn the offense over to him. The numbers are clear: when Ryan runs the no-huddle, the Falcons are a very effective and balanced offense that can score nearly at will.
Agree to some Extent
I think he is an above average QB. But Ryan seems a bit timid and shaky at times, but who can blame him with Baker protecting his blind side. Sometimes I would like to see him take more chances rather than just tchucking the ball out of bounds even if that means more interceptions. One thing for sure, he isn’t a QB that will win the game with his arm alone. When they don’t have a ground game as we have seen this year, we come unglued.
I’m starting to worry about Turner. He just isn’t getting it done anymore. But, its hard to tell if its Ryan and Turner or the O-Line getting beaten up.
by Falcons1133 on Oct 10, 2011 11:10 AM EDT up reply actions
Turner
is wearing out. He either begins games well and doesn’t finish or vice versa. I have seen this in RBs before. Rogers’ carries had better increase if we want Turner to survive the season.
If you were directly above him, how could you see him? Because I was inverted. [Bullshit] No, he was man. It was a really great move. He was inverted.
Ryan has had
a very rough and uneven year. I still don’t see elite in what he’s giving us. No “Wow” moments. The Eagles game was MR at his most heroic. But he showed toughness, not brilliance. Don’t get me wrong, I like the guy a lot, and I’m not afraid to say we drafted a game manager. His instincts lean to the safe play, not the daring play. That’s all. The chains are not being moved when they HAVE to be moved. I look to my QB to move them.
If you’re honest, there is no genius in the Patriots offense either. Just a ton of simple out routes that get executed. They move chains. Given the structure of a MM offense that shouldn’t be too hard for the Birds to execute. Somehow we don’t. Welker gets open. HD does not. Brady executes the simple and the complex consistently. Ryan executes the simple and complex much much less so. This offense – like the Pats – rises and falls on his execution of the basics: from QB to a simple chain mover.
If you were directly above him, how could you see him? Because I was inverted. [Bullshit] No, he was man. It was a really great move. He was inverted.
Guys like
Tony Romo make the daring play over the smart play. He puts up a lot of yards, but he makes some of the dumbest plays at the worst time too. I’ll take a ball thrown out of bounds over a stupid pick six any day. What Ryan needs is an OC who will help him grow on from this point, not stunt his growth, which is what I think is happening.
by Gallant Gambler on Oct 10, 2011 11:44 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Ryan has had some "Wow" Moments
The game winning pass to Jenkins in Chicago being one. But none I can think of this year. Sadly, he seems to have regressed since his rookie year. We need some sort of shake up, atleast up top it seems.
by Falcons1133 on Oct 10, 2011 12:22 PM EDT up reply actions
Don't get me wrong
This is not Ryan’s best year, but the idea that these first 5 games mean he’s not elite or who we thought is just too much. He was not only solid in the Philly game, he was the reason we won. His playcalling out of the no huddle drove us down the field twice in the fourth quarter.
As for WOW moments – they’re overrated. Ryan is not going to be a WOW QB. He’s going to be that guy that just drives the field running a balanced offense putting points on the board. He’s not a glory whore and doesn’t care about putting 300 yds up every game. He just wins, and I’ll take that over any cheap Wow moment any day.
I cant remember...
but did Montana have a lot of WOW moments? Or just pure game management with a lot of short routes that the WR’s took the ball and created yardage from?
Dont cloud the issue with facts!
I watched him for years
And the wows he produced were from his precision and absolute calm. Most people were in awe at the end of the game when they realized he had quietly picked apart the other team for a seemingly easy 35 points.
This is how I envision Ryan.
But that bad throw to Julio running a sideline go route?
I’ve seen the same play, the same bad throw, sometimes twice in EVERY GAME. Maybe he’s not setting his feet since he fears the pressure (present or not), but it’s not on Julio since the ball lands out of bounds every time. Maybe we need to run more of WC offense like they ran at BC. Not sure if his release is fast enough for it, though.
by TheAreopagite on Oct 10, 2011 11:26 AM EDT up reply actions
How can you say the playcalling is too conservative
When the Falcons had 65-35 ratio of run to pass entering the game?
In two games this year, Turner has less than 12 carries
And in the two games you won, he ha had more than 20
Maybe conservative isn't the right word
Predictable is. Our offense is horribly predictable out of the huddle, and it sets our passing game up for failure, since it’s always taking place on 2nd and long and 3rd and long.
by The DW on Oct 10, 2011 1:38 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I wouldn’t say they “can score nearly at will.” He was operating the no huddle last night and a couple drives stalled pretty easily. He’s definitely very effective in that position and makes very good checks and decisions. But even in that offense (no huddle) they aren’t world beaters on offense.
Last night was an exception
If you look at the other four games, we scored on all but one no-huddle drive (IIRC). Last night was the first time the no-huddle stalled more than once.
Heard on ESPN not 10 minutes ago
Jaws was talking about Sanchez and the Jets offensive struggles. They have a very talented offense, but they’re constantly putting their O in 2nd and 8, 3rd and 7. Jaws also said that any quarterback, no matter how good, will struggle if constantly in 3rd and long all game.
Unless, of course, you’re playing against a BVG defense.
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by Caleb Rutherford on Oct 10, 2011 10:42 AM EDT up reply actions
Hey Caleb
What do you think if we had got Jon Gruden as our new Offensive Coordintaor and Eric Mangini as Defensive Coordinator?
by Antonio Grimes on Oct 10, 2011 10:45 AM EDT up reply actions
I'm ready to see what someone else can do with both the O and the D.
I’ve never liked Mangini, but Chucky would be a welcome addition in my opinion. I really think our next OC is current QB coach Bob Bratkowski. He ran a pretty good ship up in Cincy before Palmer’s knee exploded.
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by Caleb Rutherford on Oct 10, 2011 10:48 AM EDT up reply actions
so what you're saying is...
the best play to beat a 3rd and long is any play if you are playing against BVG?
Dont cloud the issue with facts!
Well
you saw what happened last night.
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by Caleb Rutherford on Oct 10, 2011 10:48 AM EDT up reply actions
and...
every game since 2008…odd thing is we have had quite a huge turnover on our defense since than (I wonder how many players we have on D from 2008) and we still do the same thing. Cant keep consistent pressure on the QB, 3rd and longs become 1st downs (See? Not Brooking’s fault), wide open receivers all over the field with some damn good CB’s and LB’s on the team…
Dont cloud the issue with facts!
Exactly what Collinsworth was saying all night
We were terrible on first down.
by aces666high on Oct 10, 2011 12:50 PM EDT up reply actions
Mr. Rogers was in 3rd and long
on more than a few occasions and converted first downs with no problem last night.
You can thank BVG for that.
The same D made Tarvaris Jackson look amazing.
Miko Grimes for head coach
She wouldn’t put up with this
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by Caleb Rutherford on Oct 10, 2011 10:50 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Sidbury
This guys the 2nd best pass rusher on the team and he hardly plays.
I've been very impressed with him
If Abe does walk after this season, I can see him earning a much bigger role.
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by Dave Choate on Oct 10, 2011 11:02 AM EDT up reply actions
I knew Sid was the truth coming out of Richmond
I was surprised to see him not starting by now. But he does tremedously help the DE rotation. He’s a keeper.
We are sitting at 2-3 just above the Panthers
Looking up at an Inferior team and a team in my eyes that we are as good as or atleast better in the saints. Now I’m not one of these drastic “Fire the franchise Quarterback” guys you know the one that has given this city The Hope it has now, the hope to be a superbowl team. All of you calling for Matts head simply…..Shut the fuck up he may have had and off game yesterday but come on with a Limping Roddy and No Julio who else can get the ball consistently??? Be real guys we had a STRONG chance to beat the packers yesterday but we fell Flat. I don’t know about y’all but I’m seeing Improvement yes I think MM should Shape up or Ship out but NOT ANY of our players!!!! Shit at some points we were running off pure talent alone. We do have some issues but none that cannot be fixed. We need to 1. Beat the panthers going into our Bye Week. 2. Sign One of those Veteran offensive lineman that are Free Agents and 3. Make some offensive and defensive Adjustments get more aggressive. That’s it NOTHING else right now!!!! Stop Whining and Act like Grown men not little FruitCakes!!!
by falcons101 on Oct 10, 2011 11:06 AM EDT via iPhone app reply actions
What can really be said at this point?
This team has the talent to be great, but their lack of execution has them underachieving
I’m pinning this loss on Matt Ryan. Defense wasn’t great, but they were missing four players at one point or another last night.
I saw way too many Ryan passes fall harmlessly to the turf. Not his best effort, to say the least.
"My parents do a lot of things behind the scenes that go unnoticed"- Cam Newton, Heisman acceptance speech.
by TurnerTheBurner on Oct 10, 2011 11:08 AM EDT reply actions
we need a true franchise Qb
bottom line most plays are improvised even after the coordinator gives them. matt audibles, he makes reads, but is too skiddish to execute consistantly at an elite level gives up on plays, rolls out to slow, and doesn’t get it out of his hands quick enough. i like ryan, a well spoken great young man,but only average in his profession. To many missed reads, along with errant balls that injure hammies chasing them out of bounds all night. this has been the nucleus of the offense. however, they’re content on mediocrity and collect their checks bcuz its just a game, a multi-million dollar game to them. So while we work ourselves into near stroke blood pressured levelsgame after game remember
by manetrayne on Oct 10, 2011 11:11 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
I can't agree
Judging from our past luck with Quarterbacks, I’ll take Ryan over any of them. He isn’t an elite QB, probably never will be, but he’s certainly better than most of the QB’s in this league. Problem is he has no run game and an O-Line that can’t block with consistency (Baker) and a coachin staff that is too afraid to let loose the reins on the no huddle.
by Falcons1133 on Oct 10, 2011 11:16 AM EDT up reply actions
But that's just it
We settle for a lesser QB because were used to having such bad ones. And with the o-line, they only gave up 1 sack last night. Ryan threw for 180(?) yards against the 2nd worst pass defense in the league. It’s not like we didn’t try either, we passed more than we ran yet we still failed to score more than 14 freaking points. It’s MM, it’s Ryan, and it’s Roddy’s stone hands. I will say though, both of his INTs last night were due to dropped passes.
by dirtybirds233 on Oct 10, 2011 11:28 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
50 yards Rushing
Then what about Turner? Too slow, too fat, over the hill? Half the time hes stopped behind the line of scrimmage, tell me that isn’t due to either a bad oline or MM’s telegraphic play calling!
by Falcons1133 on Oct 10, 2011 11:39 AM EDT up reply actions
A little of both
We need some big guys on the O-line and all new play schemes from MM
by Antonio Grimes on Oct 10, 2011 11:40 AM EDT up reply actions
Ryan is much better than average at QB
Falcons fans are lucky to have him, even though I agree he isn’t elite
The team has been in the playoff hunt every year that he has been the quarterback
As for those who complain about the playcalling being to conservative, you need to look at the run/pass ration this season
He definitely isn't elite...
That said, Ryan is stil a very good QB. You just need the front office to put him in the best situation as possible.
Guys like Rodgers don’t come around often.
SUPER BOWL CHAMPS
by Chief Oshkosh on Oct 10, 2011 3:10 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
we had Schaub...
but every time someone mentioned to play him over Vick on the AF boards they were bombarded with being called racist. Looking at how the 3 QB’s (Vick/Ryan/Schaub) now, which one would you rather have? I’d rather have Ryan than Schaub even tho Schaub is a damn good QB. Keep the INT/Fumblitis machine in Philly.
Dont cloud the issue with facts!
HD, Bosher, Baker need to GO
They are detrimentaly to my health!!!
Owens, maybe a DeCoud in there
But man is Sanders clutch!
by TheAreopagite on Oct 10, 2011 11:28 AM EDT up reply actions
Sanders has been our worst cover guy in the games he's been in
he just hasn’t given up a 70 yard play like Decoud did last night. The coverage was pretty good on that, btw, it was just a better play by the QB and WR. Decoud should have made that tackle, though.
Sanders is like the MoPete of our Secondary, hard hitter that can supply a big hit, but is mostly a liability in coverage.
Why HD?
He hasnt been targeted mich all year but minus the drop, which Roddy dropped the exact sane pass last week, he’s made the most of his opportunities. Should roddy go too? He leads the NFL in drops.
by dirtybirds233 on Oct 10, 2011 11:29 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Thats the Most Ridiculous Post
Comparing Roddy to HD is laughable. Sure Roddy hasn’t had a good year thus far, but given he lead the NFL the past 3 years (or close to it), I think we can overlook a few bad games. But a limping Roddy with 2 guys drapped on him is better than HD. HD had one good year, his rookie year. Since his injury, he hasn’t been a factor at all.
by Falcons1133 on Oct 10, 2011 11:34 AM EDT up reply actions
Maybe HD has got to gp
because he can’t get open. No QB will target you if you can’t get separation. He’s supposed to be our slot guy. Our underneath the LBs, seam route, crossing route, bubble screen, short yardage, chunks of yardage after the catch slot receiver threat.
If that sounds strange to your ears maybe it’s because we haven’t seen any of it. Thought experiment: how many times have we seen MR running for his life, buying time, desperately looking for a receiver to get open? The Law of Averages says HD should have been targeted more than he has – unless he’s not open.
If you were directly above him, how could you see him? Because I was inverted. [Bullshit] No, he was man. It was a really great move. He was inverted.
Nobody is going anywhere
Not Baker, HD, the coaches, etc. This team can’t even find it in itself to cut the worst punter in the NFL. Punters are a dime a dozen. Damn Matt Turk is still kicking. Loved all those bad stats that they kept showing about us last night. Worst punter in gross net(the easier stat to have an inflated # and he’s the worst!) only team to allow every QB they’ve faced to complete over 60% of their passes. This is a horribly inconsistent team incapable it seems of playing with fire for 60 minutes. They didn’t play w/a killer instinct last season but they had luck on their side. I expected us to lose last night but not in that way. We managed to somehow embarrass ourselves worse on national TV with a mini collapse than with the decimation I was expecting.
by aces666high on Oct 10, 2011 12:10 PM EDT up reply actions
We need Michael Koenen back!
Hopefully he’s not happy in Tampa and would jump at the chance to come back
by Antonio Grimes on Oct 10, 2011 12:13 PM EDT up reply actions
Not with his salary
Hes a great kicker, but hes grossly overpaid.
by Falcons1133 on Oct 10, 2011 12:15 PM EDT up reply actions
Koenon isn't needed
You can find a punter anywhere. What bothers me is that there hasn’t even been a in season tryout of sorts set up to tell Bosher “you better wake the f$&k up kid. You are easily replaced”. The FO better swallow their pride and cut their losses with this crap 6th rounder. So now "pinning"a team is a 25 yard punt to the 18 yard line right at the returner? Not even a slight angle on the punt? Pitiful.
by aces666high on Oct 10, 2011 12:46 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I'm suprised they haven't tried out anybody either
for the same reason you are. At the least it lets Bosher know he’s on the hot seat and he did kick better when going against someone else for the job.
Exactly. He and Parrish were booming punts in the Pre season.
Now a 44 yarder is awe inspiring coming off his stupid foot.
Exact Reaction
I figured they would blow up by 30 points. But that was probably more painful watching 2 easy TD drives and then nothing for the rest of game!
by Falcons1133 on Oct 10, 2011 12:14 PM EDT up reply actions
This is what is wrong with this whole team
For Matt to be really at his best – he needs a change of scheme or just a whole new Offensive coordinator. We lost a great QB coach that brought out Matt Ryan’s full ability. But before any of this happens. The O-line needs to be improved upon. We need some big (like 300 pounds +) guys on the O-line because our O-line gets pushed around a lot! Secondly, we have to get some new plays and new adjustment schemes that work! Each time it seems when we dominate the first half of games – we don’t have any good adjustments for the Second Half and then we find ourselves giving up yards and Touchdowns like a whore in an all male prison! Once this is done – its time to look at the Defense. The whole Zone Coverage play have to go! Brent is a unique player that can play all 3, Man coverage, Bump n Run, and also Zone because of his speed. Dunta can play Bump n Run and Man Coverage. Keep playing him in Zone is hindering his ability and making him play out of his element. BVG playing Zone on a 3rd and 2 play and Green Bay basically told you they are going to run the ball is not only careless but dumb! Either he needs to come up with a whole new scheme that utilize the full potential of the talent we have or he needs to go!
by Antonio Grimes on Oct 10, 2011 11:33 AM EDT reply actions
It's been a combination of things
from the lack of an offseason, shortened preseason, no OTAs but the one factor nobody has talked about was the departure of Bill Musgrave. Ryan hasn’t been horrible but he’s definitely looking worse than the last few years. Musgrave seems to have brought out the best in him and I haven’t seen Bob Bratkowski get the same level of play out of him. I’m also not encouraged by the “plus” the team site quotes that Bratkowski and Mularkey have a history together. I’d rather have a QB coach that tells the OC when he’s wrong rather than one who might be dependent on him for his job.
I was
not able to watch the game, only listen to it as I was driving in from Niagara Falls for the weekend. The first half we seemed to do what we wanted offensively, and then we stalled.. I did hear the radio announcer say Matt Ryan was very inaccurate at critical times. I’m a fan of Matt Ryan I really am, but I feel that he can’t accurately throw the deep ball, not criticizing his arm strength because we know he can throw it down the field, but I heard about 3 times where he either under threw JJ11 on a deep ball or over threw him. I remember I think it was against the bucs when JJ11 had to like slow down and turn around almost as if he was fielding a punt..
This defense is KILLING me.Even when we went up 14-0, and then rodgers was driving and they got LUCKY. finley dropped the ball at the goal line. The pass rush was almost non existent i heard other than interior pressure and that’s horrible seeing that GB had 2 inexperienced OT in the game..
We have WAYYYYYY to much talent to be performing like this, and at some point the front office and the coaches have to go since we know it isn’t going to change. I’ll never give up on the falcons because that’s the team I’ve learned to love, but I can give up on the coaches and until they do something to change my mind and to utilize this team to its fullest potential I no longer can trust them.
*In Matt I Trust*
http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/9455/grimessig.jpg
Matt has a very average arm
While that in itself isn’t a bad thing, he’s inaccurate going deep. Short to intermediate, very accurate but going long the ball floats, he can’t get it there on a line, he has to put a little more underneath it. It floats out of bounds or the WR has to wait or come back for it. Maybe it’s just because we haven’t taken too many shots downfield in his career and it will come with time and practice and our sieve Oline is also a culprit but he looked bad last night. I really wish we weren’t on national tv.
by aces666high on Oct 10, 2011 12:28 PM EDT up reply actions
I'm Worried about
William Moore, Julio jones and Sean those are some Key guys that we need healthy for the panthers game Todd needs to man up and get out there suck it up Dude. Garrett you are on a very short leash you have to perform. But my biggest concern is John Abraham I didnt even know he was injured the game would have been WAY different with his constant rush. The good thing is we have the panthers we should under no means lose to them and after that the bye. So if we can go into the bye with a 3-3 record with the hard first 6 games we had and make some KEY adjustments we come out Firing on ALL cylinders. I’m optimistic to see how this plays out!!!
by falcons101 on Oct 10, 2011 12:15 PM EDT via iPhone app reply actions
This is what should happen after the bye
We get a new Kicker, Mike Smith beats the hell out of MM and BVG for those awful play schemes so far, and the Atlanta Falcons don’t loose a game the rest of this season
by Antonio Grimes on Oct 10, 2011 12:23 PM EDT up reply actions
Hard first 6 games?
Chicago 2-2 -7 point dif.
Philly 1-4 -4 point dif
TB 3-2 -38 point dif
Sea 2-3 -28 point dif
GB 5-0 +62 point dif
Of our 1st 5 games, one was against a tough opponent. If we had improved upon last year’s team we’d be 4-1 at worst. If we played 4 quarters of football a game we’d be 5-0. The coaching staff and their lack of adjustments makes all of us cringe when we go into halftime.
by drmondo667 on Oct 10, 2011 1:13 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
This team is not there yet
they may very well not even make the playoffs this year with teams that used to be doormats getting better with every week. That said I still believe the falcons can get there….
But, not this year. I mean, we’ve already called for the Coordinators heads and it isn’t even the half way point in the season. The fact is…….(drum roll) they are not getting fired, because if they were then it would have already happened. Let us not forget that when you play or coach a team you get to know the guys you work with. Sometimes, you’re closer to some more than others and that is more or less is why Jim Mora Jr was let go (not because of some Washington comment). He held on to guys who he knew couldn’t get it done because they were his friends. This happens more often than we think in a lot of leagues.
Think about it, we still complain about the same things we have since they got here. Is it going to change? No amount of yelling and cussing is going to fix flawed planning and/or flawed personel. The reason the falcons never go for the jugular is because that’s the culture here. We now almost expect the falcons to win eeking out victories because of coverage sacks, tip drill interceptions, the opponents receivers dropping passes, or we drive down and kick a 50 yard FG. I don’t mean to sound so negative, but the writing on the wall if the opponents defense can make one adjustment and your whole game is sunk. You offense can’t stay on the field and your defense can’t get off the field……this sounds too familiar.
Looking at The play-by-play We held the defending champions to FGs, a fumble, and a punt on their first five possessions. You don’t get much better than that on the best offense in football!!! The falcons, five punts and two interceptions after two impressive TD drives. This was the most dissappointing game the falcons have played under Smith, the 2010 playoffs were bad, but you had a chance to stick it to them for a lil revenge and don’t do it?!?!?!
I expected the falcons to win this game because I knew they had more pride than what they showed in that playoff loss. But, obviously you play what is called and that’s that. Like I said in another post, this loss hangs squarely on the coaches and Matt Ryan. They are the ones who get the glory for wins and they shall get the blame for losses.
Atlanta will win a championship....someday
I can agree with this one
We have the most talented all around team in my eyes but you can’t do anything with it if you have what I call “Weeds” holding you back MM needs to be gone he is too fucking arrogant and comfy and has no pressure to change his strategy. BVG actually tried to Change his strategy but panicked when James Jones scored and went back to 7 yards off Receivers these guys showed what needs to happen at the beginning of the game but got scared realizing they are beating the shit out of the champs and tried to control the game. So MM you have to go man BVG I thought you were uncapable of controlling this D but you showed me you could, just stop the prevent defense man up and play to our teams strength Aggressive hard hitting football we have those kinds of players use them as such. Mike smith there is no more time for friends Make The adjustments or You need to be gone too POINT BLANK. We NEED a leader!!!
by falcons101 on Oct 10, 2011 12:47 PM EDT via iPhone app up reply actions 1 recs
If I hear "we need to EXECUTE better" one more time......I'll puke
This comes out of every Falcon talking head mouth (Smitty, Ryan, Dimitroff, Tony G, etc.) after EVERY loss. It’s nauseating.
We’re so into “execution” with our predictable offense and grossly outdated defensive schemes……..its not JUST about execution, not by a long shot.
Sometimes someone just just needs to MAKE a FRIGGIN’ PLAY!………In the 3 previous seasons, this team has been able to come up with a big play when things were dire (i.e. Roddy’s strip in the 49er game, or Biermann’s INT in Cleveland)………there is just none of this this year.
Get pissed off about the lack of playmakers – THATs why we’re 2-3………period.
That said, we have no sustainability for a playoff run (even if we do start making plays) because we have tired schemes that just flat friggin’ don’t work (no matter how well they are “executed”)……let’s take “we need to execute better” just flat out of our vocabulary, shall we?
Most important – it is becoming increasingly more difficult to stay passionate about a team that appears to be becoming increasingly less passionate – THAT is the biggest concern for the remainder of the season.
by AuxiliaryHusky on Oct 10, 2011 12:40 PM EDT reply actions
The Real Issue - The Falcons Have Lost Their Identity
It’s been a while since I’ve posted on the Falcoholic, but I have been trying to come up with something that’s a little more dispassionate. I agree with everyone’s frustration as to the O-line, the play-calling, Ryan, etc., but I feel like it’s more deep-rooted than that.
Somewhere along the way, the Falcons lost their identity. From the outset, this was a team that was built to “run the ball, stop the run.” Thomas Dimitroff and Mike Smith built this group (or at least attempted to build this group) around dominance at the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. Mularkey is a run-first offensive coordinator.
In 2008, the Falcons were 2nd in the NFL in rushing offense. In 2009, the Falcons fell to 15th, but Turner was hurt for a significant portion of the season. In 2010, we bumped back up to 12th. Our passing game has finished 15th, 14th, and 15th consecutively since 2008.
In 2008, the Falcons had the 2nd most rushing attempts in the NFL. In 2009, they dropped to 11th. In 2010, they increased back up to 5th. This year, Atlanta is 27th in rushing attempts. 27th! On the passing side, Atlanta was 29th in pass attempts in 2008, clearly not trying to ask Ryan to do much. In 2009, they were 7th. In 2010, they were 8th. This year, they are 5th in passing attempts.
The NFL has been hubba-balloed as a passing league for the past 5-10 years thanks to the play of QBs like Manning, Brady, Brees, and Rodgers. But, running football teams CAN win in the NFL. They have for years. But, running football teams cannot be solely committed to the run: they have to have balance. Just look at the Falcons under Vick.
The coaching needs to take a long, hard look at the way it’s offense is going right now. This defense is not the steel curtain, but it has gotten the job done at the line of scrimmage (8th in rushing defense this season, 10th last season, compared to 25th in 2008). We are getting passed all over, in part because we aren’t getting the pressure that seems to elude us, but also because our offense is trying to play in a way that is not conducive to our overall philosophy of clock control, mistake-free football. Throw in a lack of discipline with untimely penalties, as well as a significant down grade in our punting unit, and there’s the reason we’re 2-3.
If the Falcons want to salvage any hope at a post-season, they have to recommit themselves to the run game. In the offseason, if they want to join the list of teams who want to throw the ball downfield, they can go out, change coordinators, and adopt a new philosophy. But for the time being, this is a run first ball club, and it needs to be conducted as such. That’s not to say you can’t use Julio and Roddy opportunistically. But there’s got to be more creativity at the point of attack in order to use their talents effectively.
ATL hasn't been a run first team for two years
Last year ATL was a pass first team. The perception that ATL is a run first team in not correct. It might look that way because they run so much on first down.
Which is it?
Half the people complain that the offense is too conservative
Half the people complain that the offense has lost its hard nosed identity
Honestly, the only way this team wins is if there is balance offensively
Turner needs 20 carries, and Ryan needs to be accurate and take advantage of one-on-one opportunities when he gets them
For any of it to work, the line must improve. Turner is a very good back, and his ability to make plays begins with his offensive line, which got eaten up in the 2nd half by the Packers
by smy on Oct 10, 2011 1:32 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
except in the 1st half we didn't have too much of a problem
running or passing on them. We weren’t predictable and we were aggressive then we went to our “please don’t lose” offense and defense.
Numbers don't agree with you
5th most rushing attempts in the NFL. Successful or not, they want to run the football first under this regime and with this coordinator. If we want to throw 50 times a game, fine, lets get a new coordinator and open it up. But trying to turn Mularkey’s offense into something its not is a bad idea, and that’s reflected in the 2-3 record. The offense works best when the run sets up the play action and other passes.
by LetsGoFalcons on Oct 10, 2011 9:32 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Heh, seeing what our coaches have said after the loss has me going back to some old Jim Mora rants.
Partially because what he said about his teams could be said about us, but mostly because I wish someone in the Falcons organization would be that honest with us. I’m tired of coachspeak. “Adjustments will be made” no shit, I sure hope they will. Why can’t we just admit that we got our rear ends handed to us by a team because we played like shit in the second half. Our offense was anemic, our defense was verwhelmed, our special teams were bad, and our coaches didn’t make the necessary adjustments. When you play like we did in the second half, it doesn’t matter how much talent you have on the roster (and we have lots of it, IMO), you’re going to get beat almost every time.
Oh yeah, and neither our 13-3 record nor the 48-21 stomping by Green Bay should be hanging over us now. That was last season. We should have learned our lessons from those right now and moved on.
Execution vs. Adjustments (and other crap)
We can execute every play, but it is extremely difficult to execute plays when the opposing defense has enough talent and ability, from the coaches on down, to adjust to and stymie those plays. What separates the best coaches from others is their ability to make adjustments on the fly during the action to counter the opposition’s adjustments. What separates the best teams from others is their ability to execute those adjustments. That’s why the Packers are a better football team than the Falcons. They know their strengths, play to those strengths, and win football games.
Now, when Mike Smith says that we are a run-first, ball-control football team, I believe that that is what he wants to see. I also believe that we are incapable of sustaining the kind of offense he wants to see. How do we fix that? You can’t tell me that we are a physical, hard-nosed football team on either side of the ball. We don’t play that way. Hell, we didn’t play that way most of last season. We DID get away with it, though. Why? We made some comebacks. A few of those relied on huge individual plays (Roddy’s strip against SF, for example) or dumb luck (Hartley’s missed chippy). We really counted on that stuff last season. (In eight games decided by seven points or less, the Falcons won seven of them.) Unfortunately, you can’t rely on catching breaks every season. We haven’t been getting them in 2011. Therefore, if we are going to make the playoffs in 2011, it will either be because the luck started going our way, something which can’t be counted on, or we finally started to make our own breaks through solid execution of an offensive gameplan that fits the roster.
(I’d like to see more aggressive play out of our D, but given our missed tackles and blown assignments, I don’t know that we can pull that off. Maybe we could be smarter? Probably.)
by Thrashy Thrashy on Oct 10, 2011 2:20 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
recc'd
“Therefore, if we are going to make the playoffs in 2011, it will either be because the luck started going our way, something which can’t be counted on, or we finally started to make our own breaks through solid execution of an offensive gameplan that fits the roster”.
-I can’t agree more. The downside is that MM and BVG (and Smitty by not forcing them to do so) don’t seem to be the type of coaches that can do this. Mularkey hasn’t been “Inspector Gadget” since his days in Pittsburgh (he left there 7 years ago). He was a horrible head coach in Buffalo. He then was a failed OC in Miami where they averaged 16.3 points a game. BVG’s coaching career has been mostly with small colleges. Wayne State, Central Michigan, Central Florida, Georgia Southern and Western Illinois. Yes he was DC at Georgia for 3 years and did well, but its still a different game in college than the NFL. His only other NFL coaching experience was one year as LB coach in Jacksonville. Maybe he doesn’t have what it takes to be consistently successful in the NFL.
This teams plays like it has no fear
They don’t fear being benched. They don’t fear losing a starting spot. They don’t fear being cut. Why? Because the front office sits on their hands and watches. They watch while the rest of the league figures out our offense. They sit while everyone figures out our defense. They sit and watch the same players make the same mistakes week after week and some year after year.
I think the main issue is we don’t know what kind of team we are. Are we trying to be power run team? Are we trying to be a spread offense team? Are we trying to be a smash mouth defense team? Or do we want a bend but don’t break D? Right now we are trying to dabble in all of them then wonder why it doesn’t work. Explosive offense and power run don’t go together unless what you are wanting is what we have… a running team that explodes when we get stuffed. Bend but don’t break and smash mouth don’t blend well. You end up with a defense that plays off and trys to hit hard once the play is complete but misses alot. Sounds familiar doesn’t it.
I think more than anything the FO needs to figure this out. The lack of a true identity shows in everything from drafting to free agent pick ups to play calling. We are a team waiting for something to happen to tell us what type of team we are going to be and unfortunately right now the type of team were going to be is losers that can’t close out games.
by Falcons Fan in WA on Oct 10, 2011 2:56 PM EDT reply actions
It just seems
That this team has no heart, Except for Spoon. He seemed to be the only one fired up last night. I want to see everyone get PASSIONATE about their play
I truly hope TD learned one thing from his time in NE
When it’s time to cut bait on bad decisions.
Replace Bosher. He might have the potential to be a great punter but it’s not going to happen under these circumstances. Bring in a few candidates to try out and go with the best one.
MM hasn’t been the same after leaving Pittsburgh. He’s not going to be the guy to take this offense to the next level. Start making a list of candidates to replace him and start talking to the ones you legally (by NFL rules) are allowed to.
BVG needs help. He might be good enough but he needs a stronger personality who will force him out of his comfort zone (pardon the pun) and make him adapt his schemes to the players he has, not the other way around. Its actually one of the few things I think Glanville would be good for. Let him be a defensive consultant who can push BVG to be more aggressive when he needs to be.
Who is at fault?
I know how frustrating it can be when we had high hopes after last season, been there many times before. The offense didn’t do this or that and same for the defense. We all think heads must roll and in some cases it might be true, I think its time Mike Smith steps up and does what is necessary to fix this team and to get it running like it should. We all know this is his job its what he gets paid for to make all the hard decisions whether he likes it or not. It time he took control of the situation an do what ever it takes to get the job done from the coaches on down to the players whether its coaching with a smile and a pat on the butt to kicking A__ ad taking names to just having to sit those
with a losing attitude. Mike Smith is a fine coach love him like a brother but the buck stops here reason must prevail it his job now do it.
preaching to the choir, but
maybe TD or Mr Blank will start hearing this and force Smitty to start fixing the problems even if it hurts his coaches’ feelings.
Mularkey has to go...he's holding the offense back at this point
His “scripted” plays worked well in the first half…I was like …where have these plays been hiding. Reverses, screens, lots of motion, different sets….I was all “hey, hey, hey, you CAN teach an old dog new tricks”. Until the script ended and they didn’t score another point. Really? We run EVERY first down and usually it’s up the middle. Everyone knows it. Everytime you hear Matt call “Kill Kill” you know it’s going to be a run.
Even though the offense wasn’t doing anything and languishing in futility we stubbornly refused to go no huddle.???!!! The offensive play calling is just that…offensive. The defense played MUCH better tonight against a really great offensive team, but our offense hung them out to dry period.
For the love of all that’s holy let Matt STAY in the no-huddle from snap 1, script the whole game, or fire Mularkey. I’ll accept any of those three.
and another thing...best defensive substition...
Chris Owens getting hurt on special teams and forcing Hayden into the game. Thank you football gods.
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