Today Is Not Tomorrow For The Atlanta Falcons

Is a great way to start the day. Excellent points across the board, sir. If everything goes well this weekend I think we can use a win as a confidence booster for both fans and players. Here’s to a good post and a great game.

At no point have I ever even considered blowing up the roster or firing the entire coaching staff. This team is tremendously talented and has the ability to win now and in the future. However, coupled with that promise are a number of significant underlying issues. The worst of them all is an offensive coordinator who does not have the ability to adapt his “scheme or system” to other teams approaches (Bears Cover 2) or issues with our own team (O-line).

There are some things that need to change on this team and I will do my best to offer up suggestions:
1. It is unrealistic to assume the Mularkey will be fired this season, however playcalling duties need to be taken away asap and I am not just talking no huddle, we cant run no huddle the entire game. Perhaps more of a play calling by committee approach outside of the no huddle.
2. There need to be some changes along the o-line. McClure will improve as he gets back into the swing of things, but I am thinking that Sam Baker just is not cut out to play left tackle. We should move Justin Blalock to the outside and swing Sam Backer inside. Potentially also consider giving Joe Hawley a shot at right guard.

I think that if we can address the two items above we will have a chance at the 5-3 record moving into the bye week. This team can get it done.

GO BIRDS!

The problem is that Atlanta is way too talented to be sitting at 1-2. The problem is that the Offensive Coordinator and Defensive Coordinator are still using plays from 3 years ago and don’t have any new plays. The problem is that we all know that MS is one hell of a coach – but he is slowly loosing the respect of his players and front office just by accepting the plays that he is giving by his coaching staff.

What do you think will happen to MS, MM, BVG, and all the players if they lost here at the Georgia Dome to the Greenbay Packers again?

So none of you really expect for the Atlanta Falcons to really compete against the Greenbay Packers at all. So most of you feel that the Falcons have already lost this game before it even started?! Don’t you all see what’s happening? We are slowly losing faith in our team. And if we are – then how do you think the players are feeling. I wish this discussion board could be forward to MS right now. This will light a fire under them!

After the Hot Seat post yesterday, I thought Falcoholic was going the way of AJC and ESPN trolls. Thanks for restoring some sanity.

OK, so we started the season in almost catastrophic way….right? This is an opportunity to see what we really have.
When Tiger was physically & mentally (divorce) ok, he owned golf; however, he did not win because he hit every shot well, he won because of his tenacity and ability improvise. We need to do the same think, and hope MS takes a good look at this team and helps define who we are. Also, every player must be accountable and feel the heat as it all boils down to accountability.

On the coaching side, I read about this rumor between MS and MM. Is that true? Also, I think people, including me are frustrated by how the team seems to under utilize our weapons. It’s like driving a Ferrari with the parking brake on and not switching from 2nd gear. I think the frustration is seeing the same old issues for 3 years and the status quo.

We have to give credit to this coaching staff, they have done the unthinkable, but we must continue to evolve. By this, I mean that we need to start a new process. It’s not a turnaround anymore, now it’s about beating the crap of other teams. We have the players, the owners and we have the fan base.

So, my initial conclusion is to let the coaches and players deal with adversity, and then we could understand what type of team we have.

It’s how they have played the games. Too many penalties, terrible punts and kicks, lack of tackling, lack of blocking and lack of concentration. These are coaching problems. No sense of urgency.

If the players weren’t good enough but were going out there and giving 100%, that would be one thing. I can respect that. But that is not the case. We have guys making boneheaded decisions and not doing simple fundamental things like wrapping up on tackles.

I coach youth football and wrapping up on tackles and blocking are the first things we teach. I’m pretty sure these Pro’s have heard it a few times. There is a lack of discipline and that concerns me more than anything.

Greenbay hasn’t change their play calling from last year. If you look at their past games – their offense likes to put more people on the line than the opposing defense has. Atlanta should look at this and play man on man coverage. That way, everybody is accounted for. Have Decoud spy Aaron Rodgers and stay in his throwing lane. Decoud will also have to watch when Aaron Rodgers crosses the line of scrimmage because that means he’s a runner. Also – every player HAS TO PLAY DISCIPLINE FOOTBALL! Keep your man covered and don’t think of jumping the route. Greenbay defense plays the same zone defense that Atlanta does – and Greenbay corners dont really like to jump for the ball either. Get Tony Gonzalez, Roddy White, Julio Jones, Harry Douglas, and another WR on the offensive line and have them jump for some passes in the middle and in the right hand corner and Atlanta will come out of the Georgia Dome a winner over another team that won the Super Bowl! Unless everyone forgot about New Orleans.

I’m not a FIRE so and so guy. I think there is blame to share across the board, but the fundamental things, penalties, tackleing…and my biggest is being totally unprepared on the road this season. That starts at the top IMO.

Then we need a good pass rush. Can’t give these QB’s that much time or the receivers will lose them.

Win the superbowl this year! I know some things have to change but guys in both games we lost we had a damn near great game offensively. Our only issue is finding the endzone which Is bound to get corrected. Granted that is due to our Oline which needs to be fixed by either shuffling it up or free agency. But in both games we lost our passing game was pretty good (Matt threw over 300 against the bears and bucs turner had 100 against bears and Julio and Roddy went for about 70 @ bears and over 100 @ bucs) our only issue is finding the endzone which in my opinion is due to the Oline. Guys I believe those are easy problems to be fixed and will be fixed fast. Therefore WE WILL WIN THE SUPERBOWL!!!!

Does anybody know why is so important that the Atlanta Falcons beat the Greenbay Packers here at the Georgia Dome?

When the Atlanta Falcons beat the Saints last year after they won the SB – The Atlanta Falcons were starting think of themselves not only as playoff contenders but what – a team that can win the SB!

If they knew how we the fans feel right now then maybe they can make some changes.

buuuut… Dave, are we doing an Ask The Falcoholic thread on FieldGulls this week?

I look at it like this: If people are surprised at your lack of success, you’re probably doing something right.

This franchise has already turned a corner, employing a front office and head coach that have given us every reason to expect excellence. Our reactions to each loss are based on the fact that we now expect to win – and it’s a nice feeling.

One of my biggest problems is that it’s not even fun to watch the Falcons anymore. They’re already a boringly efficient team that just plugs away and wins, but now we’re reduced to them just being a boring team with poor play, penalties and no scoring. That Tampa game was a pure snoozer. I remember how up and down those Glanville days were with the Red Gun, but I also remember enjoying an offense that went up and down the field, and prime time creating excitement with his kick returns and occasional pick-6’s. I’ve found myself watching those damn Saints and realizing just how enjoying football can be, even with defenses play like crap. There’s just not much to “enjoy” about these Falcons, which is sad.

what do you expect? might be unfair, but Atlanta just got clobbered with deep disappointment this whole month due to the lolbraves. sometimes, people just want heads to roll, unfair as that might be.

I haven’t heard much about MS vs MM so can someone fill me in there please? The first finger if we have to point is the O Line. That’s obvious. We’re too talented to think anywhere else. IMO we should be a pass first team. Remember those pesky Cardinals of 2008? They had Edgerrin James a legend in Indy. He was kept fresh throughout the year and boom they shot us down in the first round. Everyone thought that Edge was done then they go out and play their hearts out in the Superbowl. How do you fix an O Line that can’t block right now. You throw quick short passes. I don’t care if we’re labelled as checkdown teams. We have a four receiver set that features Roddy who caught a screen pass for a TD against the Bears. Pass first teams have won the Superbowl in the last what four or five years? I’m not here to blow up the team I think we have an incredible squad but who cares if you don’t win the last game of the season?

Dave…great post as usual, you’re right on target about taking both the historical perspective of the team as well as the long view. This is by far the best mix of talent and Front Office support we’ve ever had.

Someone mentioned however, that playcalling schemes need to evolve, and I don’t think ours have yet. That is the problem. Other teams’ defenses have evolved to match our offense…but our offense hasn’t evolved to stay one step ahead of them. Seems to be a trend.

Example: remember when the Vick first burst on the scene and was unstopable? He was, until defenses finally figured out his patterns and placed a fast “spy” on the left hashmark. It effectively neutralized him, until a new OC (Philly) taught him new plays.

Our play calling is so outdated, I can pretty much figure out what we’re going to run (up the middle) from my living room…imagine what the professionals on other teams can figure out! As much as I like and appreciate the coaching staff, that part lies squarely with them…

-till Sunday in Seattle…