Personality-Related Shenanigans: Problematic?
by James Rael on Jan 12, 2012 11:17 PM EST
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PrintCurious thought crept into my head today. Happens often enough, maybe more often than it should. And - more often than not - the results are mixed. But - if you will - indulge me for a minute ...
What if our team culture is a taking a definitive turn for the worse? Roddy's a future hall of famer if he maintains this pace for another half-decade. But the kid talks an awful lot. To that effect, he's not the only outspoken Falcon. Michael Turner's head shaking during last weekend's playoff loss spoke volumes.
We're not the Bengals or the Jets, not even close. But there's no denying the "looseness" that's crept into Flowery Branch as-of-late. The frustration about Mularkey's offense was voiced early and often, even during the season. While the ire is totally understandable, I'd prefer if it weren't aired publicly.
It's easy to ignore the early onset of team-wide dissent and dissatisfaction. Nobody wants to think it could happen to us. We've been through too much, we're owed some period of normalcy. Still, to be frank, I'd imagine many Falcons are downright angry after this regression-filled season. Several key leaders are entering free agency and the coaching staff was effectively gutted. If inspiring, logical, and efficient personnel moves aren't made, then cohesiveness won't be a given.
Simply stated, it's absolutely critical for the Falcons to fit the square pegs into the square holes now. I'm an enormous homer, and for that reason, I truly believe Mr. Blank and The Comrade will make the necessary and appropriate moves. I believe in this organization; but we need our players to feel the same.
Discuss!
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Can't agree here...
I would be more concerned if they were complacent and didn’t care about the direction of the team. Roddy’s always talked and a head shake from Turner in no way puts us anywhere in the same universe as the antics of a Rex Ryan coached team.
I’m happy that they care and that they’re showing a bit of emotion. I think it shows that they feel the same as we do.
Gotta agree with you here KJinCton
Michael Turner shaking his head on the sidelines after the failed 4th down attempt hardly defines him as being outspoken. He is a man, he is allowed some form of expression..correct? Lets not create beef where there is none. It was an error on the coaching staffs behalf to run Ryan instead of a 245lb RB period. As far as the players anger who are they to be angry with? Themselves maybe. These are professional athletes and they understand the importance of team. I don’t remember any players publicly airing any issues regarding Mularkey’s play calling. The fans have made a lot of noise about the playcalling and AJC has tried to manipulate some comments regarding Ryan running the no huddle against Mularkey but other than that I have heard no negative comments from actual team members. Maybe you could share those quotes with us as I’m afraid I missed reading or hearing about such negative statements made by players publicly about Mike Mularkey’s play calling or any other negative issue…other than losing a football game.
Do you think a 245lb RB
would have made a difference there, he would have just got stuffed farther back. Anyways I don’t really think things are getting too bad, and hopefully the playoffs plus a new coaching staff will light a fire under them. I found they were a little complacent this year, that despite the playoff loss(last year) they felt they could walk through the regular season again. They need better preparation, but overall with the right changes they should be in a pretty good place.
Common sense
should tell you a 245lb RB stands a better chance of getting a yard than a 215lb QB. Turner may not have gotten it but he sure gives me a better chance than my rather frail QB.
Doubt it
A handoff would be 3 yards behind the los, the advantage with a sneak is the ball stays so close to the los. It is generally the play to go with as you know the snap count and only need a small push to gain such yardage. Either way our O-Line was overmatched and they were sold on the run, something to the outside or something tricky was probably the way to go. Or a fg.
50 caliber
I somewhat agree that was the right call but the O line Let us down in that game and in many others this season. Before the game i said to myself that it will take coaching genius to cover the weakness of our O line in this game and it just didn’t happen.
It's called probability and Statistics
What are the probabilities using statistical data that Michael Turner would have gain that yard more successfully than Matt Ryan. I’m not concerned about your gut feeling or your doubt, what do the statistics say when you compare Matt Ryan’s probability, based on statistical data, to Michael Turner’s probability of gaining a yard running the football. It’s like saying who has a better chance of completing a 7 yard pass your field goal kicker or your QB? Of course the line has to block and the play calling has to be creative but the best man for the job of gaining 1 yard is your RB/FB not your QB. You can doubt it disagree with it but the facts say different.
I am almost positive
the stats favor QB sneak in that situation;
I'm fairly certain
that stats say anything up the middle is stupid, and that a very quick slant wins
Don't forget
they knew we were running it. With an empty backfield that meant the D just had to stuff 2 holes and the center rather than the entire Oline. There was no chance of a screen, offtackle, sweep, etc. The WRs were covered tightly so a quick pass wouldn’t work. They could sell out on the one spot we could run at.
Having him on the field would have made a difference
Might have made the defense pause, just for a moment, unsure if we were going to sneak it or hand it off. Just a slightly different look might have helped. It also might have helped if Ryan had just put his nose down and gone into the line, instead of halfway falling sideways into it.
Braves will be fine. I'm not worried.
by Bronn on Sep 18, 2011 4:26 PM EDT
just maybe
RW should catch what’s thrown to him,
AND quit that smiling like a drop is no big
deal…THEN he can talk.
MT had a good reason to be shaking his
head…they don’t trust him to at least make
a push for a yard? Yeah, I know…too much
“tackled at the line”…still, he’s got some power.
I am seriously hoping that the players were paying
close attention to the attitude up on that stage. AB
ain’t messin’ around, because it’s his money. MS
and TD surely got that.
by please before I die, Falcons on Jan 12, 2012 11:44 PM EST reply actions
I saw a team on Sunday that had given up
by the 3rd quarter. For whatever reason it was ugly.
I can’t be mad at guys shaking their head in frustration, but totally giving up is bad. I think the shakeup in personnel and the coaching staff will really go a long way in getting everyones motivation back.
by Whyte Bler 000 on Jan 13, 2012 12:14 AM EST reply actions
Turner shaking his head said it all
He’s probably the most cool headed guy on the team, so when he’s pissed, you know it’s serious. As for Roddy…when he can catch a pass, he can talk all he wants.
by dirtybirds233 on Jan 13, 2012 12:27 AM EST via mobile reply actions
My Outlook
I think of it like this. All those player are kids and the Coaching staff are the parents. If you don’t teach your children the fundamentals of the game then how do you expect them to go out and put on a good show. I blame the problems on the parents. MS has been doing his job. That playoff game was a team that has had enough. I could see the anger and frustaration on there faces. If there is a problem then it needed to be address and i think they were finally heard. There is nothing wrong with a little celebration after a touchdown. People can talk all they want about how all they do it run with a ball or catch passes. Let me ask you this, do you think you can hang on to the ball when getting laid out be a free safety?? Didn’t think so. The choices that were made in that game were not smart. It all started with the play calling. Once they gave up it was all down hill. It’s bad when you the hardcore of a falcons’ fan that you lose sleep over a game.LoL.
Not a 1 for 1 analogy
What if you’re kid is a complete doofus. YOu can tell him all you want…he’s still stupid and won’t get it. (STart playing Jethro Tull “Thick as a Brick” here.) lol Or you can train (very very well) your athletically non-gifted kid to do something he can’t do and he still won’t be able to do it. But I understand where you’re coming from. Coaching goes a looong way.
What you can do though is understand your players shortcomings and coach around them, and understand your players strengths and coach TO that. You can also make adjustments to what folks are doing to your personnel on the other team. Our greatest failing was to coach away from our team’s weaknesses and to make adjustments.
I think every Falcon fan shock their head
Situation:
Our line was getting no push.
We got stuffed on 3rd and 1 twice
We got stuffed on 4th and 1
Ryan is the worst QB in the league at running a QB sneak.
Our 250 pound running back not in the game .
Neither Quiz or Snealing in were in the game.
We didn’t quick snap the ball.
Result:
We run another QB sneak and get stuffed again.
Conclusion:
MT and should SHH just like I SMH.
It's hard to...
…suck at a QB sneak. I mean Matty would have to fumble the ball in order for him to really suck.
I hated the call. With Turner out on the sideline, it was an obvious read for the defense.
He does
Suck it at, and I’m not really sure why. He should watch Brady run it, he is one of the best I’ve seen at it, he finds a small hole gets low and dives through. Although to be fair to Matty our line really got no push. Also even if Turner is in the game does the defense really play that any different? They were sold on the run either way and collapsed the line.
50 caliber
Brady has and has always had the best O line in the league. Last season Ryan made almost all QB sneaks.
by 50 CALIBER on Jan 13, 2012 7:23 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
with turner in it still would have been obvious
they tried running turner on a 4 and 1 and ran the same play from the NO game and got stuffed
Atlanta will win a championship....someday
Quizz WAS on the field
Just split out wide. Heck, we probably should have thrown it.
Braves will be fine. I'm not worried.
by Bronn on Sep 18, 2011 4:26 PM EDT
Can we stop with the exaggerating Roddy's problem with drops?
He was the most targeted receiver in the league. It’s been reported multiple times that Roddy does not rank among the worst in the league in terms of the percentage of balls thrown to him that end up as catches. He has a lot of drops because he’s targeted a lot.
I know there were a couple of times where his drops came in the most crucial moments of the game, and that hurt, but it’s not like the guy is dropping every ball thrown his way. Yes, he needs to work on not dropping those passes, but can we please stop blowing this out of proportion?
As for the point of the article, I don’t believe this will ever be a serious issue with the Falcons. I trust Mike Smith to keep a positive and workmanlike atmosphere in the locker room.
This is my corn. You people are guests in my corn.
by gilley on Jan 13, 2012 1:31 AM EST reply actions 3 recs
He also has the most drops
As a percentage of his catches. I wouldn’t make the most of it, but when you have an 86 percent catch rate (where average seems to be about 95 percent… that seems to suggest a problem.
If he wants to talk, at least back it up by catching it.
Roddy does represent the ultimate conundrum for the Falcons to figure out. I know I get baffled occasionally when debating his pros and cons. Tied for worst among the cons for Roddy (Tied with Drops) is his personal fouls. Nearly every year he talks about his desire to curve those penalties and nearly every year, a game is lost in part to stupid penalties (I’m looking towards the games in which we lost and Roddy had a personal foul or even multiple).
not sure where you're coming up with that - it's incorrect info
STATS, Inc. says Roddy led the league with 15 Drops (it says 14 on his player page, though). If you take the 100 Receptions and 180 Targets from his player page, you get a 55.6% Catch Rate and an 8.3% Drop Rate (using the 15 Drops).
The guys tied for second most Drops (with 12) were Dwayne Bowe, Greg Little, and Brandon Marshall:
Bowe – 81 Receptions, 141 Targets: 57.4% Catch Rate; 8.5% Drop Rate
Little – 61 Receptions, 120 Targets: 50.8% Catch Rate; 10.0% Drop Rate
Marshall – 81 Receptions, 140 Targets: 57.9% Catch Rate; 8.6% Drop Rate
Roddy’s numbers don’t look so out of line when compared to other guys. By the way, this is who Roddy is – this isn’t something new. Last season was the outlier for Roddy (6 Drops; 64.4% CR; 3.3% DR)… this season is more in line with the rest of his career.
"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein
by orang3b on Jan 13, 2012 9:34 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
That catch rate is a little off.
since it asumes every target is catchable. Those deep balls that were 5 yards ahead of Roddy are not catchable by any reasonable definition of the term. As is all those other off-target passes that cannot reasonably be defined as catchable.
He is in line with the other top wr’s, yes. But I’d argue that all their catch rates should be increased in order to account for missed passes.
Receptions & Targets are straight from the play-by-play
Where it either lists the Reception or the intended receiver on an Incomplete Pass. It’s the same for every team in the league. Drops (and “uncatchable” balls) would have to be noted by watching game film.
"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein
Agreed, but IMO
it unfairly penalizes receivers who have qb’s that throw errant passes.
Thank You!
Reading what some people say, you would think he only caught 1 pass out of his 180 targets. He still catches the vast majority of what’s thrown to him, guys. Calm down.
You aren't kidding!
5 straight seasons of 80+ catches, back to back 100 reception seasons, 5 straight 1100 or more yard seasons. All this while being the only true WR threat we had.
Only reason Turner's sadness is even brought up
is because the media tries to find every little damn thing it can to put on tape.
I would know, I’ve run a tv camera at a live event before.
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by Caleb Rutherford on Jan 13, 2012 1:38 AM EST reply actions
I believe in TD and Mr. Blank because...
…well, ever since Blank has owned the Falcons, he’s found a way to keep us at least relevant.
TD meanwhile built this whole Falcons establishment that’s been successful for 4 years now.
As Mr. Blank said, “we’re not throwing out the baby with the bath water.”
TD has excelled everywhere he’s gone. If you’re worried, you’re being cynical.
take it with a grain of salt.
I didn’t think anything of it when I saw Turner shaking his head. Nor when Roddy was vocal with the play calling. They are frustrated players, just like we are frustrated fans. They want to win as well as we, the fans. I have been an avid Mularkey hater for years on this site now. Hopefully the new OC can call a better game and mix things up a bit. If I can’t call Falcon plays from the sofa, then that’s a good thing. I say kudo’s to both Turner and White. They show passion and determination to want to win.
Coaching wins championships!
Yeah I agree
I think it’s been two seasons of frustration leading up to those comments and displeasure with the offensive staff. Roddy’s a charismatic guy and he’s going to talk, but he’s been a good Falcon. He isn’t involved in off the field stuff, and I’ve never heard of him being a cancer in the locker room. If there was a time to run his mouth he could have done so when they got Julio which he knew was going to take away from his touches and limelight. He just wants to win and to do it as a Falcon. If crap is going on at our work…what we’re not going to take it to the appropriate channels? It’s not like he probably hasn’t voiced his concerns to management.
Let us keep faith in Tommy+Smitty.
After 4 years of the process they managed to build the SOLID mediocrity. Instead of giving them more credit let us wait a little bit and see how they will start fixing their own mistakes.
I don't think Roddy is a Hal of Famer
Receiver is the most difficult position to get in the Hall of Fame at. There are so many players who played on better teams and with much better numbers than him.
by Mosugo on Jan 13, 2012 8:31 AM EST reply actions 1 recs
He's probably not
Definite Ring of Honor guy if he keeps it up, at least.
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by Dave Choate on Jan 13, 2012 11:17 AM EST up reply actions
If Roddy continues to play like he has for 6 more seasons, he'll end up around:
985 receptions, 13900 yards and 90 TD’s. In comparison, HOFers Steve Largent, 819/13089/100, Art Monk 940/12721/68, James Lofton 764/14004/75. Possible future HOFers Hines Ward 1000/12083/85, Randy Moss 954/14858/153(!).
In other words, yes, he will be a Hall of Famer. Having a Julio Jones around will help take the focus off him and quite possibly lengthen his career giving him a shot at those numbers.
No he won't
Steve Largent played in the 70s and 80s, when receiver numbers were completely different. Art Monk barely got into the Hall, and was considered the minimum for induction. He too played in a different era. Randy Moss redefined the way defences played and the vertical passing game. He’s also 2nd all time in TDs and played in a different era to Roddy. If White (somehow) maintained his current level of play to the age of 37 (which is highly unlikely) he would still end up behind many of his contemporaries. He was also the best receiver of his time, has the single season TD record and played on a perfect team. How could he possibly be elected to the Hall Of Fame when he’s not even close to the best wide receiver of his era. He also has no postseason success and did nothing the first 4 seasons of his career. Look at this list and see how many people are above Roddy White who aren’t in the HOF.
http://www.pro-football-reference.com/leaders/rec_yds_career.htm
14 of the top 20 all time haven’t made it into the Hall of Fame. That’s not even factoring in guys like Calvin Johnson, Andre Johnson and Larry Fitzgerald who are much better (and all younger) than White. How many receivers from this era do you think are going to the Hall of Fame? A guy who was All-Pro one time and made a few ProBowls? Or the very best at this position for an extended period of time. White has had 5 good seasons in a row now, but he was only really top material for 1 of those seasons. And even that year he didn’t make many big plays. There was a reason we gave up so much for a wide receiver. I don’t think we would have done that if we had a hall of famer ready to put up 6 more stellar seasons on the other side.
The fact is that Roddy White ranks 100th all time in receiving yards, 101st all time in receptions and 140th all time in touchdowns. And he turns 31 this offseason. And he doesn’t make big plays. Just lots of pretty good ones. Receiver is the hardest position to get into the Hall of Fame. Cris Carter, Andre Rison, Tim Brown and Andre Reed still haven’t got in and they have much better numbers than White will, had postseason success and played in a less pass happy era. Plus a case could be made for them being the best of their generation. There’s no way that case can be made for White. He won’t even be the best receiver on this team for much longer. Is that a Hall of Famer? A guy who did nothing for 4 years and then was only the best receiver on his own team for 4-6 years. There are so many players of this era alone with better cases than White will end up with. It’s just that they don’t happen to be Falcons:
Reggie Wayne, Marvin Harrison, Fitz, Calvin and Andre, Steve Smith, Hines Ward, Greg Jennings, Randy Moss, Terrell Owens, Isaac Bruce, Tory Holt, Ochocinco, Joey Galloway, Laverneus Coles, Muhsin Muhammad, Houshmanzadeh, Derrick Mason, Amani Toomer, Sterling Sharpe, Wes Welker, Plaxico Burress, Brandon Marshall (3 years younger, only 36 less receptions), Greg Jennings, Donald Driver, Anquan Boldin and even Santana Moss( only 2 years older, almost 2000 more yards) have better or similar cases. There’s just too many contemporaries who White is lagging far behind or has no distance from. His slow start to his career has damned his chances.
Then there’s the the new crop with guys like AJ Green, Jordy Nelson and Julio.
There’s also a ton of guys from a slightly earlier time with better cases. I can’t be bothered listing them aswell but they are numerous. He averages out as the 113th best receiver of all time and he’s about to turn 31. And there will be a ton of guys that have overtaken him by the time he’s eligible.
Tight ends are also competition for him as they are becoming so much like receivers. So factor in Gonzalez, Gates, Dallas Clark, Witten etc. Jeremy Shockey has more receptions than him and they’re the same age.
Unless something dramatic happens like White suddenly becoming the best receiver in the league and sustaining that level for several years, he’s not going to the Hall of Fame. And probably throw in at least 1 ring in that as well. It’s for the best of the best. Even Falcons fans should be able to see that’s not White. Talk about John Abraham and you might have a case, but definitely not White.
Barely getting into the hall is still getting into the hall
Toss in a ring or two(gods willing)and he’s got a good a shot as anybody.
by aces666high on Jan 14, 2012 11:50 AM EST up reply actions
But he's not even going to barely get in
He’s not one of the best players of his generation. He hasn’t redefined his position. He ‘s not even top 5 in the league. He did nothing for half of his career. He’s at the end of his prime and he’s never put up a monster year. Or held any league wide records. He’s a pretty good wide receiver. But there are many better than him and with much better cases.
I see where your going here James...
and I do agree and I think if you had to put a word on it…it would be…
DISCIPLINE!!
I think the two new coordinators need to ring things in a little and get the discipline aspect under control and I think the rest will fall into place (like hitting your assignments, tackling, not dropping balls and keeping your F#@cking mouth shut before/after games).
Well, that’s what I think anyway!!
"I'd run over my own mother to win the Super Bowl." - Joe Jacoby, formerly of the Redskins
"To win, I'd run over Joe's mom too." - Matt Millen, formerly of the Raiders
"We now have exactly the same situation as we had at the start of the race, only exactly the opposite" - Murray Walker, Sportscaster
Just a theory...
…but I think a lot of guys on the team had been frustrated/disappointed/disgusted with Mularkey’s offense and playcalling for a WHILE now, and that frustration manifested itself in player performances. I mean, c’mon – all this talk about being “explosive”, from AB, TD and Smitty that led to players talking about it as well, and then they get to the games and it’s the same old uber-conservative and inconsistent Mularkey offense. I’d be frustrated too, but then I’m more opinionated than most…lol.
Actually...
it was pointed out in the “press conference” that the Falcons did improve allot in explosive plays (8th overall) but the problem was converting those plays to points!! Our Red Zone efficiency was horrible…and that’s being nice!!
"I'd run over my own mother to win the Super Bowl." - Joe Jacoby, formerly of the Redskins
"To win, I'd run over Joe's mom too." - Matt Millen, formerly of the Raiders
"We now have exactly the same situation as we had at the start of the race, only exactly the opposite" - Murray Walker, Sportscaster
by Blood_Talon on Jan 13, 2012 12:00 PM EST up reply actions
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