Bob Bratkowski to Jags? It's Time To Awaken the Offense, Falcons!
by Caleb Rutherford on Jan 12, 2012 9:54 PM EST
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PrintBig thanks to Dave for breaking the news of Bratkowski to the Jaguars. You realize now, gentlemen, that no coach on our roster will be OC (most likely) and that we have access to any coach on the market right now.
Any coach that, for what it's worth, will have the keys to the best offensive talent the Falcons have ever had. Seriously, run that through your craniums for a moment. I personally felt like Bratkowski would have been alright, but now we don't have to worry about potential conservative play calling! We can get whoever we want as OC AND QB Coach (anyone that is available, at least).
Personally, I love it. I think losing both coordinators and now the QB coach is the perfect remedy for a lull in our playoff hopes. We'll have new blood, new philosophies, and hopefully someone who can bring some nasty attitudes to both the offense and the defense.
Celebrate with me! Yay non-conservative stuff!
(Now let's get some fiery young coaches for the job, Falcons!)
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Hooray non-conervativismy stuff!
by FLA_Falcon on Jan 12, 2012 10:05 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Brian Billick for OC and Steve Spagnuolo for DC !!
Just my hopes and dreams
by Speedytosin on Jan 12, 2012 10:06 PM EST reply actions 4 recs
This nomination has my approval
Amen to that!
Coaching wins championships!
by Edgecrusher211 on Jan 12, 2012 10:16 PM EST up reply actions
If this happens...two former head coaches who are looking to get head coaching jobs
We’ve got one, maybe two years of their best effort before they move on. It would be pricey, but if it happens, this might be the best Falcons team we’ve ever seen.
by TheAreopagite on Jan 13, 2012 8:51 AM EST up reply actions
Isn't Brian Billick Mike Smith's brother-in-law?
If I had a nickel for everytime someone told me I should shutup, I'd probably have 5 or 6 bucks.
I'm sure they told him he wouldn't become OC...
…or the odds were low. Who would voluntarily be the OC for the Jacksonville offense over ours?
I was very concerned that Bratkowski would end up with the job, but now I think we can be certain this coordinator search is truly dedicated to finding the right fit to take this team to the next level.
OC
I actually thought Bob Bratkowski would have been an upgrade over MM…. That said… I would hope that Atlanta goes after Brian Billick, Hue Jackson or Mike Sherman…I might be able to live with Mike Martz, but he does not use a TE and we Gonzalez for another year..
However I fear we will end up with a reject like Todd Haley, Brian Schottenheimer, Greg Knapp, or Tom Cable…
I like Haley
But agree on the rest. They would not be an upgrade over what we had.
Mike Martz!?!?
Never utter those two words out of your mouth again.
Have you seen how bad Chicago got and what he did to Jay Cutler? 49 SACKS!! Now just imagine what would happen with our O-Line.
Ron Artest = Ron (sm)Artest - He Is The Most Interesting Man In The World
by JoshChildressAfroIsCure4Cancer on Jan 12, 2012 10:22 PM EST up reply actions
I might be able to live with Mike Martz
So I guess I should have explained…I would take 1999 StL Rams OC version of Martz…..anything after that I can/will pass on…
The 1999 Rams had a stud offense
Warner, Holt, Bruce, Faulk… We might have a modern day combination of Holt and Bruce on our team, but we have nothing similar to the others. Unless of course we are able to pry Matt Forte away from the Bears, in exchange for, say Michael Turner. But that is probably just a foolish hope. I personally like the idea of Martz, he would certainly open up the offense. But we would need the offensive line to improve, and Tony Gonzalez would need to be very vocal to get much involvement in the offense
"He has lived up to the legendary billing... And the legend is born in Calvin Johnson!" -Wes Durham
by sportsfan4life2012 on Jan 13, 2012 12:22 AM EST up reply actions
That was a different time
You might as well run the wishbone nowadays.
by TheAreopagite on Jan 13, 2012 8:53 AM EST up reply actions
Funny that you mention that as I do attend Georgia Tech...
I think most offenses will work with the right personnel and the right scheme, it is just a matter of execution. Under MM, the offense was predictable, and no matter what was done, the opposing defense was able to execute better. We don’t necessarily need to abandon the pro-style offense to move to a west coast or something of the sort. But we do need to mix up the playbook with whoever comes in, spread the field, and allow for better opportunities for the offense
"He has lived up to the legendary billing... And the legend is born in Calvin Johnson!" -Wes Durham
by sportsfan4life2012 on Jan 13, 2012 9:59 AM EST up reply actions
Ahhh - a fellow Ramblin Wreck
I paid my dues in the early 90s. Good luck to you.
They said Mike Martz...
who’s now coaching college
His system leaves you out to dry on the offensive line.
We already have a bad Oline.
by brotherbrown on Jan 13, 2012 1:48 AM EST up reply actions
I think...
we also need to look at the college ranks for an OC. Just look at the 49ers with their new fiery Former COLLEGE coach. But i definitely would not put down such prospects as Hue Jackson or Brian Billick. I think Bratkowski would have been more of the same (a MM jr. perhaps)
by that_falcon_fan on Jan 12, 2012 10:19 PM EST reply actions
Mini-Mularkey
You can also say he would have been a Mini-Mularkey (to take from the Mini-Me of Austin Powers fame).
AB said we need new coaches w/ new schemes and new ideas. Guess he was telling the truth.
by dnldbrk on Jan 12, 2012 10:19 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Offensive talent ?
……Don’t dispute that the Falcons have quite a bit of talent at the skill positions, but why is everyone ignoring our problems on the O Line ? Did they not see Sunday’s game ? Smith even basically admitted that the team did not go for any long downfield shots because they didn’t feel that Ryan would have time; and the inability to get movement in the run game was evident.
All that talent in the skill positions won’t mean a thing until we fix the line…….
by jkaflagg on Jan 12, 2012 10:21 PM EST via iPhone app reply actions
Agree O-line issues
They should have never let Harvey Dahl leave…. He was the heart and soul and leader of the o-line… I’m guessing they will have to go out and get some FA to replace Dahl and the ageless one Mcclure…
Scheme can also impact OLine play
If we utilized more screens/draws/quick slants, that would help the OLine by forcing the defense to back off of the rushes and blitzes. The fact that Mularkey never heard of these types of plays contributed to their downfall.
That said, we do need to retool some, especially at LT.
We misused our 3rd backs!!
I agree we shoudl have used snelling and quizz with screens/draws…like we had in years past with dunn….However I do think MM tried to use quick slants, but Julio and White dropped alot of balls…
I don't think anyone's disagreeing about the OL
but people are making the argument about the talent in skill positions
Blank also joked about
“a missed block or 2”.
No doubt the OLine sucks (still not sure why Commrade opted to ignore it so long), but we also haven’t run a constraint play in 4 years. Scheme is a big part of the offensive issues.
Perilously close to a 2007 style depression.
by VaderX5 on Jan 13, 2012 12:51 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Dimitroff didn't ignore the Oline
he drafted three guys
Baker, Hawley and MJohnson, and Andrew Jackson.
They simply haven’t panned out, for whatever reason,
It could be a weakness in his drafting.
by brotherbrown on Jan 13, 2012 1:51 AM EST up reply actions
Baker didn't pan out, definitely
But I’m still not convinced that Hawley, MJ or AJ won’t work out. Andrew Jackson has all the physical skills. He just needs to learn the NFL footwork. MJ was starting to overtake RGGR for the right guard spot until he went down with injury. And Hawley started settling in towards the end of the season.
I want to see how the off-season pans out before writing any of them off.
We haven't had a truly good line since the zone blocking days
It seems pretty clear that Smithitroff believe that O lineman are fungible and can be drafted in later rounds. The problem with this is that while lineman can be found, they are usually either run blockers or pass blockers, not both. We now need both, and that means the higher rounds.
by TheAreopagite on Jan 13, 2012 8:56 AM EST up reply actions
WARNING!!!! DO NOT HIRE B. Shottenheimer
B. Shottenheimer = M. Mularky = 2 runs up the middle, 1 short pass and punt = lose the big games
Um - they went to the AFC Championship twice
In fact, under BS (like the abbreviation?), Sanchez performed 20 points higher in passer rating when in the playoffs.
Say what you want – but at least his offense won in the playoffs.
JETS DEFENSE WON IN PLAYOFFS
Make no mistake about it… the only coordinator worth a darn in the JETS org is their DC…Mike Pettine!!!!! and yes the Falcons would love to have him, however the JETS are not willing to let him go…however they did let Their OC go…becuase when the Defense needed help… the Offense was no where to be found….time and time again…
Yes, but
Sanchez also went from being a 73 on passer rating to a 93 in the playoffs. If you check his stats, he is pretty good in the post season.
Don’t get me wrong, he is not my first choice. But, I do think he’d be better than what we had.
Every Quarterback Schottenheimer has touched has turned to crap
They said Favre was done after a year in his offense; he leaves, and lights it up (at least for one year) in Minny. It’s the same with Pennington and all the other QBs he’s worked with. His defense is always Mularkeyesque at best: “I didn’t have the right weapons. If I had the right weapons, this would all work correctly”. Translation: I only know one kind of muddled offense, and I can’t adapt or evolve my offense based on the team’s strengths.
by TheAreopagite on Jan 13, 2012 8:59 AM EST up reply actions
To be fair
Favre did light it up in the first half of his season with the Jets. He fell apart because he didn’t want to be there and he tore his biceps 2/3 of the way through the season.
As for Pennington – same issue – his arm had turned into a noodle the last few years in NY. Even Pennington admitted to as much in recent interviews.
Again – he’s not my first choice, but he’s not the cancer people want to make him out to be.
Sanchez is like Dilfer/Flacco
but even worse. If he didn’t have one of the best defenses in the league, he wouldn’t even have made the playoffs by now.
Rumor has it this morning that Schotty wants the Alabama OC job
And that he’s their first choice…some expect him to agree in principal today. Per sources on 680 the fan this morning.
Well, Schotty does know one thing...
if the teams’ defense is amazing, it doesn’t matter how bad his offense is.
What's happening here is really unheard of
A CS is gutted yet the head coach remains in place? I can really see Smitty resigning if Arthur is as hands on as he’s believed to be. I know coaches like to have power and if none is given it’ll be the same as a “parent” type of feel to it. Not saying it’ll happen, just saying how I’d feel if I’m Smitty to have a bunch of guys on my unit that weren’t exactly my choices.
"NLDS or bust" - Bobby Cox
We don't have to continue to settle Atlanta. We're better than that.
To be fair.
No one was fired. Everyone took other job opportunities where they wanted too. So it’s hard to expect who would really be on the team and who would’ve been fired. We can debate this all we want, but we will never know for sure.
Ron Artest = Ron (sm)Artest - He Is The Most Interesting Man In The World
by JoshChildressAfroIsCure4Cancer on Jan 12, 2012 10:39 PM EST up reply actions
Nobody was fired
But writings were on the wall. I remember somebody from 680 saying that after the NO game some of the coaches were told if they had other opportunities to check into them.
"NLDS or bust" - Bobby Cox
We don't have to continue to settle Atlanta. We're better than that.
by DopeFalcons on Jan 12, 2012 10:46 PM EST up reply actions
yes
but how often is it that the entire coaching staff takes other job opportunities? It’s unprecedented, but not really a firing or anything like that.
There are plenty of reasons to keep a HC and not the coordinators
Smith only gets involved in play calling when he has to. He is an excellent face for the franchise, and is a class act. The players under him follow that lead and represent the franchise well. Outside of a few isolated and minor incidents (Babs and Owens) how often do you hear about our guys getting into real trouble.
He handles himself well to the media, and obviously is on the same page as Blank and Dimitrov. Not to mention before he came we couldn’t put back to back winning seasons together. The coordinators grew stale, and it was time for a change there.
He may also have more flexibility next year due to having an all new staff. So worst case scenario we don’t make the playoffs next year, I imagine he gets 2 more years to get a playoff victory before Blank starts looking around.
by Whyte Bler 000 on Jan 12, 2012 11:02 PM EST up reply actions
My only real flaw with Smith is
the appearance of an inability to properly prepare/motivate the team for big games. I’m not saying its all his fault but we can’t deny there is a trend here. Adding Brian Bilick could help in this regard because he is also a stand up guy and won’t take any BS when it comes to execution or on field shenanigans (White / Weems).
by BlackBirdBlitz on Jan 12, 2012 11:09 PM EST up reply actions
There are plenty of flaws with Smitty
Lack of focus in players, Unability to win big games, wasted challenges, etc.
I think this may be his last year if he doesn’t start showing results.
"NLDS or bust" - Bobby Cox
We don't have to continue to settle Atlanta. We're better than that.
by DopeFalcons on Jan 12, 2012 11:57 PM EST up reply actions
yeah apparently the Falcons front office's
Farts don’t stink.
by brotherbrown on Jan 13, 2012 1:54 AM EST up reply actions
This postseason just keeps getting better and better! :)
Would love to see a mix of old guard and new blood come into the ranks.
Just want an OC that uses all our talent.
HD and Quizz under utilized. K Meier and A Smith never saw the field. Snelling hits the hole faster, runs with more aggression and catches better then Turner but gets 3 touches a game.
by BlackBirdBlitz on Jan 12, 2012 11:03 PM EST reply actions
^Truth
After my visit to training camp, I felt like this season would be HD’s breakout campaign. His lack of playing time was criminal. Same with Snell.
Perilously close to a 2007 style depression.
by VaderX5 on Jan 13, 2012 12:57 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
for that reason
I don’t understand people who say Snell is not a big asset and should be let go.
Atlanta Falcons fan in Moscow, Russia
He usually falls for 3 yards minimum and he is a good receiver out of the backfield
When he gets on DBs they usually don’t bring him down.
He's another year older
And unless he agrees to another low pay, one-year deal, they can draft his replacement in virtually any round.
by TheAreopagite on Jan 13, 2012 9:17 AM EST up reply actions
Exactly this.
Why in hell did they pay money to keep Snells around if they were not going to PLAY him? He was rather expensive as a mere Turnersurance Policy. I had hoped (stupidly) that Turner’s carries could fall to the 12-15/game with Quizz and Snells getting 5+ each. Of course, Ovie’s injury changed a lot of that, when Snells had to play a lot of FB.
But having an excuse to put Snells and MT33 on the field at the same time SHOULD have opened up a Play action screen pass…
…oh, sorry – there’s that word again – “screen pass”.
Agreed
Snelling is a pure beast once he gets to the second level.
by BlackBirdBlitz on Jan 13, 2012 11:00 AM EST up reply actions
Dream team
Brian Billick OC
Tom Clements QB coach
or
Tom Clements OC
???? QB Coach
and
Spags DC
along with new D and O line coaches
by Whyte Bler 000 on Jan 12, 2012 11:04 PM EST reply actions
And for all that is holy
sign Carl Nicks and a decent LT (I’m pushing for Bell, although not elite, would still be an upgrade)
and draft a Center in round 2. A brand new O line and coach, and this team will win a playoff game next year.
by Whyte Bler 000 on Jan 12, 2012 11:05 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Carl nicks would be the ticket!
While ur at it Pete Carmichael (Saints OC) will be available
yeah
he’s another guy I like as a candidate
by Whyte Bler 000 on Jan 12, 2012 11:26 PM EST up reply actions
Walter Football's mock draft
Projected us to take Ben Jones (C from GA) in the second. He was easily their best lineman, very consistent, nasty in the run game but solid in pass pro. We could plug him in for the next 12 years or so.
by TheAreopagite on Jan 13, 2012 9:19 AM EST up reply actions
That would be a great pick up
I remembered reading that the UGA offensive line was the largest in football – college or pro. Plus, they run a rather modern offense so he should be able to adapt to the NFL very nicely.
I've also seen
Malik Jackson (DT from UT) in the 3rd. He was pretty much the only bright spot of the defense.
Yeah, Dave and I have putting Nicks' name ALL over the place...please TD, make this happen!!
"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 11:56 AM EST up reply actions
well if you're gonna go with Dream team...
Belicheck as OC
Peyton Manning as QB Coach
Bill Cowher as DC
Oh, if only it’d happen…
Belicheck
is a defensive guy, hard to believe with the recent pats D, but it’s true. He could do wonders with our talent. One positive thing about the Giants is they breed great coaches.
by Whyte Bler 000 on Jan 12, 2012 11:13 PM EST up reply actions
my thought with Belicheck
is that he knows how to bring the best out of the qb, and really puts the fear of Belicheck into his players. I know he’s technically a defensive guy, but he did spend time in the past as a wr’s coach.
I approve of this.
My thoughts exactly of the names floated, I like this the most.
Schefter confuses me...
“Jacksonville plans to hire former Falcons QB coach Bob Bratkowski as its offensive coordinator, reuniting him with HC Mike Mularkey.”
Shouldn’t this say “current Falcon’s QB coach”? Was Bratkowski fired?
Maybe we'll see some screens next year
And if we get lucky, maybe even a pass on first down. I don’t want to get too optimistic, though.
by dirtybirds404 on Jan 12, 2012 11:23 PM EST via iPhone app reply actions
Release in the offseason!!
snelling and beirman….. Dunta Robinson. The way I see it the coaching staff has two years left its title or bust! Move Matt Ryan while no one has a clue he has reached his full potential and can’t get any better(never elite) get back up blue chippers for turner and Gonzales…. It’s a passing league so draft a corner and move Grimes to the slot he’s to short for the outside but should become a shutdown in the slot…
Grimes has proved
He is plenty tall to play outside. And Matty will be a Falcon for the majority(all?) of his career, how many QB’s peak by year 4? Snelling and Beirman are FA so a release would be impossible, even if they weren’t I’m not sure why they would deserve a release, they have been solid role players and special teamers.
I would def keep those two guys
for the right price. I think Snelling could have the increased role he wants this year.
by Whyte Bler 000 on Jan 13, 2012 12:10 AM EST up reply actions
Yeah keep snelling and why is bringing grimes back
Being questioned? Of course bring him back we cant have DR by himself. I think eventually Frankd will take DR spot anyway.
by pierre02 on Jan 13, 2012 2:56 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
I think if a new DC runs more bump-and-run
man coverage DR will be an asset. He’s a physical in-your-face corner who doesn’t play a soft zone well. Let him do what he does best and he’ll be fine.
Hey guys...
…what if we can’t get who we want this offseason?
I can imagine that we probably can due to the talents, culture, class, and winning success of this franchise. But if we end up with a few of scrubs, will the team collapse?
Interesting question
Now that we’ve lost nearly half the coaching staff – it will be very imperative that we get the right people in. For all their flaws, BVG and MM attributed to a team that had consistent regular season success and some level of stability.
We'll likely have to be bigger players in free agency
since we’ll likely only have 6 picks (rounds 2, 3, 5, 6, 7 + likely one compensatory pick in the 6th from Koenen+Dahl-Ray Edwards)
by TheAreopagite on Jan 13, 2012 9:24 AM EST up reply actions
Glad to hear this
Now get Clements and Bowles and ill be happy. Actually any decent pair will do.
by pierre02 on Jan 13, 2012 2:57 AM EST via mobile reply actions
Clements, BIllick, Spagnulo, Bowles,Nolan,and maybe Jackson
anyone thats hired who are not on this list will be a bad hire in my opinion.
If Halladay, Lee, and Hamels all break their arms while playing tag in the clubhouse, We'll be set
by suicide bunting is a sin on Jan 13, 2012 6:56 AM EST reply actions
You know...haven't heard Billick poo poo the idea of coming back as an OC
So I think that is looking better and better as a potential hire. Getting kind of excited with that idea.
clements as OC, Spags as DC
and Steve Bartkowski himself as QB coach… maybe…. I can dream.
Schottenheimer update
Just heard on 680 that Mortensen is report that Falcons aren’t interested in Brian Schottenheimer and haven’t contacted him for an interview. Hallelujah!
As mr kool aid would say
OOOOOOOH YEEEAAAAHH!
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