Dirk Koetter's Mission Possible: Go Long
by Dave Choate on Jan 16, 2012 8:00 AM EST
in Falcons News
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PrintMike Mularkey was much-reviled by the time he left Atlanta for many reasons. I would argue that the best was his reluctance to acknowledge that he had the necessary weapons for a deep passing game and use them.
The Mularkey brand of offense was predicated on grinding it out, chewing up the clock, eating up yardage and wearing down a defense. When it worked well, it looked brilliant. When it failed, the Falcons were completely and utterly doomed, because their willingness and ability to dial up intermediate and long plays was suspect at best.
Enter Dirk Koetter. The Falcons will be asking him to get the passing game up to code, use Julio Jones effectively and just generally enable this team to score points in gobs. I'm not going to spend any more time weighing in on this, because some of you would remain unconvinced even if I produced a future film of the Falcons scoring 900 points net season, and you're not going to convince me that the Falcons will suddenly score only 100 points in 2012.
It's more interesting this way.
Will he do it? Words are words, as I said yesterday, but this is still encouraging:
"It’s not like you’re in 2×2 and you’re throwing quick outs to the outside and stick routes to the inside. You might complete that concept 67 percent of the time, but you’re only getting six yard plays. However, you may complete four verticals 48 percent of the time but you’re getting 18 yard gains, those are the kinds of plays I like better. I don’t like to work hard for four yard gains."
Koetter's legacy in Atlanta will depend on how closely he adheres to that quote. If he's as aggressive for the Falcons as he says he likes to be, the team should be able to squeeze a better performance out of its offense in 2012, and everyone will forget how hysterically angry they were yesterday. If he doesn't...yikes.
How will Koetter fare?
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I urge all Falcon fans
To wholeheartedly get behind this OC. We will be pleased with the results.
He might not be the “sexiest” pick, but I am a little familiar with his work at ASU, and he will get our offense rolling. I guarantee a top eight offense in the league. (NO, GB and NE are always in the top, we will be in the top 5 afterwards)
Just give it a chance. I will say “I told you so” next year.
The only thing that concerns me is the Oline. They will have to be better. But are backs and receivers are in for a fantastic year.
by KEScottII on Jan 16, 2012 8:06 AM EST via iPhone app reply actions
I hope you're right
I am not familiar with his work at all, but just the thought he was on a team somewhere at the bottom offensively made me think it was not a good idea.
but here’s your point -
The only thing that concerns me is the Oline. They will have to be better.
Isn’t the offensive coordinator in charge of the line too? we might not have the best line, but I would still judge the coordinator’s ability by how many adjustments he can make before/during the game to offset pressure.
Atlanta Falcons fan in Moscow, Russia
That is true
And I think he will account for that (especially if you look at the Jags this year).
But just saying. That is our weak link. If MR has more time, that would make the system work even better IMO.
I still think we will have a top notch offense.
I'm on board
I’m totally getting behind this pick, do I understand it? No. I certainly will support it to the fullest though. I know the Jags didn’t have much to work with, and he’s somehow made that offense competitive with essentially nothing.
I’m more concerned with our defensive coordinator to be honest. I’m hoping for Spags. I feel our defense has the players to in place to be a top 5 D in the league.
Coaching wins championships!
by Edgecrusher211 on Jan 16, 2012 10:01 AM EST up reply actions
I of course am on board but I dont subscribe to your guarantee in the least. There is little evidence to support such a claim imo.
by Caviarhound on Jan 16, 2012 10:08 AM EST up reply actions
I don't think I am a blind homer
Just looking at what he has done with far less. And the fact that our players seem to be made for his offensive philosophy.
Not to mention, what we have done with MM in the role… we were # 10 even with him dramatically underusing our weapons. So I don’t see top 8 as a stretch… just an improvement.
Your post didn’t suggest homerism to me but more of an extreme confidence (which isn’t bad at all in my mind, just something I don’t share about this hire is all).
by Caviarhound on Jan 16, 2012 12:10 PM EST up reply actions
I am cautiously optimistic.
I think he knows how to run the offense we want, I think he will try to run the offense we want, I’m just a little afraid of growing pains and our offensive line derailing us. I think with his hiring HD is definitely a priority free agent now and I can guarantee he will be used properly.
Koetter isn’t the sexy pick, hell he wasn’t even my first pick, but I can say this: we are a flat out better football team than Jacksonville. Gene Smith is the Alpha and Omega of drafting over there, so it’s not Koetter’s fault that he had a Division III JV WR squad in Jax. Give him a season, I think he will impress.
by FLA_Falcon on Jan 16, 2012 8:17 AM EST via mobile reply actions
he wasn't my first choice either
And I must admit I forgot who he was until someone said ASU’s coach… but I’m a fan.
Signing HD will happen now IMO. He is a perfect slot receiver for this offense.
I’m almost giddy. Now if we can sign Spags…
by KEScottII on Jan 16, 2012 8:58 AM EST via iPhone app up reply actions
I <3 The Atlanta Jaguars
Jk im warmin up to the idea…for the lack of talent that he had he did accomplish somethings and he did get the best out of what he had to work with. I dont view their failures as something he created as much as I look at Del Rio for the reason.
by Bigru3 on Jan 16, 2012 8:39 AM EST via mobile reply actions
I certainly hope he succeeds and wish him luck
but it can go either way. to me right now it looks like mind games between ATL and JAX front offices – they saved us from running our OC out of town, and we invited their OC, who (in MM’s opinion) is worse than Bratkowski.
time will tell who was right.
Atlanta Falcons fan in Moscow, Russia
Point taken but...
AT this point I don’t give a FIG what Mularkey’s opinion toward who the better playcaller is. I mean if he was a REAL judge of that he would have swallowed his pride and let Matt call the offense on the field. So Mularkey not recognizing that Koetter is a better playcaller actually makes me feel better. lol
If you read the whole article, it doesn't seem to show a guy who prefers the deep ball
That quote is in the context of the whole argument, and they’re actually bringing up four verticals as a really popular concept at the lower levels of football, and asking his opinion. He actually says he doesn’t like ‘go’ routes, but prefers stop routes or comebacks at about 15 yards. While 15 yards sounds great to this Falcons fan, if Julio gets behind his man, I want to see the ‘go’.
The full interview did show a guy who understands the development of the game, and especially the difference between the pro level and college level. In fact, when he talks about being in 2×2 (two wides to each side of the formation) it certainly sounds like he’s referring to some variant of the run and shoot (that almost exclusively ran 2×2 or 3×1 formations, no tights) or even Airraid a la Mike Leach. He sounds like he’s at least earned cautious optimism.
by TheAreopagite on Jan 16, 2012 9:15 AM EST reply actions 2 recs
That's a fair point
I think 15 yards just seems deep to me at this point.
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by Dave Choate on Jan 16, 2012 9:42 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
15 yards
suits Matt better right now, than deep go routes. Maybe he and a new QB coach can improve Matt’s deep ball.
by Whyte Bler 000 on Jan 16, 2012 9:44 AM EST up reply actions
not exactly
he said he rarely has the OUTSIDE guys on “goes”. He also later said that Matt Jones wasn’t good at dropping his hips (to cut) but was good at running the fade (go).
It’s a great example of something you can tweak based on the ability of your receivers or QB.
Imagine that…
"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein
I am stunned by this quote
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a quote I didn't like:
So if there are 64 plays in an NFL game, we’re going to run the ball X amount of times. If you’re a balanced offense, like we strive to be, that means you’re running the ball half the time. So now you’re left with 32 snaps in the passing game.
Pencilling in half the offensive plays as Runs for the sake of “balance” = YUCK.
"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein
As crazy as it sounds
If they keep Turner, I’m almost hoping he continues to slow down. It’ll force them to use other players and pass more.
Note I said almost.
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His name implies he'll cut up opposing defenses
Dirk = scottish dagger
Koetter = phonetically sounds like cutter
Hey I’m looking or the positive this morning.
by dr3dd1ne on Jan 16, 2012 9:25 AM EST reply actions 2 recs
If the choices were going to be between Bratkowski or Koetter then we lost out.
Koetter has done nothing in Jax; While Bratkowski offense has been somewhat successful in two organizations. While neither would have not been my first or top choice. When looking at it I would have chosen Bratkoswki over Koeter especially if we wanted to upgrade our passing game.
In Seattle Bratkowski had the 1997 #3 offense in the NFL and the #1 passing game…which is amazing due to the fact that the club had no talent… All three years there the rushing offense was 3, 5, and 13…In 10 years in Cincinnati he had a run from 05-07 were the passing offense was ranked 5, 6, and 7…and the overall offense was ranked 6, 8, and 10 in the NFL… Not to mention in 2007, Palmer became the fifth-fastest player (59 games) in NFL history to reach the 100 mark in TD passes. Palmer knocked Brett Favre and Daunte Culpepper out of the top five in the category, and joined a group that also includes two Hall of Famers (Dan Marino and Johnny Unitas), a surefire future Hall of Famer (Peyton Manning) and a Super Bowl winner with Hall of Fame potential (Kurt Warner). Over 2004-06, Rudi Johnson’s 4221 rushing yards were the most by any Bengal in a three-season span. Earlier under Bratkowski’s watch, Dillon posted a pair of 1300-yard seasons, and QB Jon Kitna saw his stock as an NFL starter revived. Also We can see how Cedric Benson career has been resurrected in the Bengals offense.
While Dirk is better than B. Schottenheimer not sure if he is better than Bratkowski…Jags may have gotten the better deal..
Dirk has never had a Wide out or TE with over 1,000yds…His best year came when the jags had a monster Defense and the team still had Fred Taylor and Jones drew….The rushing Offense was ranked 7…the passing offense was ranked 15….
Most reception by a Wide Koetter Wide out….65….Most yards…868… good news…is Garrard complete over 60% of passes under Koetter….If that is good news….
Dirk Koetter
Jags 2007 OVERALL OFFENSE RANK: 7 Rushing Off 2//Passing Off 17
Jags 2008 OVERALL OFFENSE RANK: 20 Rushing Off 18//Passing Off 15
Jags 2009 OVERALL OFFENSE RANK: 18 Rushing Off 12//Passing Off 19
Jags 2010 OVERALL OFFENSE RANK: 15 Rushing Off 3//Passing Off 27
Jags 2011 OVERALL OFFENSE RANK: 32 Rushing Off 12//Passing Off 32
Bob Bratkowski
Sea 1995 OVERALL OFFENSE RANK: 13 Rushing Off 3//Passing Off 22
Sea 1996 OVERALL OFFENSE RANK: 19 Rushing Off 5//Passing Off 24
Sea 1997 OVERALL OFFENSE RANK: 3 Rushing Off 13//Passing Off 1
Sea 1998 OVERALL OFFENSE RANK: 23 Rushing Off 22//Passing Off 24
Cin 2001 OVERALL OFFENSE RANK: 23 Rushing Off 18//Passing Off 23
Cin 2002 OVERALL OFFENSE RANK: 18 Rushing Off 21//Passing Off 13
Cin 2003 OVERALL OFFENSE RANK: 13 Rushing Off 13//Passing Off 12
Cin 2004 OVERALL OFFENSE RANK: 18 Rushing Off 17//Passing Off 17
Cin 2005 OVERALL OFFENSE RANK: 6 Rushing Off 11//Passing Off 5
Cin 2006 OVERALL OFFENSE RANK: 8 Rushing Off 26//Passing Off 6
Cin 2007 OVERALL OFFENSE RANK: 10 Rushing Off 24//Passing Off 7
Cin 2008 OVERALL OFFENSE RANK: 32 Rushing Off 29//Passing Off 30
Cin 2009 OVERALL OFFENSE RANK: 24 Rushing Off 9//Passing Off 26
Cin 2010 OVERALL OFFENSE RANK: 20 Rushing Off 27//Passing Off 13
Just compare the QBs
Who would you take if your pics were David Garrard and Carson Palmer?
Just compare the QBs
If the choices were going to be between Bratkowski or Koetter then we lost out.
Ok… But who were Seattle’s Qb…when Bratkowski had the #3 Offense in the NFL and then Number one passing game…
My point is simple…. Seattle before Holmgren was not a desirable place neither is Cin in 2001. I would also argue neither is Jax especially after Coach Coughlin left….especially on Offense…They are known to be tough defensively/
If the falcons were serious on improving their offense and you have two third tier options in Koetter or Bratkowski…. Bratkowski has done more….then Koetter…. so in this case trading Bratkoswki for Koetter is a win for the Jag and a loss for the falcons.
So while the right decision was made in letting MM go… they replaced him with a guy who has done nothing….I think a poor decision, with the offense talent I do not think they should have had to settle and that is what this move is…settling… Mike Smith is officially on the HOT SEAT!!!
That is overly simplistic
Your case doesn’t take into account the talent level of the teams that both coaches worked on – or the head coaching situation, ie, how much control they were given. How about ownership? Were the owners receptive to the desires of the coaches and what kind of players they wanted?
The book is yet to be written on Koetter as the Falcons OC, but from what I’ve seen, he’s a very smart football mind and understands modern NFL offenses. I’m cautiously optimistic that he’ll take the Falcons offense to the next level.
I hope you are right
I hope he becomes the next Sean Payton/Jay Gruden/Mike Holmgren…. and not the next Greg Knapp/Mike Mularkey…I sure would feel better if he had come from somewhere or been tutored by someone other then Jack del rio
Sorry Fletch,
but this is Atlanta sports. There’s no need to layout a logical argument or provide statistical support, because in Atlanta sports, people are going to say things like:
*I am cautiously optimistic.
*I of course am on board… I’m totally getting behind this pick, do I understand it? *No. I certainly will support it to the fullest though.
*I urge all Falcon fansTo wholeheartedly get behind this OC. We will be pleased with the results.
And despite the numbers you’ve provided indicating mediocrity at best, folks in the ATL will still put on the rose colored glasses and “guarantee a top eight offense in the league.”
Steeler fans, Yankee fans, Bama fans, Philadelphia fans… they demand excellence, and the owners, GMs, coaches, and ADs know if they don’t supply an excellent product – as evidenced by championships – then there will be consequences.
Braves fans, Hawks fans, Falcons fans, Bulldog fans, the artists formerly known as Thrasher fans; they demand… nice guys. They expect to see wholesome family guys like Mark Richt, Matt Ryan, and Dale Murphy. THEY CARE MORE ABOUT CHARACTER THAN ABOUT PERFORMANCE. Do I support the Falcons obvious commitment to high-character guys? I’m a dad, so absolutely. But as Arthur Blank said, ‘When the lines of performance and loyalty cross, you get stupidity.’ I’ll put it another way: do the Patriots, Yankees, and Lakers care about marital fidelity? Nope. Just sayin’.
Bobby Cox consistently got out coached in the playoffs and only gave us 1 title despite having the best team in baseball for a decade and a half. The response? So what. At least we made the playoffs. You can’t win em all. And my favorite: most teams aren’t even as successful as we are. Guess who would tell you that 14 playoff appearances mean nothing, and that only having 1 ring is a failure: John Smoltz, the only true sports hero this town has seen in my lifetime. (Sports hero: Hall of Fame career, supremely talented, wins championships, elevates their game in the playoffs, always gives maximum effort, hates the other team as much as I do, and yes, has high character)
The closest Bobby ever came to losing his job was when he beat his wife up. I’m not condoning domestic violence, but do you think that winning 1/14 of playoff appearances would have been good enough for George Steinbrenner, Bama boosters, or the Rooney family? Hell no.
Sure, even those great organisations had dry spells, (in the 80’s, for example) but the lack of success wasn’t accepted, there wasn’t blind optimism about the future, and they didn’t stop trying to get better. If coaches didn’t perform, THEY WERE FIRED, and if players didn’t perform, THEY WERE BOOD.
I’ve been to a lot of sporting events in Atlanta, and I don’t recall ever hearing a fan boo at the home team. That’s unacceptable, considering the crap that we PAY TO WATCH. I understand that failure is a part of sports. But we aren’t dealing with A failure, we are dealing with an epidemic of under-performing in the clutch and a systematic refusal to deviate from what has worked against less talented teams.
For the record:
Am I suggesting booing a team for a loss? No.
Am I suggesting booing less talented athletes for not performing? No.
Am I suggesting booing MR every time he throws a pick,or DeCloud every time he drops an INT? Not necessarily.
Am I suggesting booing when Matt Ryan sees 0 coverage and checks to a HB Dive? yes.
Am I suggesting booing YAD by Roddy? Yes.
Am I suggesting booing bad play-calls and horrid clock management? YES!
Am I suggesting booing a home loss to the damn New Orleans Saints? HELL FREAKING YES!!!
counting to ten
Anyway, for your own sanity, I suggest you stop using logic and statistics to predict performance and realize that ‘The book is yet to be written on Koetter as the Falcons OC.’ This is Atlanta after all, where our coaches and athletes get to fail repeatedly, and as long as they stay away from dog fights, have job security and a limitless supply of goodwill in the fan base. ‘This’ is always the year that the (pick one: Falcons/Braves/Bulldogs/Hawks) are going to win it all, and if they don’t, don’t worry, the same exact players and coaches will be back to try again next season.
Perilously close to a 2007 style depression.
by VaderX5 on Jan 16, 2012 12:55 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
While that's a great comment
And it’s tough to argue with the way you’ve characterized Atlanta’s history, I don’t think Smith and TD are on long leashes at this point.
If Koetter and the DC (I strongly suspect Spags/Nolan) can’t come in and change things around, in a year or two at the most Blank will clean house. And I mean deep playoff runs. I think his patience is just about exhausted.
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Agreed about the short leash.
And honestly, I can’t ask for any more from Blank. He spends freely, seems very involved in the wooing of free agents, appreciates the investment of money, time, and emotion that we fans have made, and has shown a willingness to make changes. I just hate that had he gone bad, the fans would have accepted it. It’s a good thing he has an intrinsic personal desire to be the best, because if he didn’t, no one would hold him accountable.
I’ve got no issues with someone liking the DK hire, I just take issue with the blind assimilation of happy thoughts. Sadly, we could have hired a bum off the street to call plays, and there would be folks (on here as well as throughout Atlanta) would would say, “I don’t like it, but I support the move. Let’s just all get behind it and hope for the best.”
Regardless, my above comments are not so much about a hiring that I’m not crazy about as much as they are about my disappointment with a fan base that is too passive to allow itself to have a passionate, negative response to the teams actions.
It would offend the sensibilities of most around here if I were to say that I was mad about the emotionless play and lack of execution last Sunday. There would be those who would say “let’s just be glad we made the playoffs.” Which is why I love AB for his willingness to say that he’s mad. And in that Wednesday presser, he even said the Falcons need “tough, physical, mean players;” Not many Atlantans would include ‘mean’ in the list of desirables. Honestly, it seems like Blank is more passionate than most of us; I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or not, but it does make me love the man.
Perilously close to a 2007 style depression.
Counterpoint
I think a fair number of fans fit your description. I’m not one’s idea of an angry dude, so I’ll say I belong on that list. But I saw a different side of that coin on Sunday.
Yesterday, when Koetter was hired, I was amazed by the venom, especially on Twitter. There is a significant minority, if not a majority, of fans who were genuinely pissed off about the pickup. There were some who cannot and will not be convinced that there’s a remote possibility that Koetter might succeed.
I think there’s a large number of fans, on here and otherwise, who remain pretty even-keeled and can talk themselves into trusting the FO even when they shouldn’t be trusted. There’s also a large contingent who swing between being wildly happy and wildly unhappy with every move, and some of those are people who cannot acknowledge that things might change for the better no matter what happens. I would not lump anyone here on that particular list, but they’re out there.
Such is life in any fanbase, but apparently particularly in Atlanta’s.
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I’m definitely not in the venom business, I just don’t like the hire.
Being even-keeled = good thing
Can talk themselves into trusting the FO even when they shouldn’t be trusted = bad thing.
I’m all for having a good temperament, but it is possible to not like this (or any) off season move and still be a nice guy.
I guess I just don’t get the ‘I can’t change it, so there’s no need to get upset about it’ attitude, because an impassioned fan base CAN change things. Kirk pointed out that Smitty asked DK to bring the screen game up to snuff. I think that quote is a direct result of the FO’s awareness of the fans’ disgust at MM not calling a screen play the last few seasons.
Perilously close to a 2007 style depression.
I think channeled anger is productive
To echo Arthur Blank. The Falcons do indeed care what fans think. It’s the unfocused, raw anger that isn’t helping. The FO is less likely to listen to the fans if they rip decisions just because the Falcons didn’t get their guy, or if they don’t seem to know what they’re talking about.
I think we’re really talking about a middle ground here that we both at least have one foot on. I think it’s healthy to balance skepticism with the willingness to see the bright side.
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uhmmmm
Should just read….“has never had a wide receiver while at Jacksonville”
BTW...Hey Dave
Can you throw up a primer on how to do the following in the forums:
Bold
Quote
Italicize
etc.
I checked out the primer but didn’t see that info. I tried using my limited BBC code tags but they don’t seem to work. HTML tags maybe?
They're actually all right below the header in the comments
I can throw that up there in the next few days, definitely. Everything’s on the little toolbar, though.
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so yeah...nvm I see them now
Just never noticed them I guess lol. It’s early and I haven’t had breakfast.
No no
I think many people haven’t noticed them. I should update the primer.
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For those solely fixated on the 32nd rank offense state
If we’re going to get caught up in that, then technically, letting Mularkey go was foolish since we always had a top 10 offense with him in town. Any Atlanta fan should know that statistics never tell the whole story.
As for Koetter himself, it’s apparent that he is a very smart football mind and he understands the nuances of a modern offensive system. He’s very big on using backs as receivers (read: screens, check downs) and also using 3+ WR sets to give the QB multiple options.
We need to give this guy a chance, now that he finally is on an NFL team with real weapons at his disposal.
by The DW on Jan 16, 2012 9:28 AM EST reply actions 2 recs
For those solely fixated on the 32nd rank offense state
I think MM should have gotten canned… But If you are stating that with our talent on Offense that no one wants to coach in ATL, and that our only choices were between Bratkowski and Koetter…. Then letting Bob go to JAX, and bringing Koetter here…. WE LOST OUT!!! MIKE SMITH is on the hot seat… Bob at least produced in SEA before Holmgren and helped turn Cin around offensivley….
Dirk has done notheing in JAX….
The NFL was a different animal in 1997
Could even argue that it has evolved since 2001. Koetter > Bratkowski = Mularkey
by FLA_Falcon on Jan 16, 2012 10:12 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
The NFL was a different animal in 1997
You are right…. It is just frustrating we settled on a no name who has done nothing in 5 yrs in Jax…I hope the DC is a better hire….. Or Mike Smith might not last the next three years…. We have a limited window with our current offense… The O-line is already falling apart…. It is time to win NOW!!!! If they think Koetter can take the Falcons to the next level and to a SB…..Then I’m all for it… Just curious why Mike Smith didn’t bring him from jax when he was hired? Why is he bringing him in now? I do not see JAX offense improving over the last 5 yrs…
The GM in Jax is horrible and he has (well, had, under weaver)
Absolute control over personnel and staff decisions. I’ve been to quite a few jags games and I can say Koetter had little outside of Garrad, MJD, and Lewis that were NFL worthy. The last 1st round WR he had to work with was…. Matt Jones, QB, Arkansas. Give him a year with out guys and I think you will be pleased. If I’m wrong, I give you a free shot of “I told you so” to use at your discretion
by FLA_Falcon on Jan 16, 2012 10:24 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Agreed their GM is a square peg in round hole sort of evaluator
Esp when it comes to offensive personnel.
maybe
He can turn Quizz into next MJD. They are very similar in size. I just hope he utilizes all the weapons that we have and doesn’t forget them for entire games like dummy MM
by Brog on Jan 16, 2012 9:30 AM EST via iPhone app reply actions
Consider this
Every team that played Jacksonville KNEW they only had one weapon – MJD. Despite that, MJD racked up over 1600 yards rushing this year and lead the league.
That says alot about MJD, but it also says alot that Koetter designed a system where his only weapon would still be successful even when defenses could zero in on him.
Consider this
I would argue that is says alot about MJD and the O-line….if teh O-line is that good at running blocking then why can’t they pass block well enough??? Hmm might not be the best OC with passing schemes….MIKE SMITH ON THE HOT SEAT!!!!!!
run blocking and pass blocking
Are totally different. Ask any former offensive lineman. I would argue they prefer run blocking from my experience.
Also, I don’t care how good an Oline is at run blocking (and jax is still suspect), if a defense knows it’s coming, it is much harder. I feel like Koetter’s scheme was partly to blame too for MJD’s good few years.
by KEScottII on Jan 16, 2012 10:05 AM EST via iPhone app up reply actions
run blocking and pass blocking
Ok… So you make some great points…. Becuase of this (Koetter’s scheme in Jax) I should believe that he is a massive upgrade over MM, and BB…. My question is if he is such a great coordinator why is not being interviewed for Head coaching spots and not known as one of the great OC in the game?
My point is we settled and I do not think we are closer to a SB with Koetter leading and scheming the offense….But time will tell.
Last season
He WAS on the list as a HC this year… and is widely regarded in circles as a tremendous mind.
Hell, Nick Saban wanted to interview him as his next OC THIS year (even with the numbers the Jags posted)… but I’m sure Saban knows nothing about football…
Yeah you have a great point
about saban because he doesnt touch the offense he lets the OC do that, saban likes to keep his eyes on the defense, thats why i think their DC is a little boosted
I keep hearing we settles but lets take an actual look at possible OCs we could've had
Stick with MM: No way in hell was that ever happening
promote BB: I distinctly remember people saying that doing this is the worst possible thing the FO could do in regards to the OC position, not to mention he does play a very similar style to MM
Hue Jackson: Really doesn’t seem like the type of person I want in my locker room even as a coordinator, think he just bad news.
Schotty: Really do you really think we would ever touch Shottenhiemer?
Clements: This is the guyI wanted but he wasn’t allowed to be interviewed until GB were out and for all we knew that could be the damn Super Bowl that would mean 3-4 weeks of just waiting hoping afterwards that he even wants to leave GB. If he doesn’t then all the other known OCs are taken and we get left picking from scraps can’t deny that would be worse than hiring Koetter. Not to mention how impatient fans were for us to start hiring how would you have liked it to have to wait that long with no real developments in the OC story other than all the others we wanted being taken.
Billick was never an actual option. I’m sorry he wasn’t. Would’ve been an amazing hiring, dream even, but I don’t see Billick coming to work as an OC under his 0-3 Brother-in-law when h himself has a superbowl. I also don’t think he wants to come back as an OC anyway, if he wants he could walk into almost any HC job in the league.
I've been trying to read as much on this guy as possible
And slowly have been warming up to the idea.
There was a piece this morning on ESPN, about how he actually calls screen passes. in 10 Garrad had 380 yards, in 11 Gabbart had just under 200. He likes a vertical passing game more than quick slants and outs.
We ma actually have a use for Snelling, who is great catching the ball out of the backfield. And get this, he actually designs plays to get certain players the ball. HD may also be a factor next year in the passing game.
I think we all need to patient and see what happens come next year. And also see who we hire as DC.
Garrard (Koetter) VS. Ryan (Mularky)
Garrard four years under Koetter:
AVG per year
Completion %: 63.0
Passing yards: 3,115
Touchdowns: 17.8
Interceptions: 10.3
Longest pass: 75 yards
Passes of 20 or more yards: 39.8
Passes of 40 or mores yards: 4.3
Qb rating; 89.6
-————————————————————————————————————————————————
Ryan four years under Mularky:
AVG per year
Completion %: 60.8
Passing yards: 3,560
Touchdowns: 23.8
Interceptions: 11.5
Longest pass: 90 yards (touchdown)
Passes of 20 or more yards: 40.8
Passes of 40 or mores yards: 7.3
Qb rating; 88.0
-——————————————————————————————————————————————
One could say Garrard had less talent around him, that’s probably true if you compared their WRs to ours. As for RBs and TEs, the talent level is nearly identical. Before I took a look at these numbers I expected Ryan’s numbers to be better by a longshot, yet they are much closer than I anticipated. Here’s why that’s a good thing for those, like me, looking for a reason to be excited about Koetter…..Garrrard’s numbers and productivity from 2006 (pre-Koetter) compared to his numbers in 2007 (Koetter’s first year as OC) are worse, IN EVERY STATISTICAL CATEGORY: http://www.nfl.com/player/davidgarrard/2505101/careerstats. Wow that to me, shows he has the ability to improve an offense while schematically keeping a similar approach. Hope this excites some of you as much as it did me…..yesterday I was furious, today I’m hopeful.
by mr92687!!! on Jan 16, 2012 9:53 AM EST reply actions 8 recs
Great comment, man
I like David Garrard, but I never would’ve thought he could have a stretch like that. You have to give some credit to Koetter.
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But wasn't 07
Garrard’s first full year as a starter because they let Leftwich go?
Garrard’s numbers may have been bad because he wasn’t fluid in the offense in 2005-6, and only came in when Leftwich was hurt.
In his first two games he kind struggled (although winning in week 2 against the Falcons)
Not sure what I’m saying here anymore.
by brotherbrown on Jan 16, 2012 9:21 PM EST up reply actions
Yes, '07 was the year they cut Leftwich right before the season started
But Garrard had started 15 Games in 05-06 (Leftwich apparently was hurt a lot).
"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein
tis a great comment indeed
But I am too old a fan for stats to excite me.
Results, however, can get me all riled up in
a good way.
by please before I die, Falcons on Jan 17, 2012 12:07 AM EST up reply actions
Garrard (Koetter) VS. Ryan (Mularky)
Well it looks liek we got a MM OC in teh making in Koetter… But here is teh deal…. Why is it we had to settle for a thrid rate OC anyways… we shoulc have folks begging to coach our offense… Something is not right….
I would rather had Bratkowski then Koetter…
yesterday I was furious, today I’m hopeful.
Wow that to me, shows he has the ability to improve an offense while schematically keeping a similar approach.
We do not need minor imrpovement…. Did you not see this season…. to become teh Packers///Patriots/// Offense we need more then minor changes…. Koetter did not improve Jax offense that much…. I’m not sure if anyone respect the jaguars offense in the last 5 years… It was the defense that always drew the respect.
Minor improvement?
Improving a QB’s numbers in every statistical category is a minor improvement? Come on, give credit where credit is due man. Try to give this guy a chance, its not like you have a choice in the matter anyway…
Thanks for posting this
This proves, like I have been saying since they dropped him, is that Garrard was underrated as a qb. I mean, we can’t give all the credit to DK; some of his improvement is his own.
And considering how similar they (Garrard and Ryan) are, can we say he is an improvement?
I'm not feeling this yet.
I wanted Billick. Don’t understand why Smitty didn’t make that work. After all they are family members. I guess maybe he didn’t wat to bring in someone that could take his job if things didn’t work.
And thats what scares me about who our DC will be
Smitty will go the safe route and pick a person we haven’t heard of. Hopefully the DC decision is being made by TD and AB.
Agreed
But Mike Smith will be judged by these hires…
First off you are all assuming that Mike Smith had the final call on these hires
From what I gathered from the press conference with Smith, Blank, & Dimitroff it would be an “organizational decision”. Meaning that there would be equal parts Blank and Dimitroff as it would be Smitty. People also don’t know how many coordinator folks they interviewed. Most of which I would believe were done via video conferencing.
Just be happy we will jar something other than "turner up the middle on one"
Even if he simply mixes snap counts this offense will be better
by FLA_Falcon on Jan 16, 2012 10:19 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
I hear you
The more I look at this hire compared to the other candidates, Koetter seemed like the logical choice:
*
Hue Jackson: Was my top choice but AB may have wanted to stay away from anyone associated with the Petrino era
Todd Haley: Would probably clash with everyone
Mike Martz: Will forget we have a TE and will have Matty on a stretcher
Brian Billick: Things could get very awkward at Thanksgiving
Shotty: Seems like he has some good plays and is creative but was held
back by Rex’s run first mentality and Sanchez’s development. One
good year in ATL then he’d be seeking a HC gig.
I hear you
I would have looked heavy into the Patriots org…Packers org….Saint org… if we were going to hire a no name who hasn’t done anything at teh NFL level for 5 yrs..
If Koetter is so good why didn’t Smith bring him in back in 2008? I’m not sure we are any closer to the SB…. Time will tell
They did look at GB....i.e. Tom Clements
Who’s to say they didn’t put out feelers to other organizations or OCs but got a “I’m not making a lateral move to an organization that’s behind us in competitiveness” or “I’m happy here” response? Seriously. Thomas, Blank, and Smith aren’t idiots. We don’t know who they interviewed or put feelers out to.
I think it's pointing towards Steve Spagnuolo or Mike Nolan running this ship if Mike Smith cannot get this done.
I know I’m veering off the subject a little but an interesting side note I’ve been thinking about is that if Mike Smith does burn and fail and eventually get fired for underachieving then it will automatically have to be from the defensive side of the coaching staff. I don’t think Koetter is in place or mindset to become interim coach of a team and I don’t think that is the Falcon philosophy anyways. So, you have to think that whoever will get the reigns of the Defensive Coordinator position will have to be a big name and have head coaching experience at a higher level, a la Steve Spagnuolo and Mike Nolan.
Thinking about the opportunity Steve Spagnuolo has to work with the Atlanta defense is something that should intrigue him from all the other job offers he has.
The more I think about him returning to Philadephia the more I think it won’t work. Coming into a position you were already in for the same team after you failed at being a coach? Not only that but retooling the ENTIRE LB CORP that they have. They have too many important glaring holes on offense to think about in Free Agency, and not enough money to pay for all of them..So if it between New Orleans and Atlanta you go on pure talent and ability… And of course cap space. New Orleans has major resigning they have to commit to. Drew Brees, Marques Colston, Carl Nicks being the major ones. That will take a good portion of their Cap Space especially the Brees and Colston signing because I think those two are resigned automatically. That doesn’t leave them alot of room to retool some of their needs at CB and LB. Falcons on the other hand have Cap space to retool, resign, and retain players of their coordinators liking. It gives them flexibility to obtain the players they want without having to settle with what is given to them. Whichever coordinator takes over the reigns of our team will have probably the best opportunity to succeed when looking at the other teams in the running.
Ron Artest = Ron (sm)Artest - He Is The Most Interesting Man In The World
by JoshChildressAfroIsCure4Cancer on Jan 16, 2012 10:19 AM EST reply actions
It's not about throwing downfield, as much as.........
…….it is about putting your play makers in a position to make plays.
The Falcons need to look HARD at what the 49ers did with Alex Smith yesterday. They were aggressive and very intentional about allowing Smith to put the ball where it needed to be for their best receiver to make a play. Coverage was tight, but they trusted Smith and basically said “if you put it in the right spot, we’ll win, if you don’t, we’ll lose”………that’s the mentality needed in this day and age.
I was even impressed yesterday with how the Texans used Yates. They turned him lose a little bit, and let him try to get the ball to Andre Johnson in space……..he didn’t do it particularly well, but it was the only way they were going to win.
I don’t care about how deep the passes are, I care about how effective we are at getting our play makers into space where they can operate. I really believe that MM had no idea how to do that………..so, for now, addition by subtraction.
by AuxiliaryHusky on Jan 16, 2012 10:27 AM EST reply actions
Yep...
- Incorporate schemes to relieve pressure on the line and QB (screens, drags, etc.)
- Give your smart QB options and let him run the offense on the field
- Call better plays based on what the defense is trying to do to you
- Throw past the friggin 1st down marker
- Don’t stubbornly run up the gut when it ain’t working
If he does even TWO of the above better than Mularkey we’ll be ahead
All I want to say to ATL fans is
calm down. This pick is a lot better than you might realize now I feel.
Sure, I don’t know what will happen anymore than anyone else here. But I’ve always wanted an OC that knows how to do two things:
1. Use the talent the team possesses, and not just force players into their “scheme”
2. Have a system that is dynamic and realizes that this is the “new arena league”… and not their father’s nfl.
It appears based on history that Koetter knows both points above.
Just as the Men’s Wearhouse guy would say:
“We are going to like the way we look. I guarantee it.”
http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcsouth/post/_/id/30494/dirk-koetter-likes-screen-passes
Braves.
Falcons.
Gamecocks.
http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcsouth/post/_/id/30494/dirk-koetter-likes-screen-passes
Braves.
Falcons.
Gamecocks.
Ok now this I can get behind
still not a fan, optimistic but not pleased with the hiring, but this….this is fine by me.
by Turner_The_Burner on Jan 16, 2012 11:06 AM EST up reply actions
Please don't post the whole text of the article
Appreciate the link, though.
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by Dave Choate on Jan 16, 2012 11:09 AM EST up reply actions
No, no worries
Just trying to crack down on that.
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by Dave Choate on Jan 16, 2012 12:00 PM EST up reply actions
From my perspective, the most important thing to think about is this;
Is it pronounced Kot-ter or Ket-ter or Kay-ter or what…..someone help me out here.
by Turner_The_Burner on Jan 16, 2012 11:07 AM EST reply actions
The only way his name could be better
Is if it was Knife Sworder.
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by Dave Choate on Jan 16, 2012 11:10 AM EST up reply actions
Maurice Drew had like 200 catches under Koetter.
That alone is a ray of hope.
I'm on the Twitter: twitter.com/edgrohl
Now we get to see if Turner can catch the ball
We know Quizz can. That’s the only thing that hampers our offensive options on 1st & 2nd downs in my opinion. Did they throw to him in San Diego or does anyone know. That alone is a sad question. Think about why I’m asking it. How often did we even throw to turner?
I just looked it up....not much at SD...of course he was the backup
We’ll see if he gets more receptions here. He had like an average of 5 per year in SD. 17 receptions this year. Believe it or not he got like 9.9 yards per reception when he did catch it. Here’s hoping to his success. IF he CAN then he’ll destroy DBs trying to stop him in the open field for large chunks imo. (fingers crossed)
Assuming he's still here
Hard to see them dropping 3 million in base salary on a guy coming off an injury, who will be a FA by the time he’s fully recovered, and at a highly fungible position where his backup makes the league minimum. Now, I love him as a player and a person, but these aren’t good reasons to keep him.
by TheAreopagite on Jan 16, 2012 12:31 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
what about JJ?
it’d be cool to see some screen passes to him or HD with RW blocking
It's Great! To be! A Tennessee Vol!
probably not
I’d guess it’s gonna be Quizz that gets those plays. In 2007, Fred Taylor had 223 Carries and 9 Receptions; Maurice Jones-Drew had 167 Carries and 40 Receptions.
"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein
So a little related....
but I really wonder what’s the difference between these two hits:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EgbG7IEljuI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20JJng66SqI
I’m unsure what makes one a penalty/fine and one a clean hit.
It's Great! To be! A Tennessee Vol!
Okay, so if I have gotten anything out of this.
Worst case scenario, we get a MM Clone, BUT one that throws screens, which is improvement.
I just hope we don’t have yet another OC that’s thinks “explosive” = deep passes from a QB that isn’t very good at throwing deep passes, and that screen passes are a myth.
Q: If not us, who? If not now, when? A: The Batman. And "when you least expect it."
i think
Its a bit of a myth about MR not being able to throw deep. He did pretty good his rookie year I think. I think he’s scared to get hit. He falls down before the hit gets there, he turns into happyfeet. If he had more time consistently and was able to settle down a little in the pocket, I think his deep ball will improve greatly.
by birdwatch on Jan 16, 2012 12:16 PM EST via mobile up reply actions 1 recs
I don’t think he was good at throwing deep his rookie year either, I think Roddy just made a lot of great players on poorly thrown deep passes that really bailed Ryan out that year.
He’s got talents, but when Ryan throws deep I just hold my breath and am happy that it isn’t a pick.
Q: If not us, who? If not now, when? A: The Batman. And "when you least expect it."
I hope Dirk does a great job
The main problem with Falcons offense in my opinion was the play calling
Run, Run, Pass, Punt
With all the talent on the offense, I think Dirk will be able to get more out of it
Next year Ovie will be back and JJ and Quiz will have a year under their belts
Speaking of talent, here is how the Falcons did in terms of ranks by ESPN fantasy ratings :
QB 8 Ryan
RB 5 Turner
WR 7 White
WR 19 Jones
TE 4 Gonzalez
K 11 Bryant
That is a whole lot of skill and I expect Dirk will be able to use all these weapons together
He’s always open. He catches a lot of balls. He’s un-guardable, no matter how old he is
I have to say I am a lot more comfortable about this hire
after reading that Koetter and Ryan actually sat down and had a face to face before a deal was done. This reassures me that due diligence was done and this wasn’t just Smith handing a job to a pal. If the QB talked to him, you know TD and Blank ran him through the interview wringer.
Koetter and Ryan actually sat down and had a face to face before a deal was done
Yeah that is very significant.
IMO this should not be a surprise
This is not Matt Ryan’s team or his offense. Every OC in the NFL knows more about offensive football then Ryan does. Trust me when I say, if DK and Ryan talked it was probably because DK and/or the Falcons FO set up the meeting not Ryan. Any competent OC who is interviewing for a job would want to speak to the starting QB so he could evaluate what he would be working with.
Smith only worked with DK for one year so I don’t know where all the hiring a friend stuff comes from. Smith also knows A Blank and the fans expect more from this team and I highly doubt he would risk his job just to hire a so called friend who already had other opportunities.
IMHO this is par for the course and no one should be surprised.
by BlackBirdBlitz on Jan 16, 2012 11:34 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I gotta ask
Did Koetter run a signifigant amount of
“no huddle” anywhere?
Did he tell MR, face to face: It ain’t your
offense (so don’t ask)?
Yeah, I’m being mean for a minute.
In my opinion, this was a panic hire.
I say this, because I’d almost bet the
farm that DK wasn’t commanding large
money on the open market, and that
AB pulled the trigger, come heck or high
water. The interesting thing now will be
if there are any DC candidates interviewed
who ever worked with DK in the past. If we
get a hire with that factor involved, I gotta wonder
what kind of a cluster circus we got here.
by please before I die, Falcons on Jan 17, 2012 12:00 AM EST reply actions
sorry guys
I messed up. Never mind.
by please before I die, Falcons on Jan 17, 2012 12:02 AM EST reply actions
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