Offensive Line Coach Paul Boudreau Is Gone

by Dave Choate on Jan 17, 2012 2:05 PM EST in Falcons News

Whether the Falcons chose to let him go, he chose to leave or it was a mutual decision, we don't know. What we do know is that Paul Boudreau is gone.

Boudreau is a highly-regarded coach who came aboard with the rest of the coaching staff in 2008. For the first three years, he put together pretty decent lines, culminating in a strong performance in 2010 that earned three linemen (Harvey Dahl, Justin Blalock and Tyson Clabo) big paydays. It was a big part of the reason the Falcons went 13-3.

Unfortunately, the line was a problem area in 2012. Sam Baker got hurt and fell out of favor with the coaching staff, while right guard wound up being a carousel. These injuries were not Boudreau's fault, but even when the line was healthy and firing on all cylinders, it struggled with both run blocking and pass protection for long stretches.

With Dirk Koetter coming in and a shakeup along the O-line possible, it's likely Boudreau would rather go someplace where he'll have a little less uncertainty. Given Arthur Blank's critical comments about the offensive line at the post-season press conference, he might have been nudged out the door a bit, too. Either way, I'd like to recognize Boudreau for his work with the line and especially for navigating a truly frustrating season in 2011.

The Falcons have a lot of hiring to do.

Tweet Comment 61 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Good Luck to Paul Boudreau.

Paul Boudreau inherited a line which gave up 47 Sacks in 2007 and did a good job with no big name talent on the line. Its not surprising move as the OL held back the whole offense for most part of the 2011 season.

It's all about Process...

by Vishnu_falcon on Jan 17, 2012 2:15 PM EST reply actions 1 recs

He wasn't bad...

But we have not really had any prospects develop under him.. Which showed last season with injuries.

by KevinC70 on Jan 17, 2012 2:16 PM EST reply actions

I was not a FAN, Yes, at first the O Line was set up to Help Turner and from time to time stop Matty from getting killed. It has failed.

by Danny Hall on Jan 17, 2012 2:16 PM EST reply actions

Andy Heck

He’s actually not bad, believe it or not.

by Dave Choate on Jan 17, 2012 3:05 PM EST up reply actions

I want him based on name alone.

Give em heck!

by FLA_Falcon on Jan 17, 2012 3:15 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Don't like this

He did a great job here in Atlanta. True the line struggled this year but that was more due to injury and a shortened off-season than his coaching. I hope he gets a job somewhere because he deserves it.

by falconfanatic79 on Jan 17, 2012 2:31 PM EST via mobile reply actions

I think he did a whale of a job considering where we were when he came in

I mean he took some people no one ever heard of and cobbled together a pretty friggin good line.

by dr3dd1ne on Jan 17, 2012 2:38 PM EST up reply actions

And according to AB

Good is often the enemy of great. You’re absolutely right – the guys we had absolutely overperformed for 3 years. I think the upper management is now looking for a guy that can give us a dominating group up front.

by The DW on Jan 17, 2012 2:44 PM EST up reply actions

Then we need to get him some dominating linemen to play with too

I’m not disagreeing with you DW. Just saying if they want a better OL then they need to go get some higher quality players too. Paul Boudreau I assure you couldn’t coach me up to be a better OL. I would still get MASHED. Talent matters.

by dr3dd1ne on Jan 17, 2012 2:47 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

I wonder if they felt like Boudreau...as good as a coach as he was....

Maybe missed on pointing out good quality OL talent to draft. I’m sure they relied on him alot for who they picked as linemen.

by dr3dd1ne on Jan 17, 2012 2:49 PM EST up reply actions

Or partially his decision to let Dahl walk

by GA-James on Jan 17, 2012 6:09 PM EST up reply actions

Thanks for 4 great years Coach Boudreau

I’m not gonna say anything bad about Coach Boudreau. Talent wise…our lines are pretty thin on talent for the production we got out of them.

The good news is that the whole OL just got served notice. Perform or pack, and that’s a good thing.

by dr3dd1ne on Jan 17, 2012 2:33 PM EST reply actions 1 recs

Blank meant what he said when he wanted new ideals & diff points of views from some1 outside looking in..I’m ok with that..bring in fresh blood so they can hear something dif & b motivated dif

Been a falcons fan since the big starter jackets was in style

by turnj35 on Jan 17, 2012 2:33 PM EST via mobile reply actions

Breaking

Falcons hire JAX equipment manager to fill the position.

"NLDS or bust" - Bobby Cox
We don't have to continue to settle Atlanta. We're better than that.

by DopeFalcons on Jan 17, 2012 2:39 PM EST reply actions

We always want our O Linemen on the same page together

Now we know they’ll all have matching teal socks and jocks.

by jcaustic on Jan 17, 2012 2:41 PM EST up reply actions

This is surprising to say the least

Any news on a DC or QB coach? Along with a new OL coach now?

by FLA_Falcon on Jan 17, 2012 2:41 PM EST via mobile reply actions

D. Led says news coming out in "minutes, not hours" abour the DC search.

Sounds like we got our man, whoever that is.

by DezL12 on Jan 17, 2012 2:43 PM EST up reply actions

but

Its D. Led who said it…. take with a grain of salt.

by birdwatch on Jan 17, 2012 2:49 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

I'd take a BOX of rock salt lol...then back it up with a pack of iodized just to be safe

by dr3dd1ne on Jan 17, 2012 2:50 PM EST up reply actions

I'm sorry I know I pick on DLed...but he makes it so easy

by dr3dd1ne on Jan 17, 2012 2:52 PM EST up reply actions

The minutes feel like hours

by FLA_Falcon on Jan 17, 2012 3:03 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Nolan

by Dave Choate on Jan 17, 2012 3:05 PM EST up reply actions

Talk about Coaching changes.

Colts fired Cladwell.

It's all about Process...

by Vishnu_falcon on Jan 17, 2012 2:55 PM EST reply actions

Pretty sure Boudreau was fired.

Braves.
Falcons.
Gamecocks.

by walknbalk on Jan 17, 2012 2:56 PM EST reply actions

Fired. Confirmed by Jeff Schultz and Mark Bradley.

by jcaustic on Jan 17, 2012 4:22 PM EST up reply actions

off topic but

How bout we go after finley the te from gb? Big and athletic. Good replacement for tg

by ocfalcon on Jan 17, 2012 2:59 PM EST via mobile reply actions

Mike Nolan is Falcons DC

It's all about Process...

by Vishnu_falcon on Jan 17, 2012 3:00 PM EST reply actions

Says who?

"My parents do a lot of things behind the scenes that go unnoticed"- Cam Newton, Heisman acceptance speech.
http://twitter.com/#!/AShirkey

by TurnerTheBurner on Jan 17, 2012 3:02 PM EST up reply actions

huh what? link??

Braves.
Falcons.
Gamecocks.

by walknbalk on Jan 17, 2012 3:03 PM EST up reply actions

Jay Glazer report on twitter.

"NLDS or bust" - Bobby Cox
We don't have to continue to settle Atlanta. We're better than that.

by DopeFalcons on Jan 17, 2012 3:03 PM EST up reply actions

I can second this

WOW

"My parents do a lot of things behind the scenes that go unnoticed"- Cam Newton, Heisman acceptance speech.
http://twitter.com/#!/AShirkey

by TurnerTheBurner on Jan 17, 2012 3:05 PM EST up reply actions

Don't play with my emotions

by FLA_Falcon on Jan 17, 2012 3:04 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

My source just confirmed

It's all about Process...

by Vishnu_falcon on Jan 17, 2012 3:03 PM EST reply actions

Anouncement any time

It's all about Process...

by Vishnu_falcon on Jan 17, 2012 3:04 PM EST reply actions

jeff schultz confirms

Braves.
Falcons.
Gamecocks.

by walknbalk on Jan 17, 2012 3:05 PM EST reply actions

Just saw Jeff Schultz confirming.

It's all about Process...

by Vishnu_falcon on Jan 17, 2012 3:05 PM EST up reply actions

can I get a FRAK YEA?!!

Braves.
Falcons.
Gamecocks.

by walknbalk on Jan 17, 2012 3:05 PM EST reply actions

I WAS RIGHT

by Dave Choate on Jan 17, 2012 3:06 PM EST reply actions

I threw his name out as well

But didn’t really think he’d be hired.
I’m curious to see how much 3-4 we incorporate now…

"My parents do a lot of things behind the scenes that go unnoticed"- Cam Newton, Heisman acceptance speech.
http://twitter.com/#!/AShirkey

by TurnerTheBurner on Jan 17, 2012 3:07 PM EST up reply actions

Dave You are the Man!

There were lot of conflicting rumors floating today, its great news that we got Nolan.

It's all about Process...

by Vishnu_falcon on Jan 17, 2012 3:09 PM EST up reply actions

Ok Dave. Get to writing that excellent post!

"NLDS or bust" - Bobby Cox
We don't have to continue to settle Atlanta. We're better than that.

by DopeFalcons on Jan 17, 2012 3:07 PM EST up reply actions

It's up!

by Dave Choate on Jan 17, 2012 3:10 PM EST up reply actions

i was right before you were right. hehe jk

Braves.
Falcons.
Gamecocks.

by walknbalk on Jan 17, 2012 3:08 PM EST up reply actions

I should be fair

Several of you were right about Nolan, and probably before I was. Props!

by Dave Choate on Jan 17, 2012 3:10 PM EST up reply actions

I'm just so rarely right about anything!

by Dave Choate on Jan 17, 2012 3:13 PM EST up reply actions

That's just because you're not a woman.

They are always right.

by FLA_Falcon on Jan 17, 2012 3:16 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Only once they get married

by Hawes on Jan 17, 2012 8:00 PM EST up reply actions

Your modesty unnerves me.

You need to be a conceited prick from time to time, your too F’n nice.

Rule #1: Double tap.

by Ball Hawk on Jan 17, 2012 6:24 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

He sounds like a New Orleans spy with a name like that anyway.

Rule #1: Double tap.

by Ball Hawk on Jan 17, 2012 6:21 PM EST via mobile reply actions

Have to cut him some slack

He was working with a bunch of UDFAs and low draft picks (every OT but Baker) and busts (Baker). I hope the next guy has some better talent to work with…

by randomaxe on Jan 17, 2012 6:31 PM EST reply actions

I'm sorry to see Coach Boudreau go

He did wonders with a bunch of no-names. I think the lack of an offseason hurt this line more than anything else. He’ll coach up somebody’s line. Good luck Coach.

by drmondo667 on Jan 17, 2012 7:23 PM EST reply actions

We should go for Houston's O Line coach

There arguably the best O Line in the NFL. His name is John Benton.

by pierre02 on Jan 17, 2012 8:01 PM EST via mobile reply actions

And go Kurt Warner for our QB coach.

We would be unstoppable. Alright back to reality. Lets try to get tom clements as our QB coach.

by pierre02 on Jan 17, 2012 8:09 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Get*

by pierre02 on Jan 17, 2012 8:09 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

So what are the 3 most likely picks for a new O-line coach?

I think this would be an excellent article for the sight. It was a problem area and I’m sure there are some really good coaches out there seeing as how the league is, on the whole, going through major coaching changes. I haven’t the slightest clue as to who a prospect would be either.

by CombatFalcoholic on Jan 17, 2012 9:00 PM EST reply actions

hate to say it

but I called this. When the line had its worst performance since 07, you knew something would happen.

by Whyte Bler 000 on Jan 17, 2012 9:02 PM EST reply actions

Please help me to understand...

OK, I know the O-line had its problems at the beginning of the season, and I know why Baker got benched…

But…

As I’m scratching my head wondering “what went wrong?”, I’m looking at the stats from a variety of angles. I’m an Air Force logistician, so that’s what I do…look for trends. Here’s what I see.

Falcons 2011 regular season O-line was ranked 6th (see NFL.com). Check out the number of sacks/hits allowed compared with “elite” offences:

Team Sacks/ Hits
BUF 23 / 69 (BUF was ranked #1, so is included here)
N.O. 24 / 51
ATL 26 / 84
NYG 28 / 72
SD 30 / 56
NE 32 / 71
DET 36 / 78
(!) GB 41 / 73 (!)
PIT 42 / 77

OK…. Yeah, the number of hits is pretty high for the Falcons. And no, I did not cross-reference for average strength of defenses faced, number of pass plays vs. runs, or do a game-by-game look.

What I’m wondering, however, is how much of this is attributable to the O-line, how much to the play calling, how much to the receivers, and how much to the QB?

Again, I know the line needed some work at the beginning of the season. But in later games, to me, it looked like Ryan had about as much time in the pocket as any other QB (no, I did not use a stopwatch). But looking at other games, I see QBs stepping up in the pocket, receivers coming back, everybody doing SOMETHING to salvage a potentially broken play. What I see mostly with our beloved Birds, though, is Ryan rolling to his right, and throwing it out of bounds.

Looking at the average amount of time between snap and pocket collapse, I (anecdotaly) don’t think the O-line is as bad as everyone says. I think the problem lies across the board.

What say you? I’m really trying to understand here…

by williamandrews31 on Jan 17, 2012 10:35 PM EST reply actions