clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

How did Falcons OC Steve Sarkisian do in his play calling debut?

We asked. You answered.

NFL: Atlanta Falcons-Training Camp Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Steve Sarkisian called plays at the NFL level for the first time in his career on Thursday night in Atlanta’s 23-20 loss to the Dolphins. We asked you how he did, and you answered.

Play calling was a concern, because former offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan had a preternatural ability to read and anticipate what opposing defenses were going to give him. He also had an aversion to situational football that makes me viscerally angry to this day, and I don’t see that changing anytime soon. But I digress.

Based on the performance of the first team, I think it was a pretty solid debut for Sark. The chemistry looks intact, and I especially loved the play call on fourth-and-1 that resulted in a Devonta Freeman touchdown. That looked like the 2016 Falcons we all know and love.

Bear in mind, too, that play calls are pretty vanilla in the preseason by necessity. You don’t want to throw your best stuff out there in a meaningless game against the Dolphins and give opponents who will count the chance to effectively prepare.

Here’s what your fellow Falcons fans said.

Fam. Papa John’s is way worse than Sark’s play calling.

Yeah, that guy is a bust.

Amen, my friend.

Oh, dear.

True.

And that last tweet helps explain this.

Always a good thing!

This is a fact.

This is the only correct response.

So what did you think of Sark’s play calling? Leave your thoughts in the comments.