[ad_1]
What may have been.
4 easy phrases that greatest describe the Atlanta Falcons and their 7-10 marketing campaign in 2023.
I believe again to a narrative I did on Aug. 10 for The Monticello Information the place I coated Falcons coaching camp for a day.
To paraphrase, I discussed that 2023 was a defining level for the previous Falcons head coach Arthur Smith, and that if he didn’t execute with the expertise out there, he can be on the recent seat.
I believe I should go to Vegas for that writing.
Principally put, this season was one of the disappointing seasons in franchise historical past for the Falcons. Not as a result of we went 7-10 for the third consecutive yr, not as a result of we barely missed the playoffs (in some way), however as a result of this workforce was one of the proficient Falcons groups that we’ve got ever produced.
And but in some way, regardless of the quite a few additions on the offensive and defensive sides of the ball, the workforce was in loads of methods the identical.
What went improper?
As predicted, the season final result got here down to 2 defining components: quarterback play and training, notably with the pinnacle coach.
I’ll begin with quarterbacking. I mentioned many weeks in the past that Ridder simply isn’t the man, and I stand by that. I may also safely say that Taylor Heinicke isn’t that man, both. Each quarterbacks confirmed minimal flashes that they might be the chief this workforce wants, however the flashes had been simply that – minimal.
Ridder completed the season with 2,836 passing yards, 12 TDs and 12 INTs in 15 video games performed. He had a QBR of 39.9. Heinicke completed the season with 890 passing yards, 5 TDs and 4 INTs in 5 video games performed. He had a QBR of 47.1.
Yikes.
After which there’s coach Smith.
His ineptitude as a head coach is the No. 1 motive why we sit on the spot the place we’re right this moment. To go 7-10 two consecutive seasons and never present important enchancment from yr one to yr two ought to’ve been the primary large crimson flag for Falcons followers, and I’m not speaking in regards to the one flown by Freddie the Falcon every week.
He got here into all 17 video games this season underprepared, he underutilized high expertise equivalent to Kyle Pitts and Bijan Robinson, and worst of all he took a workforce with the potential to go deep within the playoffs and turned it right into a workforce that couldn’t beat the 2-15 Carolina Panthers.
And if that wasn’t sufficient for you, right here’s a stat that may present how unhealthy this Falcons workforce was this yr. The Falcons went 3-2 in opposition to groups that shall be within the playoffs this yr. They went 4-8 in opposition to groups that received’t be within the playoffs this yr.
Doing the maths on these numbers, the Falcons went… 7-10… once more.
Fortunately, Falcons proprietor Arthur Clean felt the frustration of Falcons’ followers and determined to fireplace Arthur Smith not even 12 hours after the New Orleans Saints loss. I’m not one for calling for folks’s jobs in any scenario, however on this case, it was greater than warranted.
So how do I categorize the Falcons season? A workforce with mass quantities of potential – and at instances a workforce that was able to being up there with the very best. It was additionally a workforce that was hampered by lower than common quarterback play and inept play calling from what might have been one of many worst head coaches within the league this yr, if not the worst.
The place can we go from right here?
The primary order of enterprise is to rent a head coach that may are available and greatest make the most of the expertise that we’ve got on offense, protection and particular groups.
My private choose? Give me Houston Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik.
Slowik is taken into account by many because the mastermind of the Texans offense. He’s additionally thought of to be the mastermind in serving to rookie Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud, the younger phenom who’s a lock for rookie of the yr. Along with all of that, he’s part of the “Shanahan-McVay teaching tree”, an inventory that features Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel and Packers head coach Matt LaFleur amongst others.
At 36 years outdated, he matches the wave of younger, upcoming coaches that might make an affect on how the sport is performed. I see no distinction with Slowik.
There are loads of younger, certified coaches which can be out there on this head teaching cycle. Guys like Mike Vrabel, Ben Johnson and Eric Bieniemy come to thoughts. Honestly, I might be advantageous with any of these aforementioned names – simply so long as it isn’t Invoice Belichick. However that dialog could also be for a distinct column.
(We’re completely hiring Belichick aren’t we)
Secondly, we’d like a quarterback – a real successor to Matt Ryan. The draft pool could be very massive this yr with Caleb Williams, Bo Nix, Michael Penix Jr. and Jayden Daniels among the many pool of quarterbacks out there. There’s additionally loads of chatter that Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields shall be out there for commerce.
Any of those choices will permit the Falcons to have that subsequent franchise participant that may hopefully elevate the Falcons into the playoffs and into Tremendous Bowl rivalry.
Lastly, and I can’t stress this sufficient, we have to fortify the weak gaps of the workforce to make the workforce full.
The expertise is there, however there are some gaps to be stuffed. I like Mack Hollins, however 251 receiving yards in 16 video games performed isn’t gonna lower it. Richie Grant was in all probability one of many worst safeties within the NFL this yr. I’d anticipate him to get replaced, too.
Oh and naturally, we’d like cross rush assist. Shocker.
Utilizing free company and the draft to fortify a few of these weak, neglected positions will make the workforce that a lot better.
In closing, I can’t categorical my disappointment of the Falcons’ 2023 season greater than I have already got, however change is on the horizon.
And with change, I hope it results in wins, playoff appearances and even championships. Simply so long as it isn’t one other 7-10 season.
[ad_2]
Source link
