What the Falcons should be looking for in their next coordinators
It has been over a week now since the Falcons were embarrassed by the New York Giants in the NFC Wild Card playoffs. Significant changes have already been made to the coaching staff as the defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder resigned to become the defensive coordinator at Auburn and offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey was named head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars. Now Thomas Dimitroff and Mike Smith must find new coordinators on both sides of the ball to replace Mularkey and VanGorder. I truly appreciate all the things that Mularkey and VanGorder have done for the Falcons, because their contributions cannot be overlooked to what they have done with the Atlanta Falcons as well, they have done incredible jobs with the offense and defense and they will surely be missed.
Now that I have given Mularkey and VanGorder their respect for what they have done for the Falcons I will also say that with the two of them leaving it is also good news. The good news that can come from this is that I truly believe that both Mularkey and VanGorder took the offense and defense as far as it could go. The offense under Mularkey could just not play with consistency in the postseason and the defense in the postseason under VanGorder has just been embarrassed in all three playoff appearances under him. It was obviously no secret that coaching staff changes were coming after the Falcons faltered again in the playoffs, and I think now is the time for Dimitroff and Smith to really go out a find the perfect coordinators that can get the maximum potential out of all the players on the roster.
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The Falcons offense with Matt Ryan, Michael Turner, Roddy White, Julio Jones and Tony Gonzalez should not be shut out in the playoffs that just shouldn’t happen. The next offensive coordinator for the Falcons should keep the balance attack that Mike Smith likes to use, but he should also give Matt Ryan more freedom with the play calling. Matt Ryan has shown when he is in the no huddle nobody is better except for Peyton Manning. Give Ryan the freedom and I think the results will show. The biggest issue on defense since Mike Smith took over has been the secondary; the Falcons have had two secondary coaches in four years and likely will have a third this upcoming season. The secondary has just been exposed in the playoffs and they have got to get better and play more aggressive in my opinion. The other concern for the Falcons is getting a consistent pass rush. I will give Ray Edwards some slack, because he did have knee surgery in the offseason and he said he wasn’t 100 percent. Even though he never used that as an excuse I will give him a pass. The next defensive coordinator should have an attitude to where he holds everybody on the defense accountable and he is not afraid to let you know in the middle of the game if you are doing something wrong.
If the Falcons can find these coordinators for their team I think this will help them get over the hump and finally win in the playoffs. The Falcons have all the ingredients to be a Super Bowl team, and now it is up for Dimitroff and Smith to find the right coaches who can help lead this team, because Mularkey and VanGorder could not get it done in the playoffs. That is what you are judged on and they couldn’t get it done. Hopefully the next Falcons coordinators will be able to get the job done.
By: Steven Virden
ProFootball-fans.com Atlanta Falcons Correspondent