Falcons Fire Defensive Coaches

[AtlantaDan]

Let the scapegoating begin

Falcons defensive coordinator Richard Smith and defensive line coach Bryan Cox have been fired by the Atlanta Falcons, according to the team.

Smith, a veteran coach, may stay on in an advisory capacity, but assessing his options.

The Falcons are considering three internal candidates in secondary coordinator Jerome Henderson, defensive backs coach Marquand Manuel and linebackers coach Jeff Ulbrich.

The Falcons pointed out that the decision to dismiss Smith and Cox was not based on the defense’s collapse in the Super Bowl.

http://www.ajc.com/sports/football/smith-cox-fired-the-falcons/wJFhjtrhOMGIAXDGwA5d8M/

Of course it had nothing to do with being outscored 31 - 0 after going up 28-3 in the third quarter:rolleyes:

[SteelerFanInStl]

Would they have fired Shanahan if he hadn't left for the Niners? Probably not and he was the biggest reason for that loss.

[fansince'76]

Would they have fired Shanahan if he hadn't left for the Niners? Probably not and he was the biggest reason for that loss.

Can't really fault Shanahan for Ryan's complete lack of pocket awareness which cost them big on the turnover that the Patriots turned into cheap points and getting knocked out of FG range with a chance to basically ice the game.

I wish we'd follow the Falcons lead and can Danny Smith at a minimum...

[AtlantaDan]

Would they have fired Shanahan if he hadn't left for the Niners? Probably not and he was the biggest reason for that loss.

Shanahan had some goodwill in the bank with an offense that averaged 33 points per game that the defensive coordinator did not

But the claim the choke job had nothing to do with this is laughable - Falcons now looking for a D-coordinator while other teams with new HCs are putting together staffs

[SteelerFanInStl]

Can't really fault Shanahan for Ryan's complete lack of pocket awareness which cost them big on the turnover that the Patriots turned into cheap points and getting knocked out of FG range with a chance to basically ice the game.

I wish we'd follow the Falcons lead and can Danny Smith at a minimum...

Shanahan deserves the blame for not running the ball more in the second half, especially on 3rd and 1. The OL also did a shitty job of protecting Ryan when he did drop back to pass.

[st33lersguy]

Yeah Shanny's play-calling was awful. You are in field goal range up 8 with less than 5 minutes, run the ball, none of this dropping back crap especially after you saw what happened earlier up 16, and 5 rushes after taking a 28-3 lead? Really? Plus why not run on 3rd and 2, worst case scenario, you get stopped run off 40 seconds and barring a breakdown on special teams you make them drive down the field. At the time of that fumble I thought "The Falcons just saved the Pats at least 2 extra minutes, probably more"

[86WARD]

Ouch...

[Born2Steel]

I would not be happy as a fan. The Falcons are already facing the post SB hangover, which stats show is real. Now they replace the OC and DC that got them there. After the way that game was lost, I would be thinking next season will be a very long shot to get back. Depressing.

[tube517]

I would not be happy as a fan. The Falcons are already facing the post SB hangover, which stats show is real. Now they replace the OC and DC that got them there. After the way that game was lost, I would be thinking next season will be a very long shot to get back. Depressing.

Yep. The odds of a Super Bowl loser coming back is very low. Only the Bills, Vikings, Broncos and Dolphins have made it back and only the Dolphins have come back and won after losing the SB the previous year.

[fansince'76]

Shanahan deserves the blame for not running the ball more in the second half, especially on 3rd and 1. The OL also did a shitty job of protecting Ryan when he did drop back to pass.

Perhaps, but I've never seen an All-Pro QB with so little pocket awareness. I mean, the guy seems to literally have NO feel for when there's a heavy rush coming or not.

[st33lersguy]

I would not be happy as a fan. The Falcons are already facing the post SB hangover, which stats show is real. Now they replace the OC and DC that got them there. After the way that game was lost, I would be thinking next season will be a very long shot to get back. Depressing.

I'd be very surprised if Atlanta won the division next year. Atlanta's offense will regress as will Matt Ryan without Shanny (just like how Matt Schaub among other QBs Shanny coordinated regressed after he left them). Also Julio Jones will have toe surgery and could very easily regress himself. Add the fact that they have to contend with the Bucs who have improved every year under Jamies Winston and could improve with more young talent and the Panthers who have just past the post Super Bowl hangover and have the talent to bounce back

[86WARD]

I don't think they will either but I think they are better off than the Panthers were...

[Psycho Ward 86]

I'd be very surprised if Atlanta won the division next year. Atlanta's offense will regress as will Matt Ryan without Shanny (just like how Matt Schaub among other QBs Shanny coordinated regressed after he left them). Also Julio Jones will have toe surgery and could very easily regress himself. Add the fact that they have to contend with the Bucs who have improved every year under Jamies Winston and could improve with more young talent and the Panthers who have just past the post Super Bowl hangover and have the talent to bounce back

i wouldnt be surprised if they didnt make the playoffs at all

[st33lersguy]

i wouldnt be surprised if they didnt make the playoffs at all

Me neither