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Sooner or later, Mike Smith is gonna run out of leash space. During his four years running the show with franchise quarterback Matt Ryan in Atlanta, the Falcons have made the playoffs three times and finished with a winning record each season. That’s good. But during that same stretch, Smith and the Falcons have won exactly zero playoff games. That’s bad.

And while no one has called for either Smith or Ryan to lose their jobs yet, another one-and-done playoff effort might change things for that coach-quarterback duo in Atlanta.



Falcons head coach Mike Smith joined David Archer and Mike Bell on 790 The Zone in Atlanta to discuss how his team needs to change the way it approaches the postseason, the work Matt Ryan has been doing to take his game to the next level and his emphasis on creating competition at multiple positions. He also addressed how the new collective bargaining agreement is restricting what he can do with his team this offseason, broke down the benefit of adding Asante Samuel to the secondary and looked back one more time at that now-infamous fourth-down gamble in overtime of a Week 9 game against the Saints.

On the new collective bargaining agreement limiting practice time in the offseason:

“Well it’s a lot better than it was last year, that’s for sure. But in terms of what we’re accustomed to, it’s not close. It’s been cut down from 14 weeks to nine weeks and the first two weeks you can’t go on the field with the players as a coaching staff. The next three weeks you can go out on the field but you can’t run against each other, you only can run against air. And so our guys have to do some creative thinking in terms of what we’re trying to accomplish. It’s really hard, it’s different — we’ll adjust to it and I think that our guys have done a nice job to this point. But I tell ya, it was very, very encouraging to see the way our rookies came in this week and we were able to actually practice with them.”

On how different the offensive line could look in 2012:

“Well I think it could be significantly different. And we made a conscious effort in the draft to bring some new guys in to compete. We didn’t do anything in free agency, albeit one position we brought in the guard, Vince Manuwai. But it’s gonna be very competitive and I liken this similar to our first year here. I think it’s important for us, we’ve had some continuity with our football team and we need to become more consistent. We need to get back to talking about competition, not only on Sundays but competition during the week and competition for our 53-man roster, competition for our 46-man roster, and then really competition in terms of what plays we’re gonna call on game day and how we’re gonna distribute the football. And I think competition is the biggest motivator for every athlete and competitor that there is.”

On the addition of Asante Samuel to the secondary:

“Asante makes our team much better. When we were able to consummate that trade with the Philadelphia Eagles, I know the Atlanta Falcons got a lot better. He has got a great skill set in terms of playing corner. Forty-six, I think, interceptions in his career. He’s gonna be a guy that’s gonna come in here and again that’s gonna create a competitive atmosphere in the secondary and I think that’s something that we need.”

On Matt Ryan’s effort to add muscle this offseason:

“Oh I think it can have a big effect. And I think it’s not only his work in the weight room but it’s a natural maturation process when you start talking about his age and quote the prime years of a football player and a quarterback. And Matt’s starting his fifth year, he’s a lot stronger than he was when he was a rookie and I think that was one of the things that he identified and we identified. And he came back, and he was the first one in the weight room when the guys could come in. In fact, he and a couple of the other offensive players were in a lot earlier than I thought they’d be, and that’s a good sign. Because you have to unplug, but Matt was ready to get back in, not only in the weight room but he started his offseason study. And Matt is a guy that is very cerebral and wants to study what other people are doing as well.”

On if he looks back on the failed fourth-down gamble that might have cost them a game against New Orleans in 2011:

“Yeah, Mike, you look at every play. It’s not just fourth downs. You try to look and evaluate and some of them are critical decisions that you have to make. And I would not have done, or we would not have done it any differently. We felt we had a lot of confidence — unfortunately the play didn’t work. If it works, it’s a good call. If it doesn’t, it’s a bad call. And that’s really what it’s all about. And I can’t sit here and say that we’d do it differently, and I can’t sit here and say we’d do it the same. Again, it’s gonna be the flow of the game, how we feel. We make those decisions as a coaching staff, or I take input during the week and we’re gonna make those decisions on game day.”

On if the Falcons have to change their approach to the playoffs:

“Well obviously we have to do it different than what we’ve done in the past. We’ve been there, we just haven’t been very successful. So it starts with me in evaluating how I prepare our football team, or we as a coaching staff prepare our football team. And believe me, we’ve done some soul searching. When you go to the places that we’ve been and not have the success that you want in those situations, it’s tough. And I know everybody’s disappointed, but nobody’s more disappointed than I am — I can assure you that.”


*cough cough* Arthur Blank *cough cough*

We'll see if they change their approach. I do think putting more on the plate of Matt Ryan during the regular season is great preparation for the playoffs. I would like to see this team come out throwing and unlike under Mularkey hope they have the coaching staff equipped to handle that style of offense.

I doubt Mike Smith is on the " hot seat" till he doesn't make the playoffs!! Then the following year he'll need to produce a playoff victory..... Its a Big Guess.

Losing a third of your practice time, huh? Protect the Shield...

I disagree. If Ryan does not get injured, and we miss the playoffs or have a .500 or less season, Smitty is outta here.

The $$ has been set aside for Arthur's New Stadium, but intown voters are going to crucify Mayor Reed if it appears that the team has taken 'a step back' and he and his cronies are pulling 1.5 Billion + to build it. There are two local prominent politicians who have run against Reed and are on the record not supportive of the project. They will definitely use this against him.

Arthur Blank is a PR machine. He's not stupid. His hand will be forced to 'sacrifice' Smith is the above scenario plays out. Otherwise, it's going to look pretty bad, that this city that is so broke is cowtowing to a local billionaire who cant get his coaches to secure a playoff win. The only way Smith stays ( barring injury ) is if we get to the playoffs again. If we dont even get there, Smith better have his bags packed..After Mora Jr and Petrino, you better believe AB is 'aware' of his image and his history...

And I believe Smith is smart and is fully aware of this as well...

The Vikings just got their pleasure palace approved. Last time I checked they haven't been settign the woods on fire in recent years. I know every situation is dif but I don't think making or not making the playoffs one year or who the HC is can have that great of an effect on this highway robbery. Then again, it is so illogical in the first place maybe I shouldn't try to figure it out. I wonder what it would have taken for Jim More to get fired if he hadn't done it for himself with the help of MV and his cess pool.

I think it is different in the Sunbelt. To many other 'teats' as it were...

Here is why I bet this will be an issue.

Today ( and recently ) I had to play a 'Beer Fest' in my hood..

http://www.eastatlantabeerfest.com/

I;ve done this gig for awhile, Im also a part of our POS lil 'neighborhood' planning unit...

I asked the cops, the organizers and the 'fans' about this new 'idea'

If the Falcons sh*t themselves, the 'market' does not improive and gas is still at 4$ a Gallon? Smith will be gona like Chaka Khan

The cops there were telling me not only have they NOT gotten a cost of living increase, but they have made 3 years concessions on thier benefits.

Not only have they NOT gotten a raise, they had to tighten thier belts..

Im pretty sure this will BE an election issue. A BIG one.

Artie f*cked up..Should have dome this in early 20-08. post Vick...I know, 'contracts' and all...But still...........

Fun gus, I don't think you're completely off your rocker. I do think a losing season without the convenient excuse of an injury to Matt Ryan would put Mike Smith on the hot seat, but I don't think it'll get him axed.

The question I have is though if the stadium isn't built until 2017 or 2018, then why would a losing season in 2012 get Smith fired?

Yeah, that is kind of my point. You would think that the powers that be would not let the expenditure of hundreds of millions of tax payer dollars swing on whether or not the team is currently winning or losing--or, in truth, winning or losing in the post season. FWIW, the Braves are currently in first place in their division, leading the league in hitting and in the announced last season of a first ballot HOFer and lifelong team member'ss career and I went to the game Thursday night and the stadium looked about half full to me. Slice it however you want but ATL is not much of a pro sports city. I've heard all the reasons and/or excuses before. OTOH, it was lovely being out in the night's air to watch a sporting event.

because of the Mayoral timing...Doesnt matter 'when' the actual structure is built...

Had AB done this in 2008, prior to the 'crash' , no problem..But we were coming off Petrinogate.

I played this event today http://www.eastatlantabeerfest.com/

one of the local police I chatted up while load in was an Investigator and head of the local union..

The cops are pretty P.O.'d, especially after having to do ALOT of unpaid/discounted OT last year due to Wease's Occupy Crowd. They usually get a cost of living increase, but they are 3 years behind. Follow that with no increase, but a 5% reduction the last 4 years, and that is just the Cops.

Like I said, one of my bandguys is a PS teacher: furloughed. They just cut the Foreign Lng prog at my kids grade school.

Now: if AB was 'smart' he would do this in 1 1.2 years...But I think the 'contract' is screwing him here. I think he has to get this done due to the GWCC running out.

Going to a broke ass city, asking for this with a sh*tty team ( and not making the playoffs: that is it ) WILL not go over well.

If we stumble" as a PR MOVE, it must be done. AB has to 'appear' like he will not accept the status quo, so the public will accept his new stadium..If we have a losing season? There will be a sacrificial cow

I get what you're saying, but maybe someone that knows the logistics of building a stadium better can tell me. But I don't see that happening with just 1 losing season. Maybe if the Falcons turn into the 2011 Colts and go 2-14. But if we're talking 6-10 or so, I don't see Blank sacrificing Smith so swiftly. Now there could be some extenuating circumstances like some embarrassing radio interview (like Mora), a lot of off-field issues (like the Bengals) that could cause Blank to become embarrassed and really push him aside. But again, I think that only happens if the Falcons completely fall apart, which I don't think will be the case because Smitty runs a pretty tight ship. He may be a subpar Xs & Os head coach, but as far as that goes, he's probably one of the better guys out there in the league.

I think if you had that losing season in 2012, Blank goes to the GWCC, he has to promise them that 2013 will be a bounce-back year. And then I think he would be on the hot-seat, and another disappointing/losing season or the Falcons being without a playoff win at that point, then I think Smitty's job will definitely be in trouble. Especially then when you figure that 2014 is the last year of his contract, and we know that in this business you rarely let coaches go into the final years of their deals without an extension. So basically if Smitty hasn't earned another extension by the end of 2013, you might see a change.

Ok I'll say this again. The only thing the absolutely will get Smith fired is if he tries to play the same football
like he did with Mularkey. NOBODY thinks Turner can be a workhorse and win; and if Coach Smith actually thinks that
and we lose; then Smith should be fired..... The stadium is getting built with the retractable roof.

Really calling on Turner again would be so stupid; it would be like Jim Mora's telephone call to the radio station.
Everything is set up for Matt Ryan. I mean there is not one person in 10 that thinks Turner will really help this team a lot.

I wouldn't be surprised to see Turner play some fullback. Look we got to pay this guy 5 million this year anyway; so for two more million (7 million) two is what we're really choosing to pay him, I'm not that upset either way.

Even Blank knows Turner has had it; so if Smith hangs himself so be it.... I just don't think that both Thomas D. and Smith are
so dumb as to try to run Turner 20 times every game. It may not be the Tom Brady show but if its Michael Turner again
then Coach Smith is just committing coaching suicide!!

Look if Turner rushes for 1700 yards I'll say what others already know; I don't know jack s*** (:

There already are extenuating circumstances. Pudge. Your looking at this from a ousiders POV. Which is not necessarily wrong, but there is a lot of subtext to what's goin on here.

If you look at the independant polling, it's pretty clear a majority of folks here in the ATL are not behind this stadium project. Hell, even the AJC/WSB polls show it. The Creative Loafing polls show it. Even for projects this city really needs ( T-SPLOST ) the vast majority of taxpayers here are saying 'no', and it's not a 'Tea Party' thing either: it's just that the locals are not pleased having yet another tax ( even one on *cough cough* tourists ) because they dont believe A: the people who are going to utilize these funds know what they are doing and B:it looks like throwing a bone to an uberrich man, and all the political cronies that will benefit from this. You dont have to look too hard to see the results of this kind of thing from the past.

People remember spending millions to build and renovate Underground Atlanta over and over again to no avail, while failing to address the real issue which is downtown crime after dark... We lived through the Olympics, which was supposed to 'put us on the map' but cost us sooo much and in the end, the rest of the world got treated to a display of everything from a corrput Mayor a few years away from prison to a 9-11 operator too ingorant to accurately give the address to Centennial Park when a bomb threat came in. The real old timers remember when the City took over the airport, and even old Mayors like Ivan Allen Jr lined up at the trough to get contracts there, a feat often repeated by Mayors Jackson, Franklin,Cambell and now Reed!

Now, this city gets some things right, dont get me wrong. The Freedom Parkway, for example. But for every FP there are 3 or 4 'Trolleycar initiatives'.

This is the context. Folks are suffering. Home values are in the sh*tter, were 4th in the nation in foreclosures, our school system has been shown to be awful, our SAT's are 49th ( take THAT Missisippi!) gas is approaching 4$ a gallon ,and creeping inflation is causing food prices to climb, but we have to make sure Arthur Blank get's 'his'?

NOw make a playoff win, and the commoners here will say 'look what Arthur Did!'. Conversely if we dont even make the playoffs, a LOT of folks are gonna be saying WTF? And this guy want to use funds that could be going to more important things for something we dont even 'need'?



You have to give the crowds what they want. What they want is a playoff win. If you cant provide that, while looking to pick thier pockets, you better hope the rocks dont come flying down.

And the next person besides Blank to get smashed with a brick is gonna be the guy who championed the new deal, Kasim Reed. Count on it.

"My name is Arthur Maximus Homebuilidicus Blank, commander of the Lobbyists of the North, General of the Legions of construction workers standing around Home Depot, loyal servant to the true emperor, My Pocketbook. Father to an okay Football Team, non-husband to a hot a$$ wife. And I will have my stadium, and your gonna help me pay for it!!"

Fun Gus -

At what point do the masses okay a new stadium then? It has to happen at some point, as you and many feel the dome is still adequate now, at some time it will not be. What's the time frame from the every day citizen such as yourself? 5 years? 10 years? Another 20????

I thought I made it clear in the last post, but I'll try again.

Win a playoff game. Do that, and Blank has carte blanche.

Get to the playoffs and get bounced...With the 'proper PR blitz'....maybe the public could swallow it. Maybe. But that could make things hard on Kasim Reed..

Dont make the playoffs? Forget about it. Political suicide. You have only to ask around to find out.

For the record: Im not 'Team Dome' or anything. As a matter of fact, I suggested Blank buld on the old Doraville plant, and let them pay for it. That would mean I would have to drive out there since I live downtown ( East Atl/ Grant Park ).

I play at alot of festivals during the summer, and I;ve seen the clipboard toting polling people getting the local feel. Hell, I think awhile back they had some sort of 'State of the Franchise' thing where they were feeling this out. They even had a ST holders meeting last season, to try to pump the idea up, and that didn't work.


I just get the feeling that this is a particularly bad time to try to pull this off. Two elections are coming up: POTUS and Mayor. How are you gonna look complaing about the 1% while simultaneuosly padding thier pockets?

It wasn't like this when they built the Dome. It wasnt like this when they built Turner Field. Were in hard times now: and people can tangibly see whats going on. They see the schools firing the band and art and language teachers. They know cops who are paying more for gas and food, but havent got a raise in 3 years and have taken cuts. They see results of these things everyday. Cut cops: crime goes up. Furlough teachers, test scores plummet.

In hard times, you have to have 'priorities'. Joe Six Pack is going to look at the big picture, and walk away shaking his heads at least, or being really pissed off at worst.

The only thing 'wrong' with the Dome is Arthur Blank's 'deal'. Now we can couch that behind BS like 'football should be played outdoors' or 'this will bring us the Superbowl' or 'Hey maybe the World Cup', but we can ALL see through it. Right?

Win, and you've got no issues. Struggle, and your gonna need a HUGE PR blitz to make this pill easy to swallow. Part of that will be someone getting 'sacrificed'....

And that person will be Mike Smith.

Oh, I did read that, just thought you were being sarcastic. I guess in reading your posts I thought it was more about the money. Sooo, if the Falcons win a playoff game this year, it's okay to build the stadium that's not okay to build now?

I'm not sure I follow the logic completely, but I'm just an outsider looking in. I don't have to foot the bill.

Well, in my perfect world, Blank bulds the damn thing himself wherever he wants and pays for all of it. But I dont libe in that world

I think the only way to make this project palatable is to secure that win.

I know it doesn't sound logical, but hear me out.

Blank gets his playoff win: he now goes before the public and says this " Since I hired Mike Smith, this franchise has seen great success. We went from never winning back to back seasons, to 4 playoff appearances. I have just witness a playoff win. Clearly 'the process' is a success. Progress is being made. And in the spirit of such progress, now is the perfect time to build a World Class Venue for a World Class Team'.

*cue canned applause here*

Now, we dont even make the playoffs? Or we get humilated like last year? People are definitely going to think WTF? Were not getting better, were regressing.

and in that case here is Arthur's Presser:

" Im glad everyone could be here at Flowery Branch this morning. I understand the dissapointment everyone is felling right now. No one feels this more then me. Since I have owned this team, all I have wished for was bringing the Championship to this great city. While I do think that Mike Smith is a wonderful human being, and a smart man, I do feel the need to make some changes in our coaching staff. While we did have 5 back to back winning seasons, and numeorus playoff appearances, I feel we are not making that 'next big step' and I want this team to be a World Class Team. I want this team to be worthy of my investment, and more importantly, yours. The Falcons are an integrel part of this city, we are partners in excellence and while I admire and appreciate all Mike Smith has done for this team and myself, I must announce that Mike Smith will no longer be Head Coach of the Atlanta Falcons. We need to take that next big step, and we will look long and hard for his replacement. You have my word that I will do everything in my power to deliver to you: the fans of the Atlanter Falcons the prize we all ultimately want. And I promise to hold up the Lombardy in our new, World Class Stadium. We would like to wish Coach Smith luck in his new position as DC of the New York Jets! Thank you, and good afternoon....'

To play politician, I guess I can see both sides. It's easier to push a big ticket item (like a stadium) through when it's healthy and winning. On the other hand, the proposed new stadium is still 5-8 years away. A good part of the current roster will be gone, maybe even Ryan and Smitty as well. Bottom line is we could very well be a 4-12 team that pops the cherry on a new home in 2019.

I get what you're saying fun gus, I just don't necessarily agree that they have to win in 2012 for this thing to get done. If by the end of 2013, the Falcons don't have a playoff win, then I think Smith stands a very good chance of getting axed. But I don't see it happening unless those extenuating circumstances I was talking about happen in 2012. If 2012 is just a repeat of 2011, I don't see Smith getting axed.

I get what you're saying, I just don't see why it all has to come to fruition this year. Because I figure the stadium isn't going to be completed for at least another 5 or 6 years, they don't really have to break ground in the next 18 months, which means that Smith has basically 2 years of coaching at least.

I agree with you that if the Falcons lose this year, his stadium becomes a much harder sell. But I don't think that means he has to part ways with Mike Smith after that one year. I just think it means that in 2013, if the Falcons don't win a playoff game, then SMith will get ousted.

And I know if the Falcons were to struggle this year, there would likely be a large backlash among the Falcon faithful. I get that. But I don't see Arthur Blank as that owner anymore, where he would make an immediate gut reaction. I think the Blank of 5 years ago would have done it, but I think in the time since he's learned a thing or two from people like the Rooneys, where they stress patience. I could be wrong, but I think it would have to take some really rough circumstances, such as off-field issues or maybe the Falcons lose their last 6 games to miss the playoffs entirely and don't have an injury such as the Bears had with Jay Cutler that they could blame. Or maybe that's my wishful thinking that Blank isn't that owner anymore. I criticize Smitty a lot, but I think he's a good coach and doesn't deserve to be fired. I just think if anything, he needs to hire an OC that is going to be open up/modernize the offense.

When you have the mayor backing you it makes things so much easier...... The retractable roof was polled and they found
it was necessary to keep their fan base. I think its a done deal and really can't know the politics of firing Mike Smith.
Heck I'm more concerned about me than Smitty (:

Really I don't think the playoff win means anything about getting a new Dome.... When you have teachers changing answers
on test for students; their is a lot to not understand in Atlanta right now.....

Arthur's not paying that's for sure; he may even be stupid enough to license seats ......

To answer someone's question IMO the Dome is good for at least ten more years then add on 5 more to go through the red tape of a new Dome---so IMO its good for 15 more years.... Its had new seats, new paint, over a million in recent renovations; its nice, just not new.

Someone else may say 10 years; the point is in no way does the Dome need to be demolished
to build another one in the next 5-10 years.....

I was entertained.