Mularkey making the most of new start with Falcons

[Wild Bill]

http://www.ldnews.com/news/ci_10769090

Mularkey making the most of new start with Falcons

By CHARLES ODUM

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga.—The Atlanta Falcons' mix of rookies and holdovers were not expected to have success on offense.

The Falcons, who committed early to rookies Matt Ryan and Sam Baker as their starting quarterback and left tackle, respectively, were widely projected to be a last-place team. Michael Turner was signed to take the lead at running back, but he had never been a full-time starter, and a much-criticized offensive line was not expected to give Turner room to run or Ryan time to pass.

It seems to have been the perfect challenge for Inspector Gadget.

Mike Mularkey, who earned the nickname for his trick plays as Pittsburgh's offensive coordinator from 2001-03, is reprising the role in first season running Atlanta's offense.

"I've had a history of trying to keep teams off-balance, but I'm certainly not of the belief you have to trick anybody to beat them," Mularkey said. "We emphasize the physical part, and if we can keep you off-balance for something that may hit you for a big play, we will do that. You need explosive plays to win games and sometimes that takes a different wrinkle for that to happen."

The combination is working for 4-2 Atlanta.

Ryan is playing with veteran poise thanks in part to strong protection from his line. Turner has 597 yards rushing and six touchdowns in six games. Roddy White already has 35 catches, including three for touchdowns.

The Falcons, who had their bye week after back-to-back wins against Green Bay and Chicago, will visit Philadelphia on Sunday.

First-year coach Mike Smith picked Mularkey to run the offense because they share a belief in a physical, run-first attack. For Mularkey, it has been a return to his days in Pittsburgh, where he also was given freedom to run the offense by another defensive-minded head coach, Bill Cowher.

After a rough two seasons in Miami, including one year as Nick Saban's offensive coordinator, Mularkey says his first few months with the Falcons have been refreshing.

"What was difficult was I was basically a coordinator for somebody else's offense that didn't fit my philosophy," Mularkey said Monday of his time in Miami.

"I did everything in my power to try to make that offense work. It kind of went against some of the things that I believe in as far as my philosophy. It's kind of hard to stand up and say 'This is what you believe' and you don't call a game that way.

"I struggled with it and we struggled as a team because of it and I don't blame anybody but me. I knew what I was getting into. I thought I was better than I was and I didn't do a good job."

Mularkey, who was 14-18 in two seasons as Buffalo's head coach in 2004-05, remained for a second season in Miami as the tight ends coach for Cam Cameron last year.

Mularkey is the third coordinator in three seasons for the Falcons, following Hue Jackson and Greg Knapp.

Smith has veto power, but Mularkey designed the offense and calls the plays for a Falcons attack that ranks second in the NFL with 163 yards rushing per game.

"Nothing gets called, nothing is in the game plan that he is not aware of," said Mularkey of Smith. "We talk about it. He's very aware of everything that goes on offensively. I appreciate the input I get from him because he sees things from a different light that I may not see. Coach Cowher was the same as far as seeing things from a different light in the offense."

Saban, enjoying his own career revival at Alabama, said he's not surprised to see Mularkey having early success in Atlanta.

"He's a great person, a fine man and a very, very good coach," Saban said Monday.

Ryan, the No. 3 overall draft pick, says Mularkey has helped make the transition to the NFL seem less complicated.

"He's put me in good positions," Ryan said. "He's a really good teacher.

"Also, he has put us in good positions as a team. He has played to our strengths. That's one of the best things a coordinator can do, tailor his calls to what we do well, the routes that I throw well and that our guys run well."

The offensive line has allowed only seven sacks.

Center Todd McClure said Mularkey, a former tight end for the Steelers and Minnesota Vikings, enjoys a natural bond with the line.

"The thing that distinguishes coach Mularkey from other coordinators, he's a guy that played up front," McClure said.

"His whole mentality starts with the running game, and that's what we like up front. We are committed to the run, no matter if it's not going good. We know we're going to run the ball."

[bossFALCON™]

i like mularkey's offense. some people dont like his trick plays and reverses and such, but after a trick play you're usually like "man what a great call!" and it goes for a huge gain, or your like "man wtf did he call that for, that was frickin ********" and it gets blown up. we've seen them go both ways this year. he loves keeping the D off balance and he has a lot of faith in #2.

[harveybirdman]

I like his experience, the fact he's been in bad situations and learned from them, and that he seems to have found a fit with this coaching staff. Now just start getting us some touchdowns and your golden Mike....

[ki46dinah]

We havent really tried too many trick plays this year I dont think....

1 direct snap to Norwood in the shotgun

5 end arounds with Harry Douglas and 1 with Roddy White

....no half back passes, not many screens of any kind, etc. Many we are keeping the good stuff in reserve? I dont mind that one bit.

[harveybirdman]

We havent really tried too many trick plays this year I dont think....

1 direct snap to Norwood in the shotgun

5 end arounds with Harry Douglas and 1 with Roddy White

....no half back passes, not many screens of any kind, etc. Many we are keeping the good stuff in reserve? I dont mind that one bit.

I'm being "that guy" I know but I belive they had a HB pass called but Norwood didn't like what he saw and just kept the ball. Think he also did that on a flea flicker if my brain remembers.

[SWIFT HITTER]

i would love to see a play where Ryan rolls out of the pocket while Norwood slides out of the backfield and runs down the sidelines

[mcsupersport]

I'm being "that guy" I know but I belive they had a HB pass called but Norwood didn't like what he saw and just kept the ball. Think he also did that on a flea flicker if my brain remembers.

There was one Flea flicker that Norwood turned to throw the ball back and saw a bunch of defensive players about to cream Ryan, so he just kept it and made 10-20 yards on the play. It was a good play made by Norwood to not complete the flea flicker. I like most of the trick plays I have seen, didn't like the one in Chicago near/in redzone, but then it didn't work. I think the end arounds especially make the defenses think before chasing from one sideline to another, keeps them honest.

[The Don™]

There was one Flea flicker that Norwood turned to throw the ball back and saw a bunch of defensive players about to cream Ryan, so he just kept it and made 10-20 yards on the play. It was a good play made by Norwood to not complete the flea flicker.

Team player right there. Not saying Joey was not a team player, but Joey sets up his RB, TE, and WR on dink passes to get creamed.

[nativefalcon]

Good read, I like Mularkeys offense it reminds of that Steelers defense. Power and trickery, and it blows the minds of some teams .

[coryb78]

I have never had an offensive coordinator in Atlanta that I just loved but Mularkey so far this season has been pretty good. He has a tendency to get stale and predictable at certain times in just about every single game this season which I hate because it puts us back on our heels a bit but so far this season Mularkey has been solid.

He can do it better though.

[ki46dinah]

I'm being "that guy" I know but I belive they had a HB pass called but Norwood didn't like what he saw and just kept the ball. Think he also did that on a flea flicker if my brain remembers.

ok, i think I remember that now