The problem with the Facons is... -

[XoFalcon]

It's hard to criticize the coaching staff and the Falcon organization as a whole after what they have done for us. This franchise was at rock bottom in 2007 and are now a solid football team facing our first back-to-back winning seasons in a 44-year history.

However, it seems the coaching staff is not taking initiative steps to improve over 2008 successes. In short, we don't play-call like a team in a position to take over or even wanting to take over a game.

Sure, what we have is good enough for 10-12 wins a year and a spot in the playoffs. But you tip-toe with multiple WR screens, running for 2 yards on first down (repeat, repeat, repeat) - and teams like New England will piece you to death over four quarters. You can count on running into a team like this in the playoffs (see arz last year).

We should see an aggressive game plan that exploits our superior offense. Tony Gonzalez and Roddy White disappear for four quarters? The New England defense isn't good enough to do this. We did it to ourselves.

Somewhere and somehow our coaching staff has to develop a kill mentality - step on throat of opponent until breathing stops.

I'm not sure if or when this will ever happen.

****, the Atlanta Braves went 14 seasons with this kind of "success". If you ever say anything bad about Bobby Cox folks would cuss you up one wall, down the other. Not certain this critique will be well received either and granted, we are in year 2, not 14.

But this league moves fast. Injuries to players like Matt Ryan could put everything on hold. There is not time to wait for going for the jugular - you just go!

This team is good enough to compete with the best but if you don't allow them to play, and try to stick to traditional football scripts - teams that do adjust will walk over you.

This was all evident on our two wins. Carolina stuck around until the end and there was no reason for it.

Hopefully something jars this coaching staff.

Hopefully.

If not, we'll be that nice Peyton Manning Colt team with the great regular season record - but punch-less in the playoffs.

I want blood if not from our defense then from our offense.

Not WR screens.

Give me PLEASE a nasty COACHING attitude to go with our talent.

At least then when we lose it is because we got beat straight up - and not with freakin' WR screen, up in the middle every first-down predictable crap.

PS Who took my 'l' out of my Falcons in topic title?!

[RunningThePiszOuttaTheBall]

Yeah, I agree with a lot of what you said. We are holding back, playing it safe. And the biggest problem with that is that it leads the team to be uncertain of just how much it can do. If you *know* you can throw the ball for 400 yards a game, but you choose not to, that's one thing. But if you never go for it and find out, then part of you assumes you can't do it. Throwing for 400 yards is just an example ... I'm not saying we need to pass more or anything like that. I'm saying ... we don't know what we could do if all our weapons were unleashed.

For example, in the Panthers game, there was no need for it to have been nearly that close. We could have gotten a single first down late in the game and kept them from ever getting the ball back. In fact, had we kept pressing, we could have scored more in the second half so they were completely out of the game. But instead, we try to cling to the lead and just do barely enough to win. That's fine for a single game, because you get the win. But it is not great for team psychology over the course of the season, because you never know what your team is really capable of. It is like having a Ferrari and never getting it over 35 miles per hour, so you end up thinking it is just a Civic.

Why not just completely DOMINATE? What's wrong with that?

[DUB]

Well as they tell players this is a what have you done for me lately league. They dont care what a player did last year its all about what you are doing now. I look for them to bounce back when we face San Fran, but never do I want to see a game like this one again. Players stunk up the field and coaches ie Mike Smith made questionable decisions.

[XoFalcon]

That Panther game killed me too. We were like the cat playing with the mouse, giving it a chance to get away.

I agree - we need that 400-yard passing game here or there, not by design exactly but to exercise and flex your potential, because sooner or later you are going to need it and you don't want to force it.

Yeah, I agree with a lot of what you said. We are holding back, playing it safe. And the biggest problem with that is that it leads the team to be uncertain of just how much it can do. If you *know* you can throw the ball for 400 yards a game, but you choose not to, that's one thing. But if you never go for it and find out, then part of you assumes you can't do it. Throwing for 400 yards is just an example ... I'm not saying we need to pass more or anything like that. I'm saying ... we don't know what we could do if all our weapons were unleashed.

For example, in the Panthers game, there was no need for it to have been nearly that close. We could have gotten a single first down late in the game and kept them from ever getting the ball back. In fact, had we kept pressing, we could have scored more in the second half so they were completely out of the game. But instead, we try to cling to the lead and just do barely enough to win. That's fine for a single game, because you get the win. But it is not great for team psychology over the course of the season, because you never know what your team is really capable of. It is like having a Ferrari and never getting it over 35 miles per hour, so you end up thinking it is just a Civic.

Why not just completely DOMINATE? What's wrong with that?

[XoFalcon]

If we do indeed bounce back against a very physical Niner team, I'll be more than impressed. And hopefully that will also mean they have addressed the concerns this thread and many others have pointed out. Here's to hoping.

Well as they tell players this is a what have you done for me lately league. They dont care what a player did last year its all about what you are doing now. I look for them to bounce back when we face San Fran, but never do I want to see a game like this one again. Players stunk up the field and coaches ie Mike Smith made questionable decisions.

[John Galt]

I agree with your assessment 100%.