Mike Mularkey Interview per AJC.com

[xFalconLord]

http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-falcons-blog/2010/09/17/oc-mike-mularkey-we-are-not-going-to-panic/?cxntfid=blogs_atlanta_falcons_blog

OC Mike Mularkey: ‘We are not going to panic’

2:33 pm September 17, 2010, by D. Orlando Ledbetter

Falcons offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey.

FLOWERY BRANCH – Falcons offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey met with the media after Friday’s practice.

He discussed how he plans to get the offense on track, the vertical passing game, the rushing attack and the Arizona Cardinals.

Q: What are some of things you all can do to get the offense going, and scoring some points? (D. Orlando Ledbetter, Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

A: We all have to be a little bit more consistent. As players and coaches we all have to do our jobs and pay attention to the little things. We’re not going to panic after this. We are just going to continue to try to get better and hopefully when we have drives, when we get one going it flows on from there.

Q: How does their defense look? (Roger Hendler, radio veteran)

A: They look solid. Again, it’s a 3-4 front. . . they are solid up front. Just like last week.

Q: Will you try to spread the ball around more? I know Roddy (White) got a high number of targets last week. (Jason Butt, CBSSports.com)

A: There is nothing that says throw it to Roddy this many times or Tony (Gonzalez) this many times. Really, who’s open and we are going to throw it to that spot. Really the defense dictates where the ball goes. It’s going to continue to be that way. If Roddy is the guy, Roddy is the guy. It may be somebody else this year.

Q: How do you rip the top off of defenses with the safeties dropping back. How do you get that play, that vertical play . . . (Ray Glier, freelance, New York Times and AOL)

A: It’s hard when defenses try to keep everything in front of them. What they try to do is make you sustain long drives where you can’t have an explosive play on them. They are waiting for you to make a mistake within those long drives. The one thing we’ve got to do is we have to get to the redzone and have a chance to have some plays down there where we don’t have to throw a long ball or a deep ball or a long run to score. We understand that kind of philosophy and we understand that we can’t afford to mistakes that we are capable of preventing ourselves, self-inflicted wounds is what we say.

Q: Do you have to try it [the deep ball] anyway? Do you just throw it up there and see if you can make a play on the ball? (Glier)

A: Yeah, they are in every week. You have to take a shot. You have to hopefully throw it away from where that guy is that’s trying to prevent you from getting over the top. Those are in every week, we just have to hit them. We’ve got them in and we missed them. I’m taking about in the preseason as well.

Q: Will the Dome have an impact on your running game as well? (Hendler)

A: It’s at home. The crowd (and) everything kind of gets you energized. I’m hoping that the run game gets going a little better than it did last week. I think we all are. Again, we have to do things a little better to make that happen. Playing at home and playing in there will make for some good energy.

Q: Some of the guys mentioned this week that Pittsburgh’s 3-4 is different than Arizona’s 3-4. What do you see as some of the differences? (Jay Adams, AtlantaFalcons.com)

A: . . .There are different adjustments based on what you do with your formations, motions and things like that. Pittsburgh’s front has been doing it forever. They are a little different from the way they two-gap compared to what Arizona does. There are some differences and some techniques that we have to be sharp on.

Q: How do you account for (Darnell) Dockett? He moves around for them. (Ledbetter)

A: Really, on first and second down he’s going to be to our right, at least based on film. He’s to our right as their left defensive end. You have to be aware of where he is at all times. He’s that disruptive of player. We feel like he can be a game wrecker if we allow it to happen. We’ve hopefully done some things to prevent that from happening with the run game and protections.

Q: Do they jump around a little bit more in the 3-4. Do they get up field a little more? (Glier)

A: A little more. Pittsburgh is a little more of a skater. . .they really do a good job with their D-ends. These guys are little more penetrating, a little more, based on down and distance and what the situation is. If it’s second-and-long, you see more penetrating pass rush mode from these guys compared to a Pittsburgh type front.

Q: If you all can run the ball better does that fix that safety problem? (John Manasso, FoxSportSouth.com)

A: That fixes a lot of things. It certainly helps in the flow of things. It certainly helps the play calling flow, if you can get some good chunks on first and second down. If you are hitting a wall, it’s hard to get into a flow for them, for me, for everybody. I think it opens up a lot things if we can get it going.

Q: Adrian Wilson had a big week last week. How do you all account for him? (Ledbetter)

A: He’s a really good player. That he had a big week last week really doesn’t surprise me. He’s another guy like Dockett that you have to be aware of. Where is he? What do we have to do to make sure he’s not a factor and have an influence in the outcome of this game. Because he can, like he did last week. He’s a good player.

Q: They talk about defense and you take what the defense gives you. Can you come and dictate to the defense, we’re going to make you play this? (Glier)

A: You can do that. Is that our intent? Yeah, that’s our intent almost every week, to see if we can get them into specific fronts and specific coverages. Get them out flanked here or there with a shift or a motion. (You might use) a new cadence trying to take advantage of guys that are jumping the snap. We are always somehow trying to get an advantage on them. That is kind of the M.O. every time that we go into the game is to get them out of their comfort zone.

Q: Dockett is the guy? (Glier)

A: He’s the guy. He does (like to jump the snap) and he does a good job of it.

[Nono]

Honestly I think he is feeling the heat--Mularkey knows that if he doesn't significantly improve the offense he could go--bad leadership though to place a little blame on Matt Ryan

In Pittsburgh Mularkey was known as "Inspector Gadget" because of his creativity and trick plays---now he is just known "Inpector Obvious"

[FalconFanSince1970]

Mularkey said similar things a couple years ago when media and message boarders were questioning his system.

The deep routes are there. Watch the freakin tapes folks. We almost always have one or two guys going deep.

The Oline, TEs and RBs have to give Ryan time to throw, Ryan has to make the right read and the WRs, TEs and RBs have to get open and make the catch if the ball is in the vicinity.

I've seen every Falcon OC. Mularkey ain't nearly as bad as yall think. Trust me.

[5 to the squad]

CHOKE SLAMMED

[stripedss]

Mularkey said similar things a couple years ago when media and message boarders were questioning his system.

The deep routes are there. Watch the freakin tapes folks. We almost always have one or two guys going deep.

The Oline, TEs and RBs have to give Ryan time to throw, Ryan has to make the right read and the WRs, TEs and RBs have to get open and make the catch if the ball is in the vicinity.

I've seen every Falcon OC. Mularkey ain't nearly as bad as yall think. Trust me.

He does have time to throw. Making a read????? What is there to read? If the routes are there you look to the opposite side to draw the safety over a step or two then you chuck it. Ryan is a stat queen.

[mountain_jim3]

Dled said (in the blog comments) they don't run slants because they don't run the west coast offense - one of the dumber things he has said on that blog. I remember slants from 08, and that play is there at times, Mularkey just is not using it.

Edited September 17, 2010 by mountain_jim3

[5 to the squad]

they ran slants against the steelers

[xFalconLord]

Dled said (in the blog comments) they don't run slants because they don't run the west coast offense - one of the dumber things he has said on that blog. I remember slants from 08, and that play is there at times, Mularkey just is not using it.

If he said we dont run slants he is ignorant.. According to Jon Gruden, the most common route in the NFL is the slant route. Everyone runs slants regardless of your offensive scheme.

[Goal Line D]

Dled said (in the blog comments) they don't run slants because they don't run the west coast offense - one of the dumber things he has said on that blog. I remember slants from 08, and that play is there at times, Mularkey just is not using it.

Ahhhhh the good ol days...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OBmsvevjhI

[HouseofEuphoria]

I'm pointing my finger at Mike Mularky.

I dont care what he says, i can see the plays he runs coming as easily as the opposing defense can.

Quick WR screens and roll-outs that leave our #1 WR or our QB in the cross-hairs of LBs

and SS coming at them with a full head of steam. Just stupid play calls. It's as simple as that.

His outdated and predictable schemes include snap counts that pee-wee league coaches could decipher

and predict.

And he wants to point fingers at Matt Ryan?

Feel free to pack your bags and GTFO, Mularky.

[xFalconLord]

...

And he wants to point fingers at Matt Ryan?

Feel free to pack your bags and GTFO, Mularky.

My thoughts exactly.

[Osiruz]

fire him please

[didz]

Man I am really starting to not like Murlarkey. I really did not like his comment how we "play to the defense." What the heck is that all about? So the offense doesn't look to be powerful and down field because the defense is not playing to it?

Pretty much he is saying, oh if I had Chris Johnson and he could break 200 yards on this defense, I will make sure and pass because the defense is showing a run defense.

My view is, you game plan and attack the defense. Not let the defense attack you. If you want to go deep, you should go deep because that is what the play calls for. It should not be oh we will just wait till they load 10 in the box and blitz the deep safety.

No wonder our offense is not going anywhere. Falcons have always been known to have an offense that sits on its hands instead of striking to cause fear.

[Statick]

Man, what he's saying sounds like the same crap that got him kicked out of Buffalo.

[ATLbound]

He does have time to throw. Making a read????? What is there to read? If the routes are there you look to the opposite side to draw the safety over a step or two then you chuck it. Ryan is a stat queen.

You make it sound so easy...lol

I think you should be QB!

[ru_serious]

You make it sound so easy...lol

I think you should be QB!

I was thinking the same thing. Somebody mistakes commentators for coaches. Newsflash...most of those guys are tools.

[JBOPPER]

Mike will be gone if he doesn`t step up,he can blame Ryan all he wants

but Mike isn`t signed to a 6 year contract worth over 50 mil.

[didz]

If you guys actually watch the video of Murlarkey's interview on the home page, does that guy look like he is confident and a leader? The man was getting nervous just answering questions about the Cardinals defense. He started breathing heavy and looked like he was about to just fall apart. I want an O coordinator who wants to prove why this offense should be good, not say, oh well we play to the defense and its hard too.

Please Falcons, stop letting our coordinators be the weak link of the team. Let these players make plays!!!

[birds_till_death]

If you guys actually watch the video of Murlarkey's interview on the home page, does that guy look like he is confident and a leader? The man was getting nervous just answering questions about the Cardinals defense. He started breathing heavy and looked like he was about to just fall apart. I want an O coordinator who wants to prove why this offense should be good, not say, oh well we play to the defense and its hard too.

Please Falcons, stop letting our coordinators be the weak link of the team. Let these players make plays!!!

I might be unpopular on here, and i desperatly want to forget the entire Quitrino era, but i really like Hue Jackson. What he did with our offense the last 3 games of that season were nothing short of spectacular after toolbag left.

[Mr. Right]

http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-falcons-blog/2010/09/17/oc-mike-mularkey-we-are-not-going-to-panic/?cxntfid=blogs_atlanta_falcons_blog

Really the defense dictates where the ball goes.

Top offenses dictate what the defense does. They put defenses off guard. If the Colts line up with 4 WRs, you bet the defense better adjust to that. If the Colts want to go deep, the defense better be ready.

Edited September 18, 2010 by Mr. Right

[-Falcon4Ever-]

http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-falcons-blog/2010/09/17/oc-mike-mularkey-we-are-not-going-to-panic/?cxntfid=blogs_atlanta_falcons_blog

OC Mike Mularkey: We are not going to panic

A: You can do that. Is that our intent? Yeah, thats our intent almost every week, to see if we can get them into specific fronts and specific coverages. Get them out flanked here or there with a shift or a motion. You might use) a new cadence (trying to take advantage of guys that are jumping the snap. We are always somehow trying to get an advantage on them. That is kind of the M.O. every time that we go into the game is to get them out of their comfort zone.

That would be wonderfull

Edited September 18, 2010 by -Falcon4Ever-

[JOEinPHX]

Top offenses dictate what the defense does. They put defenses off guard. If the Colts line up with 4 WRs, you bet the defense better adjust to that. If the Colts want to go deep, the defense better be ready.

I need you to finish this thought for me. Explain to me how Matt Ryan is the equal of Peyton Manning at this point in his career. Explain to me how the Falcons O-line is as good as the Colts. If you can't do that, you have no point.

[DavyDmx]

I could care less who is at fault. We need to get our offense firing on all cylinders before we play the Saints in the Superdome.

[Durrty]

I think the board will forever be 50/50 on this issue, but I agree with the 50% that feels our OC should call plays trying to attack opposing defenses, not just taking what it gives them. The same kind of drive that Van Gorder has installed on the defense, the offense should have as well. That type of attitude doesn't put points on the board and it's the same attitude that's forcing Ryan to be a game manager, not a game changer. I'm hoping it's the OL and neither MM or Ryan. I'm hoping once Ryan gets some time in the pocket, he can make those plays we all know this offense is capable of making...

...I'm hoping we unleash on the Cards come Sunday.

[The_ATL]

fire him please

+1000000000000000000000000000000000