Smith wants Atlanta offense to get going faster

[hawkeye]

FLOWERY BRANCH, GA. (AP)

Coach Mike Smith is tired of watching the Atlanta Falcons play catch-up.

Unlike Smith's first two Atlanta teams, the current offense is struggling early and often. The Falcons (4-2) have scored first in just two of six games this season, and Smith wants the trend to stop Sunday when Cincinnati (3-2) visits the Georgia Dome.

''Since we've been here, this is a team that has started fast,'' Smith said this week. ''We're not doing it right now.''

Two years ago, Atlanta outscored opponents 78-53 in the first quarter. Last season, the offense had a 114-52 advantage, but that's not the case this year.

The Falcons have been outscored the Falcons 45-14 in the opening period.

Against Cincinnati, Smith wants to see the offense gain momentum quickly. The Bengals should have fresh legs coming off a bye week, so it's imperative for Atlanta to avoid a sluggish start.

''It's something we have to continue to work on,'' Smith said. ''We've got to make sure we put our guys in the best situation to be successful. Right now we're not getting it done.''

Before last week's loss at Philadelphia, the trend was easier to ignore because the Falcons rallied in the fourth quarter to beat San Francisco and in the third to knock off Cleveland.

The Eagles, however, never gave them a chance. In Atlanta's first five possessions, the offense managed just one first down, and quarterback Matt Ryan was sacked twice.

Philadelphia brought pressure with a steady zone blitz that forced Ryan to throw too often without setting his feet properly. Tight coverage made his predicament worse.

''I think it comes down to, on first and second down, we need to be a little bit better,'' Ryan said. ''We need to get some more yards so we're not putting ourselves in third-and-long in the red zone, which is extremely tough.''

Nothing went right until the sixth drive. Roddy White caught a pair of third-down passes as the offense drove 52 yards on 11 plays, but Ryan's troubles resurfaced when Asante Samuel intercepted a pass that bounced off tight end Tony Gonzalez.

''We need to get the chains moving on first and second down and hit a couple of play-action passes early in the game,'' White said, ''so we can get down there and score some points early.''

Despite their first-half struggles, the Falcons are playing well in the fourth quarter. Not only have they outscored opponents 34-9, but Ryan is completing 71 percent of his attempts and has a 90.2 passer rating in the final period.

Even more encouraging, the defense has yet to allow a fourth-quarter touchdown, but the offense could improve everyone's jobs with some early scores.

Overall, Atlanta's 15 completions of 20 or more yards rank 17th, and last week at Philadelphia, Ryan averaged just 5.4 yards per attempt - this despite completing five passes for 20-plus yards.

It also should help that Michael Jenkins returned last week for the first time this season from a shoulder injury. The starting receiver caught five passes for 99 yards.

''We have an explosive offense,'' White said. ''We just have to hit the explosive plays.''

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/Smith-wants-Atlanta-offense-to-get-going-faster-40024941

[Falconsfan567]

Great! This is why I love Smitty! He's not turning a blind eye to anything! He sees the problems and attacks them unlike our previous (Jim Mora Jr.) pep rally coach!

But I just want to point out an error in that article. It was 2008 that we outscored opponents 114-52 in the 1st quarter. Not last year. They've got it backwards.

[john_winger]

Hire Dan Reeves!!!

[REV.2000]

THIS OFFENSE NEEDS TO SCORE EARLY ...

AND SCORE OFTEN. AND I MEAN EVERY

GAME ... EVERY GAME!

[atlfanlova]

Let's see what happens Sunday I hope the first play isn't Turner up the middle

[atlhomey]

FLOWERY BRANCH, GA. (AP)

Coach Mike Smith is tired of watching the Atlanta Falcons play catch-up.

Unlike Smith's first two Atlanta teams, the current offense is struggling early and often. The Falcons (4-2) have scored first in just two of six games this season, and Smith wants the trend to stop Sunday when Cincinnati (3-2) visits the Georgia Dome.

''Since we've been here, this is a team that has started fast,'' Smith said this week. ''We're not doing it right now.''

Two years ago, Atlanta outscored opponents 78-53 in the first quarter. Last season, the offense had a 114-52 advantage, but that's not the case this year.

The Falcons have been outscored the Falcons 45-14 in the opening period.

Against Cincinnati, Smith wants to see the offense gain momentum quickly. The Bengals should have fresh legs coming off a bye week, so it's imperative for Atlanta to avoid a sluggish start.

''It's something we have to continue to work on,'' Smith said. ''We've got to make sure we put our guys in the best situation to be successful. Right now we're not getting it done.''

Before last week's loss at Philadelphia, the trend was easier to ignore because the Falcons rallied in the fourth quarter to beat San Francisco and in the third to knock off Cleveland.

The Eagles, however, never gave them a chance. In Atlanta's first five possessions, the offense managed just one first down, and quarterback Matt Ryan was sacked twice.

Philadelphia brought pressure with a steady zone blitz that forced Ryan to throw too often without setting his feet properly. Tight coverage made his predicament worse.

''I think it comes down to, on first and second down, we need to be a little bit better,'' Ryan said. ''We need to get some more yards so we're not putting ourselves in third-and-long in the red zone, which is extremely tough.''

Nothing went right until the sixth drive. Roddy White caught a pair of third-down passes as the offense drove 52 yards on 11 plays, but Ryan's troubles resurfaced when Asante Samuel intercepted a pass that bounced off tight end Tony Gonzalez.

''We need to get the chains moving on first and second down and hit a couple of play-action passes early in the game,'' White said, ''so we can get down there and score some points early.''

Despite their first-half struggles, the Falcons are playing well in the fourth quarter. Not only have they outscored opponents 34-9, but Ryan is completing 71 percent of his attempts and has a 90.2 passer rating in the final period.

Even more encouraging, the defense has yet to allow a fourth-quarter touchdown, but the offense could improve everyone's jobs with some early scores.

Overall, Atlanta's 15 completions of 20 or more yards rank 17th, and last week at Philadelphia, Ryan averaged just 5.4 yards per attempt - this despite completing five passes for 20-plus yards.

It also should help that Michael Jenkins returned last week for the first time this season from a shoulder injury. The starting receiver caught five passes for 99 yards.

''We have an explosive offense,'' White said. ''We just have to hit the explosive plays.''

http://msn.foxsports...faster-40024941

He can get our offense going fast if ryan stops overthrowing and underthrowing our recievers, and everyone quits blaming MM for Ryans bad play. All my yrs of being a falcons fan . I've never heard anyone defend Vick or blame our OC when Vick was here. But some of yall just dont wanna swallow your pride and admit maybe Ryan isnt the God/MVP you all claimed him to be. He is clearly the reason this offense hasnt been starting fast. Not Murlarkey he is a good OC.

Ryan threw a pick against the 49ers that almost cost us a game. He overthrew wide open Harry Douglas against the Saints that wouldve won the game faster. He chose to dump the ball off to the RB when Gonzo was wide open for a sure Td against the Eagles. But yeah , some claim getting rid of Vick was a blessing. Yeah and now we have a mediocre QB while Vick is playing the best football of his career in Philly. Hope Ryan improves or this will be a long season.

[Guest Gritz]

All my yrs of being a falcons fan . I've never heard anyone defend Vick or blame our OC when Vick was here.

Then you are either deaf or an idiot.

Greg Knapp got blasted on this message board on a daily basis.

You probably didn't even know who the OC was when Vick was here.

[kibitzer]

Then you are either deaf or an idiot.

Greg Knapp got blasted on this message board on a daily basis.

You probably didn't even know who the OC was when Vick was here.

Dang dude, I think we have to look at who this guy's been talking to. Cause he **** sure hasn't been hanging around here. smh....

[Falconsfan567]

Then you are either deaf or an idiot.

Greg Knapp got blasted on this message board on a daily basis.

You probably didn't even know who the OC was when Vick was here.

Yep. It was no different than it is now. Different QB but the same amount of blame on both sides.

[Falconcheff]

Let's see what happens Sunday I hope the first play isn't Turner up the middle

No. Now, predictably, it will be a play action pass. The Bengals will be ready for it.

[Caddieman]

Great! This is why I love Smitty! He's not turning a blind eye to anything! He sees the problems and attacks them unlike our previous (Jim Mora Jr.) pep rally coach!

But I just want to point out an error in that article. It was 2008 that we outscored opponents 114-52 in the 1st quarter. Not last year. They've got it backwards.

So can you get him to attack Mike Malarkey? :wub:

[Born Again Georgian]

He can get our offense going fast if ryan stops overthrowing and underthrowing our recievers, and everyone quits blaming MM for Ryans bad play. All my yrs of being a falcons fan . I've never heard anyone defend Vick or blame our OC when Vick was here. But some of yall just dont wanna swallow your pride and admit maybe Ryan isnt the God/MVP you all claimed him to be. He is clearly the reason this offense hasnt been starting fast. Not Murlarkey he is a good OC.

Ryan threw a pick against the 49ers that almost cost us a game. He overthrew wide open Harry Douglas against the Saints that wouldve won the game faster. He chose to dump the ball off to the RB when Gonzo was wide open for a sure Td against the Eagles. But yeah , some claim getting rid of Vick was a blessing. Yeah and now we have a mediocre QB while Vick is playing the best football of his career in Philly. Hope Ryan improves or this will be a long season.

Really? Nobody blamed Knapp at all? Please.

[platinumbirdz]

Our offense starts slow this year so why are we electing to receive first in road games.... makes no sense save the ball for the second half and hope the d stops them in the beginning

[The Birds are the truth]

He can get our offense going fast if ryan stops overthrowing and underthrowing our recievers, and everyone quits blaming MM for Ryans bad play. All my yrs of being a falcons fan . I've never heard anyone defend Vick or blame our OC when Vick was here. But some of yall just dont wanna swallow your pride and admit maybe Ryan isnt the God/MVP you all claimed him to be. He is clearly the reason this offense hasnt been starting fast. Not Murlarkey he is a good OC.

Ryan threw a pick against the 49ers that almost cost us a game. He overthrew wide open Harry Douglas against the Saints that wouldve won the game faster. He chose to dump the ball off to the RB when Gonzo was wide open for a sure Td against the Eagles. But yeah , some claim getting rid of Vick was a blessing. Yeah and now we have a mediocre QB while Vick is playing the best football of his career in Philly. Hope Ryan improves or this will be a long season.

Man you keep saying Vick this and Vick that. But the truth is....we wasn't going to wait on Vick for two years away from game. Tell me what was the Falcons suppose to do? Not move on and Continue to be held back from progressing as franchise? Was anybody crucial on MV in his 3rd year as QB? And what the **** are you talking about? This Falcons organization let Dan Reeves go and Jim Mora go on the account, by trying to find the right mold for MV in the offense. Arthur Blank made Vick the highest paid QB in the league. I'm going to say it once again....Vick was rolled out in a wheel chair on the field by the Onwer Arthur Blank himself. All of this treatment for MV and what does he do to repay the Falcons franchise....Vick gets locked up for dog fighting. Don't get me "wrong" Vick has talent out this world but he was not I repeat not a hard worker for this falcons franchise when he was here. So by keep trying to compare Ryan to Vick what is this going solve? Get this threw your head we had to move on. Three Coaches to fit Micheal's style of play and what do you know....Vick didn't care anyway. WOW!!!

[The Birds are the truth]

funny ive been saying this all season and been getting blasted for it now smitty says it and hes hitting the nail on the head lol

You didn't say a **** thing but bring back MV because you are unhappy with Matt Ryan. :wacko:

Edited October 23, 2010 by The Birds are the truth

[FalconFanSince1970]

...I hope the first play isn't Turner up the middle

I keep hearing this but I don't think you guys are watching the games.

I went back and checked all the play by plays and we threw more than we ran on our first five first down plays to open the game.

We threw more than 48% of the time on all first down plays that weren't a kneel down.

[MattFranchiseRyan]

The Falcons have been outscored the Falcons 45-14 in the opening period.

:blink:

[Spoooooooon4MVP]

were getting owned in the first quarter. need to bring that in at least 50/50 :unsure:

[Dale4Saul2Red0]

He can get our offense going fast if ryan stops overthrowing and underthrowing our recievers, and everyone quits blaming MM for Ryans bad play. All my yrs of being a falcons fan . I've never heard anyone defend Vick or blame our OC when Vick was here. But some of yall just dont wanna swallow your pride and admit maybe Ryan isnt the God/MVP you all claimed him to be. He is clearly the reason this offense hasnt been starting fast. Not Murlarkey he is a good OC.

Ryan threw a pick against the 49ers that almost cost us a game. He overthrew wide open Harry Douglas against the Saints that wouldve won the game faster. He chose to dump the ball off to the RB when Gonzo was wide open for a sure Td against the Eagles. But yeah , some claim getting rid of Vick was a blessing. Yeah and now we have a mediocre QB while Vick is playing the best football of his career in Philly. Hope Ryan improves or this will be a long season.

Actually MM's play calling hasn't been that bad UNTIL we get to the red zone. This is where the blame falls on his shoulders. We try to run the ball early in the red zone and like Smith said anytime you have 3rd and long in the red zone it is tough to be effective on a consistent basis.

Seriously pointing out 3 Ryan mistakes doesn't prove anything. ALL QB's miss reads, ALL QB's make overthrows on deep balls. ALL QB's throw interceptions. That is like me pointing at 3 great things Matt did so far this season. Bring a stronger argument next time. Also I don't think many people have used the word "God" to describe Ryan if any, so stop making things up and putting words in other people's mouths guy. I'm sure some have said he has the potential to be a MVP one day, but how many NFL players won MVP in their 3rd season? Exactly.

Vick playing the best football of his career? He didn't exactly play tough defensive football teams in his 3 game stretch. I would like to see a bit more before you crown the guy. 3 games really? Career inconsistent QB and 3 games making u a believer is ehhhh. Didn't you just jump on people for the MVP/God stuff about Ryan? Sounds hypocritical to me.

[atIhomey]

All my yrs of being a falcons fan . I've never heard anyone defend Vick or blame our OC when Vick was here. But some of yall just dont wanna swallow your pride and admit maybe Ryan isnt the God/MVP you all claimed him to be. He is clearly the reason this offense hasnt been starting fast. Not Murlarkey he is a good OC.

Then you are either deaf or an idiot.

Greg Knapp got blasted on this message board on a daily basis.

You probably didn't even know who the OC was when Vick was here.

Well, in this case, I'm obviously both. I get so sidetracked for my blind love for Vick and hate for Ryan that I'm a complete moron sometimes.

[Pacific_Falcon]

Then you are either deaf or an idiot.

Greg Knapp got blasted on this message board on a daily basis.

You probably didn't even know who the OC was when Vick was here.

I like the way you think. I have my money on the latter. Can we just exile these morons to Philly and be done with it?

[synaptic apoptosis]

He can get our offense going fast if ryan stops overthrowing and underthrowing our recievers, and everyone quits blaming MM for Ryans bad play. All my yrs of being a falcons fan . I've never heard anyone defend Vick or blame our OC when Vick was here. But some of yall just dont wanna swallow your pride and admit maybe Ryan isnt the God/MVP you all claimed him to be. He is clearly the reason this offense hasnt been starting fast. Not Murlarkey he is a good OC.

Ryan threw a pick against the 49ers that almost cost us a game. He overthrew wide open Harry Douglas against the Saints that wouldve won the game faster. He chose to dump the ball off to the RB when Gonzo was wide open for a sure Td against the Eagles. But yeah , some claim getting rid of Vick was a blessing. Yeah and now we have a mediocre QB while Vick is playing the best football of his career in Philly. Hope Ryan improves or this will be a long season.

this thread is not about Ryan vs Vick you idiot.

[Xfactor]

Well it seems to me we were better off using a TE to block (sorry Gonzo) rather than as a receiver. It's clear we did much better throwing to our WR's with the TE staying in to block and by doing this it also stretched the field which now opens the running game.

To me it's a domino effect the defense now takes Gonzo out of the play and will even use bracket coverage on a blitz. Now we have one less lineman to block the blitz and Ryan is either sacked or hurried.

Imo teams that use a TE heavily in their offense have a stellar O-Line, example the Colts. On passing plays it seems with our average O-Line during a pass play we should keep Gonzo in to block and Turner as well **** keep Ovie in if wee need to and throw to White,Jenkins or Douglas. Let Tony roll off the block as a safety valve if necessary.

[atIhomey]

I like the way you think. I have my money on the latter. Can we just exile these morons to Philly and be done with it?

They don't want me there either. Can you blame them?

[The Birds are the truth]

They don't want me there either. Can you blame them?

**** yeah I can blame them. because that's were you belong. phillyhomey.