theProf Posted January 16, 2012 Share Posted January 16, 2012 Koetter wants balance in Atlanta offenseJanuary, 16, 20122:31 PM ETBy Pat YasinskasNew offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter hasn’t started the job just yet, but he’s pledging to put a balance offense on the field next season.“Balance is difficult to defend,’’ Koetter said in a conference call with the Atlanta media Wednesday morning. “When you have the weapons that Atlanta has in the run game and the pass game, you’d be foolish not to take advantage of everything that has to offer. There are various ways to get guys the ball. You have to get your play makers the ball in a place to make plays.’’[+] EnlargeJake Roth-US PRESSWIRENew Falcons offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter is looking to create balance in Atlanta.Getting big plays was an issue for the Falcons in a 2011 season that was marked by inconsistency on offense and a playoff loss to the New York Giants in a game in which the Atlanta offense did not score a point.Koetter, who spent the last five years as offensive coordinator in Jacksonville, replaces Mike Mularkey, who became the head coach of the Jaguars. Owner Arthur Blank, coach Mike Smith and general manager Thomas Dimitroff each have said simply making the playoffs isn’t good enough. The Falcons have made the playoffs in three of Smith’s four seasons, but have yet to win a postseason game. Clearly, part of Koetter’s job will be to help the Falcons take the next step.“There’s pressure everywhere and nobody puts more pressure on me than I put on myself,’’ Koetter said. “All I can say is I’ll be extremely dedicated to the task at hand and I understand the task at hand.’’After a 2011 season in which Jacksonville wound up playing rookie quarterback Blaine Gabbert and a very ordinary group of wide receivers, Koetter is stepping into a situation in which he inherits quarterback Matt Ryan, receivers Roddy White and Julio Jones, tight end Tony Gonzalez and running back Michael Turner.“Everybody can read the stats and know they have excellent skill players,’’ Koetter said. “How everything fits together, that will be stuff that we’ll be working on once we get up there.’’Koetter said he expects to arrive in Atlanta and begin working later this week. He already met with Ryan while he was interviewing for the position.“You can tell Matt’s a guy that really understands offensive football and that he’s got a great passion for not only playing, but for winning,’’ Koetter said. “I couldn’t be more excited to work with Matt as well as some of the other players they have in that offensive group.’’Koetter said his offense in Atlanta will be a combination of the existing offense and some things he’s done in the past.“I don’t know if anybody owns any offense out there,’’ Koetter said. “There’s a lot of good offense out there. I think it will be a combination of some of the things that I’ve done in the past and things that Atlanta has done well in the past. I think we’d be foolish to not build on some of the things Atlanta is already doing very well.’’Koetter said he and Ryan discussed the no-huddle offense, something the Falcons have had success with in recent years. Koetter said Ryan made it clear he likes the no-huddle system and that’s something the Falcons will continue to use at times. But Koetter said he’s not ready to declare a percentage on how often the Falcons will go without a huddle.Koetter said both the running game and vertical passing will be big parts of his offense. But he also said something that should come as welcome news to Atlanta fans, who often griped that Mularkey almost never used screen passes.“I’m a big believer in the screen game,’’ Koetter said. “Coach Smith has mentioned to me that he would like us to be a better screen team and that’s definitely a part of what we’ll try to do there.’’ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theProf Posted January 16, 2012 Author Share Posted January 16, 2012 “I’m a big believer in the screen game,’’ Koetter said. “Coach Smith has mentioned to me that he would like us to be a better screen team and that’s definitely a part of what we’ll try to do there.’’Dirk Koetter likes screen passesJanuary, 16, 20129:14 AM ETBy Pat YasinskasAll those Atlanta fans that aren’t thrilled with the hiring of Dirk Koetter as Atlanta’s offensive coordinator might find some good news in the numbers I’m about to reveal.Unlike previous offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey, Koetter likes to use screen passes. That’s pretty obvious from his days as the coordinator in Jacksonville.In 2011, Jacksonville rookie Blaine Gabbert completed 36 of 45 (80 percent) of his attempts on screen passes for 190 yards, which ranked No. 19 in the league, according to ESPN Stats & Information. The Jaguars may have thrown even a few more screens than that. Gabbert started the final 14 games. Luke McCown started the first two games and we can likely assume he attempted at least a few screens. We don’t know for sure because ESPN Stats & Information’s list of numbers on screen passes only goes 36 quarterbacks deep.Right near the bottom of the list is Atlanta’s Matt Ryan. He attempted only 20 screens while starting all 16 regular-season games. He completed 16 of those attempts for 68 yards -- that yardage total ranked No. 32 among quarterbacks.Koetter wasn’t simply trying to take pressure off his rookie quarterback. He’s got a history of using the screen. In the 2010 season, former Jacksonville starter David Garrard completed 37 of 42 screen passes (88.1 percent) for 316 yards. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBOPPER Posted January 16, 2012 Share Posted January 16, 2012 We`ll See Won`t We. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FalconFanForLife Posted January 16, 2012 Share Posted January 16, 2012 He said all the right things IMHO, now let's cross our fingers and hope he can translate those onto the playing field. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Gritz Posted January 16, 2012 Share Posted January 16, 2012 We have to build up our O-line and hope it gels.....Without that the greatest offensive mind in the world wouldn't have success with this team. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theProf Posted January 16, 2012 Author Share Posted January 16, 2012 We have to build up our O-line and hope it gels.....Without that the greatest offensive mind in the world wouldn't have success with this team.I agree. I posted the following in another Koetter thread:One thing that really bothers me is how are the Falcons going to test teams deep with long vertical passes behind our existing Offensive Line. If the Falcons don't significantly improve the OL, then we can kiss the long vertical passing game goodbye. Even if Ryan does get adequate protection, I don't think long vertical passes are his strongest suit. Perhaps Ryan's skill set might be best suited for a West Coast Offense, with quick reads and short to intermediate passes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Gritz Posted January 16, 2012 Share Posted January 16, 2012 I agree. I posted the following in another Koetter thread:One thing that really bothers me is how are the Falcons going to test teams deep with long vertical passes behind our existing Offensive Line. If the Falcons don't significantly improve the OL, then we can kiss the long vertical passing game goodbye. Even if Ryan does get adequate protection, I don't think long vertical passes are his strongest suit. Perhaps Ryan's skill set might be best suited for a West Coast Offense, with quick reads and short to intermediate passes.Totally agree Prof......from what I've been able to gather though Koetter has elements of the WCO in his offensive philosophy.....He'll probably incorporate a lot more of it once he starts watching tape on our O-line! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theProf Posted January 16, 2012 Author Share Posted January 16, 2012 Latest Falcons RapidReports Jan. 16, 2012 2:05 p.m. - by Knox Bardeen - Koetter looking to combine his style with Falcons' strengths New offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter said he wanted to meld his knowledge with what’s working for the Falcons already in creating a scheme in 2012. “I think it would be a combination of things that I have done in the past and things that Atlanta has done well in the past,” he said. Falcons RapidReports Jan. 16, 2012 1:44 p.m. - by Knox Bardeen - New OC Koetter intends on keeping no-huddle offense New offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter said he saw Atlanta succeed by using the no-huddle offense a lot on 2011 and won’t look to alter that plan: "The no-huddle will certainly be a part of it [Atlanta’s offense]. What percentage is still to be determined." Falcons RapidReports Jan. 16, 2012 1:43 p.m. - by Knox Bardeen - Look for Falcons' offense to utilize screen passes more New offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter said he’s a big fan of the screen pass, which was a seldom-used tool in Atlanta in 2011. This could be one major area of change for the Falcons offense. “I’m a big believer in the screen game,” Koetter said Monday. Falcons RapidReports Jan. 15, 2012 1:06 p.m. - by Knox Bardeen - Ex-Jags' OC takes same position with Falcons Dirk Koetter has agreed to terms with the Falcons to become the offensive coordinator in Atlanta, a team source confirmed. Koetter just completed his fifth season as the Jaguars offensive coordinator and has been a coordinator at the college or pro level for 19 years. Falcons RapidReports Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IceFalcon Posted January 16, 2012 Share Posted January 16, 2012 Yasinskas has such a screen boner.I wonder if when watching games hes like "OMG A SCREEN PASS!!!!" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theProf Posted January 16, 2012 Author Share Posted January 16, 2012 Yasinskas has such a screen boner.I wonder if when watching games hes like "OMG A SCREEN PASS!!!!"PY is definitely hung-up on screen passes. He kept writing articles during the season ridiculing the Falcons lack of proficiency in running screen passes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Falcon Jedi Knight Posted January 16, 2012 Share Posted January 16, 2012 We have had the most balanced Offense in the NFL since Mularkey got here. Our Run/Pass Ratio is pretty much 50/50 the past 4 years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theProf Posted January 17, 2012 Author Share Posted January 17, 2012 We have had the most balanced Offense in the NFL since Mularkey got here. Our Run/Pass Ratio is pretty much 50/50 the past 4 years.It's hard to understand what the article means by "balance". I have the feeling that Smitty wants the fan base to know that Atlanta will not abandon its power running element, no matter who the new OC might be. However, I can see the % between run and pass move to more passing in the future, perhaps 40% run-60% pass, then 35% run-65% pass over the next couple of seasons. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Falcon Jedi Knight Posted January 17, 2012 Share Posted January 17, 2012 Every Offense in the NFL wants "balance" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brehus Posted January 17, 2012 Share Posted January 17, 2012 A balanced predictable vanilla offense isn't hard to defend just look at what MM did and our run pass ratio was 50/50 with him.Koetter is just another tard to add to Blanks growing list of tards he has hired Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thiccolas Cage Posted January 17, 2012 Share Posted January 17, 2012 It may not be a bad hire after all. We REALLY have to improve the OL. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pren226 Posted January 17, 2012 Share Posted January 17, 2012 We have had the most balanced Offense in the NFL since Mularkey got here. Our Run/Pass Ratio is pretty much 50/50 the past 4 years.Running up the gut for 2 downs then passing on 3rd and long for 3 quarters, then passing the majority of the time in the 4th quarter to catch up is how our numbers were close to 50/50. Jokes aside, you can throw more varity than just we will run or pass. The way you differ those but still keep the D on their toes is what we needed a change in. We ran something of like 24 total plays with MM and he would just change the formation we ran them from. Coach means we will be balanced between going deep, throwing a screen, pounding the rock, or going no huddle, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iDash Posted January 17, 2012 Share Posted January 17, 2012 TD will have to get a BA RB in here if they want to be better at screen passes! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GetUSom3 Posted January 17, 2012 Share Posted January 17, 2012 How is he at coaching Post Season Victories, because we are in Year 5 of this building program and we can't buy a Post Season win? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shc Posted January 17, 2012 Share Posted January 17, 2012 Wouldn't the screen game take some of the heat off our OLine? I thought that was the major gripe with not running it very often with MM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theProf Posted January 17, 2012 Author Share Posted January 17, 2012 Very interesting stat about Koetter from AJC's Mark Bradley:"Another stat to consider: The 2010 Jaguars, as coordinated by Koetter and with a quarterback (David Garrard) who would subsequently be cut in training camp, finished 8-8 but outgained — by two yards over 16 games — a Falcons team that finished 13-3 and had Matt Ryan, Michael Turner, Roddy White and Tony Gonzalez."http://blogs.ajc.com/mark-bradley-blog/2012/01/16/in-hiring-koetter-mike-smith-deserves-the-benefit-of-the-doubt/?cxntfid=blogs_mark_bradley_blog Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stewie Posted January 17, 2012 Share Posted January 17, 2012 Wouldn't the screen game take some of the heat off our OLine? I thought that was the major gripe with not running it very often with MMScreens help to nullify an aggressive defense. Essentially, a defense can't pin their ears back and go pure run/pass blitz. If you sprinkle in 4 or 5 screens a game, along with 4 or 5 play action plays, you can really have a defense back on it's heels waiting to see what you are doing. Once you accomplish that you are in business. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
falcon_ace Posted January 17, 2012 Share Posted January 17, 2012 Screens help to nullify an aggressive defense. Essentially, a defense can't pin their ears back and go pure run/pass blitz. If you sprinkle in 4 or 5 screens a game, along with 4 or 5 play action plays, you can really have a defense back on it's heels waiting to see what you are doing. Once you accomplish that you are in business.Most of the guys on this forum dont understand real football, they just watch stats & thats it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DawgFan Posted January 17, 2012 Share Posted January 17, 2012 Yasinskas has such a screen boner.I wonder if when watching games hes like "OMG A SCREEN PASS!!!!"When Mularkey was our coordinator that's how I was... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlyDirty Posted January 17, 2012 Share Posted January 17, 2012 Just curious...which teams are currently best with the screen game? Eagles? Which teams defend against it the best? Any particular drawbacks to utilizing more screens? Was Mularkey opposed to them on account of our personnel? Production statistics? I suppose they require some timing discipline with the OL and if they get stuffed does it lead to a greater turn over rate/loss of yardage then busted runs? Just youngry for some input from those X&o mavens on the board. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Atlfanstckndenver Posted January 17, 2012 Share Posted January 17, 2012 Running up the gut for 2 downs then passing on 3rd and long for 3 quarters, then passing the majority of the time in the 4th quarter to catch up is how our numbers were close to 50/50.Jokes aside, you can throw more varity than just we will run or pass. The way you differ those but still keep the D on their toes is what we needed a change in. We ran something of like 24 total plays with MM and he would just change the formation we ran them from.Coach means we will be balanced between going deep, throwing a screen, pounding the rock, or going no huddle, etc.This was the biggest flaw of mularky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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