Transcript Of Mike Nolan's Press Conference: Jan. 18

[theProf]

Q and A with new defensive coordinator Mike Nolan

12:24 pm January 18, 2012, by Chris Vivlamore

C-Viv reporting from Flowery Branch.

Here are excerpts of Mike Nolan’s conference call with the Atlanta media Wednesday after being named the team’s new defensive coordinator. The biggest highlight is he does not plan to switch to a 3-4 scheme, saying the team has been built as a 4-3 scheme and that currently works best with the personnel.

Q. Will you switch to 3-4 defense?

A. It’s my philosophy that you build your scheme around the players and not the other way around. What has been built there is a very solid foundation on a 4-3 defense. In my 25 years in the NFL, 14 years as a coordinator, seven of them have been in a 4-3 and seven have been in a 3-4. I’m very familiar with both. When I’ve been in a 4-3 I’ve frequently used the 3-4 as part of it. It would appear to me that is what is best for that football team.

Q. What do you know about team and its personnel?

A. I have limited knowledge. I’ve looked at some of it. I know they have a solid group. Overall, it’s an outstanding football team. They have been in the playoffs three of the last four years. They have a very good quarterback. As a group, Mike [smith] and Thomas [Dimitroff] have done an outstanding job of putting together a roster. I’m just excited to be a part of it and hopefully add something to the defensive side.

Q. What is your relationship with Mike Smith?

A. Mike and I did work together in Baltimore. … I became defensive coordinator and Mike was the linebacker coach. I think we were together one year before he got the coordinator’s job at Jacksonville and let. … I’ve always had tremendous respect for Mike. I think he’s an outstanding coach. He’s coached some very good players. I think he gets a lot out of his players. He’s an outstanding person. We’ve stayed in contact and remained friends.

Q. You had other options, was it your relationship with Mike that brought you here?

A. It was the whole picture. Knowing Mike has a lot to do with it. I’ve also known Thomas for a number of years, but not near as well as I’ve known Mike. …. Big picture to me looked very good and it still does. … To me it’s a good fit.

Q. The secondary has been an issue. They are 20^th in the league. Do you have a philosophy there or a plan to fix it?

A. I haven’t had a chance to look over all the players too much, so I can’t comment on an individual basis. But as a whole, I will say this, I think the secondary today is one of the most important areas today more than it was 15-20 years ago just because of the quarterback play nowadays. There are probably more good quarterbacks in the league than there has ever been. Outside of pass rush, the secondary is where the quarterback attacks you the most. It’s real import to have a good secondary. I’m kind of familiar with some of the guys. I think it’s a solid group but in order to play well it obviously takes 11 guys so you can’t put it all on one position. All I can say is it is a vital part of success nowadays in football. … People always talk about having four starting DBs but I think the future is there are really five starting DBs if these quarterbacks keep doing what they are doing.

Q. Coach Smith said he was looking for a certain skill set in new coordinators. In your case, what you do consider your skill set?

A. I think it really starts with what your philosophy is. The thing I’ve really prided myself on over the years is I’ve been very fortunate to be with some outstanding coaches over the years. … The coaches I’ve worked with have made me better. I hope I’ve made them better. Over my years in the NFL, I would say you build your schemes around your players, not the other way around. From a philosophical standpoint, or a skill standpoint, I’d like to think that I’ve been able to, along with the guys I’ve coached with, been able to do what’s best for the players and in turn for the team, whether that is 3-4 or 4-3, whether that’s more blitzes or less blitzes. Because some players do that well and some don’t. What I mean by that is some blitz well and some don’t. Some are better suited for different things. Outside of that, I believe I’m extremely passionate about what I do. I think the best job in football is coordinating. I’ve been a head coach before and there is a lot of thrill in that. But when you get to put your hands on players and coach them and teach them and see them have success and get to call plays, that’s a great job.

Q. Were you given the option of saying you wanted to coach 3-4 or were you told we are a 4-3 team?

A. When Mike and I watched film, he really asked. He said this is what we’ve built to, this is what we are but he said ‘What do you see it looking like?’ I was curious. It was the first thing I said to Mike is ‘What is your vision for this group?’ Mike was very honest and said we’ve built of 4-3 and this is where we are, what we look like, but I want you to look at it as well. When we were watching film together, he said ‘I can see the wheels turning in your head right now.’ Which they are because when I’m watching it I’m trying to see. But he, at no time, said ‘If you want this, this is what we’ve got to do it on.’ Mike is open-minded about that. But I do believe that the vision for them and the target they’ve been hitting is one we want to stay consistent with it and go forward in that respect. If I felt like it could easily be tweaked to got to something else because I felt it could be better, I would obviously suggest it. But I think the track they’ve been on is a good one. 4-3 or 3-4 is very relevant as long as you are doing what your players allow you to do.

Q. Are you looking for three-down guys?

A. The more three-down guys you can get the better. There is no question about that. These are when guys are talking about who do draft, it’s hard to draft a two-down player in my opinion. In the real high first round, you’ve got to try to get as many three-down guys as you can. Sometimes you don’t. Sometimes it takes years for those guys to develop into three-down players. … The way offenses are tempoing the game, you can’t get that guy on and off the field without a penalty. When an offense is in a hurry-up mode, you can’t send a lot of guys on and off the field so you need as many three-down guys as you can get otherwise you just bite the bullet and leave them out there.

Q. What is your pass rush philosophy?

A. … You are going to play a Cam Newton differently then you are going to play a Drew Brees or a Tom Brady. There is a lot that goes into the pass rush, the pass coverage. But they are so tied together and the success of either one, is so tied together. … I would rather have 10 guys get four sacks then only four guys get 10 sacks each because it’s a lot more difficult for an offense to look at your entire defense and say ‘We’ve got to block them all guys. That guy might come, that guy might come.’ That’s a real stress for a quarterback.

Q. Do you intend to keep the rest of the staff in place?

A. That’s Mike’s area, but it’s my understanding that Mike would like to keep everybody and keep this staff intact.

http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-falcons-blog/2012/01/18/q-and-a-with-new-defensive-coordinator-mike-nolan/

[Sun Tzu 7]

Good read.

Glad to hear he says 'you build your scheme around your players' and not the other way around.

[Francis York Morgan]

Great read, thanks Prof.

[theProf]

Great read, thanks Prof.

Thanks. I thought some of the summary threads of the press conference call by other posters were pretty good. However, the actual transcript provides more information, perspective, and insight in my opinion.

[FalconFanForLife]

Yeah thanks a ton that is the first time I have read the entire transcript, and it was very nice to get some insight there when he divulged what he and Smitty discussed. It is very unusual to get candid remarks like that out of Flowery Branch as they are usually tight lipped about what transpires behind the closed doors.

[FalconJim]

Q and A with new defensive coordinator Mike Nolan

12:24 pm January 18, 2012, by Chris Vivlamore

C-Viv reporting from Flowery Branch.

Here are excerpts of Mike Nolan’s conference call with the Atlanta media Wednesday after being named the team’s new defensive coordinator. The biggest highlight is he does not plan to switch to a 3-4 scheme, saying the team has been built as a 4-3 scheme and that currently works best with the personnel.

Q. Will you switch to 3-4 defense?

A. It’s my philosophy that you build your scheme around the players and not the other way around. What has been built there is a very solid foundation on a 4-3 defense. In my 25 years in the NFL, 14 years as a coordinator, seven of them have been in a 4-3 and seven have been in a 3-4. I’m very familiar with both. When I’ve been in a 4-3 I’ve frequently used the 3-4 as part of it. It would appear to me that is what is best for that football team.

Q. What do you know about team and its personnel?

A. I have limited knowledge. I’ve looked at some of it. I know they have a solid group. Overall, it’s an outstanding football team. They have been in the playoffs three of the last four years. They have a very good quarterback. As a group, Mike [smith] and Thomas [Dimitroff] have done an outstanding job of putting together a roster. I’m just excited to be a part of it and hopefully add something to the defensive side.

Q. What is your relationship with Mike Smith?

A. Mike and I did work together in Baltimore. … I became defensive coordinator and Mike was the linebacker coach. I think we were together one year before he got the coordinator’s job at Jacksonville and let. … I’ve always had tremendous respect for Mike. I think he’s an outstanding coach. He’s coached some very good players. I think he gets a lot out of his players. He’s an outstanding person. We’ve stayed in contact and remained friends.

Q. You had other options, was it your relationship with Mike that brought you here?

A. It was the whole picture. Knowing Mike has a lot to do with it. I’ve also known Thomas for a number of years, but not near as well as I’ve known Mike. …. Big picture to me looked very good and it still does. … To me it’s a good fit.

Q. The secondary has been an issue. They are 20^th in the league. Do you have a philosophy there or a plan to fix it?

A. I haven’t had a chance to look over all the players too much, so I can’t comment on an individual basis. But as a whole, I will say this, I think the secondary today is one of the most important areas today more than it was 15-20 years ago just because of the quarterback play nowadays. There are probably more good quarterbacks in the league than there has ever been. Outside of pass rush, the secondary is where the quarterback attacks you the most. It’s real import to have a good secondary. I’m kind of familiar with some of the guys. I think it’s a solid group but in order to play well it obviously takes 11 guys so you can’t put it all on one position. All I can say is it is a vital part of success nowadays in football. … People always talk about having four starting DBs but I think the future is there are really five starting DBs if these quarterbacks keep doing what they are doing.

Q. Coach Smith said he was looking for a certain skill set in new coordinators. In your case, what you do consider your skill set?

A. I think it really starts with what your philosophy is. The thing I’ve really prided myself on over the years is I’ve been very fortunate to be with some outstanding coaches over the years. … The coaches I’ve worked with have made me better. I hope I’ve made them better. Over my years in the NFL, I would say you build your schemes around your players, not the other way around. From a philosophical standpoint, or a skill standpoint, I’d like to think that I’ve been able to, along with the guys I’ve coached with, been able to do what’s best for the players and in turn for the team, whether that is 3-4 or 4-3, whether that’s more blitzes or less blitzes. Because some players do that well and some don’t. What I mean by that is some blitz well and some don’t. Some are better suited for different things. Outside of that, I believe I’m extremely passionate about what I do. I think the best job in football is coordinating. I’ve been a head coach before and there is a lot of thrill in that. But when you get to put your hands on players and coach them and teach them and see them have success and get to call plays, that’s a great job.

Q. Were you given the option of saying you wanted to coach 3-4 or were you told we are a 4-3 team?

A. When Mike and I watched film, he really asked. He said this is what we’ve built to, this is what we are but he said ‘What do you see it looking like?’ I was curious. It was the first thing I said to Mike is ‘What is your vision for this group?’ Mike was very honest and said we’ve built of 4-3 and this is where we are, what we look like, but I want you to look at it as well. When we were watching film together, he said ‘I can see the wheels turning in your head right now.’ Which they are because when I’m watching it I’m trying to see. But he, at no time, said ‘If you want this, this is what we’ve got to do it on.’ Mike is open-minded about that. But I do believe that the vision for them and the target they’ve been hitting is one we want to stay consistent with it and go forward in that respect. If I felt like it could easily be tweaked to got to something else because I felt it could be better, I would obviously suggest it. But I think the track they’ve been on is a good one. 4-3 or 3-4 is very relevant as long as you are doing what your players allow you to do.

Q. Are you looking for three-down guys?

A. The more three-down guys you can get the better. There is no question about that. These are when guys are talking about who do draft, it’s hard to draft a two-down player in my opinion. In the real high first round, you’ve got to try to get as many three-down guys as you can. Sometimes you don’t. Sometimes it takes years for those guys to develop into three-down players. … The way offenses are tempoing the game, you can’t get that guy on and off the field without a penalty. When an offense is in a hurry-up mode, you can’t send a lot of guys on and off the field so you need as many three-down guys as you can get otherwise you just bite the bullet and leave them out there.

Q. What is your pass rush philosophy?

A. … You are going to play a Cam Newton differently then you are going to play a Drew Brees or a Tom Brady. There is a lot that goes into the pass rush, the pass coverage. But they are so tied together and the success of either one, is so tied together. … I would rather have 10 guys get four sacks then only four guys get 10 sacks each because it’s a lot more difficult for an offense to look at your entire defense and say ‘We’ve got to block them all guys. That guy might come, that guy might come.’ That’s a real stress for a quarterback.

Q. Do you intend to keep the rest of the staff in place?

A. That’s Mike’s area, but it’s my understanding that Mike would like to keep everybody and keep this staff intact.

http://blogs.ajc.com...tor-mike-nolan/

"I would rather have 10 guys with 4 sacks, than 4 guys getting 10 sacks"....now that's what I'm talking about!!! Beginning to like this hire more and more...

[PSSSHHHRRR87]

It’s my philosophy that you build your scheme around the players and not the other way around.

I loved that this is the first thing he said and continued to say throughout the interview. That was really the downfall of our D under BVG. I believe Dunta is about to have his best NFL season and will emerge as a pro-bowler.

[citsalp]

Great read thanks for posting

[The Martyr]

I can't wait until the season starts back!

[B_ELLIS24]

Nolan was definitely a good hire. I was hoping for either him or Spags. So, good job Falcons!

[Mean Machine]

I get more and more excited about Nolan the more I read about him. Im glad he's going to build his scheme around the players and not the other way around. Thanks for the post.

[Falco4]

This really made my day. He is extremely bright and looks like an energy guy.

[Falco4]

nolan's comments about smith are very telling as well. Smith is clearly looking for better ways to improve defensive/offensive schemes, and it shows that he's letting the new coordinators give their honest perspective.

[Chickenfoot]

Need a safety that can bring the wood, safety is QB of the defense and we need a top notch hard hitting safety, all consistant winners have top tier safeties.

[theProf]

Nolan was definitely a good hire. I was hoping for either him or Spags. So, good job Falcons!

Around the NFC South

January, 18, 2012

9:51 AM ET

By Pat Yasinskas

Time for a look at the Wednesday morning headlines from around the NFC South.

Jeff Schultz writes that the Falcons got it right when they hired Mike Nolan as defensive coordinator. I agree totally. Steve Spagnuolo was the other big-name coordinator candidate out there and he’ll end up doing a fine job somewhere else (maybe even New Orleans). But I think Nolan is a better fit for the Falcons.

Spagnuolo reportedly will interview with New Orleans today. Just like I think Nolan is the better fit for the Falcons, I think Spagnuolo would be an excellent fit in New Orleans. The Falcons and Saints are two very different organizations. I think Nolan’s personality will allow him to fit in perfectly with the Falcons. Spagnuolo has a different style that could fit nicely with the Saints.

[theProf]

Q. Do you intend to keep the rest of the staff in place?

A. That’s Mike’s area, but it’s my understanding that Mike would like to keep everybody and keep this staff intact.

Surprised that no one has commented on that statement. Apparently current defensive coaches Tim Lewis (Secondary), Alvin Reynolds (DBs), Glenn Pires (LBs), and Ray Hamilton (DL) will all be retained. Rapid Reports also picked-up that particular comment:

Latest Falcons RapidReports

Jan. 18, 2012 12:47 p.m. - by Knox Bardeen - New DC Nolan thinks rest of coaching staff will be retained

New defensive coordinator Mike Nolan said that while the decision ultimately isn’t his to make, he thinks the current Falcons coaching staff will remain in place: “That’s Mike’s [smith] area, but it’s my understanding that Mike would like to keep everybody and keep this staff intact.” Falcons RapidReports

[Guest TheIdowu]

but I thought Nolan spent more years with the 3-4 than he did the 4-3???

i thought we were swtiching to a 3-4 despite credible sources saying we weren't?

why not switch to a 3-4 when that is what Nolan is best suited to do and have more experience in; forget scheming to fit your players

WELCOME TO THE AFMB

[falcndave]

but I thought Nolan spent more years with the 3-4 than he did the 4-3???

i thought we were swtiching to a 3-4 despite credible sources saying we weren't?

why not switch to a 3-4 when that is what Nolan is best suited to do and have more experience in; forget scheming to fit your players

WELCOME TO THE AFMB

The nerve of this new fella, squashing our speculation with the facts of the matter....indeed!

[JRid]

I'm not sure if everyone has listened to the audio of the interview, but here it is. Nolan seems very confindent and smart. I can't believe how lucky we got getting him.

http://www.atlantafalcons.com/falconstv/

[theProf]

but I thought Nolan spent more years with the 3-4 than he did the 4-3???

i thought we were swtiching to a 3-4 despite credible sources saying we weren't?

why not switch to a 3-4 when that is what Nolan is best suited to do and have more experience in; forget scheming to fit your players

WELCOME TO THE AFMB

I think that you are being facetious. In case you're not, the article says that Nolan has had equal time as DC under the 4-3 and 3-4 as follows:

"In my 25 years in the NFL, 14 years as a coordinator, seven of them have been in a 4-3 and seven have been in a 3-4."

Why do you think that the Falcons are switching to the 3-4, when both Smitty and Nolan say that the Falcons will do best in a base 4-3.

Coaching is about getting the best from your players, and putting them in the best position to win. The scheme should adapt to the players, not vice-versa.

[Voice of Reason]

I can remember debating someone on these boards several years ago about the "build the scheme around your players" philosophy. We were talking about Mularkey shrinking his playbook after the first season. I thought this was necessary step because not every play will work with our group's skill set. Once Mularkey understood what fit, he threw out the things that didn't/wouldn't work. My point was - a coach MUST develop his scheme around his players, but it's up to TD to draft the players to fit a coach's scheme. I know it sounds weird, but basically you shop for specific fits in the offseason. But once the season rolls around, you have to assess what you've got and tweek the scheme to make it fit. Nolan just confirmed this concept.

Thank God we finally got a DC that understands this!!!

[rightsaidfred]

I like it! Not a lot of coach speak on there. He actually answered the questions with some clarity. He also hinted at running a basic 4-3, but throwing in some 3-4 wrinkles as well. Me Likey!

[theProf]

Mike Nolan: Falcons sticking to 4-3

January, 18, 2012

3:44 PM ET

By Pat Yasinskas

Mike Nolan is usually viewed as a coach that runs the 3-4 defense. But the Atlanta Falcons are going to be sticking with the 4-3.

In a conference call with the Atlanta media Wednesday, Nolan, who was hired Tuesday as the team's defensive coordinator, made it a point to clarify that perception is not reality. He said he’s been an NFL coordinator for 14 seasons. He said, in seven of those seasons, he’s run the 3-4 and has run the 4-3 the other seven seasons. He also pointed out that he’s used elements of both schemes simultaneously.

“It’s my philosophy that you build your scheme around the players, not the other way around,’’ Nolan said. “What has been built there, I think is a very solid foundation on a 4-3 defense.’’

Nolan, who ran the 3-4 as defensive coordinator in Miami the last two seasons, said sticking with the 4-3 was not an order handed down by coach Mike Smith as he interviewed for the job. Nolan said he and Smith watched film together of Atlanta’s defense and he asked what Smith’s vision going forward was.

“Mike’s response was very honest and frank,’’ Nolan said. “He said, "Look, we’ve built to this 4-3 and this is what we are and this is what we look like, but I want you to look at it as well."

Nolan said Smith was open to all ideas as they talked, but the two agreed a dramatic change in scheme wasn't needed.

“I think Mike’s open-minded about that, but I do believe that the vision for them and the target they’ve been hitting is one that we want to stay consistent and go forward in that respect,’’ Nolan said. “If I felt like it could be easily tweaked to go to something else because I thought it would be better, then I would obviously suggest it. But, as it is, I think the track they’ve been on is good."

Nolan said he had other opportunities as a defensive coordinator elsewhere. It was reported he was a possible candidate for the job in New Orleans. But Nolan said his familiarity with Smith (the two worked together in Baltimore) was a selling point.

“To me, it just was a good fit," Nolan said. “More than anything, I want to win. The Falcons have been doing a good job of that. They haven’t reached their ultimate goal yet. But everybody’s in pursuit of that and only one team gets to get it at the end. But this is a football team that’s very close. Hopefully, I can add to that and be a part of that.’’

[theProf]

Bump for the morning crowd.

[Durrtay]

Man I'm up till 2 and still don't see this till 9 lol