theProf Posted December 17, 2014 Share Posted December 17, 2014 Falcons' Dirk Koetter unconcerned with red zone missesBy Vaughn McClure | ESPN.comFLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- The Atlanta Falcons were 2-for-4 in the red zone in last week's 27-20 loss to the Steelers. Settling for those field goals obviously had a significant impact, based on the final margin.Yet offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter wasn't as discouraged about the situation as one might think he would be. His rationale was based on the offense's season-long performance in the red zone."It seems like we talk about this every week: I mean, you guys think we suck in the red zone," Koetter said. "We're fifth in the NFL in the red zone. Unfortunately, we needed to be 100 percent last week, and we were 50 percent. So, it's what you need that week. And to beat the Saints, we're probably going to need a higher percentage."The Falcons indeed stand fifth in the league in converting 65 percent of their red zone opportunities (26-for-40). But their record is also 5-9, and they will be eliminated from playoff contention with a loss to the Saints (6-8) Sunday at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, so those statistics in the red zone really are meaningless.In other words, every red zone opportunity will be crucial from here on out. The Falcons actually were 3-for-3 in the red zone during a season-opening, 37-34 overtime win over the Saints, who currently stand 27th in the league in red zone defense in allowing opponents to convert 63 percent of the time.In last week's loss to the Steelers, Falcons receiver Roddy White said it was unacceptable not to score a touchdown after having second-and-goal from the 2-yard line. On that particular play -- a Steven Jackson run for a two-yard loss -- the offensive line didn't get the job done blocking. Then an incompletion by Matt Ryan on third down from the 4 led to Matt Bryant's 22-yard field.It's fair to wonder if the Falcons need to make their red zone and goal-line chances four-down situations, based on the urgency of the moment."That's a question you'll have to ask [Mike Smith]," Koetter said. "That's a question that he'll have to make those decisions as we work through the week. Are those critical? Absolutely. This is like a one-game playoff. We're not looking at it as a two-game, we're looking at it as one game. There is nothing after this week as far as we're concerned right now." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theProf Posted December 17, 2014 Author Share Posted December 17, 2014 Koetter ought to be concerned about finding a new job very soon, along with the rest of this coaching staff. Mike Tice is the only one who has done a good job this season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
g-dawg Posted December 17, 2014 Share Posted December 17, 2014 take the field goals out of the equation and tell me what our redzone success is - does anyone have that stat? Isn't Koetter's redzone stats take field goals as a "success" and included in the percentage? maybe not, I don't know. anybody? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xskyx Posted December 17, 2014 Share Posted December 17, 2014 Koetter ought to be concerned about finding a new job very soon, along with the rest of this coaching staff. Mike Tice is the only one who has done a good job this season.Yes please.He can go back to Jacksonville. Bring in someone who can call more runs and less wr screens Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freebird310 Posted December 17, 2014 Share Posted December 17, 2014 Yea, when you are playing a high power O like a Pitt GB or NOLA you definitely got to do better than 50% down there to win the game..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FenixFalcon Posted December 17, 2014 Share Posted December 17, 2014 "That's a question you'll have to ask [Mike Smith]," Koetter said. "That's a question that he'll have to make those decisions as we work through the week. Are those critical? Absolutely. This is like a one-game playoff. We're not looking at it as a two-game, we're looking at it as one game. There is nothing after this week as far as we're concerned right now."Lol and that's going to be the literal truth after this game if they lose. Koetter will be lucky to have another season here with the calls he's been making this season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tribal Chief Posted December 17, 2014 Share Posted December 17, 2014 Didn't even read. Unconcerned was all I needed to read Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clark Kent™ Posted December 17, 2014 Share Posted December 17, 2014 The play to Sjax where he lost 2 yards IIRC was because Jake got beat on the inside and Dimarco missed his block as well. Regardless of whose fault, definitely terrible run blocking in that situation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theProf Posted December 17, 2014 Author Share Posted December 17, 2014 take the field goals out of the equation and tell me what our redzone success is - does anyone have that stat? Isn't Koetter's redzone stats take field goals as a "success" and included in the percentage? maybe not, I don't know. anybody?Nope that quoted conversion percentage of 65% is TD's only in the red zone.http://www.teamrankings.com/nfl/stat/red-zone-scoring-pct Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gold4425 Posted December 17, 2014 Share Posted December 17, 2014 Mediocrity at its finest=FO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capologist Posted December 17, 2014 Share Posted December 17, 2014 I'm in the "I like Koetter" camp. If we kept him and Tice and got rid of everyone else, I'd be happy. We have a top 10 offense... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
falconidae Posted December 17, 2014 Share Posted December 17, 2014 take the field goals out of the equation and tell me what our redzone success is - does anyone have that stat? Isn't Koetter's redzone stats take field goals as a "success" and included in the percentage? maybe not, I don't know. anybody?No ,what he's quoting is TD percentage in red zone trips. What he doesn't mention is that the Falcons are 20th overall in total red zone trips.From the numbers on the website quoted earlier, Falcons have scored 27 TDs on 41 red zone trips this year. Saints have scored in 35 TDs in 58 trips. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tandy Posted December 17, 2014 Share Posted December 17, 2014 take the field goals out of the equation and tell me what our redzone success is - does anyone have that stat? Isn't Koetter's redzone stats take field goals as a "success" and included in the percentage? maybe not, I don't know. anybody?Red Zone Conversions do not include field goals. If you include total scoring from red zone percentage - the actual percent is 95% - with 30% of those coming from field goals and 65% from touchdowns - to break it down further - 47.5% are passing touchdowns and 17.5% are from rushing touchdownsFor the record - Ryan has a 110.8 QB rating in the red zone - 64.3% completions and 18 TDs. We have 7 rushing TDs in the red zone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrimsonFalcon Posted December 17, 2014 Share Posted December 17, 2014 In all honesty, I have always been bothered when teams line up in jumbo sets when they need a yard or two, why not stick to your regular personnel and play the way that got you down there? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aerosmith67 Posted December 17, 2014 Share Posted December 17, 2014 In all honesty, I have always been bothered when teams line up in jumbo sets when they need a yard or two, why not stick to your regular personnel and play the way that got you down there?That's a fair assessment but it is a lot harder for lineman to run block within 1-4 yards from the end zone, so a lot of coaches on every level of the game think they need to bring out bruisers to get that extra yard. The defense actually benefits from the short yardage situations and slower/larger personnel. I've always preferred the "Snelling" shovel pass type play over the traditional dive/draw that the Falcons ran with Turner (with success) and continue to press with SJ. The misdirection helps buy the Oline an extra second or two to get to their man over a straight running play. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeffro2000 Posted December 17, 2014 Share Posted December 17, 2014 In all honesty, I have always been bothered when teams line up in jumbo sets when they need a yard or two, why not stick to your regular personnel and play the way that got you down there?I am fine with the jumbo set at times, but I love to see playaction from it. That is what I thought we would do on the play where Jackson lost the 2yds. It was 2nd and 1, we should have tried playaction and then ran it on 3rd down if we didn't get it. He lost 2 yds putting us in an obvious passing situation on the short field. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toadfishtom Posted December 17, 2014 Share Posted December 17, 2014 Start looking for a job dude,your days are numbered Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aerosmith67 Posted December 17, 2014 Share Posted December 17, 2014 Red Zone Conversions do not include field goals. If you include total scoring from red zone percentage - the actual percent is 95% - with 30% of those coming from field goals and 65% from touchdowns - to break it down further - 47.5% are passing touchdowns and 17.5% are from rushing touchdownsFor the record - Ryan has a 110.8 QB rating in the red zone - 64.3% completions and 18 TDs. We have 7 rushing TDs in the red zone. Offensive Pass Interference doesn't help in the endzone either. (Harry) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrimsonFalcon Posted December 17, 2014 Share Posted December 17, 2014 I am fine with the jumbo set at times, but I love to see playaction from it. That is what I thought we would do on the play where Jackson lost the 2yds. It was 2nd and 1, we should have tried playaction and then ran it on 3rd down if we didn't get it. He lost 2 yds putting us in an obvious passing situation on the short field. The play action I wouldn't mind seeing is Ryan on a bootleg as he never runs the ball during red zone possessions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ATLFalcons11 Posted December 17, 2014 Share Posted December 17, 2014 Didn't even read. Unconcerned was all I needed to readYou should read it. You should know by now that news articles put in headlines like that out of context to make it seem more or less than what it is. Read it to get Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
falconidae Posted December 17, 2014 Share Posted December 17, 2014 So, best pass rusher is benched even though healthy because of practice habits, according to Nolan and now the OC is saying not scoring TDs in the red zone isn't a big deal. WTF??Maybe both Nolan and Koetter are taken out of context and is sounds worse, but, sure sounds like neither one cares. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mega Flare Posted December 17, 2014 Share Posted December 17, 2014 That explains alot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Gritz Posted December 17, 2014 Share Posted December 17, 2014 So, best pass rusher is benched even though healthy because of practice habits, according to Nolan and now the OC is saying not scoring TDs in the red zone isn't a big deal. WTF??Maybe both Nolan and Koetter are taken out of context and is sounds worse, but, sure sounds like neither one cares.They're both going to be gone in a few weeks anyway. Anything either of them says now just sounds like Charlie Brown's teacher to me:"WAH WAH WAH WAH WAH!" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karst41 Posted December 17, 2014 Share Posted December 17, 2014 According to Mikey Schmitty, Sacks are Overrated.According to Koetter, Redzone Percentages are Overated.Ok this sheit is a conspiricy to bring Rex Ryan in as our next HC.I double tripple dog dare you to explain it any other way.Mass vs Nolan vs Osi and now this.. SMMFH,,,,,,, I am waiting on Blank to say that Lombardis are overrated,,,,,,,Oh wait,,,, Ranking Smith beat him to it,,,,,,,,,! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiwifalcon Posted December 17, 2014 Share Posted December 17, 2014 I'm in the "I like Koetter" camp. If we kept him and Tice and got rid of everyone else, I'd be happy. We have a top 10 offense...I'm with you.Man if we could keep the whole offense off the injury list for a decent amount of time.If we keep these offensive pieces I really think we can do damage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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