Matt Ryan And Shanahan Need Help Espn Article

[falcon22]

Good and interesting take that not many have mentioned here. We see a lot of is Ryan or Shanahan's fault, but ESPN ran an article and found out the issue to be somewhere else: http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/14328827/matt-ryan-receivers-not-doing-their-share-nfl

[Kayoh]

I've been saying this the whole freaking time. Shanahan's scheme isn't the problem, Matt isn't the problem, the OL isn't the problem. The problem lies solely on the receiving corps. The only WR on our entire roster who is capable of consistently getting open against one on one coverage is NEVER ACTUALLY LEFT ALONE in one on one coverage. Nobody else can do it consistently, and not even Julio can consistently get open against double teams and brackets. It's just really easy to defend us, and it's got nothing to do with the scheme, QB or OL. We just plain don't have anybody that can get open right now.

[A-TowN.-]

I've been saying this the whole freaking time. Shanahan's scheme isn't the problem, Matt isn't the problem, the OL isn't the problem. The problem lies solely on the receiving corps. The only WR on our entire roster who is capable of consistently getting open against one on one coverage is NEVER ACTUALLY LEFT ALONE in one on one coverage. Nobody else can do it consistently, and not even Julio can consistently get open against double teams and brackets. It's just really easy to defend us, and it's got nothing to do with the scheme, QB or OL. We just plain don't have anybody that can get open right now.

Yeah whenever I look at all 22, we just have no one who can get open besides Julio. We basically need another TE and a new #2 WR. Not to mention all the other needs we have. I just don't know how early we will draft another target.

[birdz4i]

posted already

http://boards.atlantafalcons.com/topic/4037636-front-page-article-on-espncom/

[since68andcounting]

The routes they run are crap. Little rounded curves. I've said before that none of our receivers other than Roddy have truly developed under Robiske. And Roddy has regressed or just gotten lazy. Why does Robiske allow this crap? Why isn't he chewing their a$$ for leading the league in drops?

I am 54 years old and haven't played football in decades. But I swear I could run better routes that these guys do most of the time. I couldn't run them as fast as they do, and I might tear an ACL doing it, but I could do it. It's a simple concept...create SHARP ANGLES rather than rounded corners.

[AF89]

I've been saying this the whole freaking time. Shanahan's scheme isn't the problem, Matt isn't the problem, the OL isn't the problem. The problem lies solely on the receiving corps. The only WR on our entire roster who is capable of consistently getting open against one on one coverage is NEVER ACTUALLY LEFT ALONE in one on one coverage. Nobody else can do it consistently, and not even Julio can consistently get open against double teams and brackets. It's just really easy to defend us, and it's got nothing to do with the scheme, QB or OL. We just plain don't have anybody that can get open right now.

If it's that obvious to the fans you'd think it would be blindingly obvious to the coaching staff. Hopefully they actually address it at some point this off season instead of just making all the right noises like we keep doing about the pass rush.

[MilleniumFalcon]

I've been saying this the whole freaking time. Shanahan's scheme isn't the problem, Matt isn't the problem, the OL isn't the problem. The problem lies solely on the receiving corps. The only WR on our entire roster who is capable of consistently getting open against one on one coverage is NEVER ACTUALLY LEFT ALONE in one on one coverage. Nobody else can do it consistently, and not even Julio can consistently get open against double teams and brackets. It's just really easy to defend us, and it's got nothing to do with the scheme, QB or OL. We just plain don't have anybody that can get open right now.

The problem is Shanahan's scheme as well because his route tree is just terrible. The routes the receivers run have a lot to do with them not getting open as well (so predictable for defenders that Jalen Collins would look like an all-pro defending it).

[Jesus]

The receivers run the routes they are given. The west coast offense is built off of timing routes. If the receiver isn't open when the timing comes about then the pass is off or an int.

Our holes have been exposed through film and yet we have done nothing to fix those holes. It shouldn't be this hard. I find it difficult to believe that only our receivers most of whom are NFL vets have suddenly forgot how to run routes. You don't get to the NFL and not know how to get open.

[DMT11]

yesterday it was the reddit thread, before that was another article whichever way the wind blows - reality is nobody knows ****, we can "find" evidence of all of these arguments we want, when Im sure its basically all of the above, Shanny has done ****, Matt is making bad decisions and yes Julio is the only elite wr talent, thing is - who you really going to blame, cuz only one person hires all of these ppl and really its all on him. He can get new ppl and all that but we always have same result. I personally think something about Blank is trickling down and this is why we are where were at.

[Kayoh]

The problem is Shanahan's scheme as well because his route tree is just terrible. The routes the receivers run have a lot to do with them not getting open as well (so predictable for defenders that Jalen Collins would look like an all-pro defending it).

In the very little amount of All 22 film I've been able to get my hands on, I've definitely noticed a very limited variety in routes. Tons of vanilla square routes - lots of just flat ins and outs. We hardly ever run slants anymore and the deep routes we do run are typically just straight 9s without any kind of variation to them.

That said though, it still comes down to execution. Just because we aren't running a bunch of exotic rub routes that break rules (but don't get called) and that kind of stuff doesn't mean that this scheme is bad.

[bertrain7]

In the very little amount of All 22 film I've been able to get my hands on, I've definitely noticed a very limited variety in routes. Tons of vanilla square routes - lots of just flat ins and outs. We hardly ever run slants anymore and the deep routes we do run are typically just straight 9s without any kind of variation to them.

That said though, it still comes down to execution. Just because we aren't running a bunch of exotic rub routes that break rules (but don't get called) and that kind of stuff doesn't mean that this scheme is bad.

I personally believe the scheme is bad. The only thing it does is make the run game better and teams bite the pa more often but the routes.... the defenses know where to be.

Top that up with Ryan playing the worst hes ever played. My guess is the change in fundamentals cuz he does look bad and very different to previous years.

[4dabirds]

While I agree that others are not getting open like Julio, I do see on many plays were the FB, RB or 3rd WR is being left alone or at least in single coverage. I also know that if you keep the running game going while letting Julio get blanketed then your gonna get yards. It's about balance, and the Falcons keep getting away from it. Also, the Falcons don't work the sidelines or the corners of the end zone. Yes, we need a better number 2 WR, but the play calling is not balanced and without doubt is not working toward the strengths of the offense. Come up with more creative ways to run the ball, with outside pitches, a shuffle pass or a reverse, whatever...Just run the ******* ball.

Edited December 11, 2015 by 4dabirds

[*Old Pappy Falcon*]

We're gunna need help to as fans after this season.

[Sun Tzu 7]

I've been saying this the whole freaking time. Shanahan's scheme isn't the problem, Matt isn't the problem, the OL isn't the problem. The problem lies solely on the receiving corps. The only WR on our entire roster who is capable of consistently getting open against one on one coverage is NEVER ACTUALLY LEFT ALONE in one on one coverage. Nobody else can do it consistently, and not even Julio can consistently get open against double teams and brackets. It's just really easy to defend us, and it's got nothing to do with the scheme, QB or OL. We just plain don't have anybody that can get open right now.

It wouldn't be the first time this has happened with Shanahan's system or the Falcons.

With Shanahan's system one WR gets most of the catches, yards, etc and the other WRs struggle to beat one on one coverage.

It was certainly the case in Houston with Andre Johnson. Johnson would put up monster numbers but nobody else could beat single coverage.

And as for the Falcons.... We had the EXACT same issue in 2010. Roddy would get doubled and No other WR could beat single coverage. Of course we also had the greatest TE to ever play so we could still pass the ball. 6 years... And the cycle begins again.

I guess we can begin the argument of which is more important, a WR or a pass rusher.

I vote pass rusher.

[Kayoh]

It wouldn't be the first time this has happened with Shanahan's system or the Falcons.

With Shanahan's system one WR gets most of the catches, yards, etc and the other WRs struggle to beat one on one coverage.

It was certainly the case in Houston with Andre Johnson. Johnson would put up monster numbers but nobody else could beat single coverage.

And as for the Falcons.... We had the EXACT same issue in 2010. Roddy would get doubled and No other WR could beat single coverage. Of course we also had the greatest TE to ever play so we could still pass the ball. 6 years... And the cycle begins again.

I guess we can begin the argument of which is more important, a WR or a pass rusher.

I vote pass rusher.

Shanahan's offense in 2012:

WR1: Pierre Garcon. 63 targets, 44 receptions, 633 yards, 4 TDs.

WR2: Santana Moss. 60 targets, 41 receptions, 573 yards, 8 TDs.

WR3: Leonard Hankerson. 55 targets, 38 receptions, 543 yards, 3 TDs.

WR4: Josh Morgan. 69 targets, 48 receptions, 510 yards, 2 TDs.

TE1: Fred Davis. 32 targets, 24 receptions, 325 yards, 0 TDs.

TE2: Logan Paulson. 35 targets, 25 receptions, 308 yards, 1 TD.

[Sun Tzu 7]

Shanahan's offense in 2012:

WR1: Pierre Garcon. 63 targets, 44 receptions, 633 yards, 4 TDs.

WR2: Santana Moss. 60 targets, 41 receptions, 573 yards, 8 TDs.

WR3: Leonard Hankerson. 55 targets, 38 receptions, 543 yards, 3 TDs.

WR4: Josh Morgan. 69 targets, 48 receptions, 510 yards, 2 TDs.

TE1: Fred Davis. 32 targets, 24 receptions, 325 yards, 0 TDs.

TE2: Logan Paulson. 35 targets, 25 receptions, 308 yards, 1 TD.

Yes 2012 was a more balanced attack.

However when you compare it to ever other year he's been an OC strangely enough only Cleveland is even remotely close to being balanced when it comes to the WRs.

I had a minute to put something together, if you look at the stats below which are his career as an OC you'll notice a pattern and amazingly enough the Falcons seem to fall right into that pattern.

[Sun Tzu 7]

[Sun Tzu 7]

Another interesting thing I noticed is Shanahan has never had a WR with double digit touchdowns but I can't really fault him for that because it's not easy. It's only happened with Matt 3 times.

[ManInBlack]

The receivers didn't call an empty backfield play on 4th and 1. That idiot Shanahan did.

[Jesus]

That draw inside the 5 where Matt and Devonta ran into each other was miserable. How do you f that up?

[Andras]

That is seriously ugly. I don't believe for a second that Roddy has also fell that far so quickly.

[CraigSmackDaddy]

The receivers didn't call an empty backfield play on 4th and 1. That idiot Shanahan did.

True. I remember the play you are talking about and was thinking WTF.

[Oh4Real?!]

2008 - 21 TDs

2009 - 29 TDs

2010 - 21 TDs

2011 - 19 TDs

2012 - 24 TDs

2013 - 20 TDs

2014 - 12 TDs

Hmm, not a single season where a QB threw for more than 30 TDs.

& 5 other seasons barely breaking 20 or not reaching it at all.

Ryan threw 28 last year behind the worst offensive line ever assembled..

& that number of TDs is one less than Shanahan's career best.

[Da Bird is Da Word]

A solid number 2 receiver would be nice, but I feel like our receivers besides Julio will be under-utilized regardless. We don't have an all pro WR cast but we've got talented guys that can catch the football, and Matt still stares down Julio. Other teams with lesser WR talent are spreading the ball around more than us. Part of that is Matt's fault but in his own words, all Shanahan thinks about is getting #11 the ball... and yes, Roddy is not the same Roddy he was before but he is better than 300 yards receiving and one touchdown.

[Gold4425]

I also believe WR Coach TR has not done a great job or is open to developing young WR talent. He'd rather play and keep an injured veteran then develop or give young guys a chance. Hardy should be better by now. Speedy Reedy could have stretched the field a few plays, speedy Dri Archer is out there for the taking BUT T R isn't open.