Quinn finds plenty to like in win, but job status unchanged

[theProf]

Quinn finds plenty to like in win, but job status unchanged

GEORGE HENRY (Associated Press)

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) -- With his job status in limbo, Falcons coach Dan Quinn has no choice but to move ahead as if he will be back next year.

That's an unlikely scenario, though.

Atlanta's 40-20 victory over Carolina on Sunday means only that the players haven't quit playing for him, but Quinn's team is 4-9 this year and was 4-9 last year before winning its last three.

What matters is that Atlanta is out of the playoffs for the second straight season, and that reality doesn't sit well with owner Arthur Blank, who had hoped last season was an aberration due to injuries and wouldn't happen again.

Whoever is coaching the team in 2020 can look back on the season's second victory over the Panthers as a rare highlight. Quinn liked how the Falcons complemented each other in all three phases.

After a sluggish first half that ended with a three-point lead, Atlanta got cranked up in the third quarter. Vic Beasley sacked Kyle Allen on the third snap of the period and knocked the ball out for Tyeler Davison to recover. The Falcons led 20-10 five plays later on Devonta Freeman's 13-yard touchdown run.

Following the longest TD pass of Matt Ryan's career, kicker Younghoe Koo recovered a fumble at the Carolina 19. It was a perfect chance for Koo to recover his own kickoff when Damontae Kazee punched the ball loose from Greg Dortch. Koo's short field goal four snaps later made it 30-10.

The third quarter ended with Kazee intercepting Allen for a second time.

''You saw that last night - protecting the quarterback, run game, play pass, defensively creating turnovers and winning field position,'' Quinn said Monday. ''There was great energy in all three phases, and that's the thing that leads to that complementary football. I thought when you have that kind of stuff, that's when you're able to play your best.''

WHAT'S WORKING

Ryan, the 2016 NFL MVP, began the game having been sacked 15 times the previous two weeks. He went down just once against Carolina and had plenty of time to find receivers. Rookie right guard Chris Lindstrom, the league's No. 14 overall draft pick, returned from a foot injury for the first time since the season opener and played 36 snaps. Quinn said that number will go up this week.

WHAT NEEDS HELP

The Falcons rushed for a season-best 159 yards, but still rank 30th with a paltry 80.8 average. They had plenty of chances to run the ball with a big lead in the second half. That has hardly been the case most of the year with the team playing from behind.

STOCK UP

Kazee showed what he could do last year, tying for the NFL lead with seven picks. He was hard to defend on defense and special teams Sunday and will have plenty of chances to resume his pace with three games remaining. The Falcons visit NFC West-leading San Francisco this weekend.

STOCK DOWN

Punter Matt Bosher was placed on season-ending injured reserve last week, his second stint on shelf with a groin strain, and it's uncertain how long it will take him to recover. This is the final year of Bosher's contract, so he might not return for a 10th season with Atlanta. He played in just three games this year after missing just one game in his career.

INJURED

Wide receiver Calvin Ridley (abdominal strain) and cornerback Desmond Trufant (broken forearm) were injured in the game and are out for the rest of the season. Left guard Wes Schweitzer left with a shoulder injury and was replaced by John Wetzel.

KEY NUMBER

Minus-7 - That 's what Atlanta is in turnover margin. The Falcons were plus-4 against the Panthers, but still rank sixth-worst in the NFL.

NEXT STEPS

Blank will continue to assess which way to turn for a coach and likely a new general manager next year. GM Thomas Dimitroff likely bears as much blame on the last two years as Quinn.

 

https://sports.yahoo.com/quinn-finds-plenty-win-job-status-unchanged-002748565--nfl.html

[Lethal]

4 minutes ago, theProf said:

NEXT STEPS

Blank will continue to assess which way to turn for a coach and likely a new general manager next year. GM Thomas Dimitroff likely bears as much blame on the last two years as Quinn.

Yup.  A win here and there changes nothing in the grand scheme.  Still need to clean house.

[KRUNKuno]

Get em outta here...clean the whole house.   Coaches, scouts, rich McKay who works on the competition committee yet still allows us to get hosed by the refs, TD for looking like a dweeb, laundry crew for not burning our hideous jerseys yet, cheerleader crew could use a renovation as well.  Blow up the stadium and play at Grady High until they find a way to resurrect the Georgia Dome.

[Monolith2001]

You folks better be preparing yourself to see Dan Quinn, Thomas Dimitroff and other usual suspects in 2020.  I see nothing that informs me that things are worse than they were at the bye.  In fact, I'd say since the bye this team as been good enough to persuade an owner, reluctant to blow up the situation, to give it another go.

[Lethal]

2 minutes ago, Monolith2001 said:

You folks better be preparing yourself to see Dan Quinn, Thomas Dimitroff and other usual suspects in 2020.  I see nothing that informs me that things are worse than they were at the bye.  In fact, I'd say since the bye this team as been good enough to persuade an owner, reluctant to blow up the situation, to give it another go.

It's my biggest concern, Monolith.  My fear is AB is going to overlook the years of subpar performances, especially on the defensive side, the penalties, the unprepared teams, the horrid record vs AFC opponents, and be all "well it's looked...ok...lately" and keep everyone.  We need a staff that will lift these players up and not anchor them down.

[FalconsIn2012]

6 minutes ago, Monolith2001 said:

You folks better be preparing yourself to see Dan Quinn, Thomas Dimitroff and other usual suspects in 2020.  I see nothing that informs me that things are worse than they were at the bye.  In fact, I'd say since the bye this team as been good enough to persuade an owner, reluctant to blow up the situation, to give it another go.

Quinn would need to win out to save his job.  Would not be stunned if it happened

[Monolith2001]

48 minutes ago, FalconsIn2012 said:

Quinn would need to win out to save his job.  Would not be stunned if it happened

I say 50/50 regardless of our record.  It just feels like AB wants a reason to stay the course.  Even I'm not sure I want to start over either and I support DQs firing even though I like him..

[BigDawgMania]

yes we swept the panthers and had one win over the Saints and the SNF win over the Eagles, you have too look at the entire season. Our defense was atrocious. I like Quinn but its time to move on. 

[Dr Long Shot]

Our record is 2-9 vs any team that isn't the lowly tanking Panthers.

NEXT.

[vel]

4 hours ago, theProf said:

STOCK UP

Kazee showed what he could do last year, tying for the NFL lead with seven picks. He was hard to defend on defense and special teams Sunday and will have plenty of chances to resume his pace with three games remaining. The Falcons visit NFC West-leading San Francisco this weekend.

The one interesting spot for a new coach taking over this defense will be the safety spot. You have a ball hawk in Kazee, steady leader in Rico, and hard hitting hammer in Neal. If they win another game, they may be out of range for Brown and Okudah, but could be in prime spot for Delpit. What would you do? 

[BUBBASBEANS]

3 hours ago, DirtyBirdKHAOS said:

yes we swept the panthers and had one win over the Saints and the SNF win over the Eagles, you have too look at the entire season. Our defense was atrocious. I like Quinn but its time to move on. 

I understand the reason for this thread but truthfully, how can anyone use our record to support DQ (even our reluctant owner). Look, we beat an Eagles team that’s very suspect, the Taints once, and Panthers (only dumpster fire bigger than us) twice.   What does that tell you other than middling/ mediocre can occasionally sniff out a win over other garbage/middling teams......that’s it!  If AB wants to eat a bunch of PSLs and 1.50 dogs have at it but folks are done watching this mess.  I hate the idea of a rebuild but after 28-3 and losing KS......this coach/team can’t find its way out of the malaise.   I truly believe it’s the atmosphere in the bldg. maybe AB is the issue....maybe not.  Guess we’ll know if we get new leadership.  Then again.......maybe y’all are right, maybe this team is doomed to continue the futility as Mr B enjoys the camaraderie (or whatever he has) with  RM, TD, DQ and the rest of the clowns there.  This OL situation and lack of evident preparation alone would be enough for me irregardless of what we do rest of season.  It hurts me to even think it.  Ughhh

[Snafu]

We have won 1 non-divisional game....in week 2 (EASY dropped pass away from losing that one)

 

Won 1 game against a team with a winning record...who happens to be our most hated rival. (Who then avenged the loss in embarrassing fashion in a prime-time Thanksgiving game)

 

He's done.

Edited December 10, 2019 by RubberDucky

[FalconJim]

6 minutes ago, RubberDucky said:

We have won 1 non-divisional game....in week 2.

 

Won 1 game against a team with a winning record...who happens to be our most hated rival.

 

He's done.

Probably --- but I wouldn't be at all surprised to see DQ and the gang back, next year ---

 

 

 

 

[Snafu]

5 minutes ago, FalconJim said:

Probably --- but I wouldn't be at all surprised to see DQ and the gang back, next year ---

 

 

 

 

I'll have a hard time getting myself hyped up to watch it. Would be the most pessimistic I have ever entered a Falcons season.

 

I'd bet Blank would regret it the moment he got word of how many Season Tickets were sold because I cant imagine the majority of the fans re-upping if they decided to keep this same product for another year. 

Edited December 10, 2019 by RubberDucky

[FalconJim]

5 hours ago, RubberDucky said:

I'll have a hard time getting myself hyped up to watch it. Would be the most pessimistic I have ever entered a Falcons season.

 

I'd bet Blank would regret it the moment he got word of how many Season Tickets were sold because I cant imagine the majority of the fans re-upping if they decided to keep this same product for another year. 

I agree!  They need to do something to re-energize this fan base!  I know, I wouldn't be as excited to see next season begin, either, with this same ol' crew at the helm. 
I want an experienced HC that has done great things in the past, and someone who can bring that to the ATL ---- not some rah rah college guy, or former coordinator who'll have to learn on the job!!!  By that time, Ryan & Julio's career could be over... 




 

[Falcons Fan MVP]

17 hours ago, Monolith2001 said:

You folks better be preparing yourself to see Dan Quinn, Thomas Dimitroff and other usual suspects in 2020.  I see nothing that informs me that things are worse than they were at the bye.  In fact, I'd say since the bye this team as been good enough to persuade an owner, reluctant to blow up the situation, to give it another go.

if we get blown out by the Niners and Ryan gets sacked 6-8 times that could be the final nail in their coffin imo. I am torn on hiring Mike McCarthy and keeping Quinn. If the Falcons win out I'd probably lean towards keeping everyone as long as Matt Ryan is here.

[vafalconfan]

22 hours ago, FalconsIn2012 said:

Quinn would need to win out to save his job.  Would not be stunned if it happened

Well I will fall over if we win this week at san fran.. I think we might win one more.

[Pacific_Falcon]

18 hours ago, vel said:

The one interesting spot for a new coach taking over this defense will be the safety spot. You have a ball hawk in Kazee, steady leader in Rico, and hard hitting hammer in Neal. If they win another game, they may be out of range for Brown and Okudah, but could be in prime spot for Delpit. What would you do? 

Tough question, hopefully a new HC and GM will have an answer. My inclination would be that S isn't at the top of the list for draft needs, but Kazee seems prone to tackling gaffes, and Rico is just OK.

[vel]

3 minutes ago, Pacific_Falcon said:

Tough question, hopefully a new HC and GM will have an answer. My inclination would be that S isn't at the top of the list for draft needs, but Kazee seems prone to tackling gaffes, and Rico is just OK.

I agree. But if Delpit is the best player on the board, do you not take him? It will definitely be interesting. Ultimately, I think they end up with Derrick Brown. 

[theProf]

55 minutes ago, vel said:

I agree. But if Delpit is the best player on the board, do you not take him? It will definitely be interesting. Ultimately, I think they end up with Derrick Brown. 

I think that the Falcons 1st-round pick in 2020 will most likely be a Defensive Lineman.  Vic Beasley, Jack Crawford, Adrian Clayborn, and Tyeler Davison are all Free Agents in 2020. I doubt that any of these get re-signed unless Davison and Clayborn accept a vet minimum contract.  Alan Bailey is signed for 2020, but he looks like a certain cap-casualty. The Falcons will save $4.5 million against the cap in 2020 by cutting Bailey.  Defensive Line appears to be, by far,  the greatest positions of need going into the 2020 draft. The Falcons draft strategy appears to be to select the BPA at a position of need, rather than strictly BPA. 

[Drunken Minotaur Zebra]

On 12/10/2019 at 11:57 AM, Monolith2001 said:

You folks better be preparing yourself to see Dan Quinn, Thomas Dimitroff and other usual suspects in 2020.  I see nothing that informs me that things are worse than they were at the bye.  In fact, I'd say since the bye this team as been good enough to persuade an owner, reluctant to blow up the situation, to give it another go.

If we win out I'd bet $100 we keep the coaching staff in place at minimum. TD might be on the way out no matter what.

[Pacific_Falcon]

2 hours ago, Drunken Minotaur Zebra said:

If we win out I'd bet $100 we keep the coaching staff in place at minimum. TD might be on the way out no matter what.

Good. **** him. His "I want to be on the cover of GQ magazine but I'm too fugly to pull it off" *** can go screw up someone else's team for awhile.

[Monolith2001]

4 hours ago, Drunken Minotaur Zebra said:

If we win out I'd bet $100 we keep the coaching staff in place at minimum. TD might be on the way out no matter what.

I would never bet on anything with this team but if I did, I'd say the odds of TD getting the axe are a lot less than DQ's.  At 77, Mr. Blank is probably not looking to learn someone new to run the show.  If DQ stays, the guy he sits with (TD) is most certainly staying if I had to call it.