Ryan Thinks Koetter Will Grow In Offense Year 2

[FalconsIn2012]

I’ll be honest, I am not sure I like the sound of this.  Seems like Ryan is the teacher and Koetter the student.  Ryan said “Koetter is starting to see why we are doing certain things and how we want to utilize personnel to set things up.”  The OC should be the master of the offense...he should not be learning on the job.

This is why it makes more sense to let a Koetter run his own offense.

 

Why Dirk Koetter's growth may be just as important as any player's
 

The Atlanta Falcons had a tough time finding consistency on offense during the first half of the 2019 season.

In the first eight games of Dirk Koetter's second stint as Falcons offensive coordinator, the offense averaged roughly 21 points per game and less than a touchdown in the first two quarters of those games. Those slow starts coupled with breakdowns on the defense often meant the Falcons were in a deep hole by halftime, resulting in a 1-7 start.

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There were, however, glimpses of excellence during the first eight games. In Week 3 against Indianapolis, the Falcons scored on every second-half possession, showcasing an offense clicking on all cylinders. That wasn't often the case prior to the team's bye week, though, but things did improve during Atlanta's 6-2 finish. The defense has – rightfully – received a lot of the credit for its part in the strong finish, but there are reasons to believe the Falcons' improvements after the bye week are a sign of things to come.

Matt Ryan believes one of those reasons is Koetter, himself.

"I definitely think Dirk, in the meetings that we've had, in hearing him talk about the offense, I feel like he is much more comfortable in the system in Year 2," Ryan said. "Just having a feel for the terminology, why we're doing certain things, how we want to utilize and set up certain things. It feels like, to me, he's a lot further along and feels really comfortable with it. I think that's going to help us out, for sure."

Although Koetter and Ryan had previously worked together from 2012-14, a stretch included an NFC Championship Game appearance and two Pro Bowl nods for Ryan, this second partnership is different. When Koetter took over for Mike Mularkey in 2012, the Falcons wanted to keep the offense they had already established. He was forced to adapt his offensive approach and beliefs to fit Atlanta.

Upon arriving back in Atlanta last offseason, Koetter was once again asked to adapt his offense to fit the scheme the Falcons preferred, the one Kyle Shanahan implemented when he came to the organization with Dan Quinn in 2015. This offense, which heavily features a wide-zone running scheme to set up play-action passing with layered route combinations, had a few more contrasts to Koetter's typical downfield philosophy.

"It was a completely different system in terms of terminology from the first time we worked together," Ryan said. "So, from that standpoint, it was very different."

Ryan appeared to be dropping back further and rolling out of the pocket less with Koetter calling the shots. Shanahan's offense has roots in the West Coast offense, which prizes timing and precision, and mixed in a lot of deception to take advantage of the space defenses vacated.

Early on in the year, the Falcons offense under Koetter looked a bit different than it had under Shanahan or even Steve Sarkisian. That is to be expected as every offensive coordinator, especially one as experienced as Koetter, has their own personal tendencies. After the bye week, however, the offense looked more balanced with the run game supporting the play-action pass. The Falcons scoring improved by a touchdown per game over the final eight weeks, and they averaged nearly 14 points in the first half of those contests as well.

Quinn has expressed his desire to get back to the roots of a wide-zone, play-action-based scheme this offseason, and it's a philosophy that Koetter has also embraced.

"Your run game sets up your play-action game," Koetter said. "It never fails, every year when you go back and look at the cut-ups, the play-action game is where the explosive plays come. We still had, I think, 30 percent of our play-actions were explosive pays, and your play-actions are going to be better if you're running it better."

Atlanta signed running back Todd Gurley this offseason, who has plenty of experience running stretch-zone plays from his days with the Rams. If he can help the Falcons become more efficient on the ground, forcing defenses to defend sideline to sideline, Atlanta may have a more effective play-action offense than it has had in a few years.

[Dr_truth189]

I just hope it's true and not lip service.  We said the same exact thing this time last year, and like the article says, they came out and looked like the 2014 dinosaur offense.  Firing an experienced WCO play caller to hire Dirk was a bad move.

[ryanadonis]

Again why are the falcons hiring people who have no experience running Kyle shanahans offense?

[Jesus]

13 minutes ago, Dr_truth189 said:

I just hope it's true and not lip service.  We said the same exact thing this time last year, and like the article says, they came out and looked like the 2014 dinosaur offense.  Firing an experienced WCO play caller to hire Dirk was a bad move.

Don't act like this place wasn't clamoring for Sark to be gone.

[Dr_truth189]

17 minutes ago, Jesus said:

Don't act like this place wasn't clamoring for Sark to be gone.

After 2018, I think there was only a minority that still thought he should go.  That year was not on him.

[Dirtybird56]

It’s bizarre we wanted to keep Shanny’s offensive principles but let go of the guys that worked here under him.. I find it odd we “weren’t impressed by them” and opted to bring in an outsider (a college coordinator) and ask him to not only adapt to the NFL but also use someone else’s scheme 

then repeating it with Koetter. I was as big a Shanny fanboy as there was when he came here and that included his scheme but **** if we’re bringing in someone else let them run their own show at least 

[Atl Falcon]

22 minutes ago, Dr_truth189 said:

After 2018, I think there was only a minority that still thought he should go.  That year was not on him.

Nah....more than that

[Atl Falcon]

5 minutes ago, Dirtybird56 said:

It’s bizarre we wanted to keep Shanny’s offensive principles but let go of the guys that worked here under him.. I find it odd we “weren’t impressed by them” and opted to bring in an outsider (a college coordinator) and ask him to not only adapt to the NFL but also use someone else’s scheme 

then repeating it with Koetter. I was as big a Shanny fanboy as there was when he came here and that included his scheme but **** if we’re bringing in someone else let them run their own show at least 

Just hope DQ learned from that mistake.
I think DK and the offense will shine this yr if the OL steps up 

[JD dirtybird21]

25 minutes ago, Dr_truth189 said:

After 2018, I think there was only a minority that still thought he should go.  That year was not on him.

But the thing is, this fan base wants to dump the OC in the first year every time. Everyone wanted Shanahan gone after 2015. Everyone wanted Sark gone after 2017. Now, everyone wants Koetter gone after 2019. But the team was considerably better on offense in year 2 every time. 

And yes, I know Koetter was here before. But this is different than when came here the first time. He's adapting to this system. And it seems like it takes a solid season of experience to really get it mastered with Ryan. 

[ATLFalcon36]

If we were going to stick with the "ATL" offense thing and keep most or pieces of the Shanhan system in place we should have kept any of the 2-4 qualified people (LaFleurs, Mike McDaniels) that have ONLY lived in that system instead of a totally opposite four verts/bad power run scheme. Sark getting a year 3 would have been better, at least he is a WCO OC.

[Lethal]

Impossible!  I have it on good authority that only the 49ers are holding offseason meetings with their offense 

[HouseofEuphoria]

Dirk's like the drunk uncle who USED to know football back in the 70's, but now just gets wasted and rambles on about the good 'ol days.

 

[FalconsIn2012]

15 minutes ago, athell said:

Impossible!  I have it on good authority that only the 49ers are holding offseason meetings with their offense 

Good authority indeed...lol

[Tim Mazetti]

1 hour ago, FalconsIn2012 said:

This is why it makes more sense to let a Koetter run his own offense.

This is/will be an epic thread. Thanks for kicking the hornet's nest DAMMIT!

[Tim Mazetti]

1 hour ago, itsryanwonder said:

Again why are the falcons hiring people who have no experience running Kyle shanahans offense?

No sweat. MR2 will teach him.

[Tim Mazetti]

31 minutes ago, athell said:

Impossible!  I have it on good authority that only the 49ers are holding offseason meetings with their offense 

[Tim Mazetti]

35 minutes ago, ATLFalcon36 said:

If we were going to stick with the "ATL" offense thing and keep most or pieces of the Shanhan system in place we should have kept any of the 2-4 qualified people (LaFleurs, Mike McDaniels) that have ONLY lived in that system instead of a totally opposite four verts/bad power run scheme. Sark getting a year 3 would have been better, at least he is a WCO OC.

I am thinking MR2 has, and is, schooled/schooling DK.

[HouseofEuphoria]

25 minutes ago, Tim Mazetti said:

I am thinking MR2 has, and is, schooled/schooling DK.

Agreed. 

There was talk at the time of DK's first go-round, that Matt Ryan had outgrown his offense.

[408Falcon]

Man I watched the 2019 highlights today.... Ryan and the offense collectively, yes, could get off to a faster start.... But the defense was absolutely atrocious, which doesn't help. Look at the scores at halftime when we were 1-7. Offense maybe didn't fully do their part, but I'm watching no pressure on QB's and people killing us. 

[FalconsIn2012]

53 minutes ago, Tim Mazetti said:

This is/will be an epic thread. Thanks for kicking the hornet's nest DAMMIT!

Well it’s not meant to bash Dirk.  It’s not his fault we hired him to orchestrate an offense using a scheme not his own.
 

It is  like asking the Muslim Khalifa to run Vatican City and fill in as  Pope.  

 

[falcons007]

1 hour ago, JD dirtybird21 said:

But the thing is, this fan base wants to dump the OC in the first year every time. Everyone wanted Shanahan gone after 2015. Everyone wanted Sark gone after 2017. Now, everyone wants Koetter gone after 2019. But the team was considerably better on offense in year 2 every time. 

And yes, I know Koetter was here before. But this is different than when came here the first time. He's adapting to this system. And it seems like it takes a solid season of experience to really get it mastered with Ryan. 

Stop with your logic and reasoning. 
Look another thread about New OC after Year one. 

[Tim Mazetti]

1 minute ago, FalconsIn2012 said:

Well it’s not meant to bash Dirk.  It’s not his fault we hired him to orchestrate an offense using a scheme not his own.
 

it’s like asking the Muslim Khalifa to run Vatican City as the Pope.  

 

Yep, I think I know. I reckon he was best available, but is he an upgrade to Sark? He was certainly a looser in TB. I know Crablegs was an interception machine AND they had no running game.

I live in the TB area and after hearing the interviews by DK and the accompanying analysis by the radio guys here, I was disappointed that the Birds brought him in. Politics?

I hope MR2 can red pill him...I have said that prior. I am filled with trepidation.......But FOOTBALL.

 

[falcons007]

15 minutes ago, 408Falcon said:

Man I watched the 2019 highlights today.... Ryan and the offense collectively, yes, could get off to a faster start.... But the defense was absolutely atrocious, which doesn't help. Look at the scores at halftime when we were 1-7. Offense maybe didn't fully do their part, but I'm watching no pressure on QB's and people killing us. 

Even the 2016 offense wouldn’t have one many of those games. 

[VTCrunkler]

The precedent has been set: Mushrooms can grow in dung, so why cant Koetter?  
 

Here is to him growing and flourishing next season

[LightningDawg58]

This article basically corroborates the point I was making in the thread trashing the defense. 
 

Scoring less than a touchdown on average in the 1st half and averaging 21 or less points per game in the first 8 games of season is not acceptable by any means. 
 

When I watched the Deebo highlights you can see most of the games were still in reach early. We just had nothing going on offense.Then the D eventually caved or gave up a backbreaking score

As long as we have Matt Ryan and Julio Jones, Im always going to be hard on the offense for not putting up points. Im sorry. The defense has always been younger and cheaper in comparison to the O, so saying that it was the Defenses fault that the offense couldn't get in to a rhythm is such a bad excuse to me. The money, the draft capital, the weapons and the tenure are all on the offense, they should always hold their own weight and ideally get us off to a good start.
 

Complimentary football holds all sides accountable. Not just the defense.