Tired Of Losing.. BUT I Can See The Future

[mjqvi]

While I am not one to root for the Falcons to lose I also know that in April none of this season will truly matter outside of developing the team and the high draft pick it gives us to get well ahead of this division with their problems cap wise. This is the best situation for the big picture of the team. This team in the playoffs would have been embarrassing and hurt our future.

I really like the jump that Ridder made from week one to week two. I need to see the next 2 weeks but I think we have our QB of the future. 

[TheRisen999]

2 hours ago, celtiksage said:

I agree on CB as a big need. Hall is atrocious, and probably the weakest link on D. He gets toasted regularly and is rarely in position to even make a tackle, giving up big plays almost every game. Hayward is under contract next year if he can return to form. Oliver seems to have disappeared. Is he injured or wasn't active? Idk??

I also just noticed, the only WRs under contract next year are London, Bernhardt and Darby. Yikes!! So we have a WR1ish and WR0s on the team. Scary.

Oliver played, he just hasn’t done anything for impactful in a while. I’d rather see Alford back out there in that spot these last two games honestly. I’m too worried about them finding WR’s .They’ll definitely find a proven guy or two as well as draft one. Plus I’m sure Hodge and Byrd can be brought back as depth.. they had some moments this season. If we do that all of a sudden we’re looking solid. The problem this season was they couldn’t pay anyone.

Edited December 25, 2022 by TheRisen999

[ItsJustMe]

 BPA is not working imho. We drafted a TE and WR in successive drafts and that is not helping our defense, especially the DL where we are one of the weakest in the league.  

I know we have cap room next season so maybe some of the bigger positions of need will be filled on defense, the draft more defense and OL help. 

Main goal to me is crazy emphasis should be in the trenches especially on the DL 

 

[celtiksage]

2 hours ago, FalconAge said:

There are much better free agent cbs than pass rushers so grabbing a guy like Bradberry allows you to go after BPassrusherA with our first pick.

There's also 3 CB draft picks in our range in round 1, but I'm sure we'll be adding to the group in free agency also. Oliver doesn't seem to have returned to the play level he had last year before the injury so a slot corner might be what we need if Hayward returns.

[celtiksage]

16 minutes ago, TheRisen999 said:

Oliver played, he just hasn’t done anything for impactful in a while. I’d rather see Alford back out there in that spot these last two games honestly. I’m too worried about them finding WR’s .They’ll definitely find a proven guy or two as well as draft one. Plus I’m sure Hodge and Byrd can be brought back as depth.. they had some moments this season. If we do that all of a sudden we’re looking solid. The problem this season was they couldn’t pay anyone.

Byrd maybe He seems to have some speed or at least elusiveness. Not sure Hodge should be more than a WR5, but I think he plays ST too. I agree Alford needs to get more play the last 2 games, and I doubt we bring Oliver back if we find something better. He didn't even have an assist this weekend.

I expect some money will go toward resigning Lindstrom and maybe McGary as at least a swing guy (or one of the other OL - Wilkenson?).

With a lot of short contracts this year, we have a lot of holes to fill just to put some JAGs in there.

 

[FalconsFanSince194eva]

1 hour ago, Tribal Chief said:

Need a Center who can snap the ball. Ridder hasn’t been nearly as bad as everyone continues to make it out to be. No QB will look even decent if the receivers don’t do their jobs. Not sure why that goes unchecked and full blame goes to the QB. Thank god Smith drew up plays for the RB’s yesterday. If not he would have looked bad again because the receivers were inconsistent yesterday as well. It was sad watching Huntley constantly get wide open receivers but of course Falcons defense is the Falcons defense 

Every time I see people say Ridder was “okay” or looked bad I’m like wth? He had 200 yards and no turnovers in his second game on 30 pass attempts. Thats really good for a rookie in his second game. **** have people been looking at QBs outside the top 10? That puts him in the 14-22 QB tier in his second game ever. Like wth do people want? 

[Mr.11]

1 hour ago, bossFALCON™ said:

I think the Aints game was nerves. The Ridder we saw yesterday looked like the Ridder from preseason. I think he’ll be good enough. I don’t know about mahommes level but I can see very solid starter at the minimum.

That's kind of a low-hanging fruit comparison. Ridder will never be Mahomes or Josh Allen in terms of raw athleticism. Those guys can get away with throws and reads that a QB normally shouldn't make.

I'd be fine if Ridder was at least as good as Matt Ryan, whom I think he shares a lot of qualities with, but of course with 4.5 speed and a slightly stronger arm. As long as he can make the right reads pre and post snap and deliver the ball accurately and on time, Ridder can play at a high level for a long time. Ryan was good enough to get a Super Bowl, maybe two, with better, more consistent coaching (especially if he had someone like Kyle Shanahan or AS from the start).

Ridder doesn't need to be a human highlight reel. He just needs to play winning football consistently.

[bossFALCON™]

37 minutes ago, FalconsFanSince194eva said:

Every time I see people say Ridder was “okay” or looked bad I’m like wth? He had 200 yards and no turnovers in his second game on 30 pass attempts. Thats really good for a rookie in his second game. **** have people been looking at QBs outside the top 10? That puts him in the 14-22 QB tier in his second game ever. Like wth do people want? 

That was what most of Matt’s games looked like his rookie year. Matt only had 16 TDs in 16 games

[kiwifalcon]

3 hours ago, INDFalcon said:

Watching this game, I think Ridder's performance is day and night man. He was way poised and that too against a stout D. He will continue to get better with couple of WR and Pitts back. Like how you all said, we need to seriously focus on D. Let us see what does this coaching staff and GM will do for next year. I am expecting Falcons to go deep in playoffs next season.

It’s just hard to see this right now.

The issue I have with this team is it can’t nail the small details to get it into the playoff picture.As bad as this team has been this year we could well have been in that picture this year.

If we had nailed the first mentioned we win these close games.Talent doesn’t fix nailing the stuff that costs nothing.That’s what the Falcons are missing we just aren’t nailing small opportunities that win games.

[nutsandbolts]

3 hours ago, Tribal Chief said:

It was sad watching Huntley constantly get wide open receivers but of course Falcons defense is the Falcons defense 

And not just the Ravens. You can go as far back as you want and our opposition seems to have the high success intermediate routes game planned while we have struggled to even get the screen pass much open. Yesterday looked promising though, Allgeires caught 4 balls yesterday and Williams had another 2. With CP's 1 we made 7 receptions to our RB's yesterday (7 out of 8 for 71 yards).

[oSI7ENT]

5 hours ago, 175_Ranger_Falcon said:

I’ve been saying this will take at least 2-3 years to get back to consistent winning. We just got through year 1.  If Ridder pans out, then it might expedite the process a bit. The TD cap situation really set this franchise back. Now that we’re passing this point, we should be able to bring in some decent talent. We have to hit in the draft like 2018. I know most are frustrated with AS, but a coaching changing will reset this process again. 

year 1 was last year and we are five years removed from a winning season… that’s half a decade. it’s time 

[oSI7ENT]

3 hours ago, Mr.11 said:

That's kind of a low-hanging fruit comparison. Ridder will never be Mahomes or Josh Allen in terms of raw athleticism. Those guys can get away with throws and reads that a QB normally shouldn't make.

I'd be fine if Ridder was at least as good as Matt Ryan, whom I think he shares a lot of qualities with, but of course with 4.5 speed and a slightly stronger arm. As long as he can make the right reads pre and post snap and deliver the ball accurately and on time, Ridder can play at a high level for a long time. Ryan was good enough to get a Super Bowl, maybe two, with better, more consistent coaching (especially if he had someone like Kyle Shanahan or AS from the start).

Ridder doesn't need to be a human highlight reel. He just needs to play winning football consistently.

Kyle Shannahan or AS from the start? AS has never gotten a team to the super bowl so let’s cut him from that conversation. And until he shows consistency in his play calling as a head coach im not going to crown the man. Everything else i can agree with.

[Killing Floor]

None of our first string linebackers are good enough to start in CFL but I think Andersen can get there with experience. We need a manlike OLB soon. Really we need 2. 

[TheRisen999]

6 hours ago, bossFALCON™ said:

Id rather get a WR and Corner in FA since we need #2s at both spots. Keep Heyward.

I go back and forth about the method of acquisition but those positions definitely have to be addressed.

[Ezekiel 25:17]

7 hours ago, FalconAge said:

There are much better free agent cbs than pass rushers so grabbing a guy like Bradberry allows you to go after BPassrusherA with our first pick.

I’m thinking UNLESS there is a run of DLs BEFORE we draft, you MUST go DL with the first pick. 

The only thing is, don’t expect much from a Rookie on either line so there is a very good chance they won’t be an impact player right away. 

But the good news is, no one is expecting us to win next year just to be better.

[175_Ranger_Falcon]

1 hour ago, jetpac said:

year 1 was last year and we are five years removed from a winning season… that’s half a decade. it’s time 

I didn’t count last year because we were in cap ****. This will be the first offseason where we can bring in some talent on both sides of the ball. I agree, It’s definitely time to start winning again. I trust the direction of current regime. I think we’ll be much improve if Ridder takes the next step.

[TheRisen999]

7 hours ago, 175_Ranger_Falcon said:

I’ve been saying this will take at least 2-3 years to get back to consistent winning. We just got through year 1.  If Ridder pans out, then it might expedite the process a bit. The TD cap situation really set this franchise back. Now that we’re passing this point, we should be able to bring in some decent talent. We have to hit in the draft like 2018. I know most are frustrated with AS, but a coaching changing will reset this process again. 

I’m not really upset with Smith.. I understand he’s a second year head coach. I’d rather have a mostly great coach that makes a couple of questionable calls a game than someone who’s completely incompetent and thinks they can fix things with slogans and rhetoric.

Edited December 25, 2022 by TheRisen999

[Thegrandpoobah]

Well said! All the people on here griping about AS and TF are just people that like to push buttons. I love the passion that AS has and would take that any day over the Rah Rah platitudes of the previous staff. An upgrade or two on the O-Line for next year and having Pitts back will pay huge dividends. 

[Ezekiel 25:17]

9 hours ago, 175_Ranger_Falcon said:

I’ve been saying this will take at least 2-3 years to get back to consistent winning. We just got through year 1.  If Ridder pans out, then it might expedite the process a bit. The TD cap situation really set this franchise back. Now that we’re passing this point, we should be able to bring in some decent talent. We have to hit in the draft like 2018. I know most are frustrated with AS, but a coaching changing will reset this process again. 

Folks want to just pretend like the cap issue shouldn’t affect on the field performance. 

I seriously don’t think people understand how bad off we truly are! 

We have darn eighty million worth of players not playing for us and they really think that is something to just gloss over.

[Bunchy Carter]

If I was writing the book on the Falcons for next season:

Richie Grant is gone. Ade Ogundeji is gone. I'd get TWO CBs in FA and draft a couple as well.

I still don't believe Terrell is who people think he is. He needs competition FOR SURE. 1v1 Sauce Gardener would have AJ on the bench.  Heyward is an unknown post injury and Oliver sucks. Hall is terrible and Alford has potential.

I'd resign Lorenzo Carter and Rashaan Evans. I'd grab TWO Dlineman in FA and two more in the Draft. 

I'd resign McGary and get a Center in FA. 

I'm not sure what I'd do about the WR position because Mariota at QB didn't really give an opportunity to evaluate thoroughly. 

I think the biggest move I'd make is to ask Pitts to stop parking in Smith's space. Perhaps bring in Dr. Phil or something because if next season starts like this one with the I hate this nickname...so cringe 😬) "unicorn" 🦄 being ignored.. that relationship won't be a long one.

[ryanadonis]

I think people over hyped Arthur Smith. And of course blank was so in love with him because the Titans had one freaking playoff win vs Brady

[Moist Words]

16 minutes ago, Bunchy Carter said:

If I was writing the book on the Falcons for next season:

Richie Grant is gone. Ade Ogundeji is gone. I'd get TWO CBs in FA and draft a couple as well.

I still don't believe Terrell is who people think he is. He needs competition FOR SURE. 1v1 Sauce Gardener would have AJ on the bench.  Heyward is an unknown post injury and Oliver sucks. Hall is terrible and Alford has potential.

I'd resign Lorenzo Carter and Rashaan Evans. I'd grab TWO Dlineman in FA and two more in the Draft. 

I'd resign McGary and get a Center in FA. 

I'm not sure what I'd do about the WR position because Mariota at QB didn't really give an opportunity to evaluate thoroughly. 

I think the biggest move I'd make is to ask Pitts to stop parking in Smith's space. Perhaps bring in Dr. Phil or something because if next season starts like this one with the I hate this nickname...so cringe 😬) "unicorn" 🦄 being ignored.. that relationship won't be a long one.

Resigning Mcgary and cutting Grant and Ade is kinda telling of the lack of a long-term outlook. I'm cutting dudes who underperformed on their rookie contract and resigning a dude who underperformed on most of his rookie contract because........

[Bunchy Carter]

27 minutes ago, Moist Words said:

Resigning Mcgary and cutting Grant and Ade is kinda telling of the lack of a long-term outlook. I'm cutting dudes who underperformed on their rookie contract and resigning a dude who underperformed on most of his rookie contract because........

Grant has REGRESSED and appears to be afraid of contact, effort or both. Those types of problems don't typically improve.

Ogundeji is J.A.G. no flashes or signs of growth. 

McGary would have moments where you could really see him realizing potential but mostly my case for re-signing him is about oline chemistry. I can't think of any other position group in sports where their cohesion is as important. The right side of the o-line is an asset right now. I wouldn't want to compromise that 

[INDFalcon]

19 hours ago, kiwifalcon said:

It’s just hard to see this right now.

The issue I have with this team is it can’t nail the small details to get it into the playoff picture.As bad as this team has been this year we could well have been in that picture this year.

If we had nailed the first mentioned we win these close games.Talent doesn’t fix nailing the stuff that costs nothing.That’s what the Falcons are missing we just aren’t nailing small opportunities that win games.

You say small stuff (i don't know what those small details are. I am assuming play making and tackling) and in the same sentence you quote talent. Talent is what nails the small stuff. Have you considered that? You can coach as much as you can, coaches are not on field. When players as you indicated don't tackle or let a 3rd and long converted, the games will be on the line. Talent is what is needed to take in the coaching and produce the necessary plays.

[kiwifalcon]

3 hours ago, INDFalcon said:

You say small stuff (i don't know what those small details are. I am assuming play making and tackling) and in the same sentence you quote talent. Talent is what nails the small stuff. Have you considered that? You can coach as much as you can, coaches are not on field. When players as you indicated don't tackle or let a 3rd and long converted, the games will be on the line. Talent is what is needed to take in the coaching and produce the necessary plays.

Talent doesn’t nail small stuff any player can nail the small stuff.It’s about doing your job.Drake London fumble as an example did talent nail that mistake.Taquon Graham fumble a few weeks back how did talent go then.Mariota fumbles.This is just one aspect of it.The Falcons need to clean it all up before pretending and worrying about talent doing anything

Yes tackling procedural penalties fumbles discipline these things and others cost no money but they effect final results massively.Until the Falcons realise this they won’t improve.

This is a tough enough league to win in as it is.The free stuff I mention if we had nailed this year we are playoff bound for sure.It’s one of the reasons the MS coached Falcons were so successful from 08-12.