Atlanta Falcons should retain entire coaching staff
By John Buhler
Though the Atlanta Falcons are not making the NFC Playoffs for the third straight season, they should keep their entire coaching staff intact for next year.
Even though the Atlanta Falcons certainly had their peaks (5-0 start) and valleys (six-game losing streak) in 2015, it seems that the entire coaching staff should remain in Flowery Branch again next season.
While there had been a few guys on the staff that were starting to feel the pressure especially during the six-game losing streak, I believe that many of those errors have over the last few weeks been corrected. Atlanta has now won more games in a season that it has since playing for an NFC Championship in 2012. Improved coaching and scheme has been a big reason for that.
On the offensive side of the ball, offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan probably received the most criticism of any coach on the staff at any point this season. Atlanta’s once vaunted aerial attack looked pedestrian during the six-game skid.
More from Atlanta Falcons
- Atlanta Falcons Yet Again Making a Terrible Move Signing Matt Schaub
- Atlanta Falcons Must Make This Off-Season Move
- Dan Quinn’s Press Conference Was Filled With Notable Moments. Here’s Some Highlights.
- Atlanta Falcons Re-Sign Kicker Younghoe Koo In Solid Move
- Atlanta Falcons: Is Devonta Freeman’s Time With Falcons Over?
However under Shanahan’s zone blocking scheme, the running game had not looked better in Atlanta since former tailback Michael Turner was in his prime over five years ago. The play of his tackles Jake Matthews and Ryan Schraeder improved drastically in the ZBS and running back Devonta Freeman will play in his first Pro Bowl in a few weeks. He is closing in on 1,000 yards rushing in 2015 and leads the league in rushing touchdowns.
In the last two weeks, quarterback Matt Ryan has finally started to look comfortable in Shanahan’s West Coast system. It is a completely different passing philosophy from the Air Coryell he used under former offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter now with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Though the interceptions are up and the passing touchdowns are down, Ryan can still throw for over 4,500 yards for the fourth straight season.
Fullback Patrick DiMarco has become one of the best in the game in Shanahan’s offense, displaying wonderful lead blocks for Freeman, as well as making terrific catches at times out of the backfield. Advanced metrics have proven DiMarco’s worth at fullback for this team. He is also the Atlanta Falcons’ representative for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award, one of the NFL’s highest honors.
Live Feed
Blogging Dirty
On defensive, defensive coordinator Richard Smith has been one of the better teachers the club has had on that side of the ball in years. The long-time linebackers coach has made a unit of below average players by NFL standards into a respectable group with the help of linebackers coach Jeff Ulbrich.
The secondary has at times has shown flashes of brilliance for assistant head coach Raheem Morris and defensive backs coach Marquand Manuel. The elevated play of cornerbacks Desmond Trufant and Robert Alford, as well as the relatively smooth transition from corner to free safety in Ricardo Allen gives the Atlanta Falcons a ton to look forward to in their defensive backfield.
The one area of this year’s team that has been the least productive again has been the non-existent pass rush of head coach Dan Quinn and defensive line coach Bryan Cox. Though the 4-3 Under base scheme had done a great job in stuffing the run, the nickel package struggled mightily in getting after the quarterback in obvious pass rushing situations.
Rookie outside linebacker Vic Beasley finally had his breakout game as a member of the Atlanta Falcons, having the game-sealing strip sack of Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton in Week 16. Veteran Jonathan Babineaux has been very malleable in this system, playing well wherever the coaching staff puts him. Rookie Grady Jarrett and second-year player Ra’Shede Hageman continue to show flashes of dominance on the defensive line.
Special teams certainly had their issues with injuries this season. Kick returner Devin Hester spent most of 2015 on IR with a toe injury, playing his first game in Week 13 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Atlanta lost its star kicker in Matt Bryant before Thanksgiving to a quad injury. Players like kicker Shayne Graham and returner Eric Weems helped keep this unit afloat when things could have soured rapidly.
Overall there was more good than bad during Dan Quinn’s first year as the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons. His team will finish in second place in the NFC South at a record no worse than 8-8. The offense has had more balance than it has shown in years. The back seven of the defense have made the Falcons respectable on that side of the ball. The players seem to take their coaching well.
Next: Julio Jones: NFC Offensive Player of Week 16
While somebody may move to another staff next season on their own accord, Dan Quinn should do his best to keep as many members of his coaching staff in Flowery Branch next season. Continuity will be one of the main pieces in getting this team back into the NFC Playoffs in 2016. Atlanta will end up being one of the better teams in the NFL to have not played in the postseason in 2015 at the end of the day.