Atlanta Falcons: Will New Coordinators Bring Disruption or Regression?
By W. M. Lawson
The Atlanta Falcons burst on the NFL Playoff scene in 2017. During the off-season, they went out and hired new Offensive and Defensive Coordinators.
2016 was, in spite of how it ended, a remarkable year for the Atlanta Falcons franchise and its fans. It was a unique time, for sure, to be in the city with Falcons playoff fever. Normally, that kind of success brings stasis and continuity. Like the old axiom says, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”.
But tinker, they did. Partly, due to the very success mentioned. And partly, due to an inability to stop teams at very crucial times.
The Falcons replaced Offensive and Defensive Coordinators this off-season. Kyle Shanahan (OC) took off as the new Head Coach of the flailing and listless San Francisco 49ers. This, after a year where the Offense racked up yards and points, with Shanahan getting a lot of the credit due to play calling and scheme.
We’re about to find out if that was true. In steps formerly disgraced college Head Coach Steve Sarkisian. “Sark” certainly has a pedigree. In fact, at one time, many considered him one of the best coaches in college football. If Sarkisian comes in and the offense doesn’t miss a beat, or even gets more efficient, then we’ll know that Shanahan was a part of the success, but not necessarily a majority part. If this high-octane offense regresses and stumbles, fans will grumble.
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The Defensive Coordinator position change was different. Former DC, Richard Smith, came to Atlanta with success on that side of the ball in Denver. Yeah, that defense. But, for some reason, something was missing, apparently, and Coach Dan Quinn fired him, and hired new DC Marquand Manuel. Previously the Secondary/Sr. Defensive Asst., players have already commented on Manuel’s upbeat style and coaching.
Both of these guys come into their new roles with the explicit endorsement of Coach DQ. The question, though, is how much regression and disruption come out of this transition. Basic football knowledge tells us that any time you replace Coordinators, especially on both sides of the ball, there will be a few problems.
Many will conclude that they are less worried about the Defense, because of DQ’s history there. And, although Sarkisian and Shanahan are similar, in terms of philosophy, play calling and communication will change. That’s a fact. That kind of transition, most of time, means a period of figuring it out.
With the elevated expectations of Atlanta Falcons fans, and the team itself, this requires close watching. The team is incredibly talented. It will be the fastest Atlanta Falcons team we’ve ever seen in our uniform.
But, history shows that changing Coordinators has an effect. Sometimes a big effect. That transition could mean the difference in winning the division, or not.
Next: Atlanta Falcons: ATL Might Have Fastest Defense in 2017 NFL
It’s that big of a deal.