Story written December 31, 2018
It only took the Atlanta Falcons less than 24 hours after the clock hit triple zero to end the 2018 campaign that the team let go of all three coordinators; Offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian, defensive coordinator Marquand Manual, and special teams coordinator Keith Armstrong.
For all the good things that went right for this team, there were more wrong things that haunted this 2018 campaign. Lets talk about the offense. Steve Sarkisian was in his 2nd year as the offensive coordinator. Even being ranked as the sixth best offense in the league, they were plagued with a lackluster rushing attack ranked 28th in rushing this year. The high powered offense came from the passing game with QB Matt Ryan throwing for 4900 plus yards and 30 TDs. WR Julio Jones had 8 TDs and 1700 plus receiving yards. And rookie WR Calvin Ridley hauled in 10 TDs. Injuries to RB Devonta Freeman gave way for a big year to RB Tevin Coleman, who was in a contract year. But that big year never happened. Yes, there were spurts of dominance by Coleman and the other running backs Ito Smith and Brian Hill, but the backs really never produced. The production was down mainly due to injuries to the offensive line and lack of the depth stepping up to fill in. With injuries to both offensive guards and playing musical linemen with the other offensive line players just never really made for consistent play up front. This is one of the main reasons the running backs had a down year because there were no holes to run through. With this being said, the lack of creativity from Sarkisian for the offense played a big role why he is no longer in charge of the Falcons offense.
Under first year defensive coordinator Marquand Manual in 2017 and all starters mainly healthy, the Falcons’ defense finished that season as the 10th best defense. Now lets move to the 2018 campaign where the optimism was at an all time high. But it only took less than one game for that to start crumpling down. Opening game at Philadelphia not only brought Atlanta a 18-20 lost, but starting Strong Safety Keanu Neal tore his ACL and was done for the season. Just a few games after starting middle linebacker Deion Jones injured his foot and would be out 11 weeks. The pain continued as a few games after starting free safety and the QB of the defense Ricardo Allen tore his achilles tendon and was done for the year. The defense sputtered the remainder of the year and ended up 28th in the league. The faith that Head Coach Dan Quinn had with Manual faded and a new voice need to be had on the defensive side of the ball.
When it comes to special teams, the Falcons special teams have been special for a long time, and that is the sarcastic side of special. They just have not been good for as long as I can remember. Too many penalties for the special teams, lack of punt and kick off returners. They lead the league year in and year out in fair catches. The two positives on special teams are the two Matts, punter Matt Bosher and kicker Matt Bryant. It was time for 17 year special teams coach Armstrong to go and add a new face to coordinate the special teams.
So the hunt begins for two coordinators, the offensive coordinator and special teams coordinator. The defensive coordinator has been decided and it is going top be Head Coach Quinn, who is a defensive minded coach and was the former defensive coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks. Quinn also took to calling the defensive plays late in the 2016 year on the way to Super Bowl 51. The Falcons have already or will interview former Falcons offensive coordinator’s Mike Mularkey and Dirk Koetter (recently let go as head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers). Both of the coordinators have a history with QB Ryan. Offensive minded coach Gary Kubiak could have interest, but that is just rumors at this point. Good friend and former offensive coordinator of Seattle Derrall Bevell could also have interest. Bevell was with Atlanta helping Quinn during training camp earlier this year. My thought at the beginning of the year that Sarkisian should go, but as the season went on and injuries mounted he did the best he could with what he had and he did a good job. Quinn probably thought he did a good job but also needed a change. Manual on the defensive side of the ball I could take it or leave it. But I do like that Quinn is going to call the defensive plays. Armstrong on special teams should have been gone a long time ago.
To end this blog post I actually think that Quinn is working on a one year deal. He has fired all his coordinators, and if next year doesn’t turn things around he might be on the hot seat. Remember this is not the football I use to know as a child. It is what have you done for me lately? There is no consistency and longevity. If you do not produce your gone, there is no lets wait it out and see what happens.
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