Falcons: Jason Cole Yahoo! article. Some not so surprising comments from our players.

[Paulitik]

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=jc...ons_010812


I'm not going to post the whole thing, because it's depressing. That said these comments are telling.[/quote]

[quote]As impressive as the defensive effort was, let’s put it in some perspective. “Matty Ice” Ryan has actually been “Matty on Ice” in the postseason. In his three playoff appearances, Ryan has compiled a quarterback rating of only 71.2 (70 completions, 110 attempts, 584 yards, three touchdowns, four interceptions) and has been sacked 10 times. His average per attempt is a paltry 5.3 yards (you have to be in the 7.0 range to be successful on a consistent basis).

However, not all of the blame falls on the quarterback. Rather than challenge defenses with aggressive play-calling, Atlanta has played scared.

“We talked about trying to establish the running game because we didn’t think we could pass protect,” said Falcons wide receiver Roddy White, who was limited to five catches for 52 yards with a long of only 21 yards. “We played right into their hands. I mean, if they sack us every down and we can’t move the ball, OK. But let’s try.”

[ Photo gallery: Giants dominate Falcons in NFC wild-card game ]

White’s remarks echo private comments of several other players who have pointed at a disconnection who offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey’s approach. Numerous players believe Mularkey is too conservative, particularly in tense situations like the playoffs.

Or as one player put it: “Something has to be said to [coach] Mike [Smith] this offseason.”

For now, the important issue is whether the Giants will have something to say in Green Bay.

[=abrahamburger=]

This was so painful to read. MM is gone.

[JDaveG]

Not like there was any doubt, but if there was, there you go.

I said after the Saints game it looked like the team was quitting on the coaching staff. Having a crappy gameplan week in and week out will do that to you.

[The Don™]

This isn't the first time a player has said something about MM's playcalling/philosophy/scheme. Several times you've had to read between the lines but the disconnect and doubts about MM are there from the players.

[Statick]

Playing scared is right. And it starts from the coaching staff right onto the players, Ryan especially. Dude plays like he's scared of making the mistake that'll cause us to lose. He needs to say "fuck it" and just let it fly. Sure, he'll get criticized for that, but at least he won't get blamed for trying to get it down the field like he did his first season. Coupled with a head coach who leaves it up to a collegiate-level DC who can't get his defense off the field on 3rd down, who can't learn from his mistakes nor teach any player under him how to play in it worth a damn. Mularkey still refuses to adjust to his personnel with an offense that's archaic by today's standards.

And finally Smitty...I have to say it...homeboy looked lost out there...again. He really needs to evaluate himself as to how he's going to coach.

[cooperbh]

Quote:Worse for Atlanta, the Giants seemed to have a very good idea of exactly what to expect. Both Canty and Tuck said they studied the exact quarterback sneak plays the Falcons tried to run.

“We saw the second one on film this week,” Tuck said, referring to a play in which the Falcons had four players shift before the snap. “They were trying to draw us off. We’d seen that.”

That's pretty embarrassing.

[Paulitik]

Smitty's comments about the turnovers being the reason for our previous playoff losses really stick to me. He put no blame on coaching. Watching the tape of Matt at BC, you see a guy scrambling, throwing it deep, improvising. they have coached it out of him.

[JDaveG]

(01-08-2012 11:08 PM)Statick Wrote:  Playing scared is right. And it starts from the coaching staff right onto the players, Ryan especially. Dude plays like he's scared of making the mistake that'll cause us to lose. He needs to say "fuck it" and just let it fly. Sure, he'll get criticized for that, but at least he won't get blamed for trying to get it down the field like he did his first season.

I had some issues with Ryan's play in this game, but reading that article it seems the "not letting it fly" thing is on Mularkey. Roddy all but came out and said they kept trying to run and played conservative because Mularkey didn't think they could pass protect. Maybe Matt has to "overcome coaching" like Vick did, but at the end of the day, when your OC and head coach have a chickenshit gameplan, it's hard for you to go balls out and sling it around like a gangster.

[The Don™]

(01-08-2012 11:08 PM)Statick Wrote:  Playing scared is right. And it starts from the coaching staff right onto the players, Ryan especially. Dude plays like he's scared of making the mistake that'll cause us to lose. He needs to say "fuck it" and just let it fly. Sure, he'll get criticized for that, but at least he won't get blamed for trying to get it down the field like he did his first season. Coupled with a head coach who leaves it up to a collegiate-level DC who can't get his defense off the field on 3rd down, who can't learn from his mistakes nor teach any player under him how to play in it worth a damn. Mularkey still refuses to adjust to his personnel with an offense that's archaic by today's standards.

And finally Smitty...I have to say it...homeboy looked lost out there...again. He really needs to evaluate himself as to how he's going to coach.

I think that mindset of playing mistake-free comes from Smith and the coaching staff. They stress and stress and stress playing mistake free and executing. I think it makes the players nervous and timid. They preach that to the players and that's how they want their players to play. Very disciplined and rigid. Mike Koenan said there is "nervous energy" up there after he signed with the Bucs. Sometimes, you gotta just let the players play.

BTW, Ryan was a slinger in college. He threw it everywhere and wasn't predicated to out routes and come backs like he is here.

[Paulitik]

(01-08-2012 11:08 PM)cooperbh Wrote:  That's pretty embarrassing.

Yeah, and some will blame Matt for not getting further.