Falcons have hired Mike Nolan as their new defensive coordinator.

[RealSNR]

Originally Posted by Pittsie

FYP.

This.

Our D is now > their D.

The real difference has been more consistent receiving threats (but not by much), a better offensive line (again, theirs ain't exactly stellar) and of course, Matt Ryan. And I don't even like Matt Ryan that much.

I think the Falcons are going to be caught in this "Ooohhh... soooo close but not good enough" trap for a long, long, time.

[WhiteWhale]

Originally Posted by SNR

This.

Our D is now > their D.

The real difference has been more consistent receiving threats (but not by much), a better offensive line (again, theirs ain't exactly stellar) and of course, Matt Ryan. And I don't even like Matt Ryan that much.

I think the Falcons are going to be caught in this "Ooohhh... soooo close but not good enough" trap for a long, long, time.

That's because Matt Ryan turns into a different, and much shittier QB, in the playoffs.

They would be more successful if the guy could just play to his averages.

[RealSNR]

Originally Posted by WhiteWhale

That's because Matt Ryan turns into a different, and much shittier QB, in the playoffs.

They would be more successful if the guy could just play to his averages.

I don't know if he turns into a different QB as much as he simply not that great of a QB. He's very good, but can't quite put the team on his shoulders and execute the right plays at the right time.

Let's be fair. Atlanta's defense doesn't do him any favors when he faces offenses like the Packers and Giants. Also, most defenses (at least in the NFC) are pretty damn good at shutting down the run. Therefore, it all depends on Matt Ryan, and he's simply not that kind of QB. Not yet, anyway. Who knows if he will be.

Atlanta's making a good move in hiring Nolan. They've got to get some better secondary players, though. Ryan's just getting out-gunned in the playoffs. Plain and simple.

[Frosty]

Originally Posted by SNR

I don't know if he turns into a different QB as much as he simply not that great of a QB. He's very good, but can't quite put the team on his shoulders and execute the right plays at the right time.

Let's be fair. Atlanta's defense doesn't do him any favors when he faces offenses like the Packers and Giants. Also, most defenses (at least in the NFC) are pretty damn good at shutting down the run. Therefore, it all depends on Matt Ryan, and he's simply not that kind of QB. Not yet, anyway. Who knows if he will be.

Atlanta's making a good move in hiring Nolan. They've got to get some better secondary players, though. Ryan's just getting out-gunned in the playoffs. Plain and simple.

The whole team seems to go into a shell come play-off time. Ryan holds the ball too long, Turner can't run for shit, and the WR's drop the ball even more than usual. The defense actually played better than expected, especially missing Grimes, but wore out in the end because they got zero help from the offense.