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One day after losing a Wild Card playoff game to the Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons head coach Mike Smith was named the Associated Press NFL Coach of the Year. Coach Smith edged Miami Dolphins head coach Tony Sparano by a mere one vote. He explained his team’s process to success:

“I’m honored individually, but more so for our coaching staff and our players. I think we have tried to establish that we’d be very systematic in how we did things, that we were going to have a plan. We laid that plan out from the very beginning how we were going to practice, how we were going to travel, how we were going to meet, how we were going to communicate, and I think the guys really appreciated definitely how we presented the plan in the framework for us to start the season.”

I believe the award could’ve gone to both men but I would’ve given the edge to coach Sparano. Nevertheless, it was nearly impossible to separate the incredible job these two coaches did this season — coach Sparano taking the NFL’s worst team last year, a 1-15 team, all the way to an 11-5 record and the AFC East title. And coach Smith improving the Falcons from 4-12 to 11-5 and a Wild Card playoff berth. Neither the Falcons nor Dolphins were able to advance beyond the Wild Card round, but both of these coaches set foundations for what should be promising football futures in Atlanta and Miami.

Source: Yahoo! Sports, Photo: Newscom

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Mike Smith NFL Coach of the Year

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Atlanta Falcons rookie Matt Ryan was named the team’s season-opening starting quarterback by head coach Mike Smith today. Matt will also start the Falcons preseason finale against Baltimore this Thursday:

“We have evaluated Matt through OTAs, mini-camp, training camp and over the course of three preseason games. After reviewing Matt’s progress, we feel like he has won the starting job.”

The decision makes sense. In this particular situation, Matt will do better in a “baptism-by-fire” than he will watching and learning from the sidelines. In three preseason contests, Matt has completed 32 of 52 passes for 277 yards, two touchdowns and one interception for an 80.4 passer rating. I could say not bad for a rookie, but he’s clearly the better option over Chris Redman or Joey Harrington. The Atlanta Falcons aren’t going to the playoffs and Matt will take his lumps this season. But in the long run, this assignment will only help the development of Matt’s career and the development of this team.

Source: AtlantaFalcons.com, Photo: Newscom

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Matt Ryan Named Starting QB for Falcons

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Rookie quarterback Matt Ryan signed a six-year, $72 million contract with the Atlanta Falcons yesterday. The deal ended concerns that lengthy negotiations would hinder Matt’s chances of becoming the team’s starting QB this season. The Falcons weren’t going to let that happen because even though head coach Mike Smith has said the starting quarterback job is an open competition, he knows his personnel. Coach Smith said:

“If he’s the best player, whether he’s a rookie quarterback or rookie offensive lineman or rookie linebacker, we want those guys to come in here and compete. We’re going to put the best player out there on the field.”

Let’s be serious. Neither Joey Harrington nor Chris Redmond has been able to prove they are worthy of being a consistent starting quarterback in the National Football League. Joey did it for a short while in Detroit and he’ll be a solid #2. Chris a reasonable #3. And while Matt Ryan will certainly take his lumps and have his fair share of growing pains during his rookie season, he is the $72 million answer for the Falcons and the hope of this franchise. Now.

Source: AtlantaFalcons.com, Photo: Newscom

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Six Years, $72M for Falcons QB Matt Ryan

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Former San Diego Chargers RB Michael Turner doesn’t have to play the backup role anymore. Michael signed a six-year, $34.5 million contract (with $15 million guaranteed) to be the number one running back for the Atlanta Falcons today. This will be a perfect fit for new ATL head coach Mike Smith’s hard-nosed, run-first offense. Michael will team with speedster Jerious Norwood in the Falcons’ backfield to instantly give the Falcons some much-needed playmaking ability. Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff said:

“We are pleased to be able to add a very talented running back and a player who has produced at a high level in this League when given the opportunity. We think he’s ready to take the next step and have a more prominent role in an offense and we are happy he decided that opportunity is going to be here in Atlanta.”

He’s ready, alright. Michael hasn’t been “the guy” since his senior season at Northern Illinois where in 2003, he left NIU ranked 13th on the NCAA’s all-time rushing list with 4,941 yards. His first four years in the NFL have mostly been spent behind all-world RB LaDainian Tomlinson. When he did get his opportunities, however, he made the most of them and showed the rest of the NFL what he could do if given the chance. And now the Atlanta Falcons are giving him that chance.

This is perfect timing for Michael. Clearly, Warrick Dunn is nearing the end of his great career. Warrick’s been in the league 12 years and really can’t be counted on as anything more than a third down back, if that. So, Michael Turner has a new home and should do very well if the Falcons can get him the necessary supporting cast. Ok, I guess that’s where it gets tricky.

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Michael Turner Lands With Atlanta Falcons

It was nice to see the sun shining in Indianapolis today. It certainly made getting around outside the RCA Dome and Indiana Convention Center much easier. Not that you would really need to go outside here, though. The Dome and CC are connected to much of the city with indoor walkways. I get a big kick out of this. I can walk all over the city without putting on a jacket in the middle of winter. And yes, I’m easily entertained.

The Media Work room was kind of quiet early on, but things picked up as the day progressed with defensive linemen and linebackers being shuttled in and out. One of the most anticipated players was Virginia defensive end Chris Long. Chris, of course, is the son of Pro Football Hall-of-Famer and former Oakland Raiders DE Howie Long. But he made no case for playing in Oakland nor did he make any predictions on where he might wind up being drafted:

“No matter where I was picked, any opportunity to play in the National Football League is an opportunity I would cherish. To be in that position you have to work even harder and show up with more humility and more of an open mind, because people will be looking at you. Wherever I go and whoever I go play for, I’m a football player. I enjoy playing football, I enjoy the game, I enjoy being a teammate. I won’t change. I’ll be the same guy.”

More coaches made their way to the Media Work Room. I sat in on pressers with Mike Smith (Falcons), Ken Whisenhunt (Cards), Jeff Fisher (Titans) and John Harbaugh (Ravens). Coach Smith is obviously very happy with his new position in Atlanta. Seriously, he smiled the entire time. He never stopped smiling. It was nice to see that. Coach Smith said there wasn’t much difference between a 4-12 team and a 12-4 team in the National Football League. And you know what, he’s right. In today’s NFL, a team could flip their record that drastically in one season. He also noted that the “new” Atlanta Falcons will be a more physical football team, much like the punishing defense he led in Jacksonville. Offensively, he said the Falcons would control the line of scrimmage and run the football first and foremost. The Falcons need to address their quarterback situation and Coach Smith mentioned an interest in a number of QBs at the Combine, although me didn’t mention any names.

Today was also the first day for player workouts on the RCA Dome floor. (Note: This is the last sporting event in the RCA Dome. Everything moves to nearby Lucas Oil Stadium post-Combine.) Offensive linemen and tight ends were the focal point of today’s workouts. Here are the winners’ results:

Offensive Line – Bench Press (Jake Long, Michigan, 37); Broad Jump (Cody Wallace, Texas A&M, 9′5″); Vert Jump (Cody Wallace, Texas A&M, 30.5″); 3-Cone Drill (Michael Gibson, Cal-Berkeley, 7.21); 20-yard Shuttle (Mike Pollak, Arizona State, 4.47); 40-yard Dash (Jeremy Zuttah, Rutgers, 4.99).

Tight End – Bench Press (Craig Stevens, Cal-Berkeley, 27); Broad Jump (Dustin Keller, Purdue, 10′11″); Vert Jump (Dustin Keller, Purdue, 38″); 60-yard Shuttle (Gary Barnidge, 11.29); 3-Cone Drill (Derek Fine, Kansas, 6.8); 20-yard Shuttle (Dustin Keller, Purdue, 4.14); 40-yard Dash (Dustin Keller, Purdue, 4.55).

NFL Draft Scout senior analyst Rob Rang reported that USC’s Fred Davis, widely considered the top TE in this class, struggled with these drills. Fred had been impressive early with 24 reps of 225 pounds, but dropped several passes today and elected not to run the 40-yard dash. He could be a classic case of a player struggling with the pressure of the Combine because he stood out at the Senior Bowl and won the Mackey Award as the nation’s top tight end. His struggles with drops definitely caught the attention of scouts.

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NFL Scouting Combine 2008: Day Three

Former Jacksonville Jags defensive coordinator Mike Smith was named as the new head coach of the Atlanta Falcons today. Stepping in as the third full-time head coach in three years won’t be easy, but that is the task that awaits Coach Smith. The Falcons hope he brings the stability they so desperately need after last year’s season-long debacle — QB Michael Vick was sent to prison and head coach Bobby Petrino walked out on the team. At an announcement presser today Coach Smith said:

“I know it was a very difficult year with the off-the-field issues. Those are things that have happened in the past. I’m concerned about what’s happening from today on, but in terms of mending the situations that occurred, I’m very open and I’m very personable. I like to have relationships with the players whether it’s an open-door policy where we can get in and talk.”

Well, that’s a start. Coach Smith is a very communicative and genuine guy. I’ll give him that. But first and foremost he needs to find a starting quarterback from a roster of Byron Leftwich, Joey Harrington, Chris Redman and D.J. Shockley. Or look to free agency. He’ll also need to mend the NFL’s 29th ranked defense, the 23rd ranked offense and a 4-12 record. As D-coordinator in Jacksonville the past four seasons, he engineered one of the league’s best defenses, well-known for their physical style of play. He’ll bring that same game plan/philosophy to Atlanta. I know he wants to run the ball on offense and stop the run on defense. That would be my philosophy as well. It’s a simple plan of success (knowing, of course, that it’s easier said than done). According to Falcons’ GM Thomas Dimitroff, “He has a very well-defined plan to put in place, and he will adhere to that plan.” Hmm. Sounds like the front office will see to it.

(Here’s a little factoid you probably didn’t know. Former Baltimore Ravens head coach Brian Billick is Coach Smith’s brother-in-law.)

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Mike Smith Hired as Head Coach of Falcons