FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — This has been a week nobody wanted or expected, and it has led to some tough conversations and decisions for the Atlanta Falcons.
We'll find out Sunday whether those were enough to successfully turn the page on their 30-0 loss to the Carolina Panthers in Week 3. The Falcons will do everything they can to avoid going into the bye week at 1-3, because their first two games coming out of it are against the Buffalo Bills and San Francisco 49ers, who are a combined 6-0.
Given the importance of this weekend, there is a lot of urgency in the fan base to get things right, and that was clear in this week's questions. If you missed our mailbag earlier in the week when Tori McElhaney shared her thoughts, you can read it here.
If you would like to submit questions for a future mailbag, use this link.
Del W. from York, Neb.
Mid-season coaching changes typically fail to produce immediate offensive improvement, particularly when underlying talent and scheme issues remain unaddressed. The Falcons' decision to replace one coach while maintaining the same players, system, and overall organizational approach suggests unrealistic expectations about potential results. Can you give me reasons on why this will work?
Sure thing, Del. I understand the skepticism, but I think there are a few ways the decision to part ways with receivers coach Ike Hilliard could have a positive impact sooner than later. Head coach Raheem Morris said the decision was performance-based, and there were some clear issues that arose with the passing game against Carolina. Here's a part of his explanation I particularly thought might be relevant to your question:
"We just talked about these guys having three guys in that room with career years the year before, and we want to get those things right. Right now, we've got wideouts without touchdowns. Right now, we've got wideouts that are craving the ball.
"It's not just Mike (Penix Jr.) It's not just them. … You need to have the coaching. You need to have the detail. You need to have everything right in order to get your offense in the right direction. So, I'll just kind of leave it as we've got to get everything right."
Getting 11 players on the exact same page in a sport as complicated and nuanced as football at the professional level requires precise planning, communication and a lot of trust. Every detail has to be conveyed to the players in the exact way across position units with everyone understanding the various audibles and checks and when to use them. And then all of that changes weekly with each matchup.
Given the way Atlanta's passing game has looked, which is far different than what most expected coming into the season, I think it's fair to believe details in that part of the game have not been up to the overall standard. The Falcons were one of just four teams with two receivers in the top 25 for receiving yards last season, and that was with the same "underlying talent and scheme issues," as you put it.
We've seen what this group should look like, and the expectation was that Penix would only enhance what the Falcons can do downfield. T.J. Yates stepping in to handle these coaching responsibilities should also help any changes happen quickly, because they are the same ones he had for Drake London's first two seasons. Plus, as the passing game coordinator, he should help make sure everyone is on exactly the same page. For those reasons, I think you could see an improvement sooner than later.
Jahmiyah S. from Atlanta
I recently attended the training camps and the same thing I saw there is what I'm seeing on the field during the games: We have to get out of this pistol formation. I understand that Zac and Michael are comfortable with it, but our team looks like they're missing cues a lot. We have to find a way to get our receivers more involved.
Hi, Jahmiyah, I can say there are a lot of people who feel similarly about Atlanta's use of the pistol formation. However, I can't say I fall on either side of the fence for that argument. Not because I think it's great or because I think it stinks but rather because I don't yet know enough about the advantages and disadvantages about it to truly have my own opinion on how it benefits or hurts team strategy.
But I am doing my best to learn as quickly as I can, and I hope to have more information for all of you on that in the near future. In the meantime, I will pass along what I have learned about why they believe it's the best approach, and you've already named the most important reason.
This is an offense the play-caller and quarterback feel comfortable operating in — that's really where any team should start. A common complaint I've seen levied against this formation is that it alters the depths of the quarterback and running back, which then impacts the timing and spacing of the play.
In going back and watching all of Penix's snaps under center in Atlanta and his snaps out of pistol, I can tell you there is no change in the distance away from center both he and the backs line up. Penix is at 5 yards of depth in both shotgun and pistol, while Atlanta's running backs are at 8 yards. Perhaps an argument could be made that it changes the mesh point, which could impact the track a player takes, but that is where my ignorance creeps in.
And the running backs are still able to press the line of scrimmage the way they typically would out of any other formation; the onus is on the player to do so. However, the back is able to get the ball faster out of pistol than out of under center, which does perhaps give him a slight advantage in making a quick cut.
I believe the main benefit for Atlanta has to do with the offense's ability to keep its playbook as open and variable as possible because of pistol's motion-friendly design. Robinson has mentioned this before and did so again Wednesday, saying, "Our run game has so many different snap points and things that we activate with some of our tight ends, some of our receivers, that it does give us a ton of versatility."
I think of Charlie Woerner's impact to this run game, which has been crazy efficient in some regards, and how he's able to insert in various gaps from many different starting locations. That can't always happen if a quarterback is lined up under center, and the pistol look helps keep balance in the pre-snap backfield setup as opposed to an offset shotgun formation.
As best I understand it, those are some key reasons why the Falcons prefer the pistol. I'm sure that only scratches the surface, though, and I will continue to report what I learn.
When it comes to getting the receivers more involved, I completely agree with you, and I believe that's why the moves made this week happened.
Ryan M. from Wichita Falls, Texas
Hey guys! Appreciate the great work the team does on the Mailbag each week. I'm flying in from Texas to go to the Falcons-Commanders game this Sunday (first time I have seen the team in Atlanta, only seen them at Jerry World). What are some recommendations of things to do around the stadium before kickoff? Would love to know from y'all since y'all are the definitive source of all Falcons knowledge, obviously. Thanks! Go Falcons!
Really excited you're coming down for the game, Ryan! I hope you have a great time and get exactly the result we're all hoping for.
As for the pre- or post-game activities, there are some really good restaurants within walking distance of the stadium that you should check out. STATS Brewpub, Twin Smokers BBQ and Der Biergarten are all located on Marietta Street, which is nearby and worth walking down for a little bit. Up and down Northside Drive you'll find a lot of great tailgating spots and some incredible smells. I'm sure you'll find plenty of fellow Falcons fans willing to share a drink or a bite with you.
If you've got a little bit more time in the morning or you're look for something to do on Saturday, I'd definitely go hit up the Beltline. You can start at Krog Street Market or Piedmont Park and spend the afternoon walking, eating and shopping. It's a great way to spend the afternoon, assuming the weather is nice. Here are some fun things happening in Atlanta this weekend if you'd like some other ideas, Ryan.
