Whereas Smith’s firing is not in any respect stunning, the timing says it has been on the Falcons’ and proprietor Arthur Clean’s thoughts for some time. In response to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, dropping 4 of the final 5 video games to shut the season led the crew in a “different direction.”
In a press release, Clean mentioned the robust determination to fireside a head coach is “by no means straightforward.”
“We now have profound respect for coach Smith and respect all of the onerous work and dedication he has put into the Falcons over the past three years,” mentioned Clean by way of Adam Schefter of ESPN. “He has been a part of constructing an excellent tradition in our soccer crew, however the outcomes on the sphere haven’t met our expectations. After important thought and reflection, we’ve got decided one of the best ways ahead for our crew is new management within the head teaching place.”
On Sunday, Smith and the Falcons dropped an embarrassing 48-17 loss to the New Orleans Saints within the finale, which could not have helped Smith’s trigger. However, after three straight 7-10 finishes, the franchise wasn’t inclined to supply him a fourth yr.
The Falcons introduced Smith aboard after he helped mould the Tennessee Titans offense into the fourth-ranked unit (29.6 PPG) in 2020. Nevertheless, the success didn’t comply with him to Atlanta, the place the offense by no means ranked greater than fifteenth in factors per sport, ending twenty sixth (18.9) this season.
After an up-and-down first yr in QB Matt Ryan’s final with the franchise, Smith couldn’t create a constant and potent offense with Marcus Mariota, Taylor Heinicke and 2022 third-round decide Desmond Ridder.
Whereas it is truthful to say Smith did not have the very best crop of go throwers to work with, 4 got here and went with out a lot of a change to the scheme or plan of assault.
Moreover, weapons like operating again Bijan Robinson, wideout Drake London and tight finish Kyle Pitts weren’t as massive part of the offense as many believed they need to be, which is one other knock on the now-former head coach.
Total, the Falcons went 21-29 with zero playoff appearances by way of three seasons underneath Smith. Whether or not or not the fast set off on his firing means the crew will examine the potential huge fish head teaching candidates rumored to be accessible, like Michigan’s Jim Harbaugh or New England Patriots future Corridor of Famer Invoice Belichick, stays to be seen.
Nevertheless, one factor is obvious: 2024 will start a brand new period for the soiled birds.
