Falcons Hot-Seat 'Dismay'; Is Blank Rethinking Firing Atlanta Coach?
A few weeks ago, an assortment of reports came out insisting that Atlanta Falcons coach Arthur Smith's job was safe. We wrote at the time that given the fact the team had underachieved, there was no reason for owner Arthur Blank to make a commitment to 2024.
And now, suddenly, Arthur Smith is going public in agreement with us - and with an open mind as to the possibility of firing his coach.
Before determining Smith's future, the owner said this week he will "let the season play out ... assess where we are, and go from there."
Smith and Blank
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That statement does not suggest job security. It even falls short of a "vote of confidence." And it comes paired with a note from Josina Anderson of CBS Sports who suggests there are “sentiments of dismay” regarding Smith's work.
That seems justified. As the Falcons prepare for their Week 16 outing against the Indianapolis Colts, they are 6-8 - a "long-shot" to make the playoffs, as Smith himself said following last week's dismal 9-7 loss to the NFL's worst team in the Carolina Panthers.
So as Blank "assesses where we are" - while also stating some level of being "committed to coach Smith" - we'll assume that means there is no benefit to dismissing the coach now. Instead, Smith is free to attack the fact that Atlanta has three winnable games remaining, the Colts, then the Bears, then the Saints. Smith is talking about wanting to take on all challenges.
“That’s what you sign up for. I don’t mean to make that sound like bravado, but you want these jobs," Smith said about the increasing noise regarding his job security that includes #FireArthurSmith trending on social media. "You deal with the consequences. That’s what you want. You want to be judged and don’t lose sight of that. You’re in the most competitive league. That’s the reality when it’s not going the way – you don’t get the results right now. So, that goes with the job.”
Maybe in the next three weeks, Smith activates his underused offensive weapons, stems the tide of "sentiments of dismay'' and runs the table. If Blank was looking for improvement from last year's 7-10 record, as he has stated? Well, finishing strong with a playoff push and a 9-8 record could be construed as that.
But to this point? Blank is blunt about the results being produced by his third-year coach.
"I think through this part of the season, it's been mixed, quite honestly," Blank said. "That's what I think."
