'That's F****** Bull***!' Fire Arthur Smith? How Can Falcons - After Yet Another Collapse - Keep the Coach?
How many different ways must the Atlanta Falcons collapse before the possible firing of Arthur Smith because the reality of the dismissal of the coach?
Given a Week 18 opportunity to win the NFC South title with victory over the rival New Orleans Saints, the Falcons were again a no-show in a humiliating 48-17 loss.
Again? Yes indeed, for after a 2-0 start, owner Arthur Blank's team ended up losing 10 of the last 15, four of the last seven and four of the last five.
A collapse in the macro? Done. A collapse in the micro? Once again, Smith's group - and maybe Smith himself - shriveled up in the face of a challenge, allowing themselves to be overwhelmed by a Saints team that is also a non-powerhouse.
When did Smith and company show any real fight? Only after the game, when an embarrassed - and embarrassing - Smith approached Saints coach Dennis Allen to express displeasure with a last-minute New Orleans touchdown.
“That’s f****** bull***!” screamed Smith … helpless to do anything but … well, scream.
Indeed, this division was there for the taking all along, stocked as it is with have-nots. The Falcons finish 7-9 - for the third straight year under Smith - and week after week after week, they invented new ways to lose.
Fail to figure out the quarterback situation? Check.
Fail to fully utilize premium-pick kids Bijan Robinson, Drake London and Kyle Pitts? Check.
Lose to the Carolina Panthers? Check.
Let the Bucs win this crummy division for a third straight season. Check.
Lay an egg at the exact moment when big-time players - and big-time coaches - should shine on the stage? Check.
Trusted colleagues Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero at NFL Network were reporting going into this game that "sources say Blank has been calling people he trusts within the league for advice in recent days -- another sign he is weighing potential changes" regarding the coach.
That's grand. It sounds like "research" is being done. It sounds like New England legend Belichick, who may have just coached his final Patriots game today after 24 years and six Super Bowl titles there - will be contacted.
Good. But short of all of that: Why does Blank need to "call people"? He watches the games, right? He saw this debacle, right?
It was reported this week that Blank was "torn" on the idea of firing Smith. We get that; this is tough for everybody involved. But we don't know how much clearer it can be after this.
What should be "torn" up is the Falcons' commitment to the going-nowhere stewardship of Arthur Smith.
