DEL.ICIO.USNFL: ATLANTA FALCONS
Mike Smith, other rookie coaches making impact
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Friday, November 28, 2008
Flowery Branch — Falcons coach Mike Smith is part of a rookie class of head coaches who are getting the job done right out of the gate.
Smith (7-4) along with Washington’s Jim Zorn (7-4), Baltimore’s John Harbaugh (7-4) and Miami’s Tony Sparano (6-5) all have winning records and could figure in the playoff races in their respective conferences.
Curtis Compton / ccompton@ajc.com
Mike Smith, Atlanta Falcons Record: 7-4 This week: at San Diego (4-7) The skinny: Smith and his staff are re-writing the book on how to get a rookie quarterback prepared to play in the NFL. Playoff chances: Winning the NFC South is the clearest path. Both wild-card spots could be taken by NFC East teams. Coaching tree: Jack Del Rio, Brian Billick and Marvin Lewis.
AP
John Harbaugh, Baltimore Ravens Record: 7-4 This week: at Cincinnati (1-9) The skinny: Is using a three-headed running back — Ray Rice, LeRon McClain, Willis McGahee — to power the offense and help rookie quarterback Joe Flacco. Playoff chances: Rough road with games left against Washington, Pittsburgh and at Dallas. Coaching tree: Andy Reid and Jack Harbaugh (former small-college head coach)
AP
Tony Sparano, Miami Dolphins Record: 6-5 This week: at St. Louis (2-9) The Skinny: They are 4-1 over their past five games. Playoff chances: Steep climb with four of last five games on the road. Coaching tree: Bill Parcells
AP
Jim Zorn, Washington Redskins Record: 7-4 This week: vs. New York Giants (10-1) The skinny: Has developed quarterback Jason Campbell to go along with a solid defense. Playoff chances: After the Giants, they have a workable schedule, with Baltimore, Cincinnati, Philadelphia and San Francisco left. Coaching tree: Mike Holmgren
Smith and Sparano inherited the teams in the worst shape. The Falcons were 4-12 last season, while the Dolphins managed only one victory.
Baltimore and Washington had a cache of veteran players and were considered to have more talented rosters than Atlanta and Miami.
“I know the guys that you’re talking about, John, Jim and Tony, they all were outstanding assistant coaches and did a great job with their respective team,” Smith said. “Their teams are playing well. They’ve responded well.”
Smith is not stunned by the early results.
“It doesn’t surprise me one bit the success that those guys are having because of the success they had as assistants,” Smith said.
In his first season as a coach, Smith made sure to stay grounded.
“The big thing is that you have to be yourself,” Smith said. “Everybody has their old style and the way they are going to do business. That’s very, very important.”
The turnover was low last season. But as many as 11 teams could change coaches this offseason.
There are apparent succession plans in Seattle (Mike Holmgren to Jim Mora), Indianapolis (Tony Dungy to Jim Caldwell) and Dallas (eventually Wade Phillips to Jason Garrett).
Oakland and St. Louis are playing with interim coaches.
Cleveland, Kansas City, San Diego, Cincinnati, Detroit and Minnesota all could be shopping for new coaches.
The success of Smith’s group shows that loyal assistants should get more consideration, after a proven winner like Bill Cowher is snapped up.
“I don’t think there is a mold that says this is what a head coach is,” Smith said. “What his track record is or where he comes from because this group of four coaches all come from different backgrounds.
“John was a special-teams coach. Tony was an offensive-line coach. Jim was a quarterbacks coach. I was a defensive coordinator. So it’s all from different backgrounds. I just think it basically says that there is no mold for what it takes to be a successful coach in this league.”
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