Earlier this week it was announced that Dirk Koetter was the team’s new offensive coordinator, a move that I thought and still do until proven wrong was just BAD.. With all of the expectations Mike Smith, Thomas Dimitroff, and Arthur Blank have for the Falcons’ offense it just seems like a crazy decision to hire the coordinator of the league’s 32nd ranked offense.
Just when it seems like the Falcons are on the right path, they always seem to make a decision that leaves you shaking your head.
Come on Koetter prove me and all of Atlanta wrong…
Please!
Fast forward to yesterday’s announcement that former San Francisco 49ers head coach Mike Nolan was hired to be the team’s defensive coordinator.
Now here’s a hire for the Atlanta Falcons that’s more up my alley!
Nolan may not be the best head coach in the league but he is one of the league’s brightest defensive minds. Groomed by legendary head coach Dan Reeves, Nolan has bolstered a top 10 ranked defense just about everywhere he’s been the defensive coordinator: the New York Giants, New York Jets, Baltimore Ravens, Denver Broncos, Washington Redskins, and most recently the Miami Dolphins.
I’m not saying he’s a miracle but he has worked some magic!
As terrible as the Miami Dolphins have been over the past few seasons, Nolan was been able to get the Dolphins defense to play at a high level; last season they finished ranked 6th overall in the league and while they didn’t have the same type of success this season the Miami defense allowed the sixth fewest points in the league (16.9ppg), ranked 3rd in rushing defense (95.6ypg), and tied for 10th in the league in sacks (41).
The hiring of Nolan is an immediate upgrade for the Falcons, who haven’t seen a Top 10 defensive finish since the 1997-98 season, the same season that saw the Falcons make their only Super bowl appearance.
Rob Calloway can be reached at robert.calloway@cbsradio.com. Follow him on Twitter at @robcalloway3
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