Falcons Faced With More Uncertainty

Although Bobby Petrino was the wrong fit with the Falcons, this franchise has suffered another major setback now that they are faced with another coaching switch just one year after changing directions from the Jim Mora regime. 

When making a change at the head coaching position in the National Football League, it represents more than just changing a position with another name.  When the Falcons hired Petrino about a year ago, it represented substantial change in multiple aspects of the organization. 

Petrino represented a change in on-field philosophy – specifically with his change from a zone blocking to a power philosophy in the run game.  It’s impossible to make enough personnel changes in one off-season to accommodate a coach after you have been acquiring players to fit the old coaching regime the past few years.  Obviously this change in coaching requires a change in the evaluation and player selection philosophies with their personnel philosophies. 

And another major component is the relationship with players.  A new head coach is going to have a different personality.  The players will have a lot of uncertainty on how the new coach will handle various situations throughout the year let alone the fact they will have to adjust to a different position coach. 

There are so many dynamics of an organization that are affected when you make a change at the head coaching position.  At this point, the Atlanta Falcons are faced with major a complete overhaul of their organization.

With this in mind, I believe the Falcons have to evaluate the possibility of being in a strong football man to head up the personnel department.  Rich McKay is one of the best administrators in the league, but is not a true personnel man.  That aspect is missing within this organization. 

Could they lure Bill Cowher or Marty Schottenheimer back on the sidelines by offering them power in also overseeing the personnel department?  Perhaps, but it would be wise to also have a solid personnel man working in tandem with one of these excellent coaches. 

Who are a few other candidates for the Falcons?   Jason Garrett would be a tremendous hire, but I believe it would take the right opportunity for him walking away from being the future head man in Dallas.  New England’s Josh McDaniels would be an attractive candidate considering the direction the Falcons are headed with a new quarterback for the long-term. 

If Rich McKay is making this decision – I wouldn’t be surprised to see him hire a defensive-minded head coach.  McKay will look hard at Mike Singletary.  Singletary possesses the leadership the Falcons need on the field.  He would bring discipline to this team, but with superior people skills compared to Petrino.  Singletary has been well-respected by many within the San Francisco organization.

San Diego linebacker coach Ron Rivera and Baltimore defensive coordinator Rex Ryan could also see some consideration.

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