Dirk Koetter is a Good Fit in Atlanta
Jun 18, 2013; Flowery Branch, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter shown on the field during minicamp at the Falcons Training Complex. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Around this time last year, I feel a lot of people felt like this.
A year later, I honestly feel guilty for disliking the move so much with no faith in Dimitroff or Mike Smith. I now know that with the exception of a few backfires in Peria Jerry and Ray Edwards, that 90% of the time, those guys gets it done every single time. Considering that Dimitroff has taken unproven no-name guys and turned them into stars in Atlanta like Mike Smith and Michael Turner. Dirk Koetter was the next in line and you all should feel bad for doubting the great Comrade!
Mike Mularkey was a flat out boring and predictable coordinator. It was time for a change. Dirk Koetter came in after leading the Jacksonville Jaguars to an impressive 32nd in total offense in 2011. With Matt Ryan and the helm, Julio Jones, Roddy White, and Tony Gonzalez, it almost seemed like a waste to throw a guy into the mix that ranked dead last in offense.
After a single season, the Falcons ranked in the top in almost every single offensive category except for rushing. If you think about it that way, it’s almost funny: Koetter came from a place where the ONLY offensive tool was a running back. I like to believe that the reason Dirk Koetter looked so bad in Jacksonville was because his approach to the game was more complicated than a team could handle without some major talent. Making the jump to Atlanta, where he had a countless amount of tools to do whatever he wanted. The only limiting agent for the supreme chemistry of the Falcons was a reliable running back. That is no longer a problem with the addition of Steven Jackson.
My expectations are another few notches higher in the passing game with a greatly increased numbers in the running game. I predict the falcons to be ranked 5th in passing and 10th in running by the end of the season. That may be a little optimistic, but completely doable.
What are your expectations for the Offense this season?