NFL Black Monday: Arthur Smith is OUT in Atlanta
Trending On Twitter Today 8th January 2024 – Black Monday Claims Its First Casualty
The NFL regular season has come to an end, and the annual tradition of “Black Monday Arthur Smith” has commenced. This is the day after the end of the regular season when multiple coaches are relieved of their duties after underperforming seasons. The first coach to get axed on this year’s Black Monday is Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith. After three straight 7-10 seasons, team owner Arthur Blank has decided to part ways with Smith in hopes of turning things around.
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Arthur Smith’s Underwhelming Three-Year Tenure
Arthur Smith was brought in after the 2020 season with high hopes of bringing consistency and smashmouth football to Atlanta. However, after going 21-30 in his three seasons at the helm, it was clear that his style and system were not working.
In all three seasons under Smith, the Falcons put up identical 7-10 records and were the definition of mediocrity. They would show flashes of potential, with big wins over eventual playoff teams, only to come crashing down the next week with embarrassing losses to inferior opponents. This rollercoaster ride finally came to an end today.
Arthur Smith’s Record in Atlanta – Black Monday Arthur Smith
| 2020: 7 | 10 |
| 2021: 7 | 10 |
| 2022: 7 | 10 |
While the team saw mild improvements in certain areas under Smith, such as coming out of the bye week with a 6-1 record, the overall inconsistent and underwhelming performances could no longer be tolerated.
Who Will Replace Arthur Smith (Black Monday Arthur Smith)?
With Smith now gone, the Falcons turn their attention to finding the next leader of the flock. Two names have already emerged as top candidates:
Bill Belichick: There have been rumors floating around that owner Arthur Blank may attempt to pry Bill Belichick away from New England to rebuild the Falcons. While likely a long-shot, Belichick’s pedigree and resume make him an intriguing option.
Ben Johnson: The young Detroit Lions offensive coordinator is also an intriguing possibility. After seeing the innovation he brought to help revive the Lions offense this season, Johnson figures to garner attention for head coaching openings around the league. His blend of creativity and leadership ability make for an exciting potential hire.
The coaching search is only just beginning for Atlanta, and more names will likely surface in the coming days and weeks. Ultimately, Blank wants to find “his guy” – a coach who can come in and establish consistency, discipline and a winning culture. For a franchise starving for sustained success, this coaching hire is crucial.
Arthur Smith’s “Artistic Smashmouth” Style
While it did not translate to wins, Arthur Smith did come in with a clear identity and scheme he wanted to implement. Dubbed “artistic smashmouth,” it was intended to blend a creative, innovative passing game with an imposing, physical rushing attack.
Smith emphasized the power running game early on to set up play-action shots downfield. There was a lot of pre-snap motion and personnel versatility to keep defenses guessing. The end goal was to marry a physical ground game with an explosive aerial attack.
When it worked, like in a 2021 upset of the eventual Super Bowl champion LA Rams, it was a sight to behold. But the overall lack of consistency and execution, especially at the quarterback position, prevented the scheme from taking hold.
Smith took influences from coaches he worked with such as Mike Vrabel and Matt LaFleur. The goal was to mimic their balanced, complementary football philosophies. Ultimately, he was unable to get the right players to properly run this hybrid run/pass scheme.
Recent Years of Falcons Mediocrity
Stepping back and looking at the past five seasons, it is clear to see why Blank felt a change was needed. The Falcons have been the definition of average, while consistently struggling in key situational spots.
Falcons’ Year-by-Year Records Last 5 Seasons
| 2019: 7 | 9 |
| 2020: 4 | 12 |
| 2021: 7 | 10 |
| 2022: 7 | 10 |
| 2023: 7 | 10 |
The Falcons have had particular issues with closing out games, surrendering leads frequently in the fourth quarter. The team also has had problems with turnovers, ranking near the bottom of the league in turnover differential in recent seasons.
Additionally, Atlanta has struggled mightily in season openers. They have lost five straight Week 1 matchups dating back to 2017. Getting off to these poor starts has set the tone for drawn-out, disappointing seasons.
While Smith is not fully to blame for these shortcomings, the lack of progress in changing these troubling trends sealed his fate. Blank and GM Terry Fontenot are seeking wholesale changes to flip the script next season.
Conclusion & What Next for Falcons
And so the first domino has fallen on Black Monday 2024 with Arthur Smith getting relieved of his duties in Atlanta. While showing occasional flashes, Smith’s teams consistently underperformed and never established consistency.
The Falcons now dive headfirst into finding their next head coach – a leader who can maximize their promising core of skill players. With the right hire, fans can realistically hope to be playing January football again soon.
It will be a crucial offseason in Atlanta as they look to finally escape football purgatory. But the process begins with finding the right head coach to lead them there. Stay tuned, as this coaching search figures to have ripple effects across the league.