Whose Fault Is It?

I have spent considerable time to marinate on this latest Atlanta Falcons' folly. The 35 - 27 fall to the New Orleans Saints was, by far, the worst lost of the season.

The Falcons came out hot. They fizzled, crashed and burned near the end of the second quarter. They regrouped, came out on a mission again, a failed once more. It was almost like they fought themselves into losing this game.

The Falcons are having another identity crisis on their hands.

Matt Ryan is an amazing talent and a fearless leader, but he doesn't have to carry the team on his back nor should he as displayed Monday night.

In the aerial attack, Atlanta only has two viable receivers: Tony Gonzalez and Roddy White. That's no secret to the rest of the league. Defenses key in on those two and bring the pressure onto Ryan and what is bound to happen is what did happen, turnovers.

Ryan threw the ball 42 times and only completed 19 of them for 289 yards and a touchdown with three interceptions. That is too many attempts and too few completions. This is also too many turnovers in the red zone as well as too many missed opportunities.

Atlanta also has an all-pro running back in Michael Turner. He probably has not displayed it for the majority of the year, but last night he was at his best. With 20 carries and 151 yards rushing with a touchdown, you can see where the ball should have been going. He ran in dominating fashion and exposed the Saints' weakness. Without Sedrick Ellis, starting defensive tackle, New Orleans had gaping holes in the middle of their defense. Turner was getting to the second and third levels of the defense at will.

And then there was the defense.

The pass rush was ho-hum at best. The defensive backs weren't playing as a unit. There were some good things from the defense though. The defense forced two turnovers. There was an interception and a fumble that was recovered for a touchdown.

But Atlanta could not finish what they would start. In downs one and two there was proficiency. In comes third down and they can't stop the Saints from moving the chains. This was an on-going theme in the game and really didn't slow down until the second half. New Orleans would have draining drives that would milk the clock which lead to touchdowns.

You could see the frustration in costly penalties and mental lapses on the field.

So who is to blame?

Matt Ryan did have his snafus. There was not really a pass rush. Receivers did have there way with the Falcons defensive Backs.

When things roll down hill you have to look at the head coach. In this case it's coach Mike Smith.

Ultimately he is the one making the decisions. He is the one who gave the reins to Ryan and said "go win this game for us". He is the one who left Brent Grimes (a generous 5' 10" listing) on an island with Marques Colston (6'4") for the majority of the game.

It's okay to limit Turner's carries but keep running the football. You have Norwood (sometimes), Snelling, and recently signed Aaron Stecker. Why fix it if it isn't broken. We are a running football team and that is what has brought us notoriety and the clout Atlanta has in the NFL right now.

Matt Ryan will come as evident as his talent and poise. We have seen it numerous times in the past years with different franchises. Pittsburgh, New York Giants, San Diego, the list could go on. Everybody can't have a Peyton Manning start to there career, so give Matt Ryan some time.

If you build it...he will come.