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ATLANTA FALCONS
Atlanta Falcons

Analysis: Steep, swift decline led to Mike Smith's ouster with Falcons

Lorenzo Reyes
USA TODAY
Dec 28, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons head coach Mike Smith reacts to the play against the Carolina Panthers during the second half against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome. The Panthers defeated the Falcons 34-3.

There is no team that has had quite the fall in the last two seasons like the drop of the Atlanta Falcons, who fired coach Mike Smith on Monday morning.

"Smitty's contributions to our club, team and city over the last seven years are numerous," Falcons owner Arthur Blank said in a statement.

"His accomplishments on the field made him the most successful coach in the 49-year history of the Falcons, and we are grateful for the foundation he has laid for us for the future."

Sunday's 34-3 blowout loss against the Carolina Panthers — when the NFC South title was on the line— encapsulated the team's last two seasons, and sealed Smith's fate.

The Falcons were one quarter away from the Super Bowl two years ago, beating the San Francisco 49ers through three periods in the 2012 NFC Championship Game. But after giving up an unanswered touchdown in the fourth, San Francisco ended up with the victory.

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Since then, the Falcons had gone 10-22.

It's not just that the Falcons have lost so many games, it's how they've lost them.

One year ago, Blank challenged his team to be more physical. Atlanta succeeded in that endeavor, but only slightly. The Falcons gave up 31 sacks this season, ranking 12th-best in the NFL. That was marked improvement from last year's total of 44.

But Atlanta's defense continues to be one of the NFL's worst units. It ranked dead last in yards allowed (398.2 per game), 27th in scoring defense (26.1 points per game) and tied for 30th in sacks (22). A major overhaul of the defensive roster is needed if the Falcons are to regain their footing as a competitive team in the NFC.

The big positive for Atlanta's next head coach is that the offense already has some key pieces in place. With quarterback Matt Ryan, wide receiver Julio Jones and an offensive line with potential, the Falcons are just a few players away (running back, tight end) from having a dominant unit.

"This is a business about winning football games and that's how you're judged," Smith said after Sunday's loss against the Panthers. "I understand that, and I'll leave it at that."

In the end, that's what cost Smith his job. He simply didn't inspire the Falcons to play their best football.

He helped take Atlanta to the postseason in four of his seven seasons with the team and won more games than anyone else in franchise history. While there are many teams that would love to have that record, the Falcons just failed to live up to expectations.

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Follow Lorenzo Reyes on Twitter @Lorenzo_G_Reyes

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