After a loss to a 1-12 football team that possibly ended the Falcons playoff hopes, Falcons fans of course are ready for Head Coach Arthur Smith to get fired. However, earlier today The Morning Shift explained why Arthur Smith doesn’t deserve to be fired …yet
It’s not Arthur Smith’s fault that Bijan Robinson fumbled, it’s not Arthur Smith’s fault Desmond Ridder threw that interception, and it’s not Arthur Smith’s fault the defense couldn’t get a stop on the Panthers final drive. Also, when it comes to Arthur Smith’s play calling. Beau Morgan made a good point when he was basically saying that every time a play doesn’t work doesn’t mean the play call was bad.
Last week for example, Van Jefferson and Kyle Pitts didn’t block who were they supposed to on that screen play and as a result the pass was intercepted, but that interception doesn’t happen if Kyle Pitts and Van Jefferson do their jobs on that play, and that’s not Desmond Ridder’s fault or Arthur Smith’s fault.
Of course Arthur Smith isn’t blameless in all of this because there have definitely been times this season where his play calling has been questionable, but there also have been times where the play call might’ve seemed questionable because the players didn’t execute, and Arthur Smith can’t help that.
When it comes to quarterback play you can make the argument that Arthur Smith should’ve never put a team with playoff potential in the hands of a third round quarterback, but ask yourself how many times have franchises missed when drafting quarterbacks?
If Desmond Ridder is in fact a missed draft pick, that isn’t enough for Arthur Smith to be fired when he’s shown he can do more with less since he’s been the head man in Atlanta.
It still seems like better quarterback play has this Falcons team in a completely different position this season, and Arthur Smith has earned a chance to try and find another quarterback.
