When the Falcons hired Raheem Morris over Bill Belichick, it was criticized as the “safe” hire, with many reporting there was a power struggle going on behind the scenes with Terry Fontenot, Rich McKay and others on the search committee fearful of their own standing within the organization.
Belichick commands attention in every room he walks in, and the greatest coach of all time deserves it. The speculation was that Fontenot, McKay, and the rest of the executives backed Morris because of comfortability, and it’s gone exactly how pessimistic fans said it would.
While the Falcons invested heavily into the roster last offseason, including in the quarterback position, Morris led the team to a sub-.500 record. A lot of the things that plagued the Falcons could directly be linked to their head coach.
Whether it was the hiring of his good friend Jimmy Lake, who was unqualified from the get-go, the quarterback debacle, or the in-game mismanagement, Morris’ missteps cost this football team a postseason berth.
It’s the same, tired hiring practices this organization has done since Arthur Blank took over. The Falcons don’t hire outside of their circle of trust, and it’s continued with the hiring of Jeff Ulbrich. Blank, Morris, and the Falcons organization prioritize relationships, so the hire was the least bit shocking.
We are running it back like it’s 2020, folks! When the Falcons fired Dan Quinn after an 0-5 start, Raheem Morris was promoted to interim and Ulbrich to defensive coordinator. The pair finished 4-7 and went their separate ways during the 2021 offseason, Ulbrich to New York and Morris to Los Angeles.
Now, back in Atlanta, Falcons fans aren’t optimistic it’s going to work this time around. I do think Ulbrich will bring improvements to Atlanta’s defense this season because he can’t possibly be worse than Jimmy Lake.
Under Ulbrich, the Jets defense was in the top five in defensive EPA in 2022 and 2023. Meanwhile, the Falcons boasted one of the league’s worst defenses, allowing the highest opposing quarterback completion percentage (69.9), as well as the second-lowest number of sacks (31) and QB pressure percentage (28.1).
However, don’t get confused — Ulbrich or whoever Morris hired isn’t going to suddenly turn this unit into an elite group. The talent just isn’t there, and the resources aren’t present to really overhaul that side of the ball.
It was a hire that everyone saw coming. It’s the kind of move the Falcons are known for, and they will continue to be stuck in mediocrity because of it.
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Photographer: Michael Wade/Icon Sportswire
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