From @ARwbyFan on X/Twitter
Why won't you all ask the tough questions? Why do you guys keep asking what we think if nothing changes? Why should we fans care if the Ownership and CEO doesn't? Why aren't you guys asking for an actual answer to the plans Raheem keeps saying he has week after week?
I must work within the sandbox I live in. I try to ask questions when I can based on the threads I am pulling each week. I will use this past week as an example.
I asked Morris last Monday this specific question: This team has a 25% success rate on third down over the last three games. I know it's not a one-size-fits-all because obviously, these are all different third down scenarios. But what are practical steps that this staff, this team is taking to be better in those situational moments?
"So, it's hard to put the two games into factor because we're talking about the last game where there were two different quarterbacks and we weren't able to run the football, we didn't play well up front. So, I'll take that one out. Talk about the one that happened yesterday, we've got to put ourselves in more favorable situations to get the third downs. When you go third-and-ten, third-and-12, third-and-nine, any quarterback can tell you how tough those situations are. We want to get those things, we're in more manageable third downs and be able to get those things going, particularly in those opening drives and starting fast. We had a couple drives there where we didn't use a third down. We had a couple drives in there we got to the red zone, we were able to actually go for a fourth down. So, you've got two-down territory, and things of that nature, that make those things manageable, things that we can absolutely win. So those are the steps. It's like starting faster, being able to run the football more efficiently, having the ability to not get behind the stick, so to speak, and really keep it in that mode, because we get in those situations, we're in the third-down-and-medium window, we've got a lot better chances of being able to convert those things."
Then, I asked again after the Falcons went 0-of-8 on third down in Germany: We talked earlier in the week about third downs and that continued to show up today. When you look at what needs to happen moving forward, what does? Because this is now, I think, 20% over the last four weeks of losses?
"You've got to get better. Once something was a strength for us has become a weakness over the last few weeks. You've got to find a way to convert those third downs. You've got to get them shorter, get them more manageable. And we get a chance to get those third downs, we have to get them. We can't have any drops, can't have any situation, protection problems, whatever the case may be. We've got to figure out how to get those things done."
I see the criticism from fans that tougher questions aren't asked, but I am genuinely curious what needs to be asked that isn't. This Monday, Morris was asked about any potential scheme or coaching changes, third-down woes, being nearly out of playoff contention, Michael Penix Jr.'s low completion percentage and development, offense scheme and operational errors, drops by receivers, protection issues, etc.
He was even asked about his "find a way" mantra, specifically if he would like to amend that ongoing statement for the fans, considering the Falcons have not won their last four games.
Here is his full response:
"You know, you've got to find a way to make those plays. You just mentioned two of them right there. You make that third-and-20 play, whether it was four-man rush and somebody makes a play in the backfield and third-down-and-20, or you get them tackled and then you make the play on fourth-and-long, or you make that play on fourth-and-two, or you find a way to catch that ball before you go to overtime and potentially set yourself up for a field goal. You've got to find a way to make those plays, and those plays have got to come from us. So, it's not that we've got to find a way, we've got to make the plays that present themselves and give us an opportunity to win the football game, and I think that's the most important message for our guys."
I don't mean to sound like a smart aleck here. I genuinely do not know what questions are not being asked by the beat crew as a whole.
In my opinion, just because the answers do not appease does not mean questions are not being asked.