Kevin Stefanski’s first season with the Atlanta Falcons has develop into a tough one to clarify. The offense has struggled to generate something constantly, whereas uncertainty at quarterback has made the scenario even tougher to stabilize.
With expectations nonetheless excessive round Atlanta’s roster, the early outcomes have put Stefanski below rising scrutiny. One former Professional Bowler now believes the issues go nicely past the quarterback place.
T.J. Houshmandzadeh Rips Kevin Stefanski Over Falcons’ Offensive Failures
Former Professional Bowl broad receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh didn’t maintain again when discussing Stefanski’s begin in Atlanta on the “Speakeasy” podcast. He questioned how an offensive-minded coach might get so little manufacturing from a roster that includes vital expertise at working again, tight finish, and receiver.
“I imagine Stefanski, you’re an offensive man, and your groups can’t do (expletive). You simply left a staff within the Cleveland Browns, and Deshaun Watson appears higher with out you, means higher with out you, means higher with out you,” Houshmandzadeh stated.
The previous wideout then linked Watson’s latest efficiency in Cleveland to what he sees as a bigger drawback with Stefanski’s offensive system.
“It’s possible you’ll be the rationale why Deshaun Watson was trying away. He was a bit weak-(expletive) offense you bought,” Houshmandzadeh stated.
PREDICT THE NFL SEASON:r
Atlanta has managed solely 16 factors by means of its first two video games and has but to run an offensive play contained in the opponent’s crimson zone. The Falcons additionally entered Week 3 with uncertainty at quarterback after Tua Tagovailoa suffered an indirect damage earlier than Week 1 and Cooper Rush struggled sufficient in opposition to Carolina to get replaced by Jack Strand.
Houshmandzadeh acknowledged the quarterback scenario however argued that Stefanski can’t use it to clarify all the pieces. He pointed to Atlanta’s surrounding expertise whereas questioning why the offense has produced so little.
“Now, what’re you gonna do? As a result of Michael Penix was exhibiting some promise final 12 months. Your quarterbacks in your offense this 12 months have been horrible. You bought one of many top-three, I might say top-five combos within the league with these three triplets within the league,” he stated, referring to Kyle Pitts Sr., Bijan Robinson, and Drake London.
BE THE GM OF YOUR FAVORITE TEAM:r
Houshmandzadeh additionally challenged Stefanski’s fame, mentioning his earlier success in Cleveland and asking how a lot credit score belonged to Baker Mayfield.
“Should you can’t do something offensively, they bought to eliminate this dude. They bought to eliminate this dude. 12 months one. As a result of he coached it a 12 months, led him to the playoffs. Was it actually him, or was it Baker?” he stated.
He added that Stefanski can’t rely indefinitely on his earlier accomplishments.
“In some unspecified time in the future, you possibly can’t stay off that one season, the Coach of the 12 months, as a result of I simply noticed Deshaun Watson yesterday throwing dimes, and he seemed fairly good,” Houshmandzadeh stated.
Watson accomplished 24 of 30 passes for 238 yards and two touchdowns in Cleveland’s 23-19 win over Tampa Bay.
In the meantime, Atlanta will enter its Thursday night time matchup with Inexperienced Bay at 0-2, with Penix anticipated to take over at quarterback.
This text initially appeared on okay.