Arthur Smith, head coach of the Atlanta Falcons, was trolled on social media for bad clock management against the Washington Commanders on Sunday. The two sides locked horns at the FedEx Field.
Smith, at the end of the first half, ran the clock all the way down only to take a timeout and burn the clock on 4th and 1. The team eventually punt and pin with 25 seconds left.
The score was 10-10 at halftime.
Jamin Davis of the Commanders tackled WR Olamide Zaccheaus near the midfield. The Falcons ran the clock down to 29 seconds before calling a timeout and going for it on fourth down.
Atlanta linebacker Mykal Walker, however, spoiled, Washington’s hopes of getting points just before the half. He intercepted Taylor Heinicke on the Commanders’ first play after their fourth-down stop.
Falcons kicker Younghoe Koo missed a 58-yard field goal as time expired in the first half.
“Arthur Smith needs to work on his clock management. Better be glad that Mykal Walker saved him,” a user tweeted.
“Fire Arthur Smith,” said another user on Twitter.
Arthur Smith’s tenure as Falcons Head Coach:
Prior to joining the Atlanta-based team, Smith he,d multiple positions within the Tennessee Titans. His roles ranged from being the Defensive quality control coach in 2011 to being named the Offensive coordinator in 2019. He was hired as the Atlanta Falcons’ Head Coach on January 15, 2021.
2021 Season:
Smith was defeated 6-3 in his head coaching debut against the Philadelphia Eagles on September 12, 2021. Smith earned his first career win as a head coach on September 26, 2021, with a 17-14 victory over the New York Giants. He and the Falcons were defeated by the New Orleans Saints in the season finale on January 9, 2022, by a score of 20-30, finishing the season with a 7-10 record. The Falcons finished third in the NFC South and failed to make the playoffs.
This was their fourth consecutive season without a place in the post-season.
2022 Season summary:
With a 5-6 record and second position within their division, at least five victories in the remaining six games would guarantee the team to advance to the next phase of football.
