ESPN NFL

Each week, former NFL general manager Randy Mueller will answer questions from Insiders. To send in a question, click here.

Randy,
What goes wrong with certain coaches in big games? Where does their sense of good judgement go? I'm referring to the Atlanta Falcons and their decision to abandon the run in the third quarter of the NFC championship game. After starting the third quarter with two Warrick Dunn runs for a first down, even with the Eagles stacking the line, they decided to go into a pass-first mode against the wind.
Jeff Horst,
Flint, Mich.

Jeff,
I can't say I disagree with your assessment. I think Andy Reid and his staff showed why most consider them the best coaching staff in the NFC presently. They had schemes on both sides of the ball that they stayed with and believed in. The only way Atlanta was going to win was to continue to pound the ball and they never really did that.

The other thing that, in my opinion, got exposed was the fact that Michael Vick is not ready for "prime time" as a pocket passer. He reminds me of Donovan McNabb three years ago. He must still develop that presence and comfort level in the pocket. He can't carry a team from behind with his arm at this stage. Falcons fans found that out the hard way yesterday.

To continue reading this article you must be an Insider