Bob Bratkowski to Replace Bill Musgrave as Falcons Quarterbacks Coach

by Ray Glier

Filed under: Atlanta Falcons, NFC South

D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution is reporting that Bob Bratkowski -- full of name recognition in these parts of the South -- is going to be the new tutor for quarterback Matt Ryan. Sources have told the AJC Bratkowski will replace Bill Musgrave as Falcons quarterback coach.

Bratkowski was the Bengals' offensive coordinator from 2001 to 2010, a long reign by NFL standards. He was fired Feb. 3, which was a month after the season ended. Speculation is that quarterback Carson Palmer, who is threatening retirement, wanted Bratkowski out as the OC.

Bratkowski told The Cincinnati Enquirer that Palmer told him he didn't make that demand to coach Marvin Lewis as part of Palmer staying with the Bengals.

Bratkowski is the son of former Georgia quarterback Zeke Bratkowski.

He has been on the hotseat for an offense that ranked 20th in total offense in 2010, 24th in 2009, and 32nd in 2008. Bratkowski's offense was labeled too predictable, but it's biggest fault might have been turnovers (the Bengals committed 41 turnovers).

Bratkowski's offense in Cincinnati was one-back, three wides and a pocket quarterback, which is what he will be stepping into in Atlanta. The Falcons prefer to establish the run and be balanced on offense, same as the Bengals.

Bratkowski nurtured Palmer, the Heisman Trophy winning quarterback, but there was a serious downturn the last few seasons as the Bengals struggled in the ultra-competitive AFC North. He had one year left on his contract when he was fired, a move seemingly botched by the Bengals because a number of good candidates have been scooped up.

The new Atlanta coach was a wide receiver in college at Washington State and has coached at Missouri, Weber State, Wyoming and Miami. He first coached in the NFL with the Seahawks and was named their offensive coordinator in 1995.

 

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Source: http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2011/02/14/bob-bratkowski-to-replace-bill-musgrave-as-quarterbacks-coach-of/

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