Falcons have high expectations but need a new ending
Can these guys buck Falcons franchise history and do something special this season? We're about to find out. (Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com)
FLOWERY BRANCH — The coach, Mike Smith, was beaming about the first day of training camp, calling it, “my favorite day of year.” The owner, Arthur Blank, was beaming as he worked the crowd — signing, posing, selling. The quarterback, Matt Ryan, was beaming as he talked about the blur of weapons in the offense.
All we needed was one of those Wal-Mart greeters to hand out happy-face stickers, and the scene would’ve been complete.
The Falcons opened training camp Saturday, believing what we would expect a team to believe on day one: Anything is possible and everything is good. They achieved things last season that nobody expected. They went from 4-12 in their own private hell to 11-5 with a playoff berth, a franchise cleansing if there ever was one.
It follows that in 2009, many anticipate they’ll push a button for the next floor up.
Do you remember the last time it felt like this?
“The first year I got here,” defensive end John Abraham said. “They were coming off an 11-5 season [in 2004]. They went to the NFC title game. Mike [Vick] was coming off a great year. Then they went 8-8. When I got here everybody was talking about turning it back up. Things didn’t turn out the way they were supposed to.”
We’ve learned not to assume anything with this franchise. The failure to record consecutive winning seasons over 43 years remains arguably the most remarkable streak of infamy in professional sports.
Mike Smith hasn't been here for past Falcons collapses but he knows how to avoid them. (Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com)
But (OK, deep breath) you get a good feeling about this team.
Injuries can’t be controlled. But mind-set can be. There is a calmness and confidence that permeates the organization now. In 2005, the year after Jim Mora took the Falcons to the NFC title game, things were more rah-rah and less substance.
Smith is not Mora. He has been around the NFL long enough to recognize when a group of players is losing focus. In 2005, Mora lost his edge and the players followed. Discipline declined, and so did the win totals. Then came the other issues.
That shouldn’t happen under Smith. The day after the playoff loss in Arizona last season, he told his players: “The past is the past. The 2009 season starts today.”
When Smith walked onto the practice field Saturday morning for the first drills of summer, he said he wasn’t disappointed. What was he looking for? “How our guys would come out,” he said. “Are they enthusiastic? Are they reinvigorated? Are they energized? I saw that today. I want to see it again after we’ve had two-a-day [practices] for three or four days.”
Replicating an 11-win season will be difficult. The defense is young and green. The schedule is rough (non-division games include matchups against the Patriots, Bears, Cowboys, Giants and Eagles).
But the offense will be special. With Ryan (QB), Michael Turner (RB), Roddy White (WR) and Tony Gonzalez (TE), the Falcons possess one of the best four-point attacks in the NFL. The only question is: How many 37-30 games will they win?
Ryan isn’t a rookie any more. We’re still wondering if he was a rookie last season. The Falcons made it official after their third exhibition game that he was their starter, even if we sort of knew before that.
This camp obviously feels different.
“It’s a different approach in a sense than what I had last year,” he said. “At this point, it’s all about getting ready to go Week 1 against Miami.”
And last year at this time?
“My head was spinning.”
Now, our heads are spinning, thinking of the possibilities. And we wonder if things will turn out the way they’re supposed to.
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91 comments Add your comment
Reid Adair
August 1st, 2009
4:15 pm
This is an entirely different team and organization than the follow-up to the 11-5 season. If the defense can step up, even with the difficult schedule, I think the Falcons have the chance to take that next step … and post the first back-to-back winning seasons in franchise history.
DamYankee
August 1st, 2009
4:20 pm
Cowboys, Giants and Eagles? Takes me back to the days I lived in NOVA & was a huge Redskins fan. If anyone asked “Who do you root for” my reply was “The ‘Skins and whoever’s playing Dallas”. The last time it felt like this for me was the first fall I lived here, ‘89, when Chris Miller (remember him?) was QB. On another subject, a poster on one of your blogs compared you to Kornheiser, you’re much better looking (there’s a left-handed compliment) and funnier to boot. I love “trembling chihuahuas”, hurry back Weekend Predictions, I love it when Bulldog Nation starts foaming at the mouth.
MiltonDawg
August 1st, 2009
4:21 pm
I’m pumped for this season to start. Expectations are going to be high. This year ends the infamous never had back to back winning seasons.
mountain_jim
August 1st, 2009
4:28 pm
The no-football season is finally over, and I am thankful.
"Chef" Tim Dix
August 1st, 2009
4:43 pm
Smith is the new guard version Dan Reeves. Like Reeves, athletes first on your squad, but unlike him, different shapes,i.e. not all a version based off the tight end. Both like the hit hard swarm to the ball ethic on defense…What’s not to like?
Singletary
August 1st, 2009
4:48 pm
Pro Bowl season for BBMDC on the offensive line? Younger legs on defense? Can you feel Falcons fever grwoing?
RA
August 1st, 2009
4:48 pm
Wouldn’t you know it? For one of the very few times in the history of this franchise the Falcons have a chance to not only contend, but dominate, and the man who is arguably our best offensive player and hands down our deadliest homerun threat insist on holding out. There had to be something. Jamal Andrerson anyone???
DamYankee
August 1st, 2009
4:50 pm
But I’m still pumped to see how Smith works Gonzalez into the offense, a tight end who loves to hit and can catch the ball in traffic is fun to watch.
bigeasy830
August 1st, 2009
5:08 pm
Falcons will 4-12 in 2009
“Back To Life, Back To Reality”
hytide
August 1st, 2009
5:11 pm
Trade Roddy White for Anquan Boldin? Any takers?
A...Blank
August 1st, 2009
5:23 pm
Honor your contract Roddy!
NCFalconFAn
August 1st, 2009
5:40 pm
Pay Roddy A. Blank!!!!
The Real Fan
August 1st, 2009
5:53 pm
Sometimes non-Falcons fans get on this blog. Or just people who don’t know anything about football: bigeasy…?
The Real Fan
August 1st, 2009
5:54 pm
Pay Roddy!
Jimmy Williams
August 1st, 2009
5:55 pm
Yall look out for them deers Artur Blank breeds them to attack folks specially the playas he hates or anybody he dont like just ask Rod Coldman and Dhall.Youknow why Rod got hurt on that jetski that wasnt no acident that was swimin attack deers.
Trainwreck
August 1st, 2009
5:59 pm
This is going to be a good year!
Norman A. Cochran
August 1st, 2009
6:05 pm
Any player who refuses to abide by a legal contract as written should be sent out on a rail regardless how good he is. A contract is a contract and I am so sick and tired of Professional Athletes trying to hold teams hostage over a good year or two. They should prove over several years that they are for real. Athletes are paid too much money any way.
billy rykman
August 1st, 2009
6:12 pm
Until I brought it up, FINALLY a column w/o a mention of ‘gangsta’ Vick
Barry
August 1st, 2009
6:25 pm
Hey Y’all:
Teams in the NFL have to be very afraid with the Atlanta Falcons on their schedule. This team is a very young, but strong team with a solid coaching staff. Looking at their record with first year caoch Mike Smith, thjis team is team that should not be taken lightly. If they are, the Falcons will be going to the Super Bowl. All the Falcons have to do is play their “ONE HEARTBEAT!!” game and everything will take care of itself. They have to play solid games, together and on point. They should not be concerned about any team on the schedule. They should scout and prepare for each team and play their game, accordingly. The Falcons style of game will prevail. They play hard nose, “BLACK and BLUE”, southern football. Those who think we should be wary of the teams on are schedule are weak individuals who know nothing about football and game preparation. PREPARATION is the key. The Falcons have the players to make plays on any given Sunday. Teams on the schedule need to be very afraid when they see the Falcons listed as their opponent. They know they are in for a ride with this team. And the Falcons will win in “ONE HEARTBEAT!!!!”.
GO FALCONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!
This is a SECRET from a FALCON FAN. TELL EVERYBODY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
………………………..’ONE HEARTBEAT,BABY!!!!”……………..
Gritz Blitz
August 1st, 2009
6:44 pm
I’m excited about this season and I’m glad to see it begin today. This tough schedule will only make us more battle tested for the playoffs. Let’s get this party started. Go Falcons!
Bryan G.
August 1st, 2009
6:51 pm
Those of you who are blaming Roddy White do not understand the reality of the NFL. Someone above wrote “Any player who refuses to abide by a legal contract as written should be sent out on a rail regardless how good he is. A contract is a contract and I am so sick and tired of Professional Athletes trying to hold teams hostage over a good year or two.”
The problem with that statement is that TEAMS in the NFL are also parties to contracts and they can cancel them at any freaking time. So, to me, it seems more than okay for a player who is out-performing his wage to hold out for more dough. It’d be different if NFL contracts were guaranteed, but they are not. So, what’s good for the goose should be good for the gander.
Mac
August 1st, 2009
7:02 pm
Jimmy, if you have something say, please write it so we can understand it.
Jeff Schultz
August 1st, 2009
7:05 pm
Chef – good comparison. Smith and Reeves both are solid football guys.
RA – Just a feeling but I don’t think White’s holdout will last long.
Hytide – Not happening.
gary32
August 1st, 2009
7:05 pm
Excuse me Bryan, but Roddy White signed his contract in 2005 with a 4.75 million guarantee. Now let’s see, he sucked for the first two years so maybe management should have been allowed to renegotiate his contract. I’m so sick of you people taking up for White. He is under contract and should be in camp, by the way the falcons were negotiating with him, but this fool wants 9 mil a year. People are losing there homes and there jobs and this ass wants an astronomical contract!!!!!
Sonny Clusters
August 1st, 2009
7:08 pm
We was close to playing football at Clemson when the call came from the Braves and one of us got signed and when that broke us up I decided not to miss a shot at the second shift just so I could go to Clemson. We was both fast and could hit somebody coming out of the backfield or across the middle and make ‘em wish they hadn’t but we both could play a little baseball too and we was state championship. I think the Falcons are a lot like we was back when we was playing ball together except the Falcons don’t have Coach like we did but Mike Smith looks like he can coach ‘em up pretty good. I still like baseball best though and we was always smarter than the football players that didnt play baseball too.
Kane337
August 1st, 2009
7:11 pm
Abraham was wrong….he first showed up in the 2006 season and they went 7-9. He got hurt during the first game at Carolina and wasn’t the same the rest of the season.
Ed Hartwell was the big pickup during the 2005 offseason where they went 8-8.
Falcon Ironman
August 1st, 2009
7:12 pm
Dropped by training camp and the excitement in the air gave me a chill down my spine. This is going to be fun. Falcons need to adopt a policy of no nego’s with holdouts. A lot of players are going to be great on this team in the coming years. A contract is a contract.
Joseph Russo
August 1st, 2009
7:14 pm
Good article i think. Smith is definitely on his way to being a top tier coach. Despite what the schedule looks like now, it may turn to be not as bad as people are thinking. A 5-1 or 4-2 division record is more than possible. Non-division are: Dolphins, chad pennigton and the wildcat shouldnt scare the birds. Patriots will be a tough game in week 3. Good measuring stick. 49ers are next. NFC west is crap. The Bears and Cutler are next. Another toss up, but the falcons beat them last year. Cowboys are taking a step back. Redskins are the worst team in the east. Giants and Philly will be tough games in the late season, and will show the falcons where they stand among the good teams in the division. Jets have rookie qb and head coach. And finally the bills, which should scare any decent team. Thats 4 toss ups (NE,CHI,NYG,PHI), go 2-2 in those, and 5-1 or 4-2 in the other. thats looking at 10 to 12 wins and should be a home playoff game. GO BIRDS!
Mac
August 1st, 2009
7:21 pm
Roddy is a good receiver but not top notch yet. He was a holdout his rookie year and now he is doing it again. Obviously he is getting bad advice from a money hungry agent. He should be in camp, the team needs that unity.
David Paris
August 1st, 2009
7:25 pm
I did not think that a team could cancel or invalidate a contract for just any reason. Are you sure about that Bryan G. If that was the case wouldn’t teams stop paying injured players and under performers. If a Team could really cancel a contract at any time for any reason wouldn’t a team just sign every one to a 10 year ____ million contract and then just quit paying them as soon as they were hurt or injured or underperform? I think the NFLPA has not allowed Teams to cancel a legal contract at just any time. Roddy was free to negotiate his contract as he saw fit as a incoming rookie. He agreed to it now he must honor it… just as the falcons must. Roddy just thinks he has more negotiating leverage this year as opposed to next. That’s too bad for him. Play ball Roddy, sorry you can only make your 2.5 this year.
Bob Horner had a sweet compact swing
August 1st, 2009
7:37 pm
I cannot imagine hagling over 2.8 million dollars…..(but I wold welcome the oppurtinity………)…nice win by the Braves 2day…we had to win that game..
Bill
August 1st, 2009
7:41 pm
This schedule and the young defense will limit the Falcons to 8-8.Shultz mentioned the non divisional schedule.It is also important to mention who is off the schedule from last year.The Lions,Chiefs,Raiders,and Rams are off the schedule.
I’m saying 8-8 but hoping for 9-7 so the media will have to find something else to write about.
"Chef" Tim Dix
August 1st, 2009
7:41 pm
Thanks for the props Jeff but I omitted one thing: Scheme to your talent. Dan might have wanted to but when everyone looked like a tight end it could only work one year, that being his (team) SB appearance here in ATL.
I have the feeling Smitty learned a valuable play calling lesson in Philly last year, that being, be flexible to the personel on the field.
Dan’s will imposing phylosophy was too rigid.
eddiedawg
August 1st, 2009
7:42 pm
Sorry guys-I say good for Roddy-get your money-the NFL is a dangerous game, and they deserve the right to set themselves up for life. Plus, have any of you been paying attention? Blank is the man-he WILL get him signed in the next few days.
Bigeasy-you are an idiot. Your stupid Saints team will suck again due to lack of defense-plus your coach is a moron.
Barry-stop it with the one heartbeat and the shhhhh stuff. You sound like a gayfer.
GO FALCONS.
Chris Dunn
August 1st, 2009
7:50 pm
Roddy has a contract – he needs to honor it. If he’s not going to honor his word (the contract) then how do we know he’s going to give 100%. Hey Roddy – say you don’t have a good season – will you be giving the team a refund (HA HA HA).
Supes
August 1st, 2009
7:51 pm
The Falcons stood BY Roddy White while he SUCKED it up for the first 2 years. They didn’t cut him.
Now Roddy needs to GET HIS backside in Camp, be a TEAM player.
Thomas Dimitroff knows that he’ll have to extend Roddy with a new deal and he’ll GET IT DONE, but Roddy is being very selfish by holding out right now.
I get the “NFL contracts”, but how about a show of good faith on both sides? Roddy shows up, and before the season starts…he’ll get that 4-5 year deal for around 6-8 million per year with a signing bonus.
Greg
August 1st, 2009
7:52 pm
I say don’t pay Roddy the big money. Too many drops last year. He is not (perhaps yet) an elite receiver. His yardage numbers are high because Matt threw more than a third of his passes Roddy’s way. We are deep in receivers. If he wants to hold out, I say trade him to someone for a first and a third, and next year build the DL and secondary.
"Chef" Tim Dix
August 1st, 2009
7:54 pm
As far as Roddy…
Can’t blame him for leveridging his position, he had a good year.
That said, can anyone remember a No. 1 receiver blatantly drop as many passes as him? I mean is it possible to be toooooooooooooooooo wide open?
FALCONS SORRY
August 1st, 2009
7:55 pm
MIKE SMITH! THIS FALCONS TEAM WILL NEVER BE AS GOOD AS IT COULD BE IF YOU DO NOT TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE GREATEST TALENT OF OUR GENERATION AND GET YOUR BOSSES TO RESIGN MIKE VICK BEFORE SOME OTHER LUCKY TEAM BEAT THEM TO THE PUNCH! JUST WAIT UNTIL THAT MATTY HOPELESS GET A HANG NAIL OR SPRAY HIS KNEE AND THEN YOU WILL BE WISHING YOU HAD MV7! FALCONS TRAINING CAMP IS NOT THE SAME THESE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS WITHOUT THE FALCONS TRUE LEADER THERE AND EVERBODY KNOWS IT! DONT MAKE TONY GONZOLEEZ REGRET SIGNING HERE WHEN THE CURRENT WEAK ARMED JOKE OF A QB WE HAVE NOW CANNOT EVEN GET THE BALL TO HIM RIGHT! LAST YEAR WAS JUST A FLASH IN THE PAN BUT THIS YEAR MATTY HOPELESS WILL GET BIT BY THE SOPHMORE JINX! DONT BE A FOOL FALCONS! YOU KNOW YOU NEED YOUR VETERAN LEADER BACK WITH SPEED TO LEAD THIS SORRY TEAM TO THE PROMISED LAND! STOP LETTING YOUR EGO GET IN THE WAY AFTER YOU LET VICK TAKE THE FALL FOR YOU WHILE YOU OUT THERE POSING FOR PICTURES AND KISSING BABIES AND SIGN HIM BACK ALREADY AUTHUR BLANK!
Jeff Schultz
August 1st, 2009
7:58 pm
Kane337 – I saw your comment and then I thought, ‘Hey, that’s right.’ I went back and looked at John’s quote and it was all mixed up. He sort of started talking about 05 when he wasn’t here, and then 06. But I cleaned it up and it should make sense now.
Mac – White’s one of the top 10 receivers in the NFL, conservatively and maybe top 7. Even Falcons think this.
Greg – Falcons have targets but it’s a big dropoff from Roddy White to Michael Jenkins.
"Chef" Tim Dix
August 1st, 2009
7:58 pm
Oh I forgot, pay him.
Why? Hangs on to the ball regardless of the lick.
It’s the open field, yards after the pass completion that may be dropped.
Still, pay him.
"Chef" Tim Dix
August 1st, 2009
8:03 pm
FALCONS SORRY,
I must have thrown out the flier I got in the mail for the ALL CAPS KEYBOARD SUPERSTORE. Can’t wait for the next one where all e-mail comes as high priority.
"Chef" Tim Dix
August 1st, 2009
8:11 pm
Oh, and FALCONS SORRY, using the blow dryer while in the shower might save time.
"Chef" Tim Dix
August 1st, 2009
8:14 pm
Speaking of contracts, is there a bigger myth than an NFL contract outside of the greeks and the romans?
Rocco
August 1st, 2009
8:41 pm
1. Mr White – get your money. Pro-Bowlers get paid and we need you out there.
2. Mr. Schultz – nice piece! Please keep updated on any fights that break out in camp (Harvey Dahl has got to be the odds on favorite)
3. Coach Smith – get em’ ready! We have a target on our backs this year.
Mac
August 1st, 2009
8:44 pm
Jeff, that’s exactly why he needs to be in camp. When he can consistently CATCH 10 to 15 yard passes across the middle and make his way through the defense for 30 plus and a score, then he will be a top 3 receiver in the NFL and DESERVE every penny he can get.
Atl Resident
August 1st, 2009
8:44 pm
Yeah Roddy should probably ask for more money to be in market with other receivers in league. Knowing the Falcons this might be long situation that’s just starting. I just want to know what will happen if he gets no extension. Based on last year, they little bit wrong for not negotiating his contract when they did everyone else.
Jack G.
August 1st, 2009
8:49 pm
FALCON SORRY
I see you cashed your welfare check—got something to smoke didnt you.
Constantine
August 1st, 2009
8:56 pm
Barry is quite lite in the loafers. Shhhh. Tell everybody. One Taintmeat baby!
Mac
August 1st, 2009
9:42 pm
FALCON SORRY, you want Matt Ryan to fail so bad I bet you dream about it. The truth is, if Vick had admitted to his boss what he had done when he was asked, then he probably would still be a Falcon. He is a tremendous athelete and with a dominating defensive team I could see him winning a Super Bowl but that will never happen now. So go ahead and blame everybody else for something that he did. That’s what your use to doing.