AJC > Sports > Falcons > Blog > Archives > 2008 > June > 05 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USChanging the Culture
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Over the past few weeks of mini camps and offseason workouts, it’s been interesting to watch how the new Falcons’ staff, headed by coach Mike Smith, has interacted with players - and vice versa.
I say interesting because the staff, filled with longtime NFL coaches - but not too many greybeards to cause a generational gap - seems to get it. They speak to players like coaches, but also like men. As a result, players respond with respect. Players ask questions without fear or reprisal or embarassment and tend to get the answers they need to do things the right way.
You often hear new coaches talk about changing the culture upon their arrival. So far, at least on the field, the culture with the Falcons is changing.
Don’t get it twisted, Smith and his staff, are hardly a soft crew or so-called players coaches. They’ll jump on a player if he continually lapses or shows poor body language. But they’ll also pull a player aside on the field and show him where he may have made a mistake instead of berating that player in a meeting room and creating an environment of mistrust and fear.
The respect between players and coaches is very important in trying to build or maintain success. The second that bridge is broken, it becomes difficult to traverse through adversity. Then chaos ensues. We saw that last season, when players doubted the Bobby Petrino-led coaching staff and the coaches didn’t show faith in some of the players.
This new style might not translate into an abundance of victories. Then again, it might. The talent divide among teams in the NFL is not large. The slightest thing could provide one team enough momentum to make a run or fall short of expectations.
What Smith and his staff appear to have established at this point, though, are lines of open communication and respect. That might not amount to much on the field right now, but the push to change the culture seems to be successfully moving forward.
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Comments
By t-dawg
June 5, 2008 3:47 PM | Link to this
Go FALCONS! Can’t wait for football season!!!
(from missionary following ajc in Guyana, S. America)
By RAY ZADD
June 5, 2008 3:52 PM | Link to this
JUST WANTED TO SAY, LOVE THE GOOD JOB AND KEEP IT UP.
By TURTSNAP
June 5, 2008 3:52 PM | Link to this
Interesting blog. One can’t help but think of ‘91 and the Braves “changing of culture”. No one thought going into that season that they would go worst to first….. Ya Never KNOW
By mave2124
June 5, 2008 3:55 PM | Link to this
That is a positive, that is for sure. I’d like to know what is the difference between the upcoming voluntary mini-camp and the OTAs that are taking place now. I also want to know what effect not having NFL Europa will have on the team come training camp…maybe a good question for Grimes?
By Pete
June 5, 2008 3:55 PM | Link to this
The ENTIRE front office and coaching staff are just a H U G E breath of fresh air. This team may just shock the football world, starting Sept. 7, 2008.
By Ravi
June 5, 2008 3:56 PM | Link to this
This is sea change. Keep it up Coach Smith!
By Jay
June 5, 2008 4:00 PM | Link to this
That sounds good to me. Anything positive is a step in the right direction. If the players are having fun, the wins will come!
By 74 Dawg
June 5, 2008 4:01 PM | Link to this
where’s first? Hopefully this staff knows what they are doing - the players assembled so far are going to need all the’coaching up ’ they can get. IMHO this group as of right now is NOT an NFL team. Apparently someone at the evil sports network agrees, because the Falcons are dead last in their power rankings.
By Bailer
June 5, 2008 4:03 PM | Link to this
A GOOD COACH can get players in good phyical shape. A great coach can get his players mind in shape.
By 74 Dawg
June 5, 2008 4:03 PM | Link to this
blog?
By T.C
June 5, 2008 4:16 PM | Link to this
the falcons will have the worst record probably for the next 3years.im not a banwagon fan but we as fans like to speak hope but wisdom says otherwise.im sure every coach will come in with a kick butt attitude.no one was calling for patrinos head until he broke camp.im sure if he was still there fans and media will be saying it takes time so we speak good of the change the falcons have made. but the results will be the same or worst.give it time this possitive message will turn sour after a season or two.
By Ryder
June 5, 2008 4:35 PM | Link to this
This is a new era. It still may take some time to translate into wins on the field, but for now they are developing chemistry which is essential for having a championship team.
By Mr. Know-it-all
June 5, 2008 4:39 PM | Link to this
I don’t expect a world shocker this season, but it would be great to expect and get good effort and professionalism each week.
By JHE
June 5, 2008 4:40 PM | Link to this
Dawg, preseason power rankings don’t mean much. Put w’s on the board and it’ll change things quickly. Only time will tell…need to stay positive about our guys and back them so they stay positive as well! Right you are Jay about having fun. If they aren’t having fun we don’t have much of a chance!
By Doug
June 5, 2008 4:44 PM | Link to this
It’s not that I am sunshine fan, but when coaches/owners pander to a player or group of players it makes me sick. A good coach treats all of the players the same, and that is where the respect comes from. If the coach doesn’t treat them the same, and some players know they can get away with things, then that breaks up the locker room. I have never been so ready to watch 3 yards and a cloud of dust… I respect this coaching staff, so I am back as a fan.
By Jim P.
June 5, 2008 5:09 PM | Link to this
Smile and wave boys, just smile and wave.
By dave
June 5, 2008 5:16 PM | Link to this
Last season was the season from Hell and the Falcons still won four games. They could have won several others, and yes, I know “could have” doesn’t count for anything, but they weren’t that far from 6-10 or 7-9. Doing that well or better is entirely possible, even with all the “newness.”
I like the team again. Always loved ‘em, but I stopped liking them last year.
dave
By TheJama
June 5, 2008 5:23 PM | Link to this
Even if we don’t win a single game this season, at least we can be proud of the “type” of players that are on the team. Stay out of the papers, stay out of prison, and handle your business like professionals.
By me
June 5, 2008 5:23 PM | Link to this
Just tell Blank to stay in the owner’s box.
By rick
June 5, 2008 5:43 PM | Link to this
With all the ups and downs of the past few seasons…I hope they have found a long term solution that gradually builds on respect….I dont think the Falcons will win much this year….but am hoping they have found a foundation…
By Timothy
June 5, 2008 5:47 PM | Link to this
We are still tied for the division lead until September- then, expect the unexpected-
By Bob Sacamano
June 5, 2008 6:03 PM | Link to this
Steve,
So, what you’re saying is, is that Mike Smith isn’t a petulant, spoiled brat who plays favorites like that idiot Mora, but he isn’t making the guys do stupid things like not talking in line on the way to the bathroom like that back-stabbing control freak snake, Petrino.
Hey, we can do well with that.
By nativefalcon
June 5, 2008 6:48 PM | Link to this
No coaches asking what Rap music they want to hear during practice like Buddy buddy Mora, and now at least the coach listens instead trying to act like PATTON like sooey boy Petrino. I love what Smith and Dmitroff are doing, their turning the falcons back into a respectable team. Time will tell if Blank finally made the right move but it sounds good, which is a nice change. :)
By Big Bull essie Jack
June 5, 2008 7:02 PM | Link to this
If Matt Ryan can mature as a player as quickly as he has a young man, and has a really good preseason; these players are going to regain their confidence, and rally around him. That includes his lineman and receivers. That Folks, can make anything happen.
By JD
June 5, 2008 7:15 PM | Link to this
It’s good to see the coaching staff recognize what a playmaker they have in Norwood. He and Turner will revitalize the running game as well as catching passes out of the backfield. If the defense improves, the Birds can realistically expect a .500 season no matter who the QB is!!!
By TechFan
June 5, 2008 7:27 PM | Link to this
Great blog. As a life long Falcon fan, the only other time I have felt that there was a great future ahead of us, was when Dan Reeves got hired. And he led us to the Superbowl, without the youth and viberance that this team has.
I am looking forward to a 7-9 season, and a run at the playoffs next year. Go Falcons.
By Greg
June 5, 2008 7:57 PM | Link to this
Steve writes, “The talent divide among teams in the NFL is not large. The slightest thing could provide one team enough momentum to make a run or fall short of expectations.” Partially true. It’s true of most of the teams below the top quartile that not much separates them. But above that you invariably find solid lines. Unless the Falcons do something to strengthen their lines, they can’t possibly be a contender in their division. You can take that to the bank. How Mike Smith can keep saying that he’s going to dominate the two lines of scrimmage is beyond me. With what? More technique? Our guys are average at best. You can coach them up all you want and they’ll still be defeated by Tampa Bay’s and Carolina’s and New Orlean’s lines. We need more real tough guys for both lines or it’s gonna be a very long season. I wish this were not the case, but it is the simple truth.
By Revered Bubba
June 5, 2008 9:21 PM | Link to this
Amen, amen, amen, GO FALCONS!!!!!
By Ken Strickland
June 5, 2008 9:28 PM | Link to this
While most of the comments are positive, there are still some who only see negative results for the coming yrs. It does help to actually know something about football beyond what is seen on tv. I thing injuries will determine the degree of success for the Falcons next yr. We could win our division for the following reasons.
OFFENSIVELY:
(1)We’ll have an OFF system in place that will be based on a power running system, and it won’t be QB dependent.
(2)Our OL will be bigger, stronger and more versatile than in the past.
(3)Our WR’s will represent our OFF strength rather than a weakness, unlike in the past.
(4)This will be the 1st time in 2yrs we will start the season with our PK in place.
We were awful the last few yrs in short yardage and redzone OFF. This yr, in our short yardage and redzone OFF, we’ll use a RB that’s just as fast as last yrs RB, WDunn, but 50lbs heavier. There will be a more extensive use of Norwood in the passing OFF and the overall OFF.
DEFENSIVELY:
(1)Although JAnderson had a disappointing yr as a pass rusher, he was solid against the run. If he improves and gets at least 5-7 sacks, and maintains his run DEF, we will be solid at DE. JAbraham is one of the best pass rushers in the NFL.
(2)We’ll likely start JBabineaux at DT along with TLewis, if he recovers from off season surgery. Babineaux is simular to RColeman in size and quickness. Since injuries and age have greatly deminished Coleman’s skills, Babineaux will likely be an upgrade.
(3)LB will be our DEF strength. CLofton will be our 1st MLB with the physical skills and mentality to play the position since Jessie (THE HAMMER) Tuggle. That allows Brookings to play his natural position and adds strength to the position. DWilliams was quick and fast, but he wasn’t very physical and couldn’t hold up at the point of attack. That’s why he wasn’t resigned. MBoley, enough said.
(4)With an improved pass rush, especially from our front 4, our secondary should be improved.
Our overall DEF will be deeper than at anytime in the last 10yrs or so. If ABlank doesn’t get stupid and try to force MRyan into the frey before he’s ready, for marketing sake, we should win our division. AND I SAID IT FIRST.
By Falcon Fan #1
June 6, 2008 12:12 PM | Link to this
It does not matter whether or not the culture changes. There have been two constants in my life. One, the sun rises and sets every day. Two, the Falcons achieve mediocrity every season. Wake up Atlanta! This team is awful and this town is loserville #1.
By ronald
June 6, 2008 12:31 PM | Link to this
it good that Mr.Smith have that communication with his player because if you don’t have commuication with your player they seem to not want to give it their all it will help the falcons this year be more then everyone thanks you have player coming into something new and they are trying to get the fill of what expected from them