Home > Terence Moore > Archives > 2008 > October > 19 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USFalcons’ goals can be made
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Flowery Branch — When it comes to shocking things this NFL season, the Falcons’ dance with decency ranks between those who believe that Pacman Jones really will get it some day and Brett Favre leaving the Wisconsin Cheeseheads for Fireman Ed in the Meadowlands.
So how shocking is the Falcons’ 4-2 record in the highly competitive NFC South after their bye on Sunday? Just last year, they had those controversies for the ages involving Michael Vick and Bobby Petrino. They eventually had their third consecutive nonwinning season at 4-12.
Now, despite a rookie NFL general manager hiring a rookie NFL head coach, and despite inexperienced players throughout their two-deep roster, the Falcons look promising enough near Halloween to suggest they will remain significant through Christmas.
This is shocking, isn’t it? “No. Not at all,” said linebacker Michael Boley, straight-faced, with others in the Falcons’ locker room supporting his claim.
Added Boley, who was around for the Falcons’ ugliness during the previous three seasons, “Back at the first minicamp we had this year, and even before the [April draft], we set high expectations for ourselves. Then [Falcons officials] did a good job with the draft. After that, we spent the whole offseason getting mentally prepared. Really, it boils down to the fact that we all believe in each other, and it was just a matter of everybody buying into Coach Smith’s philosophy.”
It’s a simple philosophy, and here is the primary message: goals.
Ten days after Thomas Dimitroff left the New England Patriots’ scouting department to become the Falcons’ general manager last January, he hired the affable Smith away from the Jacksonville Jaguars, where Smith spent five years as their defensive coordinator. He kept flashing his bright smile to players, but he also kept telling them to trust the journey that he had mapped out for the team.
That journey involved each player making a commitment to do whatever it took to prosper every stop along the way. He told them during the offseason. He told them during minicamps. He told them during training camp.
He still tells them.
“We have deep discussions about our internal goals, and we set milestones in terms of where we want to be,” said Smith, among the NFL’s teaching coaches, and not by coincidence. While growing up in his native Daytona Beach, Fla., his parents were educators. Added Smith, “There’s a process you have to go through and steps you have to take to become a good football team, and we’re just continuing to work through those steps. So I wouldn’t say I’m surprised [by the 4-2 start], but it has been accelerated in terms of how quickly some of these milestones have been reached.”
The success or failure for the Falcons regarding those other milestones will depend on their ability to stop turning the red zone into the dead zone.
They’ve managed only eight touchdowns after 20 trips inside the opponent’s 20-yard line. The defense also has issues, with a leaky secondary for long stretches and ranking among the league’s worst teams in third-down conversion rate for foes.
Still, compared to the big thing, according to Falcons defensive end John Abraham, those are little things.
And the big thing? “This is the first time since I’ve been on this team that I know everybody’s name, because we’ve become a close family,” said Abraham, in his third season with the Falcons. “Nobody feels like they’re better than anybody else. Unlike the past, nobody is griping and moaning about, ‘I need to do this, and I need to do that.’ Everybody is just doing their job.”
Wow. What a concept.
Permalink | Comments (33) | Categories: Falcons/NFL
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By Bug Killer
October 19, 2008 6:43 PM | Link to this
The thing I love hearing the most?
The little, non-subtle jabs thrown MeAngelo Hall’s way at every opportunity to highlight the fact that the players on this team actually are a team… not a ME.
No one is talking about Pro Bowls. No one is talking about that one time (ONE time) they shut down an elite receiver.
No one is talking about respected owed to them, or money owed to them, or anything owed to them.
Not on this team.
MeAngelo Hall is the greatest example of addition by subtraction in NFL History.
He’s a loser, pure and simple, and like his offensive opposite, Terrell Owens, he’ll always be a loser.
Having players like those two on your team can only hurt your chances of winning games, making the playoffs, and winning the Super Bowl.
Losers.
Not THIS team, though. Not anymore.
No more flash before substance. No more big-mouthed idiots. No more bad tempered, immature VaTech THUGS.
Not on this team.
By jcdocpc
October 19, 2008 7:05 PM | Link to this
Great article. I think the Falcons are way ahead of schedule in terms of success because of great coaching and attitude. Sometimes these factors can overcome talent issues. The thing is, we have very decent players in Ryan, Turner, Norwood, Abraham ect.. Our list is pretty good. But I also know the rest of the league has taken notice too and will prepare accordingly for the Falcons. So they no longer can treat them as the ‘Homecoming team’ and put an automatic w on their sheets. I do think we have emough talent to play with anybody, but I don’t think we have enough talent to just think a game will be handed to us, we still need to work harder than the other guy to stay ahead. See ya in the playoffs!!!
By michaelgee
October 19, 2008 7:09 PM | Link to this
TM, this season it is spelled T-E-A-M, something foreign to past Falcon regimes.
By Doink
October 19, 2008 7:11 PM | Link to this
Team Concept = Winning
WOW who would have thunk it
By michaelgee
October 19, 2008 8:08 PM | Link to this
Character is BiG!
By VICK SUPPORTER 2
October 19, 2008 8:15 PM | Link to this
GRIMES + HOUSTON + MCNABB = 400 YARDS 4 TDS
YOU DO THE MATH :)
By Terence Moore
October 19, 2008 8:28 PM | Link to this
The several blogs referring to the Falcons functioning as a “team” are right on the mark. Before, they had a slew of folks functioning as individuals.
You can see the big difference.
By JB
October 19, 2008 8:44 PM | Link to this
Regardless of whether this team can stop Philly or not, it is a great and growing team. At team that I now care about for the first time since I moved here 5 years ago. I enjoy watching these Falcons and I will enjoy them fighting through all 60 minutes next weekend.
By beau vighn
October 19, 2008 8:44 PM | Link to this
Hey T-Moore. Do you still think the Falcons made a mistake by drafting Matt Ryan instead of that guy from LSU. You almost blew out your ACL jumping on the Ryan Express….Idiot
By Bug Killer
October 19, 2008 9:39 PM | Link to this
Hey, beau, no one likes the “I told you so” guy.
T Moore was one of tens of thousands against the Matt Ryan pick.
In being wrong, he was most definitely not alone.
By HEAVY D
October 19, 2008 10:00 PM | Link to this
To Vick Supporter 2
Dimitrioff plus Smith plus Ryan equals no more thug VICK!
By George Holman
October 20, 2008 12:06 AM | Link to this
As a long-time Falcon fan I am very proud of this team. Thanks to Mr. Blank for making it happen!
By Dr. Warren
October 20, 2008 2:24 AM | Link to this
The thing that shocks me the most is Abraham’s admission that he didn’t know everyone’s name in the past. How could that be?? Sounds like a high school social pecking order afflicted the past teams. I’m guessing the same is true for many other NFL squads—Dallas comes to mind this year. Dimitroff and Smith have brought good consistent managerial common sense to Atlanta—and the results will continue to show.
By e.b.
October 20, 2008 4:06 AM | Link to this
Got news for the doubter; The Eagles are 3-3 and not very good. They have many flaws, and if the Falcons click properly, they should prevails. Eagles + McNabb = overrated.
By TRU_FALCON
October 20, 2008 7:57 AM | Link to this
To me it really doesn’t matter if we make the playoffs or not this season, we have alreadt exceeded the expectations and we have alot more games to go. I truly believe we can win half of our ten games remaining putting us at 9-7 but still missing the playoffs due to it only being two wild cards and i don’t think were ready to win the division this year but with this league you never know…GO FALCONS…
By DHD
October 20, 2008 8:14 AM | Link to this
It’s all about coaching. Mike Smith is the first coach we’ve had since Dan Reeves. He does not put his players in bad situations, especially Matt Ryan.
By Scott
October 20, 2008 8:30 AM | Link to this
I don’t chime in often, but I have to admit that I also thought that the Falcons should have tried to draft someone like Dorsey instead of Ryan. I was wrong as were a lot of other people. And what great additions to the team from Elam and Turner and all the way to coach Mike Smith.
By Bendover
October 20, 2008 8:32 AM | Link to this
The reason this team is better they got rid of the negative people,some got rid of themselves.I think Mr Blank finally has it right. If you have a coach that teaches players and comunicates this is the results. I fell sorry for the players that had to indure the last two coaches we had mainly that bum Petrino.
By maddog
October 20, 2008 8:35 AM | Link to this
RYAN+WHITE+JENKINS+TURNER=400-4TD.ABRHAM KNOCKS MCNABB OUT FOR SEASON.GO FALCONS!!!!
By SHOTYME
October 20, 2008 8:36 AM | Link to this
I am vey proud of what the falcons have accomplished so far. Dimitroff is putting together a winning roster and is only going to get better. this year the falcons are playing as a cohesive unit and are capable of winning against elite teams, they have proven that, but what gets me is that every time we beat a team and i say “we” because Im a die hard falcons fan, someone has to say the team we beat wasn’t that good. So I guess the Falcons turns good teams into nobodys. Keep winning Falcons by the way we are all sold out of bandwagon tickets so get them early next year.
By Chazz
October 20, 2008 8:37 AM | Link to this
Great article “T” , right on the money. What a breath of fresh air this season is with this coaching staff , the players they’ve added and the way the vets have stepped up. Go DIRTYBIRDS
By Falcon57
October 20, 2008 8:43 AM | Link to this
Hey VickSupporter2, sounds like you are now a Eagles fan????
Sure, it will be a real test for our young corners but hopefully Smitty and crew will game plan for this and keep McNabb from just sitting back and throwing at will. Houston does have to step his game up and if he’ll do that and we can give Grimes some help over the top we should be fine.
I’m sure Matty will be pumped to play a good game in front of his hometown team, I just hope he’s not too pumped that he makes mistakes.
I’m sure with both teams having a bye week this past week they should both be well prepared. I’m just hoping that with Smitty’s off week spent ‘self scouting’ the things they need to improve on, like red zone production, we’ll be even more improved and come out with an upset!!! Then we’ll need to start focusing on beating some of our NFC South opponents!!!
By DMsun
October 20, 2008 8:48 AM | Link to this
One reason the secondary is giving up so many yards is that at least 4 times this year the opponents have been throwing on every down playing catch-up and has abandoned their running game. Yes it would be great to shut them down completely but we are not there yet. Go Birds
By Barry
October 20, 2008 9:01 AM | Link to this
Hey Y’all:
“ONE HEARTBEAT!!” ONE HEARTBEAT, BABY!!!” The Atlanta Falcons play with “ONE HEARTBEAT!!!”
I said from the first game the falcons played this season to NOW. The Falcons play with “ONE HEARTBEAT!!” This their motto. This is their song: “ONE HEARTBEAT!!” What I have seen throughout the season is the coaches, the players and the fans in tune with the progress and process the Falcons are going through to become our next young, great team. And it is fun and exciting to watch this development. The coaches, the players on offense, defense, and special teams are playing amd implementing what head coach Mike Smith wants on his type of team. this team will have his Mark. That mark will be a team playing together with “ONE HEARTBEAT!!!!” The fans, the media and the football community here in Atlanta is a part of that too. We will win more games than lose with “ONE HEARTBEAT!!!” The Falcons will show the world, after 2 years hiatus with the previous sorry coaches we had here, that we are not a joke. We have a bone to pick with the other teams in the league. And we will do it with “ONE HEARTBEAT!!!!!!”
NOW, LET’S PLAY SOME FOOTBALL!!!!!!
SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!! This is a SECRET from a FALCON FAN. TELL EVERYBODY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
GO FALCONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ONE HEARTBEAT, BABY!!!!"By BKK
October 20, 2008 9:23 AM | Link to this
They have a tough schedule going forward and should work hard on getting 6 or more victories and getting to the Playoffs. Hope they do. Looking forward to that test against eagles.
By Reality Time
October 20, 2008 9:34 AM | Link to this
Hey Vick Supporter 2, in case you hadn’t notice, this is an Atlanta Falcon story and an Atlanta Falcon blog. Go post on the Michael Vick blog if you can find one, maybe you can find someone there who cares what you have to say. GO FALCONS
By Steve
October 20, 2008 9:34 AM | Link to this
I have been very impressed with our start to say the least. I am also happy to see Bobby P suffering a bit at Arkansas. He belongs in college but knowing him the minute he gets another job offer he will go to that one. The Falcons success this year proves how lowsy he is as a coach.
By Michael
October 20, 2008 10:24 AM | Link to this
Wow Terence, you arent criticizing the Falcons anymore! You point out their problems week after week, even when they win, and now they are 4-2 and you give them a big bear hug!! You’re writing is fairly weak, read you’re first sentence…seriously. But, glad to see you show some optimism for once. This is a very young team, and they are way ahead of schedule.
By jon
October 20, 2008 3:01 PM | Link to this
This is the best young team I can remember as a Falcon’s fan. Matt Ryan is showing that he has heart. He has proven to be an explosive “throwing” QB. Turner and Norwood really look like Pro-Bowl players. Oh, and our WRs look great. I like to see them actually catching the ball this year.
ATL 27 PHI 20
By None
October 20, 2008 3:05 PM | Link to this
Our secondary will improve once our pass rush improves. Our pass rush is not good enough to pressure the QB to make errant decisions. An example would come from the GIANTS, their secondary are average but look good because the GIANTS have the best pass rush. Our secondary will improve as our pass rush improves. We have total athletes back there including Grimes.
By None
October 20, 2008 3:05 PM | Link to this
Our secondary will improve once our pass rush improves. Our pass rush is not good enough to pressure the QB to make errant decisions. An example would come from the GIANTS, their secondary are average but look good because the GIANTS have the best pass rush. Our secondary will improve as our pass rush improves. We have total athletes back there including Grimes.
By none
October 20, 2008 3:11 PM | Link to this
ITS A TEAM EFFORT, not the secondary alone. There is no I in team. Our secondary will not improve unless our pass rush improves forcing the QB to get rid of the ball earlier forcing more errant decisions and throws.
By TRUE FALCONS FAN
October 20, 2008 3:17 PM | Link to this
GREAT MOVE IN HIRING OF GM AND COACH PLUS VERY GOOD COACHING STAFF PLAYERS THAT NOW BELEIVE IN WHAT THEY ARE BEING TAUGHT THIS ORGANIZATION HAS GOTTEN IT WRONG FOR SO LONG THAT FANS ARE WAITING FOR THIS SHIP TO SINK BUT TRUE FOOTBALL FANS COULD SEE THAT WITH THE DRAFT,FREE AGENCY STRUCTURE OF THE TEAM THIS SHIP IS BUILT FOR THE LONG HAUL IF YOU DONT UNDERSTAND WHAT I MEAN THEN YOUR OCCUPANCE IS NOT WARRENTED ON THIS RIDE TRUE FANS STAY DOWN MATTER WHAT THE RECORD IS GO BIRDS