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Home > Terence Moore > Archives > 2008 > November > 12 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USHarmony brings success for Falcons
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Flowery Branch — John Abraham has played a while. Nine NFL seasons, to be exact. So it is rather significant that the brilliant defensive end for the Falcons sat at his locker on Wednesday, thought about the last time he experienced this much togetherness among teammates and thought some more.
He kept thinking.
So when was it?
Abraham kept thinking, before glancing up to say, “It’s been a while,” he said, reflecting on a career that included six years with the New York Jets. Then he added, “Actually, probably never. I’ve been on some hard teams, and to have this kind of chemistry, as far as in the locker room and on the field, along with everybody communicating with each other — this probably is the best team when it comes to that situation.”
Sounds like Thomas Dimitroff knows what he’s doing. He’s in his first season as an NFL general manager. Even so, he envisioned building a team without knuckleheads long before he spent six years in the scouting department of the New England Patriots, supposedly the league’s team of teams.
“What we did [after taking over the Falcons] is evaluate the players, and then we discussed the other stuff, whether there were character issues and what not, whether there were personality traits on and off the field that we felt wouldn’t fit into our system,” said Dimitroff, 42, involved with pro scouting since 1990. “We spent a lot of time talking about that as a group. There are a lot of good football players that we didn’t feel, kicking this off, would necessarily fit into a rebuilding program.”
The results? The NFL rookies at general manager, head coach and quarterback for the Falcons are helping them shock reality in the rugged NFC South. They’ve won four of their past five games for a 6-3 record, and they’ve done so with harmony.
Since the Falcons’ 2007 season of disharmony (4-12 finish, No. 7 and his dogs, Bobby Petrino), the Falcons’ roster has changed 60 percent. The purging involved some familiar names. Alge Crumpler. DeAngelo Hall. Warrick Dunn. Kynan Forney. Joey Harrington.
Said offensive tackle Todd Weiner, in his sixth season with the Falcons: “It’s clear that the administration and the front office purposely went after guys that were going to jell together. Some players may not have gotten some name recognition in the past that they acquired in the offseason, but they looked for a certain attitude in a guy. The idea was that when good things happened, they were going to stick together, and when bad things happened, they still were going to stick together.”
Consider: After the Falcons dismantled a bad Detroit team in their season opener, they were clobbered at Tampa Bay. Unlike the past, when Abraham hinted that such a drastic turnaround would have produced “whining and bickering” across the Falcons’ locker room, they recovered to flatten a bad Kansas City team.
Then the Falcons were clobbered again at Carolina the next week, but that’s when they responded with a victory at Green Bay the next week to start their current surge to sit a game behind first-place Carolina.
You have rookies Matt Ryan at quarterback and Curtis Lofton at middle linebacker among those leading the way for the Falcons. You also have mighty contributions from free agents such as running back Michael Turner, safety Erik Coleman, kicker Jason Elam and tight end Ben Hartsock, all signed by Dimitroff since the end of last season.
As a result, you have the Falcons trying to become another team of teams.
Permalink | Comments (40) | Post your comment | Categories: Falcons/NFL
Comments
By Hillbilly Deluxe
November 12, 2008 6:30 PM | Link to this
I think it was Branch Rickey who coined the phrase “addition by subtraction”. I think the Falcons put some of that to work too.
By Formula For Success
November 12, 2008 7:15 PM | Link to this
Harmony=Team=Winning
By gdg73
November 12, 2008 7:25 PM | Link to this
No mention of Highway 56 in this column? But he is the heart and soul of the team. He is the reason for the season we are having. Please!! Curtis Lofton is making more of an impact than our grizzled veteran. Please Coach Smith, bench the invisible man.
By Lowndesfalc
November 12, 2008 7:26 PM | Link to this
Wow, T.M., just Wow. Its hard to believe the love that you have shown the Falcons lately. Tis good to see, of course the Falcons are not only fun to watch again, but due to the reasons stated in your article they are playing as a “team” like I haven’t seen and I have been watching them since 1972.
By savannah dawg
November 12, 2008 7:36 PM | Link to this
I’ve always watched the Falcons, but this team is different. I can’t wait for Sundays to get here. John Abraham is the MAN. Great article. GO FALCONS!!!
By jcdocpc
November 12, 2008 7:36 PM | Link to this
Wellllll!!!.. Terrance, you sound very positive now. But boy, during the off season you were brutal Of the Birds. You questioned their evry move.. You poo pooed their first round draft pick. You thought pee wee players would form a better O line…And I must say i too was looking at a rebuilding year. But at least competitive. I think the Falcons have far exceeded both our expectations..However..you were right about Georgia!
By Martin 7
November 12, 2008 7:44 PM | Link to this
You got this one right on the money Mr. T. It is now a locker room full of TEAM players minus the “MeAngelo Hall and Alge Crappler” types. With Ryan and Lofton going full tilt we just might make the playoffs! Go Dirty Birds!!!
By brent11111
November 12, 2008 7:51 PM | Link to this
first
By michaelgee
November 12, 2008 7:58 PM | Link to this
TM, Winning cures everything, nice article.
By brAves Sucios
November 12, 2008 8:03 PM | Link to this
I’m thinking one of the goals these guys HAVE to be including in their “process” is back to back winning seasons… no doubt that sort of big picture thinking in personnel decisions coupled with a week by week focus on improving on last week’s game and studying this week’s opponent have done wonders. Back to the basics. Back to football. I love it. Go Birds!
By Flustered Fan
November 12, 2008 8:04 PM | Link to this
It is such a breath of fresh air to have this season going on the way it has been. Dimitroff, Smitty, and Matty Ryan have really been the salve on a nasty 42 year old wound. And to the other standouts that I failed to mention, I apologize, but good work anyway. Go Falcons 2008 and beyond!!!
By John
November 12, 2008 9:12 PM | Link to this
Falcons keep on doing what you are doing.
By froggy
November 12, 2008 10:24 PM | Link to this
Terence is on target with this one.
Sitting above the end zone Sunday, it was never more clear that No. 56 cannot, simply cannot, cover the seam pattern to the tight end. Can’t keep up and can’t get his head around.
See if the Broncos don’t call that play oh, about 10 times on Sunday. Is there really nobody on the roster who wouldn’t grade higher than Brook? I have to say, Smitty saw the light on Jennings and made a sound decision to move him out. I hope he is scrutinizing linebacker play as well.
By shane
November 12, 2008 10:28 PM | Link to this
Our Birds are playing OUT OF THIER MINDS at home.
They have trailed their apponents a total of 11 SECONDS in the Dome this year.
11 SECONDS…..See you at the game.
By Terence Moore
November 12, 2008 10:44 PM | Link to this
Hello, everybody.
Sorry that I was away for a few days, but I had some technical problems with the code for my blog.
Anyway, you can’t say enough about the job that the NFL rookies at general manager, head coach and quarterback have done for the Falcons.
That said, it begins and ends with Thomas Dimitroff, that rookie general manager. He came in with a gameplan from day one, and it was a good one. He also wasted little time executing that plan.
And this is just Year One.
By hollywould
November 12, 2008 10:54 PM | Link to this
Nice article TM. Isn’t it refreshing to talk about football instead of off-the field actions? I have been a season ticket holder since the Dome opened and have never felt so good about the Falcons. Yeah, in ‘98 it was great but we thought we had a pretty good team. Expectations this year were completely different. Live it while you can. GO FALCONS
By truthspeaker
November 12, 2008 11:15 PM | Link to this
TerranceMoore = FairweatherFan
By Singletary
November 12, 2008 11:50 PM | Link to this
TD, Smitty — wow. That’s all I can say: WOW
Stomp Denver? Choke the Chargers? That would just be icing on the cake.
By Peachtree John
November 13, 2008 5:54 AM | Link to this
Moved to Atlanta in 1966. Began going to Falcon games the following year and was blessed to see some great indivduals play here. Finally gave up on them after so many frustrating years of being a season ticket holder——a few seasons after we were forced to purchase tickets for pre season games. Have always pulled for the team, even when there was no reasonable hope. It is so refreshing to see a TEAM at work. It is encouraging to see some promising young players blend with the more experiences. This is the first time I remember being optimistic about the top to bottom personell. This is what all Atlantans have wanted from the beginning. Go TEAM.
By SickandTired
November 13, 2008 7:11 AM | Link to this
Here we go Atlanta. Finally that sign we’ve been looking for. The Falcons actually looking like a real football team. This trio of people, Dimitroff, Samith and Ryan will change the way this state looks at NFL Football.
By Edd
November 13, 2008 7:21 AM | Link to this
The team has changed so do we need to let the Dirty Bird thing go too?, Just sayin’. Go Falcons !!!!
By rob
November 13, 2008 7:48 AM | Link to this
Havent heard this much good chatter since the dare I say super bowl season. Im very glad I stuck by them.
By skysthelimit
November 13, 2008 7:57 AM | Link to this
this bunch can no longer be called “the Dirty Birds” They are in no way related to that disfunctional group of misfits back then. These guys are FRESH!!! from the top down! They seem to be getting better with every game. Bill Parsells said that the best football is power football and you can shore up alot of gaps with that type of game. a good running game can take you to the playoffs. I am also slightly impressed with our “D”. need a little better play from our corners but we are in good shape. Great Job guys you have already exceeded my expectations.
By EdistoBro
November 13, 2008 8:04 AM | Link to this
The recruiters at UGA need to take a look at the advantages of character on a football team.
By Converted
November 13, 2008 8:40 AM | Link to this
16 years in Atlanta and I can finally say this year’s team has converted me. Go Falcons!
By bill
November 13, 2008 8:42 AM | Link to this
Good article Terrance.I think the Falcons are finallly on the right track.
It will be intresting to see how the rookies on the field fare when they hit the proverbial “wall” in a couple of weeks.
Don’t be too disappointed if this team fades down the stretch.
Listen if anyone said in August the Falcons would finish .500,everyone would have taken it.They are 2 wins from that and should get there.
By PreyDawg
November 13, 2008 8:43 AM | Link to this
I must crow a bit. I predicted 9 and 7 and didnt see that anywhere else. But I didnt think it would come like this. This team is much more impressive in their manner of winning than I expected. It is fun to be a Falcon again. No excuse for not packing the Dome Sunday. I know times are tough but the Falcons are a great diversion. Instead of making you depressed they cheer you up.
By Kelley
November 13, 2008 9:03 AM | Link to this
The head coach and GM remind me of when Cox and Schuerholz came into Atlanta and turned the Braves around, and looked how many years that lasted. You cannot say enough about the job they have done w/ this organization, nor can you say enough about our rookie QB. More importantly, they are stressing team above star players who crave the spotlight. It is good to see (and good NOT to see MeHall each week running his mouth).
By N2Pain
November 13, 2008 9:11 AM | Link to this
Hopefully Falcon fans are doing the right thing and going to nfl.com and voting Ryan, Abraham, Turner, and Norwood into the Pro Bowl. Next year it will be many more Falcons in Hawaii.
By loumar
November 13, 2008 9:28 AM | Link to this
Perfect time to honor the 98 team!
By Falcaholic
November 13, 2008 10:25 AM | Link to this
Some have brought up the 98 team. That was an exciting and fun year, but this team is different. I felt that there was something magical about that 98 team, but I always had the feeling it was a fluke. While this team hasn’t even been to the playoffs, their progress appears to be steady and planned. They aren’t just a magical or lucky bunch of players — they are being engineered to win. Winning by design will turn out to be far more durable than winning by luck. The new management is putting this team on a footing to improve and be perinneal contenders.
By falconmann
November 13, 2008 10:29 AM | Link to this
I would like to throw some light on Domonique Foxworth! This young man was outstanding at assisting in shutting down NO’s passing game this past weekend. Now comes an opportunity for him to notch-up his game against some former teammates, vs. Denver!
By Ryno
November 13, 2008 10:45 AM | Link to this
C’mon back to the Dome Falcons fans.
This team is ready to put this city on its back and take it for a ride. We need it loud and JAM PACKED the next two weeks.
Play smart - run the ball and BLITZ Cutler.
By Wanda
November 13, 2008 10:51 AM | Link to this
GO FALCON’S!!! They are so exciting to watch!!! I am glad to see them play as a team.
By GATORZONE
November 13, 2008 11:14 AM | Link to this
The Falcons are back, and I love it!!! I am proud of our franchise. Within 3 years, people will be talking about how this is now an elite team. Just keep doing it the right way!!!
By BW
November 13, 2008 11:18 AM | Link to this
As a former HS FB coach for 15 years, team chemistry is often negelected and underestimated!! There is more to teamwork than X’s and O’s. When the chemistry is right, the players get along, and they are coachable. Kudos to the front office and coaching staff!!
By JD
November 13, 2008 11:35 AM | Link to this
Great article!
AND- what about #24 Dr. Foxworth? Wow. This guy got my attention last Sunday. Great move on part of the front office yet again.
By Tech75
November 13, 2008 11:37 AM | Link to this
Vision - 100%
Planning - 100%
Execution to Plan - 100%
Talent - 50%
Maturity - 50%
The last two will come… then it’s SUPER BOWL, BABY!
By DaveMcDuffie
November 13, 2008 11:40 AM | Link to this
I might have to drive from Los Angeles to the Denver area to watch the Falcons, and it would be worth it! Falcons 42, Broncos 17.
By bfred
November 13, 2008 12:11 PM | Link to this
Great column, but you should have isolated Dunn from the guys who were supposedly shipped off for character issues. It seemed to me that the main reason he went was that we just weren’t going to be able to afford him in a rebuilding year, and were going with younger players. I never really saw Crumpler as an issue either (I could be wrong there), but for sure Dunn was a character guy who doesn’t deserve to be spoken of in the same was as Hall etc..