FLOWERY BRANCH – Former NFL coach and current television analyst Tony Dungy believes the Falcons can quickly bounce back from last season's 4-12 debacle.
“It really can be (a quick turnaround), this day in age,” Dungy told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution recently. “They had a one-year dip. They were playing excellent for a couple of years.”
He attributed their downfall from 13-3 to 4-12 to injuries and the lack of a rushing attack. The Falcons were last in the league, averaging 77.9 yards rushing per game.
“I thought they got out of balance last year and didn’t have the running game that they’d had in the past,” Dungy said. “To me, that is going to be the key, kind of revamping or returning that running game to where it was.”
He believes the Falcons can rebound by getting healthy, improving the offensive line play and getting the rushing attack unleashed.
“I think you’re going to see that Julio Jones is going to be back,” Dungy said. “Roddy White is going to be back and they are going to be able to throw the ball with Matt Ryan.
“I don’t even worry about that part of it. But if they make sure that offensive line is solid and that they can run the ball, if they do that, they are going to be right back to 11-, 12-win team.”
PHASE THREE OF OFFSEASON PROGRAM
–Tuesday – OTA No. 2.
–Thursday – OTA No. 3.
–Friday – Strength and Conditioning plus a rookie practice
–Monday– OTA No. 4.
–Tuesday, June 3 – OTA No. 5.
–Wednesday, June 4 – OTA No. 6.
–Thursday, June 5 – Rookie Practice.
–Monday, June 9 – Hacks vs. Jocks golf tournament. Defending champs – Team Scelfo.
–Tuesday, June 10 – OTA No. 7.
–Wednesday, June 11 – OTA No. 8.
–Thursday, June 12 – OTA No. 9.
–Friday, June 13 – OTA No. 10.
–Monday, June 16 – Physicals.
–Tuesday, June 17 — Day One: Mandatory minicamp (5 practices over three days)
–Wednesday, June 18 – Day Two: Mandatory minicamp.
–Thursday, June 19 – Day Three: Mandatory minicamp. (Offseason program ends for veterans).
TBA – Rookie Symposium
TBA – (Late July) – Report to Training camp.
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