When the dust settles on the 2013 season, it could be one of historic proportions for the Falcons.
This season’s team could go down as the first to fall from the No. 1 playoff seed in the previous season to the worst team in the NFC.
After going 13-3 last season, the Falcons are off to a 2-7 start, and a loss against Tampa Bay (1-8) on Sunday at Raymond James Stadium would put them in a tie for the conference’s worst record. Minnesota also lurks at 2-7.
The Falcons were projected by many prognosticators to be Super Bowl contenders after reaching the NFC Championship game last season. But some risky decisions, injuries and a tougher schedule have led to their free fall.
However, in the AFC there is an opposite surge by the Kansas City Chiefs, who have gone from 2-14 in 2012 to being the NFL’s remaining undefeated team at 9-0.
“It is such a fine line (between winning and losing),” Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan said.
The Falcons did not anticipate a free fall, or they wouldn’t have gone to extreme lengths to talk tight end Tony Gonzalez out of retirement, nor would they have been able to land coveted veteran free-agent signees in running back Steven Jackson and defensive end Osi Umenyiora.
“This is a league where the cycles are much shorter,” Falcons coach Mike Smith said. “In this league, it’s about sustainability and being a relevant team. The days of being a (winner for) 10 , 12 or 15 years has changed.”
The Chiefs had talent. They sent six players to the Pro Bowl last season. They stabilized their quarterback position by acquiring Alex Smith and hired a new coach in Andy Reid and general manager in John Dorsey. Barring a complete collapse, they appear headed to the playoffs.
The Chiefs’ turnaround is similar to the one Smith and general manager Thomas Dimitroff orchestrated with the Falcons after the 2007 federal-dogfighting/Bobby Petrino season. The team was rudder-less and coming off a 4-12 record.
The Falcons didn’t miss on any of their key moves in the initial rebuild of the offense in 2008. They drafted the right quarterback in Matt Ryan, signed the right free agent in running back Michael Turner and were able to win 11 games and earn a wild-card berth.
They basically retained the 2007 defense, with rookie Curtis Lofton as the only new starter.
The Falcons have some options moving into the coming offseason to help with a quick turnaround.
“I think the way that you have to deal with the salary cap, the way that free agency is set up, the way that the draft is set up, it can change very quickly,” Smith said.
The most-recent rebuild has not been as successful, with the offensive and defensive lines in need of help. The Falcons had targeted reshaping the offensive line, but may have released veterans before their unproven talent was ready to play.
A red flag popped up when the Cincinnati Bengals practiced against the Falcons in training camp, and none of the offensive linemen won their one-on-one matchups. It was a clean sweep for two days by the Bengals’ stout defensive front.
Moving forward, the Falcons will continue to be prudent in free agency. After signing Ryan to a $103.75 million contract extension, they will not have a lot of cash for any big-ticket free agents.
The Falcons have $118.6 million committed to 48 player salaries for the 2014 season. The salary cap has been projected to increase slightly from this season’s maximum of $123. The salary cap was $120 million in 2012.
Last season, the Falcons focused on signing their own free agents — including oft-injured tackle Sam Baker to a six-year $41.1 million deal — and struck modest deals for Jackson and Umenyiora. Jackson signed a three-year $12 million contract and Umenyiora signed a two-year $8.5 million deal.
The players slated to be unrestricted free agents are defensive tackles Jonathan Babineaux, Corey Peters and Peria Jerry, wide receiver Brian Robiskie, offensive guard Joe Hawley, offensive tackles Mike Johnson and Jeremy Trueblood, tight end Chase Coffman, linebacker Omar Gaither and cornerback Dominique Franks.
Cornerback Robert McClain and fullback Patrick DiMarco are scheduled to be restricted free agents. Wide receivers Drew Davis and Kevin Cone will be exclusive-rights free agents.
The Falcons are putting a premium on developing the players on their roster. They are on pace for a high draft pick and may pluck off a quality veteran or two in free agency to help with their depth and overall talent.
Last season, the Falcons created salary-cap space by releasing several key veterans such as defensive end John Abraham, running back Michael Turner, cornerback Dunta Robinson and offensive tackle Tyson Clabo. They also didn’t pursue cornerback Brent Grimes too heavily.
Turner is out of football, but Abraham (Arizona), Clabo (Miami), Grimes (Miami) and Robinson (Kansas City) are enjoying varying degrees of success with their new teams.
There will be room to cut and renegotiate some contracts to improve the roster.
Ryan ($17.5 million), offensive guard Justin Blalock ($7.6 million), wide receiver Roddy White ($6.3 million), offensive tackle Sam Baker ($6 million), cornerback Asante Samuel ($5.2 million), safety William Moore ($5.1 million), wide receiver Julio Jones ($5.1 million), free safety Thomas DeCoud ($4.8 million), Umenyiora ($4.7 million) and Jackson ($4.1 million) have the team’s top salary-cap numbers for 2014.
Also, linebacker Sean Weatherspoon, White and Jones will be in the last year of their contracts in 2014.
“It’s very close from 1 to 32,” Smith said. “It always has been, but I think it’s even closer now with the ability of changing rosters and changing rosters over very quickly.”
About the Author
