FLOWERY BRANCH -- The Falcons had their year-end meetings, took physicals and cleared out their lockers on Monday, and no one was happy about it.
"We didn't have the season that we wanted to have," said defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux. "Just getting to the playoffs obviously wasn't the goal. We wanted to win and go far in to the playoffs."
Players gathered up their belongings from their lockers. Some drove around to the front of the building and left carrying plastic bags. Babineaux had several of his jerseys. Backup quarterback Chris Redman had an autographed football signed by tight end Tony Gonzalez.
In Sunday's 24-2 playoff loss to the Giants, the Falcons defense played well in the first half. It started giving up yards to the New York running game before it was hit by a 72-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter.
With the offense stymied, the defense might have been on the field too long.
“We can’t fall short, no matter what the situation is,” Babineaux said. “We have to do whatever it takes to get past that point.”
Several key starters could be lost to free agency, among them defensive end John Abraham, who played out the final year of his contract that paid him $8 million in base salary.
The players are hopeful the front office will retain Abraham's services.
“I’m thinking that they will bring Abe back," Babineaux said. "I think that’s what they will do. But we all know it’s a business at the end of the day and we hope they’ll make the best decision for this team.”
New captains chosen
During the final team meeting, the players voted in the following as team captains: Linebacker Curtis Lofton, defensive end John Abraham, quarterback Matt Ryan, center Todd McClure and special-teamer Eric Weems.
Redman wants to return
Redman, in the last year of his contract that paid him $2.55 million, wants to return.
“I definitely want to come back here,” Redman said. “This has been a great place and a great stay for me. We’re really comfortable here.”
Redman knows that offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey might not return if he lands the head coaching jobs in either Jacksonville or Miami.
“That’s kind of out of my control,” Redman said. “I will see how everything plays out and wish everybody the best.”
Offensive philosophy
Even if Mularkey leaves, the Falcons' offensive philosophy likely will not change. Falcons coach Mike Smith believes in running the football and was not too happy about the output against New York.
The Falcons' 64 yards was the third-lowest output of the season; they were held to 30 yards on 15 carries in a loss to Tampa Bay on Sept. 25 and 35 yards on 15 carries in a loss to New Orleans on Dec. 26.
The Falcons attempted 41 passes against the Giants, and they were 1-6 in games when they attempted more than 40 passes.
“We were inconsistent running the ball at times,” Smith said. “Even though we threw the ball for a record-setting number of yards. ... I still think that we left plays out there in the passing game. I think that we left plays out there in the running game.
"I believe that there is going to come a time in every season where you’re going to need to both run and throw the football. You cannot be one-dimensional.”
The Falcons passed more than 40 times against Chicago (47), Tampa Bay (47), Seattle (42), New Orleans (52), Houston (47), New Orleans (61) and New York Giants (41), and beat only the Seahawks.
Six signed
The Falcons signed six players to reserve/future contracts: wide receiver Drew Davis, tight end Tommy Gallarda, safety Matt Hansen, offensive lineman Kyle Jolly, safety Suaesi Tuimaunei and tight end Ryan Winterswyk. All six players spent time on the Falcons practice squad this past season.
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