Center Alex Mack was the last person to leave the locker room Monday.
He didn’t want to head home to California.
He hates the early bye and was ready to keep grinding after the Falcons 23-17 loss to Buffalo on Sunday to drop to 3-1.
“I want to get back to work, especially after a loss,” Mack said. “I want to get back into the building and move on to the next thing. I think we can really use this to grow as a learning experience.”
The janitors probably had to kick Mack out of the building before the former high school wrestler headed home.
Here are five things that went right for the Falcons over the first four games of the season:
1. Poe is a stud. The Falcons should probably go ahead and get a good contract offer ready for defensive tackle Dontari Poe. He signed a one-year, $8 million make-good contract in the offseason. He's anchoring the defense and allowing the linebackers to flow to the ball. Poe and Grady Jarrett are playing well together.
2. Running backs. Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman are off to strong starts. They are on pace to rush for 1,872 yards, which would top last season's total of 1,599. They are pace to have 892 yards receiving, which would top last season's 883 yards. While the Falcons are working out kinks in the deep passing game, they'll have to keep leaning on the dynamite running backs.
3. Pass rush is strong. Even with Vic Beasley missing two games, the pass rush has been much improved. Brooks Reed has been an early surprise as he leads the team with three sacks, including one that secured the Chicago victory. Beasley and Clayborn have two sacks each and Brian Poole, Takkarist McKinley, Derrick Shelby, De'Vondre Campbell and Deion Jones all have a sack. With 12 sacks, the Falcons are on pace for 48, which would be 14 more than last season and is tied for third in the NFL. Jacksonville leads with 18. Last season, Arizona led the league with 48 sacks. The Falcons also have 27 quarterback hits.
4. Trufant's back. The former Pro Bowler is rounding back into form after missing most of last season with a pectoral injury. He had an key interception and scooped up a fumble and scored a touchdown against Green Bay. However, he had a bumpy ending against Detroit with two penalties and was beaten by Buffalo's Jordan Matthews on a crossing route.
5. Bryant is steady. Kicker Matt Bryant has made all of his field-goal attempts and ranks tied for fourth in the NFL with 33 points. He made field goals of 51 and 53 yards against Green Bay.
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