Matt Ryan fully recovered from toe injury

Initially, the Falcons thought Ryan would be out six weeks. He was injured on the first series of the Tampa Bay game Nov. 29. Chris Redman started against Philadelphia and New Orleans.

Ryan came back to lead the Falcons to victories over the New York Jets, Buffalo and Tampa Bay.

"We don't anticipate him having any setbacks between now and when we start on the 22nd of March," Smith said. "He's actually back to running."

Smith thought Ryan improved during his second season.

As a rookie, Ryan completed 265 of 434 passes (61.1 percent) for 3,440 yards, threw 16 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.

Last season in 14 games, Ryan completed 263 of 451 passes (58.3 percent) for 2,916 yards, threw 22 touchdowns and 14 interceptions.

"He's improved his accuracy," Smith said. "He's become a very good decision-maker. ... I've said this many times, playing quarterback in the National Football League is the toughest job there is in all of sports."

Pass defense

The Falcons' top offseason priority is to improve the pass defense.

"Statistically, we were not close to where we need to be or want to be," Smith said. "I think that's twofold. One, we address the pass rush and number two, is that we improve our secondary play. Those are areas that we definitely will want to address. "

However, Smith thought the postseason evaluations of cornerbacks Brent Grimes, Christopher Owens and Chris Houston were positive.

"I'm pleased with our young corners," Smith said.

Thomas had surgery

Georgia Tech wide receiver Demaryius Thomas had surgery Sunday to repair his broken foot, and a screw was placed in the bone to help it heal.

Thomas will not be able to participate in Georgia Tech's pro day workouts March 15.

He broke his foot while running in the three-cone drill.

"It popped on my last cone," Thomas said.

Before the injury, some draft analysts were projecting that Thomas would be selected in the first round.

"I'm hoping to be back in four to five weeks and have a pro day," Thomas said.

Will Falcons go for Peppers?

Defensive end Julius Peppers is set to become a free agent March 5.

"Having Julius Peppers out of the NFC South will be a good thing," Smith said. "He's been an outstanding player for a number of years."

Smith would not address if the Falcons would pursue Peppers.

Cleveland Browns president Mike Holmgren said they are certainly talking about Peppers when discuss free agency.

Running back no priority

Smith believes the Falcons will have a more balanced draft and a better mix of offensive and defensive players this season.

In 2008, they focused on offense in the draft. Last year, they drafted eight players and seven played defense.

However, drafting a running back is not a priority.

"You always want to try to add depth at running back," Smith said. "But that position is a position that takes the most pounding of any position in the league. It's not a top priority for us right now."

Rams on the clock

St. Louis has the No. 1 pick in the draft and likely will decide between two defensive tackles -- Oklahoma's Gerald McCoy and Nebraska's Ndamukong Suh.

"Oh man, we're hoping somehow there's separation because in our eyes, there isn't any," said Rams general manager Billy Devaney, who worked with the Falcons from 2006-08. "They're great players. They're going to be great players. Their character guys. They love playing football. I hope something happens where there is separation. But in our eyes, there isn't."

Shanahan on quarterbacks

Washington has the fourth pick in the draft. Coach Mike Shanahan said he doesn't think it's a big deal that some of the top quarterbacks are not throwing at the combine.

"There’s a lot of film on these players, going back to their sophomore and junior years," Shanahan said. "There’s enough to evaluate exactly the pecking order that you might have on them. But I think it’s also important to see where they’re at physically over the next couple of months."