Coach Smith: Falcons Must Get Tougher in 2014

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) – Coach Mike Smith has several goals in mind to return the Atlanta Falcons to NFL relevance.

One day after ending a 4-12 season, Smith said Monday that the Falcons must get tougher to win the line of scrimmage on both offense and defense.

General manager Thomas Dimitroff lamented “missed assessments” on acquiring some players and letting others go and how those moves affected the entire team.

Though Smith and Dimitroff wouldn’t cite individuals, they didn’t dispute that the offensive line, which was largely responsible for quarterback Matt Ryan’s career-high 44 sacks, was a disaster.

Peter Konz was overmatched as a starting center and starting right guard. The right tackle position remained in flux all season, and Lamar Holmes was inconsistent at left tackle.