Falcons Want More Than Just Playoffs

ATLANTA (AP) – The Atlanta Falcons have made a habit of reaching the playoffs. That’s not good enough anymore.

The expectations have changed dramatically since Mike Smith was hired as coach in 2008, inheriting a franchise that never had back-to-back winning seasons, much less two straight trips to the playoffs. Smith has guided the Falcons to four winning records in a row and three postseason appearances, but the team has yet to win a playoff game.

Last season, Atlanta was expected to be a Super Bowl contender but slipped in as a wild card and was blown out by the eventual Super Bowl champion New York Giants.

The Falcons didn’t make any major player changes in the offseason, but they do have two new coordinators: Dirk Koetter on offense, Mike Nolan on defense.