Falcons' Arthur Smith Will 'Die Trying' to Win 'Old-Fashioned Way'
If NFL front offices have taught us anything, it's that no job is safe.
In 2023 alone, the coaching carousel has seen five franchises hire new head coaches, with 16 (half of the league!) finding replacement offensive coordinators for their team.
While the Atlanta Falcons did hire new defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen in January, they are sticking with head coach Arthur Smith for his third season. Hired in January of 2021, Smith took over in Atlanta after spending two seasons running the Tennessee Titans offense. Over his two seasons for the Falcons, Smith has won seven games both years while posting a 14-20 mark overall.
But with an improved roster through free agency and the NFL Draft, Atlanta looks to win its first NFC South crown since 2016 - starting with its defense and run game.
"Arthur Smith will win the old-fashioned way, or die trying," CBS Sports writes. "Entering year three, the coach might be getting progressively further from a sustained answer at QB, and rather than prioritize downfield weapons for Desmond Ridder, this team piled up at running back (Bijan Robinson) and tight end (Jonnu Smith), seemingly doubling down on the ground game. There could be a lot riding on their restocked "D," now headlined by safety Jessie Bates III."
The Falcons ranked third in rushing last season in the league, proving that they can win football games in the traditional, smashmouth fashion. Drafting Robinson with the No. 8 pick was further validation that Smith believes in this way of winning.
However, the biggest upgrades may come on the defensive end. After ranking in the bottom half of the league in nearly every major defensive statistical category, new additions such as Bates, Jeff Okudah, Calais Campbell look to "rebuild" this unit.
If the run game can remain elite and the defense can step up, the "old-fashioned" Falcons may be one of the league's newest playoff teams.
Follow Riley Sheppard on Twitter @RileyDSheppard.
Want the latest in breaking news and insider information on the Falcons? Click Here.
Follow Falcon Report on Twitter.
Want even more Atlanta Falcons news? Check out the Si.com team page here.
