FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. – The Falcons were officially eliminated from playoff contention last week.
Arthur Smith’s expectations for the team have not changed despite that fact, and the head coach wants to complete a pair of important things in the remaining two games of the regular season.
Everyone can agree on the latter. Some in the Falcons fan base may push back to the first point.
Winning is more likely to result in a lower NFL Draft position. The Falcons are now set to choose the sixth next April. A win or two could drop a team outside the top 10. Two losses could push the Falcons into the top 5.
Falcons head coach Arthur Smith was asked about the concept of winning when the playoffs are not an option and improved draft position during his Monday press conference. Most coaches will dismiss the topic of specs or be angry that the question is even being asked.
Smith did none of those things. He rationally explains why, in every situation, you play to win the game. That starts with Sunday’s home contest against Arizona.
“I don’t know coach — like I said in the spring — you never apologize for setting expectations,” Smith said. “Your goal is to win. Go in there and not win, it’s disrespectful to this game, to the players in the locker room. I understand the context. You’re talking about the draft position, but there are also graves of some horrendous. draft picks just because you’re high is there.”
Recent and relatively ancient history proves Smith’s point. There are plenty of top 5 busts. There are plenty of superstars mid to late in the first round. The odds of getting a standout player increase with fewer players off the board, and Smith understands that.
Why, then, is victory more important?
“When you ask why, I have no problem answering that question,” Smith said. “There [are] many reasons for that. The flip side of the argument, that – I’m not hard-headed – I’m not like an old school PE coach who got my head bashed up against the wall that says. Run hard I understand the big picture, but again , draft position, history will tell you that just because you sit in what place does not guarantee that you will get a good player if you don’t. have the right process and identify it. Maybe fate is in your favor. Maybe not.”
Smith studies NFL history for many reasons, including looking for similarities among franchises that have accomplished what he and Terry Fontenot attempted in Atlanta. Fontenot and Smith inherited a difficult salary-cap situation and a thin, aging roster and are working to return to prominence as quickly as possible while establishing an extended period of sustained success.
From my experience, Raiders have the same problem but struggle to do it right. Smith identified a few, such as the 49ers and Bills and Seahawks, who have embraced it.
“There’s usually a common thread there,” Smith said. “They have a plan. Trying to get the right people in there. Trying to build the right way. You’re competitive. You try to learn what it takes to win in that situation.”
The Falcons have been competitive but haven’t learned to consistently win in late-game situations with a 2022 roster dealing with a lot of turnover from the year before. The team’s young foundation has grown significantly this year, with cap space and draft capital to, if used properly, expand with the team’s veteran leadership core this offseason.
Those who play significant snaps now must continue to grow and develop. Not using the last two games to do so would be a waste.
“We’ve come in a lot of these close games with young teams,” Smith said. “We’ve recharged, but we didn’t get over the hump the last four weeks. We have to do that. Desmond Ridder has to go in there and we have to win football games. That’s important, especially if he’s going to be the quarterback of the future.”
There are questions that need to be answered in the last few weeks, but that doesn’t mean this is just an evaluation period. The Falcons will continue to play those who give them the best chance to win.
“Is it fair to the other guys competing for the job? Other than Grady [Jarrett] and Jake [Matthews], everybody here is on their rookie contract, the minimum, or the last year of their deal,” Smith said. . “…I mean, we have to be merit based. I understand the question and I don’t blame you for asking the question but take a step back and think about everyone in that locker room and what morals and ethics are. Leadership is really not a fantasy and the GM situation hypothetically. There’s a lot of young guys playing that we feel good about and we’ve got to prepare to win. That’s a big part of it. Again, the best guys are going to play. and we’re going to do everything we can to win against Arizona.”
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Jared Bernhardt #83 during practice in Flowery Branch, Georgia, Wednesday, December 28, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
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Atlanta Falcons defensive end Matt Dickerson #91 during practice in Flowery Branch, Georgia, Wednesday, December 28, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
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Atlanta Falcons secondary coach Jon Hoke during practice in Flowery Branch, Georgia, Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
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A detailed view of a Gatorade bottle as Atlanta Falcons tight end MyCole Pruitt #85 drinks during practice in Flowery Branch, Georgia, Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
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Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Timmy Horne #93 during practice in Flowery Branch, Georgia, Wednesday, December 28, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
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Atlanta Falcons offensive lineman Drew Dalman #67 during practice in Flowery Branch, Georgia, Wednesday, December 28, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
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Atlanta Falcons cornerback Dee Alford #37 during practice in Flowery Branch, Georgia, Wednesday, December 28, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood / Atlanta Falcons)
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Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith during practice in Flowery Branch, Georgia, Wednesday, December 28, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
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Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier #25 during practice in Flowery Branch, Georgia, Wednesday, December 28, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
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Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder #4 and quarterback Logan Woodside #6 during practice in Flowery Branch, Georgia, Wednesday, December 28, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood / Atlanta Falcons)
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A detailed view of a Gatorade bottle during practice in Flowery Branch, Georgia, Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
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Atlanta Falcons defensive end Amani Bledsoe #79 during practice in Flowery Branch, Georgia, Wednesday, December 28, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
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Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus #17 during practice in Flowery Branch, Georgia, Wednesday, December 28, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood / Atlanta Falcons)
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Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Arnold Ebiketie #47 and outside linebacker Quinton Bell #56 during practice in Flowery Branch, Georgia, Wednesday, December 28, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood / Atlanta Falcons)
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A reflection in the visor of Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Lorenzo Carter #9 during practice in Flowery Branch, Georgia, Wednesday, December 28, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
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Atlanta Falcons guard Chris Lindstrom #63 during practice in Flowery Branch, Georgia, Wednesday, December 28, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
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Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Dean Pees during practice in Flowery Branch, Georgia, Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
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Atlanta Falcons inside linebacker Mykal Walker #3 grabs a Gatorade FastTwitch during practice in Flowery Branch, Georgia, Wednesday, December 28, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
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Atlanta Falcons defensive back Dylan Mabin #39 during practice in Flowery Branch, Georgia, Wednesday, December 28, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
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Atlanta Falcons defensive assistant coach Matt Pees during practice in Flowery Branch, Georgia, Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
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Atlanta Falcons tight end Parker Hesse #46 during practice in Flowery Branch, Georgia, Wednesday, December 28, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
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Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker DeAngelo Malone #51 and outside linebacker Arnold Ebiketie #47 during practice in Flowery Branch, Georgia, Wednesday, December 28, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood / Atlanta Falcons)
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Atlanta Falcons inside linebacker Nick Kwiatkoski #53 during practice in Flowery Branch, Georgia, Wednesday, December 28, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
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