Expectations

[AtlantaFanatic]

I love this time of the year on the message boards. The polarization of the posts from everyone here is fascinating. It almost seems like nobody can agree on anything. A lot of people make some really good points and a lot of people make some pretty dumb points and both are equally as entertaining. On to my opinion:

My biggest concern for my fellow Falcon fans here is the expectation of what our team will be this year. A lot of us are mad at what we did in FA because we didn't fill all the holes we have on the team. Now we are concerned with the draft because it seems impossible to fill those needs in the draft with studs, and we are correct. TD's poor drafting and the lack of development of our later round players with the previous regime has left this team with quite a few gaping holes. In fact, there are too many "holes" to fill in one offseason. We are currently lacking at LG, FS, ILB, LEO, RB, and TE. The good news is that because of better coaching or players exceeding our expectations, we may already have a couple of these positions filled if some players surprise us. Even if they don't we cannot expect us to draft those positions I mentioned with the 1st-6th round picks and have all those pics be studs. No GM is that good!

This isn't a complete overhaul of our team but it's pretty close. WE WILL GO INTO THIS SEASON WITH REMAINING HOLES. There is no way around it. We cannot expect Quinn to come in here with the roster he was left and make us a deep playoff team year 1. I expect this team to go into the season with big ??? at several of those positions I mentioned. The fun part of this season for me will be going into it watching our new players at these positions and seeing how they do and if Quinn really makes that much of a difference. I'm not predicting a record this year. In fact, I'm prepared for us to suck again this season and that will be ok as long as I see some improvement in the way we play. Every new move this FO makes now, I look at as "How is this going to improve our team over the next few years?"

I know it's tough guys and gals but try to be patient. This isn't our year to win a SB but if we handle the next couple of offseasons better than we have in the past, I think we could be sniffing the door to the SB again very soon.

[Dirtybird#11]

Great post OP. You get a like! +1

[Lornoth]

I don't think having holes means we can't go deep into the playoffs. Every team in the league has big ???? at a few positions every single year, there is no such thing as a perfect team.

[4dabirds]

I love this time of the year on the message boards. The polarization of the posts from everyone here is fascinating. It almost seems like nobody can agree on anything. A lot of people make some really good points and a lot of people make some pretty dumb points and both are equally as entertaining. On to my opinion:

My biggest concern for my fellow Falcon fans here is the expectation of what our team will be this year. A lot of us are mad at what we did in FA because we didn't fill all the holes we have on the team. Now we are concerned with the draft because it seems impossible to fill those needs in the draft with studs, and we are correct. TD's poor drafting and the lack of development of our later round players with the previous regime has left this team with quite a few gaping holes. In fact, there are too many "holes" to fill in one offseason. We are currently lacking at LG, FS, ILB, LEO, RB, and TE. The good news is that because of better coaching or players exceeding our expectations, we may already have a couple of these positions filled if some players surprise us. Even if they don't we cannot expect us to draft those positions I mentioned with the 1st-6th round picks and have all those pics be studs. No GM is that good!

This isn't a complete overhaul of our team but it's pretty close. WE WILL GO INTO THIS SEASON WITH REMAINING HOLES. There is no way around it. We cannot expect Quinn to come in here with the roster he was left and make us a deep playoff team year 1. I expect this team to go into the season with big ??? at several of those positions I mentioned. The fun part of this season for me will be going into it watching our new players at these positions and seeing how they do and if Quinn really makes that much of a difference. I'm not predicting a record this year. In fact, I'm prepared for us to suck again this season and that will be ok as long as I see some improvement in the way we play. Every new move this FO makes now, I look at as "How is this going to improve our team over the next few years?"

I know it's tough guys and gals but try to be patient. This isn't our year to win a SB but if we handle the next couple of offseasons better than we have in the past, I think we could be sniffing the door to the SB again very soon.

Good post.

I know you are tempering your expectations for Quinn (which is probably a good idea), but the reality is that Mike Smith came in with no fanfare whatsoever (unlike Quinn), and had a lot less to work with (also, unlike Quinn). A lot less. Smith had a rookie QB, and many holes. Not only did Smith face the challenge head on, but he managed to go to the playoffs his first year. Quite remarkable actually when you think about it.

I have no grand expectations for Quinn myself, but I can not say that his challenge is even remotely as tough as what Smith had. My post is not a pro Smith, because Mike Smith became complacent by his own admission and he lost the edge he once had. All I know is that if Quinn does not improve on what we saw last year, and by that I mean a winning record, then he will be a failed first year HC, and that is simply because he could not do better than what Mike Smith did in his first year as HC. Quinn has enough to compete now, so I expect that we should see some promise if not the playoffs. I want be suggesting that he gets fired, but I will not proclaim him to be the hot hire that so many here want to believe he is, should he not deliver a good season.

Edited April 13, 2015 by 4dabirds

[AtlantaFanatic]

I don't think having holes means we can't go deep into the playoffs. Every team in the league has big ???? at a few positions every single year, there is no such thing as a perfect team.

That's certainly true. I definitely won't be upset with a deep playoff run this year, just not expecting it.

[Keys]

I expect to be in for a pleasant surprise. We may have a lot of the same players from the past regime, but this team will have a different identity now, and I can't wait to see what Quinn can get out of our players.

[JJC28]

We can win the south should have last year.Guys playing where they should be playing helps this team already. No gimic 2 LBs that was awe full. Maybe the IR bug gos to some body else. We lost 2 games we should have won if not for bad game management. And guys we drafted stepping up and doing there job are at least getting the chance. Thank it going to be a great off season and we will get better. But hay im old enough to have seen the worst of times with this team.

[quotemokc]

All I expect is improvement.

[delaigle]

yet I've heard over and over on this board that the only thing that counts is a super bowl win.

AND now all of you are saying settle for less????

just which posters should i listen to?

Mike Smith and TD took a 4-12 team and turned it to an 11-5 team in 1 offseason

You all tell me that Quinn is better than Smith so shouldn't I expect more than 11-5?

[Power I]

yet I've heard over and over on this board that the only thing that counts is a super bowl win.

AND now all of you are saying settle for less????

just which posters should i listen to?

Mike Smith and TD took a 4-12 team and turned it to an 11-5 team in 1 offseason

You all tell me that Quinn is better than Smith so shouldn't I expect more than 11-5?

If we find a Pro Bowl running back this year like they did that year, then sure. It's not looking likely though.

[AtlantaFanatic]

yet I've heard over and over on this board that the only thing that counts is a super bowl win.

AND now all of you are saying settle for less????

just which posters should i listen to?

Mike Smith and TD took a 4-12 team and turned it to an 11-5 team in 1 offseason

You all tell me that Quinn is better than Smith so shouldn't I expect more than 11-5?

First, "all of you are saying" is not true, in fact, it contradicts the first paragraph of my OP.

Second, you should form your own opinion and not let us do it for you.

Third, things are different now in many ways from 2008 so to expect 11-5 or better is oversimplifying it a little.

[MD-FalconFan13]

Why are all these positions holes? Who said that they were? You? Or Quinn?

Folks confuse their opinions with reality. Reality is that in Quinn's system there are different things that will be asked of the players that were here. Dimitroff gets a lot of blame, but the guys he drafted have talent! That is obvious. We were a 13-3 team just 2 years ago. How can folks deny we have talent because a commentator says so.

Was Mike Smith that good of a coach to take a talentless roster to the NFCCG? Or is he the same guy that blow it with his timid play calling and conservative nature?

We have talent. Always have. A win/loss record is not indicative of talent. We have guys that are unheralded like Antone Smith, Jonathan Babineaux, William Moore, Roddy White, Matt Bosher and Matt Bryant. That's not counting the obvious folks like Matt Ryan, Julio Jones, Jon Asomoah and Desmon Trufant.

Your list of "Holes" is full of it's own holes.

-Like what if Worrilow does even better when asked to do more simplistic tasks? Or just simply improves as he was JUST A SOPHOMORE last year?

-Or what about Southward? What if he fills that FS position the way that Quinn would like? He's fast enough and tackles well.

-Or what if Schofield blossoms into a better player than we thought when asked to man the LEO?

-Or if Devonta Freeman explodes in this new Zone scheme?

So many possibilities that fans are not privy to. So lets leave determining what our "holes" are to the coach and FO, not armchair GMs

[Sun Tzu 7]

yet I've heard over and over on this board that the only thing that counts is a super bowl win.

AND now all of you are saying settle for less????

just which posters should i listen to?

Mike Smith and TD took a 4-12 team and turned it to an 11-5 team in 1 offseason

You all tell me that Quinn is better than Smith so shouldn't I expect more than 11-5?

You know what a big difference between Mike Smith and now is.

In 2008 we had a proven pro-bowl pass rusher on the team in his prime.

We have nothing close to that now. If somebody develops we have a chance.

If not expect more of the same where we might get to the playoffs but won't be able to do much because we won't be able to stop the other team when it counts.

[Mattyice3]

19-0

[Kaptain Krazy]

If Southward ends up being a starter, then picks 1-4 from last year will all be either starters or in the starting rotation (depends on how one classifies Hageman). That's not bad. Another draft where the first four picks net two starters and two quality backups is not out of the question, given where ATL is drafting. Yes, there are depth issues, but this roster isn't so far depleted that we're talking about a 4-year reclamation project.

As a STH, i think 9-10 wins next year is a very reasonable expectation. Merely with competent clock management last season, the record could have been 8-8.

[AtlantaFanatic]

Why are all these positions holes? Who said that they were? You? Or Quinn?

Folks confuse their opinions with reality. Reality is that in Quinn's system there are different things that will be asked of the players that were here. Dimitroff gets a lot of blame, but the guys he drafted have talent! That is obvious. We were a 13-3 team just 2 years ago. How can folks deny we have talent because a commentator says so.

Was Mike Smith that good of a coach to take a talentless roster to the NFCCG? Or is he the same guy that blow it with his timid play calling and conservative nature?

We have talent. Always have. A win/loss record is not indicative of talent. We have guys that are unheralded like Antone Smith, Jonathan Babineaux, William Moore, Roddy White, Matt Bosher and Matt Bryant. That's not counting the obvious folks like Matt Ryan, Julio Jones, Jon Asomoah and Desmon Trufant.

Your list of "Holes" is full of it's own holes.

-Like what if Worrilow does even better when asked to do more simplistic tasks? Or just simply improves as he was JUST A SOPHOMORE last year?

-Or what about Southward? What if he fills that FS position the way that Quinn would like? He's fast enough and tackles well.

-Or what if Schofield blossoms into a better player than we thought when asked to man the LEO?

-Or if Devonta Freeman explodes in this new Zone scheme?

So many possibilities that fans are not privy to. So lets leave determining what our "holes" are to the coach and FO, not armchair GMs

Although I'm not a fan of the condescending tone, this is a good post. It's very true. Some of these "holes" could just be figments of our imagination. That's why I'm just going to enjoy watching what happens with this team this year without any expectations and hopefully I will be pleasantly surprised!

[AtlantaFanatic]

If Southward ends up being a starter, then picks 1-4 from last year will all be either starters or in the starting rotation (depends on how one classifies Hageman). That's not bad. Another draft where the first four picks net two starters and two quality backups is not out of the question, given where ATL is drafting. Yes, there are depth issues, but this roster isn't so far depleted that we're talking about a 4-year reclamation project.

As a STH, i think 9-10 wins next year is a very reasonable expectation. Merely with competent clock management last season, the record could have been 8-8.

I was thinking along the lines of fix it really well in two offseasons. That's why I think we gave so many one-year deals. Try them out this season and if they flourish, sign them to longer deals. If they stink up the place, you don't have to worry about their contract next season. You may pay more for some of those guys than if you gave them longer contracts to begin with but at the same time, you don't overpay useless guys (looking at you Baker) and have a bunch of bad contracts.

[Falc_Fan_Since_Six]

My expectation is that we have a 10-6 to 11-5 record next year. I've said this many times before already. With even a marginal improvement in the defense this is possible because Koetter's pass first offense is gone. Shanahan will get this team a legit running game with balance which will take pressure of Matt Ryan. Offensive drives will sustain and the defense will be fresher. Basic football 101 but none of the "chicken littles" want to hear that because we didn't go make a big splash in FA. It's a four to five game swing that's entirely doable because Smitty blew two wins with clock management last year. 10-6 may or may not get us in the playoffs. 11-5 will and after that, anything can happen.

Edited April 13, 2015 by Falc_Fan_Since_Six

[MD-FalconFan13]

Although I'm not a fan of the condescending tone, this is a good post. It's very true. Some of these "holes" could just be figments of our imagination. That's why I'm just going to enjoy watching what happens with this team this year without any expectations and hopefully I will be pleasantly surprised!

Sorry for coming off as condescending. Just think that we should adjust our thinking based upon the fact that a) it's the coaches 1st offseason, new players we've never seen, c) schemes that could very well maximize some of our holdovers strengths. I think Alford will shine, as well as Hageman and a sleeper candidate Kemal Ishmael.

Again, I apologize for the tone. Not my intention. Guess I'm just a little too blunt at times. At least my girlfriend says so. Then again, that's not the only thing she says.....lol

[AtlantaFanatic]

Sorry for coming off as condescending. Just think that we should adjust our thinking based upon the fact that a) it's the coaches 1st offseason, new players we've never seen, c) schemes that could very well maximize some of our holdovers strengths. I think Alford will shine, as well as Hageman and a sleeper candidate Kemal Ishmael.

Again, I apologize for the tone. Not my intention. Guess I'm just a little too blunt at times. At least my girlfriend says so. Then again, that's not the only thing she says.....lol

No worries.

You're still correct. We don't know how the new coaching staff will affect the players on the current roster. I'm actually counting on Hageman to be a stud this year based on what he showed at the end of last year. Alford I'm not worried about either. Maybe South will end up being a great FS. Maybe Schofield will beast out, Durant and Reed made us better IMO. I'm cautiously optimistic about this year but either way it will be fun to watch.

[bigjmw84]

I expect 8-10 wins from a team who should have had 8 or 9 wins last season if it wasnt for time management issues. Their will be growing pains at times in year 1, but O &D will convince fans we are going in the right direction.

[chazbykr]

My expectations are optimistic this year. My main reason is I believe we have a really good coaching staff this year. DQ himself and his D coaches will be great. But also he chose his OC because he was one of the hardest he had to game plan for. I believe we'll have the players to have a winning record. As some have said, it's quite possible we lost twice last year by game management. By the own players statements and actions leading into the off season training they seem to be buying in. Many in very good shape; some recovered from injury. I especially like that Ryan is excited about this offense. We need better defense for sure but a good offense will keep our D off the field, which will be my favorite place for them to be.

[AtlantaFanatic]

My expectations are optimistic this year. My main reason is I believe we have a really good coaching staff this year. DQ himself and his D coaches will be great. But also he chose his OC because he was one of the hardest he had to game plan for. I believe we'll have the players to have a winning record. As some have said, it's quite possible we lost twice last year by game management. By the own players statements and actions leading into the off season training they seem to be buying in. Many in very good shape; some recovered from injury. I especially like that Ryan is excited about this offense. We need better defense for sure but a good offense will keep our D off the field, which will be my favorite place for them to be.

My favorite offseason hire on the coaching side was Kyle Shanahan. It think our offense can max out it's potential with him at the helm. I'm confident we will get a good compliment to Freeman in the draft and this offense should be very fun to watch as long as the O-line doesn't become another triage unit.

[delaigle]

You know what a big difference between Mike Smith and now is.

In 2008 we had a proven pro-bowl pass rusher on the team in his prime.

We have nothing close to that now. If somebody develops we have a chance.

If not expect more of the same where we might get to the playoffs but won't be able to do much because we won't be able to stop the other team when it counts.

True on the PASS RUSHER

but in 08 there was NO QB, MLB, FS, LT, TE, RB

also most sounds like 2015

[likeriver]

I think we're going to be pleasantly surprised.

- Matt Ryan's going to play as good as he has if not better.

- SJax kinda sucked, and it seemed no matter how many time we ran the ball he could never break through to get big yards. It will be difficult for whoever starts at RB to be any worse, we will probably improve there

- By improving in the run MR2's will be able to use the play action and free up the WR's

- Our TE position may not be great but it's probably better than it was

- Our O-line is competent if injuries don't return (this is my greatest doubt)

- The D-line is going to have better players, and our old players that didn't get cut are going to be better coached and trained

- rugby tackling

- Trufant is elite, and Alford will be dangerous once he controls his penalties.

- IDK about Safeties but whatever.

- Intangible observation: This team is FIRED UP. They really believe that they can dominate. Quinn has given this team life. And if Worrilow and Hageman are any indication, these guys are trying their absolute best to be the best players they can be. And while I'm sure many would disagree, as Tony G. once said, the difference between average players and star players isn't the amount of talent, but the amount of will and determination they put in to become the best player they can possibly be (see. JJ Watt). Quinn has these men believing that they can be GREAT, and sometimes that's all that is needed. Worrilow and Hageman believe, as we've seen in the weight room.

- Kyle Shanahan is a proven great OC even if he is a bit of a brat.

- We have the easiest schedule in the league

- Who knows what the draft class will reveal.

I would honestly be surprised if we didn't go 10-6

Edited April 13, 2015 by likeriver