New Coach, New Attitude Has Falcons Flying

The offensive line is known as the "Breakfast Club" for gathering collectively each morning to watch game film.

The defensive line is planning a birthday dinner for one of its own (Jonathan Babineaux).

And the new head coach holds "Over 30" meetings to solicit feedback from his veteran players.

These are the Atlanta Falcons?

It's not just a 3-2 record entering Sunday's home game against Chicago that distinguishes this group from the horrific Falcons squad of 2007. This is an actual team, one quickly distancing itself from the Michael Vick/Bobby Petrino era that gave a whole new meaning to the term "Dirty Bird."

"I thought it was going to take considerably longer for this team to gel because they were getting to know each other," Falcons first-year general manager Thomas Dimitroff said Friday. "I feel like that's really been expedited. In my mind, it has a lot to do with the group bonding."

Re-establishing trust was needed after Vick and Petrino left Atlanta burned in General Sherman-like fashion. A ship that was too loose under 2006 coach Jim Mora had become rudderless last season with Petrino, who retreated to the college ranks after just 13 games.

But even that embarrassment paled in comparison to the damage caused by Vick, who was arrested and sentenced to prison for dog fighting after initially lying about his involvement. Atlanta's descent to a 4-12 record was so depressing that defensive end John Abraham said friends and family stopped calling to ask for game tickets.

Not that he was complaining.

"I really didn't want anyone to come anyway, to be honest," Abraham said. "When you don't feel your team is playing up to par, you really don't want to be seen."

Abraham's telephone is ringing once again—and there are plenty of reasons why.

Let's start with the healing process. Shortly after being hired in January for his first head coaching job, Mike Smith began arranging face-to-face meetings with Falcons players who lived in the Atlanta area. Smith's honesty and straight-forward approach struck a chord with Falcons who felt betrayed by Petrino and a coaching staff that Abraham said left players "scared to voice their opinion." Smith also hired assistants who have a combined 188 years of NFL coaching experience.

"From the very beginning, we've talked about being communicative with one another," said the 49-year-old Smith, who had spent the past five seasons as Jacksonville's defensive coordinator. "When you have open lines, it fosters that [positive] atmosphere."

A roster overhaul soon followed that reflected the knowledge Dimitroff gained while working in New England's front office the previous six seasons. Falcons mainstays like running back Warrick Dunn, cornerback DeAngelo Hall, and tight end Alge Crumpler were released or traded. Dimitroff used that salary cap space to add the best running back (Michael Turner) and most reliable kicker (Jason Elam) available in free agency.

The draft was even more fruitful. Quarterback Matt Ryan was the bell-cow selection, but Atlanta's next four picks—left tackle Sam Baker, middle linebacker Curtis Lofton, cornerback Chevis Jackson, and wide receiver Harry Douglas—are either starting or heavily contributing as backups.

The next step was getting the pieces to mesh together. Ryan started coming out of his shell after being named one of 10 new starters during the preseason.

"When he first got here, he was a little timid in the huddle," Turner said. "He wasn't calling plays. He was whispering. Now, he's taken command of the offense. He's telling guys where they need to be and giving little reminders like, 'You've got to get a little closer on your split.'

"He's not a rookie to me."

Turner has helped accelerate Ryan's development, carrying the rushing load with an NFL-high 543 yards. LaDainian Tomlinson's former understudy made an immediate impact in his Falcons debut, pounding the Detroit Lions for 220 yards and two touchdowns.

That 34-21 victory in the season-opener went a long way toward exorcising the Vick/Petrino ghosts.

"We wanted to change the look of this team right away," Turner said. "You only get one chance to make a first impression. We left a pretty good one."

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