Atlanta Falcons Coach Mike Smith's Fightin' Words Will Spark Team

What a difference 13 games can make in a person's demeanor. Falcons Coach Mike Smith is the king of coach speak. This is a form of a politically correct understatement.

Numerous times this year he said things like, "we have to get better" and "we will study the film and make corrections." You could never imagine Smith losing it like Jim Mora, Sr., Herm Edwards or Denny Green.

That's exactly what makes Coach Smith's statements this week so interesting.

He said that the team lacked physicality and they did not play smart football at New Orleans.

My translation of this coach speak is less politically correct. In my opinion, Mike Smith was telling his players that they played like dumb wimps. At least that is my G-rated version.

You can supply your own words and probably add an expletive or two. We will never know what was said behind closed doors, but I am guessing it will have a positive effect on the team.

Defensive end John Abraham was quoted as saying he did not know why, but the team came out and played flat against the Saints.

The Falcons will come out playing tough football against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Not just because of the lasting memory of quarterback Josh Freeman flapping his wings in mockery of the Falcons in Week 3.

The Falcons will come out angry and ready to hit someone because they were challenged by Coach Smith with fightin' words.