Atlanta Falcons: Dmitroff, Smith Gambles Proving Costly

Falcons fans can be assured of one thing: from top to bottom, no one in their organization can be accused of not being all in when it comes to trying to win a Super Bowl. 

However, a pair of gambles—one before the season, and one in their last game—have led a team that had Super Bowl aspirations coming into the season to a 5-4 record and on the outside looking in with respect to the NFC playoff picture. 

By essentially trading nearly their entire draft to get Alabama wide receiver Julio Jones with the sixth pick of the first round in April’s NFL draft, Falcons' general manager Thomas Dimitroff decided that acquiring another playmaker opposite Roddy White would be enough to get the Falcons over the hump come playoff time. 

Deadlocked 23-23 in overtime yesterday against New Orleans, Mike Smith believed in his offensive unit to pick up less than a yard on their own 29-yard line more than he believed in his defense to stop the NFL’s leading passer, the Saints’ Drew Brees.

In the case of Dimitroff, no one can deny that Jones will be an incredible receiver, and when healthy he has added an explosive element that was clearly missing last season. 

Dimitroff acknowledged that he made such a bold move for one player because he believed that the team was a piece away from getting to their first Super Bowl since 1998. 

Clearly, the Falcons had other issues that were unable to be addressed via the draft because of their deal made with Cleveland for the right to take Jones. 

Meanwhile, Smith pushed his cards to the front of the table in betting that his offense could gain a yard deep in their own territory and go on to defeat the Saints in a key division game. 

After all, Matt Ryan led the Falcons back from a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit to send the game into overtime.

Smith clearly trusted them more than a defense that Dmitroff failed to upgrade since last season’s playoff meltdown against the Packers. 

Both men are hoping the team can rebound from their latest failure and take advantage of a favorable schedule down the stretch that should enable them to make a run for a playoff spot. 

Granted, their decisions were made with an aggressive mentality to go for it without fear of the consequences. 

While fans may cringe to think about those decisions now, you have to respect their ambition in pressure situations. 

Only time will tell if both men continue to roll the dice without hesitation, given their results so far.