Falcons know the time is ripe to finally win a championship
ATLANTA » There are times that come along in the NFL, when the confluence of bountiful drafts, stars in their prime and a still-manageable salary cap align to put a team in position to win a championship.
For the Atlanta Falcons, that time is now.
A franchise still scarred by blowing a 25-point lead in the Super Bowl looks poised to make another run at that elusive first title, but the window of opportunity is starting to close just a bit.
Matt Ryan is 33, yet only two seasons removed from an MVP performance.
Julio Jones put off his demands for a new contract until 2019 .
Tevin Coleman is still a year away from potential free agency.
A talented young defense is poised to really make its mark.
“From a player’s perspective, the window is always one year,” said Ryan, who became the NFL’s first guaranteed $100 million player when he signed a massive contract extension during the offseason . “That’s something that you learn the longer you play, that sense of urgency, how quickly it goes by.”
Coming off their Super Bowl disappointment, the Falcons still managed to go 10- 6 and earn a wild- card berth in the highly competitive NFC South last season. They breezed past the Los Angeles Rams to start the playoffs before losing a 1510 heartbreaker to the eventual Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles .
Atlanta had first- andgoal at the Eagles 9 with just over a minute remaining. But Ryan threw three incomplete passes, the last of them intended for Jones to cap another bitter postseason ending.
The Falcons are hoping to get another chance. Here’s some things to keep an eye on in 2018: SARK’S SECOND YEAR Steve Sarkisian is definitely on the hot seat heading into his second year as offensive coordinator .
The Falcons slumped from the league’s highestscoring team in 2016, when Kyle Shanahan was calling plays, to the middle of the NFL pack under Sarkisian. The offense really struggled in the red zone, capped off fittingly by that goal-line stand in Philly.
It’s worth remembering that Shanahan also got off to a rough start in Atlanta. To increase the chances of a similar turnaround, the Falcons brought in longtime offensive coordinator Greg Knapp as the quarterback coach.
“I’ve got a lot of confidence,” said Ryan, eager to regain his MVP form . “I think Sark’s a lot more comfortable with the personnel, knowing what guys to use in certain situations. I think that just comes with experience, and we all kind of have a feel for his flavor as well.”
JULIO’S EXPECTATIONS
In his bid to land a new contract more fitting with his role as one of the NFL’s top receivers, Jones skipped offseason workouts and a mandatory minicamp.
But, on the eve of training camp, the Falcons worked out an adjustment to Jones’ contract and promised to negotiate a new deal in 2019. They knew there was no way to contend for a Super Bowl title without No. 11.