Falcons take fundamental approach to stay unbeaten
By GEORGE HENRY Associated Press
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) - The more Atlanta keeps winning, the more coach Mike Smith keeps tinkering with ways to help the Falcons improve.
Smith's Falcons are 7-0 and the NFL's only unbeaten team, but the fifth-year coach still sees a club that's far from perfect.
That's why Smith led the Falcons through a rudimentary practice coming off their bye.
Despite the league's best record, Smith gave his players an entire week off before taking them back to the field to work on the basics of football - blocking, tackling and using proper angles to make the right plays.
Maybe the approach sounds too simple, but Smith says the results were evident in Sunday's 30-17 victory at Philadelphia.
Everyone from quarterback Matt Ryan to role players like receiver Drew Davis helped the Falcons stay unbeaten.
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The Atlanta Falcons, state and city officials have agreed on a deal to ensure that at least 31 percent of construction awards for the team's new stadium are awarded to minority or women-owned firms.
The Atlanta Falcons, state and city officials have agreed on a deal to ensure that at least 31 percent of construction awards for the team's new stadium are awarded to minority or women-owned firms.
