Last season, the Atlanta Falcons made the playoffs for the first time since 2012. They took that chance to run all the way to the Super Bowl.
Yes, we all remember the Falcons blowing the biggest lead in Super Bowl history. Atlanta owner Arthur Blank isn't focused on the Super Bowl loss or the first playoff trip under head coach Dan Quinn. Instead, the team's owner is focused on what he believes is now a sustainable winning formula.
"I think the most important thing about last year, it was a great honor playing in the Super Bowl," Blank said Thursday, via D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal Constitution. "It was a great honor having the wonderful season that we did for our franchise. But to me, what I take away, for me personally, the greatest honor from last year is that I feel now that we have what I've envisioned for many years, which is a sustainably winning organization.
"I love our head coach. I love our general manager. I love our coaches, coordinators, and whole personnel department. I love a lot of the talent that we have, all the talent that we have..."
The Falcons lost offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan, but check off every other box when it comes to viable repeat NFC champs.
Franchise QB? Check. Multitude of offensive weapons? Check. Young improving defense that added several pieces? Check. Key veterans returning from injury who could be difference makers? Check. Motivational head coach who can help get the team over the Super Bowl hangover? Check.
"I think we're in a great position," Blank said. "I look forward to this year and many years to come. It's not about a one-trick pony or one-year wonder. It's about creating a sustainably winning organization. And we've done that."
When the biggest question mark entering a season is how to replace your offensive coordinator, things are looking good. With the players in place and a head coach who has improved each season, the Falcons are aiming to become a well-oiled machine in a deep NFC South division.
