The Falcons open the 2022 season at home against their most-hated rival — the New Orleans Saints. Not many people expect Atlanta to win a lot of games this year, but don’t tell that to the people in the organization. The Falcons believe in themselves. The players, coaches, and front office are synced in their approach; Dean Pees even went as far as to say that it was the most fun offseason he’s ever experienced.
Falcons DC Dean Pees said he had as much fun during this offseason program as he's ever had.
"I really love this football team, love the defensive guys that are playing for us. This is as rewarding a spring as I've ever had."
— Daniel Flick (@DFlickDraft) September 9, 2022
Pees is entering his 50th season of coaching, so this should carry some weight.
Congratulations to #Falcons defensive coordinator Dean Pees who’s starting his 50th season of coaching going back to his days in high school. pic.twitter.com/D96cmyrnNg
— D. Orlando Ledbetter (@DOrlandoAJC) September 9, 2022
Doing anything for 50 years is an incredible feat, and Pees is as experienced as they come. Working with legendary staffs in New England and Baltimore makes this statement even more impressive. The Falcons are building what seems to be a healthy, sustainable culture in Atlanta. Everyone, from top to bottom, is echoing similar sentiments.
Veteran Casey Hayward questioned why the Falcons couldn’t surprise people and compete following the Ryan trade. Grady Jarrett, one of the team’s leaders, explained why he thinks the team is closer than people realize. Most recently, it’s second-year phenom Kyle Pitts telling reporters not to underestimate the Falcons, even going as far as to say the team can compete for a Super Bowl. But the role players also echo similar sentiments.
“I feel like we’re a playoff team,” Olamide Zaccheaus said via the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “We just (have) to put everything together. Really start fast at the beginning of the season and not get into a hole. I just feel like as a team, we can shock a lot of people.”
The coaching staff is even walking with its chest out. Dean Pees’ unit ranked in the bottom five of almost every single defensive metric but boldly predicted they’ll be mentioned in the same conversations as the great defenses he coordinated in Baltimore and New England. That sort of confidence starts at the top and resonates throughout the organizations, which includes the head coach, who recently compared the incredible success of the iPhone to the Falcons.
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Photographer: David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire
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