Arthur Smith has only been the Atlanta Falcons head coach for a couple of days and has lots of decisions to make in the coming days, weeks and months. But when it comes to what kind of team he wants to field in 2021, Smith didn't hesitate with his response.
"We want to be the most professional, unselfish, well-conditioned, toughest, physical football in the league," Smith said.
In an exclusive (and his first) interview with AtlantaFalcons.com, Smith said he certainly expects the roster to look different come September when the Falcons line up in Week 1, but he also points out that "we've got a lot of playmakers" now.
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And one of those is quarterback Matt Ryan, who smith called "the ultimate pro."
Smith acknowledged the sustained success that Ryan has had here in Atlanta but paused when it came to comparing the work he did with Ryan Tannehill in Tennessee. Smith helped revive the Titans quarterback's career.
In two seasons running Smith's offense, the No. 8 overall draft pick in 2012 started 26 games and totaled 6,561 passing yards with 55 touchdowns, 13 interceptions and a 110.6 passer rating, while completing 67.3 percent of his passes. Tannehill was named to the Pro Bowl for the first time in his career in 2019 and was named the Comeback Player of the Year by both the Associated Press and the Pro Football Writers of America.
"(Matt) is a great leader and obviously there's a lot of things he can do, but I don't get into comparisons because we did something with Ryan," Smith said. "It doesn't mean we're going to do the same things with Matt.
"We're going to play to Matt's strengths just like we tried to play to Ryan's strengths."
In talking about the roster, Smith said that he and new Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot "will look to add more" playmakers as well as the kind of team he envisions building.
"We're going to constantly look to innovate and adapt, regardless of who are personnel is," Smith said. "We're going to play to the strengths of the team, and we're going to be flexible. But we're going to do it in all three phases. And we're going to have guys that are great teammates and understand how to adapt week to week."
Along with the descriptors of tough, physical, smart, innovative and adaptiveness, another word used is "accountability."
"And that's going to be a big thing – we're going to look for guys that are great teammates and we're going to hold our best players accountable," Smith said. "And so whether that's Matt or Grady Jarrett, they are all going to be held to the same standard."
Smith said that he has spoken to Fontenot and has gotten to know him.
"We share the same vision," Smith said. "We have the same values. Certainly, it won't be groupthink, but Terry and I … it will be an ultimate partnership. It will be a great collaboration, a good partnership as we look to build this team for the short term and the long term."
Head coach Arthur Smith takes his first tour of Atlanta Falcons facilities in Flowery Branch with Rich McKay.
Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith takes a tour during his first day at the Atlanta Falcons Headquarters in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday January 19, 2021.
Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith and president Rich McKay take a tour during Smith's first day at the Atlanta Falcons Headquarters in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday January 19, 2021.
Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith takes a tour during his first day at the Atlanta Falcons Headquarters in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday January 19, 2021.
Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith takes a tour during his first day at the Atlanta Falcons Headquarters in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday January 19, 2021.
Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith and president Rich McKay take a tour during Smith's first day at the Atlanta Falcons Headquarters in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday January 19, 2021.
Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith and president Rich McKay take a tour during Smith's first day at the Atlanta Falcons Headquarters in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday January 19, 2021.
Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith and president Rich McKay take a tour during Smith's first day at the Atlanta Falcons Headquarters in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday January 19, 2021.
Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith and president Rich McKay take a tour during Smith's first day at the Atlanta Falcons Headquarters in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday January 19, 2021.
Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith and president Rich McKay take a tour during Smith's first day at the Atlanta Falcons Headquarters in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday January 19, 2021.
Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith and president Rich McKay take a tour during Smith's first day at the Atlanta Falcons Headquarters in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday January 19, 2021.
Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith takes a tour during his first day at the Atlanta Falcons Headquarters in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday January 19, 2021.
Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith takes a tour during his first day at the Atlanta Falcons Headquarters in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday January 19, 2021.
Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith' and his family speak with president Rich McKay during his first day at the Atlanta Falcons Headquarters in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday January 19, 2021.
Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith and president Rich McKay take a tour during Smith's first day at the Atlanta Falcons Headquarters in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday January 19, 2021.
Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith and president Rich McKay take a tour during Smith's first day at the Atlanta Falcons Headquarters in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday January 19, 2021.
Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith takes a tour during his first day at the Atlanta Falcons Headquarters in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday January 19, 2021.
Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith takes a tour during his first day at the Atlanta Falcons Headquarters in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday January 19, 2021.
Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith and president Rich McKay take a tour during Smith's first day at the Atlanta Falcons Headquarters in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday January 19, 2021.
Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith and president Rich McKay take a tour during Smith's first day at the Atlanta Falcons Headquarters in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday January 19, 2021.
Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith and president Rich McKay take a tour during Smith's first day at the Atlanta Falcons Headquarters in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday January 19, 2021.
Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith's wife, Allison Smith, and children visit him after his press conference during his first day at the Atlanta Falcons Headquarters in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday January 19, 2021.
Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith sits down for a virtual press conference during his first day at the Atlanta Falcons Headquarters in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday January 19, 2021.
Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith sits down for a virtual press conference during his first day at the Atlanta Falcons Headquarters in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday January 19, 2021.
Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith' and his family during his first day at the Atlanta Falcons Headquarters in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday January 19, 2021.
Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith and his family pose for a photo during his first day at the Atlanta Falcons Headquarters in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday January 19, 2021.
Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith's wife, Allison Smith, and children watch his virtual press conference during his first day at the Atlanta Falcons Headquarters in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday January 19, 2021.
Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith's wife, Allison Smith, and children watch his virtual press conference during his first day at the Atlanta Falcons Headquarters in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday January 19, 2021.
Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith's wife, Allison Smith, and children watch his virtual press conference during his first day at the Atlanta Falcons Headquarters in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday January 19, 2021.
Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith's wife, Allison Smith, and children visit him after his press conference during his first day at the Atlanta Falcons Headquarters in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Tuesday January 19, 2021.
