Mike Smith Shows Emotion For Once On Sidelines

We're typically accustomed to seeing the stoic, indifferent face of Mike Smith guiding the Falcons from the sidelines in such a calm manner. Sunday, though, was a completely different story.

At the end of the Panthers game, Smitty lost his cool in the heat of the moment, taking some frustration out on defensive line coach Ray Hamilton after the Falcons failed to get all 11 players on the field. It was honestly the first time I can recall Smith letting his emotions get the best of him, and you know what? I'm glad he did.

Of course FOX caught it all on camera, and plenty of people will try to make a big deal out of it nothing here. Smitty always keeps his composure. People have even criticized him for not showing any kind of excitement, concern, remorse, you name it in the past, but why should it matter? That's the kind of guy he is. At practice he's low-key, in the game he's low-key. He's a low-key guy.

While you don't want to see coaches get into it on the sidelines, this wasn't anything to worry about. Everyone was riled up after the Falcons took the lead, and the passion for the game clearly carried over to the last play. Smith apologized to Hamilton already. It's water under the bridge.

Matt Ryan was fired up at the end of the game as well. He too was caught on camera with shouting expletives as the revelry from the comeback victory began. Seeing two guys who rarely ever show emotion get that into Week 4 of the regular season proves this isn't just any other season. The Falcons know they can compete with the best in 2012, and every game matters just as much as the next, especially matchups with divisional rivals. What did you guys think of Smitty's so called "tirade" on Sunday?