We're getting so close to honest-to-goodness training camp that I thought it would be an apt time to re-visit the scheme changes we're likely to see.
First off, don't believe anything you hear until you see it. The Falcons hired a pair of guys who like hybrid defenses and the screen game, respectively, but those preferences were with different football teams. You can bet that the personnel will make a difference here, but you can also bet that Mike Mularkey and Brian Van Gorder will be distant memories soon. Hopefully for better, rather than worse.
One way or the other, though, we've got to be patient.
It's tempting to think of our new coordinators as panaceas. After all, they're making quite a bit of money to improve this football team, and it certainly seems like there's nowhere to go but up after last season's brutal Giants playoff game.
But it's not going to happen overnight. I do fully expect improvements, but there are rookies seeing this for the first time and veterans being asked to change up to four years of experience in a different system. Training camp and a full pre-season will certainly help, but it's not going to happen.
So I would urge all Falcons fans to remember that early in the year, when the offense stumbles a bit or a blown play on defense leads to points for whichever hated opponent we happen to be matched up against. I'll trade a few frustrating plays and even a couple of frustrating games in exchange for genuine, lasting improvement.
Out of curiosity, how long do you think it will take the team to master any and all changes from our newest coaches?