Report: Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Richard Smith thinks defense is "much improved"

The Atlanta Falcons defense isn't particularly popular. In fact, if you follow this team on a regular basis, then you've probably thrown an inanimate object or two at your living room television while watching members of the Falcons defense flounder on the field. It ain't easy watching them play. But we don't worry, because we have no choice but to watch the future looks bright.

Dan Quinn's arrival in Atlanta was supposed to pay immediate dividends. His brilliant defensive mind would translate into immediate results on the field. Or so Thomas Dimitroff promised us we hoped. In truth, it's been more of a process, and there's been growing pains. So what does defensive coordinator Richard Smith think? Well, he thinks they're getting better and better. Credit to D. Orlando Ledbetter for the quote.

"Our defense looks much improved from over a year ago right now," Smith said. "We are making more plays on the ball. The reason being, I think from a veteran standpoint, they have been in our system for another year. They understand what we are doing. Also, I think with some of the new faces that we have on the team, we look much faster than we did a year ago, right now."

So basically everything is trending in the right direction. And that's a good thing, because if it weren't, there'd be one angry fanbase. Ultimately only time will tell and I fully acknowledge this is just normal, business as usual coachspeak.

Your thoughts?