FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — In 43 seasons in the NFL, the Falcons have had only 10 winning seasons and never two in a row.
Reaching that modest goal — consecutive seasons above .500 — is the task that falls to second-year quarterback Matt Ryan. As a rookie, he led the Falcons to a surprising 11-5 record in 2008.
Ryan has heard much about Atlanta’s long history of futility.
All he asks is that he and the 2009 team not be judged on that inglorious past.
“What’s done is done. The past is kind of the past,” he said. “Our focus is on just trying to be the team that we feel we can be.”
Ryan and the Falcons open training camp Saturday with a team that will have five new starters on defense, but looks deep and balanced on offense, thanks in part to the addition of 10-time Pro Bowl tight end Tony Gonzalez.
As for Ryan, he started every game last season, passing for 3,440 yards and 16 touchdowns and winning NFL offensive rookie of the year.
There is ample talent surrounding Ryan on offense. Michael Turner rushed for 1,699 yards and 17 touchdowns in his 2008 breakout season. Jerious Norwood gives the Falcons depth at running back. Roddy White caught 88 passes for 1,382 yards and seven touchdowns, and Michael Jenkins added 50 catches for 777 yards.
And now Ryan has Gonzalez, who gives the offense a receiving threat over the middle of the field, making it more difficult for defenses to load up against the run or place an extra defensive back on White.
“I think we set a certain standard for ourselves,” Ryan said of last year’s success. “And with the experience we had last year, I think we did a pretty good job, but I think the bar has raised.”
McDermott succeeds mentor
PHILADELPHIA — New Eagles defensive coordinator Sean McDermott has learned too much from Jim Johnson — in life and football — to discuss in one news conference.
“What haven’t I learned from Jim?” McDermott said Saturday upon being introduced as Johnson’s replacement. “I don’t think it would be fair to Jim, in this setting, to try and limit in one statement, one press conference, the effect that Jim has had on my life.”
After spending the last eight seasons as a defensive assistant under Johnson, McDermott on Friday was named to succeed his mentor.
Johnson, the only defensive coordinator the Eagles have had since Andy Reid became coach in 1999, took an indefinite leave of absence in May to continue treatment for a cancerous tumor on his spine. It’s uncertain whether he’ll return to the team in any capacity.
McGinest awaits right offer
LOS ANGELES — Willie McGinest will consider playing another season if he receives an interesting offer, and he would prefer to get it from the Patriots.
The 37-year-old McGinest, the two-time Pro Bowl linebacker who won three Super Bowls with New England, played the past three seasons in Cleveland after 12 years with the Patriots.
McGinest, whose 16 postseason sacks are the most in NFL history, had 56 tackles in 14 games with the Browns last season.
“I do want to play, but only if the situation is right,” McGinest said. “If not, I’m probably retired.”
Footnotes.
Linebacker John DiGiorgio was waived by the Bills for failing his physical after having season-ending surgery to repair bone damage in his right knee.
Though the team did not provide any more details, the player’s agent, Chris Murray, told The Associated Press that his client had microfracture knee surgery two weeks ago in Vail. Murray said the surgery went well, but that DiGiorgio isn’t expected to be fully healthy until January.
• The Browns signed center Alex Mack, their first-round draft pick from California.
• The Steelers have agreed to terms on a five-year contract with first-round draft choice Ziggy Hood, a defensive lineman from Missouri.
The Associated Press
