Atlanta Falcons greatest years are under the guidance of Thomas Dimitroff

2008-2018

• Head coaches:                                                  2
• Starting quarterbacks:                                   2
• Wins:                                                                   102
• Losses:                                                               74
• Division Titles:                                                  3
• Playoff appearances:                                      6
• Playoff wins:                                                     4
• Double-digit win seasons:                            6
• NFC title game appearances:                       2
• Super Bowl appearances:                             1

Change is never easy, but it is necessary. Falcon’s owner Arthur Blank not only wanted a complete overhaul but also needed a complete overhaul from the top down. Gone were executives, coaches and players associated with anything related to Michael Vick, and brought were executives and coaches that had reputations for winning the right way. The only player to survive the mass exodus, Roddy White.

The “Falcons filter” became known in 2008. Arthur Blank made it clear that bringing in players with checkered pasts would not be tolerated. Blank would hire Patriots assistant general manager Thomas Dimitroff and along with new head coach, Mike Smith, would go to work to remake the roster from top to bottom with players that the city of Atlanta would be proud of.

Their first priority, find a franchise quarterback that could help lead the charge on the field. Safe to say that after 102 wins, that Thomas Dimitroff nailed his first priority. After decades of struggling to make the playoffs and contend for the division, Matt Ryan came in on fire, leading the team to an 11-5 record and a playoff berth as a rookie.

The Atlanta Falcons had never had back-to-back winning seasons in franchise history. Under the guidance of Thomas Dimitroff and the arm and leadership of Matt Ryan, the Falcons would have back-to-back-to-back-to-back-to-back winning seasons.

Seasons have not always gone the way the front office, players or fans wanted them to, but we should not forget how much this franchise has improved under Thomas Dimitroff. He is not perfect, but he is a Top 3 general manager in the NFL and this franchise could have done much worse; just look at their first 40 years of existence.

Next: Atlanta Falcons fans have to see the bigger picture

We grow impatient as fans when our teams do not achieve what we want them to in the time frame we ask for them, but Dimitroff has accomplished a lot we should be thankful for. As badly as we want a Super Bowl trophy to call our own, those within the walls of the franchise do as well.

We are getting closer every single day. The best is yet to come.