Atlanta Falcons: No love shown for Arthur Smith heading into 2021

The Atlanta Falcons decided to take a major change in direction this offseason as it found a new GM in Terry Fontenot and a new head coach in Arthur Smith.

The Falcons finished the 2020 season with an abysmal 4-12 record that has fans dreaming of the 2017 days- which seems like an eternity ago- when the franchise was actually competing near the top of the NFC South Division.

Smith, the former offensive coordinator for the Tennessee Titans, was considered one of the most-coveted head coaching targets heading into the 2021 offseason and it was surprising to some nationally when the Atlanta Falcons emerged as the favorites to land him.

Despite Smith’s touting prior to being named a head coach, it seems he has fallen in the minds of some after being hired by the Falcons.

CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora ranked the seven new head coaching hires from this offseason and had Smith ranked No. 5 overall. Here was his explanation:

"“Heavy is the head of those labelled a QB-guru or offensive wunderkind. People expect immediate results. And this owner resisted a full rebuild and kept Matt Ryan around (despite giving away Julio Jones for cash/cap reasons), which sends an odd signal. They have no hope of immediate success with that defense, and the QB is in decline. But the objective seems to be to win ASAP, despite a horrible cap situation and with an aging core.”"

Here’s a look at the rankings:

1. Brandon Staley, Chargers
2. Urban Meyer, Jaguars
3. Nick Sirianni, Eagles
4. Dan Campbell, Lions
5. Arthur Smith, Falcons
6. Robert Saleh, Jets
7. David Culley, Texans

Of course, the Atlanta Falcons aren’t the greatest situation for a new head coach to take over

If you’re talking strictly about coaching talent and the ability to develop players, Smith is far better than fifth on the list.

That being said, La Canfora does say that he took front-office, roster and recent history into account when making these rankings and we can’t pretend that there aren’t plenty of questions surrounding the Falcons’ front-office and their salary cap situation.

Smith isn’t stepping into a situation where he’ll be able to win easily, but we also think he’s not getting enough credit.

We’re talking about a Falcons team- of course, Julio Jones is gone- that lost eight games by a single possession last season. If you turn around the defense and the offense explodes, as many believe it will, what’s stopping them from making a major jump this season?

No love for Arthur Smith, but we shouldn’t expect anything different.