Atlanta Falcons: HOF head coach has wise advice for Arthur Smith

There is no need to talk anymore about how Arthur Smith and his Atlanta Falcons played to start the season off – it was simply bad.

However, if there is a silver lining, it is remembering that this was Arthur Smith’s first game as a head coach in the NFL. He is still learning how to run a team, anyone in his position would still have a lot to learn.

It was a gut check for the team and coaches and that could give them the wake-up call that they need. In fact, one of the greatest coaches in NFL history got off to a similar start in his coaching debut.

Hall of Fame coach, Tony Dungy, gives the Atlanta Falcon’s coach some smart advice.

Arthur Smith’s debut ended in a 32-6 loss for his Falcons, while Tony Dungy’s debut as the Buccaneers head coach in 1996, ended in a 34-3 loss to the Packers.

Pretty similar debuts for the two coaches.

Tony Dungy took note of how Arthur Smith’s team came out to start the season and gave some of his personal advice to not panic, in a quote to ESPN.

"“It would be that simple. You had a plan. Believe in the plan. Trust it. Don’t leave your game plan. Don’t think you have to do something else. This is what Plan A was. Plan A is going to be the best for you and stick with it and show your team that determination to do that. That’s the best way to go.”"

Smith needs to lean on this advice, if he were to all of a sudden change philosophies, the team would notice and not respond well.

Arthur has made it this far by being himself, he will not make it any farther if he does not continue that.

This is not to say that he should not change a couple things ups – because he definitely should.

One of those things is being more aggressive. Do not just run the ball when you are backed up with three minutes in the half, try to make something happen.

With that being said, he did show aggressiveness with his decision to go for it on fourth down.

Tony Dungy knows what he is talking about, Arthur would benefit by learning from him.

Hopefully, the Falcons will have better results than Dungy and the Buccaneers did in their first season together. Tampa Bay ended second to last in the NFC Central division that had five teams. They were six and ten.

All of this is to show that there is hope. This was one game and it could be an eye-opener for the team. Let’s all hope good things are to come.