Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator setting lofty expectations

Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Dean Pees certainly made Atlanta headlines this weekend when the coach suggested that this Atlanta Falcons defense would soon be talked about just as his defenses were with the Baltimore Ravens and New England Patriots. Understandably this statement has earned an eyebrow raise around the NFL and through the Atlanta fanbase when you consider those were teams with championship expectations in comparison to a rebuilding Atlanta roster.

While Dean’s comments might seem odd at first glance listening to the complete interview in the context of the conversation Pees is more talking about what they will build and where the team is heading. Pees is building up the confidence of a young defensive unit that took steps in the right direction last season.

Clipping his comments down to a single statement makes it sound as if Pees delusionally believes that this team is a Super Bowl contending unit. Dean instead is pointing out in the interview that for far too long Atlanta has embraced a losing culture defensively and has been content to lean on the offense and Matt Ryan to bail them out finishing often in the bottom half of the league on defense.

This is a perfect mentality and approach for a team and fanbase that is simply sick of losing and watching mediocrity. While the results may not be immidiate Pees is bringing in a new defensive culture and approach Atlanta has lacked letting his players know his standards are high and what has happened in Atlanta over the last decade is no longer good enough.

Dean Pees is the right man to turn around an Atlanta Falcons defense that has long been viewed as soft. While it may not be this season he has the unit in position to take another step forward and with one more off-season of moves it isn’t at all far fetched to believe Pees can have this defense in the same conversation as teams he has coached in the past.  This is the tone Atlanta has needed from their coaching staff and one that is going to bring positive changes for the Atlanta defense.