Former Head Coach Tony Dungy gives the team a 5-point plan
After losing to they NY Jets, the Atlanta Falcons used their bye week to regroup and hopefully rebound after a rough 1-4 start. They got a little extra incentive from former Tampa Bay Buccanneers and Pittsburgh Steelers coach Tony Dungy who espoused a 5-point plan to right the ship.
Dungy, in town for Comcast’s Internet Essential Program, Dungy spoke with D. Orlando Ledbetter for his webpage AJC.
Here’s what Dungy thinks the 1-4 Falcons must do to fashion a turn around:
- STAY MENTALLY STRONG: The mental approach must be strong. They can’t let the injuries get them down.
- GET JACKSON BACK: Quarterback Matt Ryan would benefit greatly from the return of running back Steven Jackson, who could return some balance to the offense. Basically, the Falcons are passing too much behind a revamped line.
- FIND A PASS RUSH: The defense needs to ramp up the pass rush. “What they don’t have is those one or two guys that can put that pressure on the passer,” Dungy said. “That’s what this league is all about now. Protecting your passer and rushing the passer.”
- PUT TOGETHER A MINI-STREAK: The Falcons have enough firepower to get this season turned around. “They just have to keep going with the idea that ‘if we can get on a three-game winning streak, we can get back in this,’ ’’ Dungy said. “They have enough firepower to do that.”
- PLAYER BREAKTHROUGHS: Under the current roster structure which was fashioned after the Colts, some of the late draft picks and undrafted players need to turn into major players like Robert Mathis and Antoine Bethea did for him in Indianapolis.
The Falcons take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this Sunday. Great seats and tickets are still available.
