Falcons: ESPN

[juraitwaluzka]

Sure I was disappointed in the way it ended, but I don't look back at the season as a whole as a failure. We lost to the superbowl champs and looked stupid doing it, just like the year before. But with different seeding maybe we go farther. That's just the nature of the NFL playoffs, there are no guarantees, it's hard to win the Superbowl for any team, ask the Packers last year and the Patriots the year before that (a combined 29-3). We faced bad matchups each of the last two playoffs and had a crap game plan to go along with it.

But after the season is done I look back at the totality of it, not just the ending. I enjoyed most of the season and was frustrated at times too, which is how it's going to be unless we go undefeated, but the overall experience was a positive one. I don't look back at any of the last 4 seasons and say "ugh" like I have for most of the previous seasons. I know what it's like to have no shot and it's not like that now at all. We have a damn good team with a damn good staff and a top notch organization. We have our shot. We have failed miserably the past two playoff appearances but it doesn't erase the success that it takes to get that far. In seasons past we would make our playoff appearance, build up hope then look like a bunch of buffoons the following season.

For me the difference is one of confidence. I guess I can deal with the playoff exits better now than in the past because I know we'll be back next year and try to make another run. In the past it was much more difficult because if we didn't win it all that year it might be half a decade before seeing the post season again. It was much more miserable. Now it's much easier to have patience.

I guess it all comes down to expectations and perspective. For me, I always say going into a season that all I can ask as a fan is that my team plays their way into the playoffs and gives themselves a chance to go on a roll and win it all. We've seen dynasties do it, we've seen 9-7 teams do it. There is no magic formula, No, just play your way in and get on a roll and as a fan, enjoy the ride.

In other words, GO FALCONS and FUCK THE saints!!