The Atlanta Falcons know the time to win a championship is now. The team came just nine yards shy of heading to the Super Bowl in 2013 and they are not letting the opportunity slip out of their hands again. After spending the offseason stacking the roster with proven veterans ready to compete, Matt Ryan and company see the window to win and the intend on taking it.
Two big offseason moves for Atlanta were acquiring accomplished veterans like Osi Umenyiora and Steven Jackson. Both players have made their presents known early and intend for it to stay that way. They are looking to be both productive on the field and off the field, helping mentor younger players like Julio Jones. Both players are in the weight room early and demonstrating strong work ethic that is rubbing off on the other players.
Umenyiora is well aware of the Falcons plan for a Super Bowl. With two rings of his own, he says the time is now for this team to win. In a recent interview with the team's website, he said that with the roster and leadership in place, the Falcons can make the push in the upcoming season.
Quarterback Ryan is echoing those beliefs.
"I feel every year you have to have that sense of urgency. We have a good football team coming back but what we did last year really has no bearing on what we're going to do this year. We've got a long road ahead of us, but I think we've gotten off to a really good start. The additions during the offseason, guys like Osi, Steven Jackson, as well as our draft picks, I think are really going to help our football team," Ryan said.
Umenyiora's expectations are a championship. He preaches urgency in the locker room every day because he understands that the expectations are high. Both Ryan and Umenyiora believe that the team has the high level of confidence to play at a high level again.
"We've fallen short but I feel like you've got to have the mindset that you're going to keep working hard, keep trying to attack the goals that you have in front of you. If we do that we're going to give ourselves a chance," Ryan said.
The Falcons have several key players in the over-30 club. Along with Unemyiora and Jackson, Asante Samuel, Tony Gonzalez and Roddy White are all getting up there in age. The time for the Falcons to win is in 2013.