Perhaps the star crossed fortunes of the Atlanta Falcons are about to change. No team in the NFL stays down forever. Only a few years removed from a Super Bowl appearance the Falcons have come to a crucial intersection in their history, a time of change. Michael Vick, once the toast of the NFL and a powerful drawing point for the Georgia Dome, is now gone. Bobby Petrino, the architect of the Louisville offensive attack, bailed in his first year in Atlanta and left the franchise foundering. So what’s next for the Atlanta Falcons?

The first item of business is, of course, a new Head Coach. Atlanta tabbed Mike Smith, former Jaguars defensive coordinator, to rebuild the program. Smith’s work with the Jacksonville defense made him a highly sought after candidate around the league. For his offense Smith brought in Terry Robiskie, who worked closely with Cam Cameron in Miami.

Perhaps the most promising thing for the Falcons is the NFC South. Dating back almost a decade, No team in this division has won back to back titles. Just recently the Tampa Bay Buccaneers came from a 9-7 season to win the NFC West. The New Orleans Saints soared from 3-13 to 10-6 the year before and the Carolina Panthers have risen from the ashes more than once. Now it’s the Falcons turn.