This offseason the Atlanta Falcons made several changes to their organization’s foundation and hired Raheem Morris as their new head coach. Morris has been in the NFL since 2002, and was a head coach previously. He led the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2009-2011 and posted a 17-31 record before getting fired.

At the time of his hiring, Morris was only 33-years-old and had a good amount of learning still to do. He received another opportunity to lead a program in 2020, when he was tagged as the Falcons’ interim head coach following the firing of Dan Quinn. Morris posted a 4-7 record, which was an improvement upon 0-5 in which they started the season.

The Falcons posted a video on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) that showcased Morris’ first team meeting. The now 47-year-old head coach looked rejuvenated and displayed a ton of energy. He vowed a family and team approach and wants the organization to be “World Class in all that we do”. The way we do anything is the way we do everything is how Morris put it and the players looked engaged and focused.

According to the presentation, Morris outlined his plan for the Falcons in 2024 and beyond.

The Plan: 

• A World Class Player Experience
• Team-Family Environment
• World Class Football Education
• Elite Medical & Performance Teams
• Personal Development

These are the pillars of the new era Atlanta Falcons under Morris. He preached about the players and how they are the ones who make the difference. Morris said, “The difference in the NFL is the people who are sitting in these seats. You guys make the difference. You guys change everything. You guys determine winning. Nobody else. Not the outside world, at all. The people in these seats and the people sitting around these things, we provide the help. That is what we do.”

While the main focus is put upon the players, Morris also mentioned how if there are any issues that the players can call out the coaches the same way that the coaches call out the players.

Accountability is structured within the organization for the first time in a long time and it is a great thing to see. Coach Morris is a veteran coach now who has won a Super Bowl recently and plans to change the Falcons’ culture. He mentioned the identity that he wants the players to have on the field.

Our Identity: 

• Competitive
• Tough
• Physical

These are the expectations heading into the season. With the addition of a franchise quarterback in Kirk Cousins, along with several key offseason acquisitions, the Falcons look poised for a breakout. Earlier in March, I wrote an article that covered several reasons it seems as if the team is trending in the right direction. If the article doesn’t sell you on these new era Falcons under Morris, check out the team meeting video, it may change your perception.

Ultimately, the Atlanta Falcons have a new leader at the helm and his offseason team meeting address really displayed a confident, energetic, and detailed-oriented leader who may just be the one who turns the tide.