Raheem Morris is ready to seize his second chance as the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons. In his first news conference since being named coach on January 25, Morris expressed his determination to help the Falcons achieve what they couldn't in what he called the most painful loss of his career.
Bringing up the infamous Super Bowl LI loss when the Falcons blew a 28-3 lead to the New England Patriots, Morris emphasized his motivation to bring Atlanta its first championship. As an assistant with the Falcons at the time, the heartbreaking defeat still stings for Morris, who described it as the worst loss he has ever experienced.
Morris, who recently won a Super Bowl as the Los Angeles Rams' defensive coordinator, wants to redeem himself and the Falcons organization. He is driven to see owner Arthur Blank and minority team owner Warrick Dunn hold up the championship trophy. Despite Blank's absence from the news conference due to a minor medical issue, Morris expressed his desire to deliver ultimate success to the beloved team.
Before Morris was hired, former New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick was considered a favorite candidate for the position. Morris, however, emphasizes his respect for Belichick and the outstanding career he has had. The Falcons' team president Greg Beadles assured that Belichick was seriously considered, but the choice of Morris was unanimous among those involved in the search.
Blank and general manager Terry Fontenot conducted extensive interviews with 14 candidates, which included notable names like former Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh and former Tennessee Titans coach Mike Vrabel. Ultimately, Morris stood out as the ideal fit for the Falcons.
During his previous stint with the Falcons as interim coach in 2020, Morris led the team to a 4-7 record. With a career record of 21-38, including three seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Morris now has the opportunity to make a lasting impact with Atlanta.
The Falcons have undergone significant changes in their power structure. CEO Rich McKay will no longer have a say in football matters, while Fontenot has been granted authority to lead the coaching search. This shift reflects the remodeled structure that Morris and Fontenot will navigate as they report directly to Blank.
Notably, Morris becomes the first non-interim Black coach in Falcons history. Acknowledging the significance of this milestone, Morris appreciates that his race never became a focal point during the hiring process, keeping the focus on his qualifications and ability to lead the team.
Morris is wasting no time assembling his coaching staff. He is bringing along offensive coordinator Zac Robinson and defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake from his time with the Rams. Additionally, Morris has decided to retain special teams coach Marquice Williams from the previous Atlanta staff. Robinson and Lake will have the responsibility of calling plays on their respective sides of the ball.
As for the Falcons' quarterback situation, Morris and Fontenot have yet to delve into the topic extensively. In the 2023 season, former head coach Arthur Smith rotated Desmond Ridder and Taylor Heinicke at the position. The future of the quarterback position remains uncertain, but it is a key area Morris and Fontenot will address in due time.
Morris identified two promising offensive weapons that he likes about the Falcons' offense - wide receiver Drake London and running back Bijan Robinson. The two first-round draft picks from recent years give Morris optimism about the team's offensive potential.
Fontenot acknowledged the progress made by Smith in building the roster but highlighted the need to continue evolving. With Morris, who has won a Super Bowl as an assistant with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Fontenot expressed confidence in eventually bringing another championship to Atlanta.
Raheem Morris's return to Atlanta brings with it a renewed sense of hope and determination. With the painful Super Bowl loss still fresh in his mind, Morris is eager to rewrite the franchise's history and bring long-awaited glory to the Falcons and their passionate fanbase.
