ATLANTA — The Atlanta Falcons hired former San Francisco head coach Mike Nolan as their defensive coordinator on Wednesday, hoping he can toughen up a unit that has rarely ranked among the NFL elite.     Nolan spent the last two seasons as Miami's defensive coordinator. Prior to that, he served four years as the 49ers head coach, following in the footsteps of his father.     In all, Nolan has been an NFL coordinator for ... Read More

    ATLANTA — Dirk Koetter believes the Atlanta Falcons already have the pieces they need to become an elite offense.     Now it will be his job as offensive coordinator to make Atlanta reach that level.     "The Falcons have done very well the last four years," Koetter said during a teleconference with reporters Monday. "You've got to make it to the playoffs first, and they've done a good job of that. I've got to ... Read More

    ATLANTA — Falcons owner Arthur Blank said Wednesday he is disappointed the team is "not where we need to be," but he said turnover on the coaching staff may help.     Following a 10-6 regular season, Atlanta lost at the New York Giants on Sunday, 24-2. The lopsided loss left the Falcons 0-3 in the playoffs in four seasons with general manager Thomas Dimitroff and coach Mike Smith.     Since the loss, the Falcons ... Read More

    FLOWERY BRANCH — The Falcons are in danger of losing many of their top defensive players as free agents.     Atlanta's defensive statistical leaders who could be free agents are linebacker Curtis Lofton (tackles), defensive end John Abraham (sacks), safety Thomas DeCoud (interceptions) and cornerback Brent Grimes (passes defensed).     The Falcons have 20 players who can become free agents on March 13, including 17 who would be unrestricted free agents. The unusually long ... Read More

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — After another one-and-done in the playoffs, Falcons coach Mike Smith said Monday his team's season can't be called a success. Read More

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The New York Giants are only four years removed from their last Super Bowl victory, and they have nothing on the Atlanta Falcons in terms of postseason experience. Read More

    EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J.  — Anyone looking for the big play this weekend, the coast-to-coast catch and run, should turn on the NFC wild-card game with the Atlanta Falcons and New York Giants. Read More

    FLOWERY BRANCH — Curtis Lofton isn't worried that the Atlanta Falcons have depth issues at linebacker entering the playoffs.     When the Falcons visit the New York Giants on Sunday, Lofton, the team's defensive captain and starting middle linebacker, says Atlanta will be just fine.     Lofton believes Atlanta (10-6) can contain the Giants (9-7) without having to compromise its defensive schemes, particularly after starting weakside linebacker Sean Weatherspoon returned to practice Thursday after ... Read More