FLOWERY BRANCH — Coach Mike Smith hopes defensive coordinator Mike Nolan has a full complement of healthy players after the Atlanta Falcons endured so many injuries last year. Smith still cringes when he watches the film of a 4-12 season and a defense that ranked last in third-down efficiency, second-worst against the run and third-fewest in sacks. "It wasn't a whole lot of fun to have a bunch of rookies out there, but this year they've got games under their belt," Smith said on Wednesday.
Nolan tinkering with schemes to improve defense