Arthur Smith expresses love and appreciation for Falcons players in team meeting after firing

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) Arthur Smith was back at the Atlanta Falcons' practice facility on Monday morning for a final meeting with his players after he was David Wright Jersey .Smith had the support of the players but that was not enough to overcome a third consecutive 7-10 finish. The coaching change was announced at midnight, so Monday's meeting was an opportunity to say goodbye.Most of us already knew, rookie defensive lineman Zach Harrison said Monday. Just having the chance for him to get up there and addre s us and tell us the last couple of things he wanted to say before he left. It meant a lot to me that he stood up there and looked us all in the eye and told us some things.Added Harrison: Hes a guy you know is going to have your back.ADVERTISEMENT Said offensive tackle Kaleb McGary: I'm just bummed for him.While Harrison acknowledged he was not prepared for the firing, most veterans were not surprised after back-to-back lopsided lo ses to Chicago and New Orleans capped a disappointing finish and left Atlanta with six consecutive losing seasons.Ive been in this game a long time so I knew it was a po sibility, but I was hopeful, said Calais Campbell, 37, following his 16th NFL season. I really respect Coach Smith. Hes such a good guy.Another veteran defensive lineman, Grady Jarrett, said he was a little bit surprised to learn Smith had been fired. Only because it was like midnight or whatever, Jarrett said. You Mookie Wilson Jersey never know what to expect.Falcons owner Arthur Blank said at a news conference to discu s the firing he has nothing but appreciation for Smith but added I feel pained by the decision but I actually feel at peace, truly at peace. ... We definitely underachieved this year by a lot.At the start of the season, Blank described this as the third year of a three-year plan for Smith and was clear the coach faced a mandate to show improvement that was not realized. The final decision to fire Smith was made after a Sunday night meeting with the coach.Blank and Falcons CEO Rich McKay conducted Monday's news conference without general manager Terry Fontenot, prompting repeated questions about the GM's role. Blank said both Smith and Fontenot answered to McKay and he expects the new coach also will not report to Fontenot.Also, Blank emphasized he and McKay will lead the search for a new coach, while Fontenot will have input. Blank said there is no timetable to hire Smith's replacement.At the end of the day I understand the final decision will be mine but will be in collaboration with others, Steven Matz Jersey Blank said.McKay also said Fontenot will have a central role in the coach search and added there has been no decision on what search firm, if any, will be used.Smith's firing was announced a few hours after It was the second-worst lo s of Smith's three seasons, following a 43-3 rout at Dallas in 2021. The Falcons dropped four of their last five games and were blown out in Smiths final two contests, a week ago.I wish I could have won some more games for him and wed be playing this week, Campbell said. You try your hardest.Campbell said he hasn't Tim Tebow Jersey made a decision about returning for another season in 2024. He said he is leaning toward playing again.Smith was after a decade-long stint as an a sistant with the Tenne see Titans in which he moved up to become their offensive coordinator.Tight end Jonnu Smith, who played for Arthur Smith in Tenne see and Atlanta, appeared to be especially shaken by the firing. Jonnu Smith said the coach talked to players about "his appreciation and love for us.Hed be there for anybody, Jonnu Smith said as players around him cleaned out their lockers. Hed bend over backward for the people he loves. Unfortunately in this league thats not always returned.We didnt have the season we wanted. Collectively as a team we did not do enough.Arthur Smith's efforts to establish consistency on offense were derailed by instability at quarterback. Second-year quarterback Desmond Ridder finished with 12 touchdowns, 12 interceptions and 12 fumbles and couldn't keep the starting job. Backup Taylor Jeurys Familia Jersey Heinicke mi sed Sunday's game with an ankle injury."It happened too much this year, Smith said Sunday. The job is to consistently do it, and we didnt do it. ___AP NFL: