RISE UP! is no longer just a Mantra in Atlanta, It's a Mandate

By J. Terrell Price - The Dirty Word

When the Atlanta Falcons came a mere 10 yards from punching their ticket into Super Bowl XLVII, after a failed 4th down pass attempt from quarterback Matt Ryan to Roddy White, fans felt an all too familiar sinking feeling in the pit of their stomachs. Another unrealized championship opportunity had gone by the wayside.

This was supposed to be the year. Best record in the NFC, home-field advantage in the championship game, a 17-0 lead early. And yet, it was Colin Kaepernick an the San Francisco Forty-Niners who were headed to the big easy by the end of that depressing Sunday in January.

Falcons fans had finally witnessed a playoff victory in the Mike Smith/Matt Ryan era just a week before in a heart palpitating win over Seattle, but the loss to San Fran brought back those same doubts and criticisms the duo endured over the previous four seasons. With a 1-4 record in playoff games since 2008, the Atlanta Falcons are officially on the chopping block, for lack of a better term. In the five seasons since Smith and Ryan took over, this franchise has an impressive 56-24 record, only bested by the New England Patriots.

This level of success has been a breath of fresh air for fans, who before 2009 had never even enjoyed back to back winning seasons, let alone playoff appearances. That didn't happen until 2011.

But those milestones are rarely mentioned in these parts anymore, as fans and players alike aspire for higher goals. Getting to the playoffs is no longer viewed as a successful season. Best record in the NFC? Been there, done that....TWICE. To a man, the veterans on the team know what is expected. Championship or bust. And that's the way it should be.

The team is talented enough, well coached enough, and experienced enough. General Manager, Thomas Dimitroff, has done his part to field a competitive product on the field. Each year he has supplied Matt Ryan with offensive weapons any quarterback would salivate over. He has drafted well on defense and brought over accomplished veterans like Asante Samuel and newly acquired Osi Umenyiora from the Giants. Of course, there is the Ray Edwards disaster, but that's the anomaly.

The point of the matter is, the team is stacked! They have replaced long time running back Michael Turner with Steven Jackson in hopes of creating a more dynamic running attack, giving freedom to the receiving trio of Roddy White, Julio Jones, and Tony Gonzalez. Last season was supposed to be Gonzalez's last in a hall of fame career, but he was so convinced this team could mount another Super Bowl run that he put off retirement for one more year. White and Jones are considered a top wide receiver duo in the NFL.

Jones has athletic ability that would translate well to any other sport. He almost looks effortless in some of his touchdown catches. White, though some would associate him more with his twitter shenanigans (see -- http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/14/roddy-white-george-zimmerman-verdict-twitter_n_3593212.html), is a reliable option for Matt Ryan, who has been there since before the new regime arrived.

And then there is the aforementioned signal caller who can now afford to treat each member of his arsenal to a dinner....or 20. His still wet inked 5 year $104 million contract ($59 million of which is guaranteed) secures his place as the franchise player. It also makes a bold statement to fans that Owner, Arthur Blank believes that much in him to bring a title to this city.

Ryan is getting the kind of paper that only a select few in this league enjoy. In getting a $100 plus million deal, he joins the likes of Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees, and most recently Joe Flacco. Those guys have something the Atlanta quarterback doesn't -- A championship on his resume.

That will be a main topic of conversation as training camp turns into preseason into the regular season. This Falcons organization aspires to be considered a superior franchise in professional sports. Arthur Blank has visions of a world class stadium being constructed next to the Birds' current home, The Georgia Dome, by 2017. A new venue will most likely bring higher ticket and concession prices and parking fees. Locally, fans have had cynicism over the prospect of investing more into a team that hasn't brought the ultimate prize to the Capital of the South.

"I just don't how I feel about driving 45 minutes, paying to park, then to drop $300 on two tickets for some guys who haven't won anything", says Ronald Briggs, a Forsyth resident. This sentiment is shared among many fans who have followed the middling franchise since it's early days.

Actor, Samuel L. Jackson, has become the official hype-man before each Falcons home kickoff with an inspiring gospel-like rendition of "Rise Up". The slogan has been a battle cry for fans since 2009. So much so, that when two Falcon fans speak to each other, "Rise Up" is a term of endearment and unity. For the players on the field, however, "Rise Up" is much more than words. It's a requirement in 2013. No longer will playoff appearances suffice. There needs to be a special visit to the Met Life Stadium in New Jersey on February 2, 2014. That is the location and date of Super Bowl XLVIII.

Then, and only then, will the rest of Falcons Nation sing with the rest of Samuel L's choir.

Copyright, 2013