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Show NFL's Falcons Disappointment To Own Fans By PETE FRITICHIE Of all N FL teams , one of the most disappointing, to fans, has been the Atlanta Falcons. Touted as perhaps a Super Bowl squad on the basis of a 12-4 record last year, the Falcons Fal-cons this season won three and then lost six of eight, before evening the record on a recent Monday night, beating the Vikings 31-30. WHAT IS the background of Atlantia's so-so season this year? One answer is that there have been too many mental lapses, by both players and coaching staff. Atlanta has the personnel. But the Falcons haven't ha-ven't played exactly smart football in too many games. They've done the obvious, often played too conservative- It or without enougn imagination imagina-tion in play calling. Field deci-sfcns deci-sfcns have often been lacking. lley have thrown short passes oi third down, time after time, rot enough for a first down. They have fumbled and fum-lled. fum-lled. They have run on first flown time after time after time. ' THERE HAVE been too many breakdowns against the pass. The defense against the tun has been solid. When this team, of which so much was expected, lost six out of eight, confidence seemed to be replaced re-placed with some self-doubt and some let-down in effort. ' Yet the Falcons lost many of their games by two or three 'points. With luck and smarter football, they could have been 12-4 again. |