The Atlanta Falcons came just a few yards within the Super Bowl in 2012. On fourth-and-7 from the 10 yard line, quarterback Matt Ryan attempted a pass to Roddy White that was batted away, giving the San Francisco 49ers the NFC Championship title and the berth to the Super Bowl. That is something the team will think about going into 2013. After a season that saw the Falcons become on the league's elite units, 2013 will only come with greater expectations. As White told ESPN that it is Super Bowl or bust for Atlanta, Tyrann Mathieu is paying a visit as the Falcons target the cornerback in the draft.
The Falcons offense is just about set. With a few questions remaining on the offensive line, the weapons are there to the team to succeed. With Ryan, White, Julio Jones and the return of Tony Gonzalez, there is no excuse not to make it to the postseason.
"We're ready to take that next step. We know how good our football team is and the players we got, so it's either Super Bowl or nothing for us right now," White told ESPN.
White believes that the team's first three playoff appearances were approached with little expectations, but now the team is focused and ready to make a serious run at the championship. As Roddy and the rest of the team look towards 2013, the first step will be the upcoming NFL draft. The Falcons have been considering numerous options, most recently bringing in Mathieu for a pre-draft workout.
Mathieu is an interesting pick with his off-the-field issues, but if he can prove to the team that the past is the past, he would be an excellent fit with a mid-draft pick. He impressed scouts at the combine running a 4.46 40-yard dash. He proved to still be in football shape after sitting out a year due to being dismissed from the LSU football team following failed drug tests.
Mathieu could prove to be a quality selection that the Falcons could get in the second or third round. The New England Patriots are rumored to be another team with the most interest in former Heisman candidate so the team would have to act fast to get him.
Mathieu is a standout player on special teams that could start right away in the position. His versatility and speed make him a key player to an already impressive Falcons' defense. If Atlanta wants to erase the memories of those final minutes in the NFC Championship, Mathieu would be a player that could help.
