There have been a lot of differing views about the expectations for the Atlanta Falcons heading into the 2021 season, the first under head coach Arthur Smith.
While some fans feel the team is in a rebuild despite not drafting a QB, others feel the playoffs are within reach immediately.
While the playoffs would be a solid accomplishment in Year 1, it's not the only measuring stick for Smith and whether the season is a step forward or not.
It's easy to look solely at the record as a determining factor, but we've seen good teams lose more than they should and bad teams win despite being the lesser side. Could that apply here, or is that too simple a divider?
As the Arthur Smith era begins, will the stain of the previous regime still show? Or can Smith, Terry Fontenot, and a new mindset remove the leftover stench of what could have been.
However you define success this season, the biggest key, win or lose, will be to have a clear path forward shown in the seasons to come.