Atlanta Falcons' Coach Talks Football in Gwinnett

Mike Smith covers a lot of ground as head coach of the Atlanta Falcons, but when he'd done with work, he comes home to Gwinnett.

Smith lives in Suwanee's River Club development, and he and some of the players journeyed down the road Saturday (June 15) for a special fan event at the Mall of Georgia in Buford.

"I love the (Suwanee) Town Center area," Smith said during the Buford fan event, which featured live music, fan activities and much picture-posing.

-- How do you think the Falcons will do in 2013? Share your predictions in the comments below.

Smith has been the Falcons' head coach since 2008, and he and the team will soon put on the pads to begin preparing for the 2013 season, which begins Sept. 8 at New Orleans. (Preseason games begin Aug. 8).

In 2012, the Falcons had their best season under Smith, going 13-3 and coming within one victory of advancing to the Super Bowl. Still, the Falcons were active in the offseason, acquiring running back Steven Jackson and defensive end Osi Umenyiora as free agents, and drafting cornerback Desmond Trufant No. 1.

"That's the way the NFL is built," Smith said. "We've addressed some needs."

The Falcons aren't afraid of the expectations they have built for themselves and their fans by their near-miss of the Super Bowl last season.

"It's a challenge," Smith said. "Everybody in the NFL is trying to do the same thing.

"You've got to play your best ball at the end of the year, and we haven't done that."

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