NFC South

Mark Bradley: Are there reasons to be optimistic about the Falcons? Yes.

If you paid attention to the Falcons’ first exhibition game — readers, have I not yet persuaded you to pay no attention to exhibition games? — you were offered little for your time and effort. The Falcons made six first downs. They amassed 138 yards. They were docked 99 yards on 11 penalties. All who expect this team to stink were given further olfactory fuel. One thing, though. Since Arthur Blank bought the team, he has hired and fired four coaches. None of the incoming four had been an NFL head coach. All inherited a team coming off a losing season. Two of those rookies led their first teams…