Falcons fans who have been following Raheem Morris’ career, along with fans who are just learning about him, all know what they want from him.
Thursday night, many were saying that the way Morris can mend their broken hearts is simple—transform L's into W's, make the Falcons champions again, and do it all right away.
At HOBNOB Neighborhood Tavern in Atlantic Station in northwest Atlanta, Falcons fans expressed optimism for a new beginning for the team and for their new head coach.
“I think no matter who they hire they're going to work it through,” said Shannon O’Neal. “A new coach, a new time. And I think it'll be a great step for them.”
Fans were saying “Welcome” to Morris, and they also wanted him to know that, as far as they're concerned, the clock is ticking.
“Two years. First year—that first year--get us in the playoffs. Showing the world who we are as Atlanta Falcons. That second year is the Super Bowl. That's what I want, Super Bowl,” said one fan, Isaiah Leonard, when asked how much time he gives the new coach.
No matter who was asked, the answers were the same.
“Give him a couple of years, max,” Erly Saldano, another fan, said.
And what will define the new coach’s success in Atlanta?
"Winning. Right now,” Saldano said. “He needs to win, right now.”
All fans of every team want a winning coach.
But it’s the tight deadline that Falcons fans are giving Morris that stands out, now.
Dereck Jackson, when asked what would define the success of Coach Morris, did not hesitate to answer.
“Making the playoffs his first year as head coach,” Jackson said. “Then we’re going to the Super Bowl.”
Another fan, Ron Boston, said “enough” with hoping for the best.
“People are hoping for the best and everything,” Boston said, “but hope? Hope’s not getting us wins. We need wins. And we can’t hope for a coach. We need a coach” who will win.
“We need this championship,” Leonard said.
The consensus among fans on Thursday night is that no one on the Falcons is now under greater pressure to produce W's than the newest Falcon, Head Coach Raheem Morris.