TAMPA — Dirk Koetter's first game as head coach is also a trip into his past, and Sunday's trip to Atlanta will pit him and defensive coordinator Mike Smith against key players they worked closely with in their years with the Falcons.
"Dirk was awesome. I learned a ton from him in the three years I spent with him," quarterback Matt Ryan said after a preseason game in Orlando two weeks ago. "He was great for our organization and our offense at the time. I think Jameis (Winston) is lucky to be working with a guy like him and I think they're going to do really well together.