ATLANTA (AP) — There are times that come along in the NFL Lorenzo Alexander Jersey , when the confluence of bountiful drafts, stars in their prime and a still-manageable salary cap align to put a team in position to win a championship.

For the Atlanta Falcons, that time is now.

A franchise still scarred by blowing a 25-point lead in the Super Bowl looks poised to make another run at that elusive first title, but the window of opportunity is starting to close just a bit.

Matt Ryan is 33, yet only two seasons removed from an MVP performance.

Julio Jones put off his demands for a new contract until 2019 .

Tevin Coleman is still a year away from potential free agency.

A talented young defense is poised to really make its mark.

“From a player’s perspective, the window is always one year,” said Ryan, who became the NFL’s first guaranteed $100 million player when he signed a massive contract extension during the offseason . “That’s something that you learn the longer you play, that sense of urgency, how quickly it goes by.”

Coming off their Super Bowl disappointment, the Falcons still managed to go 10-6 and earn a wild-card berth in the highly competitive NFC South last season. They breezed past the Los Angeles Rams to start the playoffs before losing a 15-10 heartbreaker to the eventual Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles .

Atlanta had first-and-goal at the Eagles 9 with just over a minute remaining. But Ryan threw three incomplete passes, the last of them intended for Jones to cap another bitter postseason ending.

The Falcons are hoping to get another chance. Here’s some things to keep an eye on in 2018:

SARK’S SECOND YEAR

Steve Sarkisian is definitely on the hot seat heading into his second year as offensive coordinator .

The Falcons slumped from the league’s highest-scoring team in 2016, when Kyle Shanahan was calling plays, to the middle of the NFL pack under Sarkisian. The offense really struggled in the red zone, capped off fittingly by that goal-line stand in Philly.

It’s worth remembering that Shanahan also got off to a rough start in Atlanta. To increase the chances of a similar turnaround, the Falcons brought in longtime offensive coordinator Greg Knapp as the quarterback coach.

“I’ve got a lot of confidence,” said Ryan Jimmie Ward Jersey , eager to regain his MVP form . “I think Sark’s a lot more comfortable with the personnel, knowing what guys to use in certain situations. I think that just comes with experience, and we all kind of have a feel for his flavor as well.”

JULIO’S EXPECTATIONS

In his bid to land a new contract more fitting with his role as one of the NFL’s top receivers, Jones skipped offseason workouts and a mandatory minicamp.

But, on the eve of training camp, the Falcons worked out an adjustment to Jones’ contract and promised to negotiate a new deal in 2019. They knew there was no way to contend for a Super Bowl title without No. 11.

“It definitely gives you a better shot,” coach Dan Quinn conceded.

The 29-year-old Jones has put up four straight years with at least 80 catches and 1,400 yards receiving. He’s also a valuable mentor to the team’s younger players .

RISING DEFENSE

Since Quinn was hired in 2015, the Falcons have drafted with a heavy emphasis on defense.

That philosophy has produced three starters out of the first round — Vic Beasley, Keanu Neal and Takkarist McKinley — as well as a number of key contributors in the later rounds, most notably Grady Jarrett, Deion Jones, De’Vondre Campbell and Duke Riley.

This year, look for rookies Isaiah Oliver and Deandrin Senat to contend for significant playing time.

“A number of guys are going into year two or year three or in some cases, year four,” Quinn said. “Like a lot of jobs, if you’ve been on this team for a while Daniel Sorensen Jersey , you’re getting better.”

One notable exception was Beasley , who struggled with a move from defensive end to outside linebacker. He recorded just five sacks after getting 15½ the year before.

Not surprisingly, he’s back at end.

FREEMAN’S HEALTH

Devonta Freeman struggled through an injury-plagued season that included two concussions and a sprained right knee.

With all signs that his knee is healthy , Freeman is eager to reclaim the form that made him the NFL’s highest-paid running back. It could be the final season of his dynamic 1-2 pairing with Coleman, which combined for nearly 1,500 yards rushing in 2017. Both are also potent options in the passing game.

“It is awesome to see Free back, feeling like himself,” Quinn said.

RIDLEY’S IMPACT

For the first time in Quinn’s tenure, the Falcons used a first-round pick on an offensive player, Alabama’s Calvin Ridley.

He’ll slide into the third receiver spot that was held by departed free agent Taylor Gabriel. Atlanta is counting on the rookie to lure coverages away from Jones and help boost the team’s production in the red zone.

“He definitely has all the tools to be a great wide receiver,” Jones said.

Boston Bruins defenseman Zdeno Chara signed a contract that will take him through his 42nd birthday, and he’s already anticipating the next one.

”I believe, myself, that I’m going to be playing beyond this contract,” he said on Wednesday after agreeing to a one-year deal that will pay him at least $5 million.

”No matter how long you want to continue to play, you have to perform. You have to back up your status,” he said. ”So I know I need to go out there every night and do my job Solomon Thomas Jersey , perform and play hard and work hard and be a great example for my teammates. (The) rest of it, it will fall into place.”

A five-time All-Star who was the league’s best defenseman in 2009, Chara turned 41 this month but still leads the Bruins in time on ice with an average of 23 minutes per game. He has seven goals and 16 assists this season, his 20th in the NHL, and is the franchise’s third-leading scorer for a defenseman, behind Hall of Famers Ray Bourque and Bobby Orr.

”He’s been a dominant player this year,” Bruins general manager Don Sweeney said. ”He takes all of the hard matchups still, doesn’t shy away from any situations and has embraced the role that he’s kind of emerged into. … He’s indicated that he wants to perform at a high, high level, he expects to perform at a high level, and he’s backed that up.”

Chara was in the final year of a seven-year, $45 million contract that reportedly paid him $4 million this year. His new deal guarantees him $5 million but also has incentives that could pay him $1.75 million more.

”I will not be surprised if we’re sitting here (again),” Sweeney said, ”because he’s indicated he wants to continue to play.”

Sweeney conceded that Chara had leverage if he went to the free agent market. But the 6-foot-9 Bruins captain said he wanted to stay in Boston and help develop young players such as Charlie McAvoy, Jake DeBrusk and Anders Bjork.

”I believe in this team,” Chara said. ”It’s very exciting to be a part of this team. I think this team has a chance, and that’s all you can ask for. The rest of it is up to us to do on the ice. So Jeremy Hill Jersey , yeah, that was my priority, to stay in Boston, to be a Boston Bruin.”

Sweeney said Chara’s influence isn’t just on the younger players.

”It really is a ripple effect through our whole hockey club,” the GM said. ”Every player realizes the bar is set so high with a player that has accomplished as much as he has, yet he shows up every day. … At times, when we’re trying to get him off the ice, he wants to be on it more. So, I think the example for excellence starts with Zdeno.”

Chara played in the Bruins’ first 68 games this season before an unspecified injury that has sidelined him since March 13. Boston has also played without Patrice Bergeron, David Backes, Rick Nash, Torey Krug, McAvoy and DeBrusk this month, but is just one point behind the Tampa Bay Lightning for the best record in the Eastern Conference heading into Thursday night’s matchup.

”I’m so proud of the team, and what the guys have been able to do with so many guys being out of the lineup,” Chara said. ”Just a great indication that this team has a never-give-up attitude and willing to fight till the last whistle.”

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