At 6-4 again, Dan Quinn hopes Atlanta Falcons finish strong this time

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- Coach Dan Quinn of the Atlanta Falcons is determined to strive for some success in his second season.

The Falcons (6-4) had the same record after 10 games last season, but collapsed down the stretch.

"Well I hope you're playing your best football, No. 1," Quinn said. "If you're really putting the work in through practice, you're going to keep getting better and if you get better down the stretch then that leads to better things.

"That's honestly the goal. It gets so much more fun the more you go and it gets later and you keep improving and then you know as a whole team when you're playing at your best at the end that's the best."

Quinn knows about this from his days with Seattle under Pete Carroll. The Seahawks became a force after Thanksgiving and went to two consecutive Super Bowls, winning one after the 2013 season.

The Falcons are getting back a couple of key players for their playoff push. Cornerback Desmond Trufant is returning and plans to play despite a shoulder injury. Running back Tevin Coleman (hamstring) is back to 100 percent.

Both can provide lifts to the offensive and defense respectively.

"Both of them looked extremely fast," Quinn said upon their return to practice. "That's what we were checking to see with Tevin. Would he have the speed to get in and out of his breaks that make him such a unique player? So we saw the speed with him and then we wanted to see Trufant with the ball skills and moving around like he did. Both those guys are off to a good start."

Quinn, who has control of the final 53-man roster, was elated that the Falcons reached a five-year contract extension with right tackle Ryan Schraeder.

"He's a big part of it," Quinn said. "The toughness that he plays with, we totally rely on him both in the run game and the pass game. The development that he's done over the last three years really set the stage for himself to be here for an extended time."

The master plan is to keep the offense together, while the young defense continues to develop.

"Having that continuity at the line of scrimmage is really important to make sure all the communication and all the stuff that goes up and down the line," Quinn said. "I love the work that that group puts in together. For us, it starts up front on the line of scrimmage.

"The connection they have to get the run game going, the connection that they have to have for us to throw it down the field with the keepers, play action, and drop back gain. They're a huge part of it. We're thrilled to have him on board."

Quinn believes the Falcons can remain focused week to week while chasing the NFC South title and a playoff berth.

"We talked about it to the team," Quinn said. "I think it's important to say there's a big picture and we understand. We've got four home games and nice home stretch coming of games.

"We play a bunch of NFC teams, but for us that's out there and what's at hand is how good we can get this week and the challenge that we have. We've got a great one. I think it's important to recognize where you are after your bye, and then what are the things that you want to improve upon."

SERIES HISTORY: 29th regular-season meeting. The Cardinals lead the series, 15-13. The Falcons won the last meeting 29-18 in 2014 at the Georgia Dome.

--Falcons defensive end Dwight Freeney has been impressed with the play of defensive end/outside linebacker Vic Beasley, who has 9.5 sacks.

"Vic has been great," Freeney said. "Vic is balling. He listened and he's taken in a lot of the stuff that I've been telling him since training camp and it has sunk in. Now, you can see it.

"He's balling and he's going to be a force to reckoned with if he keeps on doing what he has to do. He's finding plays and plays are finding him. It's great to see it and hopefully he can continue on with that success."

Freeney also has the best scouting report on the Arizona Cardinals. He played 11 games for the Cardinals last season and helped them reach the NFC championship game. He said don't be fooled by their 4-5-1 record.

"Sometimes the ball doesn't bounce your way as it goes," Freeney said. "I don't see them as a 4-5-1 team. I see them as being a lot better than that. No one should put too much stock in their record. They have a lot of talent.

"Defensively, they are very solid. Offensively, they have had some injuries there so they have tried to heal up some guys along the offensive line. It's going to be a tough challenge. Guys are going to have to come up with their A game."

--Falcons Pro Bowl cornerback Desmond Trufant returned to practice, but it's unclear how much he can bring while playing with a shoulder/pectoral injury.

Coach Dan Quinn seems be counting on him helping to spark the defense.

"Well, No. 1, it's the speed," Quinn said about what Trufant will bring to the defense. "We match him up at a number of different spots. You've seen him play left side, right side, and we've played him in the slot.

"We've got a lot of confidence to put him in a number of different spots. It's the way he competes that sets him apart. As a competitor, he's ready for any challenge we throw upon him so it was great to have him back out here."

NOTES: QB Matt Ryan has completed 236 of 346 passes for 3,247 yards for 24 touchdowns and five interceptions. He has a passer rating of 115.1. ... WR Julio Jones has 61 catches for 1,105 yards and five touchdowns. He has a shoulder injury and was limited in practice on Wednesday. ... RB Tevin Coleman (hamstring) returned to practice on Monday and was a full participant on Wednesday. ... DE Dwight Freeney (quadriceps) returned to practice on Monday but was out on Wednesday as a rest day. ... CB Desmond Trufant (shoulder/pectoral) returned to practice on Monday and was limited on Wednesday. ... SS Kemal Ishmael (shoulder) was limited in practice on Wednesday. ... P Matt Bosher (hamstring) did not practice on Wednesday. ... TE Jacob Tamme (shoulder surgery) was placed on injured reserve. His roster spot was filled by punter Matt Wile.