Arthur Smith to Falcons rookie TE: 'Don't live through your avatar'

Arthur Smith and the Atlanta Falcons are learning a few lessons the hard way this season, the rookie coach said Monday.

For one, breakout rookie tight end Kyle Pitts coming back to Earth courtesy of a session with Panthers shutdown cover man Stephon Gilmore.

Asked what Pitts could learn from Sunday's battle with Gilmore, Smith said, "don't live through your avatar."

"It's a fake world, and we're all guilty of it," Smit