The Falcons went 4-12 last season and QB Matt Ryan took a lot of the blame despite throwing for 4,515 yards and completing 67.4% of his passes. However, he did throw a career-high 17 picks with only 26 TDs, and if you consider his TD/INT ratios of 32/14, 29/12, and 28/9 in the three previous years the criticism is understandable. In his defense, he had no defense. Atlanta was 28th in overall D and had a poor running game. Mix in top receiver Julio Jones missing most of the season and the criticism was a little unfair but that’s the breaks for a NFL QB. It looks like this season will be more of the same as Atlanta didn’t do much in the offseason to improve the running game or defense, they’ve suffered a couple of crippling injuries on the O-line, and Tony Gonzalez retired. If the Falcons are to have any success Ryan is going to have to air it out a lot, so his yardage and INT totals could be high again.
After nine seasons in St. Louis averaging over four yards per carry and eight straight seasons over 1,000 yards, Steven Jackson only compiled 542 yards (in 12 games) for a 3.5 yard-per-carry average last year. A decade of being a smash-mouth power runner in the NFL has definitely taken its toll on S-Jax. If he splits the carries with Jacquizz Rodgers his production may go back up, but his days of being an elite RB1 unfortunately appear to be over. Rodgers offers some speed for a change of pace from S-Jax, but his 3.4 yard-per-carry average last year suggests he’s a better weapon as a receiver out of the backfield. Atlanta will be hoping Florida St. forth-rounder Devonta Freeman can make an impact soon.
The retirement of Gonzalez has left Atlanta barren at the TE position. The starter will be Levine Toilolo whose size tells you all you need to know about his potential as a pass-catcher. Toilolo is 6’8″/265 lbs. and Ryan has barely looked at him in the preseason games. Second-stringer Bear Pascoe acquired from the Giants is strictly a blocker as well.
The one position on offense in which the Falcons are loaded is WR. Julio Jones is back healthy and looking as explosive as ever after foot surgery. Roddy White is set for his 10th season in the league, all with Atlanta. He saw a drop-off in his numbers last year as it was the first time since 2006 that he didn’t have at least 83 catches and 1,153 yards – only putting up 63/711. He’ll turn 33 this season so a decline is to be expected, but he still makes for an excellent WR2. Harry Douglas took advantage of the extra playing time following Jones’ injury last year by putting up career-highs with 85 receptions and 1,067 yards. He won’t repeat that this year, but he is an excellent WR3 who will probably get an opportunity to be a starter somewhere next year. Devin Hester was signed from the Bears and will be the #4, but will obviously be used primarily as the return-man.
LT Sam Baker tore his right patellar tendon one year after tearing his left, and will miss the entire season. This forces Lamar Holmes back into the starting lineup at RT, as rookie first-rounder Jake Matthews out of Texas A&M who was slated to start on the right side becomes the LT. If these guys struggle it’s going to be a really long year for the Falcons because their interior linemen are inconsistent in pass protection. RG Jon Asamoah and C Joe Hawley are solid physical run blockers but inconsistent pass protectors. One guy who won’t be a problem is Justin Blalock, one of the best guards in the game.
The Falcons might start the year using the nickel as their base defense. In my opinion more teams will do this in the future as the league becomes more and more predicated on hitting the deep pass. The Falcons are doing it because their defense is atrocious and they expect to be in a lot of shootouts. Atlanta picked up DT Paul Soliai from Miami in the offseason which will improve their run stuffing ability. They also signed Tyson Jackson from K.C. to help toughen up what was one of the softer lines in the league in 2013. Add those two new additions to veteran run stuffer Jonathan Babineaux and veteran pass rusher Osi Umenyiora, along with Corey Peters who is coming off a career-year, and Kroy Biermann coming back off an ankle injury – and Atlanta looks to have a much-improved defensive front.
Atlanta’s top LB Sean Witherspoon’s season ending ACL injury is another factor leading the Falcons coaches to employ a hybrid defense. Paul Worrilow will be asked to step up again. After not being drafted last year but making the team in camp, he went on to lead the squad with 127 tackles. This year he’ll be asked to be a leader on D. Fellow undrafted 2013 rookie Joplo Bartu also made the team last year and had 84 tackles and 4 sacks. Both guys struggled at times and if Atlanta is going to play a lot of nickel they’ll be defending the second level on their own. Jonathan Massaquoi will see the field a bunch as well, and the Falcons hope his explosiveness adds to the pass rush.
Both Desmond Trufant and Robert Alford are coming off excellent rookie seasons and will be the corners with new addition Josh Wilson from Washington playing the slot. SS William Moore is the Falcons best takeaway threat as he has 14 picks and 8 FF over the last four seasons. FS Dwight Lowry is a big question mark having played only 12 games the last two years.
VERDICT: The Falcons don’t have much of a rushing attack and have nothing at the TE position. They have an average O-line and a QB facing a lot of criticism. Their linebackers are a question mark, as is their FS. Coming off a 12-loss year, it’s hard to see this team making the playoffs. At least they improved their defensive line.
Article By: Anthony Schiano
