Falconsroach7
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OFFENSE:
Offensively, Atlanta once again looks to dominate through the air. Matt Ryan returns for his 8th season in the league as a proven veteran while Julio Jones comes off a monster year from 2014. Although Roddy White is aging, he's a valuable possession WR2 and Leonard Hankerson, who was acquired in free agency, can make explosive plays to pick up the slack. Rookie 4th round pick Justin Hardy will also compete for playing time in the slot. Over the course of the offseason, the backfield developed from being power-based to being speed-based. Steven Jackson has been replaced by the youthful Devonta Freeman. Freeman will compete with Tevin Coleman, an incredible RB out of Indiana as a 3rd round selection. The battle could run well into the season. Despite the talent at all the skill positions, the Falcons are truly weak at offensive line. 2013 first round pick Jake Matthews has yet to really pan out, and RG Jon Asamoah is the only proven player along the front 5. It's a complete toss-up as to who starts to keep Matty upright. This is the biggest question mark regarding Atlanta's offense, and, if they can't solve it, it could really spell doom for Kyle Shanahan's plans.
DEFENSE:
This side of the ball will dictate whether Atlanta will have a successful season, or a horrendous one. The biggest issue a year ago was getting to the quarterback-- Dan Quinn, Atlanta's new HC, hopes to rectify this error. He's changed the scheme to a 4-3 and brought in Adrian Clayborn, a talented, but injury-prone DE from Tampa, and Vic Beasley Jr with the 8th overall selection in the 2015 NFL draft. Babineaux is expected to start at DT1 while 2nd year DT Ra'shede Hageman will most likely slide into the 2nd DT position. Hageman has talent, but he's very raw. If he develops, he could become a top 5 DT in this league. The linebackers have also been vastly improved, and should shut down running games. Paul worrilow returns as the MLB, but fresh faces in Brooks Reed and Justin Durant join him. Both should provide better coverage and run stopping. The secondary is arguably the weakest point of the Defense. There's many questions surrounding the unit. Who will play FS? While Ricardo Allen has made a position change from CB, is he really ready to start when he was on a practice league just a year ago? Who will team up with Desmond Trufant? Robert Alford hasn't necessarily panned out, but Jalen Collins is almost just as raw. Can William Moore stay healthy at SS? Or, better yet, can he even hold off Ishmael, an up-and-coming former 7th rounder. The secondary could be a bone to pick for opposing quarterbacks this year
SCHEDULE OUTLOOK:
Atlanta has a schedule that contains many winnable games. The initial 4 game stretch is very tough, squaring off against 3 NFC East teams and then a Houston Texans squad that looks very vicious on the defensive side. They could give the offense fits all day. The next string of games are manageable, but shouldn't be overlooked. Washington and Tennessee provide breaks in between crucial divisional matchups with New Orleans and Tampa Bay. Atlanta then heads to SF to face a team thats been left reeling after one of the worst offseasons in recent memory; however, the 49ers are still a very talented football team. After a much-needed bye week, The Falcons play two tough games against Indianapolis and Minnesota. Those could both be ugly losses. The season finishes off with all divisional games outside of a single game at Jacksonville. Atlanta should play well this season, and 10-6 or 11-5 is achievable. But, if the offensive line and secondary fall apart, we could see a 4-12 or 5-11 record that, once again, caps off a disappointing season.
#RISEUP
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