Atlanta Falcons 2015 Season Preview

Atlanta Falcons

2014 Record 6-10

2015 O/U: 8/5

Off Season Overview

It was potentially two years too late, but the Falcons moved on from their head coach Mike Smith, and given his first draft as a head coach I like the possibility of this team being a turn around contender on head coach alone. When a new head coach comes like Dan Quinn there are immediate moves to fit his schemes. On offense, guys like Leonard Hankerson, Tony Moeaki, Jacob Tamme, Tyler Polumbus, Mike Pearson and Chris Chester. The six can all contribute this season and the guards, Pearson and Chester will start right away and hope to boost up a clear weakness. The former defensive coordinator wants to revamp a defense and added Adrian Clayborn, O’Brien Schofield, Brooks Reed and Justin Durant. A group of mainly pass rushers and Durant who should start in the front seven brings a huge change to this team in which you expect eleven players to get significant time in the teams top thirty players. The team does have a core though, so how this team picks up on the fly will tell if it is playoffs or bust in 2015.

Offensive Overview

Julio Jones is going to be everything this offense has and is going to take it as far as he can. Kyle Shanhan was brought in to be the offensive coordinator, and throughout his career he has known to get his top players the ball. Whether it was Andre Johnson, Santana Moss, Pierre Garcon, Andrew Hawkins he was able to get career years out of all them in his offense. Even Josh Gordon, during Hawkins breakout year was targeted 47 times in just five games. The offense is going to focus around Jones and Jones has the talent to make this team extremely dangerous. The good thing about Jones is also his connection with Matt Ryan. Ryan is a guy who isn’t going to be compared to the Bradys or the Lucks of the world, but he has a career 64% completion %, as well as completing 64% of his targets to Jones. If they are on the offense is on, and two players are watching Jones. Shanahan has also been know for his running schemes, and the plan is that a couple of guys with home run potential that can split carries and carry the attack. I liked Devonta Freeman out of college and think he can grow in now his second year.. Tevin Coleman was drafted in the 3rd round so he does have a purpose this year. I think between the two they have a threat, and lining them as side cars may be a play, and throwing in some play action, as well as flaring the other out as a receiver. It can add to the offense and create just another problem. The depth of the wide receivers give them a variety of formations as well, and all signs point to Leonard Hankerson, and Justin Hardy seeing some nice playing time this year. Roddy White may be limited now due to his age but when he is on the field he is a threat. What the positive, is that now when he is off the field, it shouldn’t be a problem. With the new OC and moves already made, an offense that was the teams overall strength should remain so, and may be more potent this year.

Offensive Weaknesses

The Falcons were the 22nd efficient running team in the NFL last year. It is going to be hard to have to be someone running between the tackles. You can argue there wasn’t much on the line last year. You can argue that they brought in two new guards that the coach picked himself. No matter what they have to be at least a threat to run between the tackles. I didn’t think Coleman was the threat for that and I think a lot of that will be on Freeman. How he responds, or if Coleman can surprise and be that guy will be the difference between this being a pretty good offense to a very good offense.

Defensive Strength

With the fresh faces I think that Quinn can get this defense some positive momentum. I also think some of it is coming back on this roster. To start William Moore missed nine games last season and comes back to start as a safety. I think that can be a huge addition, that the team has always starting since 2010. Now time to drop that I think Desmond Trufant will be a top five corner back this season. Trufant was one of the only positives on this team, and for a team with no pass rush would sometimes guard guys 8-10 seconds. He chased guys all over the field, and held his own against the leagues best. Quinn was a guy who took Sherman, pinned him to one side, and made teams adjust. It will be interesting to see where Trufant goes, as well as how much respect offensive coordinators give him. Aside from that I thought Robert Alford, like Trufant got abused by the limited pass rush and I think he should have a strong year. I also though the pick ups of Jalen Collins, and Kevin White as rookies are guys who can both contribute and it gives them depth in the secondary that they did not have last year. If anything changes for the better I don’t see this secondary finishing second to last again.

Defensive Strengths

While they ranked 31st against the pass they ranked 30th against the rush. They also ranked in 30th in sacks. Hiring a defensive coordinator for your head coach was a must. Quinn knew the first thing he had to do and was change the sack problem and the pass rush in general. Not only by adding Reed, Clayborn, and Schofield, but drafting Vic Beasley through the draft he said this whole thing is coming down. The interesting part is that this team went from a 3-4 in 2013, to a 4-3 in 2014. Now you add Clayborn and Schofield who have played in the 4-3 primarily, and Reed who was a 3-4 outside backer. The multiple defense has been getting famous now and when you use a guy like Vic Beasley as a pure pass rusher, and line him in technically any position, it becomes very diverse where every one else goes. I still see this holding the team back as a rookie has to be this teams top pass rusher While Clayborn, Reed and O’Brien are good in rotation form, it is the rookie who completes the rotation. Aside from that how they work this line will be fascinating. Beasley was not a pro against the run in college, and Rashede Hageman did not show much in his rookie campaign. The fact that Quinn didn’t draft him and now changes the scheme can’t be great for him, but they will need snaps in that run stopping role. With the entire turnover in position changes I can’t tell you either unit should be as bad as last year. I might even see this being a top twenty unit. I do think however, that if they don’t win games it will be because chunks of yards are getting into the secondary.

Where do they rank? O/U 8.5

Call me crazy but I like what I see on paper. I thought the team has been flirting with win now mode for about five years, and while Mike Smith took it down an unexpected detour, Quinn is here to right the ship. Like I said I really like what he did in the draft and I really liked what he did in Seattle. He brings in a great offensive coordinator, and they add to the core already in place. I think the third place schedule also sets up for them well, and I think this team wins the division and wins nine with the potential of ten games. It isn’t the strongest play but I would be looking over here and would be expecting we see the Falcons in the playoffs this season.

Parkers Pick: 1st in the NFC South, Over 8.5

Logans Pick: 2nd in the NFC Sout, Over 8.5