Link: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2105562-potential-answers-for-the-atlanta-falcons-biggest-offseason-question-marks I like to visit fan sites for our other team rivals just to see what things they are worried about with their team. Today, I ran across this article on the Falcons. So I'm curious, what we think about these 5 questions marks.Here's my take:1. Improved Running game. I'm not sure that Atlanta's running game will really improve. While I believe that Atlanta improved their offensive line in the off season, I think this is a team that is going to pass first and run second. Looking at the backs, there isn't anyone on that roster that I would take over any of the top 3 guys we have on our roster. JMO, I'll concede that they might have a marginally improved running attack this year because of the offensive line improvement, I honestly don't think they are going to have a 'very good running game this year'. 2. How will they replace Tony Gonzalez. I agree here, Atlanta isn't going to be able to replace him, at least not this year. Toilolo may be the answer long term, but I don't know enough about him to say that he'll be one of the top TE's this year. I *do* know that Ryan is going to miss Gonzo, quite a bit. It's going to be interesting to see how Ryan plays without his #1 safety blanket.3. Offensive line. Here I do think Atlanta improved. Mike Tice is a good offensive line coach and the Falcon's made some good additions to the offensive line. If there was another offensive line in the NFL that was as bad as ours was last season, you'd have to go with Atlanta's. Ryan will get more time, should get hit and sacked less and the running backs should see a bit more light, but the question is will it be enough? The Saints and our defense clearly improved this off season, I'm not sure if the improvements in the Falcon offensive line are enough to off set those changes. However, offensively, I expect Atlanta to be a pretty good team. 4. Linebacker depth: When Weatherspoon went down, that created a big problem for Atlanta, similar to us having David go down. The problem for the Falcon's is that they really have little experience in the linebacking corp. Also, if they are moving to a 3-4, a lot of that inexperience is going to be one the field. Honestly I think the Falcons are going to struggle a lot defensively this year.5. Pass Rush. Seriously, Massaquoi? He sounds a lot like what we hoped we'd get from Bowers last season. Even if Massaquoi gets his 10 sacks, I don't see how this line can be expected to get to 40-45 sacks. They have a lot of run stoppers up front, but not much that screams pass rush to me. I think the pass rush will come from the linebackers and not so much from the defensive line. When all is said and done though, I think the defense will be at the same 33 or so sack total that they had last season. When I look at Atlanta, I see an improved offense, but a pretty shaky defense. However, I did think New Orleans defense was going to be pretty crappy last season, but I was clearly wrong on that one (credit Ryan with that, they guy really knows how to call a defense), and Nolan is more of a known issue now. Unlike Ryan, he's not had a killer defense in Atlanta in his couple of years there and he's making a big switch this year to the 3-4. Nolan IS a better 3-4 coach, but I don't think he's got the players yet to play at a high level. Idk, what's your take? Did Atlanta solve their issues over the off season? Did they improve enough to put us behind them?
ForumVisual Realm2023-04-26T12:12:17-04:00
Notifications
Clear all
Topic starter
Posted : Jun. 29, 2014 9:23 am