2011 Atlanta Falcons Predictions
Written by Steve Janus
The Atlanta Falcons finished the 2010 season with an NFC-best 13-3 regular season record, but that didn’t amount to anything in the playoffs. The Falcons were crushed 21-48 by the Green Bay Packers at home in the divisional round. Outside of drafting wide out Julio Jones and signing free agent defensive end Ray Edwards, Atlanta didn’t do a lot to the roster from last year. Here is a closer look at what the Falcons will send to the field on both sides of the ball, plus my thoughts on where they will finish the year in the South.
Offense:
The Falcons finished with the 16th ranked offense in the NFL, providing a balanced attack behind quarterback Matt Ryan and running back Michael Turner. Ryan earned his first invite to the Pro Bowl after throwing for 3,705 yards with 28 touchdowns to just nine interceptions. He has continued to get better each year, and could be ready for a breakout season in 2011.
Ryan and wide out Roddy White hooked up a league-best 115 times for 1,389 yards and 10 touchdowns. Tight end Tony Gonzalez finished second on the team with 70 catches for 656 yards, but this team really lacked a deep threat to stretch the defense. That is where Jones comes into play, as he will immediately start opposite of White for the departed Michael Jenkins. If Jones ends up being as good as advertised, it should open up the entire offense.
Turner is entering his ninth season, and you have to believe his legs are going to start to wear down rather quickly, especially after carrying the ball 334 times in 2010. Turner will remain a goal line threat, but don’t be surprised if he sees a decrease in his yards this season. One player who could really add some life to the position is rookie Jacquizz Rodgers, who was a dangerous threat running and catching the ball out of the backfield at Oregon State.
While the Falcons didn’t add a ton of free agents this offseason, they were able to re-sign left guard Justin Blalock and right tackle Tyson Clabo. They decided to not bring back guard Harvey Dahl, which means unproven second-year guard Mike Johnson and third-year guard Garrett Reynolds will compete for the starting right guard spot.
Defense:
The addition of Edwards on the defensive line gives the Falcons the pass rusher they have been seeking to start opposite of veteran defensive end John Abraham, who led the team with 13 sacks in 2010. Edwards finished with 8 while playing opposite of Jared Allen in Minnesota. The two sack artists will play alongside defensive tackles Jonathan Babineaux and Corey Peters.
At linebacker, the Falcons have to promising young players in middle linebacker Curtis Lofton and second-year outside linebacker Sean Weatherspoon. The duo will team up with veteran outside linebacker Mike Peterson. Two players that could get in the mix if Peterson starts to fall off are Stephen Nicholas and Spencer Atkins.
Some believed the Falcons would try and add some talent to a secondary that was torched by the Aaron Rodgers and the Packers in the playoffs, but no major moves were made. Brent Grimes and Dunta Robinson will open as the starting corner duo, while William Moore and Thomas DeCoud return at safety. Moore is one player to keep your eye on going forward, as he really has the potential to be a great player sooner rather than later.
Prediction: T-2nd NFC South, 10-6 Overall- I like the additions of Jones and Edwards, but I just don’t think it’s enough to keep this team on top the South in 2011. I look for the Saints to retake control of the division and the Buccaneers are quietly becoming a real force in this division. I think Ryan would have to have an MVP-like season for Atlanta to repeat as division winners. It’s also worth noting that no team in the South has won the division in back-to-back seasons.
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