If you've been paying attention to the Atlanta Falcons this offseason, you would have noticed the convoy of new faces now surrounding this team like return man Devin Hester, offensive tackle Jake Matthews, offensive guard Jon Asamoah, etc. There are also plenty of starting jobs that are currently up for grabs on both offense and defense. Here is my outlook on who will lead the charge at every major position on the Falcons in 2014.
(Offense)
Ranking 20th in points scored last year was the Falcons' offense. They posted an average of 265.2 passing yards per game, which was the seventh best in the league, so what was the problem? The problem was the rushing attack, that was ranked last in the league only tallying 77.9 yards per game. Also adding to the offensive struggles were the injuries. Wide receivers Julio Jones and Roddy White, offensive tackles Sam Baker and Mike Johnson, and running back Steven Jackson were hurt for a duration of the previous season.
Quarterback: Matt Ryan
Running Back: Steven Jackson
Fullback: Patrick DiMarco
Wide Receiver: Julio Jones & Roddy White
Tight End: Levine Toilolo
Left Tackle: Sam Baker
Left Guard: Peter Konz
Center: Joe Hawley
Right Guard: Jon Asamoah
Right Tackle: Jake Matthews
(Defense)
During the draft, the Falcons mostly focused on their defensive issues as those were a lot more troubling than the offensive concerns. Seven out of the nine selections made by the Falcons were all for the future of the defense, they include defensive end Ra'Shede Hageman, safety Dezmen Southward, and others.
Left End: Tyson Jackson
Defensive Tackle: Paul Soliai & Jonathan Babineaux/Ra'Shede Hageman
Right End: Osi Umenyiora
Left Outside Linebacker: Paul Worrilow/Joplo Bartu
Inside Linebacker: Akeem Dent
Right Outside Linebacker: Sean Weatherspoon
Cornerback: Desmond Trufant & Robert Alford
Free Safety: Dezmen Southward
Strong Safety: William Moore
(Special Teams)
Judging the special teams side of the ball was (without a question) the easiest of all three phases. The biggest acquistion on special teams in 2014 was that off return specialist Devin Hester, who is arguably the greatest kick/punt returner in NFL history. The other three postions are in no way up for grabs, coaches might say that they are to get the most out of those players that might be fighting for a job at that postion, but they're not.
Kicker: Matt Bryant
Punter: Matt Bosher
Long Snapper: Josh Harris
Kick Return: Devin Hester
Punt Return: Devin Hester
(Offense)
Ranking 20th in points scored last year was the Falcons' offense. They posted an average of 265.2 passing yards per game, which was the seventh best in the league, so what was the problem? The problem was the rushing attack, that was ranked last in the league only tallying 77.9 yards per game. Also adding to the offensive struggles were the injuries. Wide receivers Julio Jones and Roddy White, offensive tackles Sam Baker and Mike Johnson, and running back Steven Jackson were hurt for a duration of the previous season.
Quarterback: Matt Ryan
Running Back: Steven Jackson
Fullback: Patrick DiMarco
Wide Receiver: Julio Jones & Roddy White
Tight End: Levine Toilolo
Left Tackle: Sam Baker
Left Guard: Peter Konz
Center: Joe Hawley
Right Guard: Jon Asamoah
Right Tackle: Jake Matthews
(Defense)
During the draft, the Falcons mostly focused on their defensive issues as those were a lot more troubling than the offensive concerns. Seven out of the nine selections made by the Falcons were all for the future of the defense, they include defensive end Ra'Shede Hageman, safety Dezmen Southward, and others.
Left End: Tyson Jackson
Defensive Tackle: Paul Soliai & Jonathan Babineaux/Ra'Shede Hageman
Right End: Osi Umenyiora
Left Outside Linebacker: Paul Worrilow/Joplo Bartu
Inside Linebacker: Akeem Dent
Right Outside Linebacker: Sean Weatherspoon
Cornerback: Desmond Trufant & Robert Alford
Free Safety: Dezmen Southward
Strong Safety: William Moore
(Special Teams)
Judging the special teams side of the ball was (without a question) the easiest of all three phases. The biggest acquistion on special teams in 2014 was that off return specialist Devin Hester, who is arguably the greatest kick/punt returner in NFL history. The other three postions are in no way up for grabs, coaches might say that they are to get the most out of those players that might be fighting for a job at that postion, but they're not.
Kicker: Matt Bryant
Punter: Matt Bosher
Long Snapper: Josh Harris
Kick Return: Devin Hester
Punt Return: Devin Hester