QB, RB not high priority for draft, free agency

Over the next seven days, AJC Falcons beat writer D. Orlando Ledbetter will break down each position. He will offer an analysis of what happened last season and how that will impact what the team does in the upcoming free agency period and the draft.

Newcomers Matt Ryan and Michael Turner powered the Falcons offense, leading the team to an 11-5 record and a trip to the playoffs.

Because of their play, and the depth behind them, the quarterback and running back positions will not be high priorities for the Falcons in free agency or the NFL Draft.

However, there are areas of the backfield play that can be improved.

• Ryan struggled down the stretch. He threw seven of his 13 interceptions over the last five games. He didn’t have a quarterback rating over 100 in any of those games.

• The Falcons also want to improve their short-yardage attack. On 28 third- or fourth-and-one situations, they converted 21 times for a 75 percent success rate. Ideally, that percentage would be in the 90s.

With Ryan, last season’s No. 3 overall draft pick, the Falcons went against conventional wisdom and started him right away. Rookie quarterbacks have traditionally struggled, but on his first pass from scrimmage — a 62-yard touchdown pass to Michael Jenkins — Ryan served notice that things would be different.

Ryan went on to claim the Associated Press’ offensive rookie of the year award while taking nearly all of the snaps from center. His backups, Chris Redman and D.J. Shockley did not play a down.

“We as an organization are encouraged and feel like our quarterback situation is evolving every day, with every practice and every game,” Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff said. “We are fired up about going forward with the three (quarterbacks) that we have in place.”

The Falcons say they are not worried about how Ryan, who never played 21 games in a season, finished the year. They are excited about his upside.

“Matt is the type of person that will continue to come in here very early and leave late throughout the offseason to continue to refine his skills,” Dimitroff said. “He’ll continue to get a little bit stronger in all aspects of his physical makeup.”

Ryan said during the season that he relied on his work habits and film study to help him through the year.

“He’ll continue to study our opponents,” Dimitroff said. “We are just really fired up about his direction and his focus to continue to improve.”

Redman and Shockley, both under contract next season, also got an assist for aiding Ryan.

“Chris has been a very positive influence for Matt and has helped him in this whole schooling process,” Dimitroff said. “D.J. as well. He’s been able to have a fine and keen eye during the games. The three of them share a lot of information when [Matt] comes off the field.”

Turner, signed as a free agent from San Diego, displayed flashes of greatness in four years as LaDainian Tomlinson’s backup. However, no one was certain how he’d hold up under a heavy load.

Turner, like Ryan, got off to a hot start by rushing for a franchise-record 220 yards in the season opener against Detroit. He finished second in the league in rushing with 1,699 yards, 17 touchdowns and he led the lead with 44 broken tackles. Turner made his first trip to the Pro Bowl.

Behind Turner, backup running backs Jerious Norwood and Jason Snelling had solid seasons. While fullback Ovie Mughelli was used mostly as a blocker.

“We are obviously very happy with our running back group here,” Dimitroff said. “Those guys just all have a different dimension.

“We will continue to push to convert those thirds and fourths downs. It will be a focus. There’s no doubt in our mind, because as you know from the very beginning [head coach] Mike Smith and [offensive coordinator] Mike Mularkey have really stressed a strong, powerful and hard-nosed running game. That’s something that we want to take pride in going into the future. That will be a focus.”

The Falcons will continue looking to reshape their roster. The NFL Scouting Combine will be held Feb. 18-24 in Indianapolis. The free agency period starts Feb. 27.