(Part one of two parts)
The Falcons stumbled badly on the offense and went 8-8 last season. Under first-year coach Dan Quinn, the Falcons missed the playoffs for the third consecutive season.
The franchise tried to address several of their deficiencies this offseason through free agency, the draft and self-improvement.
Now, with the offseason program completed, here’s a look at the 89-man roster heading into next month’s training camp.
Today, we look at the offense:
Quarterbacks — Matt Ryan, Matt Schaub, Sean Renfree and Matt Simms
Matt Ryan is determined to have a bounce-back season.
Ryan has spent a great deal of his time trying to master the footwork in the outside-zone scheme. He believes that he can fix the mis-steps that led to a spike in interceptions last season.
Also, having a veteran center Alex Mack should help immensely with the ball handling.
The Falcons will enter camp with three players behind Ryan in Schaub, Renfree and Simms.
Schaub was signed in the offseason. The former Falcon played and flourished in this offense while with the Houston Texans from 2007 to 2013.
Schaub had one of his best seasons as a pro under offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan while with the Houston Texans in 2009.
“It’s great to have Matt Schaub back,” Ryan said. “His experience, a guy who’s been here in Atlanta before, it’s fun to be a part of that. He’s a guy who can really help me.”
Schaub, 34, who was selected by the Falcons in the third-round (90th overall) of the 2004 draft, has played in 141 games and made 92 starts. The former Virginia star posted a 47-45 record as a starter.
Running backs — Devonta Freeman, Tevin Coleman, Terron Ward, Gus Johnson, Brandon Wilds. Full backs — Patrick DiMarco and Will Ratelle.
The Falcons’ focused on their rushing attack. While Devonta Freeman had a 1,000-yard season, the attack was not very potent over the long haul.
That explains why the Falcons plan to use both Freeman and Tevin Coleman, who must improve his ball-security and stay healthy.
“His attitude is still good along with Freeman,” running backs coach Bobby Turner said. “They are pushing each other. We want those guys competing and they are doing that.”
The Falcons averaged 100.4 yards rushing per game last season, which ranked 19th (bottom half of 32 teams) in the NFL. The Falcons averaged just 3.82 yards per rush, which ranked 25th. The Bills led the league with 152 yards rushing per game and at 4.78 yards per carry.
Terron Ward made the team as an undrafted free agent last season. He had 29 carries for 95 yards and one touchdown. He’ll have to beat Gus Johnson and Brandon Wills to retain his roster spot.
Patrick DiMarco had a breakthrough season and earned a trip to the Pro Bowl as an alternate.
Wide receivers — Julio Jones, Mohamed Sanu, Justin Hardy, Aldrick Robinson, Devin Hester, Devin Fuller, Jordan Leslie, Eric Weems, Nick Williams, J.D. McKissic, Daje Johnson and David Glidden.
All-Pro Julio Jones had already taken over as the team’s No. 1 wide receiver, but in 2016 he must fill the leadership vacuum created by the release of Roddy White, the franchise’s all-time leading receiver.
“Now, for the younger guys, I’m the guy to look up to and I’m willing to teach guys,” Jones said. “I learned a lot from Roddy about being a great teammate, about bringing other guys, the young guys, with you and showing them the right way to go out there and play the game of football.”
The Falcons replaced White by signing Sanu in free agency. He caught 61 percent (152 of 249) of his targets in four seasons with the Bengals. He has amassed 1,793 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Justin Hardy, a second-year player from East Carolina, and Aldrick Robinson have the inside tracks for the No. 3 and No. 4 wide receiver slots.
Special teamer Eric Weems is back while returner Devin Hester is trying to make it back from offseason toe/foot surgery.
“Those guys have the standard of how we want to play and how we want to block,” assistant head coach/wide receiver Raheem Morris said. “We want to go out there to out-run people, out-think people and out-compete people.”
Tight ends — Jacob Tamme, Levine Toilolo, Austin Hooper, D.J. Tialavea and Joshua Perkin
Tamme, who’s headed into his eighth season in the league, had his second most productive season in the NFL in 2015.
Tamme caught 59 passes on 81 targets. In 2010, while playing for the Indianapolis Colts he caught 67 passes on 93 targets.
“I really feel like my best years are still in front of me,” Tamme said.
Tamme appears to be the Falcons tight end for 2016, while they get third-round pick Hooper ready for the long-haul. The Falcons have high hopes for Hooper.
“We really liked his route-running ability,” Shanahan said.
Toilolo was one of the unsung stars of the team’s rushing attack last season as a blocking tight end.
Offensive line: Tackles — Jake Matthews, Ryan Schraeder, Tom Compton, Bryce Harris and Laurence Gibson. Guards — Andy Levitre, Mike Person, Chris Chester, Mike Person, Wes Schweitzer, Shabaz Ahmed, Collin Rahrig and Michael Huey. Centers — Alex Mack, Ben Garland and Jake Reed.
Falcons offensive line coach Chris Morgan believes the unit can improve after a strong 2015 season.
Morgan, who’s assisted by Keith Carter, made the rushing attack more potent after ranking 24th in the NFL while averaging 93.6 yards per game in 2014. The Falcons averaged 100.4 yards per game and jumped five spots to 19th.
The offensive line, which gave up 32 sacks and 89 quarterback hits, paved the way for Freeman to rush for 1,056 yards and 11 rushing touchdowns.
The likely starting line heading into to training camp will feature left tackle Matthews, left guard Levitre, center Mack, right guard Person or Chester and right tackle Schraeder.
The Falcons drafted Schweizter, as a developmental interior player, in the sixth-round (195th overall).
Mack was signed in free agency to a five-year, $47.5 million contract. He’s expect to add some moxie to the line.
“Alex brings a lot of experience,” Morgan said. “He’s played a lot of ball. He brings toughness. He’s a really smart and vocal guy.”
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