Schraeder flourished in new system

Falcons right tackle Ryan Schraeder was one of two holdovers on the starting offensive line.

He flourished in the new outside-zone blocking system, while starting all 16 games for the first time in his three-year career. Left tackle Jake Matthews was the other holdover on the revamped line.

He believes the offense can improve next season.

“Obviously, our struggles were with turnovers,” said Schraeder, who made the team as an undrafted player from Valdosta State. “There were some stretches where we had some issues moving the ball, but for most of the time I felt like we moved the ball well. We just hurt ourselves with turnovers. That’s just how the season went.”

The offense was on fire early in the season as it averaged 32.4 points while racing out to a 5-0 record.

“There were times when it felt like we couldn’t be stopped,” Schraeder said. “It was cool to get (the rushing attack) going because I hadn’t seen that in the two previous seasons that I was here. It was pretty good.”