HBO is featuring perhaps the best team they have had on their long running series Hard Knocks. Coming off their worst season in years, the Atlanta Falcons look to bounce back and produce a typical 10+ win season in 2014.
Last season saw the Falcons get completely decimated by injuries. Defensively they lost several key starters and finished 31st in the league in rushing defense. Offensively, despite losing both of their pro bowl caliber WRs for much of the season, finishing dead last in the league in rushing, and playing behind the worst OL in the league, the Falcons still managed to finish 7th in the NFL in passing yardage thanks mostly to their brilliant QB Matt Ryan. This however could not counter the fact that they simply gave up too many points to the opposing team.
The Falcons went on the attack this offseason to address these issues, signing big Paul Soliai to anchor the interior DL in their 3-4 scheme, and spending their 1st round draft pick on offensive lineman Jake Matthews. Most of the focus was on the defense as the Falcons upgraded several positions in an effort to get stronger up front and more aggressive in the secondary. With the franchise QB in place and his star WRs returning to the lineup healthy along with LT Sam Baker and the addition of Matthews at RT, scoring points was not considered to be an issue the Falcons would have this season.
The defense has already suffered a major injury this offseason when starting LB Sean Weatherspoon was placed on IR and will miss the entire 2014 campaign. Weatherspoon has been the teams best LB and his absence will put more pressure on the shoulders of the revamped DL and the other LBs to improve upon last years performance. If the Falcons can improve on stopping the run and present a defense that is at least somewhat capable of holding opponents from scoring at will, look for the team to bounce back in a hurry and return to being a Super Bowl contender, lead by Matthew "Ice" Ryan.
Hard Knocks will premier on Tuesday Aug. 5 at 10pm ET. Dolphins fans should not miss this opportunity to see how a real QB goes about his craft and prepares for an NFL season.
Last season saw the Falcons get completely decimated by injuries. Defensively they lost several key starters and finished 31st in the league in rushing defense. Offensively, despite losing both of their pro bowl caliber WRs for much of the season, finishing dead last in the league in rushing, and playing behind the worst OL in the league, the Falcons still managed to finish 7th in the NFL in passing yardage thanks mostly to their brilliant QB Matt Ryan. This however could not counter the fact that they simply gave up too many points to the opposing team.
The Falcons went on the attack this offseason to address these issues, signing big Paul Soliai to anchor the interior DL in their 3-4 scheme, and spending their 1st round draft pick on offensive lineman Jake Matthews. Most of the focus was on the defense as the Falcons upgraded several positions in an effort to get stronger up front and more aggressive in the secondary. With the franchise QB in place and his star WRs returning to the lineup healthy along with LT Sam Baker and the addition of Matthews at RT, scoring points was not considered to be an issue the Falcons would have this season.
The defense has already suffered a major injury this offseason when starting LB Sean Weatherspoon was placed on IR and will miss the entire 2014 campaign. Weatherspoon has been the teams best LB and his absence will put more pressure on the shoulders of the revamped DL and the other LBs to improve upon last years performance. If the Falcons can improve on stopping the run and present a defense that is at least somewhat capable of holding opponents from scoring at will, look for the team to bounce back in a hurry and return to being a Super Bowl contender, lead by Matthew "Ice" Ryan.
Hard Knocks will premier on Tuesday Aug. 5 at 10pm ET. Dolphins fans should not miss this opportunity to see how a real QB goes about his craft and prepares for an NFL season.
