Three Returning Falcons That Will Improve in Shanahan's Offense

Former Cleveland Browns OC Kyle Shanahan takes over a talented Atlanta Falcons offense in 2015 as part of new HC Dan Quinn’s revamped coaching staff. Shanahan brings with him an offense that thrives in the running game via a zone blocking scheme. It’s not will a running back get 1,000 yards in his offense, it’s whom. Kyle is the son of two-time Super Bowl winning head coach Mike Shanahan who’s dominant offensive line and work horse tailback Terrell Davis (Go Dawgs!) won John Elway a pair of Lombardi Trophies at the tail end of his illustrious Hall of Fame career. I’m excited to see what the new Falcons offense is capable of and I believe that these three returning offensive players will improve under Shanahan this fall.

Aug 8, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons offensive tackle Jake Matthews (70) shown on the bench against the Miami Dolphins during the second half at the Georgia Dome. The Falcons defeated the Dolphins 16-10. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

LT Jake Matthews

Matthews enters his second season in the NFL in a new offensive scheme that will emphasize his lateral quickness. If you remember Jake protected Johnny Manziel’s blind side at Texas A&M while Johnny Football scrambled all over the field to heave jump balls to Mike Evans between the hash marks. Manziel avoided being thrown like a rag doll in the backfield as his LT often held his own for six even seven seconds in pass protection. I believe that we will see massive improvement in Matthews’ game after a baptism-by-fire first season with the Falcons. If former offensive line coach Mike Tice taught Jake to play tough, Shanahan will teach Jake how to play quick. Then again all Jake has to do is call his dad, Hall of Fame LT Bruce Matthews if he needs help becoming the league’s next great LT.

RB Devonta Freeman

While rookie RB Tevin Coleman will split carries with Freeman in the Atlanta Falcons backfield, look for Devonta to have a breakout season for the Dirty Birds under new OC Kyle Shanahan. With a presumably more agile line blocking for him, the shifty FSU product can find ways to make linebackers miss and keep the chains moving for Matt Ryan’s offense. Getting the opportunity to learn how to better pass protect will go a long way in keeping Freeman on the field in key situations. Dan Quinn has mentioned that Freeman has better hands than he initially expected and could be a check-down threat for Matt Ryan in Shanahan’s new offensive scheme.

Three Returning Falcons That Will Improve in Shanahan’s Offense

By John Buhler | May 7, 2015