Atlanta Falcons Three Biggest Team Strengths in 2015

The 2015 Atlanta Falcons are looking to get back into the NFC Playoffs after missing out on them the last two seasons.  As underwhelming as it has been for the Dirty Birds in 2013-14, there are several aspects of the game the Atlanta Falcons do well.  Coach Quinn preaches using a guy in ways to best use his skill set, putting him in places to succeed so to speak.  In the new Falcons era of perpetual improvement, here are three areas of the game I see as strengths for this football club in 2015.

Passing Game

The Atlanta Falcons passing game is the team’s greatest strength.  Matt Ryan is universally a top ten quarterback, Julio Jones is about to make some serious money as one of the League’s best receivers, and Roddy White will certainly have his name in the Falcons Ring of Honor, possibly a Canton enshrinement, in the not so distant future as a highly productive WR for the Atlanta Falcons.  Atlanta has improved at TE with the free agent acquisitions of Jacob Tamme and Tony Moeaki to go along with Levine Toilolo.

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Outside of Jones and White, the Falcons have solid depth at receivers 3-5: Leonard Hankerson, rookie Justin Hardy, and Devin Hester.  Even Devonta Freeman and rookie Tevin Coleman are known to receive checkdowns well out of the backfield.  If the offensive line can do a better job of keeping accurate passer Matt Ryan upright in 2015, Atlanta might have one of the league’s most explosive offenses this fall in large part to its elite passing attack.

Nov 30, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons linebacker Nate Stupar (52) runs on the field before a game against the Arizona Cardinals at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Special Teams

The often overlooked third phase of the game is an area where the Falcons shine.  Under ST Coordinator Keith Armstrong, the Falcons play with passion in these plays predicated on change of possession.  The Atlanta Front Office made some terrific moves last season to bolster its special teams.  Perennial All-Pro return specialist Devin Hester instantly gave the Falcons credibility on punt and kick returns.  Just his mere presence on the field during special teams challenged the opponent to think critically about ball placement.  One miscalculated kick and Devin Hester takes the ball to the house for the Dirty Birds.

Matt Bryant should have made the Pro Bowl last year, or at least he was good enough to receive an invitation.  The other Matty Ice almost always makes the big kick in clutch situations for the Falcons.  He was responsible for one of my favorite Falcons moments with that game-winning 50-yd field goal to beat the hated New Orleans Saints in Week 1.  I’m grateful for the former Baylor Bear’s game as our placekicker.  Who knows how bad things could have gotten in 2013-14 with Billy Cundiff as our kicker.

The front office also made smart decisions to bring in Nate Stupar from Jacksonville and reclaim Eric Weems from free agency.  Both are great career special teamers and though their play on ST don’t show up on the stat sheet, I can feel their intensity when they are on the field.  That on-field leadership of theirs was an igniting impetus for the Atlanta Falcons improvement in special teams in 2014.  With Armstrong still on the Atlanta staff and Quinn’s wish to play fast and physical, I envision the Falcons special teams game to only improve in 2015.

Nov 9, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; Atlanta Falcons cornerback Desmond Trufant (21) and cornerback Robert Alford (23) talk against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Atlanta Falcons defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 27-17. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Cornerbacks

While Atlanta had the worst pass defense in the NFL last season, I still really liked our cornerbacks.  Desmond Trufant is well on his way to becoming an elite cover corner.  I expect him to make his first Pro Bowl in Year Three.  The second round selection of Jalen Collins out of LSU was a sneaky-good draft choice by the Falcons in early May.  Quinn sees Collins as a Richard Sherman-type of corner for the Falcons, a big defensive back who is physical and rarely gets burned.  Before halfway through the 2015 Season, Collins will start opposite of Trufant in the Atlanta secondary.

Just because of Collins’ arrival doesn’t mean that I still don’t like Robert Alford.  I love his ballhawking abilities and his overall aggressiveness.  He might be too risk-reward to play in a base package, but I can see him thriving as the Falcons nickelback in passing situations.  In his new role, I can see Alford making five interceptions in 2015.  Having a young and talented cornerback trio of Trufant, Alford, and Collins bodes well for Coach Quinn and Pass Defense Coordinator Raheem Morris.  Our cornerbacks will be the focal point of getting the Atlanta defense back to competitiveness in 2015.