Atlanta Falcons: Major Advantage on Special Teams

The Atlanta Falcons even after two consecutive losing seasons are still a pretty good football team in a couple of categories. We know about the elite aerial attack of QB Matt Ryan and company. Now the secondary seems like it’s bound to have a breakout year under first year Head Coach Dan Quinn. But what about the other phase of the game?

Though last year was a major disappoint for the Atlanta Falcons, one area the team improved drastically in was on special teams. Kicker Matt Bryant nearly made the Pro Bowl with his outstanding 2014 season. Even though he just turned 40 years of age, Bryant is in the Top 5 of all placekickers in the NFL. Cool and confident, the other Matty Ice is automatic inside of 50 yards and connects at an impressive 75% from long distance (50+) in his six-year tenure with the Atlanta Falcons.

-= Atlanta Falcons: 5 Players Primed For a Breakout in 2015 =-

Bringing in arguably the greatest kick returner to ever play football Devin Hester from the Chicago Bears in last year’s free agency period helping amplify Atlanta’s previously lackluster return game. His punt return for a touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Thursday Night Football in Week 3 was one of the best moments of the 2014 Season for Atlanta Falcons fans.

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Hester set an NFL record for most career return touchdowns, surpassing his idol and former Atlanta Falcon great CB/KR Deion Sanders while Prime Time was covering the game for the NFL Network. In what was a down season, it was the most magical moment of the Atlanta Falcons’ season as the Dirty Birds annihilated the Bucs at home on Week 3, 56-14.

Special Teams Coordinator Keith Armstrong is gradually becoming one of the best in the business. He was one of only three coaches to keep their job from the Mike Smith regime. WRs Coach Terry Robiskie and DL Coach Bryan Cox were the other two. Armstrong seems like he will transition to an NFL Head Coach in the next few seasons. Keith was one of seven candidates the Atlanta Falcons considered hiring before Dan Quinn ultimately won the job of Head Coach.

Armstrong gets the most out of his players and his passion for all four parts of special teams emanates throughout Flowery Branch. We’ve seen Punter Matt Bosher constantly improve since coming to Atlanta in the 6th Round of the 2011 NFL Draft. Bosher has a long career ahead of him as a punter, holder, and kickoff specialist.

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The Atlanta Falcons needed bite on special teams coverage so Keith Armstrong encouraged Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff and the old coaching regime to bring back Eric Weems and acquire Nate Stupar from the Jacksonville Jaguars last season. Both Weems and Stupar are terrific special teams players for the Atlanta Falcons. When they are not on the field, their presence and play-making ability is sorely missed.

Across the board, the Atlanta Falcons have one of the best special teams units in the entire National Football League. Even longsnapper Josh Harris receives recognition for his reliability and well-executed snaps. Rarely do you hear praise of a longsnapper but Josh Harris’ role on the Atlanta Falcons is ever so crucial in the kicking part of special teams.

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