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Atlanta Falcons: Can Dan Quinn Fix the Team’s Problems?

By Jordan Jackson

PITTSBURGH, PA - OCTOBER 07: Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons fumbles the ball as he is hit by T.J. Watt #90 of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the fourth quarter during the game at Heinz Field on October 7, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - OCTOBER 07: Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons fumbles the ball as he is hit by T.J. Watt #90 of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the fourth quarter during the game at Heinz Field on October 7, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) /
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Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons Devonta Freeman Ryan Schraeder (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images) /

Offensive Line Issues

The offensive line has also been a problem area for the Dirty Birds. Wes Schweizer who was replaced at right guard by Brandon Fusco as a starter in the offseason, was forced back into starting lineup due to an injury to Andy Levitre. The Injury forced Schweizer to move to left guard.

The move to left guard has produced similar results for Schweizer as last season. Wes ranks 63 of 71 eligible guards with a PFF grade of 52.1.

Schweizer has actually been decent as a pass blocker, grading 70.7. It’s the run game that he has been totally ineffective in, grading 42.7. Conversely the Atlanta Falcons have struggled to run the football since their week two victory over the Carolina Panthers.

The Atlanta Falcons should strongly consider replacing Wes Schweizer with reserve guard Ben Garland, who is now healthy after being injured in the preseason.

Surprisingly right tackle Ryan Schraeder has been the weak link in pass protection. Schraeder ranks as the number 46th right tackle in the NFL with a PFF grade of 61.7. That grade is skewed by his run blocking grade being a solid 74.1.

Ryan Schraeder has really struggled in pass protection. His pass blocking grade is a paltry 51.3. That ranks Ryan as the 7th worse pass blocking tackle in the NFL.

This is shocking as Schraeder has had a pass blocking grade of at least 70 every year except his rookie year. Even then he had a pass blocking grade of 66.8, more than 15 points higher than this year.

The steep decline in Schraeder’s play has me wondering if he’s fighting injury. If he is injured the team would probably be better served playing veteran Ty Sambrailo, who was acquired from Denver prior to last season. Undrafted Rookie Matt Gono is also an option.

If he’s not injured then the Falcons coaches need to quickly find the error in his technique and correct it. Matt Ryan can’t continue to take beatings, like the six sack punishment that the Steelers doled out. He didn’t finish the game due to injury for the first time in years.

The Atlanta Falcons season is far from over. A one and four start will certainly be a challenge to recover from, but hope still lives. The most positive thing is that the Falcons will face teams in five consecutive games that currently have a losing record.

If they Falcons are to turn this season around it most start with a win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday.

In the meantime, Dan Quinn and General Manager Thomas Dimittroff must search the free agent pool and the trade market for guys who have experience in the same defensive scheme. Guys that Quinn can plug and play immediately.

Related Story. Falcons set for Uphill Battle. light

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