Atlanta Falcons: The Offensive Line Must Gel Versus Skins
Conclusion
Last week’s game should definitely be taken with a grain of salt, as New York Jets Greg Robinson implored a multitude of exotic blitz schemes, in a game that no other team game plans for. He even sent a double cornerback blitz on the first play of the game.
Greg Robinson game plans for preseason games, in order to make himself look like a better coach than he is. Yet the Atlanta Falcons offensive line should have done a better job dealing with the pressure.
The Atlanta Falcons have loss six straight preseason dress rehearsals and 11 consecutive preseason games overall. Even though the games don’t count in the standings, those aren’t the types of losing streaks that a quality club like Atlanta wants to be associated with, or any club for that matter.
The Atlanta Falcons offensive line will be key to ending the losing streaks and the Atlanta Falcons becoming a true Super Bowl contender. Just to remind you, no team has ever went winless in the preseason and won the big game.
Sure Matt Ryan can play well with pressure. He has proven that time and time again. Most recently he proved that by completing 10/14 passes for 118 yards, while being under siege all night.
Ryan would have been 12/13 with a touchdown, if not for three dropped passes. Two of those passes were touchdowns dropped by wide receiver Justin Hardy and running back Brian Hill, on back to back plays in the same dive.
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Even though Matt Ryan plays well against pressure, he can pick any team apart if given proper time in the pocket to distribute the ball to his weapons. In order for the Atlanta Falcons offense to return to one of the leagues best and approach 2016 levels, it is imperative that Matt Ryan have a clean pocket more often than not.
It is also important that the team have balance with a solid rushing attack, led by the return of Devonta Freeman. With the money and resources the Atlanta Falcons have poured into the offensive line, the group must gel and play better as a whole. That starts against the Washington Redskins.
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