Fansided

Which NFL bottom feeders are primed for a turn around?

By Andrew Garda

Dec 28, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) on the sideline against the Carolina Panthers at the Georgia Dome. The Panthers defeated the Falcons 34-3. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 28, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) on the sideline against the Carolina Panthers at the Georgia Dome. The Panthers defeated the Falcons 34-3. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 3, 2015; Flowery Branch, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons new head coach Dan Quinn speaks to the media at a press conference at the Falcons Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 3, 2015; Flowery Branch, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons new head coach Dan Quinn speaks to the media at a press conference at the Falcons Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /

Atlanta Falcons

2014 record: 6-10

1st 2015 NFL Draft pick: No. 8 overall

Key Free Agency Acquisitions: Adrian Clayborn, Brooks Reed, O’Brien Schofeld

Turnaround in 2015? Yes

A year after shifting to a 3-4 Base defense, I think we’re going to see the Atlanta Falcons head the other way back to the 4-3 they ran for most of Mike Smith’s tenure. Mind you. They really play a ‘multiple’ defense, or a ‘hybrid’ so expect to see all sorts of nonsense.

But the base will be four linemen and three linebackers.

Ra’Shede Hageman will be a key piece to the front seven and will have to step up in a big way his second season, but he needs more help. Tyson Jackson and Paul Soliai were supposed to be impact players last season, but fell a bit flat. Adding Adrian Clayborn should help the line overall, and he should be 100 percent after missing almost the entire 2014 season with a torn bicep. He had 5.5 sacks the year before, so there should be some production, though Clayborn has never put up monster sack numbers. The linebackers were all OK last season, but not great.

In other words, this front seven is adequate and I expect them to add to it in the draft, likely with a high-end pass rusher with that No. 9 pick.

The offense is largely set. Roddy White is aging but still can produce a little and the offense added Leonard Hankerson who, while not exactly a beast in Washington, should be solid as a No. 2/3 type receiver. Of course, you have Julio Jones and Matt Ryan, which means you’ll always be OK overall.

Add in some decent running backs and an offensive line which should be improving with Jake Matthews full time on the left and Sam Baker relegated to backup.

Much like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Falcons face a division which is not in great shape. The Carolina Panthers won by default last season, and without Greg Hardy their defense may struggle. You also have to wonder how they address the offensive line issues they have.

The New Orleans Saints had a fire sale this offseason and something about the way that team looks makes me wonder if they are about to collapse. If Rob Ryan has another terrible year as defensive coordinator this team will struggle as they cannot merely rely on Drew Brees and company, especially minus Jimmy Graham.

Atlanta has talent—it just needs to show up on Sundays. This is a team which can very likely hammer the rest of its division and look far better than they have in the last two years in short order.

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