The 2016 Atlanta Falcons Offseason Thread - Brought to you by Bird Brehs

[AVXL]

Big hasn't impressed me either, but our defense is about being a unit. If he plays his role(literally and figuratively) then we'll be fine. One band, one sound.



1. The one thing I take seriously in preseason as indicative of future success is level of drop-off from 1st to 3rd string. I think we're gonna be a pretty deep team that can withstand injuries and/or poor play by sending the next man up.

2. I think Quinn is really fukking around there right now. Might be him overestimating himself and his system, but it seems to me he's looking at individuals moreso than the whole unit. He's gonna know what guys can and cannot do and use them accordingly. I believe he's gonna try to put the best 11 players possible on the field every single play. Might not always work out(nothing ever does), but it gives me hope that this defense will be in the top third of the league next year.

3. If Matt can run Shanny's offense to some resemblance of effectiveness then I think this can be the best offense we have had in his career. Freeman is a consistent threat. Coleman and Robinson are potential gamebreakers. I've always been a fan of Sanu and he can be Roddy circa 2011-12 for us. Mack can snap the fukkin ball. OL as a whole the best we've had since 08. Julio da gawd. Matt is the X factor. He's never been a very smart QB on the field to me. His strength comes from knowing what he's doing before he does it and trusting himself. Going into year 2 of this complex, difficult offense, I think he will do less thinking and more playing, and we'll see him at his best.

I assume by Big you mean Vic? And I'm still concerned about him too...the coaches are trying to put him in positions to succeed and hes not winning right now. I'm not gonna label him b/c it's only been 1 yr for him and he's learning a new position on top of that, but we all need to see him play well. He got man handled against the Dolphins

On your 2nd point, the two things that DQ has harped on for the defense is getting to the QB and causing turnovers. This defense did a terrible job of both last yr. We'll see what they do this yr, but the results in preseason haven't been encouraging

As for #3 I agree for the most part. It's all there for Matt to have a great bounce back season. But he has to trust himself and stop overthinking it...that game vs MIA bothered me tho b/c his decision making looked tentative, he didn't step up in the pocket and of course the horrible decision in the end zone for the INT. If that's the version of Matt Ryan were getting this season, we'll be 5-11

 

[GhostMan]

Justin Hardy will be a problem this season.

 

[AVXL]

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Time to panic: Matt Ryan playing in week four of preseason
By Matthew Chambers  @FalconsM5 on Aug 26, 2016, 3:41p 252

Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Dan Quinn must be worried.

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The Atlanta Falcons fell apart in a historic fashion last season thanks in large part to a bad offense. They spent heavily on offense during the offseason. They made Alex Mack the highest paid center in the league and paid Mohamed Sanu a big sum of money considering his limited career success.

Then during the regular season dress rehearsal the offense was terrible. The entire starting offense was slow, conservative, and no one appeared to be on the same page. Another repeat of last season.

Now eight-year veteran Matt Ryan will play in weak four of preseason, a job usually reserved for players still fighting for a roster spot. Oof.



This could mean Ryan will take one snap, hand off the ball, then hit the bench. It happened last year. However, this announcement feels more like Quinn is feeling some pressure. The highly paid starting offense could not move the ball against Miami's highly suspect secondary. Then fans were able to watch Adam Gase's no-huddle offense effortlessly move down the field, just a week after the Cleveland Browns did the same thing.

SMH at it coming to Matt having to play b/c he can't get his act together

 

[The ADD]

SMH at it coming to Matt having to play b/c he can't get his act together

 

[AVXL]

What you think?

I don't really see the benefit of him playing especially with seeing Bridgewater going down in Minny today.

Him going 6 for 6 against backup doesn't make me feel better about where he or this offense is going into the season

 

[The ADD]

Nope, sit him and get ready for Tampon Bay

What you think?

I don't really see the benefit of him playing especially with seeing Bridgewater going down in Minny today.

Him going 6 for 6 against backup doesn't make me feel better about where he or this offense is going into the season

 

[keond]

What you think?

I don't really see the benefit of him playing especially with seeing Bridgewater going down in Minny today.

Him going 6 for 6 against backup doesn't make me feel better about where he or this offense is going into the season

Them cacs on Atlantafalcons.com is in full blown apology mode. Every mistake he makes is either Shanahan or another Falcons fault. They really think Ryan is a victim.

 

[AVXL]

Them cacs on Atlantafalcons.com is in full blown apology mode. Every mistake he makes is either Shanahan or another Falcons fault. They really think Ryan is a victim.

He's run out of excuses IMO. It's year 2 of this offense, he's had two whole off seasons to learn this offense. And b/c he's so corporate and bland he's unwilling to really say what's bothering him publicly so we don't know what's really going on

In my mind Ryan is the biggest X-Factor for the squad this season...if he plays like he did last yr this team isn't good enough to be better than average

 

[keond]

He's run out of excuses IMO. It's year 2 of this offense, he's had two whole off seasons to learn this offense. And b/c he's so corporate and bland he's unwilling to really say what's bothering him publicly so we don't know what's really going on

In my mind Ryan is the biggest X-Factor for the squad this season...if he plays like he did last yr this team isn't good enough to be better than average

My problem is they are acting like Shanahans offense is some complex brain numbing system. Matt aint a rookie. He is creeping up on 32. Dirk Koetter and other Oc's have dumbed down their systems to make up for Matt Ryans shortcomings.


I still think we can win with the man, but the window is closing. This year is show and prove. Might be time for a fresh start for both parties. He could have a Rich Gannon type of renaissance. But it might not happen here.

 

[AVXL]

My problem is they are acting like Shanahans offense is some complex brain numbing system. Matt aint a rookie. He is creeping up on 32. Dirk Koetter and other Oc's have dumbed down their systems to make up for Matt Ryans shortcomings.


I still think we can win with the man, but the window is closing. This year is show and prove. Might be time for a fresh start for both parties. He could have a Rich Gannon type of renaissance. But it might not happen here.

Because of the fact that we have a new stadium opening next yr and Blank has already had trouble selling PSL's I doubt you see Matt go anywhere no matter how bad it gets. I do think there is a scenario where Shanny gets fired or replaced if this offense goes south quickly

What's interesting is that Arthur has called Matt out recently, this was earlier this month in training camp

"Matt worked really hard this offseason on his own technique," Blank said Thursday following practice. "He had a good year last year in many ways -- over 65 percent completions, over 4,000 yards. But the amount of turnovers that he had were not acceptable to him -- most importantly -- or the club, or our fans, or anybody. Some of that is due to new scheme, communication. Some of that is we had receivers not always in the right spots. So there’s a variety of things. ... Some of it was bad judgment on his part, and he would be the first to tell you that and has told you that."

That critique is a bit harsher than most owners make of their franchise QB (even if it's true). shyts gonna get real spooky if we start out 2-4 and this team looks like a bust and Matt continues to make dumb decision after dumb decision

 

[Georgiamuscle]

Because of the fact that we have a new stadium opening next yr and Blank has already had trouble selling PSL's I doubt you see Matt go anywhere no matter how bad it gets. I do think there is a scenario where Shanny gets fired or replaced if this offense goes south quickly

What's interesting is that Arthur has called Matt out recently, this was earlier this month in training camp



That critique is a bit harsher than most owners make of their franchise QB (even if it's true). shyts gonna get real spooky if we start out 2-4 and this team looks like a bust and Matt continues to make dumb decision after dumb decision

This season is a test on whether Ryan is going to be the man to open the new stadium or not. Quinn is probably tired of the same old crap from Ryan. He stares down receivers, he can't throw down the field, and he's gets antsy and makes mistakes under pressure. He knows he is at risk of getting fired if we have another terrible season. I believe Beasley will be fine but he more than likely will not be a star.

I believe all of our games are winnable and we could at least go 12-4, but it will rest on Ryan's decision-making and the young guys development.

 

[AVXL]

This season is a test on whether Ryan is going to be the man to open the new stadium or not. Quinn is probably tired of the same old crap from Ryan. He stares down receivers, he can't throw down the field, and he's gets antsy and makes mistakes under pressure. He knows he is at risk of getting fired if we have another terrible season. I believe Beasley will be fine but he more than likely will not be a star.

I believe all of our games are winnable and we could at least go 12-4, but it will rest on Ryan's decision-making and the young guys development.

Maybe you and I are looking at two different schedules breh. This Falcons team would do well to win 9 games vs this schedule, I don't think they're capable of winning 12 games this season no matter what happens

As for Matt, he's not going anywhere. Not after this season at least. If Matt has a WOAT level season again it makes his future in Atlanta murky after 2017, but y'all gotta look at the business side of opening this stadium. For as unpopular as Matt is now he still has a very loyal fanbase that supports him. That loyal fanbase buys PSL's and season tickets. If any QB other than Matt Ryan is opening the season in 2017 for the Falcons things have gone terribly wrong.

 

[Georgiamuscle]

Maybe you and I are looking at two different schedules breh. This Falcons team would do well to win 9 games vs this schedule, I don't think they're capable of winning 12 games this season no matter what happens

As for Matt, he's not going anywhere. Not after this season at least. If Matt has a WOAT level season again it makes his future in Atlanta murky after 2017, but y'all gotta look at the business side of opening this stadium. For as unpopular as Matt is now he still has a very loyal fanbase that supports him. That loyal fanbase buys PSL's and season tickets. If any QB other than Matt Ryan is opening the season in 2017 for the Falcons things have gone terribly wrong.

It's a very tough schedule and I agree we could go 3-13 as well but I believe if things get clicking we'll be fine. I don't predict us winning more than 5 but I'm not going to rule it out. Did anyone see Carolina going 15-1? Or Denver to make it after Peyton got benched? I believe anybody can win any given Sunday. We can compete but it all rests on Ryan's shoulders.

If Ryan shyts up the season, I believe Quinn will want to get his own QB and get Shanahan out of there. He can't survive too many more losing seasons waiting on a 32 year old to change his bad habits.

 

[AVXL]

It's a very tough schedule and I agree we could go 3-13 as well but I believe if things get clicking we'll be fine. I don't predict us winning more than 5 but I'm not going to rule it out. Did anyone see Carolina going 15-1? Or Denver to make it after Peyton got benched? I believe anybody can win any given Sunday. We can compete but it all rests on Ryan's shoulders.

If Ryan shyts up the season, I believe Quinn will want to get his own QB and get Shanahan out of there. He can't survive too many more losing seasons waiting on a 32 year old to change his bad habits.

Sure anything can happen. We've seen it time and time before. My expectation is 8-8, with enough lucky breaks we could better that, but the team I've seen this season is more 6-10/7-9

DQ may want to get his own QB if Matt is terrible again, but I think the first move would be a new OC AND new GM. Blank isn't looking to move on from a $100 million dollar contract not even 4 years after he gave it, DQ doesn't have the pull to get rid of Matt...I still don't know if he can be a successful head coach or not

 

[Georgiamuscle]

Sure anything can happen. We've seen it time and time before. My expectation is 8-8, with enough lucky breaks we could better that, but the team I've seen this season is more 6-10/7-9

DQ may want to get his own QB if Matt is terrible again, but I think the first move would be a new OC AND new GM. Blank isn't looking to move on from a $100 million dollar contract not even 4 years after he gave it, DQ doesn't have the pull to get rid of Matt...I still don't know if he can be a successful head coach or not

Yeah I know that contract is still an issue, but Artie has to be at his limit with Matt. I believe Quinn can win with the right personnel. I don't know how Blank feels about 4-5 years straight of missing the playoffs. He has to get people excited to come to the new stadium. Nobody will be excited to see Matt Ryan serve up picks and waste Julio and Devanta's best years with multiple 6-10 and 7-9 seasons. Season ticket holders are reluctant to buy every year due to inconsistent play. That has to be addressed.