New Look Dirty Birds

(@CalvinRidley1, Atlanta Falcons photo)

The Atlanta Falcons are a couple days away from starting their 2021 campaign. There is cautious optimism from the fanbase surrounding the team regarding how well the Falcons will do this year. There are those who think the Falcons will be a bottom 10 team and others who believe they will be battling for a playoff spot. The Falcons themselves haven't given a clear expectation this year either. Of course, the players are expecting to win, but the organization has sent mixed signals on if this is a rebuild or a win now team. We have seen teams be able to do both before in the past though. Terry Fontenot and Arthur Smith had been tasked with putting a roster together while being in salary cap hell. The Falcons are relying on many young players and improved coaching to fix some of the issues that have affected this team. In this article, I dive into the team, reviewing a bit of some preseason, looking at week one, and outlook on the season.

In the preseason, Arthur Smith didn't play many of his starters at all or even just a tiny bit. So you saw many 2nd and 3rd team guys playing the whole preseason, from the start of games to finish. With this, the Falcons didn't look great and had many up and down moments. Some fans wonder if that's a preview of how the team will look. For me, I believe after the preseason, you can't still tell what this team is going to look like. The guys like Matt Ryan, Calvin Ridley, Grady Jarrett, and Dion Jones basically didn't play. Those are four potential pro bowl level guys who didn't play. Not to mention other starters that didn’t play, so based on that, I don't know yet how this team will be under Smith.

The Preseason Recap

(Photo belongs to @AtlantaFalcons)

The Falcons did have competitions going on across the team, so let's start in the offensive line. Matt Hennessy looks to have secured the starting center position earlier than expected in some people's eyes, as he was one of the guys who didn't play with the starters. So that left the left guard spot, which was mainly between Josh Andrews, Jalen Mayfield and Drew Dalman. Andrews got hurt during the preseason and struggled when he did play. Drew Dalman played in the last preseason game and struggled as well. Mayfield, as a result, seems to be the projected starter at guard this Sunday. Mayfield was switching between guard and tackle and looked better at the guard spot. Now, being a rookie, he had his ups and downs which is to be expected. Mayfield is going to go through his growing pains, but the biggest thing the staff wants to see is consistency and improvement. Smith said the Mayfield is going to have to go though a "baptism" and so he is aware of the challenges the rookie faces. He and Hennessy have to hold down their spots on the line for the Falcons to have success. Ryan isn't the most mobile guy although he did undergo speed training this offseason. But if there is pressure up the middle of the line, Ryan and the offense will be in for a long season.

Then we go to the backup QB spot, which was also a huge topic of discussion for Falcons fans. AJ McMarron and Feleipe Franks were the two QBs fighting early for that spot to back up Ryan. AJ McMarron, unfortunately, suffered a torn ACL and will miss the season. Prior to that, he didn't look that great in the preseason when he played. Franks looked good as a runner but looked like he has more improvement to make as a thrower. It was a little concerning for fans if Ryan went down and saw the play we saw in the preseason with the QBs. The Falcons signed Josh Rosen who was cut by the 49ers right before the last preseason game. In the last preseason game, Rosen made an impression, made the team, and looks to be the team's QB2 after only being on the team for a couple weeks. Franks also made the roster so the Falcons will carry 3 QB's going into the season.

Now I want to touch on the defensive side of the ball. Jacob Tuitoti-Mariner looked good to me this preseason. He slimmed down and played well at times, which I'm sure made the Falcons feel slightly better about the other end spot. He seemed to take the teachings of the coaching staff and use it to the best of his abilities. Ta'Quan Graham also looked good, especially getting after the passer. He was actually known for more of his run stopping coming out, so seeing him flash when it comes to getting after the passer was a good sight. Then also, I have to say this because everyone is thinking it, MyKal Walker needs to somehow be on the field for the Falcons. He's too good not to be, and I truly believe he can break out this year if given the playing time. I hope Dean Pees has a plan for him on the defense. Lastly, the secondary seems to have been figured out for now. The starters will be AJ Terrell and Fabian Moreau at the corners. Then the safeties, Duron Harmon and Erik Harris with Riche Grant, I believe, will be playing in the Nickel and Dime packages with some 3 high safety looks. So don't worry Falcons fans, I believe Pees will try to get him out on the field as well in different ways.

(Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

Week One Preview

The Falcons play the Philadelphia Eagles in week one of the NFL season. The Eagles have been a thorn in the side of the Falcons in years past, but I actually believe this is a great week one matchup for the Falcons. This will help tell where the Falcons are in a few spots on the team. The first position matchup will be the O-line of the Falcons vs the Eagles D-line, which is still a strength of the Eagles. Fletcher Cox, Brandon Graham, Javon Hargrave, and Derek Barnett will come in here looking to get after Ryan. The Eagles have won the line of scrimmage in games past, and the Falcons need that to change. This will also help tell if we should be more confident in the O-line, especially the interior moving forward. If the O-line can hold up against the Eagles front, the Falcons I believe, have the advantage in the passing game against these Eagles secondary. The other matchup will be the Falcons defense against Jalen Hurts. Hurts is looking to show he's a franchise QB and is a dual-threat matchup. Pees likes to blitz and with Hurts being mobile, if the defense doesn't get home, Hurts will have room to run and make plays. So, seeing how the defense plays Hurts will be interesting to watch. And for anyone who is worried about Matt Ryan not playing in any preseason games, don't forget last season without a preseason, Ryan went 37-54, 450 yards, and 2TDs with one INT in week one last year. I know he's learning a new offense, but I believe he will be fine. Early at least, The Falcons open up as 3.5 favorites against the Eagles.

Season Outlook

Now, lets dive into the offense right now and what they need to do to be successful this season. I have talked about how the O-line has to be able to protect Matt Ryan, but also they have to have some kind of a running game. Mike Davis will lead the charge with Cordarrelle Patterson and newly signed Wayne Gallman. They are all soild backs who can pass protect and catch out of the backfield. They just need to be good enough to keep the defense honest but also to allow this offense to hit full gear especially with the Playaction, a stable of a Smith offense. The Falcons should be able to score points like they always have, so that will keep that in many games especially with the weapons they have. Ridley, Gage, Pitts, Hurst and Sharpe all should have impactful moments to me. I also believe Olamide Zaccheaus will have a breakout season as deep threat when Ryan wants to take shots down the field. Arthur Smith wasn't brought in to help this team score points or to fix a bad offense. He was brought in to help them situationally, help finish drives in the red zone, and close out games when the offense has a chance to. The execution will be key for this offense to maintain success and gets some wins to push towards to playoffs.

Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

The defense will be the side of the ball that will truly hold the success of this Falcons season in their hands. Questions will be asked: Can they get a pass rush? Can they stop teams in the red zone? Can they create turnovers? Can they hold on to leads? Dean Pees will be the man who has to put this defense in the best position to answer those questions. I think the Falcons defense has talent and potential to be better than what people expect. Pees will put these players in position to maximize all their talents. Jarrett, Jones, and Harmon have to the leaders of their respective position groups and get everyone in line to get the most of the defense too. AJ Terrell will also need to grow into that role as well while taking that next step as a number one corner in year 2. The linebackers are the strength of this team and will be flying around and used in different ways in this defense. I expect them to make a impact this year. Donte Fowler has to bounce back in his 2nd year with the team and help Grady, while also creating a pass rush along with the rest of the line. The secondary will be tested but this is also the group I think can make the most strides during the season with among of young talent the possess.

The Falcons, as I've said, have many questions about this season that won't be answered until the season kickoffs. Although, I will give a bit of some history on the Falcons last three new head coaches starting out (outside of Bobby P). Jim Mora Jr went 11-5 in his first year, Mike Smith went 11-5 in his first year, and Dan Quinn after going 8-8 in his first year, went 11-5 in his 2nd year and the team made a super bowl appearance. So, the team has had some success with new HC's early, and I don't see why Smith can't do the same thing. Smith has been brought in to reverse the fortunes of this franchise and get the bad taste of blown leads and inconsistent play out of the fans and players minds. This season is the first step in that direction, and Smith will be looked at very closely. The team seems to like and respect him so far, and some people like his attitude and what he's trying to instill in the team based on some videos we have watched and heard through training camp.

The Falcons may be one of the worst teams in some people's eyes but then again could battle for a playoff spot at the end. We don't know what this team will be until it's all said and done. There are seven spots now in the NFC to get into the playoffs and 1 extra game this season to get one extra win. The Falcons have talent and potential to be a good team this year. I expect Donte Fowler to have a bounce back season. I expect AJ Terrell to take that next step as a shutdown corner. I think the defense will be better than some people expect and even win the Falcons some games. I think we will see a change in this team throughout the season as coach Smith tries to get this team to be the way he envisions this team to be. The Falcons flying under the radar may be the best thing for this team. I wouldn't sleep on this Falcon's team. I am actually excited for this season, and I look forward to seeing how things play out. If you are a Falcon's fan, don't be afraid to get behind this team. This is a new regime with new goals and a mission. Your support will be important, and believing in this team may pay off with a better season than some people expect. The dirty birds are back.

I did a Falcons season preview show with Atlanta Falcons Features Reporter Kris Rhim : Atlanta Falcons Fan Show - Season Preview - YouTube

( Cover photo credit to Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)