NFL Spin Zone
Fansided

5 Things the Atlanta Falcons Must Do in 2016

By John Sarianides

Dec 20, 2015; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) slaps hands with head coach Dan Quinn (R) after scoring a touchdown in the second quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 20, 2015; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) slaps hands with head coach Dan Quinn (R) after scoring a touchdown in the second quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

After getting off to a 6-1 start last season, the Falcons imploded in the second half of the season and finished 8-8. Atlanta hopes to avoid a similar fate this season.

The Falcons looked like a Super Bowl contender in the early part of the 2015 season but many of the team’s flaws were exposed during the team’s second half collapse.

Related Story: Atlanta Falcons: Preseason Week 2 Takeaways

If head coach Dan Quinn and his coaching staff are going avoid a similar fate this season, they must get more out of their defense. On paper, Atlanta still has some holes defensively but they should be better defensively.

Offensively, the Falcons have the potential to be explosive but they need to find a replacement for Roddy White and the offensive line must do a better job of keeping Matt Ryan upright.

Here are five things the Falcons must do well in 2016.

Aug 18, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Mohamed Sanu (12) runs the ball as Cleveland Browns defensive back Jamar Taylor (27) defends during the first quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 18, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Mohamed Sanu (12) runs the ball as Cleveland Browns defensive back Jamar Taylor (27) defends during the first quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Replace Roddy: The Falcons signed veteran wide receiver Mohamed Sanu to replace Roddy White. Sanu is a dependable target with good hands but he isn’t a deep threat and he won’t attract coverage to take the pressure off of Julio Jones.

2. Get a More Consistent Pass Rush: The Falcons pass rush was abysmal last season. Atlanta finished last in the NFL in sacks with 19. Quinn isn’t a firm believer in bringing blitzes from all over the yard. He wants his front four to get consistent pressure. That means Vic Beasley and company need to get to the quarterback on a more consistent basis.

3. Get Tevin Coleman More Touches: Devonta Freeman had a breakout season in 2015 but the Falcons coaching staff wants to lessen his workload. Look for second year running back to get more touches this season. He is a bigger back and the ideal complement to Freeman in a time share.

4. Tight End Production: The Falcons got zero production out of the tight end position last season. Jacob Tamme was O.K but he’s not the long term answer. The Falcons drafted Austin Hooper in the third round of this year’s draft with the hope that he can develop into a starting tight end and be productive.

More nfl spin zone: Atlanta Falcons: The Bests…and the Worst in 2016

5. Finish Drives With Touchdowns: The Falcons finished seventh in the NFL in total offense but finished 21st in the league in scoring at 21.2 points per game. The Falcons moved the ball offensively but they didn’t finish drives with touchdowns. Given the state of the defense, Atlanta needs to score more points if they want to be competitive this season.

Home/Atlanta Falcons