Quinn hopes to turn corner
Coach sees added talent for Year Two
A strong start last year made the second half of the season that much more painful to watch for Falcons fans. After winning the first five games, the Falcons lost eight of the last 11, including a six-game losing streak in November and December.
There were definite bright spots last season with Devonta Freeman storming onto the scene and seizing the starting running back job, but the lack of a second wide receiver and a mediocre defense meant the Falcons didn’t have the firepower they needed to win.
That second receiver was the first point addressed in the offseason by coach Dan Quinn and his staff. In what was considered a very weak free agent wide receiver class, Atlanta went out and got Mohamed Sanu from the Cincinnati Bengals. Sanu is thought of as a rising star, but hasn’t had much time to prove himself.
Sanu has begun impressing his teammates in workouts. He will be living in Julio Jones’ shadow, but Jones says he has been pleasantly surprised with the newcomer.
“He hit the ground running from Day One,” Jones says. “He’s been making great plays, great finishes. He’s very explosive, has great hands, and he’s going to be a great weapon for us.”
Dan Quinn is looking to expand on the culture he began putting in place in his first year. Quinn learned all about a winning culture when he was the Seattle Seahawks’ defensive coordinator in 2013-2014, and in his first season he brought with him a tough attitude and swagger. He now wants to bring that to the fan base.
“I hope that together, as we go together in creating an environ- ment, even at our home stadium that brings our fans and teams together like no other place,” Quinn said. “So loud that when opposing teams have to come there, that false starts are a factor and we’re getting in the quarterback’s head. Together, that’s what we are aiming for.”
Quinn has a few new weapons to work with on the defensive side — first-round pick and safety Keanu Neal and free agent linebacker Courtney Upshaw — and, after a strong start to 2015, has expectations the Falcons can figure out a way to compete in the tough NFC South.
QUARTERBACK
Matt Ryan had his lowest passer rating since 2009 after throwing 21 touchdown passes with 16 interceptions. Last season was Ryan’s first in Kyle Shanahan’s offense, and he didn’t have any effective receivers outside of Jones. With the emergence of Freeman as a top running back, Ryan should be able to improve his numbers with a more multifaceted offense. The Falcons signed veteran Matt Schaub to back up Ryan.
RUNNING BACK
Freeman entered last season as part of a split backfield along with Tevin Coleman, a rookie. When Coleman got injured Freeman took over and didn’t look back, ending with more than 1,600 yards from scrimmage and 14 total touchdowns. Coleman’s own big-play ability will get him carries, too.
WIDE RECEIVER
Jones was tied for most receptions in the league last season (136) and first in receiving yards (1,871). He didn’t have much support from Roddy White, who isn’t with the team in 2015, but Atlanta signed Sanu to a five-year contract to serve as the second receiver. Justin Hardy and Nick Williams could both have expanded roles in the offense.
TIGHT END
The Falcons spent a third-round pick on Austin Hooper out of Stanford as an insurance policy for Jacob Tamme who caught one touchdown last season after arriving from the Denver Broncos. Tamme, however, did have the most receiving yards (657) and second-most receptions (59) of his eight-year career. Hooper was the second tight end drafted, but his measurables are better than Tamme’s, and he’s a bigger target (6-4, 248 pounds) for Ryan.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Atlanta brought in the top center in the free agent class when they signed Alex Mack to a five-year contract. The offensive line had