OTAs: 5 areas the Falcons sought to upgrade

[FalconsSavant]

With the Falcons set to open organized team activities Tuesday, the team has spent considerable resources on improving its leaky pass defense and fortifying the offense along the line and at wide receiver.

Here's a look at the five areas the Falcons attempted to upgrade and what they've done to address their concerns:

1. Cornerback: The defense ranked 28th against the pass last season and gave up 55 plays of 20 yards or more, which was 27th in the league. Only Cleveland, Tennessee, Miami, Oakland and St. Louis gave up more. Addressing their cornerbacks, the Falcons traded Chris Houston and signed free agent Dunta Robinson to a six-year $57.5-million contract. Brian Williams was re-signed and they drafted Dominique Franks in the fifth round. The team also hired Tim Lewis as secondary coach.

2. Linebackers: The position contributed to pass coverage shortcomings when the team went to zone coverage and linebackers could not consistently disrupt the short routes underneath. All of the starters return, but the team used its first-round pick to select Sean Weatherspoon, who has been working out at both outside linebacker positions. He excelled in pass coverage while at Missouri in the pass-happy Big 12.

3. Defensive tackle: The defensive front needed to be fortified up the middle. A meek rush didn't help pass coverage. The Falcons recorded 11 of their 28 sacks on first down (tied for 13 in the league), five on second down (tied for 27th) and 12 on third down (21st), according to Stats Pass. While fans focused on the defensive ends, the coaches insisted that the rush needed to be improved up the middle. The team is hoping for the healthy return of defensive tackle Peria Jerry (knee surgery). The Falcons also selected defensive tackle Corey Peters in the third round. Defensive end Jamaal Anderson will get a shot to play tackle in passing situations.

4. Interior offensive line: The Falcons wanted to get some young depth for the center and guard positions. Right guard Harvey Dahl was injured last season and missed five starts. Center Todd McClure has started 128 consecutive games, but isn't going to play forever. To help, the Falcons drafted Alabama guard Mike Johnson in the third round and UNLV's Joe Hawley, a center/guard, in the fourth round. Johnson lined up at left guard and Hawley at center during the team's minicamps.

5. Wide receiver: The unit was among the best in the league last season in catching the ball. Of the 353 catchable passes thrown, Falcons wide-outs dropped only 21 or 5.9 percent, which was 5th best in league behind Houston (4.8), New Orleans (5.3), Arizona (5.5) and Chicago (5.6). However, the team is clearly not comfortable with the depth behind starters Roddy White and Michael Jenkins. The Falcons re-signed Brian Finneran and are hoping for the return of Harry Douglas (knee surgery). The team also drafted Kerry Meier in the fifth round and signed some promising college free agents in Brandyn Harvey and Ryan Wolfe.

http://www.ajc.com/sports/atlanta-falcons/otas-5-areas-the-534223.html

[gazoo]

"Johnson lined up at left guard"

Yep.....I had a bunch of posters arguing with me that Dahl was going to be replaced by Johnson because he was the problem and Blalock was infinitely better than him.

Yet, when the dust settles, we see Johnson lining up in Blalocks spot....things that make you go hmmmm. Blalock better get his AZZ in gear and get a mean streak or he's going to lose his starting spot to Johnson. If Dahls injuries continue you could see Johnson over there but otherwise Blalockis in the crosshairs.

[vabchbirdlover]

"Johnson lined up at left guard"

Yep.....I had a bunch of posters arguing with me that Dahl was going to be replaced by Johnson because he was the problem and Blalock was infinitely better than him.

Yet, when the dust settles, we see Johnson lining up in Blalocks spot....things that make you go hmmmm. Blalock better get his AZZ in gear and get a mean streak or he's going to lose his starting spot to Johnson. If Dahls injuries continue you could see Johnson over there but otherwise Blalockis in the crosshairs.

Absolutely, IMHO, Blalock is the weak link on the the O-line. M. Johnson replaces him

next year, if not this one.

[Eight Track]

"However, the team is clearly not comfortable with the depth behind starters Roddy White and Michael Jenkins."

Competition for the remaining WR positions will be worth watching.

[capologist]

Or could it simply be that left guard is where he lined up in college and it's a hard enough transition from college to the NFL without complicating it by a move to the other side of the line where techniques are different?

Bottom line, I really don't care who starts as long as it's the best possible unit that gets us wins. If I'm right, great. If not, that's great too and I'll learn from it. I have no use for "I told you so's or self high fives"...

[muskokas finest ©]

"Johnson lined up at left guard"

Yep.....I had a bunch of posters arguing with me that Dahl was going to be replaced by Johnson because he was the problem and Blalock was infinitely better than him.

Yet, when the dust settles, we see Johnson lining up in Blalocks spot....things that make you go hmmmm. Blalock better get his AZZ in gear and get a mean streak or he's going to lose his starting spot to Johnson. If Dahls injuries continue you could see Johnson over there but otherwise Blalockis in the crosshairs.

I wouldn't read that into it. Johnson played a lot of LG at Alabama, so it is only natural that he debuts there in the NFL. Dahl missing so much time last season suggests he needs the reps more than Blalock. As well, Blalock, like Dahl, is in a contract year.

[Da_Truth]

It's OTAs and that's where we begin to groom our backups. Maybe a couple of them will take starting spots? Who knows...only time will tell.

[Peyton]

I think the Falcons offense would click a lot better if they replaced Jenkins with a guy who is a more fluid route runner. I think it holds the team down to have a guy with such mediocre production when the guy is facing single coverage on every play of his life.

Edited May 25, 2010 by Peyton

[delaigle]

I think the Falcons offense would click a lot better if they replaced Jenkins with a guy who is a more fluid route runner. I think it holds the team down to have a guy with such mediocre production when the guy is facing single coverage on every play of his life.

I've wondered and I've done quite a bit of comparison to other #2 WRs and to othe #3 options

and I just have not convienced myself of anything. Jenkins is in the middle of the entire pack of #2 WRs,any wya you look, # receptions, total yards, etc. The only place that he fall near the bottom is in TDs. (and I wonder about why that is - could be him -could be OC scheme)

When you look a Jenkins as the #3 option (which he is) he fairs somewhat better.

I have also wondered if other WRs would do better in his place but there are only 4 #2 WR in the league

that average 4 catches a game or better

Moss 83

Holmes 79

Jennings68

Boldin 85

(Jenkins is already in the group that averages 3 or more catches a game)

so to upgrade to one of those 4 would be quite expensive, and I beleive that Mularkey would have to change his scheme (order of QB progression) to make the #2WR the #2 option for one of those 4 to do better than (a Jenkins group) WR.

Edited May 25, 2010 by delaigle

[Dominique is Manufique]

"Johnson lined up at left guard"

Yep.....I had a bunch of posters arguing with me that Dahl was going to be replaced by Johnson because he was the problem and Blalock was infinitely better than him.

Yet, when the dust settles, we see Johnson lining up in Blalocks spot....things that make you go hmmmm. Blalock better get his AZZ in gear and get a mean streak or he's going to lose his starting spot to Johnson. If Dahls injuries continue you could see Johnson over there but otherwise Blalockis in the crosshairs.

where in this article does it say that? i only saw: johnson lined up at left guard and hawley at center. does that now mean blalock and mcclure are not starting? no.

[Mr Pickle1]

I think the Falcons offense would click a lot better if they replaced Jenkins with a guy who is a more fluid route runner. I think it holds the team down to have a guy with such mediocre production when the guy is facing single coverage on every play of his life.

I agree, and yet the Falcons seem to be floating the notion that "for this offense" he does what he needs to do. It makes our O seem simplistic and not attack oriented. Why waste a position? Get someone out there who can block AND be a threat in the passing game. Our O got shut down way too much last year.

[Drathdon]

I think that the WR roster could go any one of 6 ways, so that competition is really worth scrutiny, and will be a tough call for Mike and staff. Excited at the possibilities.

[Peyton]

I think that the WR roster could go any one of 6 ways, so that competition is really worth scrutiny, and will be a tough call for Mike and staff. Excited at the possibilities.

Yeah, I think the Falcons have several good number #3 recievers. I just don't know if they have a number #2.

[Porkins]

Bottom line, I really don't care who starts as long as it's the best possible unit that gets us wins. If I'm right, great. If not, that's great too and I'll learn from it. I have no use for "I told you so's or self high fives"...

Yup.

[Peyton]

I agree, and yet the Falcons seem to be floating the notion that "for this offense" he does what he needs to do. It makes our O seem simplistic and not attack oriented. Why waste a position? Get someone out there who can block AND be a threat in the passing game. Our O got shut down way too much last year.

That stuff about hime doing his job "for this offense" is....well.......garbage. His mediocrity in last year's offense was made worse by the injury to Douglas, because the Falcons needed more from him than in 08 and got less. When considering his role in "this offense", let's consider a couple of things.

1. The Falcons were 7th in the NFL in pass attempts last year.

2. The Falcons throw very few passes to running backs in comparison to most teams, they hardly ever throw screens.

3. Most teams get 60-75 receptions from recievers 3-5. Last year the Falcons got 33.

4. Matt Ryan led the league in passes thrown away last year by a country mile. Somebody isn't getting open. Who you going to blame? Roddy, Gonzo? Maybe Ryan is to blame, but I am going to put it on the guy who has single coverage on every play.

Bottom line - this team needs more production from the number #2 receiver, unless it is going to have 3rd and 4th recievers with 30-40 catches each. That seems unlikely considering the sets the Falcons run.

[Joremarid]

"Johnson lined up at left guard"

Yep.....I had a bunch of posters arguing with me that Dahl was going to be replaced by Johnson because he was the problem and Blalock was infinitely better than him.

Yet, when the dust settles, we see Johnson lining up in Blalocks spot....things that make you go hmmmm. Blalock better get his AZZ in gear and get a mean streak or he's going to lose his starting spot to Johnson. If Dahls injuries continue you could see Johnson over there but otherwise Blalockis in the crosshairs.

OTAs are far too early to say the dust settled. Not saying you wont end up right, but way too early to call it.

[hawkeye]

That stuff about hime doing his job "for this offense" is....well.......garbage. His mediocrity in last year's offense was made worse by the injury to Douglas, because the Falcons needed more from him than in 08 and got less. When considering his role in "this offense", let's consider a couple of things.

1. The Falcons were 7th in the NFL in pass attempts last year.

2. The Falcons throw very few passes to running backs in comparison to most teams, they hardly ever throw screens.

3. Most teams get 60-75 receptions from recievers 3-5. Last year the Falcons got 33.

4. Matt Ryan led the league in passes thrown away last year by a country mile. Somebody isn't getting open. Who you going to blame? Roddy, Gonzo? Maybe Ryan is to blame, but I am going to put it on the guy who has single coverage on every play.

Bottom line - this team needs more production from the number #2 receiver, unless it is going to have 3rd and 4th recievers with 30-40 catches each. That seems unlikely considering the sets the Falcons run.

I'm with you on this Peyton. Jenkins is not getting the job done. He is not even dominate for his size. It's

too late now, but I wish we could've gotten Andre Roberts in the draft. Or better yet just somebody to replace

him. He drops easy catches and like you said he can't get open enough.

[Porkins]

That stuff about hime doing his job "for this offense" is....well.......garbage. His mediocrity in last year's offense was made worse by the injury to Douglas, because the Falcons needed more from him than in 08 and got less. When considering his role in "this offense", let's consider a couple of things.

1. The Falcons were 7th in the NFL in pass attempts last year.

2. The Falcons throw very few passes to running backs in comparison to most teams, they hardly ever throw screens.

3. Most teams get 60-75 receptions from recievers 3-5. Last year the Falcons got 33.

4. Matt Ryan led the league in passes thrown away last year by a country mile. Somebody isn't getting open. Who you going to blame? Roddy, Gonzo? Maybe Ryan is to blame, but I am going to put it on the guy who has single coverage on every play.

Bottom line - this team needs more production from the number #2 receiver, unless it is going to have 3rd and 4th recievers with 30-40 catches each. That seems unlikely considering the sets the Falcons run.

I'm inclined to agree. Jenks has made a few clutch catches for us ('08 Bears game comes to mind), but has also been a general disappointment considering his size and speed. I like the guy, but really want more out of a #2 receiver.

[raysnill1]

Blalock is terrible

ok I'll bite ... again

how is Blalock terrible & the weakest link.

what games should I be looking at to show me that he's so terrible?

[NFL Draft Fan 07]

That stuff about hime doing his job "for this offense" is....well.......garbage. His mediocrity in last year's offense was made worse by the injury to Douglas, because the Falcons needed more from him than in 08 and got less. When considering his role in "this offense", let's consider a couple of things.

1. The Falcons were 7th in the NFL in pass attempts last year.

2. The Falcons throw very few passes to running backs in comparison to most teams, they hardly ever throw screens.

3. Most teams get 60-75 receptions from recievers 3-5. Last year the Falcons got 33.

4. Matt Ryan led the league in passes thrown away last year by a country mile. Somebody isn't getting open. Who you going to blame? Roddy, Gonzo? Maybe Ryan is to blame, but I am going to put it on the guy who has single coverage on every play.

Bottom line - this team needs more production from the number #2 receiver, unless it is going to have 3rd and 4th recievers with 30-40 catches each. That seems unlikely considering the sets the Falcons run.

Makes a lot of sense to me. I personally think Jenkins is a solid #2 option, but that said he is obviously upgradable.

And for what it's worth, I think Mularkey's play-calling has something to do with Ryan leading the league in passes thrown away last year. Particularly when he runs that play-action bootleg and Ryan has nowhere to go with the ball, and he just throws it away.

In addition, I think Mike Johnson will be replacing Blalock also. I think McClure and Blalock are both upgradable (Blalock because I think he is just an average/above-average starter and McClure because he is getting older and wearing down) with the players we have on the roster in Mike Johnson and Joe Hawley. That said, I don't think they will start until 2011 barring an injury to either player.

Dahl might not be a stellar guard, but I think he is a solid starter for us and better than Blalock. Clabo might not be the long term answer at RT either, but depending on how Reynolds progresses we might not need to spend a high draft pick on the position.