Stoic Posted May 28, 2013 Share Posted May 28, 2013 Are the Falcons the team to beat in the NFC?By Jeff Fedotin | National Football Post – 3 hours agoThe 49ers and Seahawks engaged in an offseason arms race, loading up two already stacked rosters with free agents and draft picks.But could the Falcons be flying be under the radar and poised to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl?“I still believe this team — the Atlanta Falcons — has a lot of talent on this roster,” said free-agent acquisition, running back Steven Jackson. “They have the experience of now having been in the playoffs some years in a row. I believe falling short in the championship game will bring them back even hungrier.”The Falcons, who fell four points short in the NFC Championship Game after leading the 49ers 17-0, addressed their major offseason needs — a better pass rush and running game.The addition of Jackson should provide an immediate boost to the league's 29th ranked rushing attack.Despite going 13-3 to earn home-field advantage last season, Atlanta had a pass defense, which ranked just 23rd in the league. That statistic had much to do with a poor rush, which totaled 29 sacks (28th in the league).The signing of defensive end Osi Umenyiora, who has 26.5 sacks in the last three years, a total which does not include his sack of Matt Ryan during the playoffs two seasons ago, should improve that area.“This a team that I feel needs or could use a player like myself,” Umenyiora said.Umenyiora, who lives in Cleveland, Ga., should serve as an upgrade over John Abraham. Umenyiora (31) is four years younger than the unsigned Abraham — who while effective for the Falcons — played limited snaps to preserve his oft-injured body.The Falcons could further bolster their defensive line by adding another local veteran. Rumors have swirled that they might sign defensive tackle Richard Seymour, who went to Georgia and is training in Atlanta. Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff has connections with the 33-year-old Seymour from their days together with the Patriots.On offense the Falcons have improved a running game, which was in desperate need of it, by signing Jackson. Last year’s rush game ranked just 29th in NFL with 87.3 yards per game. As a whole the unit averaged a measly 3.7 yards per carry.Jackson, who will turn 30 during this summer, is not the player he once was. But with passing weapons like Roddy White, Julio Jones and Tony Gonzalez at Ryan’s disposal, the Falcons don’t need a bell cow back.They just need someone who can prevent defenses from keying on the pass and who can grind out the clock to protect a fourth-quarter lead. The Falcons led the 49ers 24-14 at halftime and 24-21 going into the fourth quarter of the NFC Championship Game, but they only amassed 81 rushing yards (a 3.5 average) during the contest.The running game stalled behind Michael Turner.The former bruising back seems to have worn down after carrying the ball 1,189 times from 2008 to 2011. Known for his powerful legs, Turner looked as if he was running through mud last year and averaged just 3.6 yards a carry on his 800 rushing yards.Jackson, a three-time Pro Bowler, may have slowed, too, but the bulldozing, 240-pounder has a lot more left in his tank than Turner. He averaged 79.8 yards a game during the last half of the 2012 season. Jackson ran for 1,041 yards in all, averaging 4.1 a carry.“(I have) breakaway speed,” Jackson said, “and a tenacity to never say, ‘quit.’”His rugged running style will serve as a nice complement to the shifty 5-6, 196-pound Jacquizz Rodgers. Jackson has been friends with his fellow Oregon State Beaver since ‘Quizz was a teenager.The Falcons’ offensive arsenal also will have one of the best weapons in NFL history, Gonzalez, who had previously said he was “95 percent” sure he would retire after the 2012 season.Umenyiora racked up 26.5 sacks with the Giants over the last three seasons.The return of last year’s 93-catch, 930-yard, eight-touchdown star further enticed Jackson to sign with the Falcons.“It definitely made the decision a little easier,” Jackson said.Even with these additions, questions remain particularly in the Atlanta secondary, which was another reason for the NFL’s 23rd-ranked pass defense.Cornerback Dunta Robinson moved on to the Chiefs, and Brent Grimes, though an Achilles tendon injury limited the team’s best cover corner to one game last season, signed with the Dolphins.Rookie draft picks Desmond Trufant (first round, 22nd overall) and Robert Alford (second round, 60th overall) will have to make an immediate impact if Atlanta wants to make a deep postseason run.By winning their first playoff game last year, Gonzalez, Ryan and coach Mike Smith have that monkey off their back.Now they want the jewelry of Umenyiora, who earned two Super Bowl rings with the Giants. Despite playing on the 2011 and 2007champions, he made a bold statement about the 2013 Falcons.“This team is the most talented team I’ve seen in my life probably,” Umenyiora said.Seahawks and 49ers, beware Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tuggle'2 Posted May 28, 2013 Share Posted May 28, 2013 This is going to be good. I like the article. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Top Flight Posted May 28, 2013 Share Posted May 28, 2013 I really think we get Seymour. Everything is in our favor.....everything. Like Rapport said, he is training here, he went to school at UGA his adopted son committed to UGA, has ties with TD from the Patriot days, and so on. Its just a matter of time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FalconsRays2 Posted May 28, 2013 Share Posted May 28, 2013 Osi is not Demarcus Ware. He is a good player but he isn't a game changer, and I am not sold he is an upgrade over Abraham, plus as of now our DT problem remains untouched. The acticle doesn't even mention the offensive line issues that could arise for a pass happy team. I do think we are a threat, but we aren't the favorite. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
falconfanEST1989 Posted May 28, 2013 Share Posted May 28, 2013 my mom always told me 1 hand washes the other.. we had a great pass game.....crappy run game..... we had a great points aginst d.... crappy sack team if you even put us in the top 15 running game i think no one will be able to handle us,,, and we get Seymore and can get in the top 20 sacks we will have the team to beat in the nfl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big_Dog Posted May 28, 2013 Share Posted May 28, 2013 The article was well written and I don't say that because of being a Falcon fan. It pretty well diagnosed the negatives and shows what strides have been made to fix the weaknesses. TD for president . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karst41 Posted May 28, 2013 Share Posted May 28, 2013 Yeah, lets ignore the O Line being gutted.It will get ugly before it gets better.Custer's Last Stand? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rickey Posted May 28, 2013 Share Posted May 28, 2013 Even if we are the team to beat, nobody is going to admit it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tuggle'2 Posted May 28, 2013 Share Posted May 28, 2013 Yeah, lets ignore the O Line being gutted.It will get ugly before it gets better.Custer's Last Stand?Want to make a wager about how this actually works out? I am willing bet our Oline preforms better. I bished about it last year , and got what I wanted this year. They got younger and bigger. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rickey Posted May 28, 2013 Share Posted May 28, 2013 If SF or Seattle had all 300+ OL, it would be nonstop talk on TV and radio about how BIG they are but since it's the Falcons, it means nothing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
falcons007 Posted May 28, 2013 Share Posted May 28, 2013 Want to make a wager about how this actually works out? I am willing bet our Oline preforms better. I bished about it last year , and got what I wanted this year. They got younger and bigger.I agree that OL got older and probably hit the ceiling last year. Its just the fear of unknown, I am cautiously optimistic about the young guys. Either ways, preseason can't get soon enough to see how the line holds up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
falcons007 Posted May 28, 2013 Share Posted May 28, 2013 Umenyiora racked up 26.5 sacks with the Giants over the last three seasons.Didn't think Osi had that much production and especially considering Giants didn't use him a lot after he wanted out from NY last year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAD597 Posted May 28, 2013 Share Posted May 28, 2013 YesNext question? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrandonDell_ Posted May 28, 2013 Share Posted May 28, 2013 Good read Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAD597 Posted May 28, 2013 Share Posted May 28, 2013 Yeah, lets ignore the O Line being gutted.It will get ugly before it gets better.Custer's Last Stand?Gutted? People complained about the oline for years and now we are getting bigger and younger in the oline and people are still complaining?You can't fix the oline without making changes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karst41 Posted May 28, 2013 Share Posted May 28, 2013 Want to make a wager about how this actually works out? I am willing bet our Oline preforms better. I bished about it last year , and got what I wanted this year. They got younger and bigger.Ask me that after the 3rd preseason game.Could make for an interesting bet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rickey Posted May 28, 2013 Share Posted May 28, 2013 The only part of this team i am not comfortable with and may hinder our chances is the special teams (punt and kick off). We need a better return man. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAD597 Posted May 28, 2013 Share Posted May 28, 2013 The only part of this team i am not comfortable with and may hinder our chances is the special teams (punt and kick off). We need a better return man.That's what Alford is for Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vafalconfan Posted May 28, 2013 Share Posted May 28, 2013 I think we get off to a slow start due to O-line and secondary being rebuilt, but I like our chances as the year wears on..Too many offensive playmakers to be denied.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
falcons007 Posted May 28, 2013 Share Posted May 28, 2013 Gutted? People complained about the oline for years and now we are getting bigger and younger in the oline and people are still complaining?You can't fix the oline without making changesIts called fear of unknown and change. No one knows the future, but I would say its time Falcons take a chance with a bigger OL and not depend on QB getting rid of the ball quickly. There will be growing pains which come with changes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big_Dog Posted May 28, 2013 Share Posted May 28, 2013 Ask me that after the 3rd preseason game.Could make for an interesting bet My $ will be on Tuggle2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drunken Minotaur Zebra Posted May 28, 2013 Share Posted May 28, 2013 (edited) The only part of this team i am not comfortable with and may hinder our chances is the special teams (punt and kick off). We need a better return man. Edited May 28, 2013 by EchoedTruth Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karst41 Posted May 28, 2013 Share Posted May 28, 2013 Center, Right Guard, Right Tackle.This is called Gutting the O Line.Yes the changes needed to be made but good grief!Even if these guys were replaced with seasoned Vetsthey would still have some issues, because O Linestake a couple of seasons to gel.This is a hude step backwards, but also needed to moveforward.Hopefully these guys can start gelling towards the end ofthe season.Look at San Frans O Line (best in NFL?).2 years to come together. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheFatboi Posted May 28, 2013 Share Posted May 28, 2013 Ask me that after the 3rd preseason game.Could make for an interesting bet C'mon man, that's no fun. Do it in the blind. Lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karst41 Posted May 28, 2013 Share Posted May 28, 2013 C'mon man, that's no fun. Do it in the blind. Lol.A blindfolded bet with Tuggle2,,,,oh heII NO!I know that I am dumb as a tree stump, but that is pushingit just a leetle too far . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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