AtlantaFanatic Posted June 8, 2015 Share Posted June 8, 2015 http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000495943/article/leonard-hankerson-we-can-be-a-topfive-offense?campaign=Facebook_ATN_PatraThe Atlanta Falcons boast plenty of offensive talent for new coordinator Kyle Shanahan to play with.The trio of Julio Jones, Roddy White and Matt Ryan can put up yards with ease and the potential has newcomer Leonard Hankerson squawking about the possibilities. "With the weapons that he has on this team, there is no doubt about it that we can be a top-five offense. We can be a great team," he said this week during OTAs, via the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.Last year Atlanta finished eighth in the NFL in total yards with 378.2 per contest. That total was overwhelmingly thanks to a passing attack that ranked No. 5 in the league with 284.6 yards per game, while the ground game earned just 93.5 yards per (24th in the NFL).Hankerson signed a one-year deal in Atlanta after missing all but one game with the Washington Redskins last year. He cooed about his new wide receiver teammates."We have a great corps," Hankerson said, adding his injured knee is fine. "One of the best I've been on. Last year, being in there with Pierre (Garcon), DeSean (Jackson) and Santana (Moss), it's up there. Roddy and Julio, you know they are great guys. We are all competing with each other. We are out there working hard. We are doing what we have to do to make plays."Hankerson will battle Devin Hester for a No. 3 role behind White and team linchpin, Jones. It's not the passing attack we expect to improve in 2015, however. I'm very excited to see the Shanahan offense in action. The defense I may be more fascinated by just simply because there will be SO MANY new guys in new places and the scheme change.In each of his stops, Shanahan has coaxed production out of the running game, specifically utilizing rookie backs. So while the passing game should remain dynamic, it's Tevin Coleman and an improvedDevonta Freeman under Shanahan's guidance who could help boost the Falcons' offense into the upper echelon of the NFL. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MD-FalconFan13 Posted June 8, 2015 Share Posted June 8, 2015 Hanky can be a good receiver when he's locked in. A cheap additional option that is taller and faster than HD. I think that our WR corp is the best in the league now, especially after picking up what I suspect to be a tragically underrated WR in Justin Hardy. 4 Pro Bowlers, a 1st round pick and a kid that has the NCAA record for receptions.......NOT BAD AT ALL!!!Julio - Multiple probowlerRoddy - Multiple probowlerHester - Multiple probowlerHankerson - 1st RounderWeems - ProbowlerHardy - NCAA FBS Record holder for most receptionsGREAT GROUP! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
likeriver Posted June 8, 2015 Share Posted June 8, 2015 Hanky can be a good receiver when he's locked in. A cheap additional option that is taller and faster than HD. I think that our WR corp is the best in the league now, especially after picking up what I suspect to be a tragically underrated WR in Justin Hardy. 4 Pro Bowlers, a 1st round pick and a kid that has the NCAA record for receptions.......NOT BAD AT ALL!!!Julio - Multiple probowlerRoddy - Multiple probowlerHester - Multiple probowlerHankerson - 1st RounderWeems - ProbowlerHardy - NCAA FBS Record holder for most receptionsGREAT GROUP!It says on Wikipedia that he's a 3rd round pick, unless you're talking about something else. Still a good group though, no doubt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ya_boi_j Posted June 8, 2015 Share Posted June 8, 2015 Hanky can be a good receiver when he's locked in. A cheap additional option that is taller and faster than HD. I think that our WR corp is the best in the league now, especially after picking up what I suspect to be a tragically underrated WR in Justin Hardy. 4 Pro Bowlers, a 1st round pick and a kid that has the NCAA record for receptions.......NOT BAD AT ALL!!!Julio - Multiple probowlerRoddy - Multiple probowlerHester - Multiple probowlerHankerson - 1st RounderWeems - ProbowlerHardy - NCAA FBS Record holder for most receptionsGREAT GROUP!he's not faster than Harry but he is a better receiver. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PrimitiveJN Posted June 8, 2015 Share Posted June 8, 2015 Hanky can be a good receiver when he's locked in. A cheap additional option that is taller and faster than HD. I think that our WR corp is the best in the league now, especially after picking up what I suspect to be a tragically underrated WR in Justin Hardy. 4 Pro Bowlers, a 1st round pick and a kid that has the NCAA record for receptions.......NOT BAD AT ALL!!!Julio - Multiple probowlerRoddy - Multiple probowlerHester - Multiple probowlerHankerson - 1st RounderWeems - ProbowlerHardy - NCAA FBS Record holder for most receptionsGREAT GROUP!Hankerson is a 3rd rounder. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PrimitiveJN Posted June 8, 2015 Share Posted June 8, 2015 he's not faster than Harry but he is a better receiver.He ran a faster 40 but maybe lost speed due to multiple injuries. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ya_boi_j Posted June 8, 2015 Share Posted June 8, 2015 He ran a faster 40 but maybe lost speed due to multiple injuries.I'm talking field speed. Hank is fast but Harry shows to be faster during games Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the outlaw Posted June 8, 2015 Share Posted June 8, 2015 He had a great group in Washington. For him to be this excited says a lot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Atlfanstckndenver Posted June 8, 2015 Share Posted June 8, 2015 I think it's a better receiving group than Washington had. I don't think it's really even much of a debate either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ya_boi_j Posted June 8, 2015 Share Posted June 8, 2015 I think it's a better receiving group than Washington had. I don't think it's really even much of a debate either.Julio and Roddy alone make this one a better group than in Washington. Now the last 2 years on the other hand.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOYLE Posted June 8, 2015 Share Posted June 8, 2015 I'm talking field speed. Hank is fast but Harry shows to be faster during gamesYou have ventured into a subjective evaluation of speed.So in my opinion Hankerson appears to be a good bit faster than Harry on the field. If he stays healthy he will be a significantupgrade. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oldskooler Posted June 8, 2015 Share Posted June 8, 2015 He had a great group in Washington. For him to be this excited says a lot.Really?What else would he say?"I tell ya, I miss my old teammates in Washington. I wish I could go back there. I never really liked this system anyway."There was no other possible thing for him to say. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ya_boi_j Posted June 8, 2015 Share Posted June 8, 2015 You have ventured into a subjective evaluation of speed.So in my opinion Hankerson appears to be a good bit faster than Harry on the field. If he stays healthy he will be a significantupgrade.call it whatever you want. I'm just going by what I've seen from Hankersons college days through his healthy days as a pro. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AtlantaFanatic Posted June 8, 2015 Author Share Posted June 8, 2015 Really?What else would he say?"I tell ya, I miss my old teammates in Washington. I wish I could go back there. I never really liked this system anyway."There was no other possible thing for him to say.You're somewhat right about the PC speak there but he could have chosen his words differently if he wasn't that thrilled. He could have been more generic and said "we have a really good group of guys here. Can't wait for the season to start." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rush Hour 4 Posted June 8, 2015 Share Posted June 8, 2015 Doesn't hankerson have problems with drops? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOYLE Posted June 8, 2015 Share Posted June 8, 2015 call it whatever you want. I'm just going by what I've seen from Hankersons college days through his healthy days as a pro.Me too. We see it differently. It is an opinion you have and an opinion I havethat is the exact opposite of your opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ya_boi_j Posted June 8, 2015 Share Posted June 8, 2015 Doesn't hankerson have problems with drops?could be the qb he played with. He was as sure handed as they come in college. Me too. We see it differently. It is an opinion you have and an opinion I havethat is the exact opposite of your opinion.k Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOYLE Posted June 8, 2015 Share Posted June 8, 2015 Doesn't hankerson have problems with drops?Douglas had drops. This is an upgrade. Stand by to be impressed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jigglypuff Posted June 8, 2015 Share Posted June 8, 2015 Man after that "Hydra" bushit last season I'm not getting hype for NO Offense! Except the running game which I expect to be improved. Julio is a Beast that is a given, Roddy is a Decoy that is likely, the others we will see how it all pans out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falconcheff Posted June 8, 2015 Share Posted June 8, 2015 We've always had weapons, and both our recent OC's were capable. What's different about our offense this year is a HC that wants to go for the kill shot every drive, rather than "keep it close enough to win in the fourth quarter..." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheFatboi Posted June 8, 2015 Share Posted June 8, 2015 Really?What else would he say?"I tell ya, I miss my old teammates in Washington. I wish I could go back there. I never really liked this system anyway."There was no other possible thing for him to say.You can tell when they mean it or not. The choice of words is how you know. If it's a more open ended conversation that's how you know the player isn't all the way on board. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MD-FalconFan13 Posted June 8, 2015 Share Posted June 8, 2015 he's not faster than Harry but he is a better receiver.idkAfter that knee injury he was not nearly as fast. Hanky had a knee injury too, but I'd be willing to wager that with his extra height he's a little faster. But it's pointless to debate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MD-FalconFan13 Posted June 8, 2015 Share Posted June 8, 2015 It says on Wikipedia that he's a 3rd round pick, unless you're talking about something else. Still a good group though, no doubt.Hankerson was a 3rd rounder. I stand corrected. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bawse Posted June 8, 2015 Share Posted June 8, 2015 Still won't be better than Hardy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Knight of God Posted June 8, 2015 Share Posted June 8, 2015 Glad you like it. Stay healthy and do something. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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