Identifying Atlanta's 2015 Offensive Improvements

[birdz4i]

Posted 4 hours ago

Andrew Hirsh

atlantafalcons.com Twitter

2015 was a year of change for Atlanta's offense, and even though it faced a great deal of challenges, it got better in many ways. Here are the five biggest improvements Kyle Shanahan's unit made this season.

The Tight End Position: Signed in free agency, Jacob Tamme provided a big upgrade at tight end. He finished with 657 receiving yards—the best total of his career and second-highest on the Falcons, behind only Julio Jones. Tony Moeaki chipped in, too, especially in Week 17 when he rumbled for a 42-yard touchdown. Additionally, Levine Toilolo had a number of good performances in the run game.

Pass Protection: Atlanta’s offensive line did a solid job protecting Matt Ryan this year. It gave up just 21 sacks and 26 QB hits, down from 26 sacks and 43 QB hits in 2014. Jake Matthews and Ryan Schraeder—one a sixth-overall pick, the other an undrafted signing—have brought some much-needed stability to the tackle position.

Devonta Freeman: Just a year after dropped to the fourth round of the NFL Draft, Freeman emerged as a premier running back, one who’s a perfect fit in Atlanta’s new offense. In the season finale, he became the first Falcon to earn 1,000 yards on the ground since Michael Turner in 2011. He also had a nose for the endzone and scored a league-high 11 rushing TDs. In the pass game, he finished with the most catches of any NFL RB (73) and tallied 578 receiving yards.

Julio Jones: The Falcons signed Jones to a lucrative five-year contract during preseason, and in 2015, he was worth every penny. His 136 receptions and 1,871 were both the second most all-time in a single NFL season and the most ever by a Falcon. Click here for more on Jones' historic year.

Patrick DiMarco: What a season for DiMarco. The second-team All-Pro FB did a tremendous job paving holes in the run game and catching passes when his number was called. Although he didn’t get a Pro Bowl nod, many believe he deserved it. Given his consistency, top-ranked Pro Football Focus grade and praise from the locker room, it’s safe to say 2015 was a best case scenario for the University of South Carolina product.

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[Mid-Nite-Toker]

I can't disagree with this list, DiMarco, DF and JM really impressed.

[RING OF HONOR]

I agree also...we are not that far away from being a good team. .we will be better next year...and in 2 years i believe we will be very good. ..can't wait till free agency. .

[direwolf]

Anyone know how many hurries the line allowed for the 2014 and 2015 seasons? I'd be interested in seeing that. Coaches are always talking about "getting the QB off the spot" and I'd like to see how often ours was gotten off his spot.

I'm definitely happy with our tackles, though. Let's lock up Schraeder long term and see about that interior.

[sdogg]

Have to upgrade the interior of the OL and get another playmaker at WR. Would do wonders, even with Shannahan as the OC.

[*Old Pappy Falcon*]

Have to upgrade the interior of the OL and get another playmaker at WR. Would do wonders, even with Shannahan as the OC.

I like it now!

[direwolf]

Realistically, if we can block for the run game and protect our QB (oh, and get the snap to him correctly on a consistent basis), it almost doesn't really matter what the scheme is. Which brings us back to "shore up the interior line!"

[Halsey.]

Tamme would be a nice backup, but his averages of 4 catches, 44 yards and .06 TDs per game aren't what a team needs from a starting TE. Many Falcons fans are choosing to believe he was more effective than he was in an effort to wish away the need for a starting TE.

[blizzard_falcon]

Tamme would be a nice backup, but his averages of 4 catches, 44 yards and .06 TDs per game aren't what a team needs from a starting TE. Many Falcons fans are choosing to believe he was more effective than he was in an effort to wish away the need for a starting TE.

Yep. I'd love to bring in Dwayne Allen this offseason, who was underutilized in Indianapolis. Let Tamme be the #2 receiving option, while Toilolo continues to serve as the blocking specialist.

[PokerSteve]

Have to upgrade the interior of the OL and get another playmaker at WR. Would do wonders, even with Shannahan as the OC.

Agree. Getting the interior of the OL upgraded has to be one of the top two or three priorities for Quinn and the FO. Until the OL has better talent, our offense will continue to sputter and leave crucial points off the board.

[Monolith2001]

Tamme would be a nice backup, but his averages of 4 catches, 44 yards and .06 TDs per game aren't what a team needs from a starting TE. Many Falcons fans are choosing to believe he was more effective than he was in an effort to wish away the need for a starting TE.

It's not that but he was effective when he was targeted and I don't remember a lot of makeable plays he just failed to make. In my mind, his stats are more a function of how we played than how he performed. And yes, we have many needs and to get a TE that's even at Tamme's level likely means we are considering a TE over DE, OL, LBs, S and WR. I'm just not sure TE rates that high given that Tamme seems capable enough and other needs.