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Five Atlanta Falcons who could see expanded roles in 2016

By Colin Hubbard

Dec 13, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Justin Hardy (16) is tackled by Carolina Panthers cornerback Josh Norman (24) during the second half at Bank of America Stadium. The Carolina Panthers remain undefeated with a 38-0 win over Atlanta Falcons. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 13, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Justin Hardy (16) is tackled by Carolina Panthers cornerback Josh Norman (24) during the second half at Bank of America Stadium. The Carolina Panthers remain undefeated with a 38-0 win over Atlanta Falcons. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports /
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3) Sean Weatherspoon – OLB

Sep 27, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals linebacker Sean Weatherspoon against the San Francisco 49ers at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 27, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals linebacker Sean Weatherspoon against the San Francisco 49ers at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

It’s amazing how fast a player can go from being on the top of his game to an after thought. That’s exactly what has happened to Atlanta Falcons’ weak side linebacker Sean Weatherspoon. After being at the height of his career in 2012, Weatherspoon has completely fallen off the map and is looked upon as nothing more than a backup.

What’s even more amazing about that is the man is just 28 years old and won’t be 29 until the very end of the 2016 regular season. What’s brought his game to a virtual halt is his inability to stay healthy. When healthy, he has proven to be a very good linebacker but that has remained to be seen in the past four years.

However, 2016 is a new year which mean’s new things. Weatherspoon resigned with the Falcons after spending a 1-year hiatus with the Arizona Cardinals and at least at the moment is number one on the depth chart. Now, that won’t be for very long because to think of Weatherspoon as a starter is really farfetched but he will have an expanded role whether we like it or not.

If he can stay healthy throughout training camp which is going to be tough for him, he should lockdown a backup role. He will be out on the field quite a bit and should give the Falcons a good season if those legs of his don’t fall off.

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