Atlanta Falcons: Summer key for offense to get in sync
Key to the success of the Atlanta Falcons will be the play of its offense. Over the summer, the unit needs to get in sync.
As the defense made steady improvements in 2015, the Atlanta Falcons offense frustrated for the most part. After flying out the gates with a healthy combination of the pass and run, the wheels fell off, the unit unable to get out of its own way.
Poor decision making, sloppy turnovers and a lack of weapons outside of Julio Jones combined for anaemic production. Despite Devonta Freeman‘s breakout season in the backfield, he was run into the ground and looked burned out by seasons end.
There were a number of changes this offseason, with free agency bringing in center Alex Mack and wide receiver Mohamed Sanu. In the draft, the Falcons selected tight end Austin Hooper and wide receiver Devin Fuller.
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Now is the time for these new players to get integrated into Kyle Shanahan’s offense and build chemistry with Ryan.
Ryan, too, needs to get to grips with Shanahan’s scheme. Last season, the Falcons’ signal caller struggled to gain comfort in his new scheme. An encouraging sign was to see Ryan host a number of practice sessions from his own home back in March. This was Sanu’s first taste of the Atlanta offense.
The time spent in Fort Lauderdale will have helped establish some chemistry between the quarterback and his young supporting cast. Organized team activities and mandatory minicamp gives the offense an opportunity to build on this, and by the end of training camp they need to be in tune and ready to hit the ground running. Navigating through the league’s toughest schedule requires good play on offense.
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By September the botched snaps, sloppy turnovers and a failure to convert third downs needs to be a thing of the past. Staying healthy this summer and getting in sync will make this happen.