2016 Atlanta Falcons: “The New Greatest Show on Turf”
By Matt Karoly
The 2016 Atlanta Falcons compare so much to the old St. Louis Rams that we might as well as dub them: “The New Greatest Show on Turf”.
The 2016 Atlanta Falcons are winning in ways that mimic the 1999-2001 St. Louis Rams. Back then, the Dick Vermiel/Mike Martz Rams won games with high-octane offense and a bend-but-don’t-(completely)-break defense. If that formula doesn’t sound like Dan Quinn’s Falcons, then I don’t know what does.
Remember when Kurt Warner went from bagging groceries to winning NFL and Super Bowl MVP? In 2000, he and Trent Green led a pass-happy attack that was league-best in completions, passing yards, yards per attempt, and passing touchdowns. Fast-forward to 2016 and Matt Ryan ranks at-or-near the top of the NFL in the same categories.
Matt Ryan deserves to be a leader in league MVP voting with his numbers.
Matt Ryan deserves to be a leader in league MVP voting with his numbers. The award is typically given to the best player of the best team, thus leaving Ryan a likely victim of circumstance. Not cool, but we’ll save the gripe for another article on another day.
The Atlanta Falcons possess one of the deepest stables of offensive playmakers, an absolute must for a team dubbed “The New Greatest Show on Turf”. Julio Jones is the headliner of a cast that includes: Mohamed Sanu, Taylor Gabriel, and the dynamic duo of Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman.
Tory Holt and Isaac Bruce were 1,400-plus yard receivers in their prime. Atlanta doesn’t have the pairing but Julio Jones provides for the team as if he is two players in one. Mohamed Sanu represents the rich man’s Ricky Proehl — a hard-nosed possession receiver relied upon in key third down situations. Rounding out the receiving corps is Taylor Gabriel, the Az-Zahir Hakim of the 2016 Atlanta Falcons. We have yet to see Gabriel as a kick returner but Eric Weems’ impending free agency may soon change that.
Marshall Faulk was the player who truly transformed the Rams offense into “The Greatest Show on Turf”. The Hall of Famer may be the best receiving back of all time, as evidenced by his 4 seasons of 2,000-plus yards from scrimmage.
Devonta Freeman provides the elusiveness and vision of a Marshall Faulk, while Tevin Coleman is the 4.3 speed Faulk ran during the 1994 NFL combine. Through 12 games, Freeman and Coleman have combined for 1,077 rushing yards, 652 receiving yards, and 16 total touchdowns. Put into perspective, Faulk posted 1,359 rushing yards, 830 receiving yards, and 26 touchdowns during his 2000 MVP season.
“The Greatest Show on Turf” Rams finished the 2000 season 10-6 and lost their wild card game. A defense that ranked dead last in points allowed was the culprit. Sadly, the Atlanta Falcons defense currently ranks 29th in points allowed and has been the Achilles’ heel of 2016.
Lets hope the “The New Greatest Show on Turf” is primed for a much better finish to the season.