Blogging Dirty
FanSided

3 Atlanta Falcons who must improve next season

By Nick Halden

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 19: George Kittle #85 of the San Francisco 49ers carries the ball against Deion Jones #45 of the Atlanta Falcons in the first quarter of the game at Levi's Stadium on December 19, 2021 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 19: George Kittle #85 of the San Francisco 49ers carries the ball against Deion Jones #45 of the Atlanta Falcons in the first quarter of the game at Levi's Stadium on December 19, 2021 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 4
Next
ATLANTA, GA – JANUARY 09: Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons drops back to pass during the second half against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 9, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – JANUARY 09: Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons drops back to pass during the second half against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 9, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) /

1. Matt Ryan needs enough pass protection to return to the player he can be

Part of Matt Ryan’s struggles this past season belong on the quarterback’s shoulders. The majority of the blame, however, can be placed at the feet of the Atlanta front office. A front office that built an offensive line that allowed Ryan to lead the league in hits taken and gave him Russell Gage and a rookie tight-end as his only reliable pass-catchers.

Counting Gage as reliable is a stretch when you remember how much the receiver struggled at the start of the year. Still, Ryan deserves a piece of the blame when you consider some of the turnovers he forced and the lack of a play when the Atlanta offense needed it most.

What stood out the most watching this season back was how consistently angry and frustrated Matt Ryan was. Without Julio Jones or an offensive line to give him a chance to make plays Ryan’s demeanor was indicative of the situation, he had been put in.

Ryan’s improvement will happen if Atlanta can improve the offensive line and provide Ryan with at least two capable receivers.  The one thing that Ryan must improve on is the turnovers, instead of realizing the situation he was in this season Ryan continued to force the ball and it led to turnovers that hurt a struggling defense.

Home/Falcons Roster