The new Atlanta Falcons offense will drive defenses crazy

This really is a new era of football for the Atlanta Falcons, as their offensive identity is going to be drastically different than it has been for the past decade.

What stands out about the new offense is how they are set up to succeed even when they fail. Now you may be wondering how that even makes sense but hear me out and it will all make sense.

The Falcons’ new offense will make opposing defenses want to throw a temper tantrum

What has changed in the Falcons’ offense since Arthur Smith arrived in 2021? Three things; they now have mobile quarterbacks, they have huge pass catchers, and they are extremely versatile.

We all know that this team’s offensive line is suspect, especially in the passing game, but if there is good news it is that this team now has two very mobile quarterbacks who can cover up for the offensive line.

We have already seen that in effect during their first preseason game against the Detroit Lions, specifically on the first offensive drive for Atlanta. The line did not do a good job at blocking and allowed multiple pressures but Marcus Mariota was able to escape the jams and gain positive yards.

Without a doubt, one of the most frustrating things for a defense is to have contain on a QB and think you have an easy sack, only for the QB to evade everyone and pick up positive yards, which is exactly what we saw Mariota do. How many times did you see that with Michael Vick in the early 2000s?

In the first preseason game on the first offensive drive for Atlanta, Detroit sent a blitz and had decent contain on the Falcons’ QB, but he immediately took off to his right and beat them to the edge, allowing him to pick up positive yards.

That has to be demoralizing for a defense and something that would drive you crazy.

Does the statement about ‘how this new offense is set up to succeed even when they fail’ make more sense now? The offensive line fails their job, but Mariota’s scrambling helps the team succeed overall.

Then there are the big and tall pass catchers who can go up and high point a ball even when they are covered.

Kyle Pitts, Drake London, Bryan Edwards, and possibly Auden Tate, if he makes the team, all have tremendous size and they can use that to jump over a defensive back to catch the ball.

The defender may have good coverage, but Atlanta has some guys who will be able to beat sticky cornerbacks. Again, they can succeed even when they fail and this will also infuriate the opposing defense.

Last we have the versatility of the offense. Kyle Pitts basically can play tight end and wide receiver, Cordarrelle Patterson can play running back and receiver, Drake London can play in the slot or out wide, and then Avery Williams and Feleipe Franks could develop into a couple of versatile playmakers.

Arthur Smith can drive a defense mad by shifting guys around each and every play.

You probably get it by now, the mobile quarterbacks can avoid sacks and gain yards that a pocket passer cannot, the pass catchers can overcome good coverage by using their size, and then Arthur Smith can confuse defenses with his versatile playmakers.

Those three things combined will make for a frustrating day for opposing defenses if the Falcons can execute consistently.