Category Archives: Falcons

Complete breakdown of the current Atlanta Falcon roster

It is now officially the offseason, trading period, free agency, and the NFL draft are about to arrive. Let’s take a step back an assess the current situation of every starter for the Falcons and where we could go after some people.

QB: Michael Penix Jr.

 We seen Penix in his rookie year for three games as a starter. He missed some throws but also made some incredible throws. He kept poise in the pocket and seemed to have a good sense of pressure. Once he gets a full offseason with our weapons I can see a lot of promising potential in him. Going into his second season the key to winning will be finally figuring out the QB situation.

Confidence Rating: 8/10

HB: Bijan Robinson

Watching Bijan this past season gave you that crystal clear feeling that we have someone special. He had made plays before but this year more than ever he seemed to be that guy. His passing block took a huge leap and it showed. His running improved and he only put the ball on the ground one time. Bijan went over 100 total yards twelve time last year! If he can stay healthy again next year his number should climb even higher. 

Confidence Rating: 10/10

WR1: Drake London

Drake is coming off a breakout campaign putting up 100 catches for 1,271 yards. He averaged 117.3 yards per game once Penix took over. He did have a slight injury this year with his hip when he left the Dallas game early in the 1st quarter after catching a fade touchdown. They key for Drake this year is going to be getting use to a left handed QB who throws that ball with zip. We seen a few WRs have problems with catching passes that hit them in the hands from Penix.

Confidence Rating: 9/10

WR2: Darnell Mooney

Arguably the Falcons best free agent signing was Darnell Mooney. He was a vocal point to the offense for a good portion of the season. He made some crazy plays that set us up big time. He seemed to have some drops and couldn’t stay on his feet at times. As far as a WR2 goes you won’t find much teams with a better guy than Mooney. He offers the speed and route running to matchup well alongside London. The Key to mooney’s success is going to be giving him deep shots, we know Penix has the arm. If those deep plays get called our offense can turn explosive.

Confidence Rating 7/10

TE: Kyle Pitts

The unicorn. Highest drafted TE in NFL history! Prove you are worth it. There has been a good bit of rumors that he will be traded in the offseason to possibly the Bengals or Commanders. I wouldn’t mind seeing him comeback for at least his last year of his contract if he actually wants to be here. Commonly pointed out by fans he had a lack of effort on some plays but on the other hand some fans still believe. I think he deserves a chance but he should be getting 4 targets a game and some tight end screen looks. The Falcons offense has weapons so its gonna be difficult for everyone to get 7+ looks a game but if you Kyle Pitts involved it could workout. If it doesn’t then swing back by the trade thoughts around the deadline so you get something for him.

Confidence Rating 5/10

LT: Jake Matthews

Jake has been a cornerstone for this o-line since he has been drafted. He has been plenty worth it since we picked him 6th overall in 2014. The Falcons do need to realize though he is getting older. If we don’t start winning he could retire soon. Finding that tackle of the future should be coming on the radar for Atlanta.

Confidence Rating: 7/10

LG: Matthew Bergeron

Bergeron is a young piece to the line that had a chance to work with Arrhur Smith. His downside seems to be the consistent penalties. Being so young though and that being the issue shows the potential he has. He can become a cornerstone of the line.

Confidence Rating 6/10

C: Drew Dalman

Drew had an actual pretty solid year. I really hope the Falcons bring him back because besides him getting injured for a little while, when he played you wouldn’t hear his name much. 

Confidence rating 8/10

RG: Chris Lindstrom

Our best o-lineman by far he just seems to do it all. He always seems to be on the field. The pro bowler is what the team needs and he is critical for Bijan and the running game.

Confidence rating: 9/10

RT: Kaleb McGary

Kaleb has had off and on seasons since we drafted him. He gets bowled over at some points or will suprise you against great players. Recently him tripping and letting his guy blast Kirk Cousins has been in the news because the injury that hit caused. Michael Penix is a lefty so having Kaleb McGary protecting his blindside is a little iffy. Hopefully Kaleb finally gets it all together and can keep his Washington alumni buddy clean.

Confidence Rating: 6/10

LDE: Grady Jarret

Grady has been a big piece for the Falcons D-line in recenr years. He had a season-ending injury in 2023 and has a large contract. Unfortunately as good as a teammate and player he has been for us I could see him becoming a cap casualty. The Falcons need more pieces and if he doesn’t help them restructure we could be seeing him cut.

Confidence Rating: 6/10

NT: David Onyemata

Onyemata is another guy who really has been holding it down in the middle. Like Grady though that hasn’t been resulting in pass pressure. He carry a hefty contract and it is rumored he could be a cap casualty to.

Confidence Rating: 6/10

RDE: Zach Harrison

Harrison had a very quiet year. I can see Ruke coming in and taking this over or a drfated player. Our D line is in for an overhaul to generate sacks.

Confidence Rating: 4/10

LOLB: Matthew Judon

He most likely will be gone. Lorenzo Carter might take back over. Judon just wasn’t himself this year and when he got dropped into coverage it was ugly. This is a key position of need.

Confidence Rating: 2/10

MLB1: Kaden Elliss

Elliss had a monster year this past year being one of our few players who was consistent on the defensive side. Missed tackles was a common problem but that was also across the defensive side.

Confidence Rating: 8/10

MLB2: Nate Landman

He just seems to have holes in his game. Some weeks fans would love him and others want him benched for Troy Anderson. I wouldn’t mind seeing the Falcons go after Dre Greenlaw to pair up with Ellis but, it is only one off season.

Confidence Rating: 4/10

ROLB: Arnold Ebiketie

AK is one of those young players who is just upgrading his game every year. I love watching him and think he can grow with some talent around him and a mentor. Towards the end of the season he really started to turn it on and I can see him going for 10+ sacks this year.

Confidence Rating: 8/10

CB1: AJ Terrell

He has good years and mid years. This past season we seen a pretty good AJ. If he could force turnovers and locate the ball better it would greatly help our safeties. At the end of the day he is a true island cornerback in this league.

Confidence Rating: 7/10

CB2: Clark Phillips

This is more of a prediction that he is starting next year. He has been developing for two years and shows at times he can make a leap. He can turn to be a reallt great 2nd round pick down the road.

Confidence Rating: 6.5/10

FS: Jessie Bates

Easily the best player on defense. This guy is a baller and is waiting so be a deadily duo with any starting caliber saftey with pair with him.

SS: Demarco Hellams??

I expect this to be a position that is changed. Demarco is young and they could stick with him buy what Simmons failed to do for us I doubt he comes back. Some Georgia fans might not mind Malaki Starks pair up with Bates.

Confidence Rating: 5/10

K: YoungHoe Koo

Ok so hear me out, Koo has been accurate for us (besides when injured) and he has been cheap. Kickers in the league nowdays are booming pretty consistently from 50+ some from 60. Koo just doesn’t have the power to be a top kicker in the league but he is clutch.

Confidence Rating: 7/10

Let us know who you think will be a big difference maker next year!

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Atlanta fans and the pain the city has caused us (Looking back at THE Super Bowl)

Super Bowl 59 is set to take place in a few days. THREE-PEAT is on Chiefs fans shirts walking around the city of New Orleans while Eagles fans are riding their recent success hoping to claim their franchises second Lombardi Trophy. Between Dynasties and Unimaginable playoff runs 20 out of 32 teams have gotten to hoist that almighty trophy.

Atlanta has been to two out of the 59 Super Bowl’s, one being the upset victory against the Vikings propelling us to the big stage against the reigning NFL champions, Denver Broncos. That game ended in a 34-19 final score with John Elway and the -7.5 point favorite Denver Broncos taking away the chance for the Atlanta Falcons to triumph that great mountain for the first time.

After that Super Bowl, Atlanta had failed to return to the main event with their season ending twice in the NFC Championship game. Things looked a little different in 2016 though. The Matt Ryan led offense featuring prime Julio Jones, Mohamed Sanu, Taylor Gabriel, Devonta Freeman, and tight end Austin Hooper was firing on all cylinders in the playoffs. The wildcard round started with a a first round bye. Then the divisional came where we hosted the Seattle Seahawks and the legion of boom. A 19 point second quarter and 422 offensive yards pushed the Falcons to a 36-20 win. The NFC Championship that year is undoubtedly my favorite Atlanta Falcons game of all time. The final game in the Georgia Dome was ELETRIC. A pure dismantling of the Green Bay Packers defense from Matt Ryan and others shot them into the Super Bowl riding high off of a 44-21 victory.

Super Bowl 51. Setting up to be one of the most dominate playoff runs from a team. The first quarter started slow but in the second quarter the Falcons offense picked up. They got some help from Cornerback Robert Alford late in the Second when he took a Tom Brady pick into clear space for a pick six. I was ecstatic. At halftime Falcons fans everywhere were clamoring for that end of game where they knew this was that real first chance to obtain all the bragging rights. Not only winning your first Super Bowl but taking down the almighty Tom Brady and the Patriots made it a even bigger feat. The score grew to a 25 point lead in the 3rd and as time ticked by it seemed to be surreal.

If it still stings it could be time to stop reading, or finally face the end of winning in this Falcons franchise. The Patriots kept fighting by making insane plays, strip sacks, and the Falcons refusing to burn clock. Julian Edelman’s catch can be one of those plays you see and argue they wouldn’t have been able to do it without a leg there and a prayer. Side note: Can you imagine the hype around Julio’s sideline toe tap catch if we had pulled it out. I mean one of the best catches in NFL history hides in oblivion due to the circumstances. Anyways, the Patriots kept scoring and the Falcons kept “choking”. The game was going into overtime and I think everyone knew whoever gets that ball first wins that game. The Patriots drive down the field and get a penalty call defensive pass interference that puts them at the two yard line. After that the impending doom seemed to seek through and hit our hearts and became real. The Patriots ran the ball to the right and James White reaches over the goal line. The most impressive comeback in Super Bowl history denies the Falcons that chance to be victorious.

2025 is upon us and besides the following year where we lost to the Eagles on an incomplete pass to Julio Jones in the Divisional, there has been no success. Who is to blame? Matt Ryan still had some good play in him but without the running game and defensive play, things just were not taking shape. Kyle Shanahan had left to take over the 49ers after the Super Bowl and it seemed we were still star struck of our past playoff “luck”. The defense has been a consistent problem for being incapable to generate sacks. As of today we have built a decent secondary with AJ Terrell and Jessie Bates being the stars of it. Grady Jarret is aging out and between injuries and not much other help along the way or scheme, his play has been mainly a run stopper or clogger. We have had good signings that just didn’t work out on that side of the ball. We have missed on draft picks especially not getting any real game changers picks in the middle rounds like some of the good teams you see today have hit on. But even when you do see the defense have a good game, that seems to be the week the offense is in self destruct mode.

Quarter Back play since Matt Ryan makes you regret the way the franchise pushed him out. They had to clear cap to rebuild though. Opting to take Desmond Ridder in the 2022 draft wasn’t a horrible choice. It just shaped up to be and all around weak QB class. (Outside of Mr.Irrelevant, Brock Purdy, who managed to take the 49ers to the Super Bowl.) Then came last offseason, the Falcons signed Kirk Cousins. Some thought it was an overpay and others were just happy to have a proven guy. No more QB roulette…. Rightttttt. Kirk played good until he didn’t. We looked like making the playoffs was a chance. The play dropped off and we got to see our mind baffling first round pick Michael Penix Jr. play some football. My oh my am I quite excited to see this guy in the future. He has zip, poise, and mobility when needed. He did miss some throws but they just seemed to be inexperience with the starters. We have arguably a Top 3 back in the league based on his ability in the running game, the ability to be a reciever, and maybe the best part out of it all if you tell him to block he is going to hit a **********. Drake London is further improving and Kyle Pitts is… well I can’t really say but I won’t be mad at trying to get one last year out of him. The Falcons o-line is aging some but still kicking.

What is your expectations as Falcon fans? I see a team that has key pieces and holes. A team that can beat Super Bowl teams then lose to bottom 5 franchises. This team has a weaker divison as of now but won’t capitalize until we get a solid season of QB play and a defense that can get to the opposing QB. Offense wins games Defense wins championships. With notable names possibly being available (Myles Garret, Maxx Crosby, and Joey Bosa) and the Falcons having the 15th pick in the draft we need to invest it into defense. Who knows whats going to happen because at the end of they day this is just the life of an Atlanta fan.