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ATL96Steeler
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8 up and 8 down for Quinn's 1st season.
Obviously based on the 5-0 start, this 8-8 is more bitter than sweet. The reality is, Quinn couldn't fix everything in one season...he got about what he should have out of this talent base... a .500 record.
I hate to say this, but once it turned south I was quietly hoping they wouldn't win yesterday because Blank might be inclined to keep the FO intact.
In spite of the loss to the Saints, I don't have good news...nothing official yet, but the early whispers out of Falcons camp is Dimitroff stays.
For the sake of continuity I guess Shanny will also keep the OC job, but I don't like either of those moves.
What could happen is a combo deal...Josh McDaniels/Scott Pioli going to fill one of these openings as a HC/GM. I'd like to see how Blank would respond to that situation because apparently Thomas is not picking players anymore....trades, FA contracts and cap management are supposed to be his role.
OFC...Started great then fizzled late...that trend has been following Shanahan of late. I heard something was said early in the season by Roddy that may have gotten under the skin of Shanny. Whether there is any truth to that Idk, but the OFC was targeting everybody but Roddy until they had no choice but to include him in the game plan.
WR2/3 and TE...if Shanny stays, I don't expect Roddy to be back. Either way they need to re-group at WR2 and possibly WR3. Justin Hardy I'm told they like a lot as a 3rd/4th WR...Tamme is solid, but probably out of his element as a featured playmaker.
RB...Freeman & Coleman...are better than anyone expected coming out of camp...I can see them looking at a bigger short yardage RB, but that's it.
OL...LG, C, RG are all open for competition...I wouldn't be surprised to see 3 new starters again...they seem to like Schraeder (RT) more as the season went along, but Jake Long will be around to push him for the starting job I assume.
QB...Matt Ryan...safe to say this was not a good year for Ryan...in a nutshell...Comp %, yardage look pretty good, but TD to INT ratio was way too high. idk if it was Shanny's OFC or Matt just trying too hard to make plays...that said...Matt Ryan is the '16 starting QB and he should be.
DEF...the most consistent group all season and the biggest improvement from last year.
DT/DE/Pass rusher...clearly the biggest need on the team. Vic Beasley showed some promise as a 1st yr player with 4 sacks to lead the DEF...on this DL it will be tough for him to be a dbl digit sack player with not much help on the other side. Clayborne...looks alike a stop gap player. If Mario Williams is willing to take a pay cut, he looks like a good FA DE prospect that will likely be available. The DTs actually played well vs the run, but offer little to nothing in collapsing the pocket from the inside.
LBs...biggest improvement on the DEF was LB play in run support, but they are average at best in coverage...TEs continue to so major damage to the Falcons.
CB/SS/FS...we're going to find out something about Jalen Collins...slow start to his rookie yr, but Quinn wants big CBs outside...have to see if Alford moves to slot. You see William Moore play a few times and you think he near elite...big hitter, decent in coverage but can't stay on the field...I would be open to an upgrade and both S spots.
Obviously based on the 5-0 start, this 8-8 is more bitter than sweet. The reality is, Quinn couldn't fix everything in one season...he got about what he should have out of this talent base... a .500 record.
I hate to say this, but once it turned south I was quietly hoping they wouldn't win yesterday because Blank might be inclined to keep the FO intact.
In spite of the loss to the Saints, I don't have good news...nothing official yet, but the early whispers out of Falcons camp is Dimitroff stays.
For the sake of continuity I guess Shanny will also keep the OC job, but I don't like either of those moves.
What could happen is a combo deal...Josh McDaniels/Scott Pioli going to fill one of these openings as a HC/GM. I'd like to see how Blank would respond to that situation because apparently Thomas is not picking players anymore....trades, FA contracts and cap management are supposed to be his role.
OFC...Started great then fizzled late...that trend has been following Shanahan of late. I heard something was said early in the season by Roddy that may have gotten under the skin of Shanny. Whether there is any truth to that Idk, but the OFC was targeting everybody but Roddy until they had no choice but to include him in the game plan.
WR2/3 and TE...if Shanny stays, I don't expect Roddy to be back. Either way they need to re-group at WR2 and possibly WR3. Justin Hardy I'm told they like a lot as a 3rd/4th WR...Tamme is solid, but probably out of his element as a featured playmaker.
RB...Freeman & Coleman...are better than anyone expected coming out of camp...I can see them looking at a bigger short yardage RB, but that's it.
OL...LG, C, RG are all open for competition...I wouldn't be surprised to see 3 new starters again...they seem to like Schraeder (RT) more as the season went along, but Jake Long will be around to push him for the starting job I assume.
QB...Matt Ryan...safe to say this was not a good year for Ryan...in a nutshell...Comp %, yardage look pretty good, but TD to INT ratio was way too high. idk if it was Shanny's OFC or Matt just trying too hard to make plays...that said...Matt Ryan is the '16 starting QB and he should be.
DEF...the most consistent group all season and the biggest improvement from last year.
DT/DE/Pass rusher...clearly the biggest need on the team. Vic Beasley showed some promise as a 1st yr player with 4 sacks to lead the DEF...on this DL it will be tough for him to be a dbl digit sack player with not much help on the other side. Clayborne...looks alike a stop gap player. If Mario Williams is willing to take a pay cut, he looks like a good FA DE prospect that will likely be available. The DTs actually played well vs the run, but offer little to nothing in collapsing the pocket from the inside.
LBs...biggest improvement on the DEF was LB play in run support, but they are average at best in coverage...TEs continue to so major damage to the Falcons.
CB/SS/FS...we're going to find out something about Jalen Collins...slow start to his rookie yr, but Quinn wants big CBs outside...have to see if Alford moves to slot. You see William Moore play a few times and you think he near elite...big hitter, decent in coverage but can't stay on the field...I would be open to an upgrade and both S spots.