Armchair GM - How I would fix the Offense

by Whyte Bler 000 on Jan 9, 2012 1:16 PM EST

After a disappointing end to this season, a lot of changes need to be made to realistically take the next step. We are a good team, that beats bad, mediocre, and above average teams. Yet we still struggle to beat good teams, and get mopped by "Elite" teams. As New Orleans, Green Bay, and New England have shown, a great offense can take a lot of pressure off the defense (which I believe isn't that bad). Follow with me after the jump for what I believe we can do to improve ourselves this offseason.

Coaching - This is the biggest thing in my mind. And I don't think there is a person here who would disagree we need a change at some of our coaching positions. Mike Murlarkey needs to go, period. He worked for Matt Ryan when we had a fresh legged down hill runner, and a younger offensive line. I think we also need to reevaluate the coach at offensive line. A fresh face and new blocking scheme that matches with a new coordinator can bring a freshess to this offense. Teams we play have us figured out, we need to go into next year and have teams guessing again.

O-Line - Biggest issue on this offense in my opinion. If I remember correctly, the core of this line gave up over 40 sacks in 2007. Over recent years, it has averaged to the low 20s. However I would attribute this more to Matt Ryan and his talent for getting the ball out. I have seen on numerous occasions, him releasing the ball well before he is ready, just to avoid a sack.

Releases - First and foremost Baker needs to be cut. No reason he should be making a first round draft pick salary and not performing like one. Will Svitek is a serviceable backup, and will not command the same money. Second, McClure has been a Falcon his entire career, but injuries are starting to catch up. I believe this may be his last year. I'm hoping he decides to retire, because I can't see us resigning him.

FA Acquisitions - We need serious help, and with our draft picks limited, there are two free agents I would seriously consider making a run after. One is Carl Nicks, 26, Saints. He is one of the best guards in the league, and young enough to sign to a long term deal to really shore up the interior of the line. The second, Demetrius Bell, 27, Bills. Bell is also in a good age range, and Ryan Fitzpatrick was sacked only 22 times this year (around the same attempts as Ryan). He would be an instant upgrade to our LT spot. This signing is also due to the fact we do not have a first round pick.

Draft - I would use our second round pick to get the best center available. I'm not big on college football, so I can't really say who. But it;s hard to imagine resigning McClure, and Hawley proved he cannot play better than a man a decade his senior.

Skill Postions - Our top performing skill players are all on the north side of 30. We resigned Tony G, which helps with the TE situation for another year. However I think two changes need to be made, and some of you might not like it.

Trading Block - While he still had pro bowl stats, and a 100 receptions, his drops and off field shenanigans are starting to affect his performance. Yes, I'm talking about Roddy White, the leading Falcons receiver of all time. White is on the wrong side of 30, and just a reality TV series away from becoming Ocho Cuatro. He commands a high salary, and could get a generous draft pick for his services to a team like Cleveland, Jacksonville, Chicago, MInnesota, Washington, or any other team who lacks a true #1. If we could get a second round draft pick, I would pull the trigger. The second is MIchael Turner. His performance has been declining, but if not for an injury in 09 would have had 4 straight 1000 yard seasons. Snelling has been running hard, and would come in at a much better price and could have more of a role in a new coordinators offense due to his flexibility. We could potentially get back into the fourth round of this years draft for him.

Resign the following guys - Snelling, Mughelli and HD, who would have larger roles in our offense due to the departure of White and Turner.

Do not resign the following guys - Weems

Draft - A power runner to replace Turner in the 5th or 6th, a WR with our 2nd round pick to replace Roddy, and a TE in the 4th to take over for Tony G. UDFA to replace Weems, as we have Quizz and Franks to handle returns.

Tony G would take on the mentor role for all of the young receivers. I don't think there would be anyone better to learn from than him.

QB - Matt Ryan isn't going anywhere. You can't blame him if receivers don't get open, there's no running game, and the line can't block. But we will need to draft a real backup, as Redman is getting old, and the Tampa Bay game made him look real bad.

The two big O lineman signings would obviously cost us a lot. That's why I advocate trading Turner and White to clear up cap space. Also, cutting or trading Dunta (for whatever we can get) and not resigning Abe will allow more flexibility for the cap. I think the Line should be TDs #1 priority this off-season. And they should do what it takes to get that sorted out.

Feel free to share your thoughts, call me a moron, or whatever.

This FanPost was written by one of The Falcoholic's talented readers. It does not necessarily reflect the views of The Falcoholic.

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Comments

I agree the line of scrimmage is and has been the biggest problem for the Falcons, for a while now. Fix that, and there will be a drastic improvement all around.

by Bedhead514 on Jan 9, 2012 1:33 PM EST reply actions

Absolutely love this post

I’d love to see Beast Mode Lynch or Forte here. If we spend the money on Forte we’d be getting a lethal WR and RB all in one. Lynch just hits the holes with authority and is difficult to bring down. He also has waaaay better hands than Turner.

by leonw92 on Jan 9, 2012 1:37 PM EST reply actions

I don't think we could afford either of them

with the two O line signings. I personally think Forte would be a good choice if we have the space, but with a great O line, a 6th round pick can produce. And Snelling/Quizz have already proven they can run an catch.

by Whyte Bler 000 on Jan 9, 2012 3:25 PM EST up reply actions

RB

Atlanta will not trade Turner… Forte and Lynch will not play 2nd fiddle in the backfield, so the question is who replaces Snelling being that he would like to become a starter. I believe Julio Jones was drafted to be the replacement of White, but a lot was given up for him. The biggest difference between this yr and last yr was the O-line…

by nyfinest314 on Jan 9, 2012 3:41 PM EST up reply actions

Turner will go.

wait and see!

by FalconsATL on Jan 15, 2012 12:06 AM EST up reply actions

I can see MT being put up as trade bait.

by Caviarhound on Jan 18, 2012 4:14 PM EST up reply actions

At the very least, it's interesting

I’ll be pushing hard for Nicks all off-season, so you’ve kicked things off nicely on that front.

Trading White and Turner feels radical, but if the Falcons could trade one of them and actually get value, would it be worth it? My gut says yes, especially in Turner’s case.

by Dave Choate on Jan 9, 2012 1:37 PM EST reply actions

If we can get a 4th rounder for Turner

I say we need to jump at the offer.

by leonw92 on Jan 9, 2012 1:45 PM EST up reply actions

4th… Have to try for a 3rd right up till its to late and it has to be a 4th.

by Caviarhound on Jan 18, 2012 4:15 PM EST up reply actions

NIcks

it’s hard to see him resigning with all the FAs the Saints have. He will be expensive though, but would be a huge addition.

by Whyte Bler 000 on Jan 9, 2012 3:37 PM EST up reply actions

I doubt we will find a trade partner for Turner.

And I would prefer to wiat and see what kind of OC we get to replace MM before trading RW. I honestly think we need to get someone in that runs something like June Jones run and gun system. Back when we had a 1000 yard runner and 3 1000 WRs. Could you imagine the numbers Ryan, TG, RW, JJ, HD and which ever runner we keep could put up in that system?

by Falcons Fan in WA on Jan 9, 2012 1:50 PM EST reply actions

The last time the run and shoot was brought to the NFL

Steve Spurrier and the Redskins were literally blitzed out of the NFL. Even he has completely renovated his offensive philosophy for the college level. You could argue that Mike Martz (who has a ‘shoot pedigree) ran some version of it with the Bears, but there’s a reason Jay cutler feels kinda funny after being sacked 75 times in two years, and Martz has “resigned” from that job.

by TheAreopagite on Jan 12, 2012 11:02 AM EST up reply actions

Armchair QB

I agree with you. Cut Dunta as of today.Walls, Franks and Owens are all better than him . He was a wasted signing.
Fired MM and BVG. If MS does not like the idea fire him as well. Its is not the players, but coaching. Each week we are being outcoached.
Everyone wants to blame Matt Ryan, he can only do so much. You could take Brees , Rodgers, or Brady and replace Ryan in MM offense the same outcome. This offense is outdated. Back to 70’s and 80’s football.

by calfroper on Jan 9, 2012 3:18 PM EST reply actions

Dunta as not being used properly

Dunta is one of the most physical corners in he NFL. But when you stick him in a soft zone 5 yds off the WR, it takes away what he does best. We will see the old Dunta of HOU when we get a new DC.

by leonw92 on Jan 9, 2012 4:29 PM EST up reply actions

That should read "Dunta was not used properly"

by leonw92 on Jan 9, 2012 4:30 PM EST up reply actions

i agree

when he left, Houston’s pass defense was the worse in the league in 2010.

by brotherbrown on Jan 10, 2012 1:48 AM EST up reply actions

I say even move him to FS

Where his physical style, good size, and ability to cover one-on-one would make him one of the better safeties in the league.

by TheAreopagite on Jan 12, 2012 11:03 AM EST up reply actions

That might actually work

We would have 2 big hitters at safety. Long as he doesn’t get burnt like Decoud he should be a viable option.

by pierre02 on Jan 18, 2012 4:22 PM EST up reply actions

If we get a DC that can use him properly

then give him another year. If we get another zone defense guy, then he has to go. Franks has really come on, and Heydon was playing very well in our system.

by Whyte Bler 000 on Jan 9, 2012 4:33 PM EST up reply actions

Dunta is a Falcons for at least 2 more years. That’s my bet

by Caviarhound on Jan 18, 2012 4:16 PM EST up reply actions

Question

Why would you get rid of MM if he worked for Matt Ryan when the O-line was fresh downhill runner and younger O-line…? If that’s the case then make moves in terms of players and not the coach… I’m just going by that reasoning you provided. My Giants last season had one of the best rushing offenses, this season we had new younger lineman come in, and so we struggled off and on… Our last 6 games we have rushed for over 100 yards and overall have only rushed for over 100 yards in 9 out of 17 games so far this season(includes playoff game)… I personally think the loss of your starting fullback hurt, and I also think there should be more of a mix with ur other big back… #44.

by nyfinest314 on Jan 9, 2012 3:24 PM EST reply actions

You’ve kind of described the issue with Murlarkey. He cannot adapt and evolve. He runs Turner 30 times a game, and gives Snelling and Quizz 2 or 3 carries if the game is out of hand.

It took us 8 weeks to finally get both Roddy and Julio BOTH impacting a game.

He was very good with limited talent, but now the team has more impact players, and he cannot find ways to get them involved. His play calling has become stale and predictable. And quite frankly, as OC he is responsible for everything on offense. If the line is not blocking well, he needs to fix it. If a receiver is not getting involved in a game on a consistent basis, he needs to figure out why. Whether its scheming, or coaching the QB to get him involved. He just hasn’t done that.

He’s basically a kid in a sandbox who doesn’t know what toy to play with. So instead of taking 5 min each to play with them all, he plays with 1 and ignores the rest.

by Whyte Bler 000 on Jan 9, 2012 3:36 PM EST up reply actions

I wish Mike Cox would get more use, too.

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by Caleb Rutherford on Jan 11, 2012 6:43 PM EST up reply actions

HC

MM is the OC, he’s not the Offensive Line Coach. The O-line coach improves the players blocking… Mike Smith would be responsible… Julio missed how many games due to injury or couldn’t finish, so therefore finding any continuity was difficult. U saw glimpses in the last few games… I say Snelling leaves for a bigger role somewhere else… Did HD play at all yesterday?

by nyfinest314 on Jan 9, 2012 3:56 PM EST reply actions

However

it is the OC’s job to ensure that the O line coach and QB coach are doing their jobs. Just as it is Mike Smith’s job to ensure MM is creating competent game plans and utilizing the talent he and Thomas Dimitrov are brining in. At least that’s how I would run an organization.

Snelling should be more involved, he has been doing a pretty good job with his limited role, and is a great pass catching back. He has lighter feet than Turner, and softer hands. But he does not have the breakaway speed that Turner did in 08 and 09 before he got hurt.

Julio has definitely proven that he worth the price we paid for him. But it also showed that we over estimated what we currently have. I don’t think MS and TD will make that mistake again. But the problem is still the same, it took MM 8 weeks to find a way to have both Julio and Roddy contributing in games. The first few weeks, one guy would have 100+ and the other 40. After week 80 it was much better, 100 and 80. And we still have a 3rd guy who gets maybe 1 or 2 targets a game, that has breakaway speed similar to Julio, just not the strength or size.

I understand where your coming from, but these issues that came up in yesterday’s game are nothing new. They have been going on for the last 3 years.

by Whyte Bler 000 on Jan 9, 2012 4:32 PM EST up reply actions

Lineman

Abe probably won’t return for less money, depending on the moves made in FA this may end up becoming a weakness next season. Ray Edwards was not an impact player this season, there isn’t much depth other then Kroy…

by nyfinest314 on Jan 9, 2012 4:02 PM EST reply actions

Sidbury

has shown promise in limited play time this year. I don’t think it would be a stretch to give him a chance at starting. With a new DC and D line coach, Edwards numbers could go back to his Minnesota numbers, and Sid could do the same.

Babs was injured most of the year, which accounted for his lack of production. Peters has come on strong. But this is way off topic. I think we can afford a few losses at defense if it means shoring up our offense for next year. Without a first round pick, we won’t have a good chance at getting an impact player anyway.

by Whyte Bler 000 on Jan 9, 2012 4:23 PM EST up reply actions

interesting

thanks for the feedback… I am a Giants fan being from NYC, but I do live in Atlanta and so I follow the Falcons, and I am just an overall NFL that enjoys talking football, etc… Yea the game from a Falcon standpoint was mind boggling. I expected the Giants to win, but I also expected a much tougher game throughout.

by nyfinest314 on Jan 9, 2012 4:48 PM EST reply actions

Irony

I live in Jersey, so I see a lot of Giants games. I never thought this would happen. i thought both teams were evenly matched.

But that’s the Falcons for you.

by Whyte Bler 000 on Jan 9, 2012 5:05 PM EST up reply actions

They were evenly matched - at least, where players are concerned

The huge mismatch was in coaching.

by The DW on Jan 9, 2012 5:10 PM EST up reply actions

Match-mismatch

I think the offensive coordinators might be a match… Whyte could probably tell you… Most Giants fans hate OC Kevin Gilbride. We call him Kill-drive…LOL

by nyfinest314 on Jan 9, 2012 5:21 PM EST up reply actions

lol

Definitely irony… I pretty much watched every Giants game on live stream

by nyfinest314 on Jan 9, 2012 5:19 PM EST up reply actions

Nice Write up

I actually agree with the idea of trying to trade Turner and RW. I think we could get a fourth rounder, maybe a 3rd rounder for MT. For RW, I actually think we could land a pretty good draft pick – since he’s a multi-time pro-bowler and has had several consecutive 1000 yard seasons.

I think we need to find a young, aggressive offensive coordinator. Possibly someone from the college ranks. I’d love to see the OC from Boise State (small school that highly utilized talent) or a similar program get a shot.

As for the O-Line – had Mularkey learned to use quick slants, screens or draws, the scheme would have helped to cover some of the weaknesses. It’s impossible to have 5 all-star linemen, so you use your scheme to help take pressure off of the line. Make the defense honor the short game (doesn’t have to be runs up the middle).

I think we’ve got some potential stars in the making sitting on the bench. Kevin Cone is a Julio-type of a receiver, just less polished. He has amazing speed and is big and physical. I also think Kerry Meier has not been utilized properly and don’t even get me started on HD.

To think – all of these weapons with one of the smartest QBs in football – and we can’t put up a single point in a playoff game?

by The DW on Jan 9, 2012 5:02 PM EST reply actions

Cone is interesting

His upside could be a legitimate starting #2 receiver in the NFL, and his downside is probably a valuable reserve. I’ve been impressed with the kid.

If the Falcons believe Meier has value, believe they can re-sign Douglas, are willing to jettison Weems and trade Roddy, they might be able to get by with a depth chart that looks like this in 2012:

1) Julio Jones
2) Free agent/draft pick/Kerry Meier
3) Harry Douglas
4) Kerry Meier/draft pick/free agent
5) Kevin Cone

Let Cone get a little run, chip in on special teams and see what he turns into.

by Dave Choate on Jan 9, 2012 11:31 PM EST up reply actions

Being a GA Tech guy

I saw Cone quite a few times. Playing in the option offense is not exactly a boon for receivers – and admittedly, he was used primarily for blocking (which he was fantastic at) but when they did throw to him, you could see the breakout speed. There were simply no corners or safeties in the ACC that matched up to him.

I like your line-up. I think Harry can be far more dangerous than he has been and Meier strikes me as a “circus-catch” kind of receiver.

by The DW on Jan 10, 2012 8:11 AM EST up reply actions

I think if that becomes our depth chart

WR goes from being a great strength to a definitive weakness. Kerry Meier as a candidate for a #2 WR? Has the guy even had 20 catches in a season? Underutilization or not, if a guy can’t make the most of his opportunities and break out when given the opportunity, giving him more reps won’t instantly make him a much better WR

"He has lived up to the legendary billing... And the legend is born in Calvin Johnson!" -Wes Durham

by sportsfan4life2012 on Jan 14, 2012 3:04 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

You are correct in saying

that giving a guy reps won’t make him instantly better. But we can actually evaluate what we have with him, and he will get better with more reps. I think he becomes a solid #4 (Meier).

HD can play when he actually gets targeted. He has shown what he can do with just a little bit of room. It comes down to play calling.

by Whyte Bler 000 on Jan 14, 2012 9:54 PM EST up reply actions

Kerry Meier

Isn’t even used.
Period.
I forgot about Cone, he could be a mystery sleeper.
If the Falcons loose a LB, Bear Woods could come into play…maybe.

by brotherbrown on Jan 10, 2012 1:55 AM EST up reply actions

The train has passed Bear Woods by

I would be surprised to even see him invited to training camp since he didn’t make the practice squad this year. There is a fresh year of new talent coming in that deserves to be evaluated in his stead.

by TheAreopagite on Jan 12, 2012 11:08 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs

Nice post..

but don’t agree with trading Roddy just yet. Maybe next season or the season after but if we traded him now and drafted a WR it would take a season or 2 for him to develop, leaving us with only JJ, an aging Tony G and a largely untested HD. I believe Roddy provides a lot of experience in the WR corps and creates matchup problems that with a good OC we could exploit. I agree with the fact that turner has to go. He was very good his first few seasons, but age and workload have caught up to him. Plus his visions has never been elite and can only find holes the size of texas, which isn’t a very good fit for a team with a pretty bad run-blocking OL. However I don’t believe any of our current running-backs are good enough for a #1 HB role. I see Quizz as a poor mans Darren Sproles and Snelling Michael Turner Jr. who can catch a few passes. I like a running back along the lines of Arian Foster, powerful, agile, and a threat in the passing game.

by Ntreri on Jan 9, 2012 5:12 PM EST reply actions 1 recs

Don't necessarily need a #1 back

Look at GB, NO, NE and DET. None of them have a “featured” back, but have very good offenses. The age of the feature-back has passed. We need diverse backs who can help create confusion and who can beat teams in the running and passing game.

I think Quizz has the potential to be a Sproles-like back for us. Give him 15 carries a game, and Snelling 8 to 12 and you have a much more dynamic offense. Whenever Turner was in there, teams knew they didn’t have to account for him in the passing game and it limited the offense.

by The DW on Jan 9, 2012 5:28 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

I agree with this

The problem with a feature back is they wear out faster. Both in terms of season to season and career. The first few years they can go 16 games, but taking 300 carries a year, can really take it’s load over the coarse of 5 or 6 years.

I don’t want to sound demeaning, because I don’t know everyones past. But if you haven’t played contact sports at a higher level, you don’t really know the toll it takes on your body. It’s one thing to do when your 18-22, and only takes 2 months to fully recover. But when you are closing in on 30, and have done it for 12 years is another. Look at Tony G, he had his best season in years. What was the difference, he had an additional 4 months to recover.

by Whyte Bler 000 on Jan 9, 2012 5:36 PM EST up reply actions

Tony G got dunked on by a soon-to-be college freshman...

playing hoops during the off season. That pissed him off so much he revamped his already legendary off-season conditioning program so it wouldn’t happen again. The extra work – not extra time off – paid dividends during the season.

Turner would regain a step or three if he could get back down to his Charger playing weight.

by GritsBlitz on Jan 10, 2012 8:58 PM EST up reply actions

I’m not saying we NEED a #1 back, just that the backs we have right now aren’t fit for a #1 Back role. Both have a few good runs here and there, but neither Snelling nor Quizz top 4 YPC, and both combine for only 47 receptions (In part because of MM’s offensive style). I’m perfectly fine with a 2 back attack, but unless snelling and quiz make some pretty big improvements (such as going over 4 YPC, which should be easier on limited carries vs the load turner has gotten) I don’t see both of them heading our running attack.

by Ntreri on Jan 9, 2012 7:07 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

Problem with that

Unfortunately there is an issue with looking at those 4 teams you just mention… All 4 quarterbacks throw the deep ball very well, they have much more athletic TE’s who go down the field more… TG being that he is older is more of a safety valve on intermediate routes. Matty Ryan doesn’t throw the deep ball as well for whatever reason…

by nyfinest314 on Jan 9, 2012 5:38 PM EST reply actions

They throw the deep ball well

but they kill you with the intermediate routes . The point wasn’t to mimic what they do on field, but produce points like they do, and not go 3 and out after a long defensive possession.

by Whyte Bler 000 on Jan 9, 2012 5:55 PM EST up reply actions

Matt can throw deep pretty well

But, like Brady or Manning, he needs a solid pocket to do it in. He’s not going to hurl it like Rodgers on the run.

Also, I think if you watch the Saints offense, Brees doesn’t take as many deep shots as everyone thinks. He relies on his offensive players to make YAC (something they excel at). That short passing game – complete with screens and slants – forces the defense to play tight. When they do, Brees normally finds the deep ball pretty easily.

by The DW on Jan 9, 2012 6:29 PM EST up reply actions

deep ball

Matt Ryan’s deep ball passer rating was 43.1%, and pretty much every season when breaking down how the teams season would fare the only glaring constant was Matt not throwing the deep ball well… He does throw the intermediate pass very well…

by nyfinest314 on Jan 9, 2012 6:37 PM EST up reply actions

Don't get me wrong

I should have phrased it differently – Matt CAN throw it well, he just does not frequently. Whether that’s a protection issue, a scheme issue or a confidence issues is left for debate.

by The DW on Jan 9, 2012 8:58 PM EST up reply actions

His 20 yard passing game might be one of the best

His deep ball suffers because our receivers don’t ever get a clean release, and instead of checking down (he probably doesn’t do it as much as he should on certain deep plays) he chucks the ball with all his might and overthrows the receiver, usually.

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by Caleb Rutherford on Jan 11, 2012 6:51 PM EST up reply actions

however

I do agree to implement a system with more slants, 3 step dropback passes, etc. More of a quick release system from the QB perspective… However, the question will be will there be patience with learning a totally new system which may not bode well for a successful season… And u have to think Panthers r definitely on the rise…

by nyfinest314 on Jan 9, 2012 5:43 PM EST reply actions

Anytime there is a major overhaul

from either a coaching or player perspective, you have to accept the fact their may be short term regression. However a good OC will game plan to a team’s strength and limit that regression. And it’s not like we would be completely rebuilding our offense. It would be more like retooling it.

And at 10-6 this year, I don’t think we would actually have a worse record. At worst we would match it. But we would be playing stronger down the stretch.

I do agree that Carolina could be a rising team in the division.

by Whyte Bler 000 on Jan 9, 2012 6:00 PM EST up reply actions

screen

So the Falcons only threw 13 screen passes all yr… Geesh!! I remember I used to scream at the Giants to use the screen pass as part of the offense…

by nyfinest314 on Jan 9, 2012 6:57 PM EST up reply actions

for 68 yards

Cam Newton threw 66 screen passes…

by falconnuke on Jan 9, 2012 7:08 PM EST up reply actions

Prayers

Prayers go out to the assistant coach of the Green Bay Packers coach. Son went missing, and the news doesn’t sound good at all… They say a young man was pulled from a river in the area…

by nyfinest314 on Jan 9, 2012 6:39 PM EST reply actions

wrong side of 30 means alot more to RBs than WR (looks at Donald Driver, Reggie Wayne, ect)

can’t trade Roddy White. next year Roddy and Julio will be 1A and 1B and the stats maybe more equal and then in 2013 Roddy will be playing second fiddle to Julio but still be worlds better than say Michael Jenkins

by durst on Jan 11, 2012 1:03 PM EST reply actions 1 recs

With a full training and mini camp

Julio would more than likely become #1, and Roddy would be #2. Their play style and YPC dictate that.

But I still lean towards trading him while he is valuable.

by Whyte Bler 000 on Jan 12, 2012 5:27 PM EST up reply actions

My Thoughts Are

Turner needs to be reduced and using him in the red zone is a great idea. Agreed.

Snelling is not a starting NFL back, or he would have been already somewhere. A good backup but not the answer.

Rodgers deserves chance for 15-20 carries a game, with Turner splitting time.

Honestly, Turner cannot create anything, and cannot catch so all he can do is bull run after getting some steam in open field. He may need to just go.
Abraham should be gone. Dimitroff follows Belichick’s rule of cut them one year too early, vs. one year too late. Abraham is old.

I totally agree with your offensive line plan. Get some linemen darn it.
Trade Roddy? Yes! Get something for him while we can. He does not break tackles, he drops when game counts, he runs his mouth and he should get us a second rounder, as you said.

Tony Gonzalez, in my opinion was signed only because of the draft situation. Notice how he gets shut down in big games? He cannot run, and lumbers around until tackled. He should have been cut, but it is what it is. We need a tight end and maybe this year we draft one, in the second round.

Robinson, I am not sure because they say he is physical and a cover man, not zone and we ran that freaking soft zone. I say keep him.

Weems? I don’t get the appeal about him. He seems afraid to catch a return, and rarely gets past the 20. What else does he bring to the game? Slow average backup player who is lucky to have his job.

Our defensive line is pitiful and I mentioned the offensive line. We need line help and maybe Jones, Rodgers, and another receiver will start breaking some tackles.

When you look at this team closely, we have some significant flaws.

I am pleased to see Dimitroff take actions though. At least he is not saying, toe the line.

Mr. Mustard

by Mr. Mustard on Jan 14, 2012 8:53 PM EST reply actions

At best

Roddy is our #2 next year. Like you said, he doesn’t break tackles or get YAC like Jones and HD can. If we keep him, he becomes strictly a possession receiver, leaving JJ and HD for the big plays. JJ will be our leading receiver next year, mark my words. A full mini and training camp with Ryan will get these two clicking all year like the last 6 games.

I don’t think Snelling can be a feature back, but he has his talents, and utilized in a rotation would be very effective. Think of the Saints with their stable of backs. He can run between the tackles and make catches out of the backfield. He doesn’t have the breakaway speed that Turner did in his prime, but he has light feet, and can run just as hard as Turner.

Completely agree with the Tony G aspect. Plus if we happen to trade White, he becomes the mentor for all the receivers. He could essentially be a Mike Peterson for the next 3 years.

by Whyte Bler 000 on Jan 14, 2012 9:59 PM EST up reply actions

I'll take my shot at playing Armchair GM

and I have both agreements and disagreements Whyte Bler. While every Falcons fan wants us to get Nicks, I simply don’t know if it’s going to happen. But I do love your mention of Demetrius Bell. Huge upgrade at arguably the 2nd or 3rd most important position in football. In terms of a center, Hawley may have proved that he can’t outperform a man a decade his senior…but if he proved that, it’s because he was largely playing out of position. His starts at C were worse than his starts at G, but those were also his earlier starts. I think he came into his own enough to warrant a shot as the starting center next year. RG would be the other question, and I’m curious to see if Mike Johnson can win that spot when healthy. However, in our win-now mode, I’d sign someone like a Jake Scott from the Titans. So we’ve got Bell, Blaclock, Hawley, Scott, Clabo on my o-line

I like one of your trades of our skill positions, but am adamantly opposed to the other. First the one I like; Turner. And i’m not advocating trading him because I don’t like Turner; rather I’m advocating trading him because I do like him and think he still has some decent value on the trade market. His legs are getting older, and he simply isn’t much more than a straight dive back at this point. However, he may be the best straight-dive back in the league, so I think we could get a couple mid-round picks. To supplement his loss, I’d sign The Law Firm, as the Pats are stacked with RB’s. In my offense, he be getting short-yardage carries, while the majority of the work would be split between Snelling (who I do think could be a starting NFL back) and Rodgers. Splits would be something like 50-35-15 between Qizz, Snelling, and Green-Ellis. I definitely think we need to keep Roddy. If you say that he’s strictly a possesion receiver, I counter with the fact that he’d be the best possesion receiver in the league. Nothing wrong with paying the guy to do that roll, especially when Julio and HD (who we NEED to resign) won’t be breaking the bank. And while you say at best Roddy’s our #2 next year, I’d say at worst he’s our number 2. I can definitely see Julio having more yards, but Roddy with substantially more catches, and being a huge 3rd down asset.

That leaves QB, TE, and FB where we’re at least set for next season. Unlike many Falcons fans who hit the panic button as soon as our season ended, I still love Matt Ryan. I think he’ll be doing great things for many years to come in a Falcons uniform. But the rest of the depth chart should be cleared out. I’d address QB fairly early in the draft, and I’d personally go Russell Wilson. I’ve read draft projections between 3-6, and if we can get him in the 5th, it’d be a huge steal. With his athleticism, and a few years of polish, he could do big things if we ever needed him to. I also think we need to look TE in the draft. Tony will be solid for another year, and I actually rather like Michael Palmer in that TE2 spot. But we need someone to pair with him, and I’d say Orson Charles. He’s got great speed, he can beef up a bit with a year working behind Tony G and Palmer, and it keeps the UGA fans happy to have a hometown kid. And for FB, can we just all acknowledge what a beast Ovie is?

I’ll check back in after we’ve got a new DC, and provide my armchair GM opinions there as well. Good convo guys.

by Sewanee Braves on Jan 16, 2012 2:44 PM EST reply actions

interesting thoughts

But I’d definitely say no thanks to Jake Scott.

"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein

by orang3b on Jan 17, 2012 11:44 AM EST up reply actions

This is why you guys will NEVER be a GM in the NFL . There is no one we can draft after the 1st round that can put up the number or be as productive as Roddy White . Michael Turner on a decline ? He had 1300+ yards .

The only thing I agree with is signing Carl Nicks and not re-signing Weems . We dont really need him anymore considering the fact that all the kick-offs are going to the back of the endzone .

by D.O.T.M.P on Jan 16, 2012 8:54 PM EST reply actions

That's the idea

get value for the guys before they decline. We have the depth and skill to make up for them leaving.

HD, Snelling, and Quizz would have an increased role in the offense without Roddy and Turner. In addition to the draft picks.

We don;t need a feature back, and Roddy will become a possession receiver with julio developing like he has.

by Whyte Bler 000 on Jan 17, 2012 10:33 PM EST up reply actions

Since 3 of my predictions have all ready come true

New OC, DC, and OL coaches, I really don’t have too many tweaks to make.

But with the OC, and wanting to tweak the offense a bit.

Trade – Still supporting the idea of trading White for a 2nd, and Turner for a 4th. These guys haven’t statically declined yet, so the idea of getting these picks isn’t far off. No trades on defense,

Release – Baker and Jerry, our 1st round busts. Unload them to save cap space for two big FA acquisitions.

Do not resign – Weems, Grimes, Abe, McClure, Peterson. With the new kickoff rules, and other players who can fill that role, Weems is the odd man out. Meier can easily replace him on offense, and is a bigger target for Ryan. HD/Franks can handle returns. grimes will command too much money, and we can’t sink so much into CB. Nolan may switch to more of a physical cover defense, and Grimes doesn’t fit that mold. Abe and McClure are near the end of their careers, and unless sign for very little money would not be worth it.

Resign – DeCoud, Palmer, Snelling, Biermann, Lofton, Zelenka, Walker, Heydon
Snelling will have an increased role, DeCoud while not great, is more than likely better than what we would get in the draft, Biermann & Palmer are serviceable backups. Zelenka is a steady long snapper, Walker is part of our DL rotation, and Heydon was very good on the field at nickel.

by Whyte Bler 000 on Jan 17, 2012 10:44 PM EST reply actions

FA Aquisitions

LT – Bell (while not elite, probably the best FA LT out there, low garunteed, but respectable contract)
RG – Nicks (could command up to 8-10 mil, maybe less with a nice bonus and garunteed)

those would be our big name guys. I don’t see us having the cap space to do anything else after resigning our core players. The only big money resigning would be Lofton. The rest don’t have much to stand on and wouldn’t get a big payday from another team.

by Whyte Bler 000 on Jan 17, 2012 10:47 PM EST reply actions

Draft

2nd round (if a certain trade is made) – Possession WR/Center
2nd round – Center/Possession WR (Center if trade is not made)
3rd round – TE
3rd round (compensation pick for Dahl) – DT/DE that can fill both roles in a 43/34 defense (jerry should be gone to free up cap space)
4th round (trade a player away) – Power RB
5th round – Backup QB
6th round – OLB (either 43 or 34 whichever way the defense goes to)
7th round – FS/CB depth

by Whyte Bler 000 on Jan 17, 2012 10:49 PM EST reply actions