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Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian left his job at the University of Alabama for a couple reasons. His relationship with Alabama head coach Nick Saban was admittedly strained. He’d only coached in the NFL once before, a one-year stint as the Oakland Raiders quarterbacks coach in 2004. (He coached the Minnesota Vikings’ 1987 4th round draft pick, Rich Gannon, that season.) But it wasn’t just about coaching in the NFL again. It was about coaching this offense, this special offense.
It’s hard not to be excited about the offense this season. 2016 MVP Matthew Thomas Ryan is back. The WR corps is deep and talented. The offensive line is anchored by quality veterans. Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman comprise arguably the NFL’s best running back tandem. Austin Hooper is actually getting drafted in fantasy football leagues.
NFL Network’s “Good Morning Football” thinks the Falcons offense will improve in 2017 too. In fact, they did an entire segment about it this morning. They cite three reasons the Falcons offense will improve in 2017. First, most of the offensive starters are back. Second, Devonta Freeman is in the best shape of his life. Third, the Falcons finally have a tight end of the future in Austin Hooper.
It’s hard to dispute their logic. Your thoughts?