By Mason Wittner, Staff Writer
The Atlanta Falcons’ 2014 campaign provided an odd mixture of emotions for fans.
Atlanta was featured on HBO’s documentary series Hard Knocks prior to the regular season, giving an insight to training camp and the preseason. Through the show, fans were assured of a stronger, tougher mentality for the Falcons following a brutal 4-12 showing in 2013. Players and coaches alike seemed to all buy-in to the idea that that the team would do whatever it took to return to their winning ways.
Unfortunately, things didn’t exactly pan out.
Following a 56-14 thrashing of Tampa Bay in week three, the second-largest win in franchise history, the Falcons felt pretty good about themselves sitting atop the division at 2-1. However, Atlanta suffered detrimental injuries to three offensive linemen in the 41-28 loss to the Vikings, virtually demolishing their playoff hopes as the team fell to 2-6.
Despite sitting at 6-9 entering the final week of the season, the Falcons found themselves in a one-game playoff at home for the NFC South championship as they faced off against the Carolina Panthers (6-8-1).
Matt Ryan threw a pair of interceptions, each returned for a touchdown, as Atlanta closed out their season with a 34-3 throttling at the hands of the Panthers and missed their shot at the playoffs.
After the excitement of a possible playoff berth faded, the harsh reality of a 6-10 season set in and a number of questions needed to be answered.
The first answer came with the firing of Mike Smith last December. Despite being the winningest head coach in franchise history, going 66-46 (.589) through seven seasons, Smith was 1-4 in the playoffs and led the falcons to a combined 10-22 record in his final two seasons.
Atlanta finished last in total defense in 2014, surrendering 398.2 yards per game.
On Feb. 2, 2015, the Falcons hired the 16th head coach in franchise history in Dan Quinn. Former defensive coordinator of the Seattle Seahawks, Quinn’s presence alone brings promise of stingier defense as well as experience with a Super Bowl on his résumé. Since arriving in Atlanta, Quinn implemented an attack-style defensive front, different from the two-gap approach under Smith. The new system looks to improve the pass rush immensely.
In addition to Quinn’s hiring, the Falcons selected former Clemson defensive end Vic Beasley with the eighth overall pick in the NFL Draft.
Atlanta also brought in a new offensive coordinator in Kyle Shanahan who hopes to improve upon the Falcons’ offense that finished eighth overall in the league last season.
The Falcons return the tandem of Matt Ryan and Julio Jones, who connected for nearly 1,600 yards a season ago. Ryan lost longtime target Harry Douglas, but acquired wide out Leonard Hankerson and rookie running back Tevin Coleman.
If the offensive line can stay healthy and keep Ryan on his feet, as well as give the duo of Coleman and Devonte Freeman a little room to run, the offense has potential to be explosive.
The Falcons have shown signs of hope through their first two preseason games.
Ryan led Atlanta 91 yards in 10 plays, capped by a 13-yard touchdown to Jones, in the first drive of the team’s first preseason game against the Tennessee Titans. The newly improved Falcons caused an interception and fumble returned for a touchdown in the Titans’ first two possessions of the game.
Atlanta starters showed great promise once again in the second preseason game against the Jets as Ryan went 4-for-5 for 75 yards and a touchdown and Atlanta scored on each of it’s first two possessions.
As a Falcons fan, it’s hard not to be cautiously optimistic about the direction Quinn appears to be taking this organization. It’s still early, and the Falcons still have plenty of time to find a way to return to their old ways and break the hearts of us all.
For now, though, things appear to be looking up in Atlanta.
