Whenever the Saints play the Falcons I catch up with my friend Michael Collins of Georgia Sports Craze. The guy knows Georgia sports, and particularly the Falcons, better than pretty much anyone. He’s also a terrific follow on twitter, so I recommend you check him out. I got some intel from Michael prior to the Falcons game on Sunday, and below is what he had to share this time around. Thanks to Michael for taking the time, I’m sure we’ll be crossing paths with him again real soon.
Saints Nation: A new season always brings optimism. So I already know you’re going to tell me why the Falcons are so much better now than that aberration last year. So let me hear the why…
Georgia Sports Craze: Actually, I’m not going to tell you how much better. I’m as much in limbo about this Falcons team as I have been for many years. Not a lot was done to address some pretty glaring needs, unless of course some of these young players step up in a hurry. It won’t be another 4-win season, so that I can say will be improved, but it won’t be a 14-win season either.
SN: The Falcons spent a lot this offseason and had a pretty serious overhaul, particularly on defense. But I’m still looking at two major implications when it comes to the offense. Steven Jackson is still the lead back, and Tony Gonzalez is gone with no real replacement. Both of those are very bad things, no?
GSC: Yes and no. The truth is you aren’t going to replace Tony Gonzalez, that’s impossible. And since the Saints finally found a way to keep Jimmy Graham around, the Falcons (like most teams in the NFL) were left to just find or stick with a serviceable tight end, which Levine Toilolo certainly is. As for Steven Jackson, he may be listed first on the depth chart, but it won’t be long before Devonta Freeman steps up and takes over the featured back position (as much as any back can/will be featured in this offense). There’s still always the chance that Jackson will have one of those reclamation type seasons, but most aren’t counting on it.
SN: Is Jake Matthews ready to be a left tackle now? How in trouble is this Atlanta o-line?
GSC: Matthews is going to be fine at left tackle. That’s one of his natural positions, he just wasn’t trained there in the Falcons offense until Sam Baker got hurt….again. I wouldn’t say that the offensive line is in trouble. There’s definitely some marked improvement there, but they’re still far from an elite group needed to protect an elite quarterback. Dirk Koetter recognizes where the weaknesses are, and he’s developed plays that will get the ball out of Ryan’s hand a step or two quicker. Keep an eye on Joe Hawley at center. He’s becoming a big nasty.
SN: I saw our old friend Courtney Roby made the 53 man roster. I assume he’ll have a significant gunner role on special teams? How has he looked?
GSC: Any depth is good depth at WR for this offense. He’ll definitely get a lot of playing time on special teams, but he’s also proven he’s very good route runner. If Harry Douglas starts doing Harry Douglas things again (namely dropping easy balls) then Roby can eek his way up the depth chart.
SN: The Saints and Falcons know each other very well, but what’s a new wrinkle with this year’s Falcons team we should expect that might surprise us?
GSC: You want me to give away surprises? This is the Saints fans/website I’m talking to, right? Let’s just say that the tight end safety valve is going to be directed towards a much more mobile and quick player. We might miss TG, but we will probably see much more YAC on checkdown throws.
SN: Score prediction?
GSC: Atlanta 24, New Orleans 20
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