I’m sure if you’re an NFL fan, you’ve heard a lot of buzz surrounding the Atlanta Falcons lately. As a long-time Falcons fan, I feel a bit obligated to weigh in on these rumors. So I’ve decided to break down some of the hottest ones swirling around the team this season.
The first rumor that everyone is talking about is that the Falcons are in talks to acquire cornerback Richard Sherman. Now, I understand why this could be a great move. He’s proven that he’s one of the best cornerbacks in the league and the Falcons need help in the secondary. That said, I’m not really sure they have what it takes to bring him to Atlanta. It would require either a hefty trade package or a lot of free-agency money, and the Falcons simply don’t have either at the moment.
Another rumor I’ve heard is that the Falcons are looking to sign Antonio Brown. That one definitely excites me! Brown is a true game-changer and I think he could make the team go from good to great in a single season. Plus, pairing him with Julio Jones would be electric! But again, I’m not certain they have what it takes to sign him. For one, he’s a free agent so they’d need to offer him a contract. And two, he’s demanding a lot of money, which the Falcons don’t have.
The final rumor I’ve heard is that the Falcons are in the running to trade up in the draft. This one has me a little bit confused because the Falcons aren’t really a team that makes moves like this. They usually just sit back and pick the best available player. But the rumors are suggesting that they are actively looking to move up in the draft, so maybe they have something planned.
Now that I’ve discussed the rumors, I’m going to take a step away from the gossip and focus on the reality. I know the Falcons are rebuilding, but things are definitely looking bright. They have two young, talented quarterbacks in Matt Ryan and Tua Tagovailoa. They also have a great group of receivers and running backs. On top of that, they have one of the best coaching staffs in the league and some great young pieces on defense. So while the rumors will always provide excitement, the actual team is worth getting excited about.
Moving into the next section of the post, I’d like to address the ways in which the Falcons could improve this upcoming season. First of all, they need to get healthier. They have had their fair share of injuries in recent years, and if they’re serious about competing, they need to do a better job of keeping their key players on the field. Another area that needs improvement is the passing game. Matt Ryan has been one of the most consistent quarterbacks in the NFL for the past decade, but his numbers have dropped off in recent years. To get back to where they were a few seasons ago, the Falcons need to figure out how to get their passing attack going again.
The next area of improvement is the Falcons defense. The team has been relatively quiet in free agency the past few seasons, so maybe they’re finally ready to open their checkbook. Signing some quality defensive linemen and cornerbacks would definitely help them take the next step. They also need to get more creative with their defensive schemes and figure out ways to put pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Finally, they need to get better in the red zone. The Falcons have been notoriously bad in the red zone over the last few seasons, and they need to figure out how to score more in that area of the field.
The last thing the Falcons need to do is stay healthy both mentally and physically. Last season was a tough one for the team, and if they want to build on the progress they made, they need to stay positive and stay focused. They also need to take care of their bodies, as injuries have plagued them in past seasons. Regular rest and recovery are key, and the team needs to do a better job of monitoring workloads.
The bottom line is the Falcons have some work to do if they want to make a run at the playoffs this season. They need to stay healthy, get creative with their defense, and improve on offense. While the rumors will continue to swirl, only time will tell what will happen next for the Falcons.