Atlanta Falcons preview (No. 23): Dan Quinn will get defensive
Our 2015 NFL preview series ranks every team, from worst to first. Today: the No. 23 Falcons.
2014 record: 6-10
Head coach: Dan Quinn (first year)
Key arrivals: *Vic Beasley (defensive end), *Jalen Collins (cornerback), *Tevin Coleman (running back), Justin Durant (linebacker), Adrian Clayborn (defensive end), O'Brien Schofield (linebacker/defensive end), Chris Chester (offensive lineman), Jacob Tamme (tight end), Mike Person (guard)
(*denotes rookie)
Key departures: Steven Jackson (running back), Harry Douglas (wide receiver), Justin Blalock (guard), Jonathan Massaquoi (defensive end), Corey Peters (defensive tackle), Robert McClain (cornerback)
2015 schedule (ET)
Sept. 27: at Dallas, 1 p.m.
Oct. 4: Houston, 1 p.m.
Oct. 11: Washington, 1 p.m.
Oct. 15: at New Orleans, 8:25 p.m.
Oct. 25: at Tennessee, 1 p.m.
Nov. 1: Tampa Bay, 1 p.m.
Nov. 8: at San Francisco, 4:05 p.m.
Nov. 15: BYE
Nov. 22: Indianapolis, 1 p.m.
Nov. 29: Minnesota, 1 p.m.
Dec. 6: at Tampa Bay, 1 p.m.
Dec. 13: at Carolina, 1 p.m.
Dec. 20: at Jacksonville, 1 p.m.
Dec. 27: Carolina, 1 p.m.
Jan. 3: New Orleans, 1 p.m.
TRAINING CAMP QUESTION: How quickly will the Falcons adjust to the Dan Quinn's new defensive scheme?
The Falcons have radically overhauled a unit that posted the NFL's lowest sack total over the past two seasons. Atlanta switched the positions of two defensive backs drafted in 2014 (cornerback Dezmen Southward and safety Ricardo Allen), used its first two draft choices this year on defensive players (Clemson end Vic Beasley and Louisiana State cornerback Jalen Collins) and added four notable free agents to the front seven in end Adrian Clayborn and linebackers Brooks Reed, Justin Durant and O'Brien Schofield. Beasley told co-hosts Gil Brandt and Alex Marves on SiriusXM NFL Radio that he was surprised by the quantity of hands-on involvement Quinn had with the defense during offseason practices. Quinn's heavy involvement should help accelerate the unit's learning curve.
IF EVERYTHING GOES RIGHT
As bad as the Falcons have been the past two seasons -- and 10-22 is pretty bad -- they still begin a rebuild with a franchise quarterback-wideout duo in Matt Ryan and Julio Jones. So if you start by assuming both will continue to play at a Pro Bowl level and then figure Quinn will import some of the magic he worked with the Seahawks' defense on the other side of the ball, you can start to see a sunny (playoff?) outcome for the Falcons. After all, Ryan was 56-22 as a starter before the past two seasons.
IF EVERYTHING GOES WRONG
Atlanta's defense gave up more yards than any in the league last season, and its offseason additions don't scream quick fix. If Quinn can't figure out how to slow down opponents it won't matter whether Ryan tops 4,000 passing yards for a fifth straight season. Also, there's the matter of a missing running game with Steven Jackson having moved on. The Falcons will enter camp without a true No. 1 back, and developing a running attack will be important in helping the defense stay off the field.
BREAKOUT PLAYER: Running back Devonta Freeman
CIRCLE THE DATE GAME: Week 1, vs. Philadelphia (7:10 p.m. ET/Sept. 14)
Some of the intrigue stems from the debut of the new-look Eagles after a major offseason roster overhaul by head coach Chip Kelly. But this also is the first chance to see all of the changes in Atlanta that have taken place since Quinn was hired.
ALEX MARVEZ'S PREDICTION: 7-9, second place
The rebuild is on after Atlanta won only 10 games over the past two seasons. Quinn is installing the same kind of system that led to his rousing success as Seattle's defensive coordinator in 2013 and 2014. The problem is that he doesn't have the same caliber or depth of talent to work with in Atlanta, particularly in a secondary that bears scant resemblance to the Seahawks' vaunted Legion of Boom. At least the Falcons should be able to improve the pass rush after generating an NFL-low 54 sacks the previous two years. Quinn is adept at scheming to create pressure, plus the Falcons added two defenders who can affect the quarterback in Reed (Houston) and 2015 first-round pick Vic Beasley. Shanahan has two immediate goals: Better what was the NFL's 24th-ranked rushing attack in 2014 and get Ryan playing like a true franchise quarterback once again. The performance of both will be tied into the needed improvement of an offensive line that was once again stung by injuries in 2014. Two factors that could help the Falcons make a playoff push late in the year: two straight home games to end the season and no cold-weather road games on the docket.
