Atlanta Falcons: Five Players To Breakout in 2011

Preseason is over and the Falcons are almost done completing their 53-man roster for the regular season and now the Falcons fans are ready to see the most anticipated campaign in franchise history. After going 13-3 and earning the #1 seed in the NFC last season, the Falcons will face a lot of tough teams throughout this season and the schedule will tell the NFL the story of these young Falcons. Throughout the off-season, with Thomas Dimitroff adding key players to the roster such as former Vikings defensive end Ray Edwards, former Patriots safety James Sanders, former Colts cornerback Kelvin Hayden, and surprising draft pick wide receiver Julio Jones that the loss to the Packers did not satisfy the organization and want to see more great things after that successful run in the 2010 season. There are a few players on the Falcons roster that you can expect to have a breakout season and needs to have a good season in order to take Atlanta to the next level.

1. JULIO JONES

Julio Jones makes a reception against the Dolphins

One of the main issues that the Falcons wanted to address during the off-season was finding a way to become explosive and in the 2011 NFL Draft, the Falcons shocked the entire league by moving up 21 spots in order to take the talented receiver from Alabama. Julio Jones was one of the best receivers in the country last season from the Crimson Tide posting (78) receptions, (1,133) receiving yards, and (7) touchdowns which was one of the best statistics by a receiver in the nation during the 2010 season. Julio Jones is a receiver that possesses the explosive traits that Atlanta wanted because he can spread the field, turn small receptions into big plays, and has breakaway speed. The only issue that concerned many people about Jones was his percentage of dropped passes and throughout the preseason, the same issue came up a few times, including on a pass from Matt Ryan to Julio Jones in week 3 against the Steelers. As the season progresses, you will expect to see Jones make an impact in many ways for the Falcons offense and there are so many different approaches you can take using him as a weapon. With the addition of this explosive receiver to the Falcons lineup, the opposing defense are no longer able to pursue double coverage against Roddy White and Tony Gonzalez because of the play-making abilities that Jones will bring to the Falcons passing attack. Throughout training camp and the pre-season, the Falcons players expressed how talented Julio Jones is and that he may be in his rookie season; however, his maturity is like a NFL veteran wide receiver. Finally, Jones is expected to have a big season as the Falcons rookie receiver and will be one of the top candidates for offensive rookie of the year in 2011.

2. HARRY DOUGLAS

Harry Douglas explodes for a touchdown 

Coming into his fourth season as a Falcons receiver, Harry Douglas have been through many ups and downs in his short time in Atlanta. Douglas, the fourth year receiver from Louisville, had a promising rookie season; however, heading into his second season, an injury ended his entire season and last year, his knee injury was healing; however, the injury limited Douglas from producing as much as he wanted to during the 2010 season. In training camp and during the pre-season, Falcons fans were impressed by Harry Douglas improvement and it was clear that his injury was 100 percent healed and he is ready to have a career season for the new and explosive Falcons offense. During pre-season, Douglas caught two touchdown passes of (20) yards against the Dolphins and (76) yards against the Jaguars. Both of his touchdown receptions were very impressive and is signs of great things to come during the 2011 season. Like Jones, Harry Douglas have the speed and explosive traits to make a small reception into a big play for the Falcons offense and give Matt Ryan another weapon for the Falcons passing attack. Douglas will cause mismatches for opposing defenses as a slot receiver and the expectations for him are huge this season.

3. JACQUIZZ RODGERS

Jacquizz Rodgers running against Baltimore

Another thing that the Falcons wanted to add during the NFL Draft was a running back that will change the pace of the Falcons rushing attack which already had two physical backs in Michael Turner and Jason Snelling. In the 5th round, the Falcons drafted Rodgers from Oregon State and this was a huge surprise to see him fall to the Falcons in the draft; however, Rodgers was the change of pace back that the Falcons needed. During the pre-season, Rodgers made a huge impression among Falcons fans and lead the team in rushing in the Jaguars and Steelers pre-season games and provided a play-maker in the running game who will make it difficult for opposing defenses to stop him. Rodgers is going to give a change of pace for the Falcons offense and he can be used as an option as a receiving running back out of the back field for the offense. Jacquizz Rodgers was one of the best running backs in the country last season at Oregon State as he rushed for (1184) rushing yards, and (14) touchdowns and you can expect him to be used as a slot receiver at times and also can be used for screen plays and his quick speed can help take the Falcons offense to another level.

4. DOMINIQUE FRANKS

Dominique Franks against the Cardinals in 2010

Heading into his second season as the Falcons corner back, Franks will get a lot of playing time and will be  used as a nickel or dime corner back. Falcons coaches and fans were impressed with his maturity level and his improvement in coverage and other key situations on defense. Last season, he sat most of the year and watched how Dunta Robinson and Brent Grimes emerged in the secondary and was key to the Falcons going 13-3. During preseason, the battle between Franks and Chris Owens was intense and a tough battle; however, Franks won the job and is currently listed as Brent Grimes backup on the depth chart going into week 1 against the Bears. Franks also was credited for the maturity and determination that he is displaying during from training camp and through the preseason and headed into the regular season, many Falcons fans will get their opportunity to see the improvement from the corner back. Franks, who left college in his junior season from Oklahoma, was one of the best corners in the Big-12 under Bob Stoop's system and with a year of NFL experience under his belt, Franks will continue to improve and emerge as a play making corner for the Falcons defense in 2011. Despite the addition of Kelvin Hayden, Franks will still get a lot of playing time this season and will also have the opportunity to show his skills on special teams this year. During the pre-season, Franks shocked the Falcons fan base with three explosive punt returns. He returned two punts for (44) and (38) yards against the Dolphins to keep the Falcons within striking distance to win their game against the Dolphins. Franks also had another (38) yard return against the Steelers and there may be a chance this season that the Falcons turn to him as an option for a punt and kick returner this year. I expect a great season from this second year corner back and he will only improve as the season progresses.


5. SEAN WEATHERSPOON

Sean Weatherspoon with a key stop against the Bucs in 2010

This season, Weatherspoon will have his first opportunity to play a full season as the Falcons outside linebacker after his rookie season was cut short due to injury; however, he posted some decent stats in 2010 as Weatherspoon recorded (1) sack and made (42) tackles for the Falcons defense and some of his tackles came during some huge game situations last season. We didn't get the opportunity to see his progression in pre-season, but the Falcons will see many great things from the second-year linebacker and expect for Weatherspoon to provide some pressure towards the opposing quarterback and to show some great coverage skills for Atlanta.This season, Falcons fans expect some great things coming from of this young linebacker and he needs to be one of the breakout defensive players for our team this year in order for the Falcons defense to go to another level. The Falcons have the play-makers on the defensive line and in their secondary; however, a linebacker must emerge to take the defense to an entirely different level. Like Dominique Franks, Sean Weatherspoon came from the Big-12 conference in college where he was continuously challenged by some of the best quarterbacks in college football such as Chase Daniel, Colt Mccoy and despite the challenges, he rose to the occasion and was a key contributor on the Missouri defense. Weatherspoon will have a great season for this young Falcons defense in 2011 and expect to hear his name on defensive highlights for the Falcons this upcoming season. With Curtis Lofton and Mike Peterson for assistance, Sean Weatherspoon will continue to improve and emerge as one of the best young linebackers in the NFL today.


FINAL THOUGHTS:
As the season begins one week from today, I expect these five players to not only have a huge impact on our team, but they will also have to be a productive factor for the Falcons in order for this team to take the next step towards having a winning season and going to another level in the postseason. The Falcons is a team with a lot of young talent that can make a huge impact on this season for the team. Until next time, FALCONS RISE UP!!