The Atlanta Falcons had been criticized heading into 2012 for going out with a whimper two seasons in a row to the tune of blowout losses in the playoffs. The Falcons answered those doubters last season, winning one game before bowing out in a tightly contested NFC Championship game.

So where do the Falcons go from there? Matt Ryan’s continued development is key as is finding some complementary pieces on the defense. If that happens, either through the draft or free agency, this could be another interesting year for football fans in Atlanta, says Kevin, founder and editor of Grits Blitz.

Zoneblitz: The 2012 Falcons lost a close one in the NFC Championship game, but did get further than they had the previous couple seasons. How do you assess 2012 overall?

Kevin: The Falcons took the next step in winning their first post-season game under Mike Smith and Matt Ryan’s regime and also broke in two new coordinators in 2012. Coming within yards of playing for a Super Bowl is gut-wrenching but I don’t think you can consider the 2012 season anything but a success.

Zoneblitz: What do you think of the job Mike Smith has done as coach?

Kevin: Mike Smith has been fantastic. Especially coming on the heels of a snake like Bobby Petrino and taking over when the team was the laughingstock of the league. Smith is the consummate professional, unlike the last two coaches, and he’s gotten results on the field (70 percent winning percentage as Falcons coach). Smith is the type of guy that you want coaching your team and we are glad to have him.

Zoneblitz: How would you assess Matt Ryan’s ongoing development and where does he stand in the hierarchy of NFL quarterbacks?

Kevin: Matt continues to improve every year and this past season, under new offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter, he set career highs for passing yards (4719), touchdowns (32) and completion percentage (68.6 percent). Year two under Dirk Koetter should see continued improvement. Matt is a leader on and off the field and like Mike Smith, he’s a guy that you want running your team. In terms of the NFL, he’s one of the best quarterbacks in the league. Without a doubt he’s in the top ten. Who would you want as your franchise quarterback? There aren’t a lot of guys that I’d take over him.

Zoneblitz: Todd McClure was aging, but also had the reputation of being the leader along the offensive line. Any worries about replacing him after his retirement and how does the line look heading into 2013 after also losing Tyson Clabo?

Kevin: Todd McClure was a great Falcon but I’m not overly concerned with replacing him, as the Falcons have drafted centers in two out of the last three drafts with the knowledge that McClure was coming up on retirement. Peter Konz from Wisconsin was drafted last season and he should be able to step in and assume the duties. If for some reason Konz, who played guard last year even though he was a center in college, doesn’t work out then the Falcons also have Joe Hawley waiting in the wings. A bigger concern on the line is replacing the recently released right tackle Tyson Clabo. The position battle between second year tackle Lamar Holmes and Mike Johnson will be a key this off-season.

Zoneblitz: What do you think of the release of Michael Turner and the signing of Steven Jackson?

Kevin: Michael Turner was a great acquisition by the Falcons and he did a great job while he was here but over the last couple of years he had clearly taken a step back. Steven Jackson is an instant upgrade over Michael Turner and he will add another dimension to the Falcons offense. Jackson has put up some nice stats over the last few years playing for a team that quite frankly wasn’t any good. Being on a team with multiple offensive weapons will do nothing but help him. He might not put up the same stats but his impact will be more meaningful. It will be very interesting to see how he is used in Dirk Koetter’s system as SJax has shown the ability to excel in the pass game (90 receptions in 2006). Jackson provides the team with a clear upgrade in talent and in what he allows the team to do when he’s in the game. With St Louis, teams could look at stopping Jackson as their main focus but with the Falcons they also have to deal with Julio Jones, Roddy White and Tony Gonzalez. You can’t cover everybody.

Zoneblitz: The Falcons lost Brent Grimes and John Abraham remains unsigned, but also added Osi Umenyiora. How does the defense look heading into 2013 compared with the past couple seasons?

Kevin: Losing Brent Grimes doesn’t really hurt because he didn’t play last year and the year before that he missed the playoffs. He’s a great player when healthy but he hasn’t been healthy in quite a while. Losing Abraham hurts but again he’s a guy that gets banged up down the stretch and he sat out the second half of the 49ers loss. If he had been healthy would it have been different? Is Osi an upgrade over Abe? That remains to be seen. Right now what the defense needs is another edge rusher to pair with Osi (Kroy Biermann is good on the opposite side but we really need three guys that can get after it) and we need a starting cornerback to play opposite of Asante Samuel. I really like Robert McClain but feel more comfortable with him in the nickel (which Mike Nolan will play around 58 percent of the time). In addition to that we need depth at the linebacker position, somebody who can push Stephen Nicholas and Akeem Dent for playing time and preferably somebody who can cover a tight end.

Zoneblitz: What are your thoughts on the signing of linebacker Brian Banks?

Kevin: I love the signing but I wonder how much of an impact that he will have for the team in 2013. The opportunity is there for him to make the team because the overall linebacker depth is thin right now. This is one of those low-risk, high-reward signings. If he doesn’t work out, you haven’t really lost anything.

Zoneblitz: Who on the roster do you see having a breakout season in 2013?

Kevin: On offense there really isn’t room for anybody to break out due to all of the established talent, so let’s talk defense. Robert McClain is a guy that is going to get more action with Dunta Robinson being shown the door. He’s a guy who struggled in training camp but came on and played really solid football throughout 2012. I expect him to take another step up this season. Two other guys to keep an eye on are defensive ends Jonathan Massaquoi (second year out of Troy) and Cliff Matthews (third year out of South Carolina). I expect the Falcons to draft a defensive end, but one of those guys will get some increased opportunities this year as only Osi and Biermann are ahead of them right now on the depth chart.

Zoneblitz: What do you think of the Falcons’ approach to free agency so far and what would you like to see the team do in the draft and through the rest of free agency?

Kevin: The Falcons signed one of the best running backs and one of the best defensive ends on the market despite not having much cap space so I think you have to like what the Falcons have done so far. There isn’t much cap space left so I don’t expect the Falcons to do much in the rest of free agency, although I think they will add some veteran talent probably after the first cuts of training camp.

In the draft, we need a corner that can come in and either start or play the nickel which will be a tall order so that will most likely be our first pick. Besides that we need an edge rusher and some depth at linebacker. On offense there isn’t a lot that we need but a potential replacement for Tony Gonzalez would be nice if the right guy is there later in the draft and/or a slot receiver who can push Harry Douglas for the third receiver spot would be nice. We have 11 picks this season (four compensatory picks) so I expect Thomas Dimitroff to move around a bit to get the guys he wants. It should be a very interesting draft for Falcons fans.

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