(Photo by Tom Dahlin/Getty Images)
The 2008 Atlanta Falcons had a breakout season on offense. The team finished sixth in the NFL in total yards, averaging 361 per game. Running back Michael Turner gained 1,699 yards and scored a franchise-record 17 touchdowns. Wideout Roddy White made the Pro Bowl after finishing fourth in the NFL in receiving yards. Quarterback Matt Ryan looked like a seasoned veteran most of his rookie year.
Overall, the offense looked good under first-year coordinator Mike Mularkey. While the former Bills head coach earned the nickname "Inspector Gadget" for his tendency to run trick plays, the 2008 Falcons' were a no-frills team that punished opponents.
After finishing second in the league in rushing, it would be easy to list five running plays as the Falcons' most effective. But, in reality, it took a shrewd mix of run and pass to take the Dirty Birds to the playoffs. The following break down and video highlights should explain the most successful parts of Atlanta's playbook.
1. Michael Turner Power "Off Tackle Left"\"Counter Right"
Running Michael Turner "off tackle left" may have been the Falcons' most effective play all season. The play was run out of an I-formation with fullback Ovie Mughelli as the lead blocker. Atlanta sometimes ran the play out of the normal personnel package, but added multiple tight ends for
this touchdown play against the
Cardinals in the NFC Playoffs. Running off tackle fits Turner well, because he gets isolated on the outside against a linebacker or defensive back that
can't tackle him without help.
Gaining yards by running "off tackle left" was important because it opened up the possibility of counters and cut backs to the right. The Falcons used "counter right" in the red zone to punch home a
nine-yard touchdown against the
Rams in Week 17. When Atlanta called "off tackle left" in Week 14 against the
Saints, Turner cut back to the right, against the flow of play, and was able to
walk into the end zone.
2. Michael Turner Dive
In short-yardage situations, Atlanta used Turner out of the I-formation on
power runs up the middle. The power dive calls for the offensive line to double team both defensive tackles and relies on Turner running over any linebackers that reach him. It worked repeatedly throughout the season, and created a
crucial touchdown against one of the best defensive units in the league,
Minnesota.
The Falcons also used the interior run as a change of pace on passing downs. In
this example from the
Buccaneers game, the Falcons put three wide receivers on the field and sent the slot man in motion, before handing it to Turner up the middle for a 22-yard gain. In this instance, Turner's speed, not his size, made the play possible.
3. Deep Post
Turner's success on the ground opened up space for the passing game. Opposing defenses regularly put a safety in the box near the line of scrimmage to stop the run. Upon seeing this shift, quarterback Ryan was able to take advantage of the
Lions' secondary for a touchdown with
his first pass
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