NFL Atlanta Falcons: Roddy White and 3 Players Who Could Regress in 2012

The NFL Atlanta Falcons have given themselves quite the makeover this offseason.

After suffering a third consecutive playoff loss in January, the team brought fresh ideas to the team with the addition of Dirk Koetter and Mike Nolan at the offensive and defensive coordinator position, respectively.

But while these changes are sure to translate into big changes come the 2012 season, that doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll be good ones for all.   

Here’s a look at a few Falcons who may experience a notable regression this year.

Roddy White

Roddy White recently told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s D. Orlando Ledbetter that he's preparing to do less this season: 

"

I know that sounds crazy, but we’ve got other guys out there that can play.[...]Julio [Jones] is going to be a big part of the offense this year. Harry [Douglas] is going to do wonders in the slot. We have to maximize our talent and get the ball in everyone’s hands.

"

Not exactly what you’d expect from a star wide receiver in today’s diva-filled NFL.

But it makes sense.

Koetter is bringing a vertical passing offense to Atlanta, likely resulting in a much greater use of four and five-wide receiver sets than in years past.

The emergence of Jones alone played a part in reducing White’s number of receptions, yards and touchdowns this past season. Coupled with a new offensive scheme diversifying the attack, there’s plenty reason to believe those marks will drop down even lower in 2012.

Tony Gonzalez

For similar reasons, arguably the best tight end of all time may see his production dip in what he says is likely his last year in the league.

His rookie season aside, Gonzalez has missed just two starts in his prolific 16-year career, but scheme, not age, may result in a drop statistically this year.

Gonzalez has been one of Matt Ryan’s main go-to-guys with ex-coordinator Mike Mularkey’s heavy use of two-tight-end sets. The future hall of famer recorded an average of 78 catches for 800 yards and a total of 19 touchdowns in his three seasons with the Falcons.   

But an increase in four and five-wide formations and making greater use of the screen game figure to give receiver Harry Douglas a lot more looks in the slot this year. He'll have a great opportunity to improve upon his 39-catch, 498-yard and one touchdown 2011 performance, taking some production away from Gonzalez along the way.

Michael Turner

Speaking of the screen game, in a recent report on OTAs Ledbetter opines that the best play of an early session was a screen pass to Michael Turner.

But don’t get used to that being the norm this upcoming season.

As I mentioned before, it’ll be back-up running back Jacquizz Rodgers who will get the chance to have a more prominent role in the offense this year as Atlanta looks to get more aerial in its attack under Koetter.

But if Rodgers’ workload is set to increase it only makes sense to deduce that Turner will have his reduced, especially if the Falcons follow through with their plan to put him on a pitch count this year.

Indeed, with a change in scheme and age catching up to him, it seems safe to predict Turner is bound to have his statistical successes from a year ago see a considerate decline in 2012.

John Abraham

John Abraham led the Falcons with 9.5 sacks in 2011, but he might have a difficult time repeating that mark this year.

Nolan hinted as much in his opening press conference when he joined the team in January (per the Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Chris Vivlamore):

"

I would rather have 10 guys get four sacks than only four guys get 10 sacks each because it’s a lot more difficult for an offense to look at your entire defense and say "We’ve got to block all them guys. That guy might come, that guy might come"[...].

"

Then, his actions further supported those words.

The Falcons began by re-signing five-year veteran Kroy Biermann in March and ensuring the Predator's return to the team a few days later before further boosting their pass rush with the selection of Jonathan Massaquoi in the fifth-round of this year’s NFL draft.  

That makes for a long list of players at the defensive end position with Ray Edwards and Lawrence Sidbury on the roster as well. The Falcons mean to make use of all of them in a heavy rotation this season, and that could result in even less playing time for the snap-restricted Abraham in 2012.