Falcons: One Addition Yet So Many Options

All the Atlanta Falcons' offense needed was one player.

And the Falcons got their guy when they signed Tony Gonzalez to a free agent contract in April.

While Atlanta didn't overhaul its offense, considering it didn't need to, the addition of Gonzalez gives it lots of options that should open up the field.

Consider this: Out of Matt Ryan's 3,440 passing yards, 2,704 went to wide receivers (1,382 to Pro Bowler Roddy White). Ryan also threw an additional 525 yards to his running backs unit.

Tight ends only accumulated 211 yards and two touchdowns, never instilling fear into opposing teams.

Enter Tony Gonzalez: This is where he'll step in and shine in the Falcons' offense.

Gonzalez, as a pass catching tight end, is a huge threat in the middle of the field. Last season when the Falcons struggled, teams were able to roll a safety over and leave the middle open—since the tight ends weren't weapons.

Gonzalez now gives offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey a dangerous option each time he wants his future Hall of Fame tight end to run a route over the middle.

And here's why.

In 2008, Harry Douglas was the best the option over the middle, catching just 23 passes for 320 yards. Gonzalez should total at least 900 yards while opening up single coverages for the wideouts.

Each time Gonzalez—who led the Kansas City Chiefs in receiving last season with 96 catches and 1,058 yards—runs a route over the middle it will prevent a safety from doubling White. The linebackers also have to stay put and can't cheat to the sidelines. While Gonzalez may take some yards from White, White should still have another great season.

Running back Michael Turner will also benefit because Gonzalez opens up Atlanta's play action package more so than it already is. Turner, who helped control the middle of the field with his stellar rushing last season, won't have to be relied on so heavily with this addition.

Turner's carries should also decrease from the 376 he saw a season ago, which should help his legs for the long term. And even if he runs for less yardage (1,699 in 2008), his yards per carry may see a jump from the already impressive 4.5 average.

With Gonzalez in the middle of the field, linebackers will always have to account for him and may be forced to hesitate some each time Ryan drops back to hand the ball off.

And if they don't and it's play action, Ryan then has plenty of options to work with: Gonzalez in the middle, White down the sideline, Michael Jenkins on an out or in route and Turner/Jerious Norwood in the flat. 

The middle of the field isn't the only place Gonzalez could be utilized. Mularkey has a way for putting his best players in the best situations.

If the Falcons utilize Gonzalez in the flat, then White or Jenkins can run digs and open up big plays that way.

Gonzalez adds a dimension the Falcons were missing last season, and it's not just they didn't have a pass catching tight end. 

For Atlanta to do what it wants to do offensively, it may have found the final piece to its offensive puzzle.