Atlanta Falcons Offense: Bread and Butter!

The Atlanta Falcons in 2008 leaned heavily on newly acquired running back Michael Turner,along with Jerious Norwood, and boy did he answer the call. After spending his career as a backup for LaDainian Tomlinson in San Diego, Turner was ready to show he could be an every done back.

He should be thanked by Matt Ryan, as well as the offensive line, for aiding him in his rookie season by taking mass amounts of pressure of the rookie quarterback. Not only for his running ability but also his ability to pick up blitzes and not miss protections.

Having said that the bread and butter come out of mostly running formations:

I-Formation: Off Tackle

The Falcons like everyone else in the NFL run the I-formation however the Falcons have an exceptional Offensive line and have been a dominant team since Michael Vick first came to Atlanta years ago. The off tackle run requires great inside blocking and stunts from the offensive line.

Atlanta has a experienced and athletic line that can execute all the stunts necessary to be successful at the outside running game. Jerious Norwood who is the third down/speed back, who also has power, dominates in this formation and can bust a long run at anytime if you do not pay attention to him.

The Power-I: Between the Tackles

The Falcons use two fullbacks and have Turner behind them both. They can either run a counter and he can follow one of the fullbacks through the hole between the tackles or bounce the ball outside when everyone blocks down.

Turner can also have the option of following both fullbacks through the same hole which would be used in a goal line situation mostly.

Jumbo/Goal line:

The Falcons love smash mouth football with the addition of Turner. With the heavy line with two tight ends and the big guys up front as well as a full back, Turner can hide behind the lineman and pop out anywhere on the other side.

Turner is a tough runner and can definitely bang his way through his big line in order to score touchdowns. Turner prefers the contact inside instead of bouncing it to the outside and this formation allows for this beautifully.

Pro-Set (2WR, 1TE): Play action Deep Ball

The Falcons use the Pro-Set a good bit but one of their most successful plays in the 2008 season was the play action deep ball up top to Roddy White. The play action sucks up the safeties and leaves the corner one on one with the explosive Roddy White ultimately resulting in a touchdown.

Even though it is a deep through for a rookie, Matt Ryan is able to hit the throw because it is a rhythm play and does not allow for any doubt or hitch if it is to be successful. Also do not forget about Turner helping hold up the pocket after the fake is carried out protecting Ryan's blind side.

Pro-Set: Motion Quick Snap, Quick Outs

With a rookie quarterback Mike Smith implemented quick, no thought throws for his quarterback Matt Ryan. Roddy White crosses the formation in motion and as soon as he is to the other side of Ryan, Ryan drops his heal to signal the snap.

As soon as he receives the snap he plants and delivers an out to Roddy White who has created distance from the defensive corner by being in motion. This is a quick and easy throw to get Matt Ryan into the rhythm of the game and the motion and quick snap do not allow for the defense to be set.

The Falcons love to run and dominate running, however with second year Matt Ryan being able to make all the throws necesarry, the Falcons can hurt opposing teams in many different ways.