Atlanta Falcons: Matt Ryan and 5 Players Most Important to the Team's Success

The Atlanta Falcons completed the 2010 season with their second-highest win total in franchise history.

Although they were eventually throttled in the playoffs by the future Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers, the Falcons had much to be proud of from their 13-3 year.  

Matt Ryan put up career-highs in his third NFL season.  He posted his highest touchdown total and completion percentage, along with his fewest interception total.  Ryan was named NFC Player of the Month in November as well.  

Atlanta can't solely rely on the arm of "Matty Ice," though.  There are several other Falcons that will be key to the team's success in 2011.

1. Michael Turner

Who's first after Matt Ryan?  None other than "The Burner." 

We might need to get him a new nickname, though, after recently turning 29.

It may not be commonly known that Turner carried the ball more than anyone in 2010 with 334 attempts.  That's a lot of work for an aging running back.  Statistics have shown that NFL backs tend to drop off after the age of 30, so let's hope that we can get as much Michael Turner as possible this season.  

Turner averaged 4.1 yards per carry in 2010 while scoring 12 touchdowns.  If he can produce similar numbers and avoid injuries (let's not forgot the '09 season), then he can take a lot of the pressure off Matt Ryan.  

The Falcons have been a very balanced team offensively these past few seasons, and they intend to execute the same game plan in 2011.  Jacquizz Rodgers will also offer some assistance in the backfield when it comes to receiving.  

We all know Turner is hardly an option in the passing game.       

2. Roddy White

What didn't Roddy White do in 2010 is the real question. 

Let's see, lead the NFL in receptions?  Check.  Break the Falcons record for most receiving yards in a season?  Check.  Be named Receiver of the Year and go to the Pro Bowl?  Another check mark.  

Roddy White amazed fans last year, plain and simple.  He became the new idol in Atlanta.  You couldn't go anywhere in Georgia without seeing someone wearing a No. 84 jersey.  

The favorite target of Matt Ryan, White compiled 115 receptions and hauled in 10 touchdowns.  At times it was hard to believe some of the catches he made.

White was ranked 24th on NFL Network's Top 100 players for 2011.  The biggest concern for him this season seemed to be how much attention he would get from opposing defenses.  

However, with the selection of Julio Jones, the star receiver from Alabama, the Falcons hope to free up some space for White to run.

If White can continue to be the go-to guy for Matt Ryan, Atlanta might even see bigger numbers than they put up last season as their chemistry continues to flourish.

3. Ray Edwards

Ray Edwards was the only big addition to the Falcons defense this offseason.  After recording eight-plus sacks in each of the past two seasons in Minnesota, Atlanta figures he is just the kind of athlete they need to help the D-line.  

Edwards even said, in a July 30 interview with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, "Hopefully, I'm the missing piece."

At 6'5'', 268 lbs, Edwards is slightly bigger than John Abraham, who hopes to be his beneficiary this coming season.  Abraham will be in his 12th season as an NFL defensive end, and the Falcons plan to use Edwards to open up room for Abraham in the backfield.  

Abraham recorded 13 sacks last season as well as his first-ever interception.  He is 33 years old now, but as long as he can stay close to the same pace he has played at recently, the Atlanta line will look better than last year.

Edwards played with Jared Allen and the Williams duo, Pat and Kevin, in Minnesota.  All three have been to the Pro Bowl numerous times, as they made one of the best defensive lines in football.  

Edwards will not exactly have the same crew in Atlanta, so he will have to step up into his new role with only one Pro Bowler next to him.

4. Dunta Robinson

Dunta Robinson was signed in the 2010 offseason to a six-year, $57 million contract, the second-biggest contract in history at that time for a cornerback.  

Ask Atlanta fans how they felt about this deal before and after the 2010 season and you will see a severe change in emotion.

Robinson did not live up to anyone's expectations last season, including his own.  He was often found out of place and simply looked unaware of what was going on at times.  You can look at all the statistics you want, but the fact is, he did not live up to the money he was paid.

Teams did not throw Robinson's way as much, though, with Brent Grimes on the opposite side of the field.

Grimes only had eight starts prior to 2010, so naturally, it was anticipated that he would have a lot thrown his way.  

He responded quite well, though, and I was not the only one to notice.  

Grimes recorded five interceptions while defending 23 passes and even made it to the Pro Bowl at the end of the year.

Still, Atlanta was 22nd in the league in passing yards allowed per game last year.  Things need to improve, as if it was not already apparent from the defensive debacle against the Packers in the playoffs.  Aaron Rodgers scorched the Falcons secondary, as he completed 31 of 36 passes for 336 yards.  

Robinson is not the only player who needs to improve, but he will definitely be the most criticized if he doesn't.

5. Special Teams...Yes, I Know, It's Not One Player

Clearly, the headline indicates that I am covering the five most important players, but I'm going to go out on a limb here and nominate the entire Falcons special teams.  

If you look at the numbers from last year, you might agree.

The Falcons were the best in the league at pinning their opponents back, as opposing teams averaged starting their drives from the 22-yard-line against Atlanta in 2010. 

How great is that?

Now, of course, if you're facing a good offense, they will find a way down the field regardless of the yard line on which they start, but it is still a comforting fact to know that this team gets down the field in a hurry.

On the return side, Atlanta saw their return man go to the Pro Bowl in 2010.  

Eric Weems averaged 27.5 yards on kickoff returns and 12.8 on punt returns.  He had three return touchdowns in 2010-2011, one against the Packers in the postseason.  Two of the touchdowns went for 102 yards.  

If you watched any of the Falcons' games last year, you noticed the spark that Weems provided.  There were many games in which a decent return really brought a change in momentum for Atlanta.  

On July 30, it was announced that the Falcons had signed Weems to a one-year tender.  

He has to prove that he was not some one-year wonder.