With three games left in the regular season, the Atlanta Falcons are hoping to end on a high note. With six-straight losses after a 5-0 start to the year, the Falcons have plenty of questions they need to try and answer before focusing on the offseason and the future of the roster. The Falcons are getting a head start on that issue as they begin to make roster cuts that will impact what they do come the NFL Draft and free agency.
According to ESPN.com confirmed by the Atlanta Falcons, the team has released receiver Leonard Hankerson which might come as a shock to some fans. Hankerson signed in the offseason as one of Kyle Shanahan's former players. He quickly became one of Matt Ryan's favorite targets, being the cause of Roddy White's frustration. He has 26 catches for 327 yards and three touchdowns, but landed on injured reserve for a hamstring injury. That injury combined with the several dropped passes to his name led to the receiver's release.
With Hankerson completely out of the picture, the Falcons want to see what they have in young receivers like Nick Williams and Justin Hardy who have gotten more time on the field over the past few weeks. Both Williams and Hardy are in their rookie seasons and could be building blocks for the future. Williams has 159 yards and two touchdowns on the season. Hardy has 109 yards off 12 catches this year.
The Falcons will play the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 15 an on paper this should be an easy win for Atlanta. However, the Jaguars are coming off a blowout victory and the Falcons' defense cannot seem to stop anyone anymore. There is no simple solution for the team to fix their issues. However, according to running back Devonta Freeman, the team just needs to begin having fun again.
"You got to look at yourself. This is going to determine you: Back against the wall, everybody booing you, saying you ain't this and you ain't that, and how good you ain't," Freeman said, via ESPN.com. "Now it's all about eliminating the clutter and just playing football, making it a fun game. Energy; it's all about the energy."
If the Falcons can win out or at least win two of the last three, they might be able to take some of the pressure off their shoulders. Ryan is struggling and facing trade rumors. Dan Quinn is facing questions about his job. Veterans like White and William Moore are at risk of getting moved. A win could eliminate some of the issues.