The Atlanta Falcons already have one of the top receiving corps in the NFL. With Roddy White and Julio Jones controlling the sidelines and tight end Tony Gonzalez taking care of the middle, quarterback Matt Ryan has no problem airing things out. However, the team's main weakness last season fell in the run game. While Michael Turner and Jacquizz Rodgers were productive, they offered Ryan only a brief relief. However, with newly signed running back Steven Jackson now in Atlanta, Gozalez says the offense is perfect.
The veteran tight end has only had brief interactions with Jackson so far, but referred to the running back as a "beast" while speaking on NFL AM on Wednesday. He believes the addition of Jackson paired with Rodgers makes the Falcons' offense almost flawless.
"Obviously, we're led by Matt Ryan," Gonzalez said. "With him pulling the trigger, with Roddy, Julio and myself, we're going to try and soften up that defense a lot where they got to stand back and play off us a little bit. That is going to make big holes for a guy like Steven Jackson, and we should hopefully go out there and be the perfect offense."
Gonzalez wants teams to be forced to pick their poison with the Falcons' offense. They must either decide whether to stop the run game or the passing game. He thinks the addition of Jackson makes the team almost impossible to defend because bother areas will be so strong.
The Atlanta Falcons are entering the 2013 season with extremely high expectations. In the offseason, Thomas Dimitroff built the roster with a win-now attitude. The team loaded up on veterans signed to short-term contracts in hopes of getting passed that nine-yard hump and head to the Super Bowl.
Gonzalez hopes that Jackson's tough style run game helps the Falcons control the game clock and hold on to late game leads. He stresses that the offense will start with Ryan and the receivers and end with Jackson closing things up. It is that kind of style that was missed with Turner was the top back in Atlanta.
If Gonzalez is correct, Atlanta should have no problem returning to the NFC Championship game next season. With rookies standing out on defense along with proper veteran leadership, the sky is the limit for the Falcons.
