Who do you think could be in for a great year on the O-line and why?
Ryan Schraeder is the one guy that could be in for a terrific season this season. Schraeder came into the NFL undrafted out of Valdosta State. He was not supposed to play a lot last year, but got thrown into a starting role due to the plethora of injuries on the offensive line. Not a lot was expected, but Schraeder was terrific. He ranked as the 22nd overall tackle according to ProFootballFocus.com despite only starting in 10 games. He was one of the best pass blockers in the whole NFL last season! He is not the best run blocker, but with Shanahan bringing over the Zone Blocking Scheme, he should make huge strides in that department. Ryan Schraeder could be in for a huge 2015 campaign.
Who do you think will be the starting MLB for the Falcons this season?
I think Paul Worrilow will be the starting MLB for the Falcons this season. He is a tackling machine, but has gotten a lot of slack for where his tackles are coming (most of them are well beyond the line of scrimmage). However, the defensive line will be much improved this season, and that will help out the linebackers a lot. Worrilow should have a nice season this year.
Who will be the leading rusher for the 2015 season?
This is a tough one because there is so much unknown in the Falcons backfield. The Falcons have three hungry backs, and it looks like Devonta Freeman will be the starter at the beginning of the season. I loved Tevin Coleman in college, but Freeman has made it clear he plans on keeping the starting job for the whole season. He is only in his second year out of Florida State, and a lot of people are already forgetting about him. But at the end of the day, I think Coleman outshines Freeman when on the field and takes the starting job from him. Tevin Coleman will lead the Falcons in rushing in 2015.
Who will be starting next to William Moore at Safety in 2015?
It may seem improbable, but the Falcons actually think it could be Ricardo Allen. Allen got cut from the Falcons last season as a corner and was on the practice squad before eventually making the 53-man roster late last season. He has never seen the field in the NFL, but clearly has been working hard on transitioning to the safety position. The Falcons have two other options they might turn to. Kemal Ishmael played a lot last season in Moore’s absence. He had four INTs and returned one for a TD. He was a bright spot where not a lot was expected. Charles Godfrey was signed by the Falcons last season after being cut by the Panthers. Godfrey spent seven seasons with the Panthers and has been a solid safety over his career, but he has watched Ricardo Allen surpass him on the depth chart this offseason.
Who do you think will win the NFC South next season?
Come on, the Falcons. We are going 16-0 and winning the Super Bowl! No, in all honesty, I think the Falcons have a great chance of winning the South next season. It looks like a two-team race between us and the Panthers. I am not going to count out Brees and the Saints, but they lost a lot this offseason. The Panthers looked deadly at the end of last season, but the Falcons have made a lot of improvements this offseason. The Falcons will win the South this season.