re: The Official 2014 Atlanta Falcons Thread

QUARTERBACKS: Starter - Matt Ryan. Backups - T.J. Yates, Sean Renfree, Jeff Mathews.

Ryan took a licking and kept on ticking last season while under relentless pressure. He was under duress on 37.6 percent of his dropbacks as the Falcons played with a patchwork offensive line. He completed 67.4 percent of his passes in the face of a constant pass rush. The Falcons made it an offseason priority to fix the line so that Ryan can operate in a cleaner pocket. He's shown that when he can step up in the pocket, he can be effective. Ryan has completed 2,093 of 3,288 pass attempts (63.7 percent) for 23,472 yards with 153 touchdowns, 77 interceptions and a 90.6 passer rating during his career. Yates takes over as the backup after being acquired in a trade.

RUNNING BACKS: Starters - Steven Jackson, FB Patrick DiMarco. Backups - Devonta Freeman, Jacquizz Rodgers, Antone Smith, Josh Vaughn, Jerome Smith, FB Maurice Hagens, FB Roosevelt Nix.

Jackson suffered a soft-tissue injury for the third consecutive season in 2013 and may be nearing the end of his illustrious career. This time it was a hamstring injury. He didn't rush for more than 1,000 yards, snapping a streak of eight consecutive seasons reaching that number. The Falcons appear set to see if there's anything left in the tank. They did draft Freeman out of Florida State and made note of his ability to run between the tackles. Rodgers has been just a guy (3.6 yards per carry) in three seasons. Smith flashed in a backup role last season and Vaughan contributed on special teams. DiMarco is functional as a lead blocker.

TIGHT ENDS: Starter - Levine Toilolo. Backups - Bear Pascoe, Mickey Shuler, Jacob Pedersen, Brian Wozniak.

The Falcons don't plan to use a move tight end with the retirement of Tony Gonzalez and appear content with Pascoe as a blocking tight end. Toilolo is being groomed to be a red-zone threat. Shuler ran some with the first team in the offseason. Gonzalez averaged 81.8 catches over five seasons with the team. Of his 409 catches, 267 went for first downs (65.2 percent). Ryan believes that a committee of wide receivers and running backs will help fill the void in the passing attack created by Gonzalez's retirement.

WIDE RECEIVERS: Starters - Roddy White, Julio Jones. Backups - Harry Douglas, Devin Hester, Drew Davis, Geraldo Boldewijn, Julian Jones, Freddie Martino, Bernard Reedy, Tramaine Thompson.

Jones, who underwent a complex right foot surgery, has started to run and should be ready for training camp. White suffered a family tragedy, but appears set to carry on. White came on strong down the stretch after he recovered from a high ankle sprain and a hamstring injury. Douglas stepped up and turned in a 1,000-yard season with the top two receivers hobbled.

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters - LT Sam Baker, LG Justin Blalock, C Joe Hawley, RG Jon Asamoah, RT Jake Matthews. Backups - TLamar Holmes, T Ryan Schraeder, T Terren Jones, C Peter Konz, C James Stone, G Mike Johnson, G Gabe Carimi, G Adam Replogle, G Harland Gunn.

The Falcons mis-assessed the readiness of Konz and Holmes to take over for Todd McClure and Tyson Clabo last season. Coupled with weak play by right guard Garrett Reynolds, who was released, and retread tackle Jeremy Trueblood and the Falcons were leaking oil before most games started. The unit gave up 44 sacks and couldn't open up any holes in the run game as the Falcons were last in the league in rushing at 77.9 yards per game. Asamoah was added in free agency and Matthews was selected sixth overall in the draft. The Falcons are hoping that Baker (knee surgery) can return to good health. New position coach Mike Tice will try to whip the unit into shape.

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters - RDE Kroy Biermann, DT Tyson Jackson, DT Paul Soliai, LDE Jonathan Babineaux. Backups -- E Osi Umenyiora, E Ra'Shede Hagemen, E Jonathan Massaquoi, E Eguae Nosa, E Malliciah Goodman, E Stansly Maponga, T Peria Jerry, T Corey Peters, T Travian Robertson, T Cliff Matthews, T Donte Rumph.

Determined to find a pass rusher, the Falcons have drafted four defensive ends over the past two drafts. They also added ex-Dolphin Soliai and ex-Chief Jackson to help anchor the unit as the team plans to be multiple and flow from 4-3 to 3-4 fronts. The Falcons were 31st against the rush (135.8 yards per game) last season. They did a lot of experimenting in the offseason as they retained 4-3 tackles Babineaux, Jerry and Peters in free agency. They drafted the mammoth Hageman in the second round to play end in the 3-4. They are hoping to get someone -Biermann, Umenyiora, Massaquoi, Maponga or Goodman - to get some heat on opposing quarterbacks.

LINEBACKERS: Starters -- SLB Prince Shembo, MLB Paul Worrilow, WLB Joplo Bartu. Backups - OLB Marquis Spruill, OLB Walker May, OLB Jacques Smith, OLB Tyler Starr, ILB Yawin Smallwood, ILB Brenden Daly.

The unit was decimated by the loss of Sean Weatherspoon, who will be out for the season with a torn Achilles tendon. Shembo will be placed on the fast track to the starting lineup. Worrilow and Bartu ended last season as starters. Both were productive and flashed some ability. The Falcons are looking for linebackers, who can rush off the edge and drop in coverage.

DEFENSIVE BACKS: Starters - RCB Desmond Trufant, FS Dwight Lowery, SS William Moore, LCB Robert Alford. Backups - CB Josh Wilson, CB Javier Arenas, CB Robert McClain, CB Ricardo Allen, CB Devonta Glover-Wright, CB Jordan Mabin, S Dezmen Southward, Sean Baker, Kimario McFadden, Kemal Ishmael, Zeke Motta.

Trufant and Alford were the bright spots of last season as rookies. They should benefit from the addition of a seasoned veteran in Wilson, who was signed in free agency. McClain struggled at the nickel-back spot after having a solid campaign in 2012. He'll have to beat out Wilson and Arenas to retain his roster spot. Southward is slated for free safety, but played some in the slot and outside at Wisconsin. He could be matched up on some of the bigger receivers in the division. Until Southward is ready, the Falcons will likely lean on Lowery, while Moore stays at strong safety.

SPECIAL TEAMS: P Matt Bosher, K Matt Bryant, LS Josh Harris, KOR/PR Devin Hester.

Matt Bryant remains clutch. Bosher gets good hang-time on his punts and is a solid kickoff man. Hester should improve the return game as he led the league in kickoff-return yardage last season with the Bears. The Falcons finished 10th in kickoff-return average (24.4 yards) and 20th in punts (8.2 yards) in 2013. The dangerous Hester has returned 13 punts and five kickoffs for touchdowns over his career.