By: Kenneth Harrison Jr.

TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services

The 2016 season ended in heart break for the Atlanta Falcons. I don’t need to go into it, we all know what happened. On the bright side, I think they were a year ahead of schedule based on the results.

Now the question is can they at least get back to the Super Bowl in 2017? The last team that lost the Super Bowl and reached it the following year was the 1992 Buffalo Bills. I’m saying that to just put it out there that it’s going to be a difficult journey.

Offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan has left to become the head coach in San Francisco. He did have questionable play calling that cost Atlanta in the second half of Super Bowl LI. It can be argued that it’s a good thing he departed but he’s been replaced with Steve Sarkisian. Personally, I think it’s a bad hire.

Sark’s problems are well documented. He was fired from his head-coaching job at USC for numerous alcohol related incidents including coming to team functions intoxicated. Last season he was hired as an analyst for Alabama. When Lane Kiffin left to become head coach at FAU he was promoted to offensive coordinator. The Crimson Tide lost the national championship, which was their only loss of the season.

They were ranked second in total offense in 2016 and finished in the top five in both rushing and passing. They had great balance that made them difficult to stop. I’m not sure if they can be as good in 2017.

Atlanta ranked 25^th in total defense last year. In Dan Quinn’s third season I’m expecting to see the defense drastically improve. The unit should start to resemble the Seattle Seahawks defense that went to consecutive Super Bowls in 2013 and 2014.

I like the free agent signing of defensive tackle Dontari Poe. At 6’3, 346 pounds he provides a large presence in the middle of the defensive line. He’s also a great athlete for his size. Last season for Kansas City he became the largest player in NFL history to throw a touchdown pass. He’s also the heaviest player in league history to rush for a touchdown. Pairing him with Grady Jarrett should strengthen the run defense and improve the interior pass rush.

Vic Beasley led the league in sacks with 15.5. That’s very impressive and he should be even better in his third season. The Falcons did a good job of drafting defensive end Takk McKinley from UCLA. I think he can also be a dynamic pass rusher and if he is teams won’t be able to double team Beasley.

Rookie safety Keanu Neal had a great season. He had 106 tackles and helped set the tone with big hits. Pro Bowl corner Desmond Trufant suffered a season ending shoulder injury in week 9. He’s returning in 2017 and Atlanta might have the best secondary in the NFL.

Matt Ryan is coming off of his best season. He ranked second in passing yards with 4,944 yards, 38 touchdowns and only 7 interceptions.

Atlanta surprised a lot of teams in 2016. I think 2017 will be more difficult because teams know their good and they will be prepared.

I don’t think the schedule is tough other than a few games. Week 6 is at New England and week 12 is home against Dallas. They play the NFC North and AFC East which are two of the weaker divisions. The Falcons were 11-5 last year and I think they can have a better record this season.