The Falcons were well-represented on this year's NFL Network Top 100 with four players making the list. Tony Gonzalez (47), Roddy White (39), Julio Jones (26) and Matt Ryan (17) all made that list and Atlanta's top four playmakers presence on the list shows the NFL player's level of respect for the Falcons offense.
This year, the Falcons were one of just three teams with four players on offense on the list. Ryan and Co. join the Ravens and the 49ers for that distinction. Representing Baltimore was Ray Rice, Joe Flacco, Dennis Pitta and Jacoby Jones. Representing the 49ers was Frank Gore, Vernon Davis, Colin Kaepernick and Joe Staley.
There were two teams in the league that had three offensive players on the list: Houston and New England.
One of the more interesting things about Atlanta's four representatives is the positions they play. Atlanta joins Baltimore as the only two teams in the league with four skill position players. San Francisco's Joe Staley is an offensive lineman.
Furthermore, the Falcons are the only team that had all four of those offensive players appear in the top 47 players. Baltimore's Rice and Flacco were Nos. 13 and 19 while Jones and Pitta checked in at 88 and 100.
Gonzalez, Ryan, Jones and White all set individual franchise records last year and they were a big reason the Falcons' 419 points last season was ranked seventh in the league. Atlanta's 26.2 points per game also ranked seventh and the Falcons' 77 scoring drives were tied with the Giants for second in the league.
Although the Falcons didn't have the most players on the list or any from their defense, their dominant players on offense were shown to be some of the most talented in the league. With an offense like that, the defense can afford to experience some growing pains, but improvement in 2013 is likely. However, if the Falcons offense can find a way to take another step into the record books, a dominant defense may not be necessary.
Linebacker Sean Weatherspoon was named to CBS Sports’ Pete Prisco’s Top 100 list.
