FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — It's been a pretty busy week in the 'ole Branch, and it's only Wednesday.
Jeff Ulbrich was officially introduced as the organization's next defensive coordinator. Bijan Robinson earned a spot in the Pro Bowl Games with Saquon Barkely playing in the Super Bowl. Will McFadden is at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama. So, yeah, it's been a busy week, y'all.
You have questions. I've got answers. So, let's get into it.
Campbell L. from Edinburgh, Scotland
What's our defensive shape for 2025, and does that dictate a big personnel overhaul?
Jeff Ulbrich has always coached 40 front defenses and when play calling runs a lot of man. Raheem Morris was originally a Tampa 2 coach but since he was at the Rams he was known for playing a 30 front, which came over to Atlanta; a scheme usually paired with 2-high safeties and more zone coverage.
I don't think Grady Jarrett or David Onyemata justify their 2025 cap hits, and that's especially true if we switch to a 4-3. Does someone like Arnold Ebiketie even fit in a 4-3? And for example, Mike Hughes is a lot worse in man than in zone. We might have to turn over 6-7 starters...?
Tori: I have always been taught that you do not fit players to scheme, you fit scheme to players. And based on Jeff Ulbrich's comments Monday in his introductory press conference about being "multiple," I would say he agrees. As he explained, it's not as simple to just be a 4-3 or 3-4 and find specific players who fit very specific roles. That is not at all how the modern game operates. You need to be able to do a bit of everything, so you need players who can do a bit of everything, too.
"If we look back 15, 20 years ago, there were 3-4 teams and there were 4-3 teams, and you were one or the other," Ulbrich said. "It's not that way anymore. Offenses have jumped off the playbook. … It's really forced us from a defensive standpoint to get more multiplicity in all that we do, front-wise, coverage-wise, all of that. So, we're going to be multiple, and we're going to do some unique things that are going to be 3-4-ish and 4-3-ish at times."
It's because of this that I think you will see shades of pretty much every coach's background. You'll see a four-man front from time to time. You'll see a three-man front. You'll see remnants of Tampa 2. You'll see zone coverage and man. And it'll all be interchangeable, not just from a game-to-game standpoint, but I would argue play-to-play. And it's Ulbrich who said that, not me.
"These offensive coordinators are absolute pains in my butt because it's not like the old days of, all right, you play cover three, here's the three beaters. You play cover four, here's the quarter beaters. It's not that way anymore," Ulbrich said. "They watch your tape, they learn your rules and then they beat you ways that you've never been beat before. So, because of that, you need more variety in coverage. You need more multiplicity in the front. You need more scheme."
The Falcons have a lot of big-time decisions to make about both scheme and personnel. And you're right that we could be looking at five or more starters changing out. We could also see guys in different roles. At this point, it's all conjecture because — truly — none of us (not even coaches) know who or what type of players will be a part of this unit come training camp 2025.
So, long story short? Defensive shape for 2025 is a big 'ole TBD.
Robert L. from De Pere, Wisconsin
With Michael Penix being lefty, the right tackle position becomes very important. I don't think Kaleb McGary is the guy to protect a franchise QB. Falcons can save $14.5 mil by cutting him or maybe they can trade and get some picks for a draft they don't have many in?
Tori: I do not think people give McGary enough credit for the improvements he has made in his game in the last two seasons, especially. People still view him as the player he was in his first couple years, which is not the player I see before me now. Can the Falcons save money by having McGary off the roster? Yes. They can. You're right. However, with how much re-tooling that has to be done defensively this offseason, I would like the offensive personnel to stay as consistent as possible.
What's more, I like this starting front with Jake Matthews, Matthew Bergeron, Drew Dalman, Chris Lindstrom and Kaleb McGary a lot. There is no offensive line in the league with the accumulated reps this group has together. I would argue there is no other offensive line in the league that has been as consistent year in and year out as this group has been, particularly when running the ball. If the Falcons can strike a deal with Dalman to bring him back coming off of his rookie deal this offseason, and with McGary and Matthews on expiring contracts in 2025 (McGary's ends after 2025 and Matthews ends after 2026), I see no reason not to keep this group together for at least one more year.
In the three games we saw Penix play, I didn't see any significant and glaring issues that would cause the Falcons to be concerned about McGary guarding his blindside.
And let's be real for a second, too: When it comes to tackle play, sometimes the grass isn't always greener on the other side. Let's say the Falcons do cut McGary. I do not believe they have the means to go out on the free agency market and sign a veteran who can come in and make a bigger difference immediately. I also do not believe you are going to get a starting-caliber offensive tackle outside of the first round of this year's draft class. Why cut McGary only to get a subpar starting to replace him? Doesn't make sense to me unless you have the absolute assurance that you can get someone who can come in and play better. Which, to be honest, McGary isn't playing poorly.
Jay C. from Twitter/X
@tori_mcelhaney I know Bijan is going to the Pro Bowl and I know he has a bunch of cool stats this year. If you could pick one to highlight, which one is the best?
Tori: My favorite Bijan Robinson stat of 2024 was easily the fact that he led the lead in missed tackles forced with 117. That specific stat — to me — encompasses everything that makes Robinson special as an athlete. It's the difference between him and literally everyone else.
I have never seen a player who's vision and feel for the game rivals that Robinson's. His ability to anticipate defenders' decisions and slide right by them with ease is unmatched. Coupled with his physical attributes, it makes Robinson one of the most intriguing athletes in the game right now. It's difficult for defenders to touch Robinson at times. It's not like he's running over people to force these missed tackles. He's making them whiff.
I'm still waiting on Robinson to break a big touchdown run like what we've seen from Saquon Barkley or Jahmyr Gibbs this season. But make no mistake about it: What he's doing on 12-yard gains that makes people miss is extremely special, too.
Join us as we take a look back on our favorite photos of offense moments from the Atlanta Falcons' 2024-2025 season.