How Good Will This Falcons' Offense Be?

There are some very legitimate questions about how good the Falcons' defense will be. Atlanta will be relying on a largely new set of linebackers, a much younger set of safeties and a still-potentially thin defensive line.

But offensively, is there a Falcons fan who doesn't think the Falcons will be even better than they were last year? They replaced the league's worst set of tight ends (combined 19 catches for 211 yards) with Tony Gonzalez (96 catches for 1,058 yards). The running game of Michael Turner and Jerious Norwood is back, the wide receivers should be even better as Harry Douglas enters his second year, and the offensive line returns intact.

But more than anything, the Falcons have Matt Ryan coming back with a year's experience to build on. Apparently, in offseason workouts, he's showing significant improvement on last year's outstanding rookie season.

"By leaps and bounds," Atlanta fullback Ovie Mughelli said of Ryan on Wednesday as the Falcons approached the end of their organized team activities. "It's actually scary how much he's improved and it's only his second year. People thought he couldn't get much better than last year."

Admittedly, it's easier to look good in shorts and shoulder pads when you're not going to be tackled, but it's not unusual for a second-year quarterback to feel more comfortable than he did heading into his rookie season. Ryan threw for 3,440 yards with 16 touchdowns and 11 interceptions as a rookie. If he takes the next step (more touchdowns, better completion percentage, better in the red zone), the Falcons should be able to finally end their streak of never having back-to-back winning seasons.

H/T: Pro Football Talk