Sam Baker News

QB Matt Ryan is far from a bust, but one has to wonder if he can lead Atlanta to playoff success.

The Atlanta Falcons rolled out their "starting" lineups for OTAs this week, and as always, it was dotted with familiar names.

Official Account : @ fboutsiders Rivers McCown: @ FO_RiversMcCown Ben Muth: @ FO_WordofMuth Aaron Schatz: @ FO_ASchatz Mike Tanier: @ FO_MTanier Danny Tuccitto: @ FO_DTuccitto Vince Verhei: @ FO_VVerhei -- plus -- Andy Benoit: @ Andy_Benoit Bill Connelly: @ SBN_BillC J.J. Cooper: @ jjcoop36 Brian Fremeau: @ bcfremeau Tom Gower: @ ThomasGower Matt ... (more)

1 defense, Lofa Tatupu or Akeem Dent? Confirm who's going to be in the slot if they line up in the nickel.

These five Falcons are fighting for their NFL jobs. After the 2012 season, their time with the Falcons, and perhaps the NFL, could be limited.

Sep 25, 2011; Tampa, FL, USA; Atlanta Falcons offensive tackle Sam Baker reacts during a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.

After losing a third playoff game in four years to the New York Giants this past January, it was clear changes had to be made if the Atlanta Falcons hope to compete for the Super Bowl this season.

Continually, Falcons fans all across the country hear about how the offensive line is in dire straits or is one of the weaknesses of the team, even now that the team has drafted a pair of top-notch linemen to help restore some talent to an underdeveloped unit.

Every NFL team has a position that is extremely critical, and the success or failure of that position literally means wins and losses.

The Atlanta Falcons have one mission this year. It's to protect Matt Ryan and allow the passing offense to truly get going.

It was a strategic risk to let Harvey Dahl go to St. Louis in free agency last summer.

Coming off the heels of their third consecutive playoff loss in the past four years, the Atlanta Falcons have quietly addressed many of the team's biggest weaknesses from last season.

They announced Tuesday that they have come to agreement on a four-year contract with tackle Lamar Holmes.

The Atlanta Falcons didn't make the kind of big splash at the start of free agency that many of their fans wanted.

My Stats Genie has these numbers on Ryan. These are stats from the 6 Games which falcons lost in 2011 Regular Season.

So, as a new feature here, I'm going to start answering mailbag questions similar to how Pat Yasinskas or Knox Bardeen do as the ESPN and Bleacher Report NFC South reps, respectively.

Atlanta coach Mike Smith likes what he's seen from one of the Atlanta Falcons' two high-profile rookie offensive linemen.

Quarterback Matt Ryan, left tackle Sam Baker, defensive tackle Peria Jerry, linebacker Sean Weatherspoon and wide receiver Julio Jones, the five first-round picks during Smith's tenure, have opened the season as starters.

December 5, 2010; Tampa, FL, USA; Atlanta Falcons fullback Ovie Mughelli reacts with Atlanta Falcons offensive tackle Sam Baker after he scored a touchdown during the first half of their game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.

We looked at the Carolina Panthers ' 2012 NFL Draft yesterday, and today we take a look at how the Atlanta Falcons did in the draft.