Freethinker
Hall of Famer
The Falcons do not have a recent history of being White friendly. Will 2023 be any different? Let's see:
Number of White Starters: 5 or 6*
Total Number of Whites on the 53 man roster: 14 or 15*
Grade: D-
QB: Taylor Heinicke, Logan Woodside
T: Jake Matthews, Kaleb McGary
C: Drew Dalman, Ryan Neuzil
G: Chris Lindstrom
WR: Scotty Miller
TE: John FitzPatrick
DL: Joe Gaziano
ILB: Troy Andersen, Kaden Elliss*, Nate Landman
P: Bradley Pinion
LS: Liam McCullough
IR: Matt Hennessy (OL)
PS: Tucker Fisk (TE), Parker Hesse (TE), C.J. Saunders (WR), Tyler Vrabel (OL)
The Falcons are a typical Caste team, with an above average sprinkling of White players on defense. LB Troy Andersen was a 2022 second round draft pick out of Montana State, who performed as good as any athletically at the Combine. He did it all for Montana State, including excelling at running back and quarterback, but is playing strictly linebacker for the Falcons where he's showing he can be a play making tackling machine. Elliss, who's dad appears to be at least part Pacific Islander, was a beast last year with New Orleans when he filled in due to injury. Glad he was able to parlay that into a starting role. Nate Landman was an excellent player in college who's plenty capable to start someday in the NFL. He earned a start last week filling in for Anderson. DE Joe Gaziano was another star in college who's been jerked around in the NFL so far, mostly landing on practice squads. Hopefully he can get some meaningful snaps this year to show what he can do.
The offense is a little less exciting as its lead by a middling black QB. Backup Heinicke has 25 NFL starts mostly with Washington. If the starter falters, than Taylor is one of the best backups in the league and easily can step in. Who knows, maybe he'd even be better. The offensive line is a strength at 4/5ths White. Matthews, McGary and Lindstrom are all former 1st round picks. Scotty Miller was brought over in the offseason with some thinking he could start at the 3rd receiver. Well technically he maybe the 3rd receiver, but the team starts 2 underwhelming TEs. Through 2 games, Miller has zero targets even though he was in on 19% and 12% of the snaps. Maybe he breaks out soon with a few catches but this is not a pass friendly offense. On the PS resides another White receiver, C.J. Saunders. Saunders apparently went to Ohio State, which seems strange as I don't recall him playing or making a mark. Surprising a guy like that is getting a chance, albeit a small one.
Number of White Starters: 5 or 6*
Total Number of Whites on the 53 man roster: 14 or 15*
Grade: D-
QB: Taylor Heinicke, Logan Woodside
T: Jake Matthews, Kaleb McGary
C: Drew Dalman, Ryan Neuzil
G: Chris Lindstrom
WR: Scotty Miller
TE: John FitzPatrick
DL: Joe Gaziano
ILB: Troy Andersen, Kaden Elliss*, Nate Landman
P: Bradley Pinion
LS: Liam McCullough
IR: Matt Hennessy (OL)
PS: Tucker Fisk (TE), Parker Hesse (TE), C.J. Saunders (WR), Tyler Vrabel (OL)
The Falcons are a typical Caste team, with an above average sprinkling of White players on defense. LB Troy Andersen was a 2022 second round draft pick out of Montana State, who performed as good as any athletically at the Combine. He did it all for Montana State, including excelling at running back and quarterback, but is playing strictly linebacker for the Falcons where he's showing he can be a play making tackling machine. Elliss, who's dad appears to be at least part Pacific Islander, was a beast last year with New Orleans when he filled in due to injury. Glad he was able to parlay that into a starting role. Nate Landman was an excellent player in college who's plenty capable to start someday in the NFL. He earned a start last week filling in for Anderson. DE Joe Gaziano was another star in college who's been jerked around in the NFL so far, mostly landing on practice squads. Hopefully he can get some meaningful snaps this year to show what he can do.
The offense is a little less exciting as its lead by a middling black QB. Backup Heinicke has 25 NFL starts mostly with Washington. If the starter falters, than Taylor is one of the best backups in the league and easily can step in. Who knows, maybe he'd even be better. The offensive line is a strength at 4/5ths White. Matthews, McGary and Lindstrom are all former 1st round picks. Scotty Miller was brought over in the offseason with some thinking he could start at the 3rd receiver. Well technically he maybe the 3rd receiver, but the team starts 2 underwhelming TEs. Through 2 games, Miller has zero targets even though he was in on 19% and 12% of the snaps. Maybe he breaks out soon with a few catches but this is not a pass friendly offense. On the PS resides another White receiver, C.J. Saunders. Saunders apparently went to Ohio State, which seems strange as I don't recall him playing or making a mark. Surprising a guy like that is getting a chance, albeit a small one.
