Getting to Know the Falcons with Atlanta Journal-Constitution beat writer D. Orlando Ledbetter

For this week's Getting to Know the Falcons segment, we reached out to long-time Atlanta Journal-Constitution beat writer and Pro Football Hall of Fame selector D. Orlando Ledbetter.

MC: The Falcons were plus-5 in turnover ratio when they started 5-0. But they're minus-6 while going 1-4 in the past five games. What are some of the reasons for the dramatic turnaround in turnovers and is this the biggest problem the Falcons have faced the past five games?

DL: "The Falcons have been sloppy with the football over the past five games. There have a been interceptions, fumbles and bad snaps that have led to the turnovers. In addition to the turnovers, the Falcons have been wildly inconsistent on offense."

MC: What makes Julio Jones even better in offensive coorindator Kyle Shanahan's offense, what is contributing to what appears to be an inability to develop a productive No. 2 receiver and why isn't Roddy White more of a factor in this offense?

DL: "Julio Jones is normally the first read in the passing game. He's usually open. Ryan throws it to him sometimes even when he's not open and he normally makes the play. They tried to feature Leonard Hankerson at the beginning of the season over Roddy White. When Hankerson went out with a hamstring injury, they then started trying to feature tight end Jacob Tammy as the second option. The new offensive scheme has ignored Roddy White except for in the first game, when he had four targets and last week, when he had nine."

MC: What are the main reasons for the Falcons owning the league's No. 1 run defense and how has former Gophers defensive takcle Ra'Shede Hageman contributed in that regard?

DL: "The run defense has been very disciplined. It's been hard for the opponents to move Tyson Jackson, Paul Soliai and Ra'Shede Hageman out of the way. They have been stout and linebackers Justin Durant and Paul Worrilow have flowed well to the ball. Hageman has been doing a lot of the dirty work. They have been pleased with his play."

DL: "Matt Ryan does not look comfortable in the new offense. He appears awkward at times with some of the ball movement, bootlegs and waggles. Ryan is preparing for a variety of blitz packages on third down. He believes the Vikings keep it simple on first and second down. He continues to claim that he's 100 percent healthy despite throwing several errant and wild passes over the past five games."

MC: How would you describe new coach Dan Quinn's core defensive philosophy, his blitz tendencies and how has he handled stepping up as a first-year head coach?