More kudos for the Falcons: Is it all too much too soon?
It was just a year ago we weren’t sure the Falcons would win a game. Now they’re all the rage. From Mike Smith being ranked the league’s eighth-best coach by RealScouts to five Birds being listed among Peter Schrager’s top 99 NFL players on FoxSports.com to Roddy White being named the fourth-most indispensable player by Bill Barnwell of Football Outsiders …
And now this: Pat Yasinskas of ESPN.com rates the Falcons’ coaches the best staff in the NFC South. Which, given that Sean Payton has taken New Orleans to the NFC title game and John Fox has led Carolina to the Super Bowl, is saying something.
And part of me thinks it’s great. It’s been a while since anybody had nice things to say about this franchise, and the folks in charge are good people. But another part of me — the part that says, “You know, this organization still hasn’t had consecutive winning seasons” — wonders if it’s too much too soon.
The 2008 Falcons were a delight because nothing, almost literally, was expected of them. The Sporting News, as we all recall, picked them to go 1-15. (I picked them to go 5-11 and felt charitable.) They went 11-5 and made the playoffs. But now the forecasts are for bigger and better, and the schedule is much tougher and …
Loading ...Have we ever spent a summer getting excited about the Falcons only to wind up in the gutter along the boulevard of broken dreams? Only about a dozen times.
I’m thinking it won’t happen this fall. I’m thinking this organization is too sound and this roster too gifted. But honesty compels me to report felt the same in 1999, when a team coming off a Super Bowl went 5-11 after Jamal Anderson hurt his knee; and in 2003, when the giddiness of the playoff win at Lambeau was lost once Michael Vick broke his ankle, and in 2005, when Jim Mora’s NFC runners-up started 6-2 and managed not to have that second consecutive winning season.
My head tells me these Falcons are different. But my gut keeps growling and saying, “Yeah, but they’re still the Falcons.” And here’s where I reach for the Rolaids.
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149 comments Add your comment
rob
June 24th, 2009
6:33 am
NO NO NO these are birds of a different feather..They flock together. This season will be just as exciting as last year. Sure the expectation to succeed is there but the main thing is attitude. These birds know how to fly south during the winter..
Fred
June 24th, 2009
6:46 am
And here we go………..
SG
June 24th, 2009
6:59 am
Hopefully this is going to be the turn around point for the Falcons. Before we did not have an organization with the mind set like we do now. Mr. Blank has finally (last year) decided to install the right people in the management positions who have a keen eye for talent and coaching. so while they continue into this year making some great decisions, we fans will reap the rewards of being able to watch back to back winnig seasons. This is a TEAM. starting at the top all the way down to the practice squad. Personally my son and I cannot wait until the season begins.
GO Falcons
You gotta remember...
June 24th, 2009
7:01 am
…these are the Atlanta Falcons to whom you refer…so, unfortunately, the past is very good predictor of the future. So, with the past you brought up Jamaal getting injured, then the former QB getting injured, and both times the seasons went downhill in a hurry. SO, while I hate to even think it, this year both the QB and the RB will probably be out for the season by the 3rd pre-season game, and as history has shown, there goes the chance for consecutive winning seasons, and the hoopla of having a good coaching staff and good players.
MightyQuinn
June 24th, 2009
7:01 am
I’m sure this is a good offensive team. I’m NOT sure how they will do with the much tougher schedule this year, and a pretty much completely retooled defense. I’m thinking we will be in a lot of offensive shootouts. And the addition of Gonzales at TE makes me feel better about that. I would feel even better if we could reduce the number of carries for Turner (I believe we ran Jamal into the ground) by getting another durable back to share the load. I am hoping Smith will show that he was a great defensive coordinator and surprise us all with the D.
mitch
June 24th, 2009
7:20 am
Dear Mr. MB–”boulevard of broken dreams?” Really? How ’bout “avenue of anxious expectations” instead? Your pal, Mitch
Bailer
June 24th, 2009
7:26 am
we have been through this many times before,we will just wait and see.
Mitch Kumstein
June 24th, 2009
7:31 am
I have the same concerns I had when Mora was here. You have very good skill players but your base, your lines-of-scrimmage, are thin, at best. No Grady, the brittle Abraham & a patchwork OL. The OL was a smoke and mirrors deal under Mora & I’m not at all sure it’s that much better now.
Bill
June 24th, 2009
7:34 am
Detriot KC,the Rams,and Oakland come off the schedule.The Giants,Cowboys and Patriots come on.That is a huge difference.
Be-little, BeBOLD
June 24th, 2009
7:39 am
This season depends on how the defense plays . . . we know what the offense can do!
Nobody's April Fool
June 24th, 2009
7:48 am
Mark, you make some very good points, but please let us Falcon fans enjoy the anticipation and high expectations that we are all currently feeling without being reminded of past failures. This team is different and I hope they prove all the naysayers wrong. Go Falcons!!!
Bubba
June 24th, 2009
7:48 am
I don’t think you’re wrong to reach for the Rolaids, Mark. True, this is a team with a lot of potential. However, this is a team that isn’t very deep. The Patriots, for example, had the talent to overcome the absence of Tom Brady to have a winning season. The Falcons, in the past, have failed miserably in their attempts to overcome the adversity of losing a star player. It isn’t the talent loss that gets them so much as it is the “here we go again” mentality that permeates the locker room. Those of us who have been in Atlanta for a while and who are fans through thick and thin are equally infected.
That said, the coaching staff is excellent. Blank & Co. have done an excellent job of reshaping the paradigm of the team. The players work hard and say the right things. Mr. Dimitroff seems to have done a good job of assembling players who play beyond the printed accolades of success. Thus far, they have overcome the “we can’t win this game” attitude. One would hope that this is a team that can overcome adversity. I, for one, hope that they don’t have to. At least, not this year.
The mentality will not be completely changed until they overcome the “back-to-back” onus. Making the playoffs, I think, is secondary to throwing that monkey off our back. Can they do that? I’m cautiously optimistic. But, I have a Missouri attitude: Show me.
Mark Bradley
June 24th, 2009
7:56 am
You know, I kind of cringed over “boulevard of broken dreams” myself. But it was that or “Desolation Row.”
rainman
June 24th, 2009
8:09 am
It’s a hard call predicting what the Falcon’s record will be this year.
The offense should be somewhat improved with a year of experience playing together under a new system. TG will help Ryan avoid the sophmore slump. If one of the starting OT’s goes down, it would be a problem.
On the defense, replacing Brooking, Milloy, and Grady should improve the unit. On the other hand, I would probably feel better if Foxworth and Boley were still on the team. Our D-line could become a strength if JA98 and Trey Lewis come through. There will be some mistakes due to inexperience, but either Moore or DeCoud should emerge as a quality SS. Overall — they are thin at OLB and one of the CB’s needs to really step it up.
Keisha Waites
June 24th, 2009
8:20 am
The Falcons have the foundation to do Big things: A great City, a good fan base, and solid coaching staff. I may pass on the season tickets, but I will be in the stands.
The Dogfighter Returns
June 24th, 2009
8:37 am
Wow. Why did you choose a pic of MV7 and his loverboy Arthrur Blank? I am sure Arthur wants to bury this image once and for all. You Mark have revived it again.
MatthewH
June 24th, 2009
8:48 am
No,no, this is good. Keep writing bad things about the Falcons. With your track record, MB that guarantees that they’ll have that winning season and make the playoffs.
Doyle, Winder
June 24th, 2009
8:53 am
Do you ever sleep? As for me, I believe you choose the perfect photo with Mr. Blank and Vick because it vividly demonstrates the differences between that Falcon franchise and this one. We now have a professional at every level from GM to Mike Smith to water boy. No more emotional decisions (see past off season) making a mess of everything. Now it’s all about winning football games. Too much too soon? I’d say we are way over due!
What!!!
June 24th, 2009
9:12 am
Last year I picked them to go 10-6. This year 12-4. The defense will be a top 10 defense before mid-season. NFC south CHAMPIONS and from there………………….the picture is fuzzy. Updates as I get them. lol
dean
June 24th, 2009
9:42 am
Does DJ have a legitimate shot at making the team this year? Who is The Man who steps up to the pump if something were to happen to Ryan? Ps.the pain of 1980 is still there for me. It’s ALMOST gone but not yet. (Whatever did become of Roland Lawrence?)
Herschel Talker
June 24th, 2009
9:47 am
BOBBY COX MUST GO!
Daniel
June 24th, 2009
10:00 am
I agree with Doyle, no such thing as too much too soon for this orginization. We are WAY overdue. However, this is the NFL and injuries will derail any team, so luck is a part of it. But, barring serious injuries I don’t see us fallin off at all.
Zoomie
June 24th, 2009
10:07 am
I’d like to see the Falcons overcome the back-to-back winning seasons jinx. It will be tough based on the current view of the schedule. I’m not going to fall back on the “here we go again” mentality based solely on a statistical losing season, though. I’ll be watching to see if we truly have a “new” team, or if it’s the same old Falcons.
I’ll be paying close attention to all those “intangibles” people talk about all the time. Did the players obviously fight to the end in the loss, or did they just give up at some point (old Falcons)? Do the players take responsibility, or cast blame (old Falcons)? Does the coaching staff make scheme and personnel adjustments, or stand there with a look of dejection as their game plan comes apart (old Falcons)? Is there evidence of leadership top-to-bottom in the organization, or does cult-of-personality prevail in the locker room (old Falcons)?
If leadership, professionalism, and organizational strength are evident even in a losing season, I’ll keep the fire burning for this team. The addition of Dimitroff and Smith, and all the changes and the decisions they’ve made regarding this team, give me hope that we are developing a long-term organizational strength. If the Falcons play their best, keep their heads up, and act like a group of professionals, I’ll give them the courtesy of not judging them based on a single losing season.
Personally, though, I don’t think it’s going to happen. I think the back-to-back winning seasons curse goes down in flames in 2010!
Phillip Shobo
June 24th, 2009
10:12 am
This team is set up for success. I don’t know about you all but it’s been a long time coming for these Atlanta Falcons. I stand up for these team through everything. However, anything less than a Super Bowl win this season is NOTgood.
Greg
June 24th, 2009
10:12 am
Mark, you are on the button. Last year’s relatively weak schedule gives us little to go on as a basis for prediction, given this year’s very tough schedule. Of, we hope. ‘Fan”, after all, is short for ‘fanatic’. As several have mentioned, we have yet to see a good defense show up. Look at the schedule. We’d better get one in a hurry. I also second what MightyQuinn said about getting another durable back. Maybe Snelling or somebody else on board can pull the load; maybe not. Verron Haynes looked pretty good while he was with the Steelers—maybe he could be the guy. But we may need to pick somebody up.
jarvis
June 24th, 2009
10:19 am
It’s an economy of scale…the whole division plays the NFC and AFC East. We will win the NFC South. I think 10-6 will win it, and I think we have that in the bag.
Mark Bradley
June 24th, 2009
10:19 am
Chris Redman remains the No. 2 quarterback. And the Falcons seem to like D.J. Shockley.
GOTech610
June 24th, 2009
10:27 am
Falcs will go 10-6 put back to back winning seasons together, win the division, and go to the playoffs.
Sidslid
June 24th, 2009
10:30 am
The Jamal Anderson analogy is the one I fear the most. If everybody stays healthy, we should be fine intradivision as I think everybody but Tampa Bay has taken a step or two back.
Mark Bradley
June 24th, 2009
10:32 am
And that’s a major consideration, Sid: They didn’t have many injuries last season apart from Sam Baker.
BugKiller
June 24th, 2009
10:42 am
- I walk this lonely road, the only road that I have ever known,
Don’t know where it goes, but it’s only me and I walk alone -
I don’t know Mark, but Green Day’s “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” seems to apply to this franchise more than any other.
You mention the not ever having back-to-back winning seasons. To put it in perspective, the Florida Marlins, who came into baseball in 1993, were the team with the SECOND longest streak of non-back-to-back winning seasons, but that ended in what, 2004, at eleven?
The Falcons have been playing football since 1966. This is the 44th year of their existence. So that’s 42 years of never having back-to-back winning seasons.
Has there EVER been a more snake-bitten team in all of sports not named the Chicago Cubs?
I think you should do a column about the sports franchises in this country who are the most snake-bitten, writing down and going over their travails.
- I walk this empty street, on the boulevard of broken dreams
When the city sleeps, and I’m the only one and I walk a… -
jarvis
June 24th, 2009
10:46 am
D-Line is a concern at depth and O-Line to a lesser degree… I have some serious concerns about our secondary, but it can’t be any worse than last year’s. Abraham is the key. If he’s healthy, we’ll roll. He was the secondary’s best-friend last year. If we can just find someone to contribute another 7 to 9 sacks, I think we’ll be pretty dominate, but that would be a huge step for someone else on that line. Hence my 10-6 prediction.
By the way, I can’t believe I’m saying this, the Falcons are deep at receiver. The world is on it’s ear.
Mark Bradley
June 24th, 2009
10:49 am
The Cubs, yes. And the Clippers. But I can’t come up with many more contenders. (Or non-contenders, as it were.)
JRM
June 24th, 2009
10:56 am
MB! – Why hasn’t anyone written about the Stephen Nicholas story from last year or referred to Pat Y’s recent article on it? It’s great stuff and makes you proud to be an Atl fan
Paulie OldSchool
June 24th, 2009
10:57 am
I think that a SB appearance this year is extremely unlikely, but that we should break the streak for non-consecutive winning seasons. There is an energy with this team, from TD and AB on down that is quietly comforting. We don’t hear a whole lot of tripe, we don’t get a whole lot of negative headlines in the off-season, and the trash talkers are gone. As long as we continue to win, I’ll take boring off the field anytime. On field, I think that they are gonna become the scourge of the NFC. TEAM has become the process, rather than INDIVIDUAL. All very, very important to establishing winning traditions here. Instead of fearing the upgrade in the schedule this year, I am looking forward to the challenge of playing some better teams, ’cause I think our boys can win. Again, that quiet confidence is what is driving my admiration for this team and its components. No prediction on record, but I’ll say that I think it’ll be a real good, exciting year.
Mark Bradley
June 24th, 2009
10:59 am
I’ll endeavor to get around to Stephen Nicholas, JRM. Thanks for asking.
Matty Ice-man
June 24th, 2009
11:12 am
Yes, Mark you would not be a long suffering Falcons fan if you did not let those “here we go again – something bad is bound to happen” thoughts creep in. However, the only way I see the Falcons being worse than 8-8 is with major injuries to our star players (Matt Ryan, Michael Turner, Roddy White, John Abraham and Curtis Lofton) – if those five can stay healthy – the Falcons should rule the roost and compete for playoffs and division. Here is to the “back-to-back” curse finally being broken!
michaelgee
June 24th, 2009
11:23 am
are the ajc writers afraid of not putting Vick in every damn article.
Please Mark, let us move on without having the criminal rubbed in our faces every day.
come on ajc writers, someone please suck it up and try to write a “Vick less” article just once.
Surely you guys are better than this.
falconidiot
June 24th, 2009
11:28 am
Granted it would be great if the league never saw us coming like last year, however, this team is full of athletes with character and the best leadership in our history, only injury will derail us and still our depth is better than ever. No hype, SUPERBOWL!
BugKiller
June 24th, 2009
11:30 am
Hmmm… maybe the Buffalo Bills as well? I know, especially for the many Bobby Cox Apologists on this board, just “getting there” is good enough for a great many people… but losing four Super Bowls in a row, especially the first one and the last one (which people forget, they led in the third quarter)… that’s a kick in the groin.
Tee
June 24th, 2009
11:30 am
If the falcons are “all the rage”……why does Arthur Blank have to give away FREE jerseys to get folks to buy tickets??? And don’t blame it on the “economy”, I haven’t heard of any other NFL owners GIVING away jerseys!!
Falcon Devil
June 24th, 2009
11:33 am
Even though our schedule is brutal I’m not worried. Is it a fans unjustified blind faith or clear critical thinking? We shall see come January. For starters our offense is no doubt going to be top 5 and IMO top 3 in the league. We already were the no 2 rushing off in the NFL last year and I see Norwood blossuming with more carries to protect Turner ( which unfortunatley means this might be our last year with the speedster due to an upcoming contract and he’ll want no 1 $$$$). Next Matty Ice is more experienced and going to be improved if things stayed the same. They are not the same though, now he has IMO the best pass catching TE in the history of football as an equalizer to any double team Roddy White will face. The saftey valve TG will play is such an upgrade to our red-zone offense I would be scared to face us. Pick your poison in trying to stop the Burner or TG, can’t do both with Mich Jenkins on the fade. Here comes the big question mark… the defense. Without watching training camp or pre-season no one has any film to study of how our D will look. As a fan it’s nerve wracking, as an opponent off cord it’s kinda scary too. This is where my argument jumps from facts to faith. I believe our coaches can mold a productive defense from the crop of young quick guys and our few experienced vets (Coleman, Abraham, Peterson). They did well last year considering half our D was old and slow, I’d take young, fast and inexperienced over old, slow and wise on D in the NFL anyday. I truly do believe our D-Line is our strongest asset on D with solid run ends (Davis, Anderson), a stout interior (Jerry, Babs, Lewis) and a quick pass rush (Abraham, Sidbury). Our linebackers are solid but not exceptional, Saftey is looking decent but our corners scare me. Thats where the pass rush is crucial. Next topic is our “brutal” schedule. It’s important to keep in mind the huge parity in the NFL from season to season. If schedules worked like they were supposed to there wouldnt be sports betting. Teams that are supposed to suck (Falcons predicted to be the worst team last year) can be great and teams who are supposed to be Super Bowl champs don’t make the playoffs (Cowboys) every year. The bye weeks thing does suck but hey we are in the NFC South. Is there any worse looking NFC division? …. Ok maybe NFC West but I’m expecting San Fran, Seattle, and AZ to be competetive. The Buccs look horrible (cleaned house on D, no established Off). The Panthers are deteriorating and Delomme is in for a rough year. The Saints have a great passing attack but thats it. The division should be ours no problem.
Falcon Devil
June 24th, 2009
11:36 am
The X-factor will be injuries, no one can plan on them. Who will be this years Tom Brady?
uga_b
June 24th, 2009
11:47 am
Yasinskas got it right.
This staff is amazing, but that is my biggest concern. Mularkey will get another chance. BVG may get a chance. Even the position coaches are hot commodities. Not sure we will keep them around that long; then we will find out what Smith can really do.
The reason the Falcons are getting so much coverage and praise is that they are doing it the right way.
Consider:
Blank – supportive, charismatic owner who may be hands on but has delegated. He sells free agents as good as any owner in the NFL. He built the flowery branch complex and makes resources available.
Dimitroff (McKay) – we have 2 GMs experience-wise. Dimitroff scouts the college players extremely well. We are signing our young core. McKay is very influential, see rules committee.
Staff – see above
Players – High character guys like Stephen Nicholas (credit the org here). They genuinely want to be here. We are not hearing people asking out. They buy in.
Performance – they were in every game last year and didn’t quit. Even some good teams take games off; this team isn’t wired that way. This is the number one predictor of our future performance–not the record.
What!!!
June 24th, 2009
11:59 am
I have just one word – “Over-rated”!
What have they done really? They won 11 games last season, but who couldn’t do that with Detroit, St Louis, Kansas City & Oakland, with the benefit of the 9th easiest schedule in the NFL?
What have they accomplished? One of few teams to win 11 games and not win a playoff game – big accomplishment.
This season, they face the 3rd toughest schedule, with 4 consecutive road games in the heart of the season and face 5 teams coming off bye weeks.
History has proven that teams coming off of bye weeks, have a 90 % win average, so if history repeats itself, that’s 5 losses alone.
JEKYLL MY HYDE
June 24th, 2009
12:02 pm
THEY”LL BE GREAT OR NOT!!! IT’S 50/50 AT BEST!!!!
MiltonDawg
June 24th, 2009
12:03 pm
What!!!; before the 08 season started, no one predicted that the Lions, Rams, Chiefs, & Raiders were going to be as bad as they were (ok maybe Raiders). This season..who says the teams on our schedule will have a bad year or not? The bye week does pose an issue, but if this team is tough..it won’t be an issue. all i care about is having back to back winning seasons.
111111111111111111s\
June 24th, 2009
12:16 pm
Enter your comments here
Mark Bradley
June 24th, 2009
12:24 pm
About Michael Vick: Like it or not, he’s a major part of Falcons history. If we’re talking about deflations, I don’t know that there have been any as great — in the history of Atlanta sports — as the preseason of 2003.
db
June 24th, 2009
12:37 pm
I hope this is the year we break the two season curse. I feel alot better now that we picked up Gonzalez. It now gives us a three headed offense attack. If we hadn’t picked him up to add to the overall talent, and with the much tougher schedule we have this year, I would have not given us a chance to break the curse. Go Birds!
Mark Bradley
June 24th, 2009
12:39 pm
I think this is the year, DB. But I thought that in 2005 when they were 6-2. (So did Jimbo Mora, I feel certain.)
SFC BRENT E. BAGLEY
June 24th, 2009
12:41 pm
I like this team, but we gotta overcome that ‘consecutive winning season’ hurdle before going on. Get me 9 wins, then we can start talking playoffs and beyond.
Mark Bradley
June 24th, 2009
1:00 pm
I agree, Sarge. When/if the Falcons get Victory No. 9, they should drop confetti and haul out the champagne. That’s a massive hurdle for this organization, and it needs to be surmounted ASAP.
What!!!
June 24th, 2009
1:17 pm
Bwaa Ha Ha!!!!! 12-4….that’s WHAT the Falcons will do!! WHY? Because they have the QB, the team and the coaching to do it!
Brian Hunt
June 24th, 2009
1:18 pm
I am very confident that the season will be a winning one. The schedule looks brutal, but I think that a couple of the NFC East teams are going to fall back to mediocrity (Redskins and Cowboys). I’m still not drinking the Dolphin or Bills’ Flavor-aid. I think this team will find a way to win 10 games.
What!!!
June 24th, 2009
1:19 pm
Who loves me so much to want to be me? Is it you VS2? Bigsleezy830?
DMac
June 24th, 2009
1:28 pm
We”ll be better but the Record worse. The Schedule is a beast….Most importantly we NEED Ryan Upright….
Ken Hoyer
June 24th, 2009
2:05 pm
How can everyone be so confident given the defense and leadership within that defense has been completely gutted? I certainly don’t expect the d to be better this season than last. Good for the long term, but not better than last season.
That means the offense needs to be substantially better to cover for the lack of defense. And add a tougher schedule to the mix, I think there record is more like the Vegas prediction, 8-8. And that’s assuming no great amount of injuries.
Someone please talk me out of this…
JB
June 24th, 2009
2:13 pm
7-9……….Defense and schedule……no one will blow us out….we will score on anybody……..
Mark Bradley
June 24th, 2009
2:14 pm
I’m thinking 10-6, tops. But don’t hold me to that.
What!!!
June 24th, 2009
2:40 pm
I may be a stupid guy sometimes, but I think we are just wishing for a winning season so bad, we think it will be so.
I don’t know what all the praise is for the offense either. Think about it – this is the same offense from 2007, with the exception of Mike Turner.
Playing against the 9th easiest schedule, you should score points, but when the team played against the tough defenses like the Eagles, Tampa Bay, etc, we barely scored touch downs. Denver’s defense was horrible and the team lost.
Therefore, don’t be fooled thinking this is a high powered offense. When you play the 3rd toughest schedule and the defense masters on those teams watch all the Ryan film, that offense will look very ordinary at best. That’s the good news. The bad news is the other teams will put up 30 points on a regular basis.
That Vegas prediction was an optimistic outlook.
I may be stupid but this team may be like the 2007 team.
Hillbilly Deluxe
June 24th, 2009
3:05 pm
Have two winning seasons in a row and then I’ll perk up.
Sarah B
June 24th, 2009
3:33 pm
Ken Hoyer – give it a minute and Ken Strickland will talk you out of it. He has me convinced our D will be much better already. I can’t wait for training camp.
Sarah B
June 24th, 2009
3:49 pm
Here Ken Hoyer is a repost of Ken Strickland’s to help you out of that funk:
Ken Strickland
June 17th, 2009
8:14 pm
It appears a lot of you are still concerned about our DEF. Well, don’t be, and here’s why(I posted this on another site).
(1) Departed DT GJackson will be replaced by one of two leading candidates, TLewis or PJerry. Both are younger, quicker, faster, more agile, mobil and aggressive, with pass rushing skills. HOW CAN ANYONE NOT SEE THOSE ATTRIBUTES AS IMPROVEMENTS.
(2) If DE JAnderson impreves his pass rushing skills, he’ll likely retain his starting status and that will definitely be an improvement over last yr. If he doesn’t, DE CDavis will take over. I SEE THAT AS AN OVERALL IMPROVEMENT.
(3) OLB MPeterson has always been considered quicker, faster and more physical than departed OLB KBrooking. Although he’s lost a step or two, he’s still considered a slight upgrade over Brooking. Last yr, OLB CWire replaced OLB MBoley, who struggled trying to fit our DEF system. OLB SNicholas will most likely replace CWire because he’s quicker, faster and more versatile. I SEE THAT AS AN OVERALL IMPROVEMENT.
(4) SS LMalloy replacement will likely be either TDeCoud, AHarris or WMoore. All are quicker, faster and more versatile than Malloy and can cover far more of the field and drastically inprove our overall secondary play. THAT’S A DEFINITE IMPROVEMENT.
(5) Departed CB DFoxworth will likely be replaced by either BGrimes, VHutchins, CJackson or COwens. While none of this CB’s is as good and/or experienced as Foxworth, I don’t think there will be any dropoff in performance because of 2 factors. 1-the improvement in the overall play and support of our SS, compared to last yr. 2-the vast improvement we’ll see in our pass rush will make it a lot easier than it was for Foxworth. I SEE THIS AS AN OVERALL IMPROVEMENT.
All of these improvements will have a positive effect on the overall performances of established starters like FS EColeman, DT JBabineaux, DE JAbraham, CB CHouston and MLB CLofton. This yrs DEF will definitely be much better than last yrs, from day one. However, it will take time for it to become as dominant as the overall talent suggests it can and will become.
What!!!
June 24th, 2009
3:56 pm
I didn’t Ken Strictland was a paid sports analyst
Is this the same Ken Strictland that predicted the Falcons would destroy the Tampa team on the 1st meeting and the Falcons didn’t even get into the end zone.
So if Ken makes a prediction, I would bet on the opposite.
Sarah B
June 24th, 2009
4:08 pm
Didn’t say he was an expert just enough to give hope/cheer up…
Sarah B
June 24th, 2009
4:28 pm
Besides the “Experts” said we would win 1 game last year.
dave
June 24th, 2009
5:35 pm
As a Falcons fan since Nobis, Bradley nailed exactly how I feel. I find myself daydreaming and wondering …. “Which key player is going to get hurt and prevent back to back winning seasons?” Even without a major injury, with a tougher schedule, the loss of “underestimated underdog” status and an unproven defense, 8-8 might be realistic … and the no-back-to-back-winning-seasons streak continues.
I’ll still love ‘em, though.
dave
Vick Supporter
June 24th, 2009
5:39 pm
Lol, you people talk about Vick every article,lol. And you people say that Vick never did anything here.
Vick Supporter
June 24th, 2009
6:30 pm
My life sucks, when you guys have a favorite team to root for I’ll be stuck watching Ron Mexico play in the UFL. Talking crap to Falcons fans is how I get through the day… I hate my life
What!!!
June 24th, 2009
6:33 pm
Is this what Falcon fans have come to? “Back-to-back winning seasons”.
Proud organizations are more concerned about “playoff wins”. Who cares if you make it to the playoffs and choke?
Vick never had back-to-back winning seasons, but in 4-full seasons as a starter he managed to land Brett Favre his first loss in the playoffs at home and lead the team again to a playoff win and a championship game appearance.
So you people have a losing mentality if the first word out of your mouth is “just give me back-to-back winning seasons”.
That’s pathetic
What!!!
June 24th, 2009
6:41 pm
Okay it’s true Matty Ice can’t out run a snail…..
True he would have sucked without Mike Turner………
True he choked in the playoffs………..
True Joe Flacco was the true “ROY”……….
True Joe Flacco was the first rookie to win 2 playoff games
True my red zone percentage was in the 20s…………
True it took me 5 years of college to learn a play book…..
True my deep ball is 20 yards…………
But he is still my hero because I’m pathetic and a loser
VICK SUPPORTER 2
June 24th, 2009
6:52 pm
VICK NEVER HAD BACK-TO-BACK WINNING SEASONS, BUT…..
HE MANAGED TO LAND BRETT FAVRE HIS FIRST LOSS IN THE PLAYOFFS AT HOME
OH YEAH, AND A CHAMPIONSHIP GAME “APPEARANCE”
NOT A WIN, JUST AN “APPEARANCE”
AND IT WAS ONLY LIKE….UM, LET ME THINK….5 0R 6 YEARS AGO
WHERE IS MIKE VICK’S CONTRACT?
ARTIE BLANK SEEMS TO HAVE MISPLACED IT!
VICK SUPPORTER 2
June 24th, 2009
7:01 pm
MIKE VICK’S STATS FROM CHAMPIONSHIP GAME “APPEARANCE ONLY”
O TD……….2 INT……….58.4 RATING
I CAN’T BELIEVE MATT RYAN HAS A NFL CONTRACT AND VICK DOESN’T!!
SC
June 24th, 2009
7:58 pm
How many quality quarterbacks will the Falcons be facing this season? Let’s see: Pennington, Delhomme, Brady, Cutler, Romo, Brees, Manning, and McNabb. Ten games total versus this group.
I’d say that a winning season this year absolutely requires a much-improved pass defense.
Jack
June 24th, 2009
8:27 pm
I am with you, MB. They need to put up or shut up…Get the monkey off their back and stomp it !!!!
Jack
June 24th, 2009
8:35 pm
BTW,
Was that not a PATHETIC site? (AB rolling YKW around, in the wheelchair)
confederated Falcon lost in space
June 24th, 2009
9:09 pm
The media is pumping the Falcon. they will be luckly to win 8 game. hom many time has the Falcons brass tryed to win with offense. what good is scoreing 30 point and still lose. they should have went frist two rounds for defense last year an this year. Fools gold in ofense watch and see!! loser with all the media hype!!
What!!!
June 24th, 2009
9:11 pm
SC – Good post!
Fred
June 25th, 2009
7:19 am
Are the Falcons still trying to sell tickets? Its almost July!! Apparently not many people care one way or the other WHAT the Buzzards will do! LOL
Former Season Ticket Holder
June 25th, 2009
7:20 am
HA! When is that Midtown Touchdown again?
Mitch
June 25th, 2009
7:34 am
Whatt!!! go get a life and and job and post to another blog. Get out of your mom’s basement. Take off your Spider Man pajamas and go get a job. You’re pathetic. I’m going to work and earn a living for my wife and 3 sons.
rob
June 25th, 2009
8:20 am
The defense will be much improved this year..Sure they are young and inexperienced but hungry..The coaching staff will mold the into a decent and effective unit..
ctfalconsfan
June 25th, 2009
8:43 am
I’m always excited going into another Falcons season regardless of the previous season’s outcome.
I had high expectations going into the 99, 03, 05 and even 06 season and all 4 were disappointing but hey our luck has to change, we have to have back to back winning seasons at some point so hopefully it’s this year!!
I’m especially excited about this season as living in CT will allow me to attend the Falcons/Pats game and both ATL games in NJ. Toss in a New Year’s down in Tampa and that will be 4 away games and probably 2 home games in the GA DOME!!
GOD BLESS the ATLANTA FALCONS and GD the other 31 teams..
Dee
June 25th, 2009
9:04 am
Mark Bradley: Ghostwriter for Terrance Moore
Mark Bradley
June 25th, 2009
9:13 am
Julius Peppers back to Carolina. How do we feel about that? (Me, I say he’s way overrated. But maybe that’s just me.)
JWW
June 25th, 2009
10:38 am
Sara always cheers me up with her positive stuff. Some of you other folks need a hug or a drink or an enema or something. Try this possible future…
8-8, win the division, go deeper in the playoffs. So we didn’t get that back-to-back monkey off our backs, but our team as a whole got a lot more experience playing together. Then in 2010 we start a run of back-to-back-to-back-to-back winning seasons, a la Peyton Manning and his bunch.
I know we are a microwave society, but what’s with the sudden pressure to win,win now,now? How about a Super Bowl in 2 years from now? What, ya just can’t wait that long??? lol
After looking at perennial losers for 4 decades (with a sprinkle of good teams here and there), I can certainly wait a year (if necessary) for Matt and Company to bring us a ring or three. If they do it this year, then all the hype was justified. If not, whatever. Our future is bright.
ProFootballTalk.com - Thursday Morning One-Liners
June 25th, 2009
10:42 am
[...] Mark Bradley of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution wonders if the Falcons are getting too many kudos too soon. [...]
Unca' Bob
June 25th, 2009
10:59 am
MB,
Over paid, too. He made $11.735 Mil in 2008. John Abraham made 6 Mil
dwayne
June 25th, 2009
11:36 am
Atl’s D is a concern. Lets see if Dimitroff got the right people, and Mike Smith can work some magic.
Mark Bradley
June 25th, 2009
11:39 am
I’d rather have Abraham. Provided he (all together now) can stay healthy.
falconfanshane
June 25th, 2009
12:17 pm
Avoid the injury bug and make it through murders row of a schedule and 10-6 and a wild card is there. Give Matty Ice another shot in the playoffs and look out ! One major injury (Ryan, Turner, White, Abraham) and below .500 will probably be the outcome. But it is nice as a fan to have a capable playoff caliber team to root for. It is no longer embarrassing to say I am a falcon fan !
OpenMinded
June 25th, 2009
1:04 pm
Mark– showing the photo of Mr. Blank pushing MV is over the top…really a bad shot…Petrino would have been better…Mr. Blank deserves better than that.
The real What!!!
June 25th, 2009
1:05 pm
12-4
Sarah B
June 25th, 2009
1:21 pm
real What!!! no worries we knew you were hijacked yesterday!
Marty Foreman
June 25th, 2009
1:50 pm
I’m going to comment on the post by MightyQuinn:
June 24th, 2009
7:01 am
“I’m sure this is a good offensive team. I’m NOT sure how they will do with the much tougher schedule this year, and a pretty much completely retooled defense. I’m thinking we will be in a lot of offensive shootouts. And the addition of Gonzales at TE makes me feel better about that. I would feel even better if we could reduce the number of carries for Turner (I believe we ran Jamal into the ground) by getting another durable back to share the load. I am hoping Smith will show that he was a great defensive coordinator and surprise us all with the D.”
I add, well said, Mighty Quinn! I too think that the grat Michael Turner needs to have less carries (something more realistic and less damaging to his body for the late haul of the season) per game! I believe that (hope I’m right) TD and Mike “know” that our D will be greatly improved. I also know that everyone is right about “the back-to-back curse” on the Falcons but I also believe that this “curse” can and will be broken by a top shelf organnization which is constantly evaluating and adding more talented pieces to the overall goal-puzzle, which is a consistantly solid team able to make a SB run in any given year!
The real What!!!
June 25th, 2009
2:09 pm
Thank you Sarah B. I’ve been a fan to long to be confused with that jerk.
The real What!!!
June 25th, 2009
3:11 pm
Yes I live in my Mom’s basement.
Sure I don’t care if Matty Ice chokes.
Sure I know Joe Flacco is better.
I’m just lucky to get 3 meals a day.
Go Falcons!
mars
June 25th, 2009
3:18 pm
I was under the impression that the Falcons played against NFL teams in all 16 games last season. But this years schedule is “different.” Oh, NO! We have to play against NFL teams in all 16 games this year! Give me a break guys! Any given Sunday, right?
mars
June 25th, 2009
3:24 pm
In the past, crappy Falcons teams have hammered high flying Cowboys and 49ers teams. It happens. Wanna know why? Every single Sunday our boys line up against the best football players in the Universe. The difference between a “soft” schedule and a “hard” schedule in the NFL has to do with preparation and application. Let that sink into the “soft” material under your “hard” skulls.
What!!!
June 25th, 2009
3:28 pm
12-4. Real team with a real QB.
tree rollins
June 25th, 2009
4:19 pm
Our best defensive backs and linebackers from last year are gone. AND our top nose tackle. We still don’t have a kickoff or punt return game. I grant you I like the addition of Gonzalez on offense – that’s about all I can say in the way of improvements. So you take in these developments and thrown in a much tougher schedule and now we’re going to have a BETTER team than last year – how do you figure???
AJ
June 25th, 2009
4:30 pm
With this schedule we may have to play in some offensive games to cover our defense, but playing against some of the best teams will help them in the long run to get better with confidience,even if their were to loose some by 1-3 pts. becauce time ran out, that way they would know that their just as good and can beat them, like the Giants did vs the Patriots yr before last and beat them in the Superbowl,this is a season of reckoning.
VICK SUPPORTER 2
June 25th, 2009
5:02 pm
BREAKING NEWS!!
MIKE VICK IS NO LONGER THE FASTEST QB IN THE NFL
HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE YOU ASK? GOOD QUESTION! I’LL TELL YOU……….
NO CONTRACT!! ARTIE BLANK MISPLACED IT
AS OF NOW…..JOE FLACCO IS A FASTER NFL QB THAN VICK
AND HAS A CONTRACT!!
HOWEVER, THERE’S NO DENYING HE’S GOT TO BE THE FASTEST CONSTRUCTION WORKER IN THE HISTORY OF MANKIND!!
JUST REMEMBER……….SAFETY FIRST!!
What!!!
June 25th, 2009
5:18 pm
12-4! Real team with a real QB!
falcon fan
June 25th, 2009
5:30 pm
You sure terrance moore did`nt write this column?
VICK SUPPORTER 2
June 25th, 2009
5:38 pm
WHAT!!! – EXCELLENT POST!
The real What!!!
June 25th, 2009
5:45 pm
Everyone please forgive me, my trailer 5th wheel broke and my library card expired but I’m back now.
We have a real quarterback now, even though he choked against the 8-8 Cardinals.
I don’t care if his red zone average is in the 20s.
I don’t care that he didn’t make the pro bowl.
I don’t care it took him 5 years to read play books.
Call me stupid, but I don’t care.
Go Falcons!
VICK SUPPORTER 2
June 25th, 2009
6:25 pm
MISSING: MIKE VICK’S CONTRACT
HAVE YOU SEEN IT LATELY?
REWARD: A STOLEN WATCH, EXPIRED COUPONS, A DIME SACK, THE MIDDLE FINGER AND A PUPPY
Unca' Bob
June 25th, 2009
7:40 pm
AJ,
Please don’t sell our defense short just yet. No doubt there will be some games where our offense will rescue our defense. There will be games where our defense will rescue our offense. Our defense will hindge on our tackle play. Should our D-Line step up expect a very good year!
Barry
June 25th, 2009
8:16 pm
Hey Y’all:
Hey Bradley. Quit worrying about your gut. I know that you and others are not use to winning football in these parts, but these Falcons and the coaches they have around them are different. Hell, even us fans are different. WE ARE WITH THIS TEAM AND WHAT THE COACHES ARE DOING AND HAVE DONE. Therefore, you need to get on board and stop feeding us this “pessimistic rhetoric” regarding our Falcons before the season even starts. I am not going to have it. We Falcon fans are down with these birds until the end in “ONE HEARTBEAT!!”. Win or lose, we are here!! We know these Falcons are a knitty, gritty, nasty bunch of players who play in “ONE HEARTBEAT!! THey are not quitters. They are “PLAYERS WHO MAKE PLAYS”. They care and play for each other. They got each others back. The coaches cover for each other and work effecivelty in a coordinated manner in making sure these Falcons represent and play hard, nasty, creative style southern football. And we as fans have both of their backs. We are down with this in
“ONE HEARTBEAT!!!”. WE ARE ONE: THE TEAM, THE FANS, THE MEDIA, AND THE COMMUNITY. “WE” refuse to take no mess and negativity directed towards this team. We are still “mad as hell” from our being taken advantage of by teams in the leaugue when we were at our lowest level. We are “MAD AS HELL” and we are not going to take it anymore. We are continuing our “PROCESS” of getting to the SUPER BOWL and winning it. And win it we will in “ONE HEARTBEAT!!!” WE AIN’T PLAYING!!!!!!!!!
BOY, YOU JUST DON’T KNOW HOW READY I AM FOR SOME FOOTBALL!!!!!!!!
LET’S DO THIS!! LET’S DO THIS IN “ONE HEARTBEAT!!!!!!!
GO FALCONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is a SECRET from a FALCON FAN. TELL EVERYBODY.
……………………….”ONE HEARTBEAT, BABY!!!!!!”…………….
godawgs
June 25th, 2009
10:32 pm
ok i love my falcons but damn yall make us sound like JOE DIRT how bout this here LETSSSSSSSSS GO FALCONSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
tree rollins
June 25th, 2009
11:28 pm
Ok, so here’s my beef with this team – they’re too white! White owner, white GM, white coach, white quarterback. Was this Arthur’s gameplan all along – hard to tell. But some of us feel his abandonment of Michael, Alge, Rod, D-Hall and the rest was a bit too much!! Terrence is gone but in spirit we know he was right. I know he would feel like I do. Arthur’s trying to change the nature of this team whether he admits it or not. Even his marketing guy is a white guy from Home Depot. What gives?
The real What!!!
June 26th, 2009
1:12 am
“From the NFL Network”:
At the Wednesday round table, “Hall-of-Famers” were discussing what player they would pick to start a franchise. Below are the picks:
Marshall Faulk picked: Shawn Merrimann
Warren Sapp picked: Mario Williams
Jamie Dukes picked: Mike Vick
The analysists all picked defense, except Mike Vick.
Hmmmm oddly enough there was no mention of “The New Face” of the franchise. Not even Mannings, Favre, Brady or Cutler – just a mobile qb
http://www.ravens24×7.com/column_view.php?cid=81&id=3540&view=archive
Paddy
June 26th, 2009
9:06 am
You had better hope that Jamie Dukes is the owner of this new team he is starting and not the GM. If he is just the GM he just got fired.
Vick Supporter
June 26th, 2009
10:22 am
Tree Rollins thinks the Falcons are “too white!”. You are as ignorant and racist as all the redneck retards. How bout this, the old Falcons were too black… does that sound ignorant and racist? Considering there isn’t a single white starter on defense and defense is our weakness what does that say?
What!!!
June 26th, 2009
10:31 am
12-4! Real team with a real QB. Makes some of ya’ll mad!! Bwaa ha ha!! GO FALCONS!!!!
What!!!
June 26th, 2009
10:40 am
Jamie Dukes proves once again he’s an idiot.
FalconsFanLostInOhio
June 26th, 2009
11:18 am
Defense makes a champion. At this point, let’s not go crowning the Birds anything yet. The defense is very young, and the QB, while stinkin’ good for a rookie last year, is still young too. Its a tough schedule and high expectations. This year could go either way…
VICK SUPPORTER 2
June 26th, 2009
11:48 am
SHAWN MERRIMANN = NFL CONTRACT
MARIO WILLIAMS = NFL CONTRACT
MIKE VICK = NO NFL CONTRACT
MIGHT AS WELL BUILD MY TEAM AROUND MIKE BIBBY WHO HAS NO NFL CONTRACT EITHER
What!!!
June 26th, 2009
11:54 am
12-4…………….GO FALCONS!!!!
The real What!!!
June 26th, 2009
1:33 pm
Enter your comments here
What!!!
June 26th, 2009
1:36 pm
Sure Jamie Dukes was an NFL player.
Sure Jamie Dukes is a “paid” analyst.
Sure I’m stupid.
Sure I live in my mom’s basement.
Sure I hate knowing the truth.
Sure I love not winning playoff games.
Sure I love quarterbacks that don’t make pro bowls.
Sure I like quarterbacks that lose to 8-8 playoff teams.
Bottom line, I am just plain stupid
What!!!
June 26th, 2009
2:58 pm
12-4…………..GO FALCONS!! JAMIE DUKES…ha ha ha ha ha!! A has been who never realy was!!!
VICK SUPPORTER 2
June 26th, 2009
3:06 pm
DEAR GOD,
I’M BARELY HANGING ON!! I’M NOT THINKING STRAIGHT ANYMORE. CAN YOU BELIEVE I ACTUALLY WANT TO BUILD A FOOTBALL TEAM AROUND A GUY WHO DOESN’T EVEN HAVE A CONTRACT, MY GOODNESS!! VICK HAD A CHAMPIONSHIP GAME “APPEARANCE ONLY” FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!! 5 YEARS AGO!! WHO CARES IF VICK NEVER WON A GAME WHEN GOING INTO THE 4TH QTR TRAILING. WHO CARES IF HE WAS CAPTAIN NO COMEBACK. HE BEAT BRETT FARVE IN GREEN BAY OVER HALF A DECADE AGO!! I MEAN C’MON, MAN!! WILL SOMEONE PLEASE PICK THE GUY UP? WHY HASN’T ANYONE SIGNED HIM YET? I DON’T GET IT!! I HATE MATT RYAN! HE HAS SINGLE HANDEDLY RUINED MY LIFE!! WOULD YOU PLEASE JUST GIVE ME TONYA HARDING’S NUMBER AND I’LL TAKE CARE OF THIS MYSELF.
What!!!
June 26th, 2009
4:22 pm
Calling on all Vick fans please exit the building! True fans support the team not a player. I’ve been a fan since Bartkowski(sp), a fan during the Vick years and still a fan today. I’ve said before, if our current QB don’t cut it, then get another. It’s about wins to this fan reguardless who the QB is.
With that said, I believe this current Falcons team is the best from the GM down to the players this franchise has ever had.
GO FALCONS!!!
What!!!
June 26th, 2009
7:23 pm
“Don’t hate the player – Hate the game”
http://blogs.nfl.com/2009/06/26/tweeting-vick/
Still didn’t find Ryan on that list
it's me again
June 26th, 2009
11:13 pm
What……the player you’re referring to must be Vick. Who by his actions, must have hated his team, his coach, his owner, and his fans or he wouldn’t have done the stupid things he did. Goodbye to bad memories. Once he was figured out every team stopped the experiment.
virgil leonard
June 27th, 2009
4:02 am
im with you on this one MB. i want to believe too but i must remain cautiously optmistic. If we can get throught the first four weeks of the season with a 3-1 or 4-0 record then I’ll feel a little better but until the season actually starts all the noise is just that… noise
Harleyman
June 27th, 2009
7:52 am
It’s nice that Blank and Co. have turned things around, but he still looks the idiot in that picture above pushing Vick around in a wheel chair. Please Bradley, no more reminders of that junk.
wp
June 27th, 2009
2:12 pm
I can not believe it. I’d about had that cheesy picture of Blank pushing Vick around in that wheelchair and here you print it again. AJC WRITERS GET OVER VICK! HE IS GONE let him go away
What!!!
June 27th, 2009
3:38 pm
It’s funny how Ryan is the “new face” of the franchise, but is not even the face of the AJC blogs
“It’s me again” based on that choke in the playoffs last year against Arizona, I guess Matty Ice was figured out in less than a season
it's me again
June 27th, 2009
9:46 pm
What I’ve got something you can joke on!
Wesley Wallace
June 27th, 2009
9:46 pm
Regardless of how good they are going to be, they have a super difficult schedule. Anything over 500 will be considered a great success.
adam keefe
June 28th, 2009
9:16 am
im just thinking, if people in
atl really hate mike vick for making poor judgement and then paying his dues, yall must really hate Bush
Foriel
June 28th, 2009
9:26 am
Mark Bradley says, “But another part of me — the part that says, “You know, this organization still hasn’t had consecutive winning seasons” — wonders if it’s too much too soon.”
No, Mark Bradley, it’s simply TIME. These Falcons are poised!
What!!!
June 28th, 2009
1:30 pm
2009 Falcons Breakdown:
http://www.examiner.com/x-2712-San-Francisco-49ers-Examiner~y2009m6d28-49ers-2009-opponent-breakdown-Atlanta-Falcons-Week-5
This article breaks down the 2009 Falcons……
Article lists top 3 Falcons as follows:
Michael Turner
Tony Gonzales
John Abraham
No Matty Ice on that list – WOW!
Where is the leader? Where is the “new face”?
Article also states that Mike Turner led the league in carries for running backs (339) and that if he carries that many times this season, he will be worn down.
Wow – I thought the quarterback was always the top player – the leader
Unca' Bob
June 28th, 2009
5:14 pm
It’s right here.
. Obviously the biggest name on the team is quarterback Matt Ryan. As the team tries to move on from the Michael Vick era, the Falcons will be asking a lot more from Ryan this year.
The Falcons will ask Ryan to do a lot more passing to relieve the workload of running back Michael Turner. Turner rushed a league-high 336 times last year.
What!!!
June 28th, 2009
5:59 pm
Top 3 players on team:
Michael Turner (Pro Bowler)
Tony Gonzales (Hall of Famer)
John Abraham (Hall of Famer)
http://www.examiner.com/x-2712-San-Francisco-49ers-Examiner~y2009m6d28-49ers-2009-opponent-breakdown-Atlanta-Falcons-Week-5
What!!!
June 28th, 2009
6:08 pm
The 49ers come into Week 5 looking to finish strong before their bye week. They will host the Atlanta Falcons, an upstart team that made the playoffs last year with an explosive offense. In charge of the offense is Rookie of the Year Matt Ryan and running back Michael Turner.
The Falcons are in the running to win their division, so the 49ers will have a huge task at hand.
Let’s break down the 2009 Falcons.
2008 Record: 11-5 (2nd NFC South)
Last meeting: 11/4/0 @ Atlanta (Falcons win 20-16)
2009 schedule: Week 2 @ San Francisco, Week 13 @ Seattle
Top 3 best players: RB Michael Turner, TE Tony Gonzalez, DE John Abraham
Notable draft picks: DT Peria Jerry, CB Christopher Owens
Notable new acquisitions: TE Tony Gonzalez, C Jeremy Newberry, LB MIke Peterson,
Notable losses: LB Michael Boley, LB Keith Brooking, CB Dominique Foxworth, DT Grady Jackson
After starting the season with three division opponents in the first four games, the 49ers look to test their skills against some new faces. The Falcons are a whole different team since the 49ers played them in 2007. Obviously the biggest name on the team is quarterback Matt Ryan. As the team tries to move on from the Michael Vick era, the Falcons will be asking a lot more from Ryan this year.
The Falcons will ask Ryan to do a lot more passing to relieve the workload of running back Michael Turner. Turner rushed a league-high 336 times last year. Granted that Turner has turned into a pretty good running back, but such a workload can take a toll on a body. With a new plan to get more passes out, the 49ers will have to focus on containing Michael Jenking and Roddy White at the wide receiver position.
Both these receivers are fast and lengthy. If the 49ers can hold them down, they still need to find a way to contain the Falcons’ biggest acquisition this off-season. Former Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez’s desire to be with a playoff team was enough to send him to Atlanta.
And Gonzalez’s game opens up the field. The former Cal tight end averages nearly 12 yards per reception in his career. You can imagine the assignments that the 49ers linebackers will have. Gonzalez might be the most dangerous in the red zone. His size and speed will definitely cause tough matchups for the 49ers.
On defense, the Falcons are doing some shifting. At cornerback, it looks like Von Hutchins and Chris Houston should end as the starters. But it looks like an open competition where any of the other cornerbacks (Brent Grimes, Chevis Jackson and Christpher Owens) could very easily take the starting spot.
The pressure on the 49ers quarterback will rely on the pass rush. Defensive end John Abraham has collected 26.5 sacks over the past two seasons and remains as a major threat to the 49ers’ offensive line. The Falcons also signed veteran linebacker Mike Peterson from the Jaguars. Peterson has a great nose for the ball, which might make the running game for the 49ers very tough.
The key for the 49ers to win this game will come on the hands of the passing game. With a Falcons cornerback crew that isn’t all too impressive, the 49ers have to take advantage of their passing opportunities. But if the 49ers defense cannot contain the running of Michael Turner and what looks to be a potentially more explosive passing game, the 49ers won’t be able to w
WheresMyFalcons
June 29th, 2009
6:57 am
Ok, already. Have visited this same OLD article for the past few days and there is NOTHING new to write about??????? Are you guys on vacation from your dwindling industry.
You’re giving me more and more reason to stay strictly with ESPN and give you up completely.
Coach D
June 29th, 2009
10:27 am
Well the Falcons certainly won’t be under the radar like they were last year, but I think they have the tools in place to make a run at a winning season. And unlike in past years where the back ups have been terrible: Redman, Norwood, Jenkins, can get the job done.
On paper the schedule looks tough, but it’s hard to really gauge any NFL schedule because there is so much parity. The Patriots while loaded, are still waiting to see how Brady will perform after surgery. The Cowboys have question marks and a loss of playmakers. The Giants got to prove the can get the job done without Plaxico. The Dolphins got to prove they’re no one season wonder themselves. The Saints, Panthers, and Buccaneers all have weaknesses as well. So I don’t feel the Falcons have anything more to prove than anyone else they play.
V Tuck
June 29th, 2009
12:12 pm
It will indeed be interesting. NFC South is no easy division theses days, and our schedule has been ramped up. Something tells me that if we can keep that same excitement and team energy that surrounded the Birds last season it’s going to be good. We spent needed focus on the D this offseason – which hopefully will payoff. We hemorrhaged yards last year – which will be more exploited by a tougher schedule if things were to be equal. A young D is certainly less reliable, but the releases / acquisitions we’ve made seem right to me. Go Birds!
What!!!
June 29th, 2009
8:18 pm
LIST OF 2009 PROJECTED 4,000 YARD PASSERS:
http://www.profootballtalk.com/2009/06/29/trent-green-says-at-least-ten-will-throw-for-more-than-4000-yards/
Apparently, even the addition of a hall of fame tight end won’t get “the new” face in the “elite” list.
I guess that 3,400 rookie season was a fluke, based on the “paid” analysts say he can’t get another 600 yards from last season.
He has been figured out I guess
mars
June 29th, 2009
8:23 pm
Too bad our young QB can’t get any attention. No one pays any heed to the poor boy, what with all the fuss over Turner-Norwood, White and Gonzalez. Not to mention the former QB. I wonder who will be the feature QB on Athlon Pro Football Mag and Beckett Pro Football Mag. Surely not our little fledgling. Do VS and/or VS2 have any updates on that? Yep, our new “face of the team” gets no respect. What a shame.
mars
June 29th, 2009
8:27 pm
Are the fellows at Athlon and Beckett considered to be “paid” analyst? Surely they’re not in a league with that “Hall of Famer” Trent Green. Got to be the final word there!
mars
June 29th, 2009
8:31 pm
Why have my comments disappeared? Does support for Matt Ryan merit being editted out? Very nice!
WheresMyFalcons
June 30th, 2009
6:57 am
Yawn!!!!! New Day….Same Story.
Please close the AJC and open a a news magazine where sports writers actually write.
JTiger
June 30th, 2009
4:53 pm
Everyone needs to chill out. The Flacons are going to kick some butt this year. And who gives a crap about MV? HE’S GONE, GET OVER IT! I bet the guys who constantly write about him and his deal with ATL stalk their ex-girlfriends. HELLO! IT”S OVER!!!! CAN WE MOVE ON PLEASE!?!?! MV will be in Miami soon. Meanwhile the Falcons will be going deep into the playoffs while Miami loses a wildcard game.