Football Diner 2008 Team Reviews / Previews
Atlanta Falcons
by Mark Lyne-Austen
31/7/2008
 
Overview
 
Atlanta has seen more turmoil than any other NFL club in recent years. The Falcons have fallen victim to the highest profile off-field disaster perhaps ever to befall an NFL side thanks to dog hating superstar Mick Vick. As one of the worst sides all-time, the dirty birds are in rebuilding mode following the incompetence of Bobby Petrino and a 4-12 2007 campaign. The team has not had a winning record in any of the last three years and with only two post-season appearances since the remarkable Super Bowl season in 1998, are rightly not among the favorites for glory in 2008.
 
Quarterbacks
 
Quarterback is a terrible area for the Falcons. Last season's starter Joey Harrington is expected to make way for fresh-faced new icon Matt Ryan who was drafted 3rd overall in this year's Draft. The former Boston College standout is a highly touted prospect and to a great extent does as much with his demeanour and positive personality for the squad as he does with his passing ability. Rookie QBs are not typically a recipe for NFL success and the Falcons under Ryan are not expected to buck that trend despite his mega-bucks contract. Veteran Harrington's main role will be as mentor for Ryan though the other man in Atlanta, Chris Redman probably provides the best option for winning now. If only the Falcons had not traded away Matt Schaub while trusting Mike Vick's word.
Grade: D-
 
Running Backs
 
An offense in trouble needs great production out of the Running Back position but the Falcons are not exactly stacked. High profile and overhyped former San Diego Charger backup Michael Turner is the first name on the sheet but LaDainian Tomlinson's water carrier has never completed more than 80 attempts in a season. He may have talent but Turner is also carrying a shoulder injury and had off-season surgery is not always the best omen for beginning a career in a new town. With Warrick Dunn released back to Tampa, the pacey Jerious Norwood may see more action while Full Back Ovie Mughelli in his second year will lead block.
Grade: C-
 
Receivers
 
Receiver has not been Atlanta's strong point in recent years. Prior to the revelations around his felonious personal interests, the biggest knock on Vick had been that his receivers were not up to making him look better. Former first rounder Roddy White is the team's star catcher, turning in a 1000 yard performance last season amidst all the troubles. White will need to connect well with Matt Ryan for the Falcons offense to have much of a chance but he is a player who has continued to improve in his three NFL seasons so far. White's fellow former first rounder Michael Jennings has been a bust since his 2004 debut. The signing of 36 year old Joe Horn smacks somewhat of desperation, the veteran has been a good player but was clearly on the downslope of his New Orleans career over the last couple years. Former Indianapolis and Tennessee Tight End Ben Hartsock does not appear to be a prospect changing signing unlike the loss of Alge Crumpler who was released this year.
Grade: C-
 
Offensive Line
 
Offensive Line does not standout in anyway. The only notable addition for the O-Line has been first round selection Sam Baker who does have some injury history in his University of South California career. Elsewhere, durable Center Todd McClure is not a renowned run blocker and the line did not do well in providing holes for the run game in 2007. A series of injuries across the line did not help and 2007 free agent Renardo Foster remains on the injured list. 320lb Guard Justin Blalock is arguably the team's best lineman but a unit that gave up 47 sacks last season and did not produce in the run game is the key area for the Falcons to improve in if they are to avoid further failures.
Grade: D+
 
Defensive Line
 
Defensive Line is home to Atlanta's most talented player in the oft-injured John Abraham. When not injured, Abraham has shown himself to be unblockable at times, securing 10.5 sacks in 2007. Opposite Abraham is Jamaal Anderson whose rookie season was not particularly explosive which gives opponents much greater opportunity to focus protection against Abraham. At the interior of the line, there hasn't been a huge amount of production with neither Jonathan Babineaux nor Montavious Stanley making substantial numbers of plays against either pass or run.
Grade: C
 
Linebackers
 
Linebacker Keith Brooking is the dependable guy on the Falcons defensive roster, the only man to remain from the Super Bowl XXXIII season. A 5 time Pro Bowler, Brooking's 870 career tackles make him the fulcrum of the Falcons D. Unfortunately for Brooking, he is not surrounded by talent though second round selection Curtis Lofton could change that. Putting up huge tackle numbers at Oklahoma, Lofton will have to make the jump to pro but is a superb athlete and on a thin Falcons team will have a chance to start straight away. Elsewhere with the D-Line not stopping enough plays at the point of attack, Michael Boley was able to pad his tackle numbers last year. Should Lofton come through, Linebacker will be the strength of this Falcons team and will need to perform outstandingly for the team to have a good year.
Grade: B
 
Secondary
 
For all his detractors and his apparent lack of positive character, the loss of DeAngelo Hall in a trade to the Oakland Raiders is a blow to the secondary. Journeyman Von Hutchins is not a direct replacement for Hall while second year player Chris Houston and rookie Chevis Jackson do not strike fear into opposition passing games. Safety Lawyer Milloy should never have left the New England Patriots and is now in the final year of his Falcons contract. New signing Erik Coleman at Free Safety lost his starting spot at the New York Jets before signing with the Falcons.
Grade D
 
Special Teams
 
Special Teams signing Jason Elam is an odd one. The 15 year Denver Bronco boosted his stats by kicking in the thin atmosphere of Mile High Stadium and replaces 47 year old Morten Anderson. Elam is an upgrade at the position given Anderson's reduced leg but not the upgrade his Denver stats would suggest especially given Anderson's great accuracy last season. Returner is currently still slated to be Jerious Norwood though if Norwood finds himself more involved in the running game, his return duties may be reduced. Either way, it is not one of the more feared units in the league.
Grade C
 
Coaching
 
Anything is better than Bobby Petrino but first year Head Coach Mike Smith has an enormous task ahead of him. The former Jaguars Defensive Coordinator did a decent job on a side where Jack Del Rio made most of the running and was Linebackers coach at the height of the Baltimore Ravens success in the early 2000s. Still, this is probably the biggest repair job in the NFL and none of Smith's experience suggests he has the magic needed to turn it around. Offensive Coordinator Mike Mularkey brings experience but not an amazing track record.
Grade C-
 
Outlook
 
The Atlanta Falcons will have to go some to not be the worst team in the NFL this season. Their talent level suggests they will struggle in 2008 and on top of that face a resurgent New Orleans Saints and combative Tampa Bay and Carolina squads. The team does not appear to face the toughest of schedules with both Detroit and Kansas City in the first four games but losses at Tampa and Carolina in weeks 2 and 4 would make this a very long season for the Falcons.