After a disappointing end to this season, a lot of changes need to be made to realistically take the next step. We are a good team, that beats bad, mediocre, and above average teams. Yet we still struggle to beat good teams, and get mopped by "Elite" teams. As New Orleans, Green Bay, and New England have shown, a great offense can take a lot of pressure off the defense (which I believe isn't that bad). Follow with me after the jump for what I believe we can do to improve ourselves this offseason.

Continue reading this post »

Well, ladies and gentlemen, I feel worse about this game then I did last year after Green Bay. We were utterly embarrassed on all 3 sides of the ball. An offense that kept settling for FGs, couldn't capitalize on turnovers, and no longer has a feared running game. On defense, we couldn't stop a ford model T with a sledgehammer. If this were a playoff game (which the atmosphere was) I could only hope we would be saying goodbye to the likes of MM and BVG (among others).

Continue reading this post »

I had a lot to think about today after the loss. Refelecting back on the last 3.75 seasons of Falcons football since MIke Smith and crew have arrived. One thing that always sticks in my head, as I'm sure it sticks into many of you is this. In our 11-5 and 13-3 seasons have we over achieved? Or in some of our losses and close wins in are we underachieving and allowing mediocre teams to stay in the game and win?

Continue reading this post »

The good man DW made his prediction below and got quite the reception. If you will allow, I would like to throw some fuel on the fire.

Week 1 - @ Chicago

W 17-10 - Chicago has a very good defense, and doesn't need to pull a lot of tricks to get a good rush. The shortened preseason rears its ugly head in a close sloppy game from both sides. A late game TD pass by Matt Ryan seals the game in the 4th quarter. Turner has a moderately effective opener against a tough run defense.

1-0 (PF:17--PA:10)

 

Week 2 - Philly

L 27-31 - Philly has always been our Achilles heel, and will continue to do so with "He who shall not be named" at QB. While we get a few good shots on him, our pass defense gives up to much ground. An untimely INT by Ryan and 2 stalled drives resulting in FGs ultimately results in a loss. The trio of Asomugha, Cromartie, and Samuels frustrates our receiving core at times.

1-1 (44-41)

 

Week 3 - @ Tampa

W 31-21 - A very young front 7 ultimately is the undoing for the bucs in this game. Josh Freeman plays an efficient game, but throws a key INT late in the game and leads to one last TD for the Falcons to seal the victory. Turner has a big day, running for 140 yards and 2 TDs. Despite having Talib in the secondary, the trio of White, Douglas, and Jones is too much for Tampa to keep an extra man in the box for Turner.

2-1 (75-62)

 

Week 4 - @ Seattle

W 45-13 - Without a talented QB at the helm, and a poor running game, Seattle cannot move the ball. Scoring meaningless points at the end of the game with the starters resting. Matt Ryan and Julio start connecting and both have a big game. Matt throws for 300 yards and 4 TDs for the first time in his career, 2 for Roddy, 1 for Julio, and 1 for HD. Turner and Snelling each contribute a TD on the ground.

3-1 (130-75)

 

Week 5 - Green Bay

W 38-35 - Ryan pulls off a very late game winning drive in the Georgia dome and throws for consecutive 300 yard 4 TD games. The addition of Julio Jones and a healthy HD tip the scales and proove that we will be a force come January. Rogdgers has another brilliant game, but just not good enough. Jaquizz Rodgers starts to become a factor in our offense at this point, rushing for a modest 30 yards, but 60 receiving with a TD.

4-1(168-120)

 

Week 6 - Carolina

W 38-14 - Welcome to the NFC South Cam Newton. Capable of only getting the ball to his TEs with any consistency, Newton struggles with his only help coming from the RBs. Carolina's defense cannot contain the trio of WRs we now posess and are unable to get off the field on 3rd and long. Newton throws several interceptions as they trail by 17-0 points after the first quarter, and 31-7 after the half.

5-1(206-134)

 

Week 7 - @ Detroit

W 24-21 - A very close game, with the lions D line giving Matt Ryan hell all game long. However the Lion's secondary cannot hold coverage long enough to keep us from throwing. This score assumes Stafford is actually healthy, and if not, the game will be much different. Turner does not give a repeat of 08, and does not break 100 yards. Snelling and Jaquizz have good days receiving, with Rodgers being more of a factor each week as he adjusts to the pro level.

6-1(230-155)

 

Week 8 - Bye Week 6-1 (give or take 1 win) 1st or 2nd place in the division, with Saints either 1st or tied for 1st with us.

 

Week 9 - @ Indy

L 31-35 - Manning works his magic and shows Matt is still a pupil and not a master of the position yet. Ryan has a very good day against the Colts D but ultimately a flawless game by Manning shows our secondary is not elite, and still has its shortcomings. A tough loss away, but still in good position to take the lead ion the division with the Saints coming up.

6-2(251-190)

 

Week 10 - New Orleans

W 41-40 - Another tough division game that comes down to the last play. After both QBs put up staggering numbers, the Falcons take the lead with less than 2 minutes to play. Drew Brees orchestrates a beautiful drive culminating with a TD with no time left. Sean Peyton, the risky gambler decides to go for 2. However the Falcons make the stop to end the game.

7-2(292-230)

 

Week 11 - Tennessee

W 27-14 - With poor QB play by the rookie, Ten relies heavily on Johnson who manages to have a very good day against a stout Falcons run D. Rushing for over 100 yards and 2 TDs. However it is not enough as too many turnovers by the QB give Atlanta a short field to score easy points. By this time, Julio Jones is an integral part of our offense. Trying to keep Turner fresh for the playoffs, the coaching staff is utilizing Snelling more on rushing downs, and allowing Quizz to take most of the third down reps.

8-2(319-244)

 

Week 12 - MInnesota

W 31-13 - Another feature back, but with an aging McNabb and weak WR corp, they rely to heavily on the run, and cannot catch up to us. Peterson has a good day running for around 100 yards and a TD. We say hellp to Mr. Jenks again, but he is not a factor in the game. A weakened MN pass rush allows Ryan to have another great day. And most of the attention still being on Roddy allows Julio to have his first monster game of the year. 

9-2(350-257)

 

Week 13 - @ Houston

W 35-24 - Wade Phillips work in progress defense is not enough to stop what has become a terrifying Atlanta passing attack. Turner struggles against his run defense, and Ryan shreds a weak secondary, throwing another 4 TD game, for his third of the season. Matt Schaubb throws two 2nd half interceptions to keep the Texans from coming back, and Arian Foster has a minimal impact due to a large first half lead.

10-2(385-281)

 

Week 14 - @ Carolina

W 28-17 - The Panthers are starting to let Cam Newton do his thing, and their offense is improving. The TEs are a big factor in this game, and score 2 TDs. Matt Ryan has poor away game, but comes through in the second half to keep the Panthers in place. While Cam may not be a superstart, his athleticism allows him to keep plays alive and evade our pass rush. A close game through 3 quarters, but ultimately he starts making mistakes that cost them the game.

11-2(413-298)

 

Week 15 - Jacksonville

W 48-13 - After a disappointing performance at Carolina, Matt takes his anger out on the Jaguars secondary. The preseason game that was played very closely, shows how little it mattered. With a fully tuned up offense and everything clicking Ryan throws for yet again 4 TDs and 300+ yards. Turner runs for 80 yards in the first half and is giving the second half off after leading 31-3 at the half. 10 late 4th quarter points are scored against the 2nd string.

12-2(461-313)

 

Week 16 - @ New Orleans

L 24-31 - After a dominating performance against Jacksonville, Ryan slips up and throws 2 costly INTs, the first late in the second half, and again in the 4th trying to come back and tie the game. A lackluster run defense allows Ingram to have a great day and keep the defense on the field, wearing them down. Saints move into a 1st place tie in the division with a 12-3 record (losing to Green Bay, Houston, and Atlanta earlier in the year).

12-3(485-344)

 

Week 17 - Tampa Bay

L 30-28 - After a disappointing loss, and clinching a Wild Card berth Atlanta comes out flat. At this point Tampa is fighting for the 6th seed and it shows. They take an early lead in the first half that we cannot come back from. Josh Freeman plays one of his best games, winding down the clock, and ending our season on a 2 game losing skid, and finally getting a win over the Falcons. 

12-4(513-374) Offense: 32 pts/game Defense: 23.4 pts/game

 

Predicted Stats (give or take a few)

Ryan 364/560 65% completion 4200 yards 7.5 ypa 34 TDs 12 INTs 98.4 rating

Turner 300 carries 1200 yards 14 TDs

Snelling 100 carries 450 yards 5 TDs 30 receptions 280 yards 2 TDs

Quizz 60 carries 320 yards 2 TDs 25 receptions 320 yards

White 80 recpetions 1200 yards 12 TDs

Jones 50 receptions 1000 yards 8 TDs

HD 60 recptions 800 yards 6 TDs

Tony G 60 receptions 600 yards 6 TDs

 

Final Division Records

New Orleans 13-3  (12-4 to 14-2)

Atlanta           12-4  (11-5 to 13-3)

Tampa Bay     9-7   (8-8 to 10-6)

Carolina          4-12 (3-13 to 5-11)

 

Well hope you all enjoyed this, I tried to be as unbiased as possible, and throw some hypothetical outcomes into the mix. Ryan finally puts down all of his critics by throwing for 4000 yards, 30 TDs, and 7.5 YPA I have some high hopes for Julio and think he will really make some big plays as the season develops. Roddy will be his usual dependable self and make clutch plays. Tony G and Turner will see a slightly reduced role due to their mileage and trying to keep them fresh for the playoffs.

This is great news for me, personally. Watching crappy streams on the internet is no way to watch a football game. I first found out about this on Game Informer dot com. Price will be 339.99 for the full season.

So how many of you who live out of the market will be getting this? The price is a little steep, but at least I can watch a clear game on my big screen tv.

For those of you going on about wanting a veteran WR, we could do a lot worse. I live in Jersey, and usually get stuck watching Jets and Giants games/news on local TV. I have never heard a bad thing about this man. He could come for a good price, and would give insurance if our younger guys don't work out. The Jets fans are sorry to see him go.

While I don't think we need another WR, if the front office decides we do, I think he would be a great pickup.

Pierre Thomas is refusing to sign is tender with the Saints. Personally I think he would be a great complement to MIchael Turner in our running game, and help out tremendously in the short passing game. Watching his highlights from last year, he may not have the raw speed that Norwood has, but the durability is there.

 

Stats: 147 Rushing attempts 793 yards 5.4 avg with 6 TDs 39 rec for 302 yards 7.7 avg with 2 TDs

Only 2 fumbles, 1 lost. He is dangerous from the screen (which would help when teams blitz us a lot)

 

What are your thoughts? I'm not sure of the exact rules when it comes to RFAs, and if they refuse to sign. But I think if we could snatch him, it would be a big upgrade over Norwood and help out Turner and Ryan.