Atlanta Falcons Team Preview: No More Fight Left in the Dog

Atlanta Falcons (7-9)
NFC South

Head Coach: Bobby Petrino

Experience: First Year Head Coach

Prior Experience:
1983: Carroll College (graduate assistant)

1984: Weber State University (graduate assistant)

1985-1986: Carroll College (offensive coordinator)

1987-1988: Weber State University (wide receivers &tight ends coach)

1989: University of Idaho (quarterbacks coach)

1990-1991: University of Idaho (offensive coordinator)

1992-1993: Arizona State University (quarterbacks coach)

1994: University of Nevada (offensive coordinator & quarterbacks coach)

1995-1997: Utah State University (offensive coordinator)

1998: University of Louisville (offensive coordinator)

1999-2000: Jacksonville Jaguars (quarterbacks coach)

2001: Jacksonville Jaguars (offensive coordinator)

2002: Auburn University (offensive coordinator)

2003-2006: University of Louisville (head coach)

2007 Atlanta Falcons Schedule (SOS: 29)

HOME
AWAY

WK DATE OPPONENT TIME (ET)

1 Sun, Sep 9 at Minnesota 1:00 PM

2 Sun, Sep 16 at Jacksonville 1:00 PM

3 Sun, Sep 23 Carolina 4:15 PM

4 Sun, Sep 30 Houston 1:00 PM

5 Sun, Oct 7 at Tennessee 1:00 PM

6 Mon, Oct 15 NY Giants 8:30 PM

7 Sun, Oct 21 at New Orleans 1:00 PM

8 BYE WEEK

9 Sun, Nov 4 San Francisco 1:00 PM

10 Sun, Nov 11 at Carolina 1:00 PM

11 Sun, Nov 18 Tampa Bay 1:00 PM

12 Thu, Nov 22 Indianapolis 8:15 PM

13 Sun, Dec 2 at St. Louis 1:00 PM

14 Mon, Dec 10 New Orleans 8:30 PM

15 Sun, Dec 16 at Tampa Bay 1:00 PM

16 Sun, Dec 23 at Arizona 4:05 PM

17 Sun, Dec 30 Seattle 1:00 PM

There is no team in the league that Atlanta could beat every week, not even the Raiders. Why? Well not only can some NFL teams beat another team on any given Sunday, but the Falcons are without a doubt the worst team in the NFL let alone the NFC. Not only has Michael Vick ruined his entire career, blown all that money he earned with his overpaying contract, but Vick has also ruined the Falcons, and set them back several years. As if him not being the quarterback isn't enough, Vick also serves as a tremendous distraction. The Atlanta Falcons are in the news everyday, not because of their vast improvement on the football field, (though that hasn't happened) or their season ahead, but because of the off the field troubles facing their quarterback. The Falcons entire season is doomed all because of a horrendously stupid decision, by one guy who we all thought had enough. Thanks Mr. Vick, you have served as an excellent lesson to us all: money can buy you all the toys, but making good decisions and staying out of trouble can buy you a life of freedom.

OFFENSE

Without Vick under center, Head Coach Bobby Petrino and his staff have to turn to a guy that has two tags to his name: bust and failure. Joey Harrington has yet another opportunity to prove himself, yet another opportunity to rejuvenate his career. There is no better place to get that chance than in Atlanta. Bobby Petrino's offense fits Joey Harrington better than any before. The offense will allow him to throw the ball earlier, cutting down on his bad decision making possibilities. That's great, but seriously, who does Harrington get the ball to? Tight End Alge Crumpler has been Vick's favorite target over the years, but the Falcons continue to lack a big play receiver. The Falcons lost Ashley Lelie, but through free agency they acquired veteran Joe Horn. Horn, who has done diddly squat this off season, will look to give the Falcons offense a boost. He will start opposite Michael Jenkins, who could finally have his breakout season. Jenkings will be a big target in the end zone, as he will become a big time red zone threat with Petrino calling the plays. Now off the bench will come Roddy White, who was second on the team last year in receiving yards, behind Crumpler. Although he isn't a touchdown guy (zero last year) White averages a lot of yards per catch. Lining up behind Harrington could be one of two guys. It appears that the Falcons will, as many teams do, split up their carries between Jerious Norwood and veteran Warrick Dunn. The idea of the split carry is becoming very popular. As of now, it seems that Norwood will be the starter, with Dunn splitting the carries. Dunn, who has lost a step over the years, is still a small quick back. Norwood, also a small quick back, is much more explosive and has the potential to make big plays on the ground, and out of the backfield. As for the offensive line, well, they simply will get the job done. As important as run blocking is, the ability of the Falcons offensive line to run block is far less important than their ability to protect Harrington. Harrington needs time, so that he doesn't get rattled and make bad throws. The bottom line is that the Falcons have the right guy calling the plays, but their success relies on the play of Joey Harrington and his ability to protect the ball. Three words: execution, execution, execution.

GRADE: C-

DEFENSE

If the Falcons have anything going for them right now, it is their defense. With the offense being less than adequate, it will come down to the defense's ability to force turnovers and keep the opponents out of the end zone. It all starts on the defensive line for the Falcons. Former Pro Bowler Jon Abraham lines up on the right, while eighth overall pick Jamaal Anderson lines up on the left side. These two guys will have to focus on their pass rush, as the linebackers and secondary should take care of the ground game. In the middle, Grady Jackson and his 345 lbs. frame, along with Rod Coleman, will aim to clog up the middle and shut down the run. With two excellent pass rushers on the outside, shutting down the run game can be a primary goal. Steady Keith Brookings heads the linebacker corps, as he looks to top his 138 tackles from last year. He along with Demorrio Williams and Michael Boley, will keep the other team's running backs in check. In the secondary, speedy, lockdown corner Deangelo Hall will continue to do his thing, while Lawyer Milloy, even in his old age, will come in and bring down the ball carriers, as well as play as a ball hawking safety. Safety Chris Crocker and right cornerback Lewis Sanders man the secondary along with Milloy and Hall, making for a solid defensive backfield. Last year, the Falcons had just two defensive touchdowns. In order to score points, the Falcons will need to force plenty of turnovers, but will need to score off those, or put the Falcons in great position to score. If not, it will be a struggle for the Falcons, and the Falcons defensive unit will find themselves on the field early and often.

GRADE: B+

SPECIAL TEAMS

Special teams is always the most overlooked part of the game, but it is just as important as the other two phases of the game. The Falcons may find that they are punting a lot, so big footed Michael Koenen will get plenty of opportunities to show off his leg and will make the best of them. Not only is Koenen's average of 42 impressive, but even more impressive is that one third of all his punts land inside the 20. This means, that the Falcons could often times be winning the field position battle, a very vital part of the game. Koenen who can also be the kicker, will share kicks with veteran Billy Cundif. The way most see it, is that Cundiff will be the short guy, while Koenen takes all the long distance field goal attempts. Cundiff has never been an amazing kicker, but he gets it done, just as Morten Andersen did for the Falcons last season. As for kickoff returning, there are very few duos better than that of Allen Rossum and Jerious Norwood. Last year these two averaged 24 and 25 yards respectively, often times giving the Falcons a starting position around the 30 yard line, a more than satisfactory starting position. Rossum is also the punt returner, where his number are nothing special, but with his speed, who knows when he might finally find a hole and take one to the barn? Special teams is key for the Falcons. It may very well be the difference between winning and losing. The Falcons can afford to give up no points on special teams. They also must given the offense decent field position the entire game, in order to give Harrington a chance to engineer a drive, the shorter the better. The Falcons' success relies more than heavily on the success of the special teamers.

GRADE: B

COACHING

Bobby Petrino is in his first year in Atlanta, but if his prior success at Louisville is any indication of how he will do at the next level, all is good in Atlanta, well kind of. Petrino is no doubt going to change the ways of the Falcons, hopefully take them to the next level. When Petrino took this job, he had no idea what was in store for him. Lucky for him, the expectations of the Falcons this season are so low, that Petrino could easily raise the bar. There is no doubt Petrino will make good decisions on the field, lead the Falcons in an excellent manner, and keep their heads in the game, regardless of the Vick trial. Although this season is all but over, the future looks bright in Atlanta, mostly because of the potential of their new head coach.

GRADE: B

The Sleeper

With Hue Jackson taking over as offensive coordinator, after coaching Chad Johnson, T.J. Houshmandzadeh, and Chris Henry in Cincinnati as wide receivers coach, one must expect the Falcons receivers to take in the coaching skills Jackson has to offer. Especially, Michael Jenkins. Jenkins has a built similar to that of Bengals Wide Receiver Chris Henry. Jenkins 6'4" height and decent speed will allow him to thrive in the red zone. Thus making him an excellent fantasy sleeper, a guy many people don't see as an appealing pick. Henry had nine touchdowns last season for the Bengals, which is a number Jenkins could reach. Even though Joey Harrington is his signal caller, Jenkins' height makes him a serious threat inside the 20 yard line.

The Bust

Joe Horn. Not only is the guy over the hill, but he is joining an offense in which the ball is spread around so much, that the receivers rarely top 50 receptions. Horn is being taken in some drafts as a number two receiver, but with Jenkins the main target in the end zone, and Crumpler as the main target when moving the ball down the field, Horn could see a big drop in his receptions, affecting his yards and touchdowns. Also, the Falcons will run the ball much more than they throw, even lessening his touches. Horn will not put up numbers close to what he has before, making him the Falcons bust.

OVERALL

Overall the Falcons season is simply over. With all the off field distractions, Michael Vick is ultimately the one to blame for he has ruined the Falcons organization. Not just this year, but the years to come as well, as they will have to potentially draft a quarterback next year. With former third round pick and bust Joey Harrington the gun slinger behind center, that in itself makes winning games this season an adventure. The Falcons simply do not have the weapons on offense to beat any defense, putting a lot of pressure on their own defense to create turnovers and score points. All in all, the offseason occurrences for the Falcons are not the recipe for success. However, with new coach Bobby Petrino quickly improving the attitude in Atlanta, Falcons fans can say "there's always next year" with a positive spirit.

OVERALL TEAM GRADE: C-

RECORD PREDICTION: 3-13, no playoffs


Brandon