Taking The Next Step?

While Matt Ryan's surprisingly poised play—en route to being named Rookie of the Year—drew headlines last season, it was often the play of running back Michael Turner and the defense that sparked Atlanta's surprising 11-5 season.

This isn't to discount anything that Ryan accomplished last season as he threw for 3,440 yards and 16 scores, but if Ryan is conductor of the Falcons' train (which they hope stops at an AFC South title and eventually the Super Bowl), Turner (1,699 rushing yards, 17 touchdowns) is the engine and John Abraham (team record 16.5 sacks) is the transmission.

Needless to say, expectations are high in Atlanta, especially considering that the franchise has never enjoyed back-to-back winning seasons in its history. Will the 2009 incarnation of the Falcons be the first team to break that dubious distinction?

Yes.

It's safe to expect Turner to put up another monster season on the ground. We all saw the flashes of greatness when he was Ladanian Tomlinson's super sub in San Diego, and those flashes turned into a Fourth of July style fireworks show in 2008. And with one of the best tight ends in league history drawing attention and a defender or two away from him, it wouldn't be surprising if Turner sniffed the 1700-yard mark for a second consecutive season.

Speaking of Gonzalez, the arrival of a stud tight end is always a welcome sight, whether you're a season veteran at quarterback or making your 17th career regular season start like Ryan will be later this season. Think of the success a younger Brett Favre enjoyed with Mark Chmrua or John Elway and Shannon Sharpe. Having that talented tight end to bail you out of tight spots and make something out of nothing from time to time is an underrated facet of an offense.

Taking a gander at the schedule, it appears more challenging than brutal. Of course, Atlanta faces a pair of tough games against Carolina, as they do every season. And there are tough roadies against New England and the New York Giants to contend with, but any team that hopes to win the big one has to win tough games along the way to glory.

My final prediction?

10-6, with a loss coming in the NFC Championship Game.

Not exactly the monumental leap many are hoping for, but a step of growth in the right direction.