Five Reasons The Atlanta Falcons Are Going to Be Good For Awhile

Hello Falcon Nation and outside onlookers,

I Just read a great article by John Clayton on espn.com.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=clayton_john&id=4269867

It's a glowing review of the Falcons and he touches on five main points for Falcons success

1. Improving defense

Despite losing five starters from 2008, the defense should be better than you think. The biggest improvement is in the middle, where the defense is much faster. Mike Peterson, a former Jaguar, provides leadership and experience at weakside linebacker. Thomas DeCoud not only has good size at safety at 6-foot, 193 pounds, but he adds more speed. Plus, second-round pick William Moore should work his way into a three-safety rotation that improves depth.

Peria Jerry, a first-round pick, offers a little more quickness from nose tackle. Stephen Nicholas, a fourth-round pick from 2007, completes a much quicker linebacking corps coming from the strong side. The past two drafts have also added speed and depth at cornerback. Now, Smith can choose from a decent crop of corners -- Chris Houston, Chevis Jackson, Brent Grimes, Von Hutchins and rookies Chris Owens and William Middleton. They may not be big corners, but the Falcons now have more speed at the position. The other factor on defense is that vocal defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder is a rising star in coaching circles.

2. This team can really run

Expect the Falcons to run 35 times a game, taking pressure off Ryan and allowing him to avoid 30-pass games. Atlanta plans to lighten the load for workhorse Michael Turner, who had 376 carries for 1,699 yards last season. The ace in the hole is Jerious Norwood. People tend to forget Norwood is one of the team's faster athletes. His career rushing average is a staggering 5.8 yards per carry, but he has never had more than 103 attempts in a season. The Turner-Norwood one-two punch is the perfect blend of speed and power.

3. Solid offensive line

Offensive line coach Paul Boudreau has assembled a group of five starters that should be together for years. Unlike most teams that are switching to more athletic zone blocking schemes, Boudreau has installed a man blocking line that has gotten bigger since the departure of offensive line coach Alex Gibbs, who set up the line for former Falcons coach Jim Mora a couple of years ago. Right tackle Tyson Clabo is 6-foot-6, 332 pounds, and right guard Harvey Dahl is a mauler who will battle until the whistle has blown. The left side of the line offers good athleticism and pass-blocking skills. Left tackle Sam Baker established himself as a solid pass-blocker as a rookie last season. Justin Blalock is a solid left guard, and Todd McClure is a smart center with leadership skills. Dimitroff brought in veteran depth with the signings of centers Brett Romberg and Jeremy Newberry. Garrett Reynolds, a 6-8, 310-pound tackle prospect taken in the fifth round, is being groomed for the future.

4. Development of Harry Douglas

Tight end Tony Gonzalez was the headline acquisition of the offseason, but the development of wide receiver Harry Douglas will make Ryan more dangerous throwing into the middle of the field. Gonzalez's skills are well known. He's a future Hall of Famer who has a knack for getting separation in the middle of the field. Douglas, a sleeper in the three-receiver, one-tight end set, could explode this season. At 5-11, Douglas is taller than many slot receivers and has added more than 10 pounds of muscle to his frame. With great targets in Douglas and Gonzalez, Ryan has the luxury of throwing a few higher passes in the middle of the field, knowing Douglas and Gonzalez have the height and leaping skills to grab the ball. That opens up the offense and could allow the Falcons to turn a few more field-goal drives into TD drives.

5. Underestimated D-line

Outsiders might be underestimating their defensive line talent, but the Falcons have a lot of high picks invested in the line. Starters John Abraham, Jamaal Anderson and Jerry are first-round picks. Jonathan Babineaux was a second-rounder and defensive end Chauncey Davis was taken in the fourth round. Jerry's the most interesting player of the bunch to watch. He's a little raw, but he has a good first step. Smith has enough linemen to keep them fresh with a nice rotation. Veteran defensive line coach Ray Hamilton made a smart move resting Abraham (16.5 sacks in '08) on early downs last season to save him for the pass rush. Hamilton's next mission is to get more sacks from Anderson and develop Jerry.

John Clayton, a recipient of the Pro Football Hall of Fame's McCann Award for distinguished reporting, is a senior writer for ESPN.com.

I thought it was a great article.  I was disappointd by only nine responses.  Maybe I  was a fool for looking over the wonderful and not drawn out at all baseball season. Basketball alright. (Go Hawks)

But I am excited about this season. There was a comment from some guy that there would not be a hundred responses. I'm trying to prove him wrong. Go Respond. Speak your Falcon love. I'd bet a hundred on that the falcons when the superbowl. Good payout.

Go Falcons

Matt Ryan is the Truth

In Dimitroff and Smith We Trust

A Biased season ticket holder