Atlanta Falcons: For Better or Worse?

Waiting for the season to get started and around the league Hope Springs Eternal.

Most fans and writers overestimate certain teams and players. Albert Einstein said, "The thinking that got you here is not the thinking that will get you out of here."

Even the anointed Peyton Manning and the Colts lost to the New Orleans Saints, so good luck with preseason predictions. Half of the teams in last year's playoffs will be sitting at home in 2010, wondering how they didn't make the post season.

How will the Falcons do against the NFC South and the rest of the league?

This is way too close to call no matter what you hear or read. I think the Saints will be tough, but maybe not as lucky. I also believe that the Panthers and the Bucaneers will surprise you in different ways. The Panthers will look really bad, and the Bucs will look surprisingly good. (Explaining that is another story all together!)

What about the Falcons players and coaches? How will they perform?

Matt Ryan will be very good, sometimes great, and occasionally bad. The bad news is that there are several better quarterbacks in the league. The good news is that he is more than good enough to win a championship. I saw Bob Griese and Earl Morral do it in 1972.

The running game will be better than last year. The offensive line will be really improved. Michael Turner will be in shape, rookie linemen will contribute, and Snelling will be a strong backup.

The return of several injured players will really boost the team on offense and defense. However, there are many questions to be answered.

Will the defensive back field be new and improved? Will a solid place kicker step up? 

My guess is that both areas will be fine and maybe even surprisingly good.

The big question is will the coaching staff stay within their ability or will they change and really mess things up?

I think this could go either way. There is a lot of talk about the introduction of gadget plays and more no-huddle offense. I don't like gadget plays and I hope they aren't added. I want to see more no-huddle drives because I think they keep opponents off balance and are successful.

Hope springs eternal and I predict a playoff appearance. However, I have been a Falcon fan for years and there is that little voice telling me to get real.