The Atlanta Falcons' Year? 2010 Preview and Predictions

Last Year's Record: 9-7 

Wins: Dolphins, Panthers, 49ers, Bears, Redskins, Buccaneers (two times), Jets, Bills

Losses: Patriots, Cowboys, Saints (two times), Panthers, Giants, Eagles

Biggest Playmaker

Roddy White 

WR, UAB, Drafted  No. 27, six years

White is probably the most underrated receiver in the NFL. Somehow he has quietly put up three years of 1,000+ yards receiving and 24 TDs. 

His numbers have been very comparable to Brandon Marshall, Anquan Boldin, and Chad Ochocinco in the last three years, yet he has not gotten nearly the same amount of attention.

Impact Player

Tony Gonzalez  

TE, California, Drafted No. 13, 14 years

At 34 years old, Gonzalez does not look like he has lost a step and he continues to put up big numbers. Gonzalez is a big target and nice security blanket for young QB Matt Ryan. Look for him to have another 70+ receptions, 800+ yards, and five to eight TDs again this year.

Biggest Offseason Addition

Dunta Robinson

CB, South Carolina, Drafted No. 10, seven years

Last year the Falcons were 28^th in the NFL in pass defense letting up 242 yards per game. They made a huge splash by signing Robinson to a six-year $57 million contract.  Robinson was clearly the best cornerback available in free agency, and has proved he can be a great cover corner and a guy that is not afraid to help out in the run game. Robinson should be a big addition to the Falcons defense. 

Biggest Offseason Loss

None 

There was not a lot of movement this offseason for the Falcons.  They lost some defensive backs and backup players and traded away offensive lineman Quinn Ojinnaka, but did not really lose any major parts.

Biggest Draft Steal

Kerry Meier 

WR, Kansas, Drafted No. 165, Rookie

Meier recently went down with a season-ending knee injury, but was a good pick up for the Falcons.  He is 6’2”, 220 lbs. and was reportedly catching everything.  He could have been a valuable asset for the Falcons this year.  Hopefully he can come in and make an impact next year.

Biggest Draft Mistake

Not Addressing DE

The one area that I thought the Falcons would address in the draft was the defensive end position. 

Their starting defensive ends last year put up a total of six sacks. Jamaal Anderson, the former eighth pick overall in the 2007 draft, has not been the player that they thought he would (2.5 career sacks and he will be playing some DT this year) and John Abraham is 32, and had one of his worst years in 2009. 

Adding Dunta Robinson will help out the secondary, but having some guys that can constantly pressure the QB may have helped more. 

Offseason Grade

B+ 

Picking up a true No. 1 corner in Dunta Robinson was obviously huge, and I thought drafting Sean Weatherspoon was a great pick. 

Weatherspoon is a gamer who will be a big help in the run game and is one of those guys that will probably be a leader in the locker room by the end of the year. 

X-Factor

Michael Turner 

RB, Northern Illinois, Drafted No. 154, seven years

Turner had an unbelievable year in 2008 rushing for 1,699 yards and 17 TDs.  Last year he was off to a good start averaging 4.9 yards per carry, but he only played 11 games because he was bothered with an ankle injury.  If Turner can stay healthy for the whole year the Falcons offense should be very good.

Name You Should Know

Mike Peterson 

LB, Florida, Drafted No. 36, 12 years

Peterson may be 34, but is still very good against the run. He has put up some terrific numbers in his career (1,109 tackles, 20.5 sacks and 16 interceptions) and will be a great first and second down linebacker for the Falcons. 

Rising Star

Curtis Lofton 

MLB, Oklahoma, Drafted No. 37, three years  

In only two years, Lofton has established himself as one of the best players on the Falcons defense. Lofton made 133 tackles last year and seems to be in every play; many believed he was snubbed in the Pro Bowl voting last year. With another good year, he could establish himself as a top linebacker in the NFL.

Offensive Outlook

A- 

Matt Ryan certainly has the ability to have a breakout year, especially with playmakers like Roddy White and Tony Gonzalez around him.  Add in a healthy Michael Turner, and you are looking at a very good offense. 

Defensive Outlook

B-

The defense is still very young so it will be hard to tell exactly what the Falcons will be getting out of them this year. You would have to think that the defense will be a better than last year, which statistically was at the bottom of the league. The biggest question still is their defensive ends, if John Abraham can bounce back from a tough year, and they can get some production out of Jamaal Anderson, they should have a very solid defense.

Special Teams Outlook

Kick and punt returner Eric Weems is OK in the return game. K Matt Bryant is decent.  P Michael Koenen is a solid punter and great kickoff specialist.

2010 Projected Record

11-5 

The Falcons should have a very balanced attack on offense, that will be hard for any team to match up against. If their defense can play up to its potential they should have no problem winning 11 games. 

They are fortunate to have a pretty easy schedule. The biggest matchups have to be the games against the Packers, Bengals, Ravens and two games against the Super Bowl champion Saints. Other than that, they have some very winnable games.

www.The3-4.com

www.the3-4.com