Atlanta Falcons Thanksgiving

With Thanksgiving day just hours away, Americans all around the nation may be thinking more about the thanks they have to give than usual.

Unfortunately, as a local minded sports fanatic, my mind hasn't quite wandered where it should. I'm currently steaming from the ears with excitement regarding the Atlanta Falcons.

I'ts a great feeling to go into thanksgiving weekend as a Falcons fan and have football games to look foreward to. Usually by Turkey Day, the Falcons are well out of any playoff talk or divisional race, and off the minds of every Atlantan.

Not this season. That may sound like the language of a bandwagoner, but believe me, after a certain amount of losing seasons you have to learn when to stop tortururing yourself with bad football.

So to celebrate the Falcons 7-4 mark so far this season, and in the spirit of the occasion, its time to give thanks as Falcon faithful.

Here are the top ten things I give thanks for, in regards to the Falcons, this holiday season.

10) No more distractions: There has been zero off-field distractions this season, and nothing could be more relieving. The Falcons have appeared to be mentally in tact all year, completely contrasting last seasons headline filled tenure.

It's great to know that the team is focused and appears to actually care about whats going on. There wasn't one Falcon last year that could have told you he was mentally tuned in to the season.

This year's team cares about what they are doing. They are getting into trouble on the streets. Nobody is lending their cousins or friends their canine-friendly residence for the weekend. Nobody has thrown in the towel and taken a "trip" to Arkansas...yet. And for that, I am thankful.

9) Roddy White: Roddy White has evolved into one of the best receivers in the game. Statistically, White is third in the NFL in receiving yards. The reason I give thanks, is because without him our passing game might not be too hot.

Michael Jenkins and Harry Douglas are talented, but White has 62 catches for 973 yards. The closest, Jenkins at 33 catches. For a rookie quarterback to have success, he needs to have 100% confidence in someone. That guy is Roddy White.

The best part about it is, he hasnt changed his name to Ocho Quatro (which would mean Eight Four as opposed to eighty four), or called any defensive back out during an interview.

White is a quite and humble competitor, but brings that same dominant receiving threat to the game that alot of the hot shots in this league cannot harness without making complete dorks out of themselves.

8) A healthy John Abraham: This has been the first season where Falcon fans have gotten a good hard look at The Predator, and its been a fun season to watch.

Abraham is tied for first in the NFC in sacks with 12. You cannot ignore his ability to fly off the edge, and if not a sack he at least knocks the ball on the turf. Quarterbacks wont be giving thanks for this man, but im sure Chauncey Davis and others will be.

Abraham is great at scaring quarterbacks into running into other Falcon rushers. Davis, as well as Jonathan Babineaux have flourished. Even Jamaal Anderson has a sack now!

How can you not give thanks to big Abe?

7) Red and Black seats in the dome: Teal and Hot Pink exterior? Green seats? Who in the world decided on that color scheme when the Georgia dome opened?

For the longest time, a trip to the Georgia dome for visitors was like walking into Atlanta's own version of Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory.

Atlanta could have gone all out and gotten pink and green jerseys. They would look like a bunch of watermelon pop tarts running around out there.

The new color scheme at the Dome has definitely created a more intimidating and cosy feel for the Birds, and an intimidating venue for visitors.

6) A Conventional Offense: I got so sick and tired of Atlanta's offense last season. It was basically a spread offense minus the running threat.

What was Bobby Petrino thinking (besides, "I'm gettin' outta here!")?

Teams knew we were gonna throw. The running game was basically turn around and hand the ball to Dunn, dont worry about blocking (just for the sake of being able to claim we "ran the ball").

The offense looked awful last season. This years offense is a straight ahead offense. It's not flashy or tricky, but simply putting eleven guys on eleven guys and overpowering the opponent.

Now isnt that how football was meant to be played? Thank you Mike Mularkey.

5) Jerious Norwood getting the ball: Last season, Jerious Norwood was completely neglected. I have thought ever since he made his way to Atlanta that he was the most electric and exciting player we had.

This season Norwood has gotten a substantial amount of touches, and has taken advantage with some big plays. I'm glad to see the coaching staff appreciates his ability.

Norwood is the kind of guy (kind of like No. 7 from the years 2001-2006) who makes you hold you're breath whenever he gets the ball. It's great to see him on the field!

4) The Fun to Watch Factor: The worst part about last years team was 14 points wasn't worth watching. We, as fans, knew going into every game that we werent going to score more than twenty.

The home games were miserable! Nobody wanted to pay to see that offense. This season, Atlanta's home games have featured scores of 34, 38, 22, 34, 20, and 45.

3) The rookie class: This rookie class has been incredible! We all know about Matt Ryan, but others have stepped in to play dominant roles at numerous positions.

Sam Baker showed alot of promise early on, before his injury. Curtis Lofton is starting middle linebacker! He's basically the quarterback of the defense.

Chevis Jackson has had some bright moments as a nickel back, including a 95 yard interception return for a touchdown.

And I dont think anybody could be more excited than me over Harry Douglas. Douglas has no fear going over the middle and making big grabs, and has an explosive gear (which was evident last weekend).

Lets get real; Adam Jennings would not have taken that punt to the house against Carolina. Douglas has freshened up the return game and the passing offense.

2) Mike Smith: They say players take on the personality of their coaches.

No wonder we sucked last season. Petrino was marked by players and alike as antisocial and disengaging. He never smiled. The players never smiled. I dont even think he knew who Michael Vick was.

Smith on the other hand has been great. Apparently he's a fun guy to be around, but a serious competitor. Thats exactly how you want you're athletes to be.

They have to be focused, but you also need to be able to have fun and passion for what you are doing. All of the Falcons players look like popwarner underdogs when they take the field. They are really playing hard, and to win; They appear to love what they are doing.

1) Matt Ryan: People are claiming that Matt Ryan is the greatest rookie quarterback ever! Rightfully so, considering that being an NFL quarterback is said to have a three year or more learning curve.

Ryan definitely trumped the system. He has looked like a seasoned veteran since day one. Heck! His first NFL pass was a touchdown.

I honestly didnt see his success coming, and without it Atlanta would be an NFL dormat just like last season. They havn't had a pro style quarterback like this in years (if ever).

I now do believe that Ryan is the perfect fit in Atlanta; As long as he is in this scheme with this coaching staff, he needs to stay here.

Ryan is the type of guy you can build a franchise around, and I doubt we are gonna let this guy slip his way out of town and into Green Bay, Wisconsin.

I definitely think this guy will be a Super Bowl winner before his time is over, and I am more than confident that he's going to clad in Red and Black when he does it.

So tommorow, while you stuff you're face with food, be thankful for post-holiday football...and dont forget to watch the greatest show on turf kick off at noon. The Lions come on television every Thanksgiving for a reason...don't they?

Forget it. You might just want to catch a Falcons replay on you're Tivo.

On that note actually, I have one more thanks to give.

Thank the Lord you for Tivo and DVR!

Happy thanksgiving everyone!