First, I'd like to apologize for my absence. Over the last month-and-a-half, I've embarked on a new employment opportunity, and am in the process of re-balancing work, work, family and my Falcons blog.

But enough about me.

I wanted to share this link to an amusing article. Something about the greatness of man versus the greatness of ego.

It's June. Falcons OTAs are in full swing. The rookies are being signed and integrated in the offensive, defensive and special teams schemes. Falcons are helping charities, communities, and supporting our armed forces. Mike Vick is 600 miles away. Things are looking good. Heck...with Tony Gonzalez, Michael Turner and Roddy White, we even have three players in the Madden '10 top ten at their positions.

Still, Panthers, Saints and even Bucs fans seem to think they each have the best team in the division. Saints fans will - in the same breath, mind you - point out that the Falcons defense is unproven, so they can't beat the Saints this year, while the [ahem, unproven] new Saints defense will bolster the vicious attack by Drew Brees and company. Panthers fans tout their underachieving starting quarterback, their disgruntled DE and their one-dimensional passing game as their aces-in-the-hole in their quest to defend their division title. Buccaneers...well, they hope the Bucs can do what the Falcons did last year...

To give credit where credit is due, the Saints do still have a great passing offense, the Panthers a strong running duo, and the Bucs a better-than-average defense. But they can't all play us at once. The Falcons are attempting to build the best all-around team. The offense was already strong, and the addition of Tony Gonzalez completes their attack. The defense is young, and, I'll admit, unproven, but built around a solid core (Lofton, Abraham, Babineaux, Peterson, Coleman) and getting very deep at multiple positions. The competition for DE, DT, corner back, safety and linebacker is strong, and whomever emerges at the starting positions will have had to earn it. Mike Smith is a defensive mind, and that will only serve to make this team better. No one is resting on their laurels.

I've been reading a lot of reaction to many debates going on in the sports sites, and I'd like to address some of the misconceptions I've seen:

1. The Falcons have never had back-to-back winning seasons - Prior to 1998, they had never been to a Super Bowl. That didn't change the fact that they made it there. Unless you are willing to put your stock in superstitions about curses, there's no reason to believe that this kind of random statistic has any bearing about what can happen in the future.

2. The Falcons will have to beat the NFC East and AFC East, two of the toughest divisions in the NFL - Though I can't argue that, based on the statistics these teams have, these might be the toughest divisions in the NFL (though I'd argue the NFC South is right there with them), I would like to remind everyone that the Saints, Panthers and Bucs all have to play the same two divisions. The Saints will have to face the same pass defenses we do. The Panthers will have to try to build their running attack against the same defenses. The same potent offenses will try to beat the Bucs defenses. This division, as it usually does, will come down to how we do against each other, and I like the Falcons chances here.

3. Teams have plenty of tape on Matt Ryan and they will have figured him out - I'd like to point out that teams have even more tape on Peyton Manning, Tom Brady and even Drew Brees. There's not much to "figure out" about Matt Ryan - he reads defenses, checks down his receivers, and hits the open man in stride. I've seen Mike Tyson box plenty of times, that doesn't mean I can "stop him".

The best news of all of this chatter is, people wouldn't be so fixated on "proving" the Falcons can't do it, if they weren't terrified they could.

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Finally! Draft day is upon us! The Falcons started their draft early this week, swapping their 2^nd round pick from 2010 for premier tight end Tony Gonzalez. Tony G. rounds out this already impressive offense, providing Matt Ryan with the only weapon he was missing last season. Hartsock did a great job blocking, but wasn't the pass-catching threat Gonzalez will be. Defenses will be unable to stack to box in hopes of stifling Michael Turner's running game, and can't double-cover everyone. Even blitz packages will be considered highly risky with Gonzalez running amok behind enemy lines. Red-zone scoring will go up. If this offense can stay on the field and eat up clock, it even improves the defense, keeping them rested and limiting what opposing offenses have the leisure to do. This offense is starting to look like my Madden PS fantasy draft team.

What else this does is place todays focus (nearly) solely on the defensive side of the ball. Falcons still need players at just about every position on defense, but don't be surprised to see a later pick spent on an offensive lineman. Also, don't be surprised to see the Falcons trade away their first round pick to increase the number of players they acquire this weekend.

Last season, in the first three rounds, Thomas Dimitroff selected three players that started from the get-go in the '09 campaign: Matt Ryan, Sam Baker, and Curtis Lofton. In the next two rounds, he brought in two more impact players in Harry Douglas and Thomas DeCoud. Dimitroff will look to repeat his performance this year, bringing in a linebacker and defensive lineman that can step right in and play. A tall, man-coverage type corner and another coverage safety will also be priorities.

The Falcons seem to be hinting that they may want to incorporate more of a 3-4 style defense, bringing in a second starting MLB in Mike Peterson, so today's first pick may result in a nose-tackle being brought in, so there is a very slight chance that the Birds will move up to snag a player like B.J. Raji or a versatile player that can play a fast DE or heavy OLB, much like Brian Orakpo.

This draft is strong in good, but not necessarily great safeties, so I'd expect Dimitroff to wait until the third round to pick up a coverage guy, unless he's got his eyes set on Sean Smith, who shows potential to switch from corner to safety.

I've said it before, but it really is nice having faith that this team is moving in the right direction under the leadership of Dimitroff, as well as Mike Smith and even Arthur Blank.

On a separate note, it took some time, but I finished Jason Elam's Monday Night Jihad. It was a thoroughly enjoyable book, both exciting and well written. Some of the plot seemed a bit implausible, but can an action book be good if it doesn't stray somewhat into the unbelievable? The characters were well defined, and the dialogue flowed smoothly. I was a little surprised at the violence and some of the heavier themes, so this one might not be for the kids. If you are easily offended by mentions of Christianity, you'll want to avoid this one, though it never comes across as preachy, just conversational. I look forward to reading the next installment.

I'll start with the good news. The Falcons have two prime-time games this season: Sunday the 18^th of October hosting the Bears, and Monday, November 2^nd at New Orleans. Chicago will be gunning for revenge for Atlanta's unlikely and amazing comeback late in last season's game, and with Jay Cutler at the helm, Ryan and the crew, and the restructured defense will have to step up all aspects of their game if they hope to repeat in victory. New Orleans has an amazing tendency to pull out Monday night home victories no matter how bad their team is or how good their opponent is. What makes it more difficult is that the Saints will not likely be a bad team this season.

More good news: If the Falcons manage a 11-5 record again this season, or even a 10-6, naysayers will have a difficult time downplaying their success. Atlanta opens with two home games against two 2008 playoff teams, the Dolphins and the Panthers. The Dolphins 11-5 record was even more unexpected than the Falcons' resurgence in '08, and under Parcells they'll remain just as tough. Though many pundits see the Panthers as a stronger team this season, I'm not buying it. Delhomme doesn't impress me, though Steve Smith certainly does. Additionally, the unwilling franchise tag applied to Julius Peppers may make for an unhappy locker room, but he'll still be a dangerous opponent. I don't expect either of these games to be easy, but they may both be easier than a third week trip to New England to face Tom Brady and his Pats. The Patriots will be determined to retake the top spot in in the AFC East, and their off-season moves seem to reflect that. Adding Joey Galloway, Chris Baker, Fred Taylor and 5 other free agents, as well as re-signing 8 of their own free agents, not to mention 11 draft picks in the upcoming draft makes them quite possibly the most solid team in the NFL.

Falcons hit their bye week early before heading out to the west coast to take on the 49ers in week 5. San Francisco ended the 2008 campaign as an emerging team and will try to continue that trend. Bears at home for that Sunday night game follows, then week 7 takes the Birds to Dallas to try to beat up on the Cowboys in their new home stadium. It will be nice to see Keith Brooking again, and, though the Cowboys can never be taken lightly, they still have many questions to address before the season begins.

The Saint's Monday Night Football game follows in week 8, and week 9 will have the Falcons hosting the Redskins on short rest. It will be ... interesting to see DeAngelo Hall again, but their addition of Albert Haynesworth will make this a huge challenge for Matt Ryan and the O-line. Week 10 is Carolina in Carolina, where, historically, the Falcons have played well, though they lost there last season. Then off to New York for a reunion with Michael Boley and the Giants on the 22^nd of November. Their offense is just replacing Plaxico Burress away from being as deadly as their Super Bowl year, and their defense is still likely to be brutal.

The end of November will bring the third division rivalry of the month with Tampa Bay coming to town. By this time, it should be apparent how their off season moves have worked for them, but the Byron Leftwich signing scares no one, especially not the Falcons fans who remember how he stunk up the joint for us in '07. The Falcons will look to avenge their loss to the Eagles last season in week 13, and the strength of Philly will be determined greatly by the upcoming draft and the remainder of free agency. Week 14 brings the Saints to town, then off to the frigid north for a pre-Christmas game against the Jets on the 20^th of December. The Jets don't impress me as of yet without Favre at the helm, but there's always the chance that he'll come out of retirement...again.

Buffalo and T.O. will be coming to town on the 27^th for the penultimate game of the regular season, and the Bills by this point should have answered several questions about both Owens and Trent Edwards, one way or the other. The regular season finale will be on the road at Tampa Bay completing a brutal stretch of 13 games without a bye, so, hopefully, the Falcons will be heading into the off season with the best or second-best record in the NFC, getting that first round bye, though a playoff berth will be remarkable at any level.

Based on last season's records, the Falcons drew the 4^th most difficult schedule in the NFL, with Carolina in at 2^nd, Tampa at 5^th, and the Saints at 8^th. Winning the NFC South this season may be more a measure of resilience than skill.

As the off season progresses, with the exception of the signing of former Jacksonville LB Mike Peterson, the Falcons remain silent, waiting for the draft. Thomas Dimitroff has stated on several occasions that the team is committed to building in the future from the draft, in the Patriots' style. Given that, the move today, trading Laurent Robinson to the St. Louis Rams in exchange for advancing both the 5^th and 6^th round picks, isn't entirely a surprise. Robinson waits behind a strong list of accomplished receivers, Roddy White, Michael Jenkins, Harry Douglas, and Brian Finneran, so this move will serve to advance his own cause, and I couldn't be happier for him. Robinson was one of the bright spots in the checkered 2007 season, and, I believe barring his injury in '08, he would be one of the go-to receivers for this team going into the '09 season, and as such, I wish him all the best, especially considering we won't be playing the Rams this season.

The Vick-Capades Continue

Michael Vick's application for a bankruptcy plan was declined by a Virginia judge this week, finding problems with either/both his planned income ($10 million/year), and/or his expected take-home salary ($750,000/ year). Reportedly, the judge was dissatisfied with the expectation that Vick would maintain three luxury vehicles and two $2 million homes. The good news for the Falcons is that Vick's money-men agreed to repay the Falcons $6.5 million in bonus money. Vick will likely be released from the Falcons' contract before his release from house-arrest.

Goals

In 2008, Mike Smith set several goals for the season, including not losing back-to-back games, and winning three in-a-row. This season, included in the season-long goals will be the oft-tried, never completed, goal of back-to-back winning seasons. In the 33 year-long history of the team, this has never been accomplished, and Smith and Dimitroff were chomping at the bit to make this happen, gladdened by the, as they see it, a very do-able goal. If they were to accomplish this, they would, in the eyes of many life-long Falcons' fans, have done the impossible.

What to Expect

Invigorated by a surprisingly successful 2008 campaign, the Falcons' management is optimistic about the the 2009 season, with good cause. The Falcons will be hitting the field with the '08 Rookie of the Year in Matt Ryan, and a leading candidate for MVP in Michael Turner. The team's offensive line, which, despite predictions, protected their starting quarterback better than any other in the NFL returns intact, and the record-setting special teams, led by Michael Koenen and Jason Elam will hope to improve upon their '08 numbers. Dimitroff and Smith (reportedly down 45 pounds) will hope to have all woes, offensive and defensive, addressed by opening day. Matt Ryan would love to open the '09 season with a TD pass, but we'll just have to wait to see if that happens. The truth is, come '09, the Falcons will not be facing anyone that underestimates them, and they'll have to play accordingly. There will be several teams, in the NFC South, East and the AFC East that will have something to prove, so, whatever happens, it will have to be hard-fought and well-earned.

I can't hardly wait for draft day to see what magic Dimitroff has under his hat...

The Falcons have signed LB Mike Peterson, of Jacksonville, to a two year deal, addressing two pressing team issues - pass coverage and defensive leadership. With the departures of safety Lawyer Milloy and LB Keith Brooking, the only player remaining from the Falcons' only Super Bowl appearance in 1998, team experience came quickly into question. Of the two elected defensive captains from last season, only eerily-silent John Abraham, the Predator, remains, with Milloy testing the free agent market. Peterson brings 15 career interceptions to the table in his 10 years in the NFL, as well as a prior five-year working relationship with head coach Mike Smith (formerly DC of the Jags).

The signing of Peterson gives the team a great deal of leeway on how to deal with other defensive needs. A safety no longer has to be a pass coverage stud, as Peterson and free safety Erik Coleman, along with the current squad of corner backs make a demonstrable improvement over last year's coverage squad,. The strong safety spot can now be filled with a good rookie, or a free agent who has a past in run-stopping, such as Dallas' Roy Williams or even Milloy.

So, where does that leave us?

The Falcons will still be seeking a strong safety to round out the defensive backfield, and possibly another corner. Additionally a DT is still needed, and the team probably needs some more depth at LB, to bolster the team of Peterson, Curtis Lofton and Coy Wire. Stephen Nicholas is still an unproven commodity, but some of the under-the-radar moves thus far may yet prove to be the answer here. On the flip side of the ball, there is also still a need for a pass catching tight end.

Falcons have also signed center Brett Romberg, who will play backup on this line that hopes to continue its success from 2008. Romberg, formerly of the Rams, will hopefully serve as an unused insurance policy, but his name is similar enough to an infamous character from Office Space to serve as potential comedy fodder ("...yeah....I'm gonna need you to come in this Saturday...That'd be great...").

The Vick-Capades

Atlanta has opened the bidding for fallen icon Michael Vick, who will be serving the end of his dog-fighting sentence under house arrest. Not surprisingly, teams are reluctant to discuss their plans either for or against acquiring Vick. Mike Singletary's statement of possible interest, then reversal has been the only gleam of hope so far for Dimitroff's plans of trading Vick for draft picks. Several teams are in need of a starting quarterback, but Vick's questionable past will make him a gamble for any GM. This isn't the strongest year in the draft, and only a few backups will be testing the free-agency waters, plus Kurt Warner and Kerry Collins. Matt Cassel will also likely be shopped around by the Patriots, so Vick's name will probably come up in more than one team's board room. Detroit is in a position to take Matt Stafford with the number one pick, which is a risky move in and of itself, but if they pass on him, they might be willing to take a chance. Titans may wait Collins out, and sign him to a lower deal, but if Collins makes his way to another team, Tennessee may seek Vick's services. Kansas City, Oakland, (still) San Francisco, Minnesota, St. Louis, Carolina, the Jets and Tampa Bay all have quarterback question marks in either productivity or health. From my perspective, though, the likeliest candidate is Seattle. With Jim Mora, Jr. at the helm, with a prior relationship to Vick, plus Matt Hasselbeck's injury concerns, Seattle may be willing to take a chance. When it comes down to it, it is likely that the Falcons will have to cut Vick prior to his reinstatement to the NFL, in order to avoid paying his salary.

Free Agency

Free agency is under way. In 2009, Thomas Dimitroff moved quickly, signing Michael Turner off the bat, so expect more of the same this year. The franchise tag has been used liberally this off-season, so the list of top free agents has slimmed some, and other free agents may be overpricing themselves, but there are some strong players available. Terrell Suggs received the "tag" from Baltimore, and Ray Lewis will likely be resigned by the Ravens as well, and even if he doesn't, his history in Atlanta is tarnished, or at least, Atlanta's history with Lewis is tarnished. But Bart Scott will hit the market, and raise immediate interest from several teams. With Michael Boley shopping himself around, Scott will add some veteran skill and leadership to this linebacker squad. Strong Safeties Sean Jones of Cleveland (and former Georgia Bulldog), or Tampa's Jermaine Phillips (also formerly of Georgia) would make great additions to the secondary, as would CB Chris McAlister. I'm anxious to see how Dimitroff follows up his magic from last year, and it feels nice to be optimistic for a change.

The Combine

Brandon Pettigrew had a decent time at the combine, but not great, and tight ends in general performed well, so the Falcons will have more than one option to take to fill their TE needs. A few other players garnered attention from Dimitroff and Mike Smith, but, as is typical in the off-season shuffle among NFL GM's and coaches, they are holding their opinions close to their chests. At 24^th, the Falcons pick gives them many options, and much will be dependent on the team's early free agent moves. Don't be surprised at seeing names like Peria Jerry, Rashad Jackson, or anyone else for that matter, picked up by the Falcons. Last season, again, Dimitroff showed us what he's capable of with players taken deep in the draft making immediate contributions to the team, and his pedigree and experience with the Patriots, again, gives great reason for optimism.

Todd Weiner Retires

Team leadership is an important issue to Mike Smith and Thomas Dimitroff, and with question marks surrounding the futures of Lawyer Milloy and Keith Brooking, Weiner's retirement adds a new angle to the upcoming off-season moves by the Falcons. Weiner, an 11-year veteran (7 with the Falcons), has been one of the go-to guys in the locker room, and kept the O-line intact when Sam Baker went out early with back surgery. Taking psychology out of the equation, this isn't a devastating loss, but in reality, pressure will fall on Todd McClure to step up in the locker room and provide the type of veteran leadership any team needs to be successful. Fortunately, McClure was selected, along with Matt Ryan, as an offensive team captain by his teammates, so at the very least, his other linemen and the rest of the team believe in his leadership ability. Good luck to Todd Weiner, and take care of those knees, and we'll look for you as an offensive line coach in the very near future.

Falcons' Quiet Off-Season Moves

Since the end of the season, the Falcons have stealthily picked up a few players who will hope to become part of the 53-man roster: CB's Ronnie Prude and Tony Tiller, Safety Marcus Paschal, and DT Thomas Johnson. Prude has the most experience, playing 30 games with the Ravens in '06 and '07. During that time, he intercepted two passes (one run back), and had 10 tackles. He was out for the 2008 season, so he may come in hungry to prove that he can be a full-time starter for the Dirty Birds. Johnson played 13 games for Dallas and Houston, and was cut from the Jets' roster in 2008. The Eagles picked up Paschal as an undrafted free agent in 2007, and played three games. Tiller has played three seasons in the CFL, and is hoping to make his NFL debut this season. The Falcons' roster for the off season currently sits at 73 players, and we haven't even begun to delve into the main free agent market or the draft, so all four of these players have a tough road ahead of them.

Falcons to Franchise Michael Koenen

NFL.com reported on Monday, that the Falcons are going to apply the franchise tag to Michael Koenen, giving him a salary of just over $2.4 million for the 2009 season. The only potentially surprising aspect of this move is that they haven't signed him to a longer term contract, something that will likely happen next season, at probably about the same rate. Koenen owns a great deal of the onus for the Falcons 11-5 run this season, leading a punt squad that allowed just 49 return yards this season and pinned the opponents inside their own 20 a solid 25 times this season.

Mock Drafts

ATLANTAFALCONS.com has compiled a list of internet sites that have produced recent mock drafts, and understandably, players selected by the Falcons in those drafts are varied, but a few names popped up more than a couple of times, namely B.J. Raji (which would be awesome, but the likelihood of him slipping to 24 is slim at best, barring a poor showing at the combine), Brandon Pettigrew, and Peria Jerry. Consensus on each site is that the Falcons need to beef up their defense, which shocks no one.

Some Accolades for the Coaches

ESPN.com's Pat Yasinskas is in the process of ranking the NFL coaching staffs by division, and he selected the Falcons' staff as the best in the NFC South, citing the return of both Mike Mularkey and Terry Robiskie, who were both up for consideration for head coaching gigs around the nation. Tampa Bay and Carolina are both undergoing varying degrees of coaching turmoil, and the Saints are looking to a new coordinator to improve their defense. The near-complete return of this coaching staff bodes well for the Falcons in their division. Clearly, the coaching stability ushers in a new era in the Falcons' history.

Ex-Falcon Jamal Anderson Arrested, Released

This story hit me pretty hard, as the player in question is one of my favorites. He was primarily responsible for the Falcons' sole appearance in the Super Bowl, and I had a great time learning the Dirty Bird dance with my sister, and looked forward to the new 1999 version before a tear in the Astroturf tore his ACL on a juke play in the season opener. Anderson was arrested in a bar in Atlanta and charged with felony cocaine possession and misdemeanor marijuana possession. The only good news here is that it wasn't current Falcons' DE Jamaal Anderson. Anderson's return to ESPN's First Take is in question.

Some Predictions

Falcons take Brandon Pettigrew at TE with their first round draft pick, solidifying their defensive roster with free agent Jermaine Phillips at safety and DT Fili Moala taken with the second round pick. Keith Brooking will retire, and Lawyer Milloy will be resigned to a one-year deal. Another couple of Dimitroff moves in free agency, plus a couple of strong players taken later in the draft will round out the team, keeping the Falcons in the news as one of the teams to beat.

Todd Weiner will sign with the Falcons as an assistant coach.

Mike Smith and Thomas Dimitroff will be in strong competition to repeat their wins at Coach of the Year and Executive of the Year. Michael Turner will win league MVP with a near-1900 yard rushing season, with 19 touchdowns, narrowly beating Houston's Andre Johnson.

The Falcons' will be facing some tough competition in 2009, with the NFC South squaring off against the NFC East and the AFC East, as well as individual match ups against the Bears and the 49ers. Saints will come back with a stronger defense and provide the toughest in-division opponent, with the Panthers falling back under a quagmire of quarterback questions, and the Bucs slipping with key losses in the defense and a rookie head coach. Falcons win the division at 10-6, taking both games from Tampa and splitting the series with the Saints and the Panthers, edging out the 9-7 Saints, who narrowly miss the second wild card slot.

Other division winners will be: NFC East - Eagles (narrowly), NFC North - Green Bay (convincingly), NFC West - 49ers (despite a late game loss to the Falcons), Wild Cards - Cardinals, Giants; AFC East - Patriots (with the return of Tom Brady), AFC North - Pittsburgh (team remains scary), AFC South - Texans (finally putting it all together), AFC West - Chargers (but LT will have limited success), Wild Cards - Bills, Jaguars

If I were truly crazy, I'd say the Falcons win the Super Bowl with a 31-24 win over the Steelers.

Anything can happen.

First of all, congratulations to the Pittsburgh Steelers on their Super Bowl win. They played a strong game, and Roethlisberger's drive to retake the lead late in the game will go down as one of the best in history. Additionally, congratulations to the Arizona Cardinals for making a real game out of it. I thought several times that the game was "over", and Larry Fitzgerald's catch and dash to the end zone was one of those times. All in all, it was a very good game, and one of the best finishes in Super Bowl history, and it is clear beyond question who's the best team in the NFL. (Take note, NCAA)

Congratulations are in order for Thomas Dimitroff as well, for being named Executive of the Year. His bold and brilliant moves, both in free agency and the draft secured his win, and I am anxious to see how he will follow up in his sophomore year as GM.

Which brings us to the topic du jour: The 2009 draft.

Of course, everyone remembers Dimitroff deciding to pass on DT Glenn Dorsey in favor of Matt Ryan, a move that would, by itself, have made a strong argument for his recent honor, but it was the moves deeper in the draft that truly solidified his win. Sam Baker was a good move, letting the fans know that the team would be committed to protecting the 3^rd overall draft pick, though his injury in mid-season might have raised some doubts about his longevity. Bear in mind, however, that Baker returned to the field before the end of the season after having surgery on his lower back, so he has demonstrated some level of resiliency.

Curtis Lofton was their second round pick, and what a great move that was, giving this team the starting middle linebacker they have been missing for years. He had a strong season, with 94 tackles, a sack and a forced fumble. He provides a solid foundation for the team to build and strengthen their defenses around.

But the fun didn't stop there. Round three brought the Falcons three players, all of whom saw significant playing time, most notably, Harry Douglas, a speedster who renewed the team's punt return position, and gave us a dynamic swing player for the "Dirty Bird" offense. Thomas DeCoud (pronounced doo-koo) backed up Lawyer Milloy toward the end of the season, will remain, most likely, a solid backup for the 2009 season. Chevis Jackson, as well, played backup CB, and will continue to fill that role solidly, and, if he continues to develop, may very well become a good starter.

Round Five brought us our next pick, and the first player of the draft that didn't see significant playing time, Robert James, MLB, though backing up Curtis Lofton, that's probably a good sign. His college statistics are good, though, and he will probably have some opportunity in 2009 to prove his worth. Kroy Biermann was the other 5^th round pick, and got some opportunity to play late in the season, and pulled down two sacks in his limited role at DE.

Thomas Brown was the 6^th round pick, and provides some strong insurance at the running back position, and 7^th round picks CB Wilrey Fontenot and TE Keith Zinger further provide depth on the chart.

2009 brings a few strengths and weaknesses that will have to be addressed in the draft, and in free agency. Both will influence each other, so the draft may provide some surprises, if there are free agency moves already pending by April 25^th. The Falcons will pick 24^th, barring a trade, so one of the questions will also be, who's still available?

Boston College's B.J. Raji would make a fine addition at DT to this defense, being able to play nose tackle at 325 lbs. He will probably go in the top 10, however, but if he slips, Dimitroff would be silly (or brilliant, once again) to pass on him, especially with Grady Jackson's future in doubt.

Missouri's William Moore may be the future safety this team is looking for, showing good speed, and great skill at reading the quarterback, as well as a knack for being where the ball is. He's versatile, and tall, an attribute this secondary is currently lacking.

Tight End Brandon Pettigrew out of Oklahoma state, who may yet be available, could also solidify this offense, providing the multi-faceted TE this team needs, being great at both blocking and catching. Ryan would likely be happy to have him as an inside option.

The other big question, however, is how the later rounds of the draft will shape up. Dimitroff made amazing moves in rounds 2 through 5 (maybe 6^th) in 2008, and I wonder what tricks he will be able to pull out of his hat in 2009.

In this free agent market, there are several eye-popping names that the Falcons may have the gumption to go after. Much of the debate is obvious, as in, will Albert Haynesworth continue his good-boy image so sullied by his face stomping incident so many years back, or will the team make moves for corner back Nnamdi Asomugha or DE/OLB Terrell Suggs. But with Thomas Dimitroff in charge, the real question is, who is the next Michael Turner? What smart moves will be made by this seemingly-genius staff that will have prognosticators scratching their heads, wondering how this player got through their radars? And, perhaps most importantly, how much can they spend without sacrificing their future in a Michael Vick-like salary orgy?

What are the smart moves, first of all?

Haynesworth continues to prove his worth in Titans colors, and as the Falcons address their defensive woes, his name will float to the top of the list, as the premier run-stopper and pass-rusher in free agency. Question one is, will the Titans even let him go? He will command top-dollar for sure, but at any price, most teams will consider themselves lucky to land him, Question two is, can he be trusted to maintain his clean image. It has been a few years since he deliberately cleated Andre Gurode in the face mid-game, and incident he immediately expressed regret for, not waiting for his penalty to be handed to him, which stands as a backhanded credit to his character. Additionally, he refused the NFL Players Association's attempt to appeal his five game suspension for the incident. However, in early 2008, he was hit with an other unnecessary roughness penalty for slamming Maurice Jones-Drew to the ground in week one, and given a $5000 fine. Do these two events indicate a pattern of poor sportsmanship, or a player given to losing himself in the passion of the game? His superior play makes him a prime target for Dimitroff and Mike Smith, but, given their penchant to eliminate locker room hotheads, they will most likely be adverse to paying the top-dollar salary Haynesworth will certainly command.

The Raiders' Asomugha is an amazing corner back, whatever standards you compare him to, especially considering his name has remained clean throughout his five-year career. He seems to strike fear in opposing quarterbacks, and finds himself frequently unchallenged, due to his reputation and his ability in man-to-man coverage. The Falcons are in desperate need in man defense, so, even with the likely heated price battle for Asomugha's services, don't be shocked to see Dimitroff and Smith make substantial offers and counter-offers to the pro-bowl corner, but as Nnamdi will likely be the hottest property in free agency, also don't be surprised if we pull up short in bringing in his services.

Terrell Suggs may be the best prospect available, though, as he opens up the defensive play book more than anyone. Entering the NFL as a defensive end, he has been moved to outside linebacker in the Ravens' versatile 3-4 defense, giving them the option of switching to 4-3 mid-huddle. With the possibility of moving Jamaal Anderson to DT from DE, and a good linebacker crew here, Suggs and a move (at least part-time) to a 3-4 defense might make this the feared defense, in part, that Brian VanGorder can run deep into the 2009 post-season.

The Falcons' weakest point, however remains at safety, and one of two potential moves can solidify this backfield, though not cheaply. Jermaine Phillips from Tampa Bay and Sean Jones from Cleveland are both strong coverage options with decent run-stopping ability. If the Falcons were to release Lawyer Milloy into free agency, either of these players could fill the gaping maw that currently exists in pass coverage. Both are Georgia grads, as well, which can also go a long way with regards to fan support.

Combinations of moves will turn out best for the team. Suggs gives the Falcons the most versatility, and combined with Phillips or Jones, the pass coverage and blitz ability will be strong going into 2009. Asomugha and Haynesworth can combine to make this defense a formidable dual threat, though the cost will be prohibitive.

Who are the dark horse players on Dimitroff's list? Will we be seeing a move for TE Bo Scaife from Tennessee? Or DT La'Roi Glover from St. Louis? Or can Dimitroff strike gold with safety Jim Leonhard from Baltimore? Or can Buffalo's CB Jabari Greer come in and give this defense the boost it needs to play deep into 2009?

One thing we can count on, at least based on the phenomenal 2008 season: We can trust Thomas Dimitroff and Mike Smith to make the right moves in 2009.

Up next: The Draft

The Falcons exited the 2008 season with an inglorious loss to the now Super Bowl bound Arizona Cardinals, but expectations are high for Atlanta's chances of ending their existence-long failure to post back-to-back winning seasons. The team will return a rookie quarter back in Matt Ryan, who has taken home the AP's Rookie of the Year honors, as well as being selected one of the teams captains by the team, the highest honor he's achieved, according to head coach Mike Smith. Additionally, surprise sensation Michael Turner is back ready for his second season as a starter, and Roddy White and Michael Jenkins are chomping at the bit to prove that 2008 was not a fluke for either one of them. The team brings more strengths to the table than they have in quite some time, as well as some weaknesses they must address if they are to do something they have never before: win again.

This is arguably the best football team Atlanta has seen since the 1998 Falcons, who won the NFC championship before being ousted by the Denver Broncos. Like that season, they have relied on a strong running game (Jamal Anderson), a duo of strong receivers (Terrell Davis, Tony Martin), a solid, game-management quarterback (Chris Chandler), and a linebacker-led defense (Jesse Tuggle, as well as DB's Ray Buchanan and Eugene Robinson). Unlike that year, the Falcons are aided by depth at a couple of positions, and lack in others.

Running Back: One of the strongest positions of the team. Anderson went out in the first game of the 1999 season with a torn ACL, and the team had no one to step in to make plays. This team has Jerious Norwood with plenty of game experience, Jason Snelling with some late game carries, and Thomas Brown coming off IR. If (God forbid) something were to happen to Turner, this team would not be left high and dry.

Quarterback: Ryan has surpassed even the most optimistic fan's expectations in 2008, though the last few games are evidence that he has hit his sophomore slump early, which would fit his ahead-of-the-curve development. Ryan hit the tapes immediately following the loss to the Cardinals, searching out where he could improve. That kind of ethic bodes very well for the Falcons in 2009, and coupled with backups Chris Redman (if he isn't lost to another team) and hometown favorite D.J. Shockley, this position is going to be one of the strongest come next season.

Wide Receiver: Roddy White set a team record in yards receiving this season, and Michael Jenkins did a lot to justify his first round pick a few years ago with some big plays this season. Harry Douglas scored some points on the field and with the fans with dynamic and fast play. Laurent Robinson is still an unproven commodity, though he has shown much promise in his first two seasons. Brian Finneran still has great hands, especially in 3^rd down situations, or in deep punt returns. Unless someone can add another aspect of the game, specifically punt returns, don't look for any moves in this department.

Special Teams: Michael Koenen will most likely be resigned to a significant deal, and Jason Elam (who besides kicker, is a newcomer to the Christian fiction market--I'm reading Monday Night Jihad now) provides a secure kicking squad for the next season. Jerious Norwood proves to be a strong threat in kickoff returns, and currently Harry Douglas plays the part of punt returner. In punt coverage, the 2008 Falcons gave up an NFL record-low 49 yards returning, and the kickoff defense was strong as well, led (as voted by the team) by linebacker Coy Wire. The Falcons may look to the draft to find a double-duty wide receiver or DB to handle punt returns, but failing that, Douglas would be a great "second option" to stay in the role.

O-Line: Falcons trimmed 30 sacks off their season total (47 in 2007, 17 in 2008) for a new team record and were a big part, according to Turner, of the superior rushing game. Rookie Sam Baker spent almost half the season on the DL, and Tyson Clabo is up for free agency. I'd be reluctant to mess with what works here, but the line probably could stand to add some depth, but I'd be surprised to see much money spent in free agency or a high draft pick spent here.

Linebackers: Keith Brooking is a big question mark as to whether or not he'll return next year, as well as Michael Boley (a lot of Michael's on this team, aren't there?). Rookie Curtis Lofton went mostly unnoticed, well overshadowed by the rookie performance of Ryan, but he played middle linebacker with a great deal of skill and heart. Coy Wire moved into Boley's position late in the season, and played adequately, if not strongly. Stephen Nicholas, on the other side of the line shows every indication that he will be a very effective player, but if Brooking and Boley hit the exit, the LB unit will need some depth. A few free agents are up for grabs, and I wouldn't be shocked to see Dimitroff making some offers there, though he probably won't pay top dollar for any but the best, relying instead on some draft moves to fill holes.

Tight End: Ben Hartsock proved to be a much more versatile TE than anticipated, catching a few passes out of the backfield and strengthening the running game, but went down about two-thirds of the way through the season with a season ending injury. Justin Peele proved to be just as strong at catching, though neither could be listed as elite in that department. Marcus Pollard was added late to replace Hartsock, but the Falcons could stand to spend a draft pick to get a good pass-catching tight end to solidify this unit.

D-Line: John Abraham has been nothing shy of amazing, and smart coaching has kept him fresh in games. Sophomore Jamaal Anderson (no relation to the 1998 running back) has been viewed as a letdown, though teammates argue that he's a strong player with a great deal of potential. Grady Jackson's future with the team may be in question, but Jonathan Babineaux has played well, and gives the center of this line a great deal of potential. Anderson may be moved to DT this off-season, and another DE brought in, either in free agency or in the draft, or the DT position may be solidified with a free agent.

Corner Back: Von Hutchins went down in the pre-season, leaving the Falcons without a "#1" corner back. Chris Houston shows every indication of being a strong player at this position, and Brent Grimes, despite his shorter stature, seemed to be playing well prior to his injury, and, of course, Dominique Foxworth played better than his second-string status in Denver would indicate. The fact remains, however, that this squad was not ready to play man-to-man defense, which is essential at the NFL level. I'd like to see what this team can do with Hutchins back in the lineup, but I wouldn't be shocked to see the team make a big free agent move to add some skill to this position.

Safety: Erik Coleman was a great pickup last off-season, but with questions surrounding Lawyer Milloy's future with this team, the position most ripe for free agent moves is at safety. After watching Troy Polamalu's performance in the AFC championship game, it's easy to see the difference between this team's and a Super Bowl bound team's safeties. With a few strong options that may be available, the Falcons may spend some money making this, and in turn the entire defensive backfield, one of the strong points of the team.

A few intangibles exist, though, that may define many of the off-season moves.

Team Chemistry: It's arguable that this team "clicked" better than a vast majority of the teams in the NFL, especially after last year's debacle. Many of the cuts from the 2007 team were engineered to foster that sense of "team", so don't be surprised if a few great players are passed on because they don't fit the team mentality.

Management: Mike Smith quickly earned the respect of his players, but the team building skill evidenced by last year's off-season has to be attributed to GM Thomas Dimitroff. I'm willing this year to give that dynamic duo the benefit of the doubt when it comes to the moves they make.

Arthur Blank: I'd be shocked if Blank weren't willing to open the billfold to the full extent of the salary cap this year. He seems to have given Smith and Dimitroff much more carte blanche than he's ever given now-president Rich McKay or prior head coaches Jim Mora Jr. or Bobby Petrino, and his trust has been demonstrated to be well placed. I'd expect at least one big-money move to be made,

Coaching: Mike Smith has earned all the praise he's gotten and then some. If he were a 15 year head coach, he'd probably still be as heralded for the turnaround he built this season. His squad deserves much of the accolades as well, from assistant head coach Emmit Thomas, to OC Mike Mularkey and DC Brian VanGorder. VanGorder's defense is necessarily in the most need of help, though, as the "bend but don't break" defense works well for many, but not all, teams. No great defense has thrived on only zone defenses, so it will be interesting to see what VanGorder can do to repair what many see as the weakest part of this team.

Up next: Free Agency part II

As the Falcons move into the off-season, it's time to see what moves they will be making, what moves they should or should not make, and what moves we want them to make. After last year's phenomenal off-season, the additions of GM Thomas Dimitroff and head coach Mike Smith, and the great free agent and draft moves, expectations are high for what this team should accomplish.

Last year, they made some bold and controversial cuts, including sending off crowd favorites Warrick Dunn and Alge Crumpler. Questions exist around the future of linebacker Keith Brooking, a one-time pro-bowler, who is in the final year of a pricey contract. Will they simply cut him, or maybe renegotiate his contract, giving him the possibility of another year or two with the team, or even keep him at his current rate? Or will he save the team the decision by retiring this year? Dimitroff has said on a couple of occasions that he is prepared to make the difficult cuts, which may refer specifically to Brooking. I don't expect to see him on the team next year, at least not at his current salary.

On the other side of the linebackers is Michael Boley, who is an unrestricted free agent. He played well in 2007, but his production was down for 2008, which may simply be symptomatic of the general weakness of the defense, rather than his own shortcomings. But Coy Wire was moved into his position in the final few games, and that likely signals the Falcons' willingness to let him go. A lot will depend on his market value. If his performance has brought down his price tag, he may be worth another shot. But with teams hurting in the linebacker position, I'd expect him to get a large offer somewhere.

Lawyer Milloy, who is also UFA this off-season, raises several more questions about the direction this team will take this year. His run-stopping ability is still important for the team, as evidenced by Stephen Jackson's rushing output in week 17 when Milloy was out with an injury, but his pass coverage at the safety position seems to be on the decline, and I would have to imagine there would be concerns about his health. This may still be workable for the Falcons, who will likely want to keep his leadership ability in their locker room, if they are able to correct some of their coverage weaknesses in the secondary at other positions. Still, I can't see a long-term contract coming his way, and he may opt for a more optimistic team elsewhere.

Grady Jackson was brought in last year on a one-year contract, so he's up again in free agency. He's gaining in years, and many will wonder how many more games he's got left in him. He was successful at his position last year, but with Trey Lewis coming back off the IR, and a few big names at DT coming up in this year's draft and free agency, I can't foresee the Falcons resigning this guy, though the decision on him will likely wait until later in the off-season.

Tyson Clabo is coming off his first full year starting at OT, and is a restricted free agent. I think the team will tender him an offer, but still may be looking to upgrade the position, but being part of an O-line that allowed a team-low 17 sacks this year goes a long way toward justifying a resigning for Clabo.

Dominique Foxworth was acquired from Denver last year following the pre-season injury to Von Hutchins, but as he was integrated into the defense, it became apparent he was one of the strong points of this defense. He's UFA this year, and I would think that the team would make him a decent offer, expecting him to fill the nickel back position again next year. The question will be, how many teams have noticed him, and how much will his price tag be?

That brings us to Michael Koenen, UFA, who has probably done more than any other free agent to justify their position on the team. His NFL record 49 total punt return yards given up by the Falcons this season is greatly due to his skill at pinning opponents deep, and the high arc on his punts, which allows his team to get down field in time to stop a return. Additionally, his ability as the kick-off specialist gives him additional arguments as to why he should get a strong contract.

Up next: Team Strengths and Weaknesses

It didn't take long for Mike Smith to impress upon the NFL world just what kind of head coach he was going to be. Ultimately 11-6 on the 2008 season, including a disappointing loss to the Cards in the first round of the playoffs, Smith now holds the additional prestige of being named NFL Coach of the Year, narrowly edging out Miami's Tony Sparano for the honor. Congratulations, Smitty, on this well-deserved, and well-earned award.

Now, as the season is at its end, please allow me a few moments of reminiscence about some of my favorite scenes from this past season, in no particular order:

1. Week 1, Detroit's Jon Kitna on the sidelines screaming at his team when they were virtually ineffective against our (then completely discounted) defense. (No, this blog isn't yet time to discuss the problems that do exist on that side of the ball...)

2. Same game, Falcons' opening drive. Can't say enough about that.

3. Week 15, Tampa Bay's Antonio Bryant shoved Dominique Foxworth after being pulled out of bounds, and Mike Smith had some choice words for him, with Foxworth and Chris Houston on his shoulders. Both Bryant and Smith downplayed the incident after the game, Bryant claiming the didn't recall what Smith said, just that he wasn't touched by Smith, and Smith said he just told him to go back to his own sidelines. Gotta love it when the coach stands up for his boys.

4. Week 16, Falcons clinch a playoff berth, courtesy a win over the Vikings, and losses by both Dallas and Tampa Bay. Something people were expecting to take two, maybe three years to happen.

5. Five minutes as NFC South champions: My wife and I were at the St. Louis game in week 17, and fans all over the Georgia Dome had their phones out tracking the score of the Saints - Panthers game, and when New Orleans took the lead with two minutes left in their game, a burst of cheering erupted all over the Dome. For five minutes, as the Falcons took the lead over the Rams, they were, in the minds and hearts of their fans, champions of the NFC South. The Panthers retook the lead (jerks), and the Falcons moved back to the 5^th seed, rather than the 2^nd with a bye, but for five minutes, they were the champs.

Kickoff: 4:35 EST

Location: University of Phoenix Stadium

The upstart Atlanta Falcons, led by the legs of Michael Turner and the arm of rookie of sensation Matt Ryan, are already in Arizona preparing for their playoff battle against the Cardinals, powered by Kurt Warner's timeless arm and deadly trio of receivers, Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin and the oft-forgotten Steve Breaston, all of whom have topped 1,000 yards receiving this season. General consensus seems to favor the Falcons, but, as I'm sure they are all aware, nothing is a given.

So just what will it take for the Falcons to pull off this win and extend this already unlikely post-season?

First of all, the have to run the ball, run the ball, and then to change things up, run the ball. Michael Turner is one of the toughest running backs in the league, and Jerious Norwood has demonstrated time and time again in his NFL career that he can be a game changer. Arizona has a mediocre rush defense, so the Dirty Birds should be able to keep things moving forward at all times on the ground. Time-of-possession will be a major factor for the Falcons in this game, as the best way to shut down Arizona's powerful passing attack is to keep Warner and the gang on the bench.

If the running game gets off to a strong start, the Cards will be forced to stack the line and keep eight men in the box. This should open up Ryan's passing game and give Roddy White and Michael Jenkins a good chance to burn the defense. Matty needs a few timely receptions to get his confidence up and running, as his last couple of outings were not as great as many of his previous games. He needs to remain smart with the ball, because Kurt Warner will most likely be able to capitalize on any mistakes Ryan makes.

Third, get pressure on Warner with the front four on defense. It doesn't help that Jamaal Anderson isn't likely to play, but John Abraham will be good to go, following his half-game break this past Sunday. If Abraham is able to harass Warner, Kurt will have to get the ball away quicker, and keep his talented wide-outs closer to home. Better yet, if big Grady Jackson can get one sack in, and land his 365 pound body on Warner, he just might be rattled enough to make mistakes.

With that in mind, don't count on Warner to be making many mistakes. The secondary will likely give up a few yards, so they will have to play smart, avoid penalties, don't get frustrated, and most importantly, stick their tackles. Anquan Boldin is a monster in yards-after-catch, and Fitzgerald isn't too shabby, either, so this game can get out of hand quickly if they are able to slip away from their coverage. Don't forget about Breaston, either. Dominique Foxworth, Chris Houston, and Chevis Jackson will have their hands full from start to finish.

Stop the run with as few players as possible. Falcons will probably spend a lot of time in the nickel package, so if Keith Brooking and Michael Boley, along with the D-line can shut down Edgerrin James and Tim Hightower, Lawyer Milloy and Erik Coleman will be free to drop back into coverage and aid the corners.

Lastly, the special-teams play of this team has been nothing shy of amazing. Giving up just 49 punt-return yards all season, and being quick to the ball on both punts and kickoffs, this kicking squad just needs to keep doing what they've done all season. If Norwood and Harry Douglas are able to keep control of the ball, the Falcon's return game will be sturdy as well, giving Matty Ice and his crew great field position all day.

It seems appropriate to me that the Falcons are heading off to Phoenix to play the first game in their most improbable playoff run. According to mythology, a phoenix is a bird that ignites when it dies, and burns to ashes, then is born anew from those ashes and rises up to newfound glory. What better description is there to describe the Falcons' 2008 season? Quarterback Michael Vick was incarcerated on dog fighting-related convictions prior to the 2007 season, while highly-touted head coach Bobby Petrino bolted after just 13 games, leaving nothing more than a note to say bye to his players (though, by all descriptions, that was downright personable compared to his interactions with the players) and a 3-10 record. GM Rich McKay was removed from his position, though it should be noted that he was moved into the presidency. The wide-receiver corps consisted of two first-round draft picks who were obviously busts (?). Top head coaching prospects such as Bill Parcells and Jason Garrett shunned the team, and anarchy seemed to be gaining a foothold in the locker room, despite the admirable efforts of interim head coach Emmit Thomas and veteran safety Lawyer Milloy. Everyone knew that the only sure thing about this team was, to make it work and win, it would take time.

First things first, Arthur Blank needed a GM, and pickings were slim. He (seemingly) settled on the head of college scouting from the New England Patriots. On January 13^th 2008, he named Thomas Dimitroff the new GM, reporting to president Rich McKay. Ten days later, still plagued by a lack of viable or interested prospects, Blank selected Jacksonville Jaguars defensive coordinator Mike Smith as the new head coach. As a fan, I scratched my head, but settled on the idea that these were both people who understood the foundations of building a team, but it was going to take a while.

Dimitroff and Smith began making cuts to their roster, releasing multi-pro-bowler Alge Crumpler (invalidating my #83 Crumpler jersey), as well as quarterback Byron Leftwich, DT Rod Coleman, and OT Wayne Gandy (who would return before season's end).

In March, Dimitroff made a bold move, signing backup Chargers running back Michael Turner to a long term deal, designating him as the starting running back, and for the first time, I started to become excited about the direction this team was heading. I caught one of the the Chargers 2007 playoff games on the radio, and Turner was playing in place of injured future-legend LaDainian Tomlinson. Turner proved to be more than adequate in the game, rushing for 71 yards on 17 carries, including a 19 yard breakaway, and drawing approving comments from the announcers, who included former Falcons head coach Dan Reeves. The only question mark about him was could he start an entire season? One day later, Warrick Dunn requested, and was given, a release from the team.

In April, the Falcons made a borderline-controversial decision to pass on top defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey out of Louisiana State with their #3 overall draft pick, taking instead Boston College quarterback Matt Ryan, a move that angered many fans, including me. I felt like with an offensive line that gave up an astounding 47 sacks in 2007, why take a quarterback at such a high pick when you would have to pay him tons of money just to be injured, especially when the defensive line was in such poor condition? Dimitroff eased some of my concerns, though, when he moved up in the draft, taking offensive tackle Sam Baker with a second first round draft pick. Falcons also selected a few other players who would prove to be effective in their rookie seasons, Harry Douglas and Curtis Lofton, most notably.

Falcons further relieved fans' trepidations by re-signing Grady Jackson to the DT position, bringing him back after Petrino cut him from the team 9 months earlier. Dimitroff signed Denver Kicker Jason Elam to a deal that would effectively end many fans' hopes (as well as my wife's) that we would once again bring aging future hall-of-famer and Falcon hero Mort Andersen back mid-season. Falcons also soon named Matt Ryan as the starting quarterback, a move that would soon become the cornerstone of the Falcons' definition of rebuilding.

Falcons let pro-bowler DeAngelo Hall go in a trade to the Raiders for two draft picks, a move that was met with far less consternation than Hall would have liked, I'm sure.

Fast forward to opening day. The team seemed healthy, with both centers, Todd McClure and Alex Stepanovich recovering from pre-season injuries, but with starting corner back Von Hutchins out for the season, replaced by young Brent Grimes, and Dominique Foxworth from Denver. Many still had questions about the wisdom of throwing a highly-paid rookie quarterback in the fire and risk losing him to injury behind what was predicted to be a shaky O-line, but three plays into the game, doubters were silenced.

Not surprisingly, Ryan handed the ball off for his first two plays, allowing Turner to gain 12 yards and a first down, but in a shocking move, Ryan took the third snap, and launched a rocket at Michael Jenkins, who's reputation of poor hands far outweighed his reputation as a fast wide-out. Jenkins had run a skinny post, breaking toward the center of the field on a slant. Lions safeties had cheated forward to be prepared to stop Turner on what was likely to be another first-down run, and Ryan's throw caught Jenkins neatly in the hands, fully in-stride, and 62 yards later, a new chapter, a positive chapter in Falcons annals, was started: first career pass, first career touchdown for Matt Ryan. Falcons players seemed to take out on the hapless Lions that day all the frustrations of being abandoned, discounted and doubted, winning 34-21, a score that fails to encompass how one-sided that game was. Turner set a Falcons single-game rushing record with 220 yards, surpassing Gerald Riggs record of 202, set back in 1984. Riggs was present at the game to witness.

The Falcons played to an 11-5 season, and a #5 overall seed in the NFC, missing the NFC South championship, a #2 seed and a first round bye by a last second Carolina field goal. They were predicted to win as few as 1 and as many as 5 games by major sports outlets this season. Falcons travel to Arizona to take on the NFC West champs, the 9-7 Cardinals, who are coming into the game as anything but hot. Falcons are riding a 3 game winning streak, their first of the season, and the high of shattering everyone's expectations about what this team could do.

Questions still remain, primarily, can corners Chris Houston, Foxworth, and Chevis Jackson do anything to stop the trio of Kurt Warner, Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin? But many questions have been answered.

Turner finished the season with 1,699 yards (3^rd overall in the Falcons' record books), 17 rushing touchdowns (Falcons record) and a mere 3 fumbles (compared to NFL leading rusher Adrian Peterson's 9 fumbles and 10 touchdowns), and is in consideration for NFL MVP. Roddy White has become the Falcons' all-time leading receiver in yards with 1,382 and the duo of White and Jenkins has become one of the most dangerous in the NFL. Matt Ryan has been named AP NFL Rookie of the Year, garnering a commanding 44 of the 50 votes, and his offensive line has allowed a Falcons' record-low 17 sacks. Mike Smith is a top contender for Coach of the Year, and Thomas Dimitroff is making a strong argument for Executive of the Year.

The Falcons have become a team the city of Atlanta can be proud of, and as the playoffs progress, the biggest question remaining is, how far can this phoenix fly?