NFC South Preview: Atlanta Falcons

Atlanta Falcons

Head Coach: Mike Smith
2007 Record: 4-12 (Last in NFC South)
Key Additions: RB Michael Turner, CB Von Hutchins, K Jason Elam, QB Matt Ryan
Key Losses: TE Alge Crumpler, CB DeAngelo Hall, RB Warrick Dunn, WR Joe Horn

Following the fallout of the 2007 season that saw their star quarterback go to jail, and their head coach abandon them mid-season, the Falcons will try desperately to regain some pride this year. That is going to be a tall order.

They will start a rookie quarterback. Their leading rusher is gone. One of their top receivers is gone. One of their prized off-season pickups is out for the season.

The offense from last year ranked almost dead last in every category. They were 30th in the league in points per game, and 27th in the league in yards passing per game. Just how bad was it for the Falcons? Morten Anderson, the kicker, led the team in points, but didn’t even break 100.

The Falcons split time between three different quarterbacks. Joey Harrington received the most playing time, playing in 12 games, starting 10. He threw for 2,215 yards, completing 61.8% of his passes. He threw for 7 touchdowns and 8 interceptions. His record was 3-7. Chris Redman started four games, compiling a 1-3 record. He threw for 1,079 yards, 10 touchdowns, and only 5 interceptions. He completed 59.7% of his passes. All three quarterbacks combined threw for 3,573 yards, less than Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Brett Favre, and even Drew Brees. The Falcons will add Matt Ryan, who threw for almost 10,000 yards and 56 touchdowns in his career at Boston College.

Their running game took a serious blow as well, losing Warrick Dunn, the leading rusher. The Falcons will retain Jerious Norwood, who ran for 613 yards and 1 touchdown last season. One bright side is that he averaged 6 yards per carry last season. They also have the addition of Michael Turner, who gained 316 yards last season behind one of the best rushers in the league.

Alge Crumpler and Joe Horn are gone. That’s 687 yards and 6 touchdowns that have been lost. The Falcons will still have their leading receiver, Michael Jenkins.

The defense was just as bad off. They were ranked 29th in points and yards allowed. They did lose DeAngelo Hall, one of the top corners in the game. Von Hutchins, a key off-season pickup, is now on injured reserve. Last year this defense recorded 25 sacks, but their opponents recorded 47. They also had 16 interceptions, but none were returned for touchdowns.

With a new coach, a new quarterback, and several new faces, this is a rebuilding year for the Falcons. They are not projected to have a very good season, but stranger things have happened. Matt Ryan looks to be the future of this franchise, so if anything positive comes from this season, it will be the beginning of Ryan’s career.