NFL Breakdowns: Atlanta Falcons

KEY ADDITIONS
Player, Pos., 2009 Team
Matt Giordano, S, Green Bay
Dunta Robinson, CB, Houston
KEY LOSSES
Player, Pos., 2010 Team
Tye Hill, CB, Tennessee
Chris Houston, CB, Detroit

Rd., Player, Pos., Ht., Wt., College
1. Sean Weatherspoon, LB, 6-1, 239, Missouri
2. Corey Peters, DT, 6-3, 295, Kentucky
3. Mike Johnson, G, 6-5, 312, Alabama
4. Joe Hawley, C, 6-3, 297, UNLV
5. Dominique Franks, CB, 5-11, 194, Oklahoma
6. Kerry Meier, WR, 6-2, 224, Kansas
7. Shann Schillinger, S, 6-0, 202, Montana

Offense:
Matt Ryan is trying to have a bounce back year after a horrendous sophomore year. I like Ryan, I root for Ryan and I really hope his sophomore year was just a slump, but I'm concerned about him. Luckily for Matt Ryan he has overused Michael Turner(who lost 20 pounds this offseason, which I don't know if it helps him or not), Jerius Norwood and Jason Snelling. All have different approaches with the ball and are all good options. Their WRs are adequate, Roddy White and Tony Gonzalez are good and will be an anchor for Ryan, but it angers me that Michael Jenkins is still on this team. He is horrible and brings really nothing to the table but "potential" all of us have fallen for him before, I just have had enough.

Defense:
Their defensive line is anchored by John Abraham who had a rough year last year with 5.5 sacks and was often double teamed due to Peria Jerry going down with an ACL injury last year. The rest of the depth is Jonathan Babineaux and bust Jamal Anderson who is still trying to find his groove in the NFL. Their linebackers while undersized are very versatile and quick. Led by pro bowl snub Curtis Loften and flanked by veteran Mike Peterson and rookie Sean Weatherspoon brings some hope those positions. Also their secondary improved dramatically by signing Dunta Robinson, but they still have some improvements to be made as they were ranked 28th last year.

Overall:
I expect this team to be better purely based on easier schedule and improving on defense. Matt Ryan is the key to the offense and if he is on the Falcons could challenge a wildcard spot, if not it could be a long season for the dirty bird. I say they just miss the playoffs with a 9-7 record.