ATLANTA FALCONS
2009 RECORD: 9-7-0
(2nd in NFC South)
HEAD COACH: Mike Smith
Key Additions: CB Dunta Robinson (FA/Houston), S Matt Giordano (FA/Green Bay)
Key Losses: CB Tye Hill (FA/Tennessee), CB Chris Houston (trade/Detroit), WR Marty Booker (FA)
Offense: Good news for Falcons fans- Quarterback Matt Ryan and top running back Michael Turner are back in 2010 after injuries last season that kept them out of action.
Ryan missed two games and still threw for 2,916 yards and had 22 touchdown passes to go along with 14 interceptions.
Meanwhile, Turner missed more significant time and managed to gain 871 yards (4.9 ypc average) and scored 10 touchdowns.
Jason Snelling and Jerious Norwood are also available for Atlanta in the backfield. Snelling rushed for 613 yards and scored four four TDs while averaging 4.3 yards per carry. Norwood gained 252 yards in limited action in 2009.
The wide receivers are Roddy White, Michael Jenkins, Brian Finneran and Harry Douglas. The Tight End is Tony Gonzalez, who made 83 catches for 867 yards and six touchdowns.
White led the Falcons with 85 catches for 1,153 yards and scored 11 touchdowns. Jenkins had 50 grabs for 635 yards and a score. Finneran was limited last year due to injuries and Douglas is coming back from knee surgery.
The line is comprised of center Todd McClure, tackles Tyson Clabo and Sam Baker and guards Justin Blalock and Harvey Dahl.
The offense slipped to 16th overall while averaging 340 yards per game in '09 as the injuries mounted. The vaunted rushing game went from the best in football in '08 to 15th overall last year, averaging 117 yards per game.
Defense: The defense needs to get after the opposing quarterback more often in 2010 if the Falcons want to improve a pass defense that allowed 242 yards a game last year, which was 28th in the NFL.
They only amassed 28 QB sacks and picked off 15 passes and that has to improve.
Up front for Atlanta is John Abraham and Kroy Biemann at the ends and the tackles are Peria Jerry and Jonathan Babineaux.
The linebackers are Curtis Lofton, Mike Peterson and Stephen Nicolas. Rookie Sean Weatherspoon will get a chance to play in 2010 as well.
The secondary, the weak link last season, features safeties Erik Coleman and Thomas DeCoud and the cornerbacks are Dunta Robinson and Brian Williams.
OUTLOOK: Looking to bounce back and get back to the playoffs is the goal for the Falcons in 2010 and avoiding the injuries to key players will definitely help that cause.
The defense has to improve for Atlanta and after ranking 21st overall last year, Head Coach Mike Smith knows the defense can do better.
Offensively, with Turner back and Ryan looking to improve in his third season, the Falcons offense should soar once again. There are plenty of targets for Ryan to throw to and combining the running game with the passing attack should keep opponents on their heels.
Playing in the NFC South with defending Super Bowl champion New Orleans is a challenge, but Atlanta feels confident heading into the 2010 season.
A tough early schedule will test the Falcons and if they come out with an even record or better early on, then watch out.
Look for the Falcons to finish 10-6 this season while battling the Saints for the division title, which may well be decided in late December when they face each other for the second time.
TEAM SCHEDULE:
Week 1- at Pittsburgh
Week 2- vs. Arizona
Week 3- at New Orleans
Week 4- vs. San Francisco
Week 5- at Cleveland
Week 6- at Philadelphia
Week 7- vs. Cincinnati
Week 8- Bye Week
Week 9- vs. Tampa Bay
Week 10- vs. Baltimore
Week 11- at St. Louis
Week 12- vs. Green Bay
Week 13- at Tampa Bay
Week 14- at Carolina
Week 15- at Seattle
Week 16- vs. New Orleans
Week 17- vs. Carolina
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