State of the Union: Atlanta Falcons

Here here homie. Here here.

This isn't the same team that won 11 games in 2008 mainly because they wore out Michael Turner in Matt Ryan's rookie year. After 376 carries in 2008, it's no wonder that he dealt with injury troubles in 2009. As a backup in San Diego Turner was never overused before that season, but historically backs don't bounce back well after so much use. He's only 28 so there's a chance that he comes back but it's slim, especially since he's the focal point of the Falcon offense. They have to hand him the ball or their offense will probably look just like last year's: incredibly mediocre. That doesn't sit well when your defense is bad. Jerious Norwood is no guarantee to stay healthy and Matt Ryan is no sure thing to run a pass heavy offense. Speaking of Matt Ryan, I really want to hate him. The guy went to BC so I'm pretty much obligated to but I can't find it in me. That final drive against Virginia Tech was too good and Matty Ice is a sweet nickname. He still isn't there yet as a top tier quarterback yet but I think he gets there this year. Yes, he was hurt last season and there weren't many flashes of greatness in Burner Turner's absence. It would have been nice to see him take the team on his shoulders and like Rapelisberger did in the playoffs when he was young, but it hasn't happened yet. This is the year he turns that corner and starts playing like the top pick he was. He has weapons at wide receiver including Roddy White and a finally healthy Harry Douglas, plus Tony Gonzalez is still hungry for a ring. He also has the luxury of playing against Cleveland, St. Louis, and Seattle this season, so he'll have a few games to boost his stats. If it doesn't happen now then we're looking at another good but not great quarterbacking career. That's alright. Everybody loved lining up for tickets when Chad Pennington was in town. Right?

Screw Dunta Robinson. He's a decent cornerback who thinks he's much better than he is. Now that he's gotten his pay raise I wonder if he'll still even come out to compete or sit on the sidelines polishing his "Pay me" shoes. He's an improvement for them at corner, which they needed playing against Drew Brees twice a year and after ranking 28th against the pass, but don't expect greatness. All the news out of Falcons' camp says that they're a big improvement over last year's team but frankly who doesn't say that during preseason? They caught John Abraham in his last good year in 2008 and other than surprising rookie defensive tackle Corey Peters (who may start due to injury) there haven't been any standouts on the line thus far. Sure they brought in outside linebacker Sean Weatherspoon in the first round to add energy and a playmaker to their front seven, but this is still a group trying to find itself. They say they have swagger now but they'll have to prove it on Sundays because their offense isn't good enough to give them room. And they have Duna Robinson. Who sucks.

Maybe I'm being overly pessimistic but I don't see much coming out of Atlanta this year. They caught lightning in a bottle in 2008 when they fought against the Mike Vick controversy and they have all the signs of a middle of the pack team. Sure, they'll contend for a playoff spot late into the year, but this team's season will be done week 17. Carolina and New Orleans are both better teams unless Turner comes back with a vengeance and solidifies himself as the great back he has the potential to be. So goes Turner go the Falcons. Still better than hearing people say Matt Ryan would never be loved like Mike Vick because he isn't black I guess. Those were the days.