NFL Football Preview 2009 Atlanta Falcons
A Surprise Playoff Birth Last Season Means High Expectations In 2009
Jul 27, 2009
Arthur Blank made a statement when he selected Matt Ryan with the third overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft. He made it clear that the Falcons were moving from Michael Vick as their star quarterback and were focusing on re-building the franchise around the standout from Boston College.
In their first season without Vick, the Falcons finished a disappointing 4-12 with Joey Harrington and Byron Leftwich as their quarterbacks. After they drafted Ryan, it seemed like it would be at least another year or two before they would be considered a serious threat in the NFC.
Will Matt Ryan Avoid The Sophomore Slump?
Obviously, this was far from the case as the Falcons finished the season with an 11-5 record and clinched the fifth seed for the NFC in the playoffs. Despite a 30-24 loss to the Arizona Cardinals in the first round of the playoffs, the Falcons held their heads high considering nobody really expected them to be in this position. All they could do was look forward to 2009.
Ryan finished the season with 3,440 yards passing, 16 touchdowns and 11 touchdowns. He may not have put up Peyton Manning or Tom Brady type numbers, but he provided the leadership the Falcons desperately needed after the Vick incident. Not to mention he had the help of running back Michael Turner, who had a breakout year in his first season as a starter, rushing for 1,699 yards and 17 touchdowns.
Now that he is proven himself as the clear leader of the Falcons' franchise, Ryan looks to avoid the sophomore slump and prove that last season was no fluke. Along with Turner at running back, Ryan has a dynamic duo on offense with wide receivers Roddy White and Michael Jenkins. With all of the weapons on offense, Ryan should avoid the sophomore slump, assuming he can stay healthy.
Are The Falcons NFC Contenders?
Last season, the Falcons finished with an 11-5 record, which was good enough to finish second in the NFC South behind the 12-4 Carolina Panthers. They finished 3-3 within their division, which is arguably the toughest division in football.
With a successful first-time run with two rookies (head coach Mike Smith and quarterback Matt Ryan), the Falcons look to build off the success from last season. Only this time, they look to be even more of a threat in the playoffs.
Despite a surprise finish last season, the Falcons road to the playoffs may be more difficult this time around. Not only do they play in one of two divisions that failed to have a team with a record below .500 last season (NFC East), but they have the fourth toughest schedule in football.
Not only do they have to play the Panthers, Buccaneers and Saints twice this season, but the Falcons have to face each of the teams from the NFC East (Eagles, Cowboys, Giants, and Redskins) and AFC East (Patriots, Bills, Dolphins, and Jets).
Do the Falcons have what it takes to be contenders and represent the NFC in Super Bowl XLIV? With the way they performed last season, there is plenty of reason to believe they have what it takes to play in Miami come February.
However, the road to the playoffs may a little bumpier for Ryan and the Falcons this season. It may be difficult, but it can definitely be done.
