| Last season marked one of the biggest turnarounds in | | | | towards bolstering the defense this year. |
| franchise history for the "Dirty Birds". They went from | | | | The Bad News: The best thing about last season for |
| laughingstock after the Michael Vick era to the | | | | the Falcons was the cupcake schedule that they had. |
| playoffs in one season. This happened in no small part | | | | They played some pretty bad teams last year |
| thanks to rookie quarterback Matt Ryan as well as | | | | including the Detroit Lions and the Kansas City Chiefs. |
| free agent acquisition Michael Turner. The new GM in | | | | Unfortunately for them, the league seems to want to |
| town had a fantastic first year out from under the | | | | showcase them against some of the better teams this |
| Patriots shadow. They had a magical run until they ran | | | | year. As always, they'll have to play the teams from |
| into Kurt Warner and the high-flying Cardinals in the | | | | the NFC South twice. However, the non-division portion |
| playoffs. Now the question is, can they take the next | | | | of their schedule will be a lot tougher. |
| step? If you're looking for free NFL sports picks don't | | | | Many quarterbacks seem to suffer from a sophomore |
| expect to see them in the Super Bowl this season. | | | | slump. The Falcons will figure out real quick if Matt |
| The Good News: The biggest and best news of the | | | | Ryan's rookie season was a fluke or not. Will the |
| off-season was acquiring "All-World" tight end Tony | | | | interception bug that plagued him at Boston College |
| Gonzalez. Gonzalez basically carried the Chiefs | | | | come back to bite him again? |
| offense on his back the last few years which is saying | | | | Outlook: The Falcons will again have a good offense |
| a lot for a tight end. He holds the all-time records for | | | | this year. Tony G. is going to get his regardless of who |
| every major statistical category for tight ends and he | | | | he's playing with. He put up monster numbers last year |
| seems to be getting better with age. His experience | | | | with four different quarterbacks throwing him the ball. |
| and preparation will help the rest of his teammates. | | | | However, I think the tough schedule will be tough for |
| In addition to Gonzalez, Matt Ryan will have another | | | | them to overcome. They weren't really one of the |
| year under his belt. After a superb rookie season, he | | | | best teams last year, but merely a product of the |
| should have a better year this year. He's also still got | | | | system. This was on full display as they got |
| the running game behind him with Michael Turner | | | | steamrolled by the Cardinals in the playoffs. As far as |
| running the ball. They also added a couple of good | | | | free NFL sports picks go, I wouldn't put my money on |
| defenders in the draft this year. Defensive tackle Peria | | | | "Matty Ice" to improve on last season's record. |
| Jerry and safety William Moore will go a long way | | | | |