2009 Atlanta Falcons Football Preview

2008 Record: 11-5, Second NFC South; 0-1 in postseason

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Head Coach: Mike Smith; Second year

Key Additions: TE Tony Gonzalez, C Jeremy Newberry, LB Mike Peterson

Key Losses: LB Mike Boley, LB Keith Brooking, CB Domonique Foxworth, DT Grady Jackson

1st Round Draft Picks: Peria Jerry – Defensive Tackle

2nd Round Draft Picks: William Moore – Safety

2009 Atlanta Falcons Schedule

Atlanta Falcons 2008 NFL Season in Review

Nobody expected the Atlanta Falcons to make the playoffs in 2008. But the young team with the first year coach and the rookie quarterback surprised everyone. Matt Ryan had an excellent rookie season, completing over 61% of his passes and throwing for over 3,400 yards. Running back Michael Turner proved to be one of the best pickups for any team prior to the year. He produced 1,700 yards on the ground and scored 17 touchdowns. The offense finished 10 th in points scored.

The defense matched the success of the offense, ranking 11 th in points allowed despite ranking 24 th in yards given up. The unit was led by the resurgent play of John Abraham, who managed to stay healthy for the entire year in part thanks to a reduced workload. He accounted for 16.5 sacks to anchor the defensive line.

Atlanta Falcons 2009 NFL Season Preview

Will the Atlanta Falcons benefit from Matt Ryan improving further from his strong 2008 season? Or will the young quarterback have a sophomore slump? Either way he will have a new favorite target in Tony Gonzalez but the defense will be missing some key members of a strong 2008 unit. The NFC South is ultra competitive and it will be hard for the team to repeat its success.

2009 Atlanta Falcons Offense:

The Falcons are going to have a very strong offense in 2009. All of the key pieces from last year's units are back, with one major addition, all time great tight end Tony Gonzalez. Gonzalez will add to Matt Ryan's weapons of Roddy White and Michael Jenkins. Running back Michael Turner will also benefit from a middle of the field receiving threat. The only question is if Ryan will continue to progress or if he will suffer a downturn in his second year. The intelligent and collected Ryan shows no signs of the latter and he should benefit from having his first year under his belt.

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2009 Atlanta Falcons Defense:

The defense will be missing some of the best players on a strong 2008 Falcons squad. Cornerback Domonique Foxworth is gone and team leader Keith Brooking has departed as well. Linebacker Mike Boley and defensive tackle Grady Jackson are also gone. Filling these gaps will be draft picks and acquisitions. The team drafted defensive tackle Peria Jerry in the first round safety William Moore in the second. They also signed linebacker Mike Peterson. The key to the success or failure of the unit will be the level these new players play at, as well as the play and health of John Abraham. If Abraham has another healthy and terrorizing season, the defense should return to form.

2009 Atlanta Falcons Prediction: Second NFC South

By Jake Emen
ProFootball-fans.com Staff Writer

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