We have heard it by now. The Atlanta Falcons have been in Atlanta since 1966 and have not had back to back winning seasons….ever. This team hopes to put that to rest and finish the disappointing 2009 season with a positive.

Why was 2009 a disappointment? Well myself and many other Falcon fans were looking for big things in year 2 of “The Process” as Mike Smith and Thomas Dimitroff call it. After transforming an organization in turmoil into a playoff team, many expected 2009 to show a long playoff run or better.  We all knew the schedule would be tougher and the defense would be younger. But we didn’t think we would need to salvage a winning season.  As tough a year as the Falcons are having, there are still signs of “The Process”working especially this past Sunday in New York.

Matt Ryan battled through his turf toe injury to throw the game winning touchdown pass on the final drive. The defense kept the Falcons in the game against the Jets only allowing 1 touchdown and also blocked a field goal. The young secondary had 3 INTs in the 10-7 win vs. New York.  That being said, we all know as fans some changes have to be made to get to where we want to go in the future.

What is the next step in “The Process”?

The Falcons are currently 26th in the NFL with 25 sacks and 23rd in INTs with 11. These are two areas I see the Falcons addressing in the off season. You may see the Falcons make some moves through free agency this year as most work this past season was done through the draft. But what about RB? I love Michael Turner and feel Norwood is good healthy. But how healthy is he? Snelling is a good 3rd option but I think you might see the Falcons take a young RB late in the draft.

This is only year 2 of “The Process” and the Falcons seem to be a stable franchise again. The offseason should be interesting and next year would be even better without hearing about the consecutive winning season stuff all year. I know many Falcon fans are down about this year but I have completely bought into “The Process” and think big things are about to happen for the Dirty Birds!

“[If] Mike Smith wants to see me, he can find me.”

Mike Smith does not have a problem sticking up for his players. Especially, when a guy like D-Hall starts popping off at the mouth before the game and all the way through. Mike Smith was not trying to find anyone DeAngelo. He saw he QB get late hit and then you decided to get into a circle of Falcons players and start talking. Coach Smith and the rest of the staff were trying to save you from the inevitable beat down you should have gotten when you were here in Atlanta! Oh but the receivers on the field took care of that while you were here!

I think this is how you want it to be: you keep doing dumb things and teams keep paying you tons of money because you still have ”raw” talent! Kinda sad because think if you were as good as you are and maybe got some endorsement money. Ask Troy Polamalu. D-Hall I wish you well in Washington for as long as that lasts.

It’s just good to know that Atlanta has a GM and a coach that will not put up with that from players!

But I would pay to see D-Hall and Coach Smith in a cage!

Keep Defending the DOME!!!!

With all of the off-season hype surrounding Tony Gonzalez coming to Atlanta (and all deserved I might add), veteran linebacker Mike Peterson seems to get lost in the shuffle but will prove to be a key off-season addition. This 11-year linebacker out of Florida has totaled 1000 career tackles which averages to about 91 a season. And from what all the Falcons players keep saying, Mike P is already a much needed leader on a young defense.

The Falcons lost 4 of their top 10 tacklers and plug up the middle expert Grady Jackson. But the biggest lost might be locker room leaders Keith Brooking and Lawyer Milloy. Mike Peterson seems to fill in the role of mentor for young talented LBs Curtis Lofton, Stephen Nicholas, and Coy Wire. Peterson also knows the philosophies of Mike Smith who was the Defensive Coordinator in Jacksonville from 2003-2007.

Mike Peterson also provides some swagger to this young inexperienced defense. He is known as a big trash talker while on the field. When asked in an interview with the AJC about talking trash Peterson said: “That’s my game, man. Michael Jordan is jawing when he dunks. Mike Peterson talks trash when he plays.” It’s going to be exciting to see this guy back up the talk. It will also be interesting to see if the Falcons D can play better than the 2008 edition.

Falcons News and Notes:

Starting cornerback Chris Houston missed practice Monday after suffering a hamstring strain against the Detroit Lions on Saturday. Mike Smith says the injury is not that serious.

First Round pick Peria Jerry finished the first preseason game with only 1 tackle. But Mike Smith says they are very happy with Jerry’s progress so far.

The 2008 version of the Atlanta Falcons was very different than what fans in Atlanta are used to. The Falcons 2008 campaign had plenty of story lines: How will rookie Head Coach, GM, and QB Matt Ryan turn out? Will giving Michael Turner #1 RB carries and money pay off? Can Roddy White be an elite receiver? Well the team won 11 games, made the playoffs, and the rookie Head Coach, GM, and Matty Ice took home some hardware! Also, Turner was second in the league in rushing yards and Roddy White 4th in receiving yards. The question in the ATL is:

What’s going to happen in 2009?

The NFL was buzzing about Matt Ryan last season and has not stopped yet. The offense looks to continue it’s development to help a young defense. The offense was definitely upgraded when the Falcons traded for future Hall of Fame TE Tony Gonzalez. It should be nice for Ryan to have a lethal red-zone option and a safety valve under pressure.

The Falcons will be young and hungry on defense but will need to replace veterans Keith Brooking and safety Lawyer Milloy. 2009 Draftees Defensive Tackle Peria Jerry and safety William Moore look to be ready to contribute this season.  Let’s not forget about rookies Lawrence Sidburyand Vance Walker on the defensive line. These two young lineman should add depth and give John Abraham some much needed rest.

The Falcons in 2009 will look to build on a playoff run last season but have a tough schedule ahead. The Falcons will match-up with the NFC and AFC East teams along with the always competitive NFC South in which they play. Just to highlight some tough games: Week 3 @ New England Patriots, Week 7 @ Dallas Cowboys, and Week 11 @ NY Giants. If that wasn’t tough enough of course we always play @ New Orleans, Carolina, and Tampa Bay. So with the schedule so tough what do fans expect?

I expect the Falcons to be just as good as last year if not better. Think about it, to be better they would have to win 12 or more games. With that schedule I think 10 or 11 wins is a good season. I think the Falcons can win 12 but it will be a struggle. I am going to predict 11-5 again. But this year they will win the NFC South and get a first round bye.

Needless to say Falcons football in Atlanta is back. This town is buzzing and is no longer the worst pro team in Atlanta. All the things this franchise has had to deal with, I would not think any team in the NFL could turn it around as fast.

So, let’s get ready for the 2009 season and DEFEND the DOME!!