2007 Atlanta Falcons Predictions & Season Preview


June 5, 2008 | Posted By Larry Cook

In making our 2007 Falcons predictions we took a lot of things into consideration. There have been a lot of problems for Atlanta in this off-season with the first being the firing of Jim Mora and the hiring of Bobby Petrino. Why anyone would think hiring a college coach to perform in the NFL right now is beyond us with the amount of failure these guys have had in the past few years. Mora might have been having trouble getting the Falcons to the next level, but he was an excellent coach with a track record in the NFL. The other problem we see is with Michael Vick and his off-field issues. He is under investigation for the whole dog-fighting deal and all sources indicate he was heavily invovled. The defense took a pair of hits too when starting outside linebacker Demorrio Williams suffered torn pectoral muscles when lifting weights and Rod Coleman ruptured his right quad in a jet-skiing accident.

Petrino thinks he has a plan to better utilize Vick at the quarterback position. He is going to be asked to be more of a leader, with the authority to make audibles at the line of scrimmage and there are going to be more seven step drops in order to allow Vick to use his strong arm in getting the ball down the field. However, we think he’s a little over-rated and won’t be able to take this team to the next level. Look for Jerious Norwood to get more time in at running back this year as Warrick Dunn is getting up there in age and has been wearing down in the second halves of the past couple seasons. Receiver has been a significant problem for Atlanta in recent years, and the team went out and addressed the problem by signing Joe Horn in the off-season. The problem is Horn is now 35 and is at the end of his career. The other guys at wide out are Michael Jenkins and Roddy White. both of these guys were first round draft picks who haven’t been playing up to their potential. Alge Crumpler is Vick’s favorite target and he’s the biggest. Petrino wants to get Crumpler even more invovled, which can’t really be a bad thing at all.

Defensively injuries have taken a tole on the front four, with Coleman most likely missing the beginning of the season and Abraham struggling to stay healthy. The team draft Jamaal Anderson from Arkansas and he’s a monster who is expected to rush the passer and be a force against the run. At linebacker rookie Stephen Nicholas will most likely be forced to start with the injury to Williams. Michael Boley has Pro Bowl talent and Keith Brooking has been a solid linebacker for the team. The secondary will be alright with Pro Bowler DeAngelo Hall at corner, Lawyer Milloy being a big tackler at safety. Jimmy Williams is moving to safety, and rookie Chris Houston will most likely get picked on at the other corner spot.

The Falcons should be an interesting team to watch this year. Personally we are not all that big on the team in terms of making the playoffs, or contending for a Super Bowl. However, Petrino seems to be working pretty hard to get the team on the right track. Vick is going to have to work his tail off to prove himself, and the defense should improve. I’m predicted 8 wins which would give us the OVER for a small wager.

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