2008 Team Preview: Atlanta Falcons – NFC South

2007 Record (4-12)
Key Losses: Warrick Dunn (RB), Alge Crumpler (TE), Demorrio Williams (LB), DeAngelo Hall (CB), Chris Crocker (FS)
Key Additions: Von Hutchins (CB), Jason Elam (K)

When perhaps your biggest splash was Jason Elam you could be in trouble. The good news for the Falcons is that things really can’t get worse than last year – can they? Sometimes I wonder how they won 4 games in 2007. The Falcons really couldn’t pass on Matt Ryan (QB) when he was available but I’m not high on Matt Ryan as a franchise QB so along with Falcon fans I’m not too excited about a quick fix at QB. I actually liked their other first round pick of Sam Baker better – even an average offensive lineman has more long term value than a bust at QB and NFL QBs are much tougher to find.

The Falcons will be a young team and will struggle in 2008. I’ll need solid value to be too excited about picking the Falcons to cover even generous spreads early on with a tough schedule ahead.

Predicted 2008-09 Record: 3-13