NFL: The Atlanta Falcons Will Need ‘D’ in Order to Compete in the South

Within two years, the Atlanta Falcons went from one of the elite teams in the NFC to a .500 ball club unable to stop anyone. In 2005, Georgia’s favorite birds finished the season with a disappointing 8-8 record. The biggest problem in 2005 for the Falcons, was the lack of defense. Atlanta ranked 22nd overall in defense last year; not the worst, but definitely not good either. In the off-season, the Falcons front office brought in John Abraham from the New York Jets and Lawyer Malloy from the Buffalo Bills. They hope both players can make an immediate impact on a team that ranked 26th in the NFL against the run.

OFFENSE

Point blank, Michael Vick is still one of the most dangerous players in the NFL. Yes, he had an up-and-down year in 2005. The biggest reason was due to a nagging knee injury that he sustained in the beginning of the year. Falcon fans can expect Vick to be ready to rock this season. In case of some freak injury that Vick is prone to get due to playing style, the Falcons will have Matt Schaub ready to step in and keep the offense rolling.

Thirty-one year old running back was the biggest reason the Falcons led the league in rushing last season with 2546 yards. Atlanta went out and drafted the six-foot 200 pound Jerious Norwood from Mississippi State will take T.J Ducketts spot as the primary back-up to Dunn. Duckett was recently involved in a three-team trade that saw him go to Washington. Another reason for the Falcons awesome running game is the strength of the offensive line. The O-line is pretty much intact from last season. Kevin Shaffer is the only one to jump ship from Atlanta and head to Cleveland.

The wide receivers were the biggest problem for the Falcons last year. The big and strong tight end Alge Crumpler led the team in receptions with 65 grabs. Second year receiver Roddy White hopes to stay healthy and contribute to the passing game in 2006. Brian Finneran is still a good option as well. In 2005, he caught 50 passes from Michael Vick, but only scored twice. The Ashley Lelie, from the Denver Broncos, will add depth to the position and give Michael Vick more options in the passing game.

DEFENSE

The defensive line will simply be better with the addition of pro bowl pass rusher John Abraham. The line better be good; Atlanta gave up a first round pick in the 2005 draft to get Abraham. The linebacker corps is stacked with a total of nine players capable of playing. Keith Brooking, Edgerton Hartwell, and Michael Boley will most likely be the starters when the season begins. The Falcons can also depend on Ike Reese to step in as a reserve.

In the secondary, cornerback DeAngelo Hall is becoming a true ‘shut down’ corner in the NFL. He led the Falcons in interceptions with six and earned a trip to Hawaii for the pro-bowl. He will be joined by Lawyer Malloy (formerly of the Buffalo Bills), an elite safety that should make it very difficult for opposing teams to pass on the Falcons in 2006.

A LOOK AT THE 2006 SCHEDULE

Tough games for the Atlanta Falcons include match-ups against the Giants, Steelers, Bengals, Redskins, Cowboys, and the entire NFC south division. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Carolina Panthers are the two teams that Atlanta will really need to worry about within the division. Securing a spot in the NFC playoffs will mean they must knock one of the two teams off in 2006.