Falcons Full
Posted in Bed Comforter Sets on 06/10/2005 04:08 pm by admin
Atlanta Falcons 2008 Season Preview
July marks the beginning of the Atlanta Falcons 2008 pre-season as training camp official starts on July 25 and runs until August 15th at the tea’s Flowery Branch headquarters. Once again the Falcons must start from scratch on what seems a constant rebuilding process. This year looks to be a better start with the hiring of former Jacksonville Jaguars defensive coordinator, Mike Smith and new general manager Thomas Dimitroff who arrives from the New England Patriots organization. On the offensive side of the ball, new offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey looks to install more of a smash mouth style offense centered around the running game while new defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder looks to run an attacking 4-3 defensive scheme featuring zone coverages and creative blitz packages.
On the offensive side of the ball newly drafted quarterback Matt Ryan will try to beat out last year holdovers Chris Redman and Joey Harrington for the starting quarterback job. Free agent acquisition running back Michael Turner will finally get his first shot as an NFL starter, and will look to share touches with the ever explosive Jerious Norwood. The offensive line looks to have a completely new look under the tutelage of line coach Paul Boudreau. Last years starting left tackle Wayne Gandy was released in the off-season and Sam Baker was drafted as the heir apparent replacement. The wide receiver group looks to use veteran Joe Horn, Roddy White and Michael Jenkins in a more controlled passing game and the tight ends will be used mostly to provide help in the running game first and foremost. The losses of long time Falcons Warrick Dunn and tight end Alge Crumpler will hamper the team in the early part of the season, but as the new breed of Falcon players are brought along, things should slowly improve.
On the defensive side of the ball, disgruntled cornerback DeAngelo Hall will be missed as he was traded to the Oakland Raiders in the off-season. This leaves the Falcons without a true shutdown corner in the secondary. Safety Chris Crocker is also gone and was replaced by Erik Coleman who should be a slight upgrade at free safety and cornerback Von Hutchins should compete for a starting job. The defensive line looks to be a little deeper in talent with the Falcons signing Rashad Moore and Simon Fraser in the off-season while defensive tackle Kindal Moorehead should contribute as well. Defensive tackle Rod Coleman was sent packing and will be missed after being considered a major health concern by the new brass. The linebacker outfit will miss versatile starter Demorrio Williams as he was lost in free agency and veteran middle linebacker Keith Brooking might be replaced at the starting spot by rookie linebacker Curtis Lofton, who the Falcons drafted in the second round. Lofton was a strong side linebacker for most of his college career at Oklahoma, but was shifted to middle linebacker spot late in his final season with the Sooners. Star linebacker Michael Boley rounds out probably the brightest positional group the Falcons have on defense and the linebacker core will be looked upon to control the defense.
The special teams look to be boosted by place kicker Jason Elam, who looks to finish his fine career closer to home. Punter Michael Koenen, who finished the 2007 season with a net punting average of 38.8 yards per kick returns this season. He punted 80 times in 2007 and placed 30 kicks inside the 20. Koenen continues to add versatility to the special teams group with the ability to handle kickoffs and long field goals if needed. Veteran long snapper Mike Schneck returns to the team as well in 2008. Wide receiver Adam Jennings was the primary punt returner from last season and received work at the position during mini camp along with running back Jerious Norwood and cornerback Brent Grimes. Norwood returns as the team’s leading kickoff return specialists, but new Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff expressed hope that rookie running back Thomas Brown could contribute in that role.
In closing it should be a refreshing rebuild process now that the Michael Vick, DeAngelo Hall and Bobby Petrino drama from last season is behind the Falcons franchise. The Falcons will do great to steal six wins in 2008 with four wins being more of a realistic goal. Head coach Mike Smith will use most of the 2008 season to form a core group of players he can build around and the development of first round pick Matt Ryan out to provide some ups and downs during the season. Ball control on offense and stopping the big play on defense will be the biggest challenges for the 2008 Falcons, but the franchise is definitely moving in the right direction and could compete for a wild card spot in the 2009 season.
About the Author
Dave Bryan owns and writes for his
Atlanta Falcons website
where you can find
Atlanta Falcons news
and
Atlanta Falcons jerseys
for sale.
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Ford Falcon AU Fairlane NU LTD DU Nolathane Full Bush Kit Front Rear P/NEVOFORD4 $777.51 |
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Falcon, Sprint, Futura, Ranchero, Wagon Sedan, Full front clip Nice No reserve $499.99 |
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2004-2009 Mazda Mazda 3 Falcon DURAFLEX Full Body Kit!!! $627.00 |
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04-09 Mazda Mazda 3 Falcon DURAFLEX Full Body Kit!!! $792.00 |
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Ford Falcon EA EB ED 1987 1994 Nolathane Full Bush Kit Front Rear P/N EVOFORD2 $612.30 |
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Hooker Super Comp Headers Full-Length Silver Ceramic Coated 1 5/8″ Primaries $708.90 |
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4 TIX Washington Redskins v Atlanta Falcons 10/7 224 Row 15 Full View FedEx $572.00 |
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Matt Ryan Signed Atlanta Falcons Full Size Helmet JSA $544.99 |
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Matt Ryan Signed Atlanta Falcons Full Size Helmet JSA $544.99 |
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2004-2007 Scion XA 4dr Falcon VIS Full Body Kit $558.45 |
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AIT LEXUS IS300 2000-2006 FALCON FULL BODY KIT $342.00 |
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LEXUS 2000-2006 IS300 FALCON AIT FULL BODY KIT $340.00 |
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00 01 02 03 04 05 LEXUS IS300 FALCON FULL BODY KIT $240.00 |
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Hooker Competition Headers Full-Length Polished 1 5/8″ Primaries 6901-2HKR $498.40 |
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Falcon (Doromatic) SC81 Rw/PA Full Cover Alum Door Closer – 6 Closers @ 80.00 $480.00 |
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00 01 02 03 04 05 LEXUS IS300 FALCON STYLE FULL BODY KIT $225.00 |
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NEW FORD FALCON AU FAIRMONT FUTURA 6CYL 4.0L 1998-02 FUEL PUMP TANK FULL MODULE $348.91 |
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Hooker Super Competition Headers Full-Length Painted 1 5/8″ Primaries 6102HKR $462.90 |
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Michael Vick Autographed Falcons Full Size Helmet $395.00 |
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Hooker Competition Headers Full-Length Silver Ceramic Coated 1 5/8″ Primaries $402.40 |
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Hedman Street Hedders Full-Length Silver Ceramic Coated 1 5/8″ Primaries 88306 $395.95 |
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MATT RYAN signed FALCONS Full Size Helmet auto 2008 ROY $379.00 |
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14 KT SOLID GOLD DIAMOND CUT FULL BODY FLYING EAGLE / HAWK FALCON CHARM PENDANT $375.00 |
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Matt Ryan Falcons Signed Full Size Red Helmet PSA/DNA $350.00 |
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Matt Ryan Falcons Signed Full Size Black Helmet PSA/DNA $350.00 |
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Super Bowl 33 XXXIII FULL TICKET PSA 8 Denver Broncos Elway’s Last Game! Falcons $349.99 |
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Super Bowl 33 TICKET Full XXXIII Broncos Falcons PSA 9 MVP John Elway (Last Gm) $349.00 |
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Hedman Elite Hedders Full-Length Thermal Coated 1 5/8″ Primaries 88308 $329.95 |
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ATL FALCONS 98 SUPERBOWL~FULL TEAM~37 AUTOS~SUPER SALE~70% OFF!!~AWESOME ITEM!!! $314.99 |
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Patriot Full-Length Headers Silver Ceramic Coated 1 5/8″ Primaries H8403-1 $320.90 |
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MATT RYAN SIGNED AUTOGRAPHED FULL SIZE HELMET FALCONS $299.00 |
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Riddell Atlanta Falcons Revolution Speed Full-Size Authentic Football Helmet $299.95 |
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Atlanta Falcons JULIO JONES Signed Full Size Helmet JSA $279.99 |
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Hedman Street Hedders Full-Length Painted 1 1/2 – 1 5/8″ Primaries 88304 $289.95 |
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Atlanta Falcons Full Size Sideline Bedroom Set $279.95 |
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Flowtech Headers Full-Length Silver Ceramic Coated 1 1/2″ Primaries 32100FLT $282.90 |
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FALCONS MATT RYAN AUTHENTIC SIGNED FULL SIZE REP HELMET JSA W164218 & PSA Q11037 $279.99 |
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FALCONS MATT RYAN AUTHENTIC SIGNED FULL SIZE REP HELMET JSA F32492 & PSA #S33032 $279.99 |
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Riddell Atlanta Falcons Black Revolution Authentic Full-Size Helmet $269.95 |
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Atlanta Falcons Full Size Locker Room Bedroom Set $269.95 |
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Matt Ryan SIGNED Atlanta Falcons Full Size Football Helmet PSA/DNA Photo PROOF $249.99 |
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Atlanta Falcons 12 pc Full Locker Room Comforter Set $239.95 |
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Atlanta Falcons 12 pc Full Comforter Set $239.95 |
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ATLANTA FALCONS TEAM SIGNED FULL SIZED HELMET (W/ PROOF!) $249.99 |
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2 TIX Washington Redskins v Atlanta Falcons 10/7 220 Row 15 Full View FedEx $266.00 |
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2 TIX Washington Redskins v Atlanta Falcons 10/7 221 Row 15 Full View FedEx $266.00 |
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MATT RYAN AUTOGRAPHED/SIGNED ATLANTA FALCONS THROWBACK FULL SIZE HELMET W/JSA $249.99 |
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NFL ATLANTA FALCONS “MVP” (9) Piece Comforter Bed Set! $233.78 |
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NFL ATLANTA FALCONS “MVP” (9) Piece Comforter Bed Set! $233.78 |
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Super Bowl 33 XXXIII FULL UNUSED TICKET Denver Broncos Elways Last Game! Falcons $249.99 |