Are the Falcons possible Dark Horses?

Looking at the roster it can be quite evident that there is no conceivable way that the Falcons can win any more than 4 games this season alone. But is their room for optimism for any falcon fan? I'd like to think so.

There are some factors to be considered when looking at any serious run by the Falcons.

1. Offensive and Defensive lines stabilities.
2. Rookie performance among the team
3. Turnovers, Turnovers, Turnovers
4. Fans 

Offensive and Defensive Lines

When looking at both the Offensive and Defensive Lines of the Falcons one must look directly at the individuals of starters and back-ups and then how they will work as a unit.

LT-Sam Baker (R); Sam Baker is a Rookie from SC who blocked for Matt Liernet at Cal. Despite being critized for his so called "Small Arms" Sam has developed a knack for being a hard worker and has showed some ups and downs this preseason. Sam's performance hinders on the offensive line as a whole, if his team-mates play well he will step up to the task. An example of this would be Joe Thomas. Okay so their not quite the same player however Joe proved that if the line is working together as one well then individual performance can only succeed. A lot of the lines success rests on Sam's shoulders.

LG-Justin Blalock (1); Justin's success involved tough times of ups and downs like any rookie would. He really needs to step up this year and really show that there is no weakness on his left side of the line.

C-Todd McClure (10); Todd McClure has been an unsung player on the Falcons roster for so many Years. He has moved systems reguarly and has played with numerous linemen. He is the hinge, if he can bring together the line and lead by example then the line may, just may give RB Turner and QB Ryan the success they can achieve.

RG-Kynan Forney (8); Forney was a 7th Round pick back in 2001 and has started on the Falcons offensive line since an 8 game starting campeign in 2001. He was an alternate to the Pro-Bowl in 2005 and is a key in the running of the Football. This is where most analysts don't understand that there is experience on the Falcons Offensive line just not on the left side.

RT- Todd Weiner (11) /Tyson Clabo (3); If Todd Weiner starts then the line has experience, if Clabo starts there is potential to have a Right sided Tackle for many more years. Clabo has played extremly well particuarly Run Blocking.

Offensive Line Summary: To sum up the falcons Offensive line hinges on whether the Right Side can get the Left side to work as one which I believe it can with its balance of Youth and Experience, this line is not what it seems.

LE Jamal Anderson (1); Well, Jamal did not register one sack last year in his rookie year and I believe that the strongest critic is himself. He has worked extremly hard it seems to finally adjust to the NFL and make an impact by finally prooving critics that he can make the adjustment. There is potential bust written on his image and with no one other than Kroy Bierman to rotate him it will again be a difficult year. 

Is this man a potential bust?

DT Jonathan Babineaux (3); Jon has been over the past 3 years with these sack numbers, 3 (2007), 1 (2006) & 0.5 (2005). This is probably his break-out year with teams focusing on the big man Grady Jackson and containing John Abraham, Babineaux has a chance to step up, and I believe he can. This is his time and the former 2nd Round pick has his time in 2008.

DT Grady Jackson (11); A big body fills up the hole, enough said right?

RE John Abraham (8); John Abraham has been undervalued by nearly all analysts on ESPN and NFL.com and the like saying he did not prove to be a force last season. However if you asked the 10 Quaterbacks who were sacked by him they beg to differ. In 2006 Abraham registered 4 Sacks and 4 Forced Fumbles before getting injured. Abraham's issue is whether or not he stays injury free. If he is healthy like last year, defenses have an extremly tough time containing him.

Defensive Line Back-ups; Kindal Moorehead DT (5), Chauncy Davis DE (3)

Rookie Performance Among the team

This is crucial because there are 4 potential Rookie starters in QB Matt Ryan, OT Sam Baker, CB Chevis Jackson and LB Curtis Lofton. The obvious glaring Rookie performance is Matt Ryan and his performance hinders as well on his backside protector Rookie Sam Baker. So Offensivly there is a lot riding on those two guys. Even if Sam Baker plays very well Matt Ryan's performance is not asured as the quick pace of the NFL is a hard adjustment. Something however going in Ryan's favour is his age. He is 24 and worked under a Pro type offense at Boston College despite this positive it wont compensate for quick Defensive linemen and athletic LB's and secondary's who train to catch the football. On the Defensive side Curtis Lofton probably has an easier transition of all the rookies as he stands between two of the best LB's in the business, Keith Brooking and Michael Boley. Chevis Jackson may not be starting right away but with 3 Wide Receiver sets common-place in the NFL Jackson needs to hold his own because #3 Wide Receivers are still versitile slot receivers.

The protector of our beloved King.

Turnovers, Turnovers, Turnovers

For the Falcons to succeed the Turnover ratio must be in the + category. Not only does it look good when you go on the road but it peps up the younger guys as well as giving the old timers something to get worked up about. This Falcons team needs to limit turnovers and produce them defensivly, because once the defense grabs the ball back it gets everyone excited and that is what this team needs most of all, some excitment. It gets the defensive lines itching to add to it by sacking the QB as well as getting the Wide Receivers to run precise routes and go for "uncatchable balls" that will be thrown a lot by Ryan in his first season. If Ryan can be cautious and rather than force anything dump it to a check-down back then things will only fall into place.

Fans

Rather than shy away and give up before the season has started get to the dome and sell it out and make as much noise as possible. Dont forget the Vick Era, learn from it because we must support the team. Espn.com has us ranked 30th in the NFL in terms of Fans and Fanbase and so it needs to be proved that we can rally around our team and give it our loudest and make it as difficult as possible for teams coming into the dome not to marvel at how empty it has been but at how full and loud and crazy it is. Remember 2004 when opposing teams had the most False-Starts in the NFL? I do and it was something to be proud of. At the end of the day its up to us because our patience in this team in both the short and long term ultimately affects the Falcons Organisation.

Grayson