Team Grade:
Atlanta Falcons
Quarterbacks: Running Backs:
Wide Receivers: Tight Ends:
Defense: Kickers:

Outlook

The Falcons didn't quite reach their potential last season but still finished 10-6 and were among the best in the NFC. Expect more of the same this year. The offense is as good as any in the game but their defense is the key to their season. If the secondary can make some strides and the pass rush get more pressure, the Falcons might be the representative for the NFC in the Super Bowl.

FANTASY BREAKOUT

Julio Jones, WR. Some might consider last season a breakout rookie year for Jones, but we think he can do even better. Jones can get 1,000 yards and double-digit scores in this offense. He is an exciting talent with a really bright future. It wouldn't surprise to see him be a top-10 fantasy receiver this season.

FANTASY DUD

Michael Turner, RB. The guy seems to keep chugging along but you have to think Turner will hit the wall sooner than later. And this could be the year that happens. Turner turned the magical age of 30 this offseason, which normally spells the beginning of the end for running backs. And Turner has gotten a ton of work with the Falcons, having 300-plus carries three of the last four seasons. He might not have started early in his career but his huge workload the last few seasons is a concern going forward. It would be a surprise to see Turner keep playing at his usual high level in 2012.

Team Notes

May 19, 01:32 PM The New England Patriots may not show interest in free-agent DE John Abraham (Falcons) if he is looking for a deal similar to the two-year, $8.75 million deal San Diego Chargers DE Dwight Freeney received.
May 17, 03:12 PM Atlanta Falcons manager Mike Smith said OT Mike P. Johnson will compete with OT Garrett Reynolds for the starting right guard job and with OT Lamar Holmes for the starting right tackle job during training camp.
May 17, 03:12 PM Atlanta Falcons manager Mike Smith said C Peter Konz and C Joe Hawley will compete for the starting center job during offseason workouts and training camp.
May 17, 03:02 PM Atlanta Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff said the team is confident that they will be able to sign QB Matt Ryan to a contract extension but there is no timetable to get one done.
May 09, 03:22 PM Atlanta Falcons DE Osi Umenyiora could receive around 85 percent of the snaps at right defensive end this season, which is more than he has played over the last few seasons.
May 09, 03:22 PM The Atlanta Falcons could consider using DE Kroy Biermann as more of an outside linebacker especially when the team lines up in a 3-4 defensive alignment.
May 09, 03:22 PM Atlanta Falcons DEs Cliff Matthews, Jonathan Massaquoi, Malliciah Goodman and Stansly Maponga could all be candidates to start at left defensive end this season.
May 08, 02:23 PM Atlanta Falcons OT Lamar Holmes is believed to be the leading candidate for the starting right tackle job this season.
May 08, 02:13 PM Atlanta Falcons C Peter Konz will be the starting center this season. Konz played guard last season.
May 07, 08:43 PM Atlanta Falcons S Kemal Ishmael, the team's seventh-round draft pick, will compete with Ss Charles Mitchell and Shann Schillinger for snaps behind Ss Thomas DeCoud and William Moore this year. Ishmael had three interceptions, four pass breakups and one sack at Central Florida.
May 06, 10:23 PM Free-agent DE John Abraham could make another visit if he can not reach an agreement with one of the teams he has already visited. Abraham has visited the Tennessee Titans, New England Patriots, Denver Broncos, Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers.
May 06, 10:03 PM The Atlanta Falcons made a push to re-sign DE John Abraham, but Abraham informed the team that he would not return.
May 06, 05:03 PM The Tennessee Titans are interested in free-agent DE John Abraham (Falcons) but no deal is imminent at this point.
May 02, 11:13 AM Free-agent DE John Abraham (Falcons) is visiting the Tennessee Titans Thursday, May 2, and Friday, May 3.
May 02, 11:13 AM Atlanta Falcons QB Matt Ryan reportedly could sign a contract extension by the start of training camp. The Falcons want to retain Ryan for the long term and he wants to stay in Atlanta. The parameters are in place for a potential Ryan extension after Green Bay Packers QB Aaron Rodgers and Baltimore Ravens QB Joe Flacco both inked new deals.
Apr 30, 08:53 PM The New England Patriots could potentially be interested in free-agent DL John Abraham (Falcons). Head coach Bill Belichick has a penchant for adding veteran edge players who can add situational help, and the team is always in the hunt to add more.

Offseason Keys

Additions:
Asante Samuel, CB. 

Losses:
Kelvin Hayden, CB; Curtis Lofton, LB; James Sanders, S; Eric Weems, WR. 

2012 Draft Class

RoundPickPlayerPos
 # 2  23 Peter KonzOL
 # 3  28 Lamar HolmesOL
 # 5  22 Bradie EwingRB
 # 5  29 Jonathan MassaquoiDL
 # 6  22 Charles MitchellDB
 # 7  42 Travian RobertsonDL
 Undrafted Dominique DavisQB

2012 Schedule

WeekDateTimeOpponent
1     Sep 8 1:00PM     at New Orleans
2     Sep 15 1:00PM     St Louis
3     Sep 22 4:05PM     at Miami
4     Sep 29 8:30PM     New England
5     Oct 7 8:40PM     New York Jets
-- Week 6 Bye --
7     Oct 20 1:00PM     Tampa Bay
8     Oct 27 4:25PM     at Arizona
9     Nov 3 1:00PM     at Carolina
10     Nov 10 1:00PM     Seattle
11     Nov 17 1:00PM     at Tampa Bay
12     Nov 21 8:25PM     New Orleans
13     Dec 1 4:05PM     at Buffalo
14     Dec 8 8:30PM     at Green Bay
15     Dec 15 1:00PM     Washington
16     Dec 23 8:40PM     at San Francisco
17     Dec 29 1:00PM     Carolina
-- Week 18 Bye --
19     Jan 12 1:00PM     Seattle
20     Jan 19 3:00PM     San Francisco
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