Ask The Falcoholic!

Matt Ryan is definitely improved from a year ago, but I’m going to avoid predicting lofty heights for him until we get him in some regular season action. He’s still got happy feet in the pocket and he’s always going to need good pass protection to thrive, so the strength of the line will go a long way.

The rookie standouts so far have been sure-handed wide receiver Kerry Meier, defensive tackle Corey Peters and linebacker Sean Weatherspoon. Those guys all have a legitimate chance for playing time their rookie seasons. Safety Shann Schillinger (say that five times fast) had a nice pick on Friday, and cornerback Dominique Franks hits like a train.

Jerry looks good in camp, is gradually increasing his workload and is in line for a starting job. It would be safe to say we have high hopes for him this year, and he should be a big piece of the puzzle when it comes to our pass rush.

Tough to name a true top five off the top of my head, but I’ll name five that would at least be up there. Thin Red Line, Donnie Darko, Gladiator, Blade Runner and The Dark Knight.

He’s got a reputation as a great blocker, but it hasn’t been particularly well-deserved over the last couple of seasons. I know the Falcons would like to upgrade…he’s really, at best, an average #2.

I’d say our wide receivers against your young secondary would be a strength. I’d also offer up our front seven against your ground game. Obviously, I fear what Welker, Moss & Co. would do to our young secondary.

Turner’s recovered nicely, looks slimmed down and ready to make an impact this season. There’s even talk about integrating him into the passing game more, but I’ll believe that when I see it. He has like 23 career catches.

Looks healthy again now. We’re all hopeful he can return to form, because he’s got a very unique skillset as a speedy, agile back that we don’t have anywhere else on the team.

That game is a favorite of mine.

Their fullback, Ovie Mughelli, their TE, Keith Zinger, and their long snapper, Joe Zelenka. Seriously: who wouldn’t want to see Zelenka snapping to Zoltan Mesko? Or better yet, Zelenka snaps to Zoltan, who lobs it to Zinger? That’d automatically be the best gadget play, ever.

This is a team that still relies heavily on a strong ground game, and while Ryan is poised to break out some this year I don’t think he’s going to have the opportunity to air it out to that extent.

But hey, I’ve been wrong before.

:)