For the Atlanta Falcons, the season was pretty much over before it began. With all the controversy surrounding the Michael Vick dog fighting trial, the Falcons decided it would be better if he sat out the season and everything started going downhill from there. Atlanta signed quarterbacks Joey Harrington, a cast off from the Detroit Lions and Miami Dolphins, Byron Leftwich, a Jacksonville Jaguars flash in the pan, and Chris Redman, a never-was formerly from the Baltimore Ravens. Harrington started the season for the Falcons, Leftwich got some playing time and then Redman finished the season. From a numbers standpoint, none of them consistently got the job done, but it was Redman who finished the season with 10 touchdown passes over the seasons final five weeks.. Still, the offense was a mess. The only bright spot in the offense was the emergence of Roddy White, who caught 83 passes for 1,202 yards and six touchdowns. However, Michael Jenkins continued to under perform, Warrick Dunn averaged just 3.2 yards a carry and Alge Crumpler had his worst season since 2002, which was just his second year in the league. The only highlight from a fantasy football perspective was White’s breakout year, unless you were one of the few people to pick up and start Redman in his five starts.
In an attempt to turn around a sinking franchise, the Falcons signed uber backup running back Michael Turner, solidfied their kicking game by grabbing Jason Elam and with the 3rd overall pick in the 2008 draft, selected quarterback Matt Ryan. But, the question remains can they right this ship after the Vick debacle of 2007?
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Key Departures
Warrick Dunn (RB) — Dunn’s issues mostly arise from his age. Dunn has now played 11 seasons as a running back, which is about four times the league average for his position. Simply put, his body simply cannot operate at the high level that he used but the fact that he played as long as he did and as well as he did is a testament to his skill and hard work. Dunn has signed as a free agent with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers where he will slide into a part-time role.
Alge Crumpler (TE) — It’s no big secret that Crumpler, who was Vick’s favorite target, struggled without the aforementioned quarterback under center. By tight end standards, Crumpler still had a decent year but it’s not what everybody has come to expect out of him. Crumpler has left Atlanta, signing a free agent contract with the Tennessee Titans.
DeAngelo Hall (CB) — The majority of leagues don’t use IDPs, but Hall did have an impact on the Falcons defense and the departure of him to the Oakland Raiders will only make things worse for a unit that was already bad. The defense is simply in a rebuilding stage and should not be considered a fantasy football option for the upcoming season.
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Key Additions
Michael Turner (RB) — The Falcons decided to go young, ditching the veteran Dunn and signing Michael Turner to a reported six-year, $34.5 million contract. The deal is a good one for the Falcons because it will allow them to utilize two quality backs that haven't been full time starters since college. Unfortunately, it also means less stats which means less return for the fantasy football owners. The good news is that the two backs will complement each other well, with Turner serving as the power back and Jerius Norwood as the speed back.
In case you don't know much about Turner, here are the facts. During his career with the San Diego Chargers, he gained 1,257 yards on 228 carries and had six touchdowns. He has averaged 5.5 yards per carry over his career and his best season came in 2006, when he gained 502 yards and two touchdowns on just 80 carries.
Jason Elam (K) — It’s sad when outside of Turner, your only key addition is a place kicker but that’s the state of the Falcons right now. Elam comes from the Denver Broncos, where he was one of the top kickers from a fantasy football perspective for just about a decade. Unfortunately, he now goes to a team where offense will be a major concern next year. This could mean more field goal chances as drives stall, but it also means fewer red zone opportunities and fewer extra-point opportunities. Still, us Bruno Boys Fantasy Football staff members feel Elan is worthy of owning in your league, on pure consistency.
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2008 Bruno Boys Crystal Ball
Joey Harrington/Chris Redman (QB) — With the Falcons drafting Ryan, one would think that both Harrington and Redman will have limited chances in Atlanta. New Falcons coach Mike Smith has called it a wide open race at the quarterback position, but even if Redman or Harrington win the job, you can expect Ryan under helm no later than week 7. Regardless, neither quarterback should be on your fantasy football team this season. However, watching Redman shred defenses during the last 5 weeks of the 2007 season, was intriguing. If your wise, you would stay clear of both, unless you are in a league that has 16 owners and starts two quarterbacks.
Jerious Norwood (RB) — With the addition of free agent Turner, formerly lost in the shadow of LaDainian Tomlinson, Norwood will again be in a part time role though this time he should approach 150 carries. Neither Norwood nor Turner have been a full time starter since college so this set up should work well for the Falcons. Unfortunately, it kills fantasy football teams. Expect Norwood to approach 700-800 yards and reach the end zone four or five times.
Michael Turner (RB) — Turner has flashed his ability in short but spectacular burst playing behind Tomlinson the last few seasons in San Diego. Turner has what Norwood doesn’t in that he’s a robust 237 lbs. Norwood checks in just a shade over 200. While both backs have big play ability, Turner will become the horse of the group, so you can expect his yards per carry to drop a bit from his average. Still Turner will be playing his home games on turf now and should reach 1,000 yards and six or seven touchdowns.
Roddy White (WR) — Poor Roddy White. The guy has a breakout season on a team that used three washed-up quarterbacks and now he loses the second-best receiving target in Crumpler. With teams preparing to focus almost exclusively on White, the Falcons might have to get creative with his route running to fend off double teams.. Still, White will be able to post solid fantasy football numbers, but don’t expect much more than what he did in 2007.
Michael Jenkins (WR) — For a guy who was known for his hands and route-running in college, Jenkins has shown none of that since entering the NFL. Sometimes it looks as if he’s really not even trying. At this point, it’s pretty simple what to expect from Jenkins and that would be about 50 receptions, 500-500 receiving yards and four or five touchdowns. The Bruno Boys consider Jenkins a 3rd receiver at best in 12-14 team leagues, and should only be considered when the Falcons face a poor pass defense.
Ben Hartsock (TE) — Uhh…who? That’s right, it’s Ben Hartsock, formerly of the Indianapolis Colts and Tennessee Titans. The Falcons not only lost Crumpler to free agency, they also lost their next two tight ends after Crumpler. Hartsock is good pass catcher, but has been mostly used as a blocking tight end since high school. Being put in a full time role will boost his numbers and should make him a good sleeper candidate at the position. However, since he hasn’t been a starter since he was at Ohio State, it could take some time for him to fully adjust. Expect about 35 receptions, 400 receiving yards and three or four touchdowns.
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Rookies to Watch
Matt Ryan (QB) — For the Falcons, it all starts with former Boston College standout Ryan. Unfortunately, that’s probably where it ends too as in years past rookie quarterbacks just haven't got it done enough to warrant fantasy football consideration. A leader with good poise and a good arm, Ryan has everything a franchise would look for in a quarterback. The one negative against Ryan in college was his completion percentage. He went from 62.1 percent his sophomore to 61.6 as a junior to 59.3 as a senior. That’s not a trend you like to see.
Barring injury, Bruno Boys Fantasy Football thinks Ryan should be the starter from day one. But with most coaches being reluctant to throw their prized possession in the fire immediately, Ryan might sit and learn for the first 5-6 weeks of the season. Whenever his time has come in Atlanta, Ryan will likely not be a fantasy-relevant quarterback until 2009.
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Other Team Capsules
NFC WEST - ARI I STL I SF I SEA
NFC SOUTH - ATL I CAR I NO I TB
NFC NORTH - CHI I DET I GB I MIN
NFC EAST - DAL I NYG I PHI I WAS
AFC WEST - DEN I KC I OAK I SD
AFC SOUTH - HOU I IND I JAX I TEN
AFC NORTH - BAL I CIN I CLE I PIT
AFC EAST - BUF I MIA I NE I NYJ