2009 Fantasy Football Draft Sheet
2009 Fantasy Football Draft Sheet
Fleaflicker NFL Fantasy Football

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Jun 22, 2010

2010 Team Preview - Atlanta Falcons

After a 2008 season that took the Atlanta Falcons from bottom dwellers of the league to playoff participants, 2009 seemed like it could be a dream year for Atlanta and its fans. After all, the team had a quarterback who was outstanding in his rookie season (Matt Ryan), a workhorse running back (Michael Turner), and a true number one wide receiver to make big plays (Roddy White). Add to the mix a future Hall of Fame tight end who catches anything near him (Tony Gonzalez) and the recipe looked like it was going to spell success.

However, things didn’t exactly pan out for the Falcons as originally imagined. Ryan had his up and downs, throwing for under 3,000 yards on the year (2,916) in 14 games. Turner was battered and bruised, totaling 871 yards in 11 games. While White put up average numbers (1,153 yards), Gonzalez struggling to make a huge impact in totaling 867 yards. Add that the defense had more bad games (six negative fantasy football weeks) than they did good (five double digit games) and you can see why the team wasn’t able to duplicate playoff success in going 9-7.


KEY ADDITIONS

Dunta Robinson (CB) – In a division where Drew Brees and the high powered New Orleans Saints offense resides, the Atlanta Falcons needed to beef up their pass defense in order to not get involved in any type of shootout. Enter Robinson, who spent his first six seasons in the NFL with the Houston Texans after being the 10th overall selection out of South Carolina. His production through the years has to make you wonder though how much of an impact Robinson will truly make. After six interceptions in his rookie season, Robinson only compiled seven picks over his next five years. It is questionable whether Robinson was worth the top dollar he was paid but Atlanta needed to fill a void at cornerback to help the team shutdown the Saints. If he is able to step in and play well (along with the rookies drafted this off-season), Atlanta may have a promising fantasy football defense considering they showed flashes of it in 2009.

 

KEY DEPARTURES

During the off-season the Falcons lost no significant players from the 2009 season. The only player to leave town that made some type of big play last season was Tye Hill, and outside of a interception for a touchdown he recorded just seven tackles in eight games.


ROOKIE TO WATCH

Sean Weatherspoon (LB) – With the Falcons already having Curtis Lofton as the middle linebacker in their defense, they needed speed and athleticism on the outside to make plays and add pressure. Weatherspoon adds all that and more, as his speed, strength, and range is what made him a middle of the first round draft choice this past April. His skills match perfectly with how the Falcons will try to use him. He should help with both the run and pass defense in adding the much needed depth Atlanta could have used a year ago.

Corey Peters (DT) – Not only will Peters be a big man in the middle, who fills the one gap in getting to the quarterback pretty quickly, but his addition is a complement to the Falcons getting Peria Jerry on the field for what the team hopes is a full season. Jerry missed all but one game in 2009 with a knee injury, a big reason why the Falcons struggled at times on defense. Therefore the team has essentially added two big guys in the middle and if the team can get Peters to play hard every down of every series when he is in the game, these guys could be a solid tandem for Atlanta to build its defense on.


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BRUNO BOYS SPOTLIGHT

Matt Ryan (QB) – While the off-season moves were focused on adding to a defense that had its ups and downs in 2009, it will be Ryan who ultimately will determine the success of the offense. There weren’t any changes to the Falcons offense from last year and only one addition (Gonzalez) in the last two seasons. The offense was not healthy a year ago, and that included the quarterback, who missed two games plus most of a third due to a turf toe injury. Many will view 2009 as a sophomore slump for Ryan and his success this year will be the key to how the players around him due in fantasy football circles. Atlanta is a run based team and it was evident in Ryan’s play how important his teammate Michael Turner is to his success. If the running game can produce the offense will open up, giving Ryan a better chance to put up consistent, solid numbers. 

Michael Turner (RB) – No pressure at all on this guy…right? While Ryan may be the leader of the offense, it is Turner who is the straw that stirs the drink. Last season he totaled 871 yards and 10 touchdowns in 11 games played. However when you look at those 11 games, three were rather short lived, as Turner combined for 22 carries in those three contests. In essence, a half season shows even with Ryan maturing and Tony Gonzalez added to the fold, Turner is still the main cog of the Atlanta offense. As long as Turner can stay healthy, there is no doubt he can amass roughly 1,500 yards and 15 touchdowns. 

Tony Gonzalez (TE) –Gonzalez didn’t have a bad season, as 83 receptions means the tight end was looked upon early and often. But when you look at his year as a whole, Gonzalez never had more than 89 yards in a game and only totaled six touchdowns. He wasn’t able to catch a pass and get downfield, perhaps a sign of age, or a picture of what happens to the offense when Turner goes down. There is no reason to shy away from the tight end in fantasy football circles in a good offense like the Falcons’, as the team needs him to be successful in the passing game. Gonzalez will open up the middle of the field and not only create chances for his teammates, but himself as well. There is no doubt Gonzalez can still be an impact fantasy tight end, and his abilities will be key to giving Ryan, Turner, White and company a chance to win on the field plus in the statistical columns.

Michael Jenkins (WR) – The former first round pick of 2004 has never quite lived up to the expectations Atlanta had when they drafted him out of Ohio State. Jenkins has never posted a 1,000 yard season (his best year was in 2008, 777 yards) and has only 18 touchdowns in six seasons as a pro. Roddy White is the teams true number one wide receiver, therefore Jenkins will only be asked to put up number two wide receiver statistics. If the Falcons want to be included in the upper echelon offenses in the NFL, the team needs to get Jenkins more involved. That means taking carries away from Turner though, which is really tough to imagine. In short, Jenkins either needs to make some big plays to warrant more passes thrown his way or he will once again not be a big factor in the offense or in fantasy football circles alike. Expect Jenkins to continue to put up average numbers, 700 yards with less than a handful of touchdowns. Those are the kind of numbers you as a fantasy football owner can pass on and take someone with a bit more upside.


2010 TEAM PREVIEWS

NFC WEST:  ARI  |  STL  |  SF  |  SEA

NFC SOUTH:  ATL  |  CAR  |  NO  |  TB

NFC NORTH:  CHI  |  DET  |  GB  |  MIN


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GET YOUR COMMISH KIT DRAFT BOARD NOW

The Bruno Boys have once again teamed up with Commish Kit to sell fantasy football draft boards. The 2010 draft boards are available for purchase and you can pick one up here… DRAFT BOARDS

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