| |  | Atlanta Falcons
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OutlookThe 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. |
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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. |
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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 23, 03:12 PM |
Atlanta Falcons LB Stephen Nicholas (hernia) and LB Sean Weatherspoon (knee) will not be able to participate in organized team activities next week because they are recovering from offseason surgeries. Both are expected to take part in OTAs in June and will be ready for the team's minicamp. | | 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 |
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 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 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. |
Offseason Keys|
RB Steven Jackson, DL Osi Umenyiora.
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QB Luke McCown,
RB Michael Turner,
WR Kerry Meier,
OT Tyson Clabo,
OT Will Svitek,
DL John Abraham,
LB Mike Peterson,
CB Dominique Franks,
CB Brent Grimes,
CB Dunta Robinson.
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2012 Schedule
| 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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