From http://GamblersTelevision.com

Tony T here from Gamblers Television covering the NFL “Vegas Style” all season long.

The Atlanta Falcons finished the 2007 regular season with a 4-12 record. The team went through saga of Michael Vick and lost their starting quarterback to a prison sentence for dog fighting. Mike Smith comes over as head coach from Jacksonville where he served as the team’s defensive coordinator. Gone are veterans Warrick Dunn, Alge Crumpler and DeAngelo Hall who will have new homes in 2008. Oddsmakers have set the Atlanta Falcons projected win total for the 2008 regular season at 4 ½ wins.

Schedule:

The Falcons play in the NFC South and that means two games each with Tampa Bay, Carolina and New Orleans. The NFC South plays the NFC North and AFC West this season and that brings difficult road games at Green Bay, Minnesota and San Diego. As a last place team in the NFC South last season they must play the other two last place NFC teams and that means a road game at Philadelphia and a home game against St Louis.

Offense:

Matt Ryan was drafted #1 by Atlanta in this years draft and is battling Joey Harrington and Chris Redman for the starting role. As training camp began the club rotated quarterbacks in the #1 position. The Falcons spent big money on free agent running back Michael Turner who backed up LaDanian Tomlinson the past 4 seasons in San Diego. He is very good between the tackles and has speed to break the big one. The question remains whether or not he can be handle the amount of carries a starter in this league receives in a starting role. Jerious Norwood backs him up and has speed and this 1-2 tandem could do some damage this season. The Falcons are stocked with young and talented players in the wide receiver position with Michael Jenkins, Roddy White, Laurent Robinson and they drafted Harry Douglass out of Louisville. Who says Atlanta is short on talent. Gone is offensive line coach Mike Summers and the Falcons should be able to cut down on the sacks allowed and improve their ground game.

Defense:

Erik Coleman was signed over from the Jets and will start along side Lawyer Milloy in the safety position. The Falcons will need to replace nickel back Von Hutchins who was lost to a season ending foot injury. Grady Jackson and his 6′5″ 365 lb frame played for Mike Smith at Jacksonville for the last half of the 2007 season and signed with the team. This gives the Falcons the option of going to a 3-4 defense and he is better suited in the nose tackle position. Defensive end John Abraham is back and registered 10 sacks last season. The Falcons linebackers are young but are talented.

And now to my Selection:

It seems that the Falcons would be wise in bringing along Matt Ryan slowly and with Chris Redman on the roster he might be the better choice to start for now. With the offensive line retooling you want some experience in the quarterback position out of the gate. Redman completed nearly 60% of his passes last season and threw for 10 TD’s with 5 interceptions. With a soft schedule and their with talent surrounded by better coaching the Falcons will improve from last years mark and will get to at least 5 wins this season.

Play the Atlanta Falcons over 4 ½ wins for the 2008 season.

Selection: Play wins in 2008 Regular Season.

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The season is looking pretty grim for the Falcons. Shockley down, Joey Harrington at starting QB, Chris Redman as a backup, and I don’t even need to mention the situation Vick is in…

If you were the Falcons GM what would you do to resolve this cancer of a problem called the QB position?

Personally, I’d do a sign and trade and give the Raiders the rights to Mike Vick’s contract for JaMarcus Russell. You know Al Davis is game! We’d just have to play around the numbers to make the deal financially feasible.
yackyz - you underestimate Al Davis! He’d do it. I mean JaMarcus is going to sit out the entire year anyway. He’d gamble that Vick wouldn’t get banned from the NFL and be able to play.
Booty? I think they’d get Brian Bohm over Booty.
Rob Johnson? I’d rather take my chances with Joey Overhyped-Underachieve Harrington… Good answer though.
Daunte Culpepper. Yes; why the Falcons didn’t go after him after he was cut by the Dolphins ceases to amaze me…
Remember Al Davis, signed Aaron Brooks, Andrew Walters, need I continue?
David Garrard - Yes!
Billy Volek - Joey Harrington Jr. Kyle Boller - I’d take him over Harrington
Daunte Culpepper - Yes !
Chris Simms - why not? I’d take him
Kurt Warner - Yes !