Atlanta Falcons 2009 Season Preview: Calling for an Encore

Training camps have wrapped up, the NFL season is right around the corner, and it's still hot as sin outside. But instead of cooling you off with a warm island song, FanHouse break out ye old heat check for our 2009 NFL Season Previews. We'll rate each club in 5 categories on a scale of 1 to 10, high score wins.

Atlanta's sudden rise to prominence in 2008 began rather suddenly when rookie Matt Ryan, on the first pass of his career, threw for a touchdown against the Lions. There were some bumps along the way, but no one could have envisioned the improvement the Falcons would make in Ryan's first season -- a wild-card berth and 11-5 record -- or just how poised and collected Ryan would play. Atlanta will have to repeat its 2008 show without the benefit of sneaking up on teams in 2009. A scary thought for the NFC South is the Falcons could be even better.

Offense: What's not to like? The young gunslinger, Matty Ice, was a revelation in his first pro season. Behind him, running back Michael Turner took advantage of his initial shot as a No. 1 back to the tune of 1,699 yards rushing and 17 touchdowns. Michael Jenkins and Roddy White -- plus backups Marty Booker and Brian Finneran -- should be steady, if not downright dominant. And the biggest addition Atlanta made in the offseason was bringing in tight end Tony Gonzalez from Kansas City, giving Ryan access to one of the greatest players at that position of all time. The offensive line made incredible strides in 2008, cutting its sack totals from 47 in 2007 to just 17, an eye-popping improvement. It's possible there's a bit of regression there this season. Atlanta also has to pray hard that Ryan stays healthy; the Falcons backup options of Chris Redman and John Parker Wilson aren't comforting. Heat Index: 9

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Atlanta Falcons Photos

ATLANTA - SEPTEMBER 03: A cheerleader of the Atlanta Falcons performs during the preseason game against the Baltimore Raves at Georgia Dome on September 3, 2009 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

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Atlanta Falcons Photos

ATLANTA - SEPTEMBER 03: Quarterback Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons calls the offense in the huddle against the Baltimore Raves at Georgia Dome on September 3, 2009 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Matt Ryan

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ATLANTA - SEPTEMBER 03: Head coach John Harbaugh of the Baltimore Raves looks on against the Atlanta Falcons at Georgia Dome on September 3, 2009 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** John Harbaugh

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Baltimore Ravens kicker Steven Hauschka (6) attempts a field goal in the fourth quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia, Thursday, September 3, 2009. The Ravens defeated the Falcons, 20-3. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun/MCT)

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Ravens wide receiver Demetrius Williams (87) leaps for a catch at the 6 yard line for a first down and goal during the first quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia, Thursday, September 3, 2009. The Ravens defeated the Falcons, 20-3. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun/MCT)

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Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh screams, left, as he watches Ravens wide receiver Justin Harper (14) miss a wide open catch in the second quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia, Thursday, September 3, 2009. The Ravens defeated the Falcons, 20-3. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun/MCT)

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Baltimore Ravens running back Cedric Peerman (38) twists past Atlanta Falcons cornerback Christopher Owens (21) and linebacker Jamie Winborn for first down yardage in the fourth quarter at Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia, Thursday, September 3, 2009. The Ravens defeated the Falcons, 20-3. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun/MCT)

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Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Eron Riley powers the ball to the end zone for a touchdown past Atlanta Falcons cornerback Christopher Owens during the fourth quarter at Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia, Thursday, September 3, 2009. The Ravens defeated the Falcons, 20-3. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun/MCT)

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Baltimore Ravens quarterback John Beck (12) escapes the pressure of Atlanta Falcons defender Trey Lewis (97) during their NFL preseason football game at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta Thursday, Sept. 3, 2009. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)

ATLANTA - SEPTEMBER 03: Running back Willis McGahee #23 of the Baltimore Raves sits on the bench with ice on his left knee between Marshal Yanda #73 and Michael Oher #74 during their preseason game against the Atlanta Falcons at Georgia Dome on September 3, 2009 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Marshal Yanda;Willis McGahee;Michael Oher

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Defense: You have to like the Falcons' front four, a spot where Atlanta brings three guys back and essentially replaces aging Grady Jackson with rookie Peria Jerry at tackle. Tackle Jonathan Babineaux and end Jamaal Anderson are both back, but the star here is 16 1/2-sack man John Abraham. There was more turnover in Atlanta's linebacking corps -- gone is longtime Falcon Keith Brooking, along with Michael Boley. Stepping into their spots on the outside are Stephan Nicholas and Mike Peterson. Nicholas needs to take a leap forward for this pairing to match the Brooking-Boley one, but the potential is there. Curtis Lofton mans the middle after a 67-tackle 2008. The secondary looked worse a week ago -- before the Falcons dealt for Tye Hill and signed Brian Williams, both cornerbacks. Williams started 45 games over the past three seasons in Jacksonville and should bump Brent Grimes from the starting spot opposite Chris Houston. Safeties Erik Coleman and Thomas DeCoud are adequate, but keep an eye on rookie William Moore out of Missouri. Heat Index: 7

Special Teams: Atlanta slapped punter Michael Koenen with the franchise tag to bring back his booming-high kicks. The Falcons also return veteran kicker Jason Elam, who enjoyed the comforts of a dome last season en route to hitting on 29-of-31 field-goal attempts. Jerious Norwood, Turner's backup at running back, is explosive on kick returns -- 25.7 yards per attempt last year. The gap may be at the punt return spot, where Harry Douglass was expected to start before an offseason injury. Eric Weems probably slides in, though Norwood may get a crack too. Heat Index: 8

Coaching: Mike Smith was just as impressive in his rookie season as Ryan. He made all the right calls, guiding a young team to a playoff spot. He can give some of the thanks to offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey, a 16-year NFL coaching vet who turned in a brilliant performance bringing Ryan along. Defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder did a decent job as well -- especially drawing up QB pressure -- but Atlanta must force more turnovers in 2009. The Falcons struggled to do that at times last season, including a four-game drought from Week 11-14. Heat Index: 7

Intangibles: Atlanta had a nice taste of the postseason in Ryan's rookie campagain, losing to eventual Super Bowl runner-up Arizona in an entertaining ballgame. The drive should be there to take this thing to the next level. That said, it's worth pointing out that the team said farewell to Jackson, Brooking and Boley, all three veterans who had been with Atlanta for multiple seasons. That means new faces and new chemistry challenges. Heat Index: 8

Total Heat Index: 39/50 -- This is not an easy division, by any stretch. Sure, Tampa's down a bit, but Carolina and New Orleans are going to be very tough and Atlanta has to figure a way to maintain last season's momentum. There are enough players on this roster to make the Falcons dangerous in their own right, though. If Ryan avoids that dreaded sophomore slump and the freshly-revamped secondary holds up, this is a legit Super Bowl contender.