I know you won't like it (AGAIN) but I'm not afraid to say it (AGAIN); Unless something happens we will be lucky to win 9-10 games.

[kennycaine]

I said this last year and I was lambasted and called a non-fan for simply being honest in my assessment of what I saw. I predicetd that we would be lucky to win 9 games and if not for a last minute TD against the Jets we were lucky to get that record. Last year my reasoning was that the team was trying to win with substandard players on defense and that was proven by a ranking only slightly better than the prior year. This year the defense will be markedly better but this time the problem is a dearth of offensive playmakers. Try as you might to call Jerious Norwood and Mike Jenkins "playmakers" the reality is that other than Roddy White, an apparently rapidly wearing-down Michael Turner and an aging yet still effective Tony Gonzalez, the cupboard is bare offensively as far as impact players are concerned.

Counting on Harry Douglas to fulfill that void is a gamble but even if you did, that is 3-4 possible "playmakers" in comparison to New Orleans 6 or 7 or Minnesota and Dallas'5 or 6. Try as you might to argue and resist this premise but as I said last year, I hope that I am wrong but the evidence suggests otherwise. If someone steps up to become our Devery Henderson to Marques Colston or Percy Harvin to Sidney Rice and Visante Shancoe then maybe that prediction will not come to past. It is not the defense's inability to get off the field on third down that will be the problem rather the offense's inability to sustain after third down which may be the concern.

Edited September 19, 2010 by kennycaine

[millenium falcon]

I said this last year and I was lambasted and called a non-fan for simply being honest in my assessment of what I saw. I predicetd that we would be lucky to win 9 games and if not for a last minute TD against the Jets we were lucky to get that record. Last year my reasoning was that the team was trying to win with substandard players on defense and that was proven by a ranking only slightly better than the prior year. This year the defense will be markedly better but this time the problem is a dearth of offensive playmakers. Try as you might to call Jerious Norwood and Mike Jenkins "playmakers" the reality is that other than Roddy White, an apparently rapidly wearing-down Michael Turner and an aging yet still effective Tony Gonzalez, the cupboard is bare offensively as far as impact players are concerned.

Counting on Harry Douglas to fulfill that void is a gamble but even if you did, that is 3-4 possible "playmakers" in comparison to New Orleans 6 or 7 or Minnesota and Dallas'5 or 6. Try as you might to argue and resist this premise but as I said last year, I hope that I am wrong but the evidence suggests otherwise. If someone steps up to become our Devery Henderson to Marques Colston or Percy Harvin to Sidney Rice and Visante Shancoe then maybe that prediction will not come to past. It is not the defense's inability to get off the field on third down that will be the problem rather the offense's inability to sustain after third down which may be the concern.

most people know this which is why i want a RB and a WR in the first 4 picks of next years draft.

[Gnorts]

I said this last year and I was lambasted and called a non-fan for simply being honest in my assessment of what I saw. I predicetd that we would be lucky to win 9 games and if not for a last minute TD against the Jets we were lucky to get that record. Last year my reasoning was that the team was trying to win with substandard players on defense and that was proven by a ranking only slightly better than the prior year. This year the defense will be markedly better but this time the problem is a dearth of offensive playmakers. Try as you might to call Jerious Norwood and Mike Jenkins "playmakers" the reality is that other than Roddy White, an apparently rapidly wearing-down Michael Turner and an aging yet still effective Tony Gonzalez, the cupboard is bare offensively as far as impact players are concerned.

Counting on Harry Douglas to fulfill that void is a gamble but even if you did, that is 3-4 possible "playmakers" in comparison to New Orleans 6 or 7 or Minnesota and Dallas'5 or 6. Try as you might to argue and resist this premise but as I said last year, I hope that I am wrong but the evidence suggests otherwise. If someone steps up to become our Devery Henderson to Marques Colston or Percy Harvin to Sidney Rice and Visante Shancoe then maybe that prediction will not come to past. It is not the defense's inability to get off the field on third down that will be the problem rather the offense's inability to sustain after third down which may be the concern.

It's not what you say, it's how you say it. You sound annoying.

[AtlantaFalconPokerPro]

It's not what you say, it's how you say it. You sound annoying.

Only if he knew how to properly convey his message.

[joenate]

I said this last year and I was lambasted and called a non-fan for simply being honest in my assessment of what I saw. I predicetd that we would be lucky to win 9 games and if not for a last minute TD against the Jets we were lucky to get that record. Last year my reasoning was that the team was trying to win with substandard players on defense and that was proven by a ranking only slightly better than the prior year. This year the defense will be markedly better but this time the problem is a dearth of offensive playmakers. Try as you might to call Jerious Norwood and Mike Jenkins "playmakers" the reality is that other than Roddy White, an apparently rapidly wearing-down Michael Turner and an aging yet still effective Tony Gonzalez, the cupboard is bare offensively as far as impact players are concerned.

Counting on Harry Douglas to fulfill that void is a gamble but even if you did, that is 3-4 possible "playmakers" in comparison to New Orleans 6 or 7 or Minnesota and Dallas'5 or 6. Try as you might to argue and resist this premise but as I said last year, I hope that I am wrong but the evidence suggests otherwise. If someone steps up to become our Devery Henderson to Marques Colston or Percy Harvin to Sidney Rice and Visante Shancoe then maybe that prediction will not come to past. It is not the defense's inability to get off the field on third down that will be the problem rather the offense's inability to sustain after third down which may be the concern.

Oh my GOD!!!! Why I never! How could you? Call the FBI, the mods are slippin'!!!

[vabchbirdlover]

Where have you been? Funny you seem to rear your ugly head when things seem a bit bleak? Why do we not see you

post more consistently throughout the year? Just asking

[King ED]

Your prediction of 9-7 was aided greatly by a rash of injuries and a ridiculous kicker situation.

[Point_Blank]

We've played 1 **** game, chill out!

[MSalmon]

I said this last year and I was lambasted and called a non-fan for simply being honest in my assessment of what I saw. I predicetd that we would be lucky to win 9 games and if not for a last minute TD against the Jets we were lucky to get that record. Last year my reasoning was that the team was trying to win with substandard players on defense and that was proven by a ranking only slightly better than the prior year. This year the defense will be markedly better but this time the problem is a dearth of offensive playmakers. Try as you might to call Jerious Norwood and Mike Jenkins "playmakers" the reality is that other than Roddy White, an apparently rapidly wearing-down Michael Turner and an aging yet still effective Tony Gonzalez, the cupboard is bare offensively as far as impact players are concerned.

Counting on Harry Douglas to fulfill that void is a gamble but even if you did, that is 3-4 possible "playmakers" in comparison to New Orleans 6 or 7 or Minnesota and Dallas'5 or 6. Try as you might to argue and resist this premise but as I said last year, I hope that I am wrong but the evidence suggests otherwise. If someone steps up to become our Devery Henderson to Marques Colston or Percy Harvin to Sidney Rice and Visante Shancoe then maybe that prediction will not come to past. It is not the defense's inability to get off the field on third down that will be the problem rather the offense's inability to sustain after third down which may be the concern.

you know what i don't disagree with you on your assessment. I do think though that our myopic focus on the defensive side the last two drafts is biting our azz. We have seriously not given Matt Ryan any weapons. I think it's time for the front office to consider someone like a vincent jackson via trade or otherwise just ride out this season and go offensive next year.

Hopefully were both wrong

[RunningThePiszOuttaTheBall]

9 or "10" games? Pretty much any team would be happy with 10.

[kennycaine]

Our "new" defense, which I figured would not be the problem, just gave up an 80 yard touchdown run to Tim Hightower of the Cardinals, following a 50 yarder to Rasahrd Mendenhall last week, keeping the Falcon streak of making no-name backups noteworthy (Dixon, Hightower this year already).

[kennycaine]

9 or "10" games? Pretty much any team would be happy with 10.

People here were predicting 12-4 and a playoff game, and some dare say a Superbowl which I see as an extreme longshot. I say 10-6 at the absolute best or worse if this defense keeps playing as it has and extremely lucky to get a wildcard unless some people raise their level of play dramatically.

[Joremarid]

10 wins would be awesome. I'll take that every year.

[RunningThePiszOuttaTheBall]

People here were predicting 12-4 and a playoff game, and some dare say a Superbowl which I see as an extreme longshot. I say 10-6 at the absolute best or worse if this defense keeps playing as it has and extremely lucky to get a wildcard unless some people raise their level of play dramatically.

You mean if the defense keeps playing awesome, that it will somehow hurt us? We are 5th in the NFL in points allowed, and pretty darn good across the board. There's not much other than 2 plays to complain about.

Who needs to raise their level of play dramatically for us to truly *earn* a wildcard (as opposed to needing luck to get it)?

[G-Wiz22]

i'm not exactly sure what u mean by 'devery henderson to marques colston' kennycaine but if u consider devery henderson a playmaker then we shud b OK!!!

[falken]

<yawn>

[Duff_Man]

Our "new" defense, which I figured would not be the problem, just gave up an 80 yard touchdown run to Tim Hightower of the Cardinals, following a 50 yarder to Rasahrd Mendenhall last week, keeping the Falcon streak of making no-name backups noteworthy (Dixon, Hightower this year already).

I'm pretty sure giving up one TD per week would be an incredible season.

[falken]

[AutoMax]

No faith in your team is a bad thing. Some will call it being realistic, but this is the NFL. New playmakers arrive every year. You just don't believe your team will win. You can learn though. Have faith.

[illest_will]

bleh, you're right, but the Steelers made it to the SB just 2 years ago with only Santonio Holmes as the "play-maker" on offense, if you follow your strict criteria playoffs isn't even a question, barring major injury

[falcon_bob]

I respectfully disagree.

[DD: Objective Elite]

People here were predicting 12-4 and a playoff game, and some dare say a Superbowl which I see as an extreme longshot. I say 10-6 at the absolute best or worse if this defense keeps playing as it has and extremely lucky to get a wildcard unless some people raise their level of play dramatically.

Where oh, where have you gone? You were flat out WRONG. Your opinion is now worthless.

12-2 LOOKING AT #1 SEED

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[basketballjones72]

I love it when you guys find old posts like this....makes my day!

[SiViK_OuTkAsT™]

Welp..........................................

[fansince78]

Give the guy a break. He left himself an out, he said "unless something happens" and the something that happened was more wins than he thought possible.