NFL Insider -- 2008 Team Outlook: Todays Team is : Atlanta Falcons

Over the next several days we will take a look at the outlook of the 32 NFL Teams. They will be informative for both the fan of football and also some have information for you fantasy football buffs too. Give us your feedback by leaving your comments. Thank you and have a great season... 2008 Team Outlook: Atlanta As per George Bissell, Atlanta cleaned house after a rough 2007 season that included a number of very public off-field incidents that included Michael Vick's arrest, as well as the sudden resignation of Head Coach Bobby Petrino (which became a major distraction for the team, as the Falcons ended the season in last place of the NFC South with a 4-12 record). Atlanta's first move was bringing the New England Patriots' Director of College Scouting Thomas Dimitroff to be their new GM. Dimitroff proceeded to hire Jacksonville Defensive Coordinator Mike Smith to be the Falcons' new Head Coach. The rebuilding process began with the trade of CB DeAngelo Hall (who had become a major disruption for the Falcons) to Oakland and the release of several high profile veterans that included TE Algae Crumpler, RB Warrick Dunn, QB Byron Leftwich, and DT Rod Coleman. Dimitroff made several key moves through free agency that included resigning QB Chris Redman, as well as bringing in RB Michael Turner (widely regarded as the top free agent RB available), as well as TE Ben Hartsock, and longtime Denver kicker Jason Elam. Dimitroff and Mike Smith turned to the draft to fill their biggest need on offense with the drafting of Boston College QB Matt Ryan (3rd overall). Atlanta is in a state of rebuilding, with Chris Redman remaining the starting QB for now while Matt Ryan develops. Michael Turner will be relied on to carry Atlanta's offense in 2008 -- which is great news for fantasy owners and greatly increases Turner's value as well. The keys for Atlanta fantasy-wise in 2008 will be: Can Chris Redman or Matt Ryan be effective in the starting role, will Roddy White be able to maintain the same level of success as he did last season if a rookie's throwing him the ball, and will Michael Turner be effective in a full time role? If the answer is yes to all three questions, then there is a lot for fantasy owners to look forward to in Atlanta. QB Chris Redman, ATL (QB - #29) - Gamble (high risk) Chris Redman was resigned after beating the competition for the starting job late last season in Atlanta; how long Redman will remain the starter remains to be seen, however, after the drafting of Boston College QB Matt Ryan with the #3 overall pick in the NFL Draft. Redman finished the 2007 season strong, completing 89 of 149 passes for 1,079 yards and 10 TD's with 5 interceptions. The highlight of Redman's season came in the season finale against Seattle in which he threw for 251 yards and 4 TD's. Redman is an extremely high risk to take on draft day because his days as a starter will be numbered if Atlanta struggles early in 2008; the fans will be calling for Matt Ryan very soon. However, Redman is a risk worth taking in the later rounds of your league's draft as a backup because he also has the potential to put up quality fantasy numbers as he showed at times last season. Redman has a strong running-game anchored by hard-nosed Michael Turner and a number of quality receivers in Roddy White, Laurent Robinson, and Michael Jenkins. If Redman can hold onto the starting job in 2008, it will be for one reason: because he's playing too well to bench him; much like Derek Anderson last season, Redman has the potential to be a big time sleeper in 2008. QB Matt Ryan, ATL (QB - #49) - Super Sleeper (high risk/potential) Chris Redman may hold onto the starting job, but Matt Ryan is the future in Atlanta. Ryan signed a 6 year $72 million deal prior to Atlanta's mini-camp and enters training camp listed behind Redman and Joey Harrington on the Falcons' depth chart, but he may not remain there for long if Redman falters early in the 2007 season. Ryan is a long term investment worth drafting in keeper leagues, but in standard leagues he's not worth anything more than a late round flier who could put up solid numbers if he finds his way onto the field for the Falcons in 2008. RB Jerious Norwood, ATL (RB - #46) - Fantasy Handcuff Jerious Norwood has the skills to be an NFL starting RB as his numbers over the past two seasons suggest (1,246 yards and 3 TD's on just 202 carries, averaging an incredible 6.2 yards per carry), but just hasn't had the opportunity to show he can be the full time starter in Atlanta. Norwood appeared poised to step into the starting role following the release of aging veteran Warrick Dunn this offseason, only to be pushed back again this time behind Michael Turner (who signed as a free agent). Drafting Norwood is a high risk if you are drafting him as a #3 RB on your fantasy team in 2008 because the number of carries he receives will be limited, thus limiting his fantasy value; making drafting him as a handcuff to Michael Turner a much smarter alternative. Consider Norwood a top fantasy handcuff in 2008 with the upside and potential to be a solid #3 fantasy RB if his role in the offense expands. Norwood is worth considering in the middle rounds of fantasy drafts in all leagues in '08. RB Michael Turner, ATL (RB - #13) - Solid/Safe Pick Atlanta's new offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey plans to utilize the 5 foot 10, 237 pound Turner much like he did Jerome Bettis in the early 90's according to reports in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Turner's physical interior running style is very similar to that of Bettis, and a modern day comparison would be the Cowboys' Marion Barber; the major difference between them and Turner is that Turner has the speed to turn a small gain into a 60 yard TD if he turns the corner with his speed (Turner scored TD's of 83, 74, and 73 yards with San Diego). In his six seasons with the Chargers serving as the backup to perennial Pro Bowler LaDainian Tomlinson, Turner rushed for 1,257 yards and 6 TD's on just 228 carries -- averaging 5.5 yards per carry over that stretch. For years fantasy owners have drafted Turner high as a backup and now he finally has a starting role of his own with the Falcons after signing a 6 year deal this offseason as a free agent. Turner will be expected to handle a majority of the workload in the Atlanta backfield and with his size and strength, there's little to suggest that he won't succeed when given at least 15-20 carries per game plus goal-line touches. Turner may lose some carries here or there to Jerious Norwood, but with a rookie QB in Matt Ryan under center, Turner will be the focal point of the Falcons' offense in 2008. Turner is a solid #2 fantasy option heading into 2008 with the potential to put up excellent numbers in Atlanta. WR Michael Jenkins, ATL (WR - #63) - Deep-league Only Jenkins remains one of the most disappointing fantasy wide receivers in recent memory who appears to have unlimited potential, but just can't put it together. Jenkins recorded 53 catches for 532 yards and 4 TD's in 2007, but his TD total dropped from 7 in 2006 to just 4 this past season. Jenkins just isn't worth any more than a late round pick on draft day because he's most likely going to open the season as Atlanta's #3 wide receiver, with Roddy White and Laurent Robinson stealing too many looks for Jenkins to have any fantasy value in 2008. Jenkins does seem to find the end-zone often, making him an appealing bye-week fill in if he has a nice matchup. Jenkins is a guy to watch on your league's wavier wire, but until he shows some consistency he won't be selected in too many fantasy drafts. WR Laurent Robinson, ATL (WR - #86) - Deep-league Only Robinson opened the Falcons' mini-camp as the starting receiver opposite Roddy White, however there's no guarantee that Robinson will hold onto the job until Week 1. Robinson started 6 games as a rookie out of Illinois State last season, catching 37 passes for 437 yards and 1 TD. Robinson has excellent size at 6 foot 2, with the ability to give opposing secondaries matchup nightmares as a slot receiver. Robinson will benefit greatly with Roddy White, drawing a majority of the defensive attention and should put up solid numbers for Atlanta in 2008. I would expect around 50 catches for 800 yards and 4 TD's from the sophomore wide-out in 2008; making him worthy of a selection in the later rounds of fantasy drafts in 2008 as a super sleeper in deeper leagues. WR Roddy White, ATL (WR - #16) - Solid/Safe Pick Roddy White was just about the only Falcon worth owning last season and didn't get nearly enough recognition from fantasy owners even though he put up excellent numbers (83 catches for 1,202 yards and 6 TD's) considering the uncertainty surrounding the QB position in Atlanta. White will most likely begin the season with Chris Redman as his QB, but it may not be long before Matt Ryan steps into the starting role in Atlanta, making White even more valuable in keeper leagues in 2008. Roddy White got by last season with the likes of Redman, Harrington, and Leftwich; so owners shouldn't be concerned about who's throwing him the ball because White is a safe bet to continue to put up solid fantasy numbers. White is worth drafting as a solid #2 wide receiver who will catch at least 80 passes for 1,200 yards and 6-8 TD's in 2008. TE Ben Hartsock, ATL - Deep-league Only Atlanta signed former Titan Ben Hartsock this offseason to replace former Pro Bowl TE Algae Crumpler who was released after last season. Hartsock has greater value as a blocker and will have minimal (if any) fantasy value in 2008 and should be avoided unless you are in an extremely deep league. Hartsock has just 24 catches for 247 yards in his career with 12 catches for 138 yards last season in Tennessee. Hartsock will also face competition from Martrez Milner (a rookie last season who caught 9 passes for 50 yards before suffering a high ankle sprain that ended his season). Milner may play a larger role in the passing game for Atlanta, but unless he takes over the starting job in training camp, he isn't worth considering drafting (even in the deepest of leagues).