Pregame Parallels, Dolphins at Falcons Week 1

"We really haven't accomplished anything. We got to the playoffs, which is a great thing, but our expectations for ourselves are bigger than that," says Matt Ryan, regarding the Falcons' surprise 2008 season and the upcoming 2009 season. "What we did in 2008 has no bearing in 2009. We have a big challenge ahead of us: to learn each other and to build team chemistry and to work together," says Chad Pennington about the Miami Dolphins 2008 success and the 2009 season. Mike Smith was AP Coach of the Year. He beat out Miami's Tony Sparano by one vote for the honor. In 2007, the Falcons went 4-12, and were in total disarray. In 2008, with a new, first-time head coach, they went 11-5, made it to the playoffs, and lost to their first opponent. In 2007, the Dolphins went 1-15, and were also in pieces. In 2008, a first-time head coach led them to an 11-5 season, made it to the playoffs, and lost to their first opponent. Matt Ryan was named NFL Rookie of the Year. Chad Pennington was named NFL Comeback Player of the Year. Two teams begin the battle today to prove that last season wasn't a fluke, that they are perennial competitors, and that they can go deep into the playoffs, maximizing their strengths and minimizing their weaknesses - not to the media, not to the other teams, not even to their fans, but to themselves. That battle begins with a head-to-head confrontation that some have dubbed The Turnaround Bowl. Mike Smith is preparing to unleash his new-and-improved offense on the potent defense of the Dolphins, who allowed only 19.8 points a game last season. The Falcons will be looking to see how potent this much-touted offense can really be for a full game against a real opponent, with the addition of Tony Gonzalez to the already dangerous group of Turner, Norwood, White, Jenkins, and, most-importantly, Matt Ryan. The O-line is prepping to stop a merciless 3-4 defense including Joey Porter and Jason Taylor as this team tries to keep their defense resting by pounding the ball on the ground and playing a crisp, turnover-free passing game. The O-line was one of the best in 2008, a reputation they would like to maintain for 2009, something, I'm sure, Matt Ryan hopes as well. On the Flip-side, the Falcons defense has a lot to prove. John Abraham is reporting healthy for the game (healthy for him...), having participate fully in practice at the end of the week, and he will lead the attack of the front four, with the other starters, Jamaal Anderson opposite him, with Jonathan Babineaux and rookie Peria Jerry in between, in their efforts to harass Pennington. Like last season, Brian VanGorder will rotate the players frequently to keep them fresh, so Abraham will see most of his time on passing downs, and the backup linemen, notably Kroy Biermann, will see plenty of action. The linebackers will have their hands full with the Dolphins' Wildcat offense. Their goal will be to close down the running lanes, forcing RB Ronnie Brown to put the ball in the air. The secondary will have no easy task, and corners Chris Houston and Brent Grimes need to show a great deal of effort, or they might find themselves on the bench. It's too early in their respective processes for Tye Hill and Brian Williams to start, but they may both see some actual game time Sunday. Pennington can hit his passes, and he has some targets to hit, so the defense will have a great opportunity to prove they're for real. Game time - 1pm, CBS, 92.9 DaveFM