Atlanta Falcons and football betting at SBG Global Sports betting

2007 Outlook

Key Signings: HC Bobby Petrino, QB Joey Harrington, WR Joe Horn
Key Losses: QB Matt Schaub, DE Patrick Kerney
Key Player: QB Michael Vick

Atlanta Falcons 2006 Review

2007 Preview:  Atlanta missed the playoffs in 2006 and owner Arthur Blank had enough and fired Mora.  He hired Petrino to turn things around immediately.  The Falcons will have to deal with the dog fighting scandal hanging over the head of quarterback Michael Vick in 2007.  There is no doubting Vick’s athletic ability but he still is a running quarterback first and does not have the accuracy to win in the NFL.  That is a major problem for Atlanta. The team added wide receiver Joe Horn in the off-season to help the receiving corps.

The 2007 football betting season schedule includes home/away games with their NFC South Division rivals of Carolina, New Orleans and Tampa Bay. The Atlanta Falcons also have games against the AFC South along with the NFC West. The football betting season schedule is reasonable for the Falcons and if Petrino gets Vick to play up to his potential it is very possible the Falcons could make the playoffs in 2007. The Atlanta Falcons are on Monday Night Football twice and on the NFL Network once in 2007 NFL betting season.

Offense:  The offense revolves around Michael Vick.  That is sometimes a problem considering Vick doesn’t throw the ball well enough to win in the NFL on a consistent basis.  The other problem is that Warrick Dunn is a scat back, not a power back.  Running back Jerious Norwood looked good in 2006 and provides another explosive option.  The receiving corps was poor in 2006 and it is hoped that Horn will provide some stability.  Alge Crumpler is one of the best tight ends in the NFL and was about the only reliable receiving option in 2006.

Defense: The defense was not very good in 2006 but new coordinator Mike Zimmer should help.  Losing stalwart Patrick Kerney will hurt. Keeping John Abraham healthy would be a huge help.  It is also expected that top draft pick, Jamaal Anderson from Arkansas will step in and help replace Kerney.  Keith Brooking is a stud at linebacker and Deangelo Hall is great in the secondary.  The defense can definitely play better than they did in 2006.

Forecast:   The 2007 Atlanta Falcons could be anything from mediocre to good.  It depends upon a few factors, not the least of which is getting consistent play out of quarterback Michael Vick.  Head coach Bobby Petrino brings the spread offense to Atlanta and that may help Vick.  Mike Zimmer comes over from Dallas to take over the defense and they should definitely be better than they were last year.