After a great finish to the 2008 season, the Falcons were the toast of the NFL. Coming off of a few losing seasons, the team was revitalized, thanks in large part to three people. Matt Ryan, for one, the more than competent rookie quarterback, and lived up towards hype cast upon any number one draft pick. Roddy White was an additional year wide receiver who was continually improving his trade, and finally had the breakout season that so many had predicted. Additionally, the critical signing of Michael Turner gave a huge boost to this team's offense. Turner was one from the best running backs in football last season, besting 1700 yards and 1700 touchdowns.
Perhaps the most intriguing Fooball Panthers Fans aspect of this week's Super Bowl preparation recently been the war of term. Seattle TE Jerramy Stevens made the cardinal sin of dissing the enemy this week, saying about RB Jerome Bettis, "It's a heartwarming story a lot of that, though it will perceived as sad day when he leaves without that Super Bowl prize." Oops! Big mistake. Seattle coaches no doubt took him aside and told him to keep his trap shut. The very last thing anyone have to before a gigantic game is give verbal fodder to fireside up the opposition.
San Francisco over Arizona. Alex Smith played well within the final game as a 49er. The Cardinals defense was told not to reach him because he will apt to be their starting quarterback the coming year.
#16: Matt Ryan - Atlanta Falcons: Ryan will be the type of quarterback who'd everything proper way. He has good pocket presence, he's accurate, the particular husband knows in order to go the new ball for that most element. Last year, we saw a bit of a regression for Ryan. He battled injuries, and Atlanta's running game was nowhere near as good as it was at 2008. Yet with two seasons of experience and learning now under his belt, expect Ryan to look a small amount more say for example a seasoned vet in 2011.
There are 2 as well as on the betting landscape Christian McCaffrey . Minnesota will play at Middle Tennessee State and Florida Atlantic possibly be at Alabama-Birmingham. In the Minnesota / Middle Tennessee game watch as Minnesota is start a very young and inexperienced protected. They lost 9 starters from last year's squad and still much to prove. Professionals a big physical team that shall pound away on Middle Tennessee.
That next three-game stretch also isn't that bad. Sure, the Saints are defending champs, but Carolina gave them trouble last year, winning 12 months finale in your (when New Orleans had zip perform for). Carolina has have won 11 of its last 15 against the saints and wasn't swept by them since 2001. The Panthers swept the Bucs last year and are 11-3 against them since 2003. The Rams haven't won within your own since midway through the 2008 holiday.
What turning out to be exciting in Carolina could be the potential belonging to the new group of receivers. Steve Smith continue to anchor the unit, but new draft picks Armanti Edwards and Brandon LaFell furthermore give the Panthers brand new targets. Who'll end up being nicely target isn't likely in question, but all of the other positions are wide open. The Panthers also have many of the most improved tight ends inside of NFL with Dante Rosario in tow line.