2007 NFL Fantasy Outlook: Atlanta Falcons

Ohhhhhhhhhhh.....the drama. *Cue hand across forehead as if I am passing out...*

The Falcons were not a great team to begin with looking at the personnel, but now with Michael Vick in limbo not only for his starting job with Atlanta, but his freedom as well, the Falcons look just plain pathetic. They went 7-9 last year, and those seven wins were not unlike their uniforms--ugly. While the defense is still underrated, the offense will look like a high school battering ram for a while. Can you hear the other defenses licking their lips?? Let's take a look at the fantasy notables:

QB--Michael Vick/Joey Harrington
If Vick gets to play, it won't be anytime soon. The reports have ranged from him being suspended to released to not allowed at training camp at all. Either way, if Vick dons a Falcons helmet this season, he won't be ready to play fantasy-wise until at least October, in my opinion. Which brings us to Joey Harrington. All that Joey really brings to the table is experience, and not much more. He flopped in Detroit and did a patchwork job in Miami, and now he's going to be taking the reigns from a team that already was known for their receivers dropping passes, albeit that they many times were wounded ducks coming from Vick. Even if Harrington is handed the reigns for the entire season, he's mediocre at best.

RB--Warrick Dunn/Jerious Norwood
I feel sorry for you, Warrick. You're already a little guy, and now you're going to have defenses stacking seven in the box against you. Plus, you're not going to play anyway until probably October--since you just had surgery on a bad back. Norwood gives the Falcons a look at the future, and Justin Vincent, a rookie from LSU, could also provide some punch. But look for a lot of fumbles, misreads, and an overall shell of a running game at least until midseason.

WR1--Joe Horn
Horn used to be one of the baddest, brashest players in the NFL. He rivaled Terrell Owens in touchdown "theatrics" while playing for New Orleans, but now he's just an afterthought as wide receivers go. He'd be a steal to get as a second-tier #1 receiver late, but if someone takes him before the fifth round, stand up, point, and laugh like Nelson from the Simpsons. They'll be more embarrassed than they already were taking Horn.

WR2--Michael Jenkins
Not much fantasy value here at all, I would suspect that Jenkins could have a few good games, but overall, Horn will get thrown to an awful lot, as Harrington has always been a "locked in" type of QB who seems to play favorites. Because of this notion, if you watch the Falcons closely (I don't know why you would unless you were into self-mutilation) and Jenkins puts up decent numbers early, either grab him from the waiver wire or trade him for some schlub on your team. It could pay off.

TE--Alge Crumpler
Still the cream of the crop for an otherwise dismal team. Because Harrington has always had problems throwing the long ball consistently, Crumpler will be a good option and should get plenty of touches. The question is---will Harrington be able to get the ball off in time?

Overall, the Falcons are a team that will get their butts handed to them quite a bit. The defense, while solid, will spend a lot of time on the field, and it could get uglier late in the year that one of Vick's dogs. Sorry, couldn't resist....

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2007 NFL Fantasy Outlook: Atlanta Falcons

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