Atlanta is beginning a massive rebuilding job. Fallout from the revelations of Michael Vick's dog-fighting ring and rookie pro head coach, Bobby Petrino, walking out on the team and announcing it in a memo to players with three games to go last season, forced the team to start over.
Arthur Blank, the Falcons' owner, wants his team to be in the spotlight, but not in the way it was. So, after the troubles, Blank opted for a low-key coach, hiring defensive coordinator Mike Smith from Jacksonville. Smith is making it his mission to change the culture of the organization.
At least four other rookies -- wide receiver Harry Douglas, left tackle Sam Baker, middle linebacker Curtis Lofton and cornerback Chevis Jackson -- are ticketed for significant and perhaps starting roles. All were drafted in the first three rounds, among the first 84 picks. Undrafted rookie Brent Grimes also is in the mix to replace cornerback DeAngelo Hall, a sometimes disruptive force both for and against the Falcons, who was traded to Oakland.
Smith's offensive coordinator, Mike Mularkey, will lean heavily on the running game with Michael Turner, the former backup to LaDainian Tomlinson who signed in free agency. Turner will not have as good an offensive line with the Falcons as he did with the Chargers, but Atlanta is expected to use the tight end more in the running game to provide blocking help.
On the hot seat
Wide receiver Roddy White is considered by some to be the Falcons' best player, and he will need to live up to that with all the youth around him. With the offense depending on a running game and having an inexperienced quarterback, White will have to make the most of what opportunities he is given in the passing game.
Difference-maker
Rookie wide receivers rarely make an impact, but the Falcons believe that third-round pick Harry Douglas could be an exception. In camp, he showed great hands and an understanding of route-running and getting open. He is expected to play a lot as a slot receiver.
Hard road to hoe
When you're coming off a 4-12 season, there's no easy stretch on the schedule. But between September 28 and November 2, the Falcons will play four of five on the road including trips to Carolina, Green Bay and Philadelphia.
Falcons will be better than you think if ...
They can run the ball and hang onto it to keep their defense off the field. That would mean Michael Turner proving he can play in a full-time role as successfully as he did backing up LaDainian Tomlinson.
Falcons will be worse than you think if ...
The running game is not as good as they hope or the run defense is not significantly better than it was last year.
