The Falcons had three players with over 100 tackles last season.  Linebacker Curtis Lofton led the way for the Falcons with 133 tackles, 3 tackles for a loss, 2 forced fumbles and 2 passes defensed.  Lofton’s game was not about rushing the QB as his main goal was to destroy running backs and he did a good job of that.  Safety Erik Coleman finished up with 116 tackles, 3 tackles for a loss, 2 forced fumbles and 5 passes defensed.  It’s never good when a safety makes that many tackles for a team which means the front seven of the Falcons’ D could use some improvements.  Veteran linebacker Mike Peterson finished up with 109 tackles, 5 tackles for a loss, 1 sack, 2 forced fumbles, 7 passes defensed and 1 interception.  To have three players get over 100 tackles apiece tells me a couple things about the Falcons’ D.  #1.) They are on the field too much and #2.) They need the other 8 players to help out more in 2010.

The Falcons should be happy with the set-up they have at QB right now.  24-year old Matt Ryan finished strong despite having a torn up toe.  He played in 14 games this season for the Falcons and he completed 263 of 451 passes (58.3%) for 2,916 yards with 22 TD passes and 14 INTs (80.9 QB Rating.  He also carried the ball 30 times for 49 yards (1.6 ypc) with 1 TD run.  Ryan has now played in 30 games in his NFL career and he has completed 528 of 885 passes (59.7%) for 6,356 yards with 38 TD passes and 25 INTs (84.3 QB Rating).  He also has carried the ball 85 times for 153 yards (1.8 ypc) with 2 TD runs in his career.  Ryan’s career is off to a solid start but the Falcons are waiting for him to take the next step…..to the elite level.  That might come in 2010 if he can just stay healthy.

32-year old Chris Redman is a solid back-up QB for the Falcons.  He played in 5 games this season for the Falcons and he completed 69 of 119 passes (58%) for 781 yards with 4 TD passes and 3 INTs (78.4 QB Rating).  He also carried the ball 6 times for 4 yards (0.7 ypc) this year.  Redman has now played in 22 games in his NFL career and he has completed 264 of 466 passes (56.7%) for 2,971 yards with 21 TD passes and 13 INTs (79.3 QB Rating).  He also has carried the ball 27 times for 32 yards (1.2 ypc) in his career.  Redman is the perfect back-up for Matt Ryan.

24-year old QB Matt Ryan regressed some in 2009 but his numbers aren’t too far off from his rookie season.  He has been dealing with a bad toe for a while and that has dogged him hurting his performance.  Ryan has played in 13 games for the Falcons this season and he has completed 240 of 416 passes (57.7%) for 2,693 yards with 20 TD passes and 12 INTs (81.1 QB Rating).  He has also carried the ball 29 times for 46 yards (1.6 ypc) with 1 TD run this year.  Look for Ryan to rebound with a eye-popping 2010 season if he can stay healthy.

33-year old linebacker Mike Peterson has not been acting his age this year as he is still playing well.  Peterson has played in all 14 games for the Falcons this season and he has 100 tackles, 5 tackles for a loss, 1 sack, 2 forced fumbles, 7 passes defensed and 1 interception.  Peterson has really given the defense a lift as he and Curtis Lofton make it very hard for teams to run against the Falcons.

With Michael Turner and Jerious Norwood both missing quite a bit of time due to injury Jason Snelling has gotten his big chance to show what he can do.  The 25-year old Snelling has played in 12 games for the Falcons this season and he has carried the ball 102 times for 398 yards (3.9 ypc) with 4 TD runs and he has also caught 26 passes for 232 yards (8.9 avg) with 1 TD grab.  Snelling has really helped the Falcons keep the offense going despite using their third string RB.