Falcons update 1/29/09

I thought I would do something new and give a weekly Atlanta Falcons update since I have covered the team for the past three seasons and I think the 2009 year is an important year for the franchise because they have a chance to have back-to-back winning seasons for the first time in team history.

For the most part, it has been quiet in Flowery Branch and that is a good thing because there has been so many coaching changes and the Falcons have been fortunate to keep all their coaches in tact (especially Mike Mularkey who is the OC). But there has been a few notes before Super Bowl 43 kicks off on Sunday. Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff has been named NFL Executive of the Year by Sporting News. This is no surprise as he tuned an 4-12 team into a 11-5 playoff team with a rookie quarterback and and a rookie head coach. With Matt Ryan winning ROY and Mike Smith winning COY, the Falcons became the first team ever to win those three awards in the same year. I really believe that the Falcons are on the right track and expect those three to led the Birds to more wins for the next 5-10 years.

And speaking of winners, former Falcons Claude Humphrey is a finalist for the Hall of Fame and will know if he will be inducted on Saturday. He is the Falcons all-time leader in sacks (94.5) and went to six Pro Bowls. He was named Rookie of the Year in 1968 and led the Falcons in sacks eight of 10 seasons. Atlantafalcons.com managing editor J. Michael Moore sat down with Humphrey so go to www.atlantafalcons.com for more information.

That's it for now. I will have a Super Bowl preview on Friday and it will be on the coaches and playmakers. Take care folks.