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The Falcons exited the 2008 season with an inglorious loss to the now Super Bowl bound Arizona Cardinals, but expectations are high for Atlanta’s chances of ending their existence-long failure to post back-to-back winning seasons. The team will return a rookie quarter back in Matt Ryan, who has taken home the AP’s Rookie of the Year honors, as well as being selected one of the teams captains by the team, the highest honor he’s achieved, according to head coach Mike Smith. Additionally, surprise sensation Michael Turner is back ready for his second season as a starter, and Roddy White and Michael Jenkins are chomping at the bit to prove that 2008 was not a fluke for either one of them. The team brings more strengths to the table than they have in quite some time, as well as some weaknesses they must address if they are to do something they have never before: win again.

This is arguably the best football team Atlanta has seen since the 1998 Falcons, who won the NFC championship before being ousted by the Denver Broncos. Like that season, they have relied on a strong running game (Jamal Anderson), a duo of strong receivers (Terrell Davis, Tony Martin), a solid, game-management quarterback (Chris Chandler), and a linebacker-led defense (Jesse Tuggle, as well as DB’s Ray Buchanan and Eugene Robinson). Unlike that year, the Falcons are aided by depth at a couple of positions, and lack in others.

Running Back: One of the strongest positions of the team. Anderson went out in the first game of the 1999 season with a torn ACL, and the team had no one to step in to make plays. This team has Jerious Norwood with plenty of game experience, Jason Snelling with some late game carries, and Thomas Brown coming off IR. If (God forbid) something were to happen to Turner, this team would not be left high and dry.

Quarterback: Ryan has surpassed even the most optimistic fan’s expectations in 2008, though the last few games are evidence that he has hit his sophomore slump early, which would fit his ahead-of-the-curve development. Ryan hit the tapes immediately following the loss to the Cardinals, searching out where he could improve. That kind of ethic bodes very well for the Falcons in 2009, and coupled with backups Chris Redman (if he isn’t lost to another team) and hometown favorite D.J. Shockley, this position is going to be one of the strongest come next season.

Wide Receiver: Roddy White set a team record in yards receiving this season, and Michael Jenkins did a lot to justify his first round pick a few years ago with some big plays this season. Harry Douglas scored some points on the field and with the fans with dynamic and fast play. Laurent Robinson is still an unproven commodity, though he has shown much promise in his first two seasons. Brian Finneran still has great hands, especially in 3^rd down situations, or in deep punt returns. Unless someone can add another aspect of the game, specifically punt returns, don’t look for any moves in this department.

Special Teams: Michael Koenen will most likely be resigned to a significant deal, and Jason Elam (who besides kicker, is a newcomer to the Christian fiction market–I’m reading Monday Night Jihad now) provides a secure kicking squad for the next season. Jerious Norwood proves to be a strong threat in kickoff returns, and currently Harry Douglas plays the part of punt returner. In punt coverage, the 2008 Falcons gave up an NFL record-low 49 yards returning, and the kickoff defense was strong as well, led (as voted by the team) by linebacker Coy Wire. The Falcons may look to the draft to find a double-duty wide receiver or DB to handle punt returns, but failing that, Douglas would be a great “second option” to stay in the role.

O-Line: Falcons trimmed 30 sacks off their season total (47 in 2007, 17 in 2008) for a new team record and were a big part, according to Turner, of the superior rushing game. Rookie Sam Baker spent almost half the season on the DL, and Tyson Clabo is up for free agency. I’d be reluctant to mess with what works here, but the line probably could stand to add some depth, but I’d be surprised to see much money spent in free agency or a high draft pick spent here.

Linebackers: Keith Brooking is a big question mark as to whether or not he’ll return next year, as well as Michael Boley (a lot of Michael’s on this team, aren’t there?). Rookie Curtis Lofton went mostly unnoticed, well overshadowed by the rookie performance of Ryan, but he played middle linebacker with a great deal of skill and heart. Coy Wire moved into Boley’s position late in the season, and played adequately, if not strongly. Stephen Nicholas, on the other side of the line shows every indication that he will be a very effective player, but if Brooking and Boley hit the exit, the LB unit will need some depth. A few free agents are up for grabs, and I wouldn’t be shocked to see Dimitroff making some offers there, though he probably won’t pay top dollar for any but the best, relying instead on some draft moves to fill holes.

Tight End: Ben Hartsock proved to be a much more versatile TE than anticipated, catching a few passes out of the backfield and strengthening the running game, but went down about two-thirds of the way through the season with a season ending injury. Justin Peele proved to be just as strong at catching, though neither could be listed as elite in that department. Marcus Pollard was added late to replace Hartsock, but the Falcons could stand to spend a draft pick to get a good pass-catching tight end to solidify this unit.

D-Line: John Abraham has been nothing shy of amazing, and smart coaching has kept him fresh in games. Sophomore Jamaal Anderson (no relation to the 1998 running back) has been viewed as a letdown, though teammates argue that he’s a strong player with a great deal of potential. Grady Jackson’s future with the team may be in question, but Jonathan Babineaux has played well, and gives the center of this line a great deal of potential. Anderson may be moved to DT this off-season, and another DE brought in, either in free agency or in the draft, or the DT position may be solidified with a free agent.

Corner Back: Von Hutchins went down in the pre-season, leaving the Falcons without a “#1″ corner back. Chris Houston shows every indication of being a strong player at this position, and Brent Grimes, despite his shorter stature, seemed to be playing well prior to his injury, and, of course, Dominique Foxworth played better than his second-string status in Denver would indicate. The fact remains, however, that this squad was not ready to play man-to-man defense, which is essential at the NFL level. I’d like to see what this team can do with Hutchins back in the lineup, but I wouldn’t be shocked to see the team make a big free agent move to add some skill to this position.

Safety: Erik Coleman was a great pickup last off-season, but with questions surrounding Lawyer Milloy’s future with this team, the position most ripe for free agent moves is at safety. After watching Troy Polamalu’s performance in the AFC championship game, it’s easy to see the difference between this team’s and a Super Bowl bound team’s safeties. With a few strong options that may be available, the Falcons may spend some money making this, and in turn the entire defensive backfield, one of the strong points of the team.