Are the Falcons REALLY that bad???

just a quick post to think about...

the Falcons lost their superstar QB just weeks before the season. This QB not only was one of the best in the NFL today, but one of the best EVER (in terms of production). In fact, Vick was not only their top passer but also their top RUNNER; he set the NFL record for most rushing yards in a season by a quarterback.

Now let's think about that...if the Packers lose Brett Favre, are they one of the top teams in the NFL? What about say, New England? Could Matt Cassell bring the Patriots to the elite level?

Indy didn't even lose their QB and they have struggled at times. Imagine this scenario : a few weeks prior to the start of preseason, Peyton Manning is practicing handoffs with Joseph Addai. Manning trips, rolls into Addai's knees and in the process not only does Addai tear ligaments (causing him to be out of football for a little over 2 years, maybe 85% of that if he is good), but Manning severely injures his shoulder (causing him to be out of football for a little over 2 years, maybe 85% of that if he is good). Hmm...I think that there would be some issues there as well.

My point is, the loss of Vick is STAGGERING, but its not the Falcons fault. They were a team expected to be contenders in their division this year. It's not Rich McKay's fault (though his receiver choices are definitely odd), it's not Warrick Dunn's fault, it's not the defense's fault and it DEFINITELY was not Bobby Petrino's fault.

Shoot, if I was a first year NFL head coach and all this happened not only would the Arkansas job start to look good, but I might be delirious enough to sign Byron Leftwich only to enter him into a QB controversy with Joey Harrington...then choose to start Chris Redmon.