Falcons Draft Picks:
#19 Pick: Sean Weatherspoon (Missouri)- Linebacker
# 83 Pick: Cory Peters (Kentucky)- Defensive Tackle
# 98 Pick: Mike Johnson (Alabama)- Tackle/Offensive Guard
#117 Pick: Joe Hawley (UNLV)- Center/Offensive Guard
# 135 Pick: Dominique Franks (Oklahoma)- Wide Receiver
# 165 Pick: Kerry Meier (Kansas)- Wide Receiver
# 171 Pick: Shann Schillinger (Montana)- Safety

Matt Ryan, Falcons quarterback, does lack in confidence.

Ryan thinks that the Falcons, who last season went 9-7, will have a record that is even better in 2010 than 2008 when he led the team to a surprising 11-5 season during his rookie year. He isn’t shy about expressing his thoughts.

Ryan said in Saturday’s Atlanta Journal-Constitution, we think we are closer to winning 12 or 13 games than 8 games. It was frustrating last year not making the playoffs. However you want to always be part of the mix and always have something to play for. We did up to the final three weeks in the season last year.

On Wednesday, the Atlanta Falcons announced their exhibition season for 2010. Their schedule isn’t finalized yet but does include one game that will be on national television. All of the teams are known but not the times and dates for the games. Atlanta will be opening their exhibition season versus Kansas City at home. The date hasn’t been set yet. Their second game will be played on August 19 versus New England in the Georgia Dome. Fox will televise the game nationally.

According to agent Jason Chayut, Dunta Robinson, Athens native and former Houston Texan cornerback, has reached an agreement with Atlanta to terms for a six year contract. Terms for the deal were not disclosed. An official announcement from the Falcons is expected to be made on Saturday. The Falcons in signing Robinson are hoping to make improvements in their pass defense. Last season, they ranked 28th in the NFL, surrendering 241.9 yards a game. Cornerback Brian Williams was also re-signed by the Falcons on Thursday for a contract of one year.

The Falcons got their winning record, but it fell short of their season expectations. Atlanta’s 20-10 victory on Sunday over Tampa Bay gave the team their first back to back winning seasons in franchise history. However that feat didn’t provide them with very much consolation for the fact that they missed the playoffs.

Matt Ryan had three passes for touchdowns, including one of 42 yards over to Roddy White on the first play of the game for Atlanta. The Bills never did challenge the Falcons in Atlanta’s 31-3 win on Sunday over the Bills and Terrell Owens. Terrell Owens became only the sixth man in the history of the NFL to have 1,000 career receptions. During the second Owens was able to reach that milestone on a pass of 8 yards from Brian Brohm.

The Falcons playoff hopes were already dashed, and the top ranked defense of the Jets were manhandling them. Game over, right? Well, not quite. With just 1:38 left to play Matt Ryan connected on a touchdown pass of 6 yards with Tony Gonzalez to give Atlanta a 10-7 win over New York on Sunday that seriously damaged the post season chances of the Jets.

Drew Brees passed for 296 yards and threw three touchdowns, while Jonathan Vilma had two defensive plays that were huge as the Saints were able to pull another tight win out 26-23 on Sunday over a pesky Falcons team. Last week New Orleans (13-0) seem to be at the brink of defeat. Then Washington missed a short field goal during regulation. In overtime the Saints rallied to win the game 33-30.

Vick, who was back to the city where he once ruled, made two touchdowns. He got one passing and one running. They were his first touchdowns since 2006. As the Eagles dominated the Falcons 34-7, Vick basked in all the cheers coming from the crowd at the Georgia Dome. Vick, who had tears in his eyes in the bus ride to the stadium said, that was the loudest the Dome gets. I could hear chanting all throughout the stadium. It was sending chills all the way down my spine. The fans were letting me know I was still appreciated for what I have done.