So you want to know about the Atlanta Falcons, eh?

Hey, wait! Don't avoid eye contact! I can tell you're interested.

Well, your erstwhile opponent Thursday night is a team in a state of full-blown transition. We have a rookie QB who may or may not get to play much of the game (young Matt Ryan), a running back who has looked great but never has started (Michael Turner) and the most generically named coach in the NFL (Mike Smith). It's truly an exciting and scary time to be a fan of the team. If nothing else, you'll be seeing a team that's almost as unfamiliar to all of us as it is to you.

There's no telling how many starters will get run on Thursday, but you will see plenty of our young defense. There's not a single starting-caliber cornerback on our roster over the age of 25. Brent Grimes is a former undrafted free agent who has taken the team by storm and is incredibly athletic. I'm not sure how many of your receivers are up and running (lots of injuries, no?), but Grimes and rookie Chevis Jackson will be accompanying them downfield. We also have one of the most fearsome linebacking corps in the league, and hard-hitting rookie Curtis Lofton will be auditioning for a starting job. Also intriguing is the battle between Jason Snelling and Thomas Brown for third running back, with the bruising Snelling matching up against Brown, a sort of lesser version of Ray Rice (great player you got there, by the way.)

So you should see a competitive squad on the field, though Matt Ryan may not play all that much now that he's locked up the starting job. Here's hoping you guys enjoy the game, and best of luck on the season ahead!