Falcons show improvement, but don't make the grade

Running backs (C): The Falcons bristled when anyone asked about the "Curse of 370." Yet, there still has been only one back -- the great Eric Dickerson -- who has carried the ball more than 370 times in one season and had a successful follow-up season. Michael Turner, who had 376 carries in 2008, got off to a slow start. He gained only 403 yards in his first six games (67.2 per game). But after he got rolling in high-gear, Carolina's Chris Gamble drove his shoulder pads into the side of Turner's lower right leg in the ninth game, causing a high right-ankle sprain. Turner tried to comeback too soon from the injury and was basically done for the season. Jerious Norwood averaged just 3.3 yards per carry. Snelling ran hard and had a breakout game in the season finale against Tampa Bay on Sunday. Fullback Ovie Mughelli was a valuable lead blocker.

Tight ends (A): You can't measure Tony Gonzalez's contributions in terms of stats. He did so much more for the offense, especially in the red zone. Teams would follow Gonzalez with two players, and the Falcons would sneak a back -- sometimes Snelling -- right behind Gonzalez on the same route and that player would be wide open. Justin Peelle, Keith Zinger and Jason Rader were used primarily as blockers.

Wide receivers (B): The group suffered a major blow when slot receiver Harry Douglas went down early in training camp with a knee injury. It took three players, Brian Finneran, Marty Booker and Eric Weems to take over his workload. Roddy White recorded his third consecutive 1,000-yard season. Michael Jenkins reached 50 catches for the third consecutive season, but scored only one touchdown.

Offensive linemen (B): Left guard Justin Blalock, right tackle Tyson Clabo and center Todd McClure started all 16 games. The line's sack total increased from a franchise-low 17 to 28 and the sacks-per-attempt ratio declined. In 2008, Ryan was sacked every 25.5 pass attempts. In 2009, Ryan and Redman were sacked every 21.1 pass attempts. However, the run blocking remained splendid.

Defensive linemen (C-minus): John Abraham's sack total decreased from a franchise-record 16.5 in 2008 to 5.5, and he had two of those sacks in the season opener. After 43 starts and 2.5 sacks, it's probably time to give up on Jamaal Anderson as a pass rusher. The grade would be lower if the line hadn't play well against the run.

Linebackers (C-plus): Curtis Lofton continued to develop in the middle. Mike Peterson had not played weakside linebacker in five seasons, but was solid. Stephen Nicholas was fourth on team in tackles with 80.

Secondary (F): Cornerbacks Christopher Owens, a rookie, and Brent Grimes played well down the stretch against some shaky quarterbacks. Four different players started at left cornerback and two at right corner as Chris Houston finished the season on injured reserve. Free safety Thomas DeCoud turned in a fine season, while strong safety Erik Coleman was special in run support. The unit gets this grade mostly for ranking 28th against the pass and for giving up 242.1 yards per game.

Special teams (C-minus): The Falcons likely lost two games and possibly three because of issues at kicker. They had to release Jason Elam, one of the greatest kickers of his time. The coverage units took a step back in part because of an injuries. Chauncey Davis came up with a big blocked field goal against the New York Jets.

Coaches (B-plus): The staff weaved its way through the expected growing pains that come with a young team, an incredible streak of injuries and the early elimination from the playoffs. A team without good coaching would have folded up shop. This grade would have been an "A" if they hadn't played Turner against  Tampa Bay on Nov. 29 and thrown a pass on third-and-2 against Tampa Bay on Sunday.