Falcons in hot race for No. 1 pick

By: T. Love

Despite all the turmoil and bad play that Atlanta fans have had to witness, it looks like the team is not a lock for the No. 1 pick in the 2008 draft. After reaching the NFC Championship game and having tons of expectations for the 2007 season, the New Orleans Saints are back to reality after getting beat down by the Tennessee Titans, 31-14, to fall to 0-3 on the season.

The Saints and the Falcons are two-of-three winless teams in the NFC, but to make it even better we are in the same division. Somebody is going to have to win the Sunday afternoon pillow fight between these two squads on Oct. 21 and I bet Goodell Castro is kicking himself for putting together a Monday Night contest on Dec. 10.

Maybe both can turn it around, which would be great. The problems for each seems to be defense as Atlanta ranks 17th in total D, while New Orleans comes in at 24th. Both teams also have trouble running the ball, currently listed at 24th and 27th, respectively.

To make matters worse for the Saints, running back Deuce McAllister has just been sent to the shelf for the rest of the season with a torn ACL.

As hilarious as it is to see the Saints lose and misery loves company, this could ruin the Darren McFadden sweepstakes. Of the five winless teams in the NFL (and the early frontrunners for Darren) three-of-five are set at running back.

Buffalo just selected Marshawn Lynch, Miami has Ronnie Brown, St. Louis has Steven Jackson.

What if New Orleans doesn’t feel Reggie Bush is an every down back? Deuce is 28 now and coming off the ACL could take time. Would the Saints be so wild and draft McFadden?

Only time will tell, but this race is heating up!