Everyone has heard by now Roddy Whites comments about a “Superbowl or bust” for the Atlanta Falcons upcoming season. You have to respect that failure is no longer an option for this team. For Some of the players this is still a want though, for other it is a need and for few its just a mentality.

When you grow up as an athlete you must have a competitive attitude or you won’t last. We know guys like Julio Jones and Matt Ryan want that championship it would be the best accomplishment of their young careers but they don’t “need” a championship just yet. Ryan really wants to win you can even say bringing back Tony Gonzalez has put him in a position where he needs to win strictly because he feels responsible. The Atlanta Falcons got a lot of great young talent who should be very successful but there is a lot of old talent to who need to win now.

Somehow last year Ray Lewis was able to steal all of Tony’s thunder even though he had not only already won playoff games but had already won the Superbowl. Doesn’t seem like anyone will be able to do that this year. Tony is delaying his retirement one more season to win that championship. No one needs, wants or has the mentality of a Superbowl or bust season that compares this time. One reason we got some of the guys we did is because they want to win a championship. Steven Jackson is just one of the many veteran guys on this team whose time is running out and needs a ring more than ever.

Roddy White seems to be in a class of his own on this Falcons team. After reiterating that winning is the only thing for the dirty birds you can tell Roddy really takes that to heart. He’s a seasoned veteran but he still has years ahead of him in the league He just wants to be the best he isn’t the type of guy to settle for pretty good he wants to win, he wants to beat everyone. The Superbowl isn’t a want its a need for Roddy but because he needs to be the best not because his expiration date is quickly approaching,

We are all well aware that Atlanta is not accepting anything but a Superbowl victory this year. Some players want it, Some need it and others truly deserve it. One things for sure, This is going to be a great season and something Falcons fans can really get excited about.

May 4, 2013; Flowery Branch, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons tight end Levine Toilolo (80) shown on the field at Falcons Rookie Camp at the Falcons Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

As the dust continues to settle from the quake that was the 2013 NFL Draft, I will be taking a look at Atlanta’s ’13 Rookie Class, predicting the role they could (or should) have on the upcoming season. In the first segment of “Examining Roles”, I will be taking a look at Dimitroff’s 4th round selection: Levine Toilolo.

Coming out of High School, Toilolo was a standout as a athlete and a student. He attended Helix High; home to phenom athletes Reggie Bush and THE Steve Smith. He was recruited by universities such as Cal, UF, and Stanford, choosing in the end to attend Stanford along with one of 2008′s top QB prospects Andrew Luck. While Andrew’s collegiate career got off to an amazingly hot start, Toilolo’s was hampered with a leg and ACL injury. He was then relegated to a blocking role, but was still able to show off some of his athleticism from time-to-time. Levine ended his Stanford campaign with 50 receptions for 763 yards and 10 touchdowns; hardly a pro-caliber stat-stamp by NCAA standards. But, his stats don’t quite tell the story of what he could be capable of in the right surroundings.

At 6’8, 265 pounds, Toilolo is quite fleet-footed for a man of his weight and stature. He comes from a bloodline of pro athletes, the most notable being his uncle Edwin Mulitalo who earned a Super Bowl ring with the 2000 Baltimore Ravens. He reminds me of Leonard Pope from UGA a few years back; Tall, atheletic with subpar hands and average blocking skills. As much as I like Levine, he seems like more of a ‘miss’ than a ‘hit’ prospect. He needs to work on his hands, route-running, and overall technique if he hopes to become a starting tight end in the NFL. I doubt he will get a lot of playing time his first year, but he will get to learn from one of the best to ever put on pads in Tony Gonzalez. It will be all about baby-steps for Toilolo…

I could see him getting a few snaps in the red-zone, as his height and jumping ability could pose mismatches for defenders. He could also be used in run-heavy formations as a extra blocker. Outside of that, most of his time will be spent riding the pine learning as much as he can from Chris Scelfo (TE’s coach) and Tony. I’m not looking for him to explode on the scene and I don’t think anybody else should either. This is a developmental year for Levine Toilolo, but I don’t think he could’ve been drafted into a better situation…

2013-14 season stats prediction

Yards- 184

Touchdowns- 4

Jan 20, 2013; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons head coach Mike Smith talks to defensive end John Abraham (55) during the second quarter of the NFC Championship game against the San Francisco 49ers at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Fans who were hoping  for a John Abraham-Atlanta Falcons reunion of sorts shouldn’t prolong their torment any longer. Sources have said that John will be taking his talents to Tennessee for 2013-14 season. Many fans may be disappointed, but shouldn’t be surprised with his decision. John Abraham was cut before he was due a 5.75 million payday for the upcoming season, and that may have left a bitter taste in his mouth and played a part in him not returning. He put out a tweet as a response to those dismayed by his choice

https://twitter.com/johnabraham55/status/331489815512092673

John Abraham may not have liked the way things ended in Atlanta, but I appreciate him for everything he’s done. It was fun to watch him terrorize QB’s in his prime, and I wish him much success in Tennessee.