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Posted by ESPN.com's Pat Yasinskas

Despite Sunday's tough loss to the Saints, there were lots of letters from Atlanta fans in the mailbag. We'll get to those in just a second. On a programming note, I'll be in Atlanta this week and will be reporting live from Sunday's game with the Buccaneers.

Podcast: Tirico & Van Pelt Chris Mortensen thinks Matt Ryan will be this year's offensive rookie of the year, but Matt Forte should get some consideration.

Wolfgang in Graz, Austria writes: Hi Pat! I'm a heavy Atlanta Falcon's message board user, and there are still people thinking we could get anything for Vick. My take is: He has no trade value, because of his contract and the fact that every GM in the league knows that he'll get cut anyway, to get rid of his huge contract. So as soon as he'll get reinstated (if that ever happens), he'll get cut. Could you please clear the situation up?

Pat Yasinskas: I'm with you on that. If you got anything at all for Michael Vick in a trade, it would be a minor miracle. Yes, he's a great talent, but not many general managers are going to want to give up something for his baggage and his contract. They'll wait until he's released and a few teams (and I'm talking very few) will see if they can get him with a cheap contract.

James in Carrollton, GA writes: Pat, The division home record is an absurd 23-2. As we get closer to the playoffs, who do you think is best suited to win on the road? The Bucs, Falcons, and Panthers all have won 3 games on the road this season. And why isn't Roddy White getting more national exposure? Steve Smith gets all talk(great catches) but Roddy is having an amazing year. Thanks.

Pat Yasinskas: As you know, the record is now 24-2 after Carolina's win at home Monday night. That's one of the most amazing stats of this season. As for who is best-suited to win on the road, you're right, the Falcons, Bucs and Panthers have shown they can do it. If I had to pick one team to win a crucial road game right now, I'd go with Carolina. But that's not saying the Bucs and Falcons can't do it. As for Roddy White, I think he is getting attention now. People are realizing he's for real and I think he's got a shot at the Pro Bowl.

Dean in Philly writes: Your comment about the Falcons sounds unnecessarily encouraging. "This team has a real shot at 10-6." If the Eagles win out, 3 games in which they will be favored, the falcons (who got destroyed vs. the birds) wont make the playoffs at 10-6. Any take?

Pat Yasinskas: Maybe so. But let's see the Eagles win out first. I still think the Falcons have a shot at the playoffs.

Tim in Warrior, AL writes: Hey Pat. Keep up the good work on the blog. What do the Falcons have to do to be take seriously? Everyone is talking about what the Panthers did to the Bucs but what the Falcons did to the Panthers hardly made a peep on the national radar. Why? Also why do people actually think the Dolphins are more surprising than the Falcons? The Dolphins really weren't that bad last year. They lost 6 games by 3 points. Then once they got Chad Pennington I fully expected them to win 8 or 9 games this year.

Pat Yasinskas: I don't think the Falcons are really being slighted. I think they've gotten a pretty good amount of national attention -- and it's been deserved. But I see your points about the comparisons to other teams. All I can say is I think there's still time for the Falcons to get more respect. If they make the playoffs, they'll be a huge national story.

Casey in parts unknown writes: Still proud of my Falcons and Ryan despite a tough loss to a game Saints squad, but it irks me with each week concerning turnover margin, as I am sure it does Coach Smith. I'd rather see one committed and one forced than none committed and none forced, but the past two games we've committed 4 and forced none. Infuriating. Michael Boley is around the ball much less than in past years and in on considerably less tackles. We need ball hawks in the worst way. But most importantly, to reference my email to you last week, a decision needs to be made on Jamaal Andrson NOW! Not tommorrow. On a good note, Roddy White is easily the best reciever I've seen in a Falcons's uniform and has a style that really can't be categorized. He has the hands, speed, stride, ball skills, route-running, size, physicality, dependability, and wide catching radius: a skill set most rivaled by Larry Fitzgerald. Thanks, Pat. You make us feel like we're on Sportscenter.

Pat Yasinskas: You covered a lot of ground, so I'll answer like I'm on "SportsCenter" so we don't take up too much space. I'm with you on Jamaal Anderson. If he was going to show something, it would have happened by now. And I'm with you on Roddy White. He should be in the Pro Bowl.

Zach in Atlanta writes: Did you agree with Mike Smith's decision to punt with a little over 3 minutes left against the Saints? I thought it was a horrible decision, probably the worst he's made all year. Ryan was carrying the Falcons all day, overcoming penalties and a poor run game, and the Falcons defense was getting shredded. I think the odds are better that Ryan picks up 5 yards than the defense holds the Saints to a three and out. You can't take the ball out of Ryan's hands there and put the game on the defense. Smith's had a great season at coach, but that was a terrible mistake.

Pat Yasinskas: In hindsight, your points are valid. But I'm going to side with Mike Smith on this one because my honest reaction at the time he made the decision was that it was the right choice and he was showing confidence in his defense -- same way he did in his offense in going for it on fourth-and-1 against Carolina. He was playing it by the book and that's his style. It didn't work out, but playing it by the book has worked out pretty well for Smith all season.

Clint in Atlanta writes: do you think with the success that matt ryan has had throwing the ball that the falcons would be best as a pass oriented team. I bel
eive releiving some pressure from Turner would benefit us in the last stretch of games and would keep him fresh for the playoffs

Pat Yasinskas: I agree the Falcons have placed a very heavy load on Turner and that's something to address in the offseason. But, right now, you have to stick with what's brought you this far.

Amit in Atlanta writes: Why isn't Turner being considering for an MVP candidate? When running backs are mentioned, only Portis and Peterson are mentioned even though Turner now is 2nd in yards rushing and tied for 1st in touchdowns?

Pat Yasinskas: Actually, Michael Turner is starting to get some consideration for MVP. If the Falcons can win a few more games, that will only increase.