Sports Page Atlanta

1. The Quarterback Situation –

When the day you take your first meaningful snap is seen by many as the day this struggling franchise will finally move on from its QB controversies of old, you’re much more than a #3 overall draft pick.  Chris Redman looks like the starter coming into camp, but Matt Ryan has the intelligence, work ethic, and ability to take his job before September.

     2.  Defensive Tackles –

Head Coach Mike Smith comes from Jacksonville, where as DC he had two big DTs (Marcus Stroud and John Henderson) to take up space and allow his linebackers to make plays.  While many expect free agent acquisition Kindal Moorehead to step into the lineup alongside Jonathan Babineaux, don’t be surprised if Smith takes a liking to Montavious Stanley. The Falcons were virtually defenseless against runs up the middle last year, so this is an area where the team needs immediate improvement to allow the young players at other positions to properly develop.

       3. Cornerback –

Chris Houston was mistake prone in coverage last year but solid enough against the run that he’ll probably earn one starting spot.  After that, no one really knows.  I can’t imagine that Von Hutchins, who wasn’t good enough to play for the Texans’ awful secondary, is really a star waiting to happen.  2nd year player David Irons and rookie Chevis Jackson make this an interesting situation. The team badly needs someone to step up as a strong cover corner, because the other three DBs (SS Lawyer Milloy, FS Erik Coleman, and Houston) struggle in coverage while excelling against the run.

         4. The offensive line –

While Justin Blalock looks like a future star at LG, there are uncertainties abound.  RT Todd Weiner’s recovery from surgery is still ongoing, Kynan Forney is a mystery at RG, and Todd McClure is a solid if unspectacular C.  Sam Baker is slotted at LT but no one is really sure how he’ll work out at the position.  How quickly this unit comes together may influence how quickly the coaches let Matt Ryan work his way into games.

          5. Roddy, Boley, the DE’s, and Woo Pig Sooie –

Times are hard for Atlanta fans, and I realize I’ve spent 4 numbered points detailing
potential headaches for the Falcons this year, but there are reasons to be excited about Falcons football.  Roddy White is quietly maturing into a spectacular receiver, OLB Michael Boley was the team’s best defensive player last season and should only improve with better surrounding personnel, and the team has star power at both defensive end positions.  John Abraham, in a year of turmoil, put together an outstanding season, and Jamaal Anderson, while light on the sacks, tied for the rookie lead in QB hurries and could be due for a big breakout.  Finally, if there’s anything to be excited about this year in Flowery Branch, it’s that Bobby Petrino is long gone.  There wasn’t anything about this team that he made better, and his absence is a godsend for this franchise.  It alone is reason to hope.

This entry was posted on Sunday, July 27th, 2008 at 4:38 pm and is filed under Atlanta Falcons. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.