AJC > Sports > Falcons > Blog > Archives > 2007 > July > 16 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USSizing up position battles on defense
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
With training camp starting July 26, let’s look at some position battles. Next Monday, we’ll look at competition on offense. Once camp starts, I’ll be blogging just about every day, so we’ll have some fresh stuff to deal with. I’ll try to check in on these blogs as much as I can to address any questions you might have.
DE. Jamaal Anderson vs. Chauncey Davis. The Falcons didn’t draft Anderson No. 8 overall for him to come off the bench. At the same time, they are going to put the best player on the field and if Anderson isn’t ready to start the season, don’t be shocked if Davis starts and Anderson is weaned into the job, initially as a pass-rusher.
Backup NT. Darrell Shropshire vs. Tommy Jackson vs. Trey Lewis. The main backup is going to have to take a lot of snaps and Jackson emerged over Shropshire late last season. Lewis is trying to make a big leap from small college ball to the pros. Shropshire’s ability to slide to the opposite tackle works in his favor.
Backup MLB. Jordan Beck vs. Tony Taylor. This might seem like somewhat of a surprise since Beck has shown flashes of being ready to play a lot. However, the coaching staff was very impressed during offseason workouts with Taylor, who could slide outside in a pinch. Don’t forget, Taylor’s position coach, Brian VanGorder, also had him at Georgia.
Backup WLB. Orlando Huff vs. Stephen Nicholas. The acquisition of Huff, who’s started plenty of games in the NFL, was a sign that Nicholas’s inexperience is a concern, as is the durability of starter Demorrio Williams’ (torn pectoral muscle).
FS. Chris Crocker vs. Jimmy Williams. Williams might be the future but Crocker is not going to give his position away. Though Crocker was susceptible to the deep ball last season that is a fixable flaw. Williams, who is incredibly gifted and very physical in the running game, is still learning the position. This could be the top battle during the preseason.
RCB. Lewis Sanders vs. Chris Houston. Houston will eventually be the starter. It’s just a matter of when. Sanders is a steady player and he gives the Falcons more depth at the position than they’ve had.
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Comments
By vickisick
July 16, 2007 4:12 PM | Link to this
finally….actual football to talk about and it’s only a week away. let’s get back to talking about our falcons on the field and not this garbage you boys are spewing about distractions.
go petrino and co.!
By JohnB
July 16, 2007 4:16 PM | Link to this
You admitted the fight at OG for the starting job between our second round draft choice and the former Charger, neither of whom’s names I can remember right now.
By rian
July 16, 2007 4:20 PM | Link to this
Thanks for the new blog Steve. I think that it is interesting to hear Petrino talk up Shrop in his PCs. It seemed Mora nad his staff were pretty down on Shrop for showing up overweight and just did not like him.
TJ was great last year, but Zimmer and the gang seem high on Shrop. I find it interesting that 2 different coaching staffs can look at the same 2 players battling for the same position and come up with two different results. Is it really that hard to figure out who is better, or is it all about fit?
By mountain jim
July 16, 2007 4:21 PM | Link to this
A new blog! How long until this one gets posting shut down? The last one did not allow new posts for a week, presumably due to the criticisms the AJC’s journalism (not Steve’s necessarily) was receiving within it.
I for one am ready to talk and read about Falcons football - hopefully the AJC Sports department collectively is as well.
By AJC is a high school paper
July 16, 2007 4:26 PM | Link to this
RCB-Anything is better than Jason Webster.
By mountain jim
July 16, 2007 4:26 PM | Link to this
Number 3: I am real interested in understanding how Beck, who looked so good in preseason before his injury, was never heard from again.
Surely his atheletism could be of value beyond special teams, but no coaches ever seem to say anything (good or bad) about his camp performances since then.
By Birdy
July 16, 2007 4:42 PM | Link to this
Good blog, Steve.
I think the RCB battle will be very interesting. But the WLB and NT also has my interest. I thought Jackson was quite explosive, got into the backfield a lot. If he holds the same form, I would like to see him play a lot this year.
DMo is one of my favorite players. I hope he is OK for the opener and can play the whole year. We need a playmaker like him.
All, let’s all please do what we can to keep the blog clean and on point this time. The season is just around the corner and we’re all Falcons fans!!!
By D-Man
July 16, 2007 4:44 PM | Link to this
**Steve, My only question would be…Why don’t we make these article’s your bread and butter? Or even AJC instead of the garbage news about Vicks home, I mean its only so much you can say about it right? I am just saying the beat writers will give you an article like this and then…..SLAP you in the face with another article about Vick’s property that he isn’t staying at.
Okay getting to FOOTBALL!! I hope Jimmy win’s this battle because the guy can HIT!! He’s not the fastest I’ve seen at the position and there is a concern about his recovery speed but he’s a monster when he lays it on you.
I hope Sanders win his battle because like you said Houston will be a starter regardless but this buys him time and gets him ready to come in when needed.
I kinda want to see Stephen Nicolas win in his battle I am not big on Huff but I know Stephen is smart and quick.
Beck is a good MLB but I think Tony Taylor is Atlanta’s best threat when you add element rb’s like Reggie Bush and company that’s in our division, I also like how he knows how to shed blocks coming his way.
I know this is a stretch but I hope Jamaal Anderson is the league’s Rookie MVP and that’s all I will say about that battle.
I love Tommy Jackson’s motor I don’t think he got a fair shot last year I would love to see him in a carolina or saints game so I hope he wins this title.
I hope we can report also on the WR battles as well and how are the reciever’s catching Vick’s balls and also is Vick picking up the audible system well? I know he will but is Petrino pleased?**
By ginatl
July 16, 2007 4:44 PM | Link to this
After this discussion and the players are a little more in view, how about discussing the subject a little deeper. “Sizing up position battles” The potential Falcon starters vs. their 2007 opponents potential starters.
By Gumbo
July 16, 2007 4:55 PM | Link to this
Nice Blog, Steve. I think your analysis of Davis/Anderson is spot on. The other advantage of just using him on pass rushing downs (at least early in the year) is the “freshness” issue. It’s a long season - for rookies, in particular. Interesting to see the good words about Shrop - I thought TJ ourplayed him badly second half last year.
Something tells me that Sanders will end up at nickel - a position that absolutely killed us last year….or maybe you put Houston there for a year.
Anyway, here’s to a harmonious, racial neutral, “why can’t we all get along?”, crime free, blunt free, killer dog free, “We are Fammm..i…leee” Go Falcons year of blogging.
Yeah, Right…..
By realfalcon
July 16, 2007 4:56 PM | Link to this
Vick will have his best season yet yall just watch
By falcondawg
July 16, 2007 4:58 PM | Link to this
YAAHOOO!!! Preseason is just around the corner! Bring on the blogs, Steve. Thx for the good job and, as mentioned earlier, let’s talk football and not that other stuff.
By Marc Lucier
July 16, 2007 5:00 PM | Link to this
Did Chauncey Davis also backup Abraham on the other side last year? If so, he will be invaluable coming off the bench as a potential spell for either end…I’m rooting for Jimmy Williams, think FS is what he’s born to play, but I’ve been wrong before….Tony Taylor is one of those “just makes plays” kind of guys that every team needs.
By K. Juniel
July 16, 2007 5:01 PM | Link to this
The RCB position is what I’m waiting to see. I hope it’s Sanders because he’s bigger and more physical. I think Houston is the future but make him earn it.
By travis
July 16, 2007 5:21 PM | Link to this
I am excited about the new coaching staff. I think that Petrino is going to do for the Falcons what he did for Louisville, put them on the map. I hear that he has BIG plans for Norwood. I am glad that Vick will be allowed to audible out of doomed situations. I like the receiving corps being led by Horn. Kinda concerned about “Crump” though. Anyword on Abraham’s health this year and when do we expect Coleman and Demorrio Williams back? Oh yeah, I think that the Falcons were smart to get Big Grady back. We need that boy to fill the middle, baby. Falcons will win the South and will beat Chicago to go on to the Superbowl XXXXII (I think)
By jrock
July 16, 2007 5:21 PM | Link to this
Go falcons and let’s look forward to a new year! Football talk..it seem like it has been forever…I just love It! Good luck Falcons and stay healthy at camp!
By ag17
July 16, 2007 5:24 PM | Link to this
i’m really looking forward to seeing what jamaal anderson can do. i hope he can handle all of the aspects of the game besides pass rushing.
other than that i’d like to see jimmy williams unseat crocker, he had more bad plays than good last year.
i just want the best guys on the field, rookie or not. although i’m a little scared about the fact that we could have 3 rookies and 1 guy in a new position starting. i cant wait!!!!!
By drmondo
July 16, 2007 5:32 PM | Link to this
I agree with all the comments asking for the focus on the football team, not tabloid news. Steve, give us as much info about the team as often as possible. What is the final fallout from Grady’s settlement? Are there details about the scheme changes for the offense and defense? Like most true Falcons fans, I’m dying for any details about the team and their chances for the coming season.
By Najeh Davenpoop
July 16, 2007 5:52 PM | Link to this
I’d like to see Tommy Jackson get more snaps than Shropshire at DT. It seemed like every time Jackson got some limited amount of playing time he was in on some tackles, whereas Shropshire never seemed like a guy who created as much trouble on the inside of the line. We all know it’s only a matter of time before Coleman or Grady Jackson gets injured (in fact now that I think about it, Coleman is already injured) — whoever wins this battle is probably going to see a lot of playing time this year.
As for the DE position, Anderson struck me as being a better run stopper at this point in his career than a pass rusher, at least based on seeing him in college. I haven’t seen any of the minicamps so I don’t know how well Anderson has been rushing the passer in practice, but I’d think it’s his pass rushing that he needs to work on more than his run defense. Regardless, I don’t think he’s significantly worse than Chauncey Davis at pass rushing or run stopping. If he’s not the starter to start the season, he should be after the first few games.
And at FS I’d like to see the Falcons bring in one more guy who could take some snaps at that position. More than Crocker’s lack of speed, it’s his lack of instincts for playing the pass that was the biggest concern last year. Jimmy Williams has better speed and athletic ability, but his problem at the FS position also appears to be his instincts. Based on what Wyche is saying, it doesn’t seem like either one of these guys is magically going to develop these instincts before the start of the season. Unless the Falcons can be sure that they will have a consistent pass rush to cover up their deficiencies in the secondary, they better find a FS who can cover before the season starts.
Finally, it’s nice to know that the AJC’s sportswriters have such high hopes for our hometown Falcons. According to D. Orlando Ledbetter, the Falcons shouldn’t expect to finish any better than 6-10 this season. I don’t know, let’s see. The Falcons got rid of the worst coach in the league and replaced him with a guy who at least seems to know what he’s doing. They actually had a solid draft and added two guys who can contribute on offense in free agency. The only major loss they had was Patrick Kerney. Yeah, losing him was a serious blow, but it doesn’t cancel out all the additions the Falcons made. And after all this, the Falcons are going to be a game worse than last year? Give me a break. I’m not expecting anything better than 8-8 this year, but I know this team is no worse than last season’s team. Assuming #7 is in uniform, the Falcons should realistically be able to pull out at least an 8-8 record.
By Steve Wyche
July 16, 2007 5:58 PM | Link to this
Thanks for checking in guys. Trust me, I’m enjoying discussing football. I love the sport and I love the fact that you guys love it too.
Davis can play both DE spots, which makes him very valuable. I think Paul Carrington and Josh Mallard are valuable backups too, so Davis probably will be used mainly on the left side, especially since his strength is defending the run.
In terms of the fallout of Grady’s settlement, everything seems very positive. The team clearly wanted him back, otherwise it wouldn’t have re-done his contract, and Jackson has said repeatedly that he wants to be here.
In terms of (4-3) scheme, there’s not going to be much of a difference in the basics and alignment. If the d-line can apply pressure, you probably will see more man coverage. DC Mike Zimmer also plans to do some things up front to help MLB Keith Brooking work in space and not have to take on as many blocks.
You guys are great. Keep it coming.
By antonio
July 16, 2007 6:01 PM | Link to this
Now we are talking football that’s what’s up. go falcons!!!!!!!!!!!!
By # 1 FAN
July 23, 2007 6:38 PM | Link to this
GO VICK GO!
Remember that there is no game, like a Michael Vick Game. With out Vick the Falcons goes back to where they was.
1 FAN