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Friday, August 15, 2008
CBs to be tested and a look at the Horn issue
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
First-year cornerback Brent Grimes and Chevis Jackson held up fine in the preseason-opener last week vs. Jacksonville. We’ll find out how good they are or how much work they’ll have to do after Saturday’s game against the Colts. Though Peyton Manning won’t be playing, wide receivers Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne are expected to play.
It’s a very tough system to stop and Grimes and Jackson will be on the spot from the first snap. Regular starting right cornerback Chris Houston is just returning from a dislocated shoulder injury so his playing time could be limited — if he plays at all. David Irons, who was starting to come on, pulled a hamstring and won’t play.
To help the corners, the Falcons would like to generate some pass rush. Though the Colts play a scheme where the quarterback unloads the ball quickly, getting into passing lanes or re-setting the line of scrimmage is what the coaches will be looking for.
Right end John Abraham (ankle) won’t play so Chauncey Davis will play opposite Jamaal Anderson. A player to keep an eye on is rookie end Kroy Biermann.
The fifth round draft pick is really starting to surge after a very tough start in which he looked physically overmatched. Biermann is an instinctive speed rusher who is showing coaches a lot moxie the way he’s come on. He still has a long way to go and he is a situational player, but he’s one of the rookies starting to distinguish himself.
In other developments, wide receiver Joe Horn could take some snaps. This has been a strange week for Horn, who wants out to the point that he told me he’s contemplated giving back some of the guaranteed $2.5 million he’s owed. Though there have been some suggestions that Horn’s base salary is not guaranteed, it is. Otherwise, he would have been long gone.
What likely will happen with Horn is things will come down to final cuts Aug. 30. Either a team in need will work a trade for Horn or they will wait to see if Atlanta cuts him (and eats the $2.5 mil). If the Falcons’ don’t cut him or trade, they’re in a tough spot.
They might have to:
• Put him in the rotation at the expense of someone like Mike Jenkins or Harry Douglas.
• Cut a player who could give them help on special teams (Brian Finneran, Adam Jennings).
• Keep him on the active roster and make him game-day inactive, which would basically wipe out a roster spot that would be better served with someone who would actually play.
None of those are ideal scenarios, which would lead you to think there will be some type of separation within the next few weeks.
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