AJC > Sports > Falcons > Blog > Archives > 2008 > August
August 2008
Falcons get to 75 without making a cut
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Flowery Branch - As expected, the Falcons didn’t have to make any major moves to reach today’s 75-man roster limit. In fact, they didn’t have to cut anyone at all.
Atlanta placed offensive tackle Renardo Foster on the reserve/physically unable to perform list and defensive tackle Trey Lewis on the reserve, non-football injury list to reach the NFL-mandated limit of 75. Both players are coming back from major knee operations.
Both players were already on similar injured lists, so, basically the Falcons just extended their time to heal.
Lewis and Foster will be out another six weeks, at which time they will have an additional 21 days to get healthy enough to play or be placed on injured reserve for the rest of the season. Foster probably has a better chance of returning this season since he tore his ACL early last season.
Lewis, who had been promoted to the starting nose tackle spot as a rookie, tore his ACL late in the season, then re-tore it this offseason walking down some steps.
The big cuts come Saturday, when rosters have to be trimmed to 53. QB D.J. Shockley, QB Joey Harrington, TE Martrez Milner, TB Jason Snelling, WR Brian Finneran, WR Adam Jennings and OG Kynan Forney are among some of the recognizable names on the bubble.
Permalink | Comments (155) | Post your comment |
O-line play factored into decision to start Ryan
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The decision to start rookie Matt Ryan at quarterback wasn’t a hard one for the Falcons coaches if they were solely judging a competition among the team’s four signal-callers.
Watching Ryan in training camp, he seemed most in control of the offense and most trusted by his teammates. His performance in three preseason games closed the door on things, in terms of who was the best quarterback.
More at issue were the complementary parts. The coaching staff wanted to make sure that the offensive line was solid enough to protect Ryan. They also wanted to make sure they could run block well enough so Ryan wouldn’t be put in position to have to throw all the time.
With veteran offensive line coach Paul Boudreau using blocking techniques that play to players’ strengths and not forcing them into a specific style, the line has been fine. And when veteran Todd Weiner showed no ill effects from major knee surgery in Friday’s game against Tennessee, the offense was set - Ryan included.
On that note, Harvey Dahl seems to have locked down the right guard spot. The upstart has been very solid in the preseason. Meanwhile, veteran Kynan Forney seems to be in big trouble of making the roster. He didn’t play against the Titans, a game in which he seemingly needed to do well to stay in contention.
Though Forney’s $2.95 million salary could be a factor in him getting released - that’s a high price to pay a backup - so is his lack of versatility. Forney is solely a guard. Likely backups Tyson Clabo (can play every position but center), Quinn Ojinnaka (can play every position including center), and Alex Stepanovich (can play center and both guard spots) have the versatility this coaching staff desires.
The recent signing of veteran tight end Marcus Pollard might not be a good sign for former Georgia product Martrez Milner. Milner is the most athletic and versatile tight end on the roster, but he hasn’t played since injuring his ankle and toe during a mock game at the Georgia Dome during training camp. Coach Mike Smith said Sunday it’s hard to gauge a player who hasn’t been on the field. Smith said he didn’t know how Milner’s absence would affect his chances of making the 53-man roster.
One thing I can tell you about this coaching staff, they are old school and aren’t big on dealing with unproven players who miss time, for whatever reason. A prime example is second-year wideout Laurent Robinson.
Robinson could be the most talented wideout besides Roddy White. However, when he missed a week and the first preseason game with a bruised tailbone, he moved to near the bottom of the depth chart and has barely been heard from since. Robinson will make the roster, but he’s lost the starting job (Michael Jenkins is in) he had entering training camp.
Weiner’s return could affect Forney
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Flowery Branch — Veteran right tackle Todd Weiner is set to take some snaps with the first team during Friday’s preseason game against Tennessee at the Georgia Dome. Coach Mike Smith did not say if Weiner would start but he did want to see a “unit” that could end up starting.
Smith did not say if guard Kynan Forney was among the unit. Forney is working behind Harvey Dahl, who has done just about everything possible to hold on to the starting job. The coaching staff has been curious to see if Forney, the longtime starter, would respond to the demotion that was made over the summer. I’ve been told that Forney has been highly competitive but Dahl continues to get the majority of the reps with the first unit.
With Weiner coming back, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Forney get more first-team reps. Those two have played alongside each other for years and Forney might function better with someone familiar.
In other news, rookie middle linebacker Curtis Lofton will be getting a lot of work with the first defense, Smith said. The staff wants to see how he holds up and meshes with the first-team players. Tony Taylor has started until now but Lofton is the future at that position and the coaching staff wants to see if he is trustworthy enough to start working into the mix.
Horn happy after release
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Flowery Branch - Joe Horn was as happy as he’s been in months. I spoke to him shortly after the Falcons’ released him Tuesday afternoon and he said he’s glad he’s finally out of here.
The Falcons might feel the same. I won’t be speaking to any team officials until after practice, but they must have felt having Horn outta here was worth paying him the $2.5 million he was owed.
A side note: Horn, who had 27 catches for 243 yards and one touchdown after signing a four-year, $14.5 million free agent deal last summer from New Orleans, leaves Atlanta $7.5 million richer in guaranteed salary. He will probably add to that because it is highly likely he’ll get picked up quickly by another team.
Horn’s release won’t affect the things at wide receiver with Atlanta since he hadn’t practiced much or played at all because of a hamstring issue he said was minor. Roddy White, Mike Jenkins, Laurent Robinson and Harry Douglas are at the top of the food chain with Brian Finneran, Adam Jennings, Eric Weems and Chandler Williams vying for the fifth spot.
I would not be surprised if Atlanta signed a wide receiver after the first wave of cuts next week.
Horn’s departure adds to the roster turnover for GM Thomas Dimitroff and coach Mike Smith. They want players who want to buy in. Keep that in mind because Horn probably won’t be the only veteran who was in training camp to get bounced before the regular season.
I’ll check back in after practice.
Permalink | Comments (150) | Post your comment |
Ryan to start vs. Titans: Sign of things to come?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Flowery Branch — This is going to be short because I’m on deadline, but coach Mike Smith named rookie Matt Ryan the starter for Friday’s game against visiting Tennessee.
Ryan will play into the second half, which is typical for starters around the league. The third preseason game is viewed as the most crucial for regular-season preparation.
That said, Smith declined to say if Ryan would be the starter when Atlanta opens its season against visiting Detroit Sept. 7.
Even so, all indications are that Ryan looks to be like he’ll be the guy. He’s taken more snaps with the first-team offense than Chris Redman, Joey Harrington and D.J. Shockley in two preseason games and he has taken them mostly against first team defenses.
If Ryan can handle some of the blitzes, coverage schemes and pressure the Titans are going to throw at him, it would seem highly likely that the Falcons’ quarterback of the future would be the quarterback of the present.
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.
Harrington to start now; Ryan later
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Falcons coach Mike Smith announced today that Joey Harrington will start the preseason home opener against Indianapolis Saturday.
The move sets the stage for first-round pick Matt Ryan to start against Tennessee in the third preseason game Aug. 22 at the Georgia Dome. The third preseason game is typically when teams get into regular season mode and starters play at least a half.
The Falcons are holding an open competition for the starting quarterback job and Smith said each quarterback would get a chance to start. Chris Redman started in last Saturday’s preseason-opening, 20-17 loss at Jacksonville. D.J. Shockley likely will start the preseason finale Aug. 28 at Baltimore.
One note about Shockley, he has a year of practice squad eligibility left. If the Falcons decide to do so, they can keep all four quarterbacks but keep Shockley on the practice squad. Redman and Harrington have too much experience to be placed on the practice squad per NFL/NFLPA rules.
Ryan has $72 million reasons to remain on the active roster.
McClure returns to full contact
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Falcons center Todd McClure back in his first full contact practice Wednesday since injuring his back on July 28th. His streak of 96-consecutive starts appears safe for now. (Had to ask him, “Dude, how did you get hurt stretching?” He was nice about it and got a chuckle out of line of questioning.)
Also, cornerback Chris Houston, who dislocated his right shoulder, returned to practice also.
The team whipped through a spirited workout that was very physical. Bodies were flying, but there weren’t any fights. My man Harvey Dahl didn’t even get into any dust-ups. With the Colts coming up on Saturday it was their last physical practice before the Birds break training camp on Friday.
Oh, by the way, Joe Horn continued to nurse his hamstring. He didn’t practice or wasn’t allowed to practice. Steve Wyche and I don’t think anything will happen on the Horn front until teams get a chance to evaluate their own receivers or unless a team loses some receivers to injury.
How big was it getting McClure back? Houston a player? What should they Falcons do with Horn?
Permalink | Comments (30) | Post your comment |
Random thoughts after preseason opener
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Flowery Branch - The Falcons resume practice today after losing their preseason opener to Jacksonville 20-17. It will be interesting to see what changes could be in store.
Some observations and random thoughts:
• The most positive thing about Matt Ryan was how he treated his teammates on the field. In one instance, Justin Blalock drew an illegal procedure penalty when the team was in scoring position. Instead of ignoring things or sending off bad body language, Ryan raced right up to the left guard, patted him on the back and told him not to worry about things. Things like that go a very long way in getting teammates to respect you and protect you.
• Keith Brooking looks very comfortable back at outside linebacker. Brooking was very quick to plays and was violent at the point of attack because he wasn’t having to fend off interior linemen like he did when he played in the middle.
• No word on John Abraham’s ankle. It was initially tabbed a sprain. Abe walked out of the stadium in a support boot and said he was okay, but in the past, follow-up examinations have shown to be different than the first burst of info provided to the media.
• Right guard Harvey Dahl looks as if he’s created some distance from Kynan Forney for the starting job. Dahl appeared to have a pretty good game - film study could prove different - while Forney was on the field late with the second and third-tier players. Those second and third-tier players didn’t do so well keeping backup defenders off quarterback D.J. Shockley.
• The battle for the No. 3 tailback job is going to be a doozy. Jason Snelling and Thomas Brown look very, very good. Snelling’s 47-yard gain on a screen pass was the biggest gainer of the game. Brown’s evasiveness and speed also was impressive. Brown could have the edge because he returns kicks but Snelling isn’t going down quietly. One could end up on the practice squad but other teams can pluck players off the practice squad, so whoever doesn’t make it could end up on another team’s roster.
• You have to like what you saw out of Michael Turner and Jerious Norwood. Turner really banged inside when he had to and he showed some nice bursts of speed. The Falcons used Norwood well, getting him on the edge quickly and letting him use his speed. And what about Mike Mularkey actually getting the ball to fullback Ovie Mughelli on third and short? What a novel idea.
There are a lot of things to discuss so respond with some of your takes. I’ve got to get out on the practice field.
And I would be remiss of I forgot: RIP Bernie Mac and Isaac Hayes. You were both some bad Mutha “shut you mouths.”
Permalink | Comments (72) | Post your comment |
Falcons’ QB rotation to be set today for preseason opener
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Flowery Branch - Falcons coach Mike Smith said earlier this week that the quarterback rotation for Saturday’s preseason opener vs. Jacksonville would be set today.
Though he may not start, it would seem likely that first-round pick Matt Ryan will get extended playing time. With Atlanta wanting to see how he handles NFL pressure, it wouldn’t be shocking to see him play early and for a prolonged period.
Smith knows Jacksonville’s personnel and how head coach Jack Del Rio likely will scheme a game like this since he spent five years coaching with Del Rio in Jacksonville. So Smith will probably know when and how to best use Ryan.
As soon as I hear something, I’ll update this blog and I’m sure there will be some stories about it on AJC.com also.
Editor’s Note: Steve Wyche has reported that coach Mike Smith will wait until after this afternoon’s practice before deciding on the QB rotation - and other personnel moves. Click here for the story.
Permalink | Comments (255) | Categories: training camp
Some questions at tight end
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Flowery Branch - The Falcons re-signed former Georgia Tech tight end George Cooper Monday night, a sign that No. 2 tight end Martrez Milner might not be available for Saturday’s preseason opener at Jacksonville.
Milner suffered an unspecified ankle and toe injury over the weekend and he did not practice Monday. Though team officials didn’t sound overly concerned, they didn’t just brush it off either. The new injury is on the opposite leg on which Milner had ankle surgery last season.
Cooper spent all of the 2007 season on Atlanta’s practice squad. He was released before training camp.
Milner is the only “receiving” tight end on the roster, which really limits what the Falcons can do at that position. Compounding things, the remaining tight ends, Ben Hartsock, Jason Rader and Keith Zinger, have done little to show coaches they are worthy pass catching options.
I would expect the Falcons to spend a good amount of time scouring the waiver wires and exploring trades for a tight end before the regular season starts. Those duties could be expedited if Milner’s injury turns out to be somewhat serious.
I will check in after today’s morning practice with more updates on how things are going.
Permalink | Comments (64) | Post your comment |
Falcons back on the grind
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Falcons hit the practice fields at Flowery Branch this morning after having Sunday off. (A big thanks to my partner “Big Stevie Wyche” for holding things down over the weekend which allowed me to have a great time at my Family Reunion! I didn’t win the Madden Championship, my cheating Uncle Gerald Paschal took home that trophy!)
With the preseason opener set for Saturday in Jacksonville, practices figure to be a little more spirited this week. You know, the guys get tired of hitting each other after a couple of weeks and will welcome going up against some real, live opposition.
As the week unfolds, here are a couple of themes to keep tabs on:
• What will the quarterback rotation be for the game and how much time with Matt Ryan get?
• The Falcons have spent a lot of time re-tooling the running game. Will they be able to run the ball against Jacksonville’s first-string defense?
• Todd Weiner has been eased back in after major knee surgery. He’s aiming for the second game, but it will be interested to see how he holds up under an increased work load. Getting Weiner back could go a long ways to stabilizing the offensive line.
• How will the young corners hold up? The Falcons could start Chris Houston (second year) and Brent Grimes (second year) and use Chevis Jackson (rookie) as the nickel back. That’s awfully young at that position.
• Will rookie Curtis Lofton start stepping up at middle linebacker? He looks like the real deal.
Check back with us later to see how these themes are developing.
Week 1 training camp observations
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Flowery Branch - As the team prepares for a full-scale scrimmage tonight at Mill Creek High School, here are some observations after a week of training camp:
• QB Matt Ryan might not have the strongest arm, but he is completing passes because of his timing. There will be times he misfires or throws an interception because he can’t zip the ball into a tight window, but he looks a lot better now than he did in mini camp. He seems to recognize the speed of players better and his familiarity of the system has improved. He has improved as much as any player on the team over the past few months.
• That said, veteran QB Chris Redman still looks the most at ease and has done nothing to hurt his chances of opening the season as the starter.
• Upstart RG Harvey Dahl, who was moved into the starting lineup during summer workouts, is not buckling under pressure and could make his competition with incumbent Kynan Forney the most heated on the team. The shift to Dahl appeared to start as a motivational ploy to get Forney, who struggled some last season. going. Forney has played fairly well but Dahl seems to have stepped up to the challenge. It will be interesting to see how Dahl performs against players from opposing teams. If he plays well, he could be the guy.
• Don’t expect the tight ends to catch many passes. The group assigned to replace Alge Crumpler by committee is made up pf blockers. The unit, led by Ben Hartsock and Martrez Milner, hasn’t consistently caught the ball and doesn’t appear to be a huge part of the game plan. They won’t be neglected but they might combine to total the 42 catches made by Crumpler in ’07.
• Rookie WR Harry Douglas could be the real deal. He is a fearless route runner who gets open and makes catches. He should get plenty of catches out of the slot and make up for some of the possible lack of production from the tight end spot.
• WR Brian Finneran, who missed the past two seasons after tearing the ACL in the same knee, is making a strong case to be retained. Not only is he catching the ball but also he’s re-established himself as a reliable special teams player. That is crucial for any non-starting wide receiver trying to make the team.
• The Falcons are still unsure of what’s going to happen with WR Joe Horn. Horn has missed the past few practices with a sore hamstring, which is prompting him to miss more time. Horn, who wants to be traded, skipped summer workouts. The Falcons say they want him to compete for playing time but can’t because he’s hurt. His $2.5 million salary is guaranteed so the team would have to eat the salary if it cut him. There has been little interest in terms of trades. This situation is going to get more interesting over the next few weeks.
• It is hard to get a read on the defensive line, since so many players - Jamaal Anderson, Jonathan Babineaux and John Abraham - have missed practice time with injuries and personal matters. Grady Jackson hasn’t done much since signing earlier this week. Anderson, last season’s first-round draft pick (No. 8 overall), returned a day ago and he has to step up. The Falcons are going to need a pass rush to protect the young secondary and Anderson can’t go much more time without being a threat.
• FS Erik Coleman has been solid in coverage, which has been sorely missed at that position for years. He’s also a big hitter, who has yet to cut loose.
• Rookie CB Chevis Jackson could turn out to be the most physical player on the team at his position and should emerge as the starting nickel back. Jackson loves to get his hands on receivers and annoy them. His long arms also allow him to close gaps and compensate for his lack of ideal speed.
• Though the goal might be for rookie Curtis Lofton to start at middle linebacker, second-year player Tony Taylor could delay Lofton’s entrance. Taylor has shown the physicality and the smarts to play the position and he seems to have good chemistry going with outside ‘backers Keith Brooking and Michael Boley.
• Rookie running back Thomas Brown has been very impressive. If he stays healthy he should make the team as a kickoff returner and third option at tailback. His shiftiness, toughness and different running style from Michael Turner and Jerious Norwood make him a nice complement. Second year tailback Jason Snelling isn’t going to go quietly but Brown’s versatility and running style could be the difference maker.
• Backup DBs David Irons and Daren Stone, who seemed to be headed in the right direction as rookies last season, could be losing ground. Irons, a standout special teams player, is rotating with the third defensive unit along with Stone, who was demoted from No. 2 strong safety with the acquisition of veteran Deke Cooper.
The Falcons’ personnel department likely won’t be idle with this roster as the preseason progresses. It will be tracking receiver-type tight ends and veteran cornerbacks that could give them some security, at least, in nickel packages.
One of those veteran corners won’t be Philadelphia’s Lito Sheppard. Atlanta wants to stay relatively young and build through the draft for the most part, according to some folks with the team.
.JPG)
-1.JPG)
Services »
