Falcons undecided on who will back up Ryan

Flowery Branch — Falcons head coach Mike Smith said that though the starting quarterback job has been decided, there are several jobs still up for grabs.

“The thing that’s lost in this is over the next five, six days there’s a lot of competition, not just at the No. 2 and No. 3 quarterback positions,” Smith said. “There’s not a lot of roster spots that are secure. There are going to be more decisions we have to make.”

Based on playing time and rotations during the preseason, Chris Redman seems to have the inside edge to be the backup quarterback with D.J. Shockley and Joey Harrington battling for the No. 3 job. Smith would not disclose the quarterback depth chart Sunday.

Smith said that veteran right tackle Todd Weiner played well in his first action of the preseason Friday against Tennessee and that there have been no negative after-effects to his surgically overhauled knee. Smith indicated that Weiner could emerge as the starter ahead of Tyson Clabo and that the rest of offensive line appears set.

“It was good to see Todd Weiner out there this past weekend and where we possibly have our starting five intact,” Smith said. “I think they’ll be a very efficient group.”

That means that upstart Harvey Dahl would start at right guard ahead of Kynan Forney, who did not play against the Titans after seeing reserve duty in Atlanta’s other two preseason games.

Lofton, other rookies, in play

Smith also said that as many as five rookies could be in the top rotation to start the season, including middle linebacker Curtis Lofton, who appears to have moved ahead of Tony Taylor in the starting lineup.

“Curtis had six good hits and did a nice job coming downhill,” Smith said of Lofton, who made his first start against the Titans. “He was all that we anticipated. He handled the logistics of getting our front set. It was good to see our rookie middle linebacker out there.”

The other rookie starters will be quarterback Matt Ryan and left tackle Sam Baker. Harry Douglas will be the No. 3 wide receiver and Chevis Jackson is the starting nickel back.