COVER 9@9: Falcons pass on Vick for Grossman

1. BACKUP QUARTERBACK DERBY: The Jets signed Matt Flynn.

The Steelers signed Michael Vick.

The Falcons are kicked the tires on Rex Grossman, who hasn't played in a game since 2011, and signed him to a one-year contract on Wednesday.

Only one of them has appeared in a Super Bowl: Grossman.

He took a physical and worked out on Tuesday. We really don't need to walk down Vick memory lane here. The Falcons couldn't really sign him although he is a scheme-fit for this offense.

This is the attack the Falcons used to get to NFC championship game under Jim Mora, with all of the stretch runs by Warrick Dunn, bootlegs by Vick and passes to Alge Crumpler. If something happens to Matt Ryan, he could run the basic part of the offense even without studying his game plan.

But, it just would not have worked for the public relations conscience Falcons.

Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter

Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter

Last week, a report surfaced that Grossman turned down an offer from the Jets because he wanted to reunite with Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan and play for the Falcons. He played for Shanahan in Washington and was with him in Cleveland last season before being released.

Grossman, the former Florida Gator, has not played in an NFL game since 2011.

The Falcons were not interested originally because they were pleased with T.J. Yates and Sean Renfree. But after both Yates and Renfree struggled against the New York Jets’ reserves, the team had a change of heart.

Grossman, 35, was drafted 22nd overall by the Chicago Bears in the 2003 draft. He has started 47 games over his career and helped the Bears reach Super Bowl XLI, where they defeated 29-17 by the Indianapolis Colts.

Grossman also spent time with Houston (2009) and Washington (2010-13).

Matt Ryan hasn’t missed a game since the 2009 season and his streak of 87 starts in a row is the fifth-longest among active quarterbacks, despite playing under severe duress the past two seasons.

Over his career, Grossman has completed 863 of 1,562 passes (55.2 percent) for 1,562 yards, 56 touchdowns and 60 interceptions.

To make room for Grossman, the Falcons waived/injured running back Evan Royster.

http://bcove.me/b92i4rvh

2. THE MIAMI VICE GAME PLAN: The Falcons will compile a partial game plan for the dress rehearsal exhibition against Miami.

“There will be parts of it for sure that are, but it’s not going to be over the top in terms of what we want to do,” Quinn said. “We still just want to play good and solid fundamentally as we can. Our focus is going to be on our execution.”

3. DEPTH AT WIDE RECEIVER: Falcons wide receiver Roddy White is expected back at the facilities today after his elbow surgery, the first surgery of his career.

The Falcons won’t rush him back and expect him to be available for the home opener.

Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter

Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter

“Honestly, it’s one of the deepest positions on our team,” Quinn said. “There are some really proven players at receiver from Devin (Hester) to (Leonard) Hankerson to Nick Williams and (Justin) Hardy is coming through. Those guys are getting their turns. They are getting their

chemistry down.”

4. FALCONS NOT WORRIED ABOUT COLLINS: The Falcons selection of Jalen Collins was fashioned as a boom or bust pick in the second round.

After recovering from foot surgery, he’s been off to a slow start in training camp. But it might be wise not to jump to a quick conclusion on Collins. Rookie cornerbacks struggle at first to the speed of the game and then, if they are good, they adjust.

Collins is going through the same process that Desmond Trufant and Robert Alford did just two years ago.

“We understand the standard that we want to play at,” senior secondary defensive assistant coach Marquand Manuel said. “Competing and finishing. That goes at every position.”

Manuel has been coaching Collins hard, trying to make up for lost OTA time. He says that Collins has to understand what it takes to compete on every down and finish plays.

“That’s what Trufant had to go through,” Manuel said. “That’s what Robert had to go through. Jalen is going to have to go through that same process of learning how to compete down-in and down-out. Every play counts. When you get to that relentless effort, he’ll be fine. That will fix the critical errors that happen in the game.”

5. FALCONS LOOKING FOR A FIFTH ROUND PICK: The Falcons are expected to be very active with the

Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter

Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter

roster cutdowns around the league. They are in the sixth position on the waiver and can win a lot of claims to help buttress the roster.

Also, the team could certainly be trying to recoup the fifth round pick they lose in the deflategate sanctions.

Still trying to figure out why Jon Asamoah played 43 snaps in a second exhibition.

The Bucs, Raiders, Steelers, Eagles, Redskins, Saints, Texans, Lions, Cowboys, Browns, Ravens and Giants were on hand to scout the game. Also, Toronto Saskatchewan and Calgary of the Canadian Football League were in the house at MetLife.

The Falcons may be shopping T.J. Yates and/or Sean Renfree to see if the can scoop up a draft pick before they sign Grossman.

6. SUPER BOWL ODDS: The Falcons are 45-1 to win the Super Bowl with the Seahawks are favored to face the Colts in the Super Bowl, according to the footballbettingcenter.com

Odds to win Super Bowl 50: 

Seattle Seahawks: 5/1

Green Bay Packers: 6/1

Indianapolis Colts: 19/2

New England Patriots: 10/1

Denver Broncos: 12/1

Dallas Cowboys: 15/1

Philadelphia Eagles: 16/1

Arizona Cardinals: 20/1

Baltimore Ravens: 25/1

Pittsburgh Steelers: 25/1

Cincinnati Bengals: 30/1

Kansas City Chiefs: 30/1

Miami Dolphins: 35/1

New York Giants: 35/1

Buffalo Bills: 38/1

San Diego Chargers: 38/1

Minnesota Vikings: 40/1

Atlanta Falcons: 45/1

Carolina Panthers: 45/1

Detroit Lions: 45/1

New Orleans Saints: 45/1

St. Louis Rams: 45/1

San Francisco 49ers: 50/1

Chicago Bears: 55/1

Houston Texans: 55/1

Washington Redskins: 85/1

New York Jets: 90/1

Oakland Raiders: 90/1

Cleveland Browns: 100/1

Jacksonville Jaguars: 150/1

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 150/1

Tennessee Titans: 150/1

7. BEASLEY A DEFENSIVE ROOKIE OF YEAR: Falcons defensive end/linebacker Vic Beasley has 6-1 odds to win the defensive rookie of the year award.

Odds to win Defensive ROY: 

Leonard Williams: 4/1

Vic Beasley: 6/1

Stephone Anthony: 6/1

Eric Kendricks: 8/1

Randy Gregory: 12/1

8. PANTHERS AND FALCONS FAVORITES TO WIN NFC SOUTH: The Carolina Panthers and the Falcons are both 2 to 1 to win the NFC South.

The Saints are 3 to 2 and the Bucs were not listed.

9. DEPTH CHART FOR DOLPHINS: It will be time to start cutting players after this game.

This from Roger Goodell’s office:

Sept. 1: Prior to 4 p.m. ET, clubs must reduce their rosters to a maximum of 75 players on the active list.

Sept. 3: Final preseason games.

Sept. 5: Prior to 4 p.m. ET, clubs must reduce rosters to a maximum of 53 players on the Active/Inactive List.

Here’s the official depth chart for the Miami game that was released by the Falcons:

WR 11 Julio Jones, 85 Leonard Hankerson, 87 Marquez Clark, 19 Carlton Mitchell, 18 John Harris

LT 70 Jake Matthews, 79 Tyler Polumbus, 77 Matt Huffer, 74 Eric Lefeld, 76 Lamar Holmes

LG 68 Mike Person, 66 Peter Konz, 67 Adam Replogle

C 61 Joe Hawley, 62 James Stone, 63 Valerian Ume-Ezeoke

RG 65 Chris Chester, 75 Jon Asamoah, 64 Jared Smith

RT 73 Ryan Schraeder, 72 Jake Rodgers, 69 Pierce Burton

TE 83 Jacob Tamme, 81 Tony Moeaki, 80 Levine Toilolo, 82 Mickey Shuler, 86 DJ Tialavea

WR 84 Roddy White, 17 Devin Hester, 16 Justin Hardy, 14 Eric Weems, 15 Nick Williams,

89 Bernard Reedy

QB 2 Matt Ryan, 8 Rex Grossman, 13 TJ Yates, 12 Sean Renfree

RB 24 Devonta Freeman, 26 Tevin Coleman, 35 Antone Smith, 33 Terron Ward, 34 Jerome Smith,

38 Michael Ford

FB 42 Patrick DiMarco, 39 Collin Mooney

DEFENSE

DE 44 Vic Beasley Jr., 71 Kroy Biermann, 93 Malliciah Goodman, 90 Stansly Maponga

DT 77 Ra’Shede Hageman, 95 Jonathan Babineaux, 97 Grady Jarrett, 65 Warren Herring

NT 96 Paul Soliai, 74 Joey Mbu, 91 Derrick Hopkins

DE 94 Tyson Jackson, 99 Adrian Clayborn, 98 Cliff Matthews, 79 Sam Meredith

LB 52 Justin Durant, 59 Joplo Bartu, 49 Derek Akunne

LB 55 Paul Worrilow, 54 Nate Stupar, 53 Allen Bradford, 45 Terrell Manning

LB 56 Brooks Reed, 50 O’Brien Schofield, 41 Tyler Starr, 46 Boris Anyama

CB 23 Robert Alford, 32 Jalen Collins, 27 Kevin White, 40 Jonathon Mincy,

33 Travis Howard

CB 21 Desmond Trufant, 20 Phillip Adams, 22 Dezmen Southward, 28 Akeem King,

43 Mike Lee

S 37 Ricardo Allen, 29 Sean Baker, 48 Robenson Therezie

S 25 Wiliam Moore ,36 Kemal Ishmael, 30 Charles Godfrey

SPECIALISTS

K 3 Matt Bryant

KO 5 Matt Bosher

P 5 Matt Bosher

KR 17 Devin Hester, 14 Eric Weems

PR 17 Devin Hester, 14 Eric Weems

LS 47 Josh Harris

H 5 Matt Bosher

TRAINING CAMP 2015 -- CAMP QUINN

Julio Jones adds another gear to his speed

Brooks Reed slowed by hip strain

Julio Jones has no update on his contract status

Matt Ryan: Falcons have to get ball to Devin Hester

Jacob Tamme believes Falcons can have a dynamic offense

Matt Ryan sees new offensive attack coming together

Devonta Freeman-Tevin Coleman competition heats up on second day of camp

MARK BRADLEY COLUMN: Dan Quinn's plan for the Falcons: 'Outhit people'

Veterans determined to rebound in 2015

POSITION BY POSITION LOOK AT THE TEAM

Monday – Wide receivers

Tuesday – Quarterbacks

Wednesday – Running backs

Thursday – Fullbacks/Tight ends

Friday  – Offensive line

(Addition of DeMarcus Love on Wednesday)

Saturday – Defensive line

Sunday – Linebackers

Monday – Cornerbacks

Tuesday – Safeties

Wednesday – Special teams