FLOWERY BRANCH – When the Falcons opened training camp on July 29, there were several questions about the makeup of this year's roster.
The Falcons didn’t know if they could keep the offensive line together. They didn’t know if they could improve the pass rush and didn’t know if all of the players would return in shape after the 132-day lockout.
Camp ended on Sunday after a brisk one-hour walk-through.
So far, here’s what we know and what we don't know:
WHAT WE KNOW
1. Rookie Julio Jones and a reinvigorated Harry Douglas should provide more explosive plays. With all the talk about creating move explosive plays – gains of 20 yards or more -- Falcons coach Mike Smith has inspired a new statistic. Let's just call it the "EPR, the "explosive play ratio." The Falcons want to win the EPR by having more 20-yard gains than the opponent. Smith insists that the explosive play ratio is nearly as important as the turnover ratio. All five of the Falcons' explosive plays in the preseason have come from Douglas, who had 76-yard touchdown against Jacksonville, and Jones. "Harry has had a very strong camp for us," Smith said.
2. Michael Turner is ready for another big year. He went out in the second game against Arizona last season with a groin injury. It nagged him all season long, but he still managed to rush for over 1,300 yards. Turner had offseason surgery and is running strong. While Jacksonville held him to 14 yards on seven carries, he shot out of the backfield like a rocket against Miami.
3. Matt Ryan is ready to take the next step. He's led the Falcons to the playoffs in two of his first three seasons. The next step is a playoff victory. The most encouraging word came from offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey who said that Ryan is able to see the entire field and usually corrects his own mistakes before Mularkey even gets to point them out. Ryan has an arsenal of weapons at his disposal that should make the Falcons' offense unpredictable and tough to stop.
4. Safety William Moore could be a star. The coaches hope that with a better understanding of the defense, the second-year starter will turn in more punishing hits, interceptions and game-changing plays. The block he made to spring Brent Grimes on a 62-yard interception return against Jacksonville was a classic Moore hit.
5. The draft class could contribute.Jones and punter Matt Bosher, a sixth round pick, are expected to make immediate contributions. Linebacker Akeem Dent, a third-rounder, has been slowed by a knee injury, but should be a key special teamer. Running back Jacquizz Rodgers, a fifth-rounder, should contribute on third downs. Offensive lineman Andrew Jackson and defensive end Cliff Matthews appear headed to the 53-man roster.
WHAT WE DON'T KNOW
1. Do the Falcons have a dynamic duo at defensive end in Ray Edwards and John Abraham?The Falcons signed Ray Edwards on the first day of training camp, but he has yet to fully participate in practice or play in a game as an Atlanta Falcon. They are bringing him along slowly after he had offseason knee surgery..
2. Will the line be as mean and nasty without Harvey Dahl? Garrett Reynolds and Mike Johnson are vying to replace guard Harvey Dahl, who signed as a free agent with St. Louis. Dahl and right tackle Tyson Clabo combined to form one of the nastiest tandems in the league. Reynolds appears to be ahead of Johnson, who missed a week of the action with a concussion. This battle could go down to the wire.
3. Who is the nickel back? The coaching staff is taking a long look at Dominique Franks after he turned in a stellar training camp. He's battling incumbent Christopher Owens for the position. If the Falcons are not comfortable with the outcome of the competition, they will look at the veteran cornerback market to see if any salary-cap casualties could come in to help improve the pass defense, which ranked 22nd in the league last season.
4. Is Matt Bosher the answer to replace Michael Koenen? The rookie has shown a strong leg in training camp while being asked to punt, kickoff and hold for placements. He has boomed punts of 63 and 50 yards. Bosher has to work on coffin corner punts to pin teams inside the 20. Also, on nine kickoffs he's only had one touchback
5. Will the defense be able to get off the field on third downs? The defense allowed the opposition to convert 39 percent (79 of 201) of the time on third downs last season, which was ranked 22nd in the league. The Falcons are experimenting with different third-down defenses in the exhibition season. Last season, they sat in coverage and at other times they tried to blitz out of a 3-3-5 formation. "We're still trying to get that ironed out," safety Thomas DeCoud said. "It's one of the things we have to work on. We've made it a point of emphasis this year."
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