FLOWERY BRANCH — In what should be an action-filled, post-lockout training camp, the Falcons will practice for the first time at 8:30 a.m. Friday.
The afternoon practice at 3:25 p.m. is open to the public. Here are 10 story lines to watch as the Falcons set out to defend their NFC South Division title:
1. Who will make up the reconstituted offensive line? With three starters — tackle Tyson Clabo, right guard Harvey Dahl and left guard Justin Blalock — testing free agency, the line likely will take on a new look in 2011. The Falcons have planned for this day by drafting guard Mike Johnson, center/guard Joe Hawley and guard/tackle Garrett Reynolds in the past two drafts.
Also, tackle Jose Valdez has been developing on the practice squad for two seasons, and they re-signed tackle Will Svitek.
2. Who will generate additional defensive pressure? In the late-season loss to New Orleans and against Green Bay in the playoffs, the pass rush didn't get enough pressure. The Falcons made an attempt to sign Charles Johnson, but he returned to Carolina after he received a lucrative offer. Ray Edwards, the defensive end formerly of Minnesota, may be back in the picture, but because of salary-cap constraints may have to take a creative deal.
In the meantime, defensive-line coach Ray Hamilton will continue to coach up Kroy Biermann and Lawrence Sidbury.
3. How fast will rookie wide receiver Julio Jones become an impact player? Quarterback Matt Ryan took Jones under his wings this offseason and opened the doors of his home to him. He taught Jones the Falcons' offseason routine.
The coaching staff has done a great job preparing their first-round picks. After trading five draft picks, including next year’s first-rounder, to acquire Jones, look to see him on the field when the Falcons open the season against the Chicago Bears on Sept. 11 at Soldier Field.
4. How much of a load can Michael Turner carry, and what kind of shape is he in? Turner, a two-time Pro Bowler, has led the NFL in carries in two of the past three seasons. Also, there are concerns about what kind of shape he's in because he skipped the players-led practices at Buford High in May and June.
Turner had 376 carries in 2008 and 334 last season. Hall of Famer Thurman Thomas said the Falcons need to lessen Turner’s load and diversify the offense more. Jerious Norwood is not coming back, and Jason Snelling is a free agent. One key may be how fast rookie running back Jacquizz Rodgers, a fifth-round pick, learns the offense.
5. How often we will see Matt Ryan throw deep? The Falcons rarely threw down field last season. They had only 32 pass plays of 20 yards or more, which ranked 31st of 32 teams in the league. With the addition of Jones, the Falcons clearly are signaling that they must throw more deep passes.
6. How quickly can middle linebacker Curtis Lofton return to form after surgery on both knees? Lofton helped run the offseason practices and appeared to move around well. He also appeared much leaner and said he focused on improving his upper-body strength. He led the Falcons with 142 tackles last season.
7. Will Sean Weatherspoon turn an injury-shortened rookie season into a playmaking second season? Weatherspoon, the 19th overall draft pick in 2010, opened last season as a starter and showed great promise before suffering ankle and knee injuries that slowed him. He played in 10 games, but clearly didn't have the flexibility and explosiveness after returning to the lineup in November.
The Falcons have high hopes for Weatherspoon, who finished with 38 tackles and one sack last season.
8. Can Peria Jerry turn into the force that coach Mike Smith craves in his defensive tackles? Jerry, a first-round pick in 2009, played on third downs to rush the passer last season. He had eight tackles and two sacks in limited duty while coming back from a knee injury that robbed him of most of his rookie season in 2009.
9. How many passes are available for wide receivers Roddy White and Jones and tight end Tony Gonzalez? White led the league with 115 receptions. The great Gonzalez had 70. Snelling was next with 44. Michael Jenkins, who missed the first five games with a shoulder injury, caught 41 passes. Jones, who ran the 40-yard dash in a sub-4.4 seconds at the scouting combine, will be called up to stretch defenses and keep defensive coordinators from double-teaming White and Gonzalez.
It will be interesting to see who coaches leave in single coverage. Will they double White and Gonzalez and leave Jones free? Or will they double White and Jones and leave Gonzalez free? Initially, Jones should be free until he shows that he can handle the pro game.
10. Who's going to win the nickel back position? Christopher Owens played with a back injury and struggled against Green Bay in the playoffs. The club elected not to re-sign veteran Brian Williams. Smith has said Owens, who ended his rookie season as a starter in 2009, can play inside on slot receivers and outside.
He could face a stiff challenge from Dominique Franks, who the team elected to bring along slowly as a rookie last season.
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