I’m not one to so quickly dismiss Carolina. IMO they are a solid football team, top to bottom. Shakey Jake has the potential to beat any team on any given Sunday. Then again…

jason,

As to leadership on the young “D”. They were all brought into this system with a factor that fits each and everyone of them. Leadership. They all come into this camp with the same qualities. They ARE leaders in their own right. They all possess another intangible you can not teach. Speed. These young men are going to come into the NFL and do exactly what they have done their entire lives. They will over-achieve.

JJ,

Thank you for an entertaining post. Pat??? is the same guy I tried to refer to earlier. Had a Senior moment and could not remember his last name. Thanx Bro’. As per, blog monster’s name? I’ll get back with you in the morning.

DeCoud or Moore. I think Moore, because DeCoud can play both safety positions. He will be an important back up who will see the field alot.

Who do you think will be the other starter? Grimes, Hutchins, Jackson, Owens? I’d like to see Owens starting. When you have a man of TD’s stature observing and watching for at least 2 years, that says alot. However, being realistic I see Hutchins. He was starter at Houston, and would have been in ATL if not for injury. I do see Owens taking over at some point this season.

Who do you see as next year’s breakout candidates on the Falcons squad, and why? Hard Question. I am going to go both offense and defense. On offense, I see Norwood. I know easy pick. Not really when you consider he is backing up Pro Bowler Turner. I see Norwood topping 1000 in total yardage. KOs, Receiving, and rushing. He will spell Turner even more this year and with that garner more touches.
On defense, I have to agree on Nicolas. He has the size/speed that ATL craves for their LBs. Now he might not be on the field early on for passing downs, but you won’t be able to get him off the field once he starts producing and building confidence. He might end up being ATL’s best overall LB pass rusher.

How long do you give the rest of the NFC South fans before they start REALLY hating the Falcons? This question is a non issue. As we all know ATL gets no respect, and no LOVE from anyone except the die hard fans that bleed RED-n-BLACK. We are making some noise. But until first we have the back to back winning seasons, and we become a perennial play off contender… Then we will have arrived. We will have garnered that respect.

Do you think there’s any chance the Falcons can get any team to trade for Mike Vick? I am holding out hope that ATL can get a mid round pick at best. I know this may sound cruel, but if I have Ryan entrenched as my starter; I let MV sit the bench all season if it takes. I would not give in and let him walk without anything in return. What about the possibility that he will become a cancer to the locker room. Well put him of the roster and don’t even let him show up. He’s under Atlanta’s contract, they should be able to do as they seem fit.

With Tony Gonzales giving the Falcons a serious TE threat, how will Ovie Mughelli’s role at FB be affected? Ovie Mughelli is an important part of the process that ATL likes to do on offense. He goes unnoticed, because he doesn’t carry the ball or catch passes. Smitty and co. know how important a member to the team he is. Yes the will run different formations and such, but the bread and butter of this team is still power football with a lead blocker.

That’s all I have for now…

Wednesday
Game #3 Analysis: Falcons Defense vs. Patriots Offense
Roster Spot Analysis RB#3

Thursday
Falcons Offense vs Patriots Defense
Roster Spot Analysis TE#1

Friday
Falcons vs Patriots game details and Final predictions
Roster Spot Analysis TE#2

Sat/Sun
Weekend Mash-up (various stories from around the NFL)
Roster Spot Analysis TE#3

I be completely honest with you on the Division Analysis; it sounded like a great idea when I had tons of free time on the computer, but now that its over its a little tough to keep up with all the records and predictions from each team. I’ll still do it if everyones still game, but it will be tough. It may be more enjoyable to take an opponent each week and analyze them in-depth and also breaking down each roster player attempting to make the team. Just a thought. I’ll be back in a little while reved up and ready to go tonight or tomorrow at the latest. The ‘Cage will survive. I think everyone’s just taking a little break.

JJ, Unca’ Bob, Jason, and Sarah B – you guys have been rockin it strong, and I will return to join the awesome debate here in the Bird-Cage family.

LR in Warner Robins, Ga., writes: Who you think will be the Atlanta Falcons starting Strong Safety, DeCoud or Moore?

Pat Yasinskas: Too early to tell right now. This is going to be one of the more interesting battles in training camp. In the recent minicamp, Thomas DeCoud worked with the first team and William Moore with the second. But it’s common to open minicamp with the guy who’s been around ahead of the rookie. The Falcons used a second-round pick on Moore and that means they think he can probably start. But that’s not a given. DeCoud can win this job if he has the better preseason.

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Steve in New Haven, Conn., writes: hey Pat, love the blog, while you were at camp, did you take a look at the CB’s? It seems Houston is going to be our RCB, but at LCB we have an open competition. Who do you think will be the other starter? Grimes, Hutchins, Jackson, Owens? I’d like to see Jackson starting, Owens in the nickel, and Grimes or Hutchins fightin for the 4th CB spot. Anyways, how do you think it’ll play out??? Thnks

Pat Yasinskas: I think the Falcons definitely view the cornerback spot opposite Chris Houston as an open competition. In this case, I think that’s a healthy thing. They’re going to throw Brent Grimes, Von Hutchins, Chevis Jackson and Chris Owens out there and see who rises up. They’re high on Jackson after what he flashed as a rookie and they see Owens as a guy who can be a starter at some point. If Jackson and Owens have solid preseasons, they could join Houston in the trio of top cornerbacks.

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Niklas in Aarhus, Denmark, writes: Hey Pat! Who do you see as next year’s breakout candidates on the Falcons squad, and why?

Pat Yasinskas: I’ll go with linebacker Stephen Nicholas. I think his skills fit what coach Mike Smith wants from the strong side and Nicholas has had time to develop. I know the Falcons lost Keith Brooking and Michael Boley after last season, but I think the linebacker corps can be better than it was a year ago.

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Ben in Macon, Ga., writes: How long do you give the rest of the NFC South fans before they start REALLY hating the Falcons? All this national media attention, combined with media darling Matt Ryan, has to be grating on them. Am I right?

Pat Yasinskas: Wow, I’ll leave that one up to the NFC South fans to decide. But there’s no question the Falcons are becoming somewhat of the media darling of the division and Ryan is at the center of it all. Kind of amazing how much more respect the Falcons are getting than they did this time a year ago. They earned that respect with last season. But now they’ve got to keep that respect by playing well.

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Dash in Nashville writes: Do you think there’s any chance the Falcons can get any team to trade for Mike Vick? Even if it’s a 7th rounder for next year?

Pat Yasinskas: Doubt it. I just don’t see teams willing to give up a pick for a guy who’s going to be cut anyway. If Thomas Dimitroff somehow gets anything for Vick, he’s even more of a genius than I already think he is.

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DBell in Rome, Ga., Writes: With Tony Gonzales giving the Falcons a serious TE threat, how will Ovie Mughelli’s role at FB be affected? The Falcons paid him more than any other FB ever, and I feel he’s been under-used. Do you think he’ll now see less time with the Falcons likely to use more two-TE sets?

Pat Yasinskas: Don’t sell Mughelli short. The guy played a huge role as a blocker for Michael Turner last season. Yeah, he doesn’t get to catch or run the ball very often, but his role as a blocker is an important part of Atlanta’s offense. Yes, you’ll see some sets where the Falcons use two tight ends and have Mughelli on the sidelines. But I think he’ll be on the field for a lot of running plays and to help protect Ryan on passing downs.

Unca’ Bob, I agree on offense We should expect more consistencey sustained by the offense. More 10+ play drives, and more points. Better execution all the way around.

I am curious to see how the defense plays out. Call thiscurtailing expectations. While ATL does have alot of talent coming in. Better oveerall talented defense. We will stiil awfully young. Youth tends to making mistakes by being overly eager to make plays. I hope the veterans we have keeps the youngsters grounded. On the bright side, we do have veterans placed at all 3 levels of the defense in Abe, Peterson, and Coleman.