An early look at the Falcons’ three-deep depth chart
Dominique Franks is projected win the return duties in the three-deep depth chart. (Associated Press/ Sue Ogrocki)
BIRDLAND – Falcons head coach Mike Smith is not going to release an “official” 2010 depth chart until training camp according to the team’s website.
But now that most of the major offseason moves have been made, we’ll set up the template for them.
Rookies aren’t handed anything in this early depth chart, except for rookie returner Dominique Franks, he was projected to win the kickoff and punt return jobs.
Sean Weatherspoon, the first round draft pick, is listed No.2 behind both Mike Peterson and Stephen Nicholas.
Here’s what’s in my notebook as the three-deep depth chart that I’ll take out to mini-camp next week:
THREE DEPTH CHART
OFFNESE
QB – 1. Matt Ryan, 2. Chris Redman, 3. John Parker Wilson.
Others: D.J. Shockley.
RB – 1. Michael Turner, 2. Jerious Norwood, 3. Jason Snelling.
Others: Antone Smith and Dimitri Nance.
FB - 1. Ovie Mughelli. 2. Jason Snelling, 3. Dan Klecko.
WR – 1. Roddy White, 2. Brian Finneran, 3. Kerry Meier
WR – 1. Michael Jenkins, 2. Harry Douglas, 3. Eric Weems
Others: Ryan Wolfe, Troy Bergeron, Tim Buckley, Brandyn Harvey and Andy Strickland.
TE – 1. Tony Gonzalez, 2. Justin Peelle, 3. Keith Zinger
Others: Leroy Banks, Colin Peek and Michael Palmer
LT – 1. Sam Baker, 2. Will Svitek, 3. Blake Schlueter
LG – 1. Justin Blalock, 2. Mike Johnson, Rob Bruggemann
C – 1. Todd McClure, 2. Brett Romberg, 3. Joe Hawley
RG – 1. Harvey Dahl, 2. Quinn Ojinnaka, 3. Jose Valdez
RT – 1. Tyson Clabo, 2. Garrett Reynolds, Blake Schlueter.
DEFENSE
RDE – 1. John Abraham, 2. Lawrence Sidbury, 3. Emmanuel Stephens
DT – 1. John Babineaux, 2. Vance Walker, 3. Thomas Johnson
DT – 1. Peria Jerry, 2. Corey Peters, 3. Trey Lewis
LDE – 1. Kroy Biermann, 2. Chauncey Davis, 3. Jamaal Anderson
Other: Dan Klecko, DT; Rajon Henley, DE; Trey Bryant, DT.
WLB – 1. Michael Peterson, 2. Sean Weatherspoon, 3. Spencer Adkins
MLB – 1. Curtis Lofton, 2. Coy Wire, 3. Bear Woods
SLB – 1. Stephen Nicholas, 2. Sean Weatherspoon, 3. Robert James
Others: Weston Johnson.
RCB – 1. Brian Williams, 2. Brent Grimes, 3. Chevis Jackson
FS - 1. Thomas DeCoud, 2. Matt Giordano, 3. Rafael Bush
SS – 1. Erik Coleman, 2. Williams Moore, 3. Shann Schillinger
LCB – 1. Dunta Robinson 2. Chris Owens, 3. Dominique Franks
Others: Dominique Daniels, CB; Gabe Derricks, S.
SPECIALS
KR – 1. Dominique Franks, 2. Eric Weems, 3. Harry Douglas
PR –- 1. Dominique Franks, 2. Eric Weems, 3. Harry Douglas
P – 1. Michael Koenen, 2. Matt Bryant, 3. Steve Hauschka.
PK – 1. Matt Bryant, 2. Steve Hauschka, 3. Garrett Lindholm.
LS – 1. Joe Zelenka, 2. Justin Drescher.
Any other projections? Will Spoon win the weakside or strongside spots? Who’s the odd linebacker out, Peterson or Nicholas?
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128 comments Add your comment
chris taylor
May 1st, 2010
3:31 pm
Can’t hide weakness’ anymore. The seasoon’s getting longer and tougher. Look at our drafted linemens starting records. One set records for starts. Drafted players weak spots are all coachable areas. Spoon will start, Peters will see heavy rotation at least the first 4 games.
Chris in Decatur
May 1st, 2010
9:09 pm
@Season Ticket holder… Why on God’s green earth would the Giants trade Osi for JA98? So what if he is unhappy. I’ve been hearing that tons of playing are unhappy EVERY YEAR. We have JA98 for one more year. He’s relatively cheap now, since he is on the back end of his rookie contract. There’s no reason to give up on him now. He’ll be a flex DT/DE for this team, and that’s it… Get over it.
Scott Anderson
May 1st, 2010
10:47 pm
Things are so much better here since Terrance left.
Where did he end up ?
Nice job D Led
you are a source of fair minded dialog
falconfanintitantown
May 2nd, 2010
2:10 am
I have been a falcons fan since 1988. I finally beleive wholeheartedly in this organization. They have a plan and are sticking to it-(it’s working by the way,BTB winnig seasons) No more washed up overpaid names-Pierce Holt,Eric Dickerson,etc… This team is finally going in the right direction, let’s be patient and be thankful we have people running this team that Care About and Know what it takes to win. FALCONS$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ ARE MONEY THIS YEAR BABEE
Terrance More Racism Please
May 2nd, 2010
2:14 am
“Things are so much better here since Terrance left.
Where did he end up ?”
You can find that degenerate racist p.o.s. still spouting his garbage on another sports website. Out of respect to DOL since he’s earned it I won’t mention names. Google will help you find his current lunatic ravings if you wish.
jamie c
May 2nd, 2010
9:03 am
how about bringing john henderson in here for a rotation in the dt spots? did anyone else notice that his performance started sagging when coach smith came to the falcons? he’d def be better than trey lewis, vance walker and such…
outside of that, i LOVE what the falcons are doing. there’s always going to be a position or two that we are a little weak in, but we’re trying to figure out who the best 2nd and 3rd stringers are. our starters are stout, and some of our 2nd stringers are starters on 1/2 the teams in the league.
and i agree with a lot of you – snelling deserves to be the 2nd r/b into the game every week. norwood is the best at running outside and tripping over his own feet. so if that’s our gameplan, lets go with him. but if we want someone to barrell straight ahead, sidestep a couple guys and always get positive yardage we should have snelling in there after turner.
Rod
May 2nd, 2010
9:37 am
Ledbetter, Will Shockley be able to compete for one of the two backup QB spots?
The Falcon Guy
May 2nd, 2010
6:11 pm
GO FALCONS
The Falcon Guy
May 2nd, 2010
6:11 pm
GO FALCONS! :/
Let's go
May 2nd, 2010
7:27 pm
Michael Palmer will be the back up tight end and after a couple of years behind Tony G he should be the starter for many years to come. Count on it.
Vick Supporter
May 2nd, 2010
7:55 pm
http://www.csnphilly.com/05/02/10/Vick-More-Comfortable-in-Second-Year-wit/landing.html?blockID=227408&feedID=704
waynester
May 2nd, 2010
7:56 pm
Let’s go
Hope you’re right–alot of the 2011 drafts already have us taking a TE or DE #1….
toni 57
May 2nd, 2010
8:12 pm
in the paper look easy and strong team but will see when the camp beagin and later in the season.i’m confident that this
team will go deep in the playoff opefully in the superbowl. whitout injury.
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[...] AJC Falcons Staff Writer D.Orlando Ledbetter on Falcons Depth Chart [...]
J-MAN
May 3rd, 2010
7:56 am
D Led can you give me a blog on any possible remaining Trades, free agents,,,,,,, I wanna hear something of Henderson and T.O. and see if we trade for a DE and Rookie camps, like to hear who is standing out……If you can give me my daily Falcons fix id appreciate it
Case Quarter
May 3rd, 2010
8:48 am
Maurice Lucas was left off the DL list… at least as an other…
fatboy
May 3rd, 2010
9:28 am
coop, I’m like you i really like Chris Owens, the kid has great speed and can cover. i think he is going to be a really good corner. he got turned around a few times but his speed helped him get right back into tight coverage. once his knowledge level comes up to his skill level, he’ll be a good one.
and the film ive watched on the UNLV reciever Wolfe looks really good, looks like a wes
fatboy
May 3rd, 2010
9:29 am
wes welker type reciever
Mel Kiper
May 3rd, 2010
11:28 am
“Dominique Franks is projected win return duties” you are a pathetic, learn to proof read moron
TuckDAWG
May 3rd, 2010
12:48 pm
spoon will win the job the nichollas had and on third down it will probably be nichollas and spoon
carl51023
May 3rd, 2010
7:54 pm
I think we should have picked up Colt McCoy instead of Corey Peters. We need a better back-up…
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May 4th, 2010
2:01 am
[...] it got me thinking how the Falcons should use their first round draft pick, Sean Weatherspoon. D. Orlando Ledbetter has the Mizzou star beginning the year rotating at both outside linebacker positions with starters Mike Peterson and Stephen [...]
GMAN
May 4th, 2010
8:00 am
i think this will be sam bakers last year starting at left tackle once clabo leaves next season our first pick will be that left tackle we need, and theyll move sam over to right tackle where he belongs, hell be strong there, so have no fear, things are moving right along. we dont have to get that DE till the second round because next year beerman & sid take the reins
GMAN
May 4th, 2010
8:12 am
dont worry about william moore, hes got a fire under him now that spoon is here. theirs nothing he’d like better than being back with one of his old buds, hell do what ever it takes to stay healthy. and spoon will push him to. i tell you this D is taking shape, and dont be surprised to see corey peters right away. hes a beast, hes underrated but believe this. dont be surprised if he and jerry dont take the reins next season, babs make have sealed his doom. hopefully not but you know TD. bullshxxt takes a walk round here.
A.R.S.C.M.D.
May 4th, 2010
10:48 am
Coop, OFFNESE??? Just kidding.
Anal Retentive Spell Checkers Must Die.
Jerious Norwood #1 kick off return man.
Paddy O
May 5th, 2010
6:02 pm
waynester: this is an old comment, but I agree – do NOT vote for a candidate UNLESS they advocate the adoption of a “balanced budget” amendment to the consititution and require that NAFTA either be repealed or amended so it only applies to foreign nations who have duplicate laws as we (environmental & labor). I recommend the Objective Government Party.
Paddy O
May 5th, 2010
6:05 pm
Don’t forget Peerless Price & Ashley Lelie; Terence Moore is the most sincere form of crap that there is in the journalism commode.
Slim body
May 21st, 2010
12:01 pm
Really it is very interesting for me to read the blog. Thanx for it. I like such topics and everything that is connected to them. I definitely want to read more soon.