Falcons ready for Jacksonville game
Atlanta Falcons running back Dimitri Nance (30) does a little "Dirty Bird" dance in the endzone after scoring a 1-yard touchdown run for a 17-3 lead over the Kansas City Chiefs during 4th quarter action in the exhibition season opener at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta on Friday, August 13, 2010. Curtis Compton ccompton@ajc.com
FLOWERY BRANCH — The Falcons released their final preseason depth chart on Sunday.
It will undergo some major restructuring before the season opener against Pittsburgh on Sept. 12.
There are a couple of things of note.
Kroy Biermann is still listed as the third left defensive end behind Jamaal Anderson and Chauncey Davis.
Stephen Nicholas is still listed as the starting strongside linebacker, despite that rookie Sean Weatherspoon has started the last two exhibition games at the spot.
Against Jacksonville, the reserves will get to play a lot. One of the most interesting battles will be at backup running back. The Falcons probably don’t have the luxury of keeping two fullbacks so Dan Klecko will need to have a good special teams day. Also, running backs Dimitri Nance and Antone Smith are in a fight for the last running back spot.
Here’s a look at the depth chart:
OFFENSE
WR 12 Michael Jenkins 86 Brian Finneran 14 Eric Weems 11 Troy Bergeron
17 Brandyn Harvey 16 Tim Buckley
LT 72 Sam Baker 74 Will Svitek
LG 63 Justin Blalock 69 Blake Schlueter
C 62 Todd McClure 66 Brett Romberg 61 Joe Hawley 67 Rob Bruggeman
RG 73 Harvey Dahl 79 Mike Johnson 65 Jose Valdez
RT 77 Tyson Clabo 75 Garrett Reynolds
TE 88 Tony Gonzalez 87 Justin Peelle 89 Keith Zinger 81 Michael Palmer
48 Robbie Agnone
WR 84 Roddy White 83 Harry Douglas 19 Ryan Wolfe
15 Andy Strickland
QB 2 Matt Ryan 8 Chris Redman 4 John Parker Wilson
RB 33 Michael Turner 32 Jerious Norwood 44 Jason Snelling 35 Antone Smith
30 Dimitri Nance
FB 34 Ovie Mughelli 49 Dan Klecko
DEFENSE
RE 55 John Abraham 90 Lawrence Sidbury 96 Emmanuel Stephens 64 Maurice Lucas
DT 95 Jonathan Babineaux 91 Corey Peters 97 Trey Lewis
DT 94 Peria Jerry 93 Thomas Johnson 99 Vance Walker
LE 98 Jamaal Anderson 92 Chauncey Davis 71 Kroy Biermann
OLB 54 Stephen Nicholas 56 Sean Weatherspoon 52 Coy Wire 43 Weston Johnson
MLB 50 Curtis Lofton 59 Spencer Adkins 45 Bear Woods
OLB 53 Mike Peterson 56 Sean Weatherspoon 51 Robert James
RCB 23 Dunta Robinson 21 Christopher Owens 24 Dominique Franks 37 Dominique Daniels
LCB 20 Brent Grimes 29 Brian Williams 22 Chevis Jackson
S 26 Erik Coleman 25 William Moore 36 Rafael Bush 42 Eric Brock
S 28 Thomas DeCoud 27 Matt Giordano 39 Shann Schillinger
SPECIALISTS
K 3 Matt Bryant
KO 9 Michael Koenen 3 Matt Bryant
P 9 Michael Koenen 3 Matt Bryant
KR 14 Eric Weems 24 Dominique Franks
PR 14 Eric Weems 83 Harry Douglas
LS 82 Joe Zelenka
H 9 Michael Koenen
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87 comments Add your comment
Larry
August 30th, 2010
8:21 am
Still not completely sold on our OC and DC (especially Van Gorder), but from a player perspective, here are the five missing pieces to a championship in order of importance:
1. A strong, physical, dominating DE in the form of a Dwight Freeney (Colts) or Jared Allen (Vikings).
2. A LCB to compliment Robinson. Grimes and Owens will be targets all season. Williams is capable.
3. A dominant LT (Mike Kenn Type). Baker is barely adequate.
4. A reliable and tough speed back (Bush) to compliment Turner. Norwood is too fragile, runs afraid, and possibly the easiest RB in the NFL to tackle upon contact. He goes down willingly!
5. An automatic FG kicker. Amazingly after last season this lack of confidence hasn’t been addressed.
Lastly, it isn’t in my top 5 but I still believe the Falcons need a great, reliable wide receiver. The great offenses today and in the past have/had at least two and Roddy White, despite his notable seasonal statistics, is a heartbreak waiting to happen. I think he’d be a better #2 option to remove the pressure and expectations of catching the winning pass that he will predictably drop one or two time per year. He is our number #1 because the rest of our receivers are so marginal.
jerry
August 30th, 2010
8:27 am
In the two years that Turner has been with the Falcons, he has caught a total of 11 passes. That is way too few for a running back to catch. Hell, I’ve seen the Steelers throw 5 or 6 screen passes in one game before. Malarkey needs to open up his imagination.
Manny
August 30th, 2010
8:29 am
Here’s the deal, IMO:
I watched that Steelers/Broncos game and I had the Steelers as a loss for the Falcons. I’m not that sure anymore. Here’s why-
I can see the Steelers having difficulty with the no-huddle. I also see that their corners are weak. I mean, VERY weak! I was totally surprised!
Dennis Dixon looked green and over-his-head. They are a totally different team without Big Ben. And Leftwich is a tackling dummy.
Here’s the bottom line- the Falcons should win this game. The Steelers are in disarray on both sides of the ball. If Matt Ryan is accurate, the Falcons’ offense is tailor-made for the Steelers. Biermann should be on the highlight reel against their offensive line. This game should be a pretty good game for the Falcons.
However, if the Falcons lose against the Steelers- I weep for the season. This game should be that much of a gimme.
Paddy
August 30th, 2010
8:30 am
Hmmmmm, I don’t believe the Falcons have any plans on cutting their starting DE in Anderson If nobody has beat him out, cut the other guys.
that makes more sense. They must be awful!
Paddy
August 30th, 2010
8:33 am
reckingball…Of course you make more money if you start. But it is not earned as salary. It can amount to a very large piece of the players income.
robdawg08
August 30th, 2010
8:53 am
Unless Abraham can play with more speed (where did his sacks disappear to ?) Then let Sidbury start at RE. We need a speed rush on the ends that can pressure and sack QB’s. Abraham looked much slower last year.
I like Nance at the final RB spot. He looks like another Jerious Norwood but healthier…
robdawg08
August 30th, 2010
8:56 am
The problem in the Steelers game will be our offense against their great defense led by Troy Polamalu and James Harrison. Falcons offense was awful in preseason in red zone. The kicking game is iffy as well.
Mazetti
August 30th, 2010
8:56 am
Orlando, Is Matt Bryant secure? Any chance the team brings looks at the waiver wire for another PK?
bama-falcon fan
August 30th, 2010
9:05 am
DT slots look strong on defense. LB and DB’s look adequate. I am worried about offense. We should have made some upgrades this past season but we looked the other way. TD failed to learn that lesson for Bill B in New England. QB is okay but we have let time catch-up with our RB’s, TE’s and WR’s. Looks like 2011 will be the year of a offensive minded draft.
Delbert D.
August 30th, 2010
9:07 am
That was the last dance for Dimitri Nance.
Hamp
August 30th, 2010
9:19 am
I was not that impressed with the passing game. Turner ran well and very hard. If the D does not keep scores low it will be a dog fight every sunday because I’m afraid of the offense right now. I am as bigga fan of Ryan as anyone but he seems to only look for Tony first Roddy second I only remember one pass to some one else it was that douglas first down. It seems if teams stop tony and roddy we are in for a long season. I not crying yet just concerned. I still think we have a good team I’m just a little worried and I think Mularkey’s play calling is suspect.
Whenever Matt is not clicking like the first series they should instanly go to no huddle to gain rhythm
Duhhh
August 30th, 2010
9:36 am
@Once “Recent” Reader…I am not at all surprised at those qb ratings for the nameless one. His technnical passing skills were obviously below average. I just remember thinking at the time that I had NEVER seen a group of receivers drop so many balls that hit them in the hands. I was all for getting rid of White and Jenkins then. I am positively certain that I had better hands in high school than either of them has now..(not the other physical attributes of course).
Are there “stats” on “dropped passes by receivers?
DirtyBird3
August 30th, 2010
9:38 am
Here are my observations concerning the preseason:
1. The Atlanta defense is ready for the season. Coach Smith has players with skill, experience and athleticism all around the defensive depth chart.
2. Trey Lewis, Jamaal Anderson and Kroy Bierman have been delightful surprises this preseason. Trey Lewis looks like a starter on 1st and 2nd down against the possible run. Kroy Bierman seems to have his mojo together on the pass rush and will play on obvious passing downs. Falcon fans with an eye for football will notice NE ran effectively against Falcons while Jamaal Anderson sat out. Without question, the defense is much more resistant against the run with Anderson which sets up third and long more often. An arguement could be made that the run defense begins with Anderson controlling the corner of the line of scrimmage.
3. Chris Owens seems good enought to start. I’ve never seen D. Robinson play but I am less concerned about CB with Owens coming off the bench. Brian Williams also seemed to move well and his experience showed during a pass breakup in the endzone.
4. Another marquee WR would be nice to have but only at the right price. H. Douglas and T. Gonzales(mispelled?) can keep the chain moving on third and long. When the stars are aligned correctly, M. Jenkins is effective and sometimes pivotal for the offense.
5. My only concern on offense is Matt Ryan. He began throwing interceptions towards the end of his rookie year and had only a marginal season last year. He hasn’t been very impressive or consistent this preseason. My gut feeling is that the Falcons could win the SB with a consistent QB. So goes M Ryan so goes the Falcon offense.
Otherwise, the Falcons seem like a team ready to break out with a playoff defense. Hopefully at some point and time during the season M. Ryan will lead an unstoppable offense.
ryan
August 30th, 2010
9:39 am
Dwyer got hit hard by a Broncos LB i don’t think TD wants someone who is on his back .
dilla
August 30th, 2010
9:48 am
Please cut Chevis Jackson, he is a waste of a roster spot. Makes no sense that Kroy Biermann is not starting, he is the best DE on the team right now.
james
August 30th, 2010
9:55 am
I think the kicking game is going to go through the same struggles as last season with Jason Elam. If Bryant is retained he WILL cost the Falcons a couple wins and may be the difference in making the postseason or not, just as Elam contributed to the Falcons missing the playoffs in 2009. Has anyone seen how well Steve Hauschka has been kicking for the Lions? It seems we cut the wrong kicker and were premature in awarding the job to Matt Bryant.
Once "Recent" Reader
August 30th, 2010
9:58 am
Duhh . . . .I hear ya. I watched the Falcs play whenever they were on Natl TV (on in my area) so did not get to see them consistently and only have heard about receivers dropping passes the past two years. I have seen almost all the Falcon games the past two years . . . .and have noticed a few passes dropped . ..but mostly because some were on key plays – 3rd downs that would have been converted. I don’t know if there are any stats out there for dropped passes that “should” have been caught . … but in this day and age of all types of info on Net . ..I would not be suprised that someone has an unofficial count.
myra
August 30th, 2010
10:32 am
So Bear is a #3 depth at MLB. Does that mean he will get cut? We love the guy with the hair/and someone called “BEAR”.
No……..
Good luck to the Falcons!
real falcon fan
August 30th, 2010
10:44 am
i like this team , i think we need a better kicker and i don’t understand why everyone think’s Grimes is so good, he makes 1 great play and then 4-5 bad ones,keep jackson n williams and cut grimes and give me a kicker that doesn’t miss extra points.
ctfalconsfan
August 30th, 2010
11:50 am
Uhm, look at our 2nd WR, Jenkins/Finn/Weems?? Terrible #2 receiver.
Hopefully we are on the look out for someone else.
MountainDawg
August 30th, 2010
12:22 pm
Bierman should be starting…Anderson’s subpar at best. Also, Bergeron should be 2nd string (ahead of Weems). Finneran should be starting ahead of
“Stenkins”.
Bird Droppings
August 30th, 2010
12:31 pm
DLed: Any interesting kickers available? Bryant scares me, and it looks like he scares a lot of us. We don’t look like the kind of team that’s going to blow out its opponents 59-14. Lots of close games + suspect kicking game = mediocre season.
BG
August 30th, 2010
1:04 pm
John Parker Wilson is lucky to still be on the team. I would rather have DJ Shockley any day of the week.
Hamad Meander
August 30th, 2010
1:16 pm
BG- really? I see no reason why JP Wilson isn’t the 2nd stringer now, which would save the Falcons a good bit of money. If Ryan gets hurt, does it really matter who the backup QB is?
I’ll be disappointed if a healthy William Moore doesn’t start. We did spend a second round pick on him after all. I will also be disappointed if Coy Wire doesn’t make the team – that dude plays hard.
NO1 PICK
August 30th, 2010
2:31 pm
The falcons recieving core is bad. Dropped balls were the problem. In the steeler game, they had a rookie that had 407 receptions in college. Maybe that is what we need?
Stretch
August 30th, 2010
5:33 pm
Building this team is a process as Smitty and Thomas have said repeatedly. They are aware that the team is weak at Wide Receiver and tried to address it with Meier in this past draft, unfortunately he got injured. I am sure they will revisit that area with greater urgency in the coming draft.
hiramsaint
August 30th, 2010
6:31 pm
they couldn’t build a beer fart in a whirlwind
Jack
August 30th, 2010
6:57 pm
John Parker is better Shockley. Saying Shockley is better is like saying Kawasaki is a better pitcher than Hudson.
bcinbuford
August 30th, 2010
8:25 pm
As for dropped passes…last year White 6, Jenkins 5. JP should be the #2 QB without a doubt (Maybe Smitty is waiting for his Insurance Discount before he drops Redman to #3). As for anyone who says to drop JA98…what team do you root for and want him to play on? I hate to kick a man when he is down, but Bryant would probably miss anyway.
POLOBOY
August 31st, 2010
9:19 am
I LIKE JOHN PARKER WILSON BETTER THAN RYAN ANYDAY
daryl
August 31st, 2010
4:35 pm
Palmer has looked better than Zinger.
daryl
August 31st, 2010
4:44 pm
Agree with Chevis Jackson being cut and Bergeron kept on roster.
hiramsaint
August 31st, 2010
8:55 pm
once again we get to see the revered shallow chart
Stevie B
August 31st, 2010
10:43 pm
Call Morten Anderson back in and see if we can pay him for one more year. He has never disappointed us and I’ll bet 10 to 1 he doesn’t miss an EPA or a field goal inside 40 yards.
Jenkins still listed as starting receiver » Feed Me Fantasy
September 1st, 2010
10:23 am
[...] Jenkins still listed as starting receiver The News Michael Jenkins is listed as a starting receiver in the Falcons’ recently-released depth chart, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. [...]
Deborah Hall
September 1st, 2010
10:53 am
This comment is for all the Grimey or shall I say to the writer real falcon fan, you are entitled to your opinion. It’s people like you that motivate BG (haters are his motivators).
Falcon57
September 1st, 2010
11:40 am
I was just looking back at a post I did just a few minutes ago asking D-Led if he got the depth chart from the coaching staff or if that’s just the way he thought it would play out and just like what has happened many times before, I got deleted. Anytime you say anything that D-Led takes as an insult to him he deletes the post. Some blog he monitors here. I thought monitors were supposed to monitor for bad language or people making threats or harmfull post. Guess that’s not true here. I guess he just can’t accept anything about himself unless it’s something positive.