Spoon holds top spot on depth chart released for Tampa Bay
100813 Atlanta - Atlanta Falcons rookie linebacker Sean Weatherspoon puts pressure on Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Brodie Croyle (12) during 1st half 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 depth chart for the Tampa Bay game on Tuesday.
They are still listing Sean Weatherspoon as the No. 1 strongside linebacker although he’s coming in with the nickel and Stephen Nicholas is starting with the base defense.
Weatherspoon suffered a sprained right knee against Cleveland on Oct. 10 and missed four games.
“I think that Sean is progressing in terms of his recovery,” Falcons coach Mike Smith said. “I don’t know that he’s 100 percent and of course at this point in the season I’m not sure if there’s many guys that are playing that are 100 percent.”
Weatherspoon played 35 snaps in his return against St. Louis. Against Green Bay, he had three tackles.
“We kept him only in our sub-package so he did not play in our base-package, but he got the majority of the snaps based on the personnel groupings that we saw,” Smith said. “Again, Sean is a rookie and he’s getting back into the swing of things. I saw things that he progressed on from the St. Louis game to this game and we anticipate he’ll just get right back into the swing of things as he starts feeling better.”
OFFENSE
WR 12 Michael Jenkins 83 Harry Douglas 14 Eric Weems
LT 72 Sam Baker 74 Will Svitek
LG 63 Justin Blalock 79 Mike Johnson
C 62 Todd McClure 61 Joe Hawley
RG 73 Harvey Dahl 79 Mike Johnson
RT 77 Tyson Clabo 75 Garrett Reynolds
TE 88 Tony Gonzalez 87 Justin Peelle 81 Michael Palmer
WR 84 Roddy White 86 Brian Finneran
QB 2 Matt Ryan 8 Chris Redman 4 John Parker Wilson
RB 33 Michael Turner 44 Jason Snelling 35 Antone Smith 27 Gartrell Johnson
FB 34 Ovie Mughelli
DEFENSE
RDE 55 John Abraham 90 Lawrence Sidbury
DT 95 Jonathan Babineaux 99 Vance Walker 97 Trey Lewis
DT 91 Corey Peters 94 Peria Jerry
LDE 71 Kroy Biermann 98 Jamaal Anderson 92 Chauncey Davis
SLB 56 Sean Weatherspoon 54 Stephen Nicholas
MLB 50 Curtis Lofton 52 Coy Wire
WLB 53 Mike Peterson 59 Spencer Adkins
RCB 23 Dunta Robinson 21 Christopher Owens 24 Dominique Franks
LCB 20 Brent Grimes 29 Brian Williams
SS 25 William Moore 26 Erik Coleman
FS 28 Thomas DeCoud 39 Shann Schillinger
SPECIALISTS
K 3 Matt Bryant
KO 9 Michael Koenen 3 Matt Bryant
P 9 Michael Koenen
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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52 comments Add your comment
SeenHimHateB4
November 30th, 2010
7:07 pm
LETS GET IT!!!!
bigslow
November 30th, 2010
7:09 pm
what’s up with snelling injury
D. Orlando Ledbetter
November 30th, 2010
7:22 pm
bigslow — We’ll get an official update from Coach Smith on Wednesday. He just got hit on the leg. Doesn’t appear to be serious, you know, unofficially.
BT
November 30th, 2010
7:25 pm
I hope Snelling`s ding is nothing serious, he seems to play well against the Buc`s.
Hamp
November 30th, 2010
7:29 pm
Im still seeing peters starting I agree he is balling but are they just bring jerry back slowly or is peters just outright beat him out?
Hamp
November 30th, 2010
7:33 pm
I agree let’s get it but let’s get is one game at a time!
head-mo-fo
November 30th, 2010
7:45 pm
D-Orlando Ledbetter
What’s the deal with L. Sidbury. He was coming on strong at the end of last season. The Falcon’s brass did not take any other available Defensive Ends in the Draft that could have helped in the pass rush department. Don’t get me wrong #71 has been playing well, but I am curious to know why is #90 buried on the depth chart??? Are we saving him as a secret weapon just in case #55 goes down??? WSUP???
Tweets that mention Spoon holds top spot on depth chart released for Tampa Bay | Atlanta Falcons -- Topsy.com
November 30th, 2010
7:47 pm
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Tampa Bay Buccaneers, NFL Gridiron Gab, Atlanta Falcons, D. Orlando Ledbetter, ATLHOMER and others. ATLHOMER said: Atlanta Falcons – RT Spoon holds top spot on depth chart released for Tampa Bay: 100813 Atlanta – Atlanta F… http://bit.ly/ePiCnu #AJC [...]
bigslow
November 30th, 2010
7:47 pm
looks like peters is just playing better. no need to rush on jerry but what ever hap to trey lewis
JMar
November 30th, 2010
7:56 pm
I don’t think Sidbury is “buried” at all. He’s still learning, Abraham and Biermann are the starters for good reason, and Jamaal is both a run stuffer and has the ability to play DT while Abe and Kroy are in. The only player he could conceivably replace is Chauncey Davis, but he still wouldn’t get many snaps over the other three, and Davis is a well-paid, highly capable veteran who can play both sides of the line and won’t make mistakes on the few plays he’s in. I like him where he is: learning to play the position and available to step up if any of our top guys have to miss time.
BT
November 30th, 2010
7:56 pm
Yeah, to what head-mo asked.
It`s not like Anderson and/or Davis have been exactly dominate or anything.
Is the kid a liability against the run or is he in some sorta doghouse or something?
D. Orlando Ledbetter
November 30th, 2010
8:11 pm
head mo-fo: He’s just buried. I need to talk to Coach Hamilton to get the real deal. He must not be progressing or taking to Hamilton’s “teachings.” He looked fine in the preseason. I thought he’d earn a spot in the rotation, too.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
November 30th, 2010
8:13 pm
JMar — Bierman only has one sack. Got sealed too easy against St. Louis, too. Davis appears to be playing more and more.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
November 30th, 2010
8:14 pm
With all this interest in the Sid-man, sounds like a story or at least a notebook item over the next few days.
singh is king
November 30th, 2010
8:29 pm
D-Orlando Ledbetter
WHATS UP WITHE HARRY DOUGLAS, PERIA JERRY STARTING SITUATION, SIDBURRY, PLAYING DAVIS MORE, IF HARRY STRUGLE WHY NOT GO TO WEEM OR BRING IN VETERN LIKE L COLES I THINK HE CAN WORK IN SLOT
RonnieMackATL
November 30th, 2010
8:37 pm
Did anyone see Abe on the last play? Looked like he couldn’t get up after Rodgers got away.. any thoughts on if he re-aggravated his groin injury?
Ueeediot
November 30th, 2010
8:51 pm
@Ronnie…from my seat it appeared that #55 had been cut blocked a play or two before and was just dead on his feet at that point in the game. When he got beat to the ground by 2 guys…he was just done.
#72 has been playing a little better as of late and that needs to continue!
While everyone around in my section really loves Bierman’s motor, we have also noticed him getting his butt kicked here and there. Sunday was no different. A couple of good plays, a couple of beat downs. When he drops in coverage and the QB finds it…i get worried.
The D line needs to get powerful and stay healthy. The season begins this weekend.
Stan
November 30th, 2010
9:05 pm
shutup
head-mo-fo
November 30th, 2010
9:10 pm
D-Led
I think the issues (if any) with #90 L. Sidbury need to be brought to light. When Green Bay scored on us to tie the game on Sunday, a fresh #90 to rush the passer could have helped our cause. I am not saying that #55 and #71 shouldn’t start the game and get the majority of the snaps, however, I am concerned about the consistency of or pass rush (especially with average coverage in the secondary). L. Sidbury #90 couldn’t be any worse than J. Anderson (whom is playing quite well in the run game)… We cannot afford to give any team in the playoffs the amount of time we gave Aaron Rodgers this past Sunday. We need to find a consistent pass rush or risk watching the Super Bowl at home in lieu of spending a week in Dallas.
[Falcons] Falcons LB Sean Weatherspoon Back In The Starting Lineup?
November 30th, 2010
10:07 pm
[...] [...]
Brian Hunt
November 30th, 2010
10:07 pm
I think that #71 is best in rotation and playing as a pass rush specialist. I think that starting has worn him down some as the season has progressed. The same thing used to happen to Patrick Kerney. We need him with fresh legs chasing QBs down the stretch.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
November 30th, 2010
10:14 pm
Singh — H.D. had a major opportunity at the start of the season with Jenkins out and didn’t do much with it. He was coming back from major knee surgery. He should be able to help out down the stretch.
Ronnie — When I talked to ABE he said he was waiting for Rodgers to make a some so he could counter. He knew that wasn’t the assignment, but hey he was going against the grain on that one.
Head-mo-fo — Biermann has the same one sack that Jamaal would have had. Coaches must think Sidbury is not ready, otherwise he would have played against St. Louis. We’ll get to the bottom of it.
Ross
November 30th, 2010
10:25 pm
DLed, Abraham looked like he was heavily favoring his groin injury at the end of the game on Sunday. Is he really OK to go against TB?
clh
November 30th, 2010
10:50 pm
Dled,
chickenman
November 30th, 2010
11:32 pm
Whats up with the progression of harry douglas? He looked like a wes welker clone as a rookie, i know he is coming off of an knee but i would expect more reps from him. Is this a early sign that the falcons will be looking for a wideout in the first 3 rounds?
LB Weatherspoon Back In The Starting Lineup? » Falcons Gab
November 30th, 2010
11:34 pm
[...] The AJC reports that as of now, Sean Weatherspoon is listed as the #1 LB for the strongside despite coming off a sprained knee suffered vs Cleveland. The Falcons released their depth chart for the Tampa Bay game on Tuesday. They are still listing Sean Weatherspoon as the No. 1 strongside linebacker although he’s coming in with the nickel and Stephen Nicholas is starting with the base defense. Weatherspoon suffered a sprained right knee against Cleveland on Oct. 10 and missed four games. “I think that Sean is progressing in terms of his recovery,” Falcons coach Mike Smith said. “I don’t know that he’s 100 percent and of course at this point in the season I’m not sure if there’s many guys that are playing that are 100 percent.” Weatherspoon played 35 snaps in his return against St. Louis. Against Green Bay, he had three tackles. “We kept him only in our sub-package so he did not play in our base-package, but he got the majority of the snaps based on the personnel groupings that we saw,” Smith said. “Again, Sean is a rookie and he’s getting back into the swing of things. I saw things that he progressed on from the St. Louis game to this game and we anticipate he’ll just get right back into the swing of things as he starts feeling better.” Enjoyed this post? Subscribe to Falcons Gab via RSS Feed or E-mail and receive daily news updates from us! Tags: Sean Weatherspoon [...]
riggo
December 1st, 2010
7:45 am
D-Led Our d- line don’t get after the Qback like most big defenses, if we don’t get that fix soon it could cause problems for us in playoffs or against the Saints on the 27th. Also whats up wth dropping our d- linemen back into coverage,they should be rushing the Q back and not playing 10-15 yard off the line.
One pass in the endzone hit 71 in the back of the helmet because he’s not a pass defender, he’s a pass rusher.
Falcons Decatur
December 1st, 2010
8:23 am
Let’s be real, and stop all the nonsense. Bucs have two key injuries their Guard and the Strong Safety is down for the year. Okay, Mike Smith has hold some players back like Spoon, Jerry, Harry Douglas. It make sense to play #54, I don’t like it but he needs the playing time so Mike Smith can swap him out for Spoon on defense. Player management is so important in the 5 games we have left, because you need your players fresh for the Playoffs. The Falcons have 5 games to go, and we have to take one game at time. Mike Smith is doing a great thing by holding Spoon back, so he can heal and still have the timing of the game. I am looking for Spoon to have a big game in the Falcons LB defensive scheme.
PhillyFalconsFan
December 1st, 2010
8:34 am
Nice analysis guys and thanks for the insights DoL. (PS from a prior column, we’re still laughing about the summoned and executed line. nice!)
TheOne&Only
December 1st, 2010
9:03 am
Davis is playing very well and getting a good number of snaps. I would expect him to move into the 2nd spot behind Bierman, except politics and paycheks for Jamaal will keep him at 2nd (for now). Harry is doing exactly what he needs to do…he’s quick and is a threat when he’s in the game. I pick Harry over Jenkins any day of the week!
curtisfalcon
December 1st, 2010
9:08 am
I’d like to know whats going on with perry…..saw him make a big tackle in the GB game but didn’t see much of him otherwise…is he still working his way back from the knee thing?
D. Orlando Ledbetter
December 1st, 2010
9:30 am
Ross — Abe is hurt. I don’t expect him to practice much this week, but he’ll try to play. The coaches will probably work him out before the game and then make a decision on how much he can play.
Chickenman — H.D. had a shot with Jenkins out at the start of the season. He dropped a few passes and Ryan hasn’t gone back to him much. He could be a factor down the stretch. I’m wondering if they are going to let him return punts. Weems is good and cautious. But H.D. can go to the house. One of the Packer teams I covered, road Desmond Howard’s returns to a Super Bowl title.
Riggo — When they drop a DL in coverage that are trying to get a rush mismatch with a fast LB or DB on a slow OL. The problem is that they don’t disguise it well and the linemen are picking up the fast guys. They have been working on it since OTAs and it only seems to work on QBs who hold the ball too long (Arizona’s Derek Anderson types).
FalconsDecatur — They haven’t wrapped up a playoff berth yet. Lose to the Bucs and they could be tied for first place with the Saints. Like coach Herm says, “Play to win the game!”
D. Orlando Ledbetter
December 1st, 2010
9:33 am
CurtisFalcon — They are not playing Jerry is run situations. They want to keep down the number of double teams that he sees. In pass rush situations they can create a one-on-one situations for him. His knee was messed more than they ever let us know and thusly they letting him ease back into the trenches. I don’t know when he’s going to mentally be ready for more action on run downs.
Falcon57
December 1st, 2010
9:41 am
I agree with D-Led, Harry Douglas had a perfect opportunity to show his stuff while filling in for Jenkins at the beginning of the year. He didn’t show too much, which I didn’t worry about due to him being fresh off that major knee injury and also playing out of position. He is a true slot receiver. HOWEVER, since Jenkins has been back and Douglas has been back playing the slot receiver, he as has had numerous balls go right through his hands. Not a good sign. I think it was the Rams game that Coach Smith sat him down a good bit and played Finneran in place of him because he knew Finneran would catch the ball if thrown to him. I think that move was designed to get Douglas’ attention. It seemed to work with the way he snatched those two passes on that last drive against Green Bay. Hopefully it will continue. I really think these coaches know what they’re doing.
True Falcon Fan
December 1st, 2010
10:37 am
DOL – Thanks for the heads-up/clarification on Jerry – I knew he was hurt last year alot worse than we were told. Jerry, when healthy he obviously get’s a great push that’s why teams dlb down on him. I think he’s a player if he can stay out of IR
GO FALCONS
D. Orlando Ledbetter
December 1st, 2010
10:48 am
True Falcon Fan — You’re welcome. It would be nice if he can come on down the stretch.
True Falcon Fan
December 1st, 2010
11:07 am
Jerry, He has still got the “deer in the headlights” look about him “ROOKIE”. If he can learn how to shed-off the dlb downs, keep his knees ready for the cut. He should probably break-out next year, or he will turn out like T. Lewis. Thanks again for the great reporting, we have an extremely good team this year. Hope we stay health, that’s the key down the stretch. This team resembles the 1980 team, Danny White really got lucky in that divisional play-off game.
GO FALCONS
Open Minded
December 1st, 2010
1:52 pm
Sidbury has been my biggest question… am anxious to get more info.
Also must admit I was totally wrong (thankfully) about Thomas Moore, in my opinion he has brought a new form of aggression to Safety and I’m loving it.
Unfortunately Dunta Robinson has been a big dissappointment, maybe the Texans knew something we didn’t.
Eric C.
December 1st, 2010
2:14 pm
Obviously, it would be great for the Falcons to win out…but winning 3 of 5 could be enough for #1 seed.
The Falcons “should” beat Carolina twice. If they do that and get a big win against NO, that will be enough to clinch the division regardless of what NO does in it’s other 4 games. Beating TB and Seattle would just be icing on the cake if that happens.
Also, considering they have a two game lead over the Eagles, you have to like the Falcons chances to clinch the #1 seed with a 12-4 record, and I don’t think the Bears will win more than 3 games with their schedule.
Bottom line: The Falcons are firmly in the driver seat based on their record and based on their having two games left with the Panthers. This game at TB is not do or die.
mark
December 1st, 2010
3:59 pm
DLed great job as always, count me in on the Sidbury mystery, not sure why is not on the playing field. Could be he is not pushing ABE enough to get reps? Rotation seems to start/stop in the interior. Pass Rush is problem agian this year, have to address as the passing yards reflect this, secondary is good-getting better but with out pass rush most quaterbacks complete passes. Sunday is great example, Rogers missed on hurried passes, but 4th down pass for td was no rush.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
December 1st, 2010
4:05 pm
Today’s “DNP – Did Not Practice — list: Roddy White, John Abraham , Jason Snelling and Antone Smith.
(I talked to Sidbury and Coach today. I’ll post something later tonight).
Joe Tess Fish House
December 1st, 2010
4:06 pm
Witherspoon#1 on the deapth chart? The guy is ALWYAS out of postion. He miss 2 many tackels. Not good news if u want the Flacons 2 win.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
December 1st, 2010
4:09 pm
Mark — Thanks.
Joe Tess Fish House
December 1st, 2010
4:10 pm
I don’t believe that about Perrier Jerry. I thing they are blowing smoke cuz they don’t want 2 admit he is a bust. Why not detail the injruy? There is none. He is a bust!
D. Orlando Ledbetter
December 1st, 2010
4:29 pm
THE PLAYERS who were limited today:
Injury report – limited–Kroy Biermann (ankle), Mike Jenkins (quad), Curtis Lofton (knee), William Moore (thigh) and Eric Weems (pectoral).
F-Troop
December 1st, 2010
5:59 pm
Didn’t Snelling leave with a hammy? Is he 100% now?
And what’s up with Harry Douglas? One catch here, a catch there. I’m slowly coming to the conclusion that he’s lost a step post-ACL, since from replays I’ve seen A) he’s just not getting open and B) he looks soo passive. He’s nowhere near the blazing speed of two yrs ago.
F-Troop
December 1st, 2010
6:00 pm
Ok. I see it now. Snelling missed prax entirely.
Chop Buster
December 1st, 2010
10:10 pm
We have to find a way to get consistent pressure on these remaining QBs. I don’t know how BVG will do it, but he needs to be very creative and disguise what he does. This is only Freeman’s second year so bring something he hasn’t seen before. I Spoon is the difference since he didn’t play in the last game.
E
December 2nd, 2010
2:48 am
The Falcons look good but they want fair well against the other big teams if they do not find a better pass rush because it is a major issue that people are not focusing on when talking about them because it is very poor specially with the weak corners we have. Atlanta is 26th in the lead in pass defense and once the playoff comes around they will be ate up. Every week you can picture Brent Grimes getting beat on a long pass or a touchdown. Every team have started targeting him and they will continue as the playoff gets closer. If they can get a pass rusher or better pass rushing it would help the corners out.
True Falcon Fan
December 2nd, 2010
2:50 pm
“E” come-on man – have you noticed rotation during the “GAMES” – comON-man — Speed,Speed is the name of the game today. Sure “BIG” players is good, but speed is the name of the game!!!!!!!!
GO FALCONS