Depth chart: Ray Edwards welcome to the ATL
Minnesota Vikings defensive end Ray Edwards would be a nice fit for the Falcons. (Associated Press)
BIRDLAND – With the draft over, here’s a look the Falcons 2011 projected depth chart.
We took in to account that there will be free agency and that the Falcons will take some hits along the offensive line. Right tackle Tyson Clabo is likely to get a big offer and will have to take it. Not sure about left guard Justin Blalock, but he wasn’t drafted by the current regime so he could also bolt.
They’ll be replaced by Mike Johnson at left guard and Jose Valdez at right tackle.
Of course, Julio Jones will start opposite of Roddy White at wide receiver. They just need to teach him the 9, 8 and 7 routes (go, post and flag) to start off. They can add the rest of the route tree on the fly. They didn’t get him to catch a bunch of bubble screens.
On the defensive side, I went ahead and signed Minnesota’s Ray Edwards. (It’s fun playing GM!!!). Here’s his bio.
He’s had 29 sacks in five seasons. He had eight sacks last season and 8.5 in 2009. The only thing that is troubling is that he’s from Purdue, a Big Ten school. (Thomas Dimitroff has yet to draft a player from the Big Ten.)
“Welcome to the club Big Ray,” said GM Led. “I need 10 sacks from you at least. I need you to introduce yourself to Drew Brees, Josh Freeman and Cam Newton. You don’t have to be gentle, either.”
Some of you want to get Oakland cornerback Nnamdi Asomougha, but after spending $57.5 million on Dunta Robinson and putting a first-round tender on Brent Grimes, it wouldn’t be prudent to do another mega-cornerback deal. Also, the team has to lock up Grimes at some point.
Nnadmi Asomougha is not likely landing in the ATL. (Associated Press)
So at nickel back, Christopher Owens is going to get a chance to step up. Also, there’s Dominique Franks and possibly a veteran free agent, who doesn’t cost that much, can be added.
The rest of the defense remains in place because I’m projecting the re-signing of Mike Peterson to play weakside on run downs.
Here’s a look at the projected 2011 depth chart:
FALCONS 2011 PROJECTED DEPTH CHART
OFFENSE
QB – 1. Matt Ryan, 2. Chris Redman
RB – 1. Michael Turner, 2. Jacquizz Rodgers
FB – 1. Ovie Mughelli. 2. Jason Snelling
WR – 1. Roddy White, 2. Michael Jenkins and Eric Weems
WR – 1. Julio Jones, 2. Harry Douglas and Kerry Meier
TE – 1. Tony Gonzalez, 2. Justin Peelle and Michael Palmer
LT – 1. Sam Baker, 2. Will Svitek
LG – 1. Mike Johnson, 2. Jose Valdez
C – 1. Todd McClure, 2.Joe Hawley
RG – 1. Harvey Dahl, 2. Andrew Jackson
RT – 1. Jose Valdez 2. Garrett Reynolds
DEFENSE
RDE – 1. John Abraham, 2. Cliff Matthews
DT – 1. Jonathan Babineaux, 2. Vance Walker
DT – 1. Corey Peters, 2. Peria Jerry
LDE – 1. Ray Edwards, 2. Kroy Biermann
WLB – 1. Mike Peterson, 2. Coy Wire
MLB – 1. Curtis Lofton, 2. Akeem Dent
SLB – 1. Sean Weatherspoon, 2. Spencer Adkins
RCB – 1. Dunta Robinson, 2. Christopher Owens
FS – 1. Thomas DeCoud, 2. Shann Schillinger
SS – 1. William Moore, 2. Rafael Bush
LCB – 1. Brent Grimes, 2. Dominique Franks
SPECIAL TEAMS
KR – 1. Eric Weems, 2. Harry Douglas
PR – 1. Eric Weems, 2. Jacquizz Rodgers
P – 1. Michael Koenen, 2. Matt Bosher
PK – 1. Matt Bryant
LS – Joe Zelenka
–D. Orlando Ledbetter, The Atlanta Falcons beat blog
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150 comments Add your comment
Explicit
May 6th, 2011
10:49 am
Man I really hope that Clabo isn’t gone. The last thing that you want to do is have to tweak your line in front of your star QB who is throwing to your new #1 draft pick and star receivers.
Terrell
May 6th, 2011
10:51 am
I don’t think us siging Edwards is giving up on Biermann than it is preparing to not resign JA55. I do believe this is his final year, and so if Atlanta doesn’t resign him next season then Ray Edwards would move over to his side and be the RDE and then Biermann would start again at LDE unless Sidbury doesn’t something this year to put him ahead of Kroy.
waynester
May 6th, 2011
11:05 am
terrell
Unless Edwards suddenly blossoms into a double-digit sackmeister he’s not in JA55’s league. Abe averages 10 sacks/yr over his career, Edwards averages 5, same production we’re getting out of Kroy. Edwards is a LDE at MN who says he wants to try the RDE position at some point. ABE is a RDE, period. I’m not saying this deal won’t happen, I’m saying it’s unlikely that we see him as Abe’s replacement…
PS
To those bashing Grimes, Google NFL stats and compare Grime’s production to these guys ya’ll say can replace him. His numbers are awesome, among the best in the NFL, and have gone up substantially every year, showing a player on the rise, not a guy who’s maxed out. Pay the little guy!!!
DC Dirty Bird
May 6th, 2011
11:20 am
waynester, good point on Grimes. It seems he has more respect around the league than he does from the fans of his team. I like Grimes and thought we were a nickel corner away from being dominant. As far as Edwards, I’ve seen him play big in big games. Also, I’m going to have to say 8 sacks by an DE who plays LDE exclusively is worth 11 sacks as a RDE. Rushing from the left side puts you at a disadvantage as the QB can see you beat the RT and get rid of the ball or scramble. It would be nice to see Sidbury get an opportunity though. If he does pan out, and we get Edwards, we’re set at DE for the next five years.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
May 6th, 2011
11:25 am
Mike — Yes. He’s a six-year guy. If old rules reign, he could have to go back to Minnesota. But he said he’s not playing for restrict money, which would be less than what his backup is making.
Rikus — Under that scenario, you want to look for older guys with connections to the coaching staff like Bobby McCray.
Rikus — My thinking on Sidbury is that if he couldn’t crack the 45, why is he all of sudden going to burst out into Sackmaster Jr? However, I can’t get the I-AA championship game out of mind where he just dominated.
DawginLex — No. I’ll take a public pass on that. If you put a tape recorder on my deck you might get that story. However, the stats you cite are pretty good for Iowa. But they wouldn’t fly at Ohio State where they are in the National Title hunt EVERY YEAR. Not just twice over last 31 years. Hope that’s helpful for you. (Vanderbilt = Northwestern. Kentucky = Indiana, etc.)
D. Orlando Ledbetter
May 6th, 2011
11:27 am
take it from me — Grimes has earned an increase, just based on the fact that he played on under valued contracts for the last two seasons.
DawginLex
May 6th, 2011
11:36 am
The stats were Georgia stats and Iowa has not come close to that yet you were quoted as saying UGA is the iowa of the SEC.
Ohio state is a national joke. Their title in 2002 was gift wrapped by the ref and UGA would have destroyed that team given the chance.
Don’t speak down to me either. I have forgotten more football than you will ever know.
eM
May 6th, 2011
11:44 am
I hope we get Edwards and send “Beer”man packing. Since going Hollywood he’s been useless. Flam on people, “beer”man won’t do a thing production wise for this team.
Pedro
May 6th, 2011
11:44 am
Falcons need to pick up DB Diandre McDaniel who went undrafted. One of the best in the ACC for the last two years. Hard hitter, great tackler with many interceptions.
eM
May 6th, 2011
11:45 am
Sorry, flame on……
waynester
May 6th, 2011
11:50 am
eM
You may be right about the distractions off the field with Biermann, but I’d bet good $$ that we’re giving him one more year to pan out. We drafted Dent primarily to get Kroy off STs this season. If that doesn’t help Biermann turn all those pressures from last year into sacks this year, then I’d say you’re right. Until then, LDE seems to be his to lose….
just me
May 6th, 2011
12:00 pm
waynester
Didn’t see you throw out your thoughts on DE – Andre Carter in this forum.
DoL
In your opinion what’s the chances of us signing a vet DE like Andre Carter. He played in a 4-3 until this past year when he was moved to OLB in Washingtons 3-4 scheme. In 09 he had 11 sacks, last year in the 3-4 he only had 2.5 sacks and was cut. He is a little long in the tooth, but he could provide solid veteran play in the rotation for the next 2-3 years.
just me
May 6th, 2011
12:04 pm
Here’s an interesting article on Ray Edwards.
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d81fb4397/article/edwards-says-the-money-isnt-enough-for-return-to-vikings?module=HP_headlines
Rikus
May 6th, 2011
12:06 pm
DOL, while Bobby McCray would certainly be available and affordable, he’s unlikely to be “the answer” that fans are looking for at DE. Concerning is how he washed out in New Orleans, going from starter to backup to waived. More concerning is that he couldn’t crack a roster last year. Philly did sign him, but only had him active for one game — and he didn’t even play. On the plus side, he is one of the youngest 6-year DEs on the market, so maybe he can have a Jason-Babin-eque revival to his career.
denverfalcon
May 6th, 2011
12:40 pm
Just a little article I read about our current RDE. So maybe we’re not in that bad of shape. Think about Abe’s numbers two years ago. We thought he was done, then last year he came back. Maybe the same can be said for Biermann.
http://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2011/04/12/secret-superstar-kroy-biermann-atlanta-falcons/
denverfalcon
May 6th, 2011
12:41 pm
LDE, not RDE
CJ
May 6th, 2011
12:43 pm
Don’t take this guy. Biermann needs another shot.
waynester
May 6th, 2011
12:58 pm
denverfalcon
I agree with your last post, as for Abraham,As long as he’s relatively uninjured his numbers are very consistent year to year.Just looking at his stats shows him having a down year every 3rd season, each time, however, coincides with some injury. Edwards has only played one full season, 2009, when he had his highest sack total, 9 sacks. He has missed at least a couple of games every season, whereas Abe has only missed one game in the last 4 seasons(last year) and still managed one of his best years ever….
Jimmy Jam
May 6th, 2011
1:10 pm
D. O., I love the interactive play, it brings an otherwise dead page to life. It’s too bad Jamal and Peria has set the DL back 2 to 4 years now. They were two very high draft picks, one we know will never work out and the other following the same path…I love the two new offensive weapons, Rogers and Julio two home run hitters from anywhere on the field. I also love Grimes, heart and hustle most players which they had. He epitomize the CB position, gives up some plays, but also makes even bigger plays. Keep up good work!
D. Orlando Ledbetter
May 6th, 2011
1:20 pm
DawginLex — 6-7. Not in the hunt. Touched a nerve.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
May 6th, 2011
1:30 pm
waynester & just me – I haven’t heard him mentioned as a possibility.
Jimmy Jam — While we are waiting for the Justices in St. Louis to speak, I have more time in the offseason to jump in here and leave comments.
Boxing Gyms | Boxing News
May 6th, 2011
1:33 pm
[...] Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) [...]
wxwax
May 6th, 2011
1:33 pm
Peria Jerry still not a starter?
At what point do we start using the “b” word?
D. Orlando Ledbetter
May 6th, 2011
1:37 pm
DawginLex — UGA national titles 2. Ohio State 7. 6 if you don’t want to count 2002. UGA conference titles 14/12. Ohio State 36/38. So UGA can’t be Ohio State of the SEC. They can be Iowa. Numbers don’t add up. And, quit talking smart to me before Woody Hayes rises and punches you across the kisser like that Charlie Bauman kid. (I don’t know about you forgetting more football than I know. I was NGYFL Coach on the Year in 2007.)
layinlow
May 6th, 2011
2:01 pm
DOL, seriously do you think Biermann’s play was affected last year by his decision to date this local reality TV personality. I have seen the show a few times and was astounded at all the silliness and drama that this women was involved in. I just wonder if she doesn’t have Kroy’s head all messed up. This kid looked like the second coming of patrick kerney at one point but now just looks like a servicable back up. Now he has impregnated this wig wearing fruit cake and will now have to deal with her for years to come. What a shame.
jarvis
May 6th, 2011
2:09 pm
Great work DOL.
By the way, with your explanations of the 9,8, and 7 routes you’ve proved you have more about football than intelligence than Cam. Way to go!
LRD
May 6th, 2011
2:29 pm
I like Peters starting over Jerry.
j
May 6th, 2011
2:50 pm
DawgtirdinLEX- UGAy is a joke. Time to wake up man. They are more like the Northwestern of the Big 10. Irrelevant! 6-7 with a UCF!
j
May 6th, 2011
2:54 pm
Actually D-Led, UGA has 1. the other NC actually went to Ohio State. UGA only claims it, not college football. http://www.collegefootballpoll.com/champions_national.html
j
May 6th, 2011
2:56 pm
It would be like saying TCU was a NC last year.
DawginMex
May 6th, 2011
3:00 pm
I’ve forgotten a lot of football too.
Ackshun
May 6th, 2011
3:08 pm
None of this says anything about what happens if they don’t get mighty mouse off CB. I love Brent Grimes but you got to get some height to add to skills at CB. He was the most targeted corner in the NFC South last year and while there were times he really made em pay. The Green Bay game and the Eagles game exposed that secondary. I expect the opportunity to win a championship, right now, may factor into decisions made by Clabo and could give us the opportunity to snag Asomugha. Nothing succeeds like success. I bring in a taller CB and move grimes to FS on passing downs and CB in nickel packages.
DawginLex
May 6th, 2011
3:16 pm
DLED,
Just stick to the Falcons.
that way you can at least pretend to have some knowledge.
Inbred Dawg
May 6th, 2011
3:26 pm
I have forgotten more football than all of you put together!
Casey
May 6th, 2011
3:50 pm
This depth chart shows you don’t know what you’re talking about.
1. As long as Jerious Norwood is breathing, he is 2nd on the depth chart at RB. Jason Snelling is 3rd. Anyone who thinks otherwise is delusional.
2. Tyson Clabo isn’t going anywhere.
3. Peria Jerry will start.
4. They did not draft Bosher to be a backup punter. There is no such thing. He will compete for PK, and he will win. He is just as good as Bryant, if not better, and he is younger and will cost less money.
Rikus
May 6th, 2011
3:54 pm
Hmm no riposte, defending Bobby McCray? =)
Tana
May 6th, 2011
4:06 pm
Are you guys completely clueless? We obviously can not afford to keep our O-Line man and sign a significant defensive help. There is no reason to sign a guy like Asomougha when we have a Pro Bowler in Brent Grimes. When teams threw away from Robinson, Grimes stepped up and proved his worth.
Rodgers was drafted to replace Norwood. That move pretty much announced to the world they have given up on Norwood, and if you haven’t given up on him yet then you shouldn’t be posting on this blog.
I like the Ray Edwards move, because he may be one of the best defensve ends on the free agency market. Face it guys, we don’t need someone to lead the league in sacks. We have Abraham to do that, we just need a strong compliment. Biermann still could be that option as he does get a lot of pressure.
On DT: Just one thing. COREY PETERS will START.
The Monger
May 6th, 2011
4:14 pm
this guy is stoned or drunk??? How can he fill out a projected depth chart like this, I agree we will get Edwards but we will resign Clabo and Blaylock both as well. We have so much depth on the lines, this is most coaches dreams, doesnt make sense whoever wrote this load of steaming horse manure!!! Also, you dont think Stephen Nicholas is going to make this team, he only had like what 120 tackles last year, oh but he gets beat out by spencer atkins and coy wire?? Come on thats a pathetic projection and you know it…
Casey
May 6th, 2011
4:16 pm
You people get WAY too excited about these draft picks. Rodgers was taken in the 5th round with the 145th pick in the draft. He is not the number 2 on the depth chart. Jerious is not going anywhere.
Mathews was taken with the 230th pick in the 7th round. “I got my news on the way to the theatre,” Matthews said. “I almost crashed the car.” He is not 2nd on the depth chart. Give me a break!
Bosher was drafted as a kicker, not a punter. He was only an average punter, while an exceptional field goal kicker.
The Monger
May 6th, 2011
4:26 pm
Uhh J, you are wrong. UGA has 2 OFFICIAL National Championships in football, 1942 and 1980. Prior to 1963? it may have been 1957 though? Sometime in the late 1950s/early 1960s there became a unified polling system that has become our means for determining NCs ever since. Prior to that there were multiple national champions as polls were differing in viewpoints. Georgia actually claims 5 NCs (i believe we won it in 17-18?, 1942, 1946, 1950, and 1980). However, the biggest insult is to take any of those 5 away, but the 1942 one was official, I believe at least 3 of the 4 or 5 polls around at that time had Georgia as unanimous champions. Prior to 1963 several teams have claims on several different years, so the correct number of NCs for GA is 2 to 5, really, and SEC championships at 14, I believe right now. I dont care much for National Championships due to bias and subjectivity of voting, the best team often does not even end up playing for the NC alot of years (Aub 04, GA 07), so in summary you and d-led are both wrong…in a way.
cwltank
May 6th, 2011
4:36 pm
Im not to sure about that lineup. I think Dent will start at LB & Peterson will likely be a sub. Sidbury & Bierman will enter on passing downs. I do not see the Falcons signing Edwards unless they trade Anderson. I think your on the money with Julio, 1st rounders play. I think the Falcons will trade a few players, if they are to sign big name free agents.
Nique
May 6th, 2011
5:02 pm
What about adding Carlos Rodgers to play nickle & when is Sid going to get on the field? Additionally, won’t C. Davis & Sid be in the d-line rotation before Matthews? Finally, i think its interesting that you have Jerry behind Peters, if Peters beats Jerry out now that he’s had a year to recover, he’s a bust as a 1st rounder! Not as a player, but as a 1st rounder.
Nique
May 6th, 2011
5:11 pm
My other ? is that TD said that he sees Dent as a run stopper in for run downs, so what does that mean for Peterson, who i also think we resign, but he’s also a run down guy…who plays the other olb on pass downs, & what are they not planning on Spoon being a 3 down lb anymore, because he didn’t do it last year, but i thought that was due to injuries. Finally, one last FA ?, what do you think about signing Veron Golhston to a league minimum or close to it, for a one year deal? We/re desperate for pass rushers & i believe part of his problem was that the Jets moved him to OLD in their 3-4 scheme, align in at the DE in the 4-3 & tell him to just rush the passer, if it doesn’t pan out, you don’t loss much, but if it does you gain a ton! If we’re going to take a risk at this point, i believe that it has to be on the d-line & i don’t think he really got the opportunity to use hi skill set in NY because they had to many ppl & he was playing out of position.
Sid
May 6th, 2011
6:46 pm
Minnesota put a first round tender on Ray Edwards.
goodness gracious
May 6th, 2011
8:34 pm
Go ahead and play GM! Cause your draft picks were so right on the money!
goodness gracious
May 6th, 2011
8:40 pm
ill stick with peter king
A-Ville Ranger
May 6th, 2011
8:47 pm
I’d rather sign Charles Johnson if we can than Edwards. He’s coming off an 11.5 sack season in part time play. He’s also very good at getting in the way of passing lanes.
bgfalcon
May 6th, 2011
9:21 pm
DLED, 2 bad seasons and the dawgs become IOWA??? yeah man, you lost all credibility with that statement. sounded a lot like a techie…
ATL_98
May 6th, 2011
9:22 pm
why are so many people bashing brent grimes? dude had 6 interceptions and made it to the probowl, and yes he was a reserve player but he still made it. his leaping ability makes up for his size. same way jacquizz rogers work ethic and exposiveness makes up for his sizes. we dont need to purchase another expensive DB, we just need to coach up the players we have. when are we gonna stop completely blaiming the players and start sharing some of the blame with the position coaches? take a look at the performance of our d-line for the past few years. is it possible our position coaches need to step up their game?
BJR
May 6th, 2011
9:22 pm
Stephen Nicholas and Spoon will be the linebackers on passing downs you bring in the extra corner in and replace the backer they take out, this is called a “Nickel” defense ,you take out a safety and add another corner this is called a “Dime”defense. Kroy will be the LDE he is getting better every year and the pass rush will get better up the middle with Peria being healthy . HAVE FAITH PEOPLE