In no sport does preseason matter less than in professional football. With that said, this year’s preseason for the Falcons is the exception to the rule. When the team opens against Jacksonville on Saturday, several things will be under the microscope against one of the best teams in the NFL.Here’s what to watch for tomorrow.
1. THE QUARTERBACKS
Chris Redman has been named the starter, which can be viewed as good and bad for the Falcons. The news of the former insurance salesman getting the first-team vote of approval may be somber news for those Falcons fans wanting to see Matt Ryan in the starter’s role. Redman starting, however, means more of Ryan and Georgia alum D.J. Shockley later in the game. Ryan and Shockley should get plenty of chances to show their mettle in Game 1. Both have been steady so far in camp, with Ryan getting the edge for the No. 3 spot. Ryan even took some second-team snaps in the team’s final practice on Friday, so the rookie may be closer to starting than previously anticipated.
2. THE RUN DEFENSE
The Falcons couldn’t have drawn a better team to test their run defense against in Game 1. The Minnesota Vikings may have an argument, but Jacksonville boasts arguably the best 1-2 running-back punch in the league in Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew (combined 1,970 yards rushing in 2007). Those two will probably be shelved early, but that won’t discourage the Jags from their run-first mentality. Rookie RB Chauncey Davis (6-foot-1, 220 pounds) and bruising fullback Greg Jones (6-1, 255) will get plenty of chances to beat up on a Falcons front four that left little to be desired in stopping the rush last season (127.1 yards conceded per game – 26th in NFL). That’s why the Falcons brought back Grady Jackson to keep linemen off of the linebackers. Jackson will be fine, but keep an eye on the matchup of Jonathan Babineaux and Montavious Stanley versus the inside beef of Vince Manuwai and Uche Nwaneri (both 325 pounds). If the middle of the line can hold blocks, then rookie MLB Curtis Lofton could show off his second-round potential.
3. ON THE CORNERS
Defensive back Von Hutchins’ season-ending injury has thrust rookie Chevis Jackson into the fire. On Friday, starting corner Chris Houston stood on the sidelines for a majority of practice, allowing Jackson to be plugged in opposite Brent Grimes in the first-team defense. Count on this: Jackson’s number will be called in Saturday’s game. Though the Jags are a running team, quarterback David Garrard is one of the most efficient passers in the league. The quarterback play drops off after Garrard, but the Jacksonville receiving corps is plenty capable of causing havoc downfield with super athletes catching the football (Marcedes Lewis and Matt Jones) and speedsters on the edge (Troy Williamson and Dennis Northcutt). Jackson could solidify his third-round billing with a strong performance.
4. BURN, BABY BURN
They call Michael Turner “The Burner”, but the true backfield burner for the Falcons is Jerious Norwood, who has looked as electrifying as ever in camp thus far. It will be interesting to see if Norwood can break a long run before the night’s end. The speedster has also featured on kick returns in camp, and an early strike from No. 32 could set up the Falcons for an easier time heading into the second half, with Ryan and Shockley expected to take the majority of the snaps. With Warrick Dunn back in Tampa Bay, Norwood will be even more important this season.
5. SMITH’S DEBUT
Amid all the clamor about rookies and position battles, it tends to be forgotten that head coach Mike Smith is a rookie himself. What better test in your first NFL game as the head man than a game against a tough, physical team, especially on defense, which you happened to coach up for the previous five seasons? What’s even better is that Smith may be able to expose some of Jacksonville’s deficiencies because of his familiarity with the team. With Smith at the helm, after the first ball is kicked the Falcons can finally wash the bad taste of Bobby Petrino out of their mouths.
It should be one heck of a first game. Are you ready for some football?
Horne can be reached at ehorne@scoreatl.com.
Loading ...
