Unless you have been living under a massive rock since the end of the 2007 season, any casual Falcons fan knows that the team is trying to put last season’s mess behind it and rely on a batch of new players and coaches this season. This does not, however, play down the team’s confident, youthful vibe heading into its first training camp under a new regime.
YOUTH IS SERVED
The Falcons will start the season with 59 players age 26 or younger. Run down the Falcons’ roster and you will not find a position that does not have at least one player wet behind the ears, particularly at critical spots such as running back and defensive back. Though Michael Turner is a vet in years, there is barely any tread on his tires (228 carries in five seasons), and he will be running behind a revamped offensive line that struggled greatly last season.
Still, when a team is as young as the Falcons are, they often do not know they are supposed to adhere to analysts’ predictions (seriously Sporting News, 1-15?). Second-year cornerback Chris Houston would have none of that talk as a rookie, nor will he heading into 2008. The Arkansas product turned in a solid first season, and is now ready to follow the departed DeAngelo Hall as the Falcons’ new No. 1 lockdown corner. If the Falcons are to survive, Turner and Hall will have to make similar jumps in production as to what Roddy White did in 2007.
FAVRE IN THE SOUTH?
The back-and-forth saga of Brett Favre and the Green Bay Packers has reached its nauseating apex with the public, but not for NFL teams with quarterback issues, particularly in the NFC South. Tampa Bay’s Jeff Garcia is a good but upgradeable starter and Carolina has a legitimate nightmare under center. The Panthers will start camp with injury-riddled and inconsistent Jake Delhomme as their No. 1, and three quarterbacks with two years experience or less in the league. You think Favre’s not licking his chops at tossing to Steve Smith and getting a little closer to his hometown of Kiln, Miss.? If the Packers grant his release, the Falcons could see more of Favre than they anticipated in 2008.
ON THE HORIZON
Punter Michael Koenen will be signing autographs at Flagstar Bank in Marietta from 5-6 p.m. on Friday, July 18 as part of an interactive Falcons party featuring cheerleaders and prize giveaways. … The Falcons are changing locations for this year’s fan-friendly Allstate All-Access Weekend on Aug. 1 from Grady High School in midtown Atlanta to Gwinnett County’s Mill Creek High School. An offense vs. defense scrimmage will start at 7:15 p.m., followed by autograph signings and fireworks. Once again, Score Atlanta has teamed up with the Falcons and Russell Athletic to provide the 2008 Falcons Training Camp Guide.
Horne can be reached at ehorne@scoreatl.com.
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