FalcBlog

Linebacker, as far as the roster goes, is probably the most set position. The Falcons have experienced veterans and youth talent worth developing, so I don't see any significant additions, just like there were none a year ago.

Michael Boley and Keith Brooking will definitely be starters next year, but exactly where is not sure. Boley isn't going to be moving from his strongside spot in 2007, but Brooking has the ability to start at either middle or weakside linebacker.

The biggest determining factor will probably not be Brooking himself, but the play of Ed Hartwell and/or Demorrio Williams. Hartwell was signed 2 years to be the man in the middle, but injuries have hampered him and he has been largely ineffective when he has managed to play. Some suspect he could be released, but I doubt it. His collegiate coach, Brian VanGorder has taken over the Falcons linebacker position, and I'm sure Hartwell knows his performance in 2007 will have a significant impact on his future with the Falcons and in the league as a whole. A good year, and he stays in Atlanta. A bad year or another injury-riddled one, and he'd be very hard-pressed to find a starting job for the rest of his career.

Williams is a restricted free agent, and could be traded if the right deal is met. But there rarely is a shortage of decent outside linebackers either via free agency or the draft, so it's doubtful he'll be in high demand. He should be back in Atlanta, because he provides such valuable depth considering he can play either outside spots.

Brooking will simply fill in the other spot that either one of those two players does not earn. I'm sure the front office and coaches would prefer Hartwell to be the other guy, but the past two years have shown that the team won't be missing a lot if it winds up being Williams.

Then there is Ike Reese and Jordan Beck. Both are valuable special teams players. Although Reese hasn't quite lived up to his Pro Bowl billing. But he is a steady veteran, that is provides quality depth since he can play all three linebacker positions. Some believe he will be cut, but I think his ability to be a nickel guy and utility guy override any perceived failure on special teams. Beck too has not made much impact on defense. He should finally get a chance to push for playing time, and it's time the Falcons give him an opportunity to showcase his skills. He was solid during his rookie summer before an injury sidelined him for the whole season. If he can pick up from there, he has the makings of a solid pro down the road.

The only reason to make any significant additions this off-season would be if Williams, Hartwell, or Reese are lost. But considering the wealth of needs elsewhere on the roster, making changes here should be the very last thing on the Falcons minds.

Posted by Aaron at 1:39 AM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

This unit as a whole was a disappointment this year. Going into the season, many thought that the Falcons could have arguably the best starting four in the business with Kerney, Abraham, Coleman, and Jackson. But it proved not to be.

Kerney, Abraham, and Coleman all battled injuries throughout the season. Jackson too was nicked up often, but didn't miss a game. Coleman only missed one, but for much of the middle portion of the year he seemed less than normal, which could be attributed to probably not being 100%.

The biggest concern here going into 2007 is the defensive end spot. Jonathan Babineaux played well in Coleman's absence at times, and if he can build on those performances, he should be very productive this year. Darrell Shropshire and T.J. Jackson didn't do much, but Jackson had his moments. If Coleman is healthy, and if Grady is in shape, there's no reason to believe defensive tackle will be relatively strong next year.

But as for defensive end, there are serious concerns about the durability of John Abraham. Abraham only played in 8 games all year long, and played well when he was on the field, but the Falcons have to get more from him. On the other side, there are questions on whether Patrick Kerney will and should come back. Kerney will be 30 at the start of this season, and hasn't had a double-digit sack season since 2004. He missed 7 games with a chest injury. He is no longer that top flight pass rusher he used to be, and when you consider the potential price tag it would take to retain him, I personally don't think he's worth it.

But if we lost Kerney that would leave a void at the defensive end position. Paul Carrington, Josh Mallard, and Chauncey Davis each had their moments last season, but none are ready to be starters in the NFL, including Davis who started 14 games last year. Davis is not a pass rusher, with only 2 career sacks. Carrington and Mallard showed potential as situational guys, but neither are ready to be starters. The Falcons should address this in the off-season.

They could sign a free agent. Perhaps someone like Dewayne White from the Bucs, who was the top pick for that team in McKay's last draft there. White has shown he is a very effective player coming off the bench, and was arguably their best defensive end last year with disappointing years from both Simeon Rice and Greg Spires.

Or the team could look to draft one. This is a pretty strong defensive end class near the top, and the Falcons have a chance to get any of the top pass rushers in this class with the tenth overall pick.

Either way, the Falcons will make a significant move at defensive end this off-season, whether it's re-signing Kerney, drafting a top rookie, or signing a free agent. As for off-season plans at defensive tackle, the Falcons could draft someone, but it would only be to try and boost the rotation. Defensive tackle looks like it might be a need next off-season as opposed to now, so it won't hurt the team if they don't acquire someone significant, just yet.

Posted by Aaron at 11:42 PM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

This unit will likely see a lot of changes down the road, but I'm not sure those changes will come this year. Everyone expects Petrino & Co. to install a new sort of blocking scheme, as opposed to the zone/cut-blocking scheme employed by Alex Gibbs the past three years.

It should allow for the Falcons to be more physical. But I'm not sure a lot of changes will occur, particularly to the starting lineup this year because there is going to have to be a grace period where the players learn and adjust to the changes.

The most likely changes to occur to the starting lineup will likely occur on the left side. The Falcons will have to decide if they want to retain 35-year old left tackle Wayne Gandy. The Falcons could essentially purge his $3.5 million base salaries from their cap by releasing. The concern however is if they can replace him. Frank Omiyale, who was being groomed as the left tackle under Gibbs doesn't appear to be any closer to being ready. And with the change in scheme, he may in fact be asked to move inside to guard. And the free agent market is rather scarce as far as left tackles are concerned, none of whom appear to be signfiicant upgrades over Gandy. The Falcons could target a left tackle early in the draft, but cutting Gandy would essentially force them to use a pick on such a player in the first two rounds, which could lead to a major reach. INstead, I suspect Gandy will stick around for another year.

At left guard, Matt Lehr probably won't be back in the starting lineup. I suspect that will be Tyson Clabo's job to lose. His size makes him a seemingly better fit there as the teams tries to bulk up in the middle. Lehr's future likely will be as a utility backup that plays both center and guard.

The right side of the line I suspect will remain the same: McClure, Forney, and Weiner. McClure, albeit small, could work fine in the new scheme. The Chiefs center Casey Wiegmann is almost identical to McClure in size and is very effective there due to his ability to pull. McClure moves well, and if utilized in a similar way could find success. Forney and Weiner are our scrappiest blockers, and I suspect they will eventually be able to adjust the easiest to the new scheme.

Lehr could push McClure at the center position. Lehr is a more physical blocker than McClure, but probably lacks McClure's experience and intelligence in calling out blitzes and blocking assignments that are very important for the center position. Although, with Vick being allowed to audible this season, that responsibility will be less on McClure than it was in the past, which could allow Lehr to unseat him.

As for the rest of the roster, Ojinnaka is the only one that is somewhat interesting to me. The Falcons tried him a bit at left guard last year, and I think he could get some looks there again as well under Petrino. The rest of the unit is filled with zone-blocking guys that I suspect will be purged in a year or two by Petrino and Summers.

The change in scheme will not likely show immediately positive results, but down the road, improvement could occur. Especially if the Falcons focus on securing talent via the draft. I'd like to see the Falcons target at least one free agent guard that could start if Clabo isn't ready. I'd also like to see the Falcons use the draft to select probably a left tackle and perhaps a center that could be groomed to start down the road. If the Falcons are to rebuild this unit, it will most likely have to be via solid drafting. Why not start now?

Posted by Aaron at 12:45 PM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post