Players that fall in the certain category, I would be willing to bet a substantial amount of cash saying that they are eligible for the practice squad because I am sure I'm correct. The people in the Not So Certain category, I have a good feeling about, but wouldn't bet too much dough on their eligibility. As you'll notice, many of the players are not in danger of being put on the practice squad, but are still eligible.

Certain

Matt Allen, P
Dusty Bonner, QB
Mike Coleman, WR
Curt Davis, DE
T.J. Duckett, RB
R.J. English, WR
Ron Flemons, DE
Karim Grant, LB
Corey Hall, S
Corey Harris, S
Kahlil Hill, WR
Brian Holmes, K
Dave Kadela, T
Manly Kanoa, G
Kurt Kittner, QB
George Layne, FB
Curt Lessman, C
Kevin McCadam, S
Marques McFadden, G
Brandon Miller, DT
Shawn Mills, WR
Ron Moore, DT
Dallas Neil, TE
Craig Page, C
Fred Perry, LB
Mareno Philyaw, WR
Adrian Sadler, CB
Kevin Shaffer, T
Eric Sims, CB
Jerry Togiai, DT
Terrance Williams, RB
Ryan Wingrove, DE

Not so certain

Doug Johnson, QB
Quentin McCord, WR
Michael Thompson, T

Notes

• Last season was the first year under Reeves that all five players on the practice squad were in camp with the Falcons.
• Over the past five years, the Falcons have kept 5 wide receivers, 5 offensive linemen, 4 tight ends, and 3 linebackers on the opening day practice squad. They've also kept two defensive ends, two cornerbacks, and one defensive tackle, safety, and kicker each.
• Often the makeup of the opening day practice squad is based on injuries. In 1999, the team kept two wide receivers on the practice squad in Jammi German and Eugene Baker, because they only kept four on the active roster.
• Many times players on the original practice squad don't last very long. Five players in the past five years have not lasted a month on the practice squad. Twice it has been because they were cut, but the other three times it was because they were promoted to the active roster.
• The Falcons have always kept a tenth offensive lineman on the practice squad.
• They have never began the season with more than six wide receivers including the roster and practice squad.

Hill will make the team as the sixth wideout. He has too much skill and ability for the team to just cut outright since I don't think his chances are high of making the roster, especially since he missed passing camp.

Neil will probably have a good summer. Probably good enough to make the roster in most years, but the team won't keep a fifth tight end on the roster. I think the team will put Neil on the list for next year. They probably won't bring back both Reggie Kelly and Brian Kozlowski after this year as both are entering contract seasons. Neil maybe able to step up as the third tight end next summer.

Shaffer will probably be the team's tenth offensive linemen. I don't really think he'll make the roster this year, but his draft status will earn him another shot at making the team in 2003.

I think Grant has some talent, and could impress with his pass-rushing skills, similar to Emil Ekiyor in 1999. Since John Thierry may not be back next year, that could open up a spot for Grant next summer.

McCadam was a fifth round pick, which does not bode well for him, since fifth rounders tend to be no better than seventh rounds generally. But I think the team will try to find a way to keep him for next summer. They did the same with Corey Hall last summer.

Other than those five, I believe Corey Hall, Dave Kadela, and Brandon Miller are the next strongest candidates.