Who's on the roster?
#18 Jamal Burke (6' 204, rookie, Boston College)
#19 LaTarence Dunbar (5'11" 196, rookie, Texas Christian)
#12 Terrence Edwards (6' 171, rookie, Georgia)
#87 Jimmy Farris (6' 193, 1st yr., Montana)
#86 Brian Finneran (6'5" 210, 4th yr., Villanova)
#82 Trevor Gaylor (6'3" 195, 4th yr., Miami Oh.)
#80 MarTay Jenkins (6' 206, 5th yr., Nebraska-Omaha)
#16 John Lewis (6' 195, rookie, Oklahoma State)
#88 Quentin McCord (5'10" 188, 3rd yr., Kentucky)
#84 Jon Olinger (6'3" 223, rookie, Cincinnati)
#81 Peerless Price (5'11" 190, 5th yr., Tennessee)
Projected starters: Finneran (flanker), Price (split end)
Top backups: Gaylor (split end), Jenkins (flanker), McCord (split end)
Newcomers: Burke (undrafted rookie), Dunbar (6th round pick), Edwards (undrafted rookie), Jenkins (free agent/Cardinals), Lewis (undrafted rookie), Olinger (5th round pick), Price (free agent/Bills)
This was the area on the roster that saw the most significant changes in the off-season. The Falcons hope the emphasis will boost their already solid offense.
The biggest addition was Peerless Price. Price emerged last year with outstanding numbers in Buffalo, and barely missed the Pro Bowl. Price was added due to his superior speed, and now gives the Falcons a legitimate vertical threat that the team has lacked since Tony Martin in 1998.
The Falcons gave up their first round pick and also a sizeable contract to get Price from the Bills. Because of the high cost of acquiring Price, there are some lofty expectations going on Price. And the soon to be 27-year old wide receiver is not without his concerns.
Price has never been seen as the go-to guy on his team. In Buffalo, he was "protected" by the likes of Eric Moulds. Defenses focused on Moulds, which gave Price more opportunities to play. Also Price never put up huge numbers until the arrival of Drew Bledsoe and Kevin Gilbride, both who favor and enhance a more vertical offense. Price also has had questionable hands by some. But none of these concerns are too pressing so that success is not expected from Price. He will just have to prove that any and all concerns are overblown. And he has the chance to do that.
Price will get help from Brian Finneran. Finneran performed well in his first year as a starter in Atlanta. But his first year did not come without its growing pains. Finneran struggled with drops all season. Unsure hands have plagued him before as it led to him being released in Philadelphia in 1999 after five weeks. But part of his struggles could possibly be attributed to the added pressure placed on him. In 2001, Finneran spent much of the season as the team's fourth wideout. It may have been a difficult transition in going from so low on the depth chart to becoming the primary guy in the passing game. If he can overcome his inconsistencies then he could become a solid starting wideout in this league as he possesses good hands and size. He should benefit much from Price's presence opposite him.
Another player the Falcons added was MarTay Jenkins. Jenkins is expected to compete with Finneran for the starting job, but that is more for show than an actual challenge. It will be difficult for Jenkins to unseat Finneran due to the latter's blocking prowess, while Jenkins is unproven in that area. However, because of his superior speed, and if he can show that his blocking and hands are just as good, then Jenkins has a real shot at earning a starting job. But that's doubtful since Jenkins has yet to show great consistency in either area. Jenkins primary duties will lie on his ability to return kickoffs and as a reserve wideout.
The additions of Price and Jenkins put added pressure on holdovers Trevor Gaylor and Quentin McCord. Although neither ended last season as starters, both had received extensive work as the team's No. 3 and 4 targets, respectively. Now it would seem that if everything goes as planned, they will take at least one step back.
Gaylor played well when he got on the field, but part of his lack of use at times during the season could be attributed his lacking blocking and special team skills. If Gaylor hasn't improved in either area, then it will be much more difficult for him to make the roster.
McCord may find it a little easier to make the roster since McCord has performed on special teams. But he's not exactly the prototype player the likes in that role. Last year, this niche was given to Darren Chiaverini, but he missed much of the season due to injury. In prior years, it was the job of Finneran. So it's obvious, the team prefers a bigger, sturdier player than McCord with is slight 188-pound frame. But McCord showed late in the season that he can contribute offensively, as he adds even more speed to the lineup.
The two players that could have the bigger influence in the potential shakeup of the lineup this year will be the players the Falcons drafted in Jon Olinger and LaTarence Dunbar.
Olinger has a great frame and is developing more as a wide receiver. He's still a bit raw though, and may need another year or so before he can really be expected to make an impact. This makes Olinger a good candidate for the practice squad. Olinger's career could take an interesting direction from his performances in camp. Olinger definitely has the size, and if he proves that his blocking is up to par, then he possibly could see a future move to H-back. It would likely involve an entire season spent on the practice squad so that he can add more muscle, but it definitely would not be an unseen transition.
Dunbar brings some of the things that McCord brings to the lineup. Dunbar does not have McCord's speed, but he's a quick, undersized wideout that moves like a running back. Dunbar's impact on the roster will likely come due to his abilities on special teams. Dunbar is a gifted return specialist, so that gives him an advantage. Dunbar also has performed to a small degree at cornerback during his collegiate career, which seemingly would give him a step-up in determining if he can play in special teams coverage. If Dunbar plays well in camp in that role, it is very likely he will make the roster.
Also vying for roster positions are Jimmy Farris, and three undrafted rookies: Jamal Burke, Terrence Edwards, and John Lewis.
Farris spent the final five weeks of the season on the team's practice squad, and was inactive in the team's playoff loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Farris does not possess great speed or hands, but has been known for his work ethic and his abilities on special teams. If those prove true again in Atlanta, it's not unfeasible to see him donning a Falcons roster in September.
Among the three undrafted free agents, Terrence Edwards is probably the most skilled. Edwards is one of the great All-time SEC wide receivers, but he has many factors counting against him as he tries to translate his successful collegiate career to the professional level. Edwards has a very slight build, and as history proves, the Falcons are a bit averse to playing players it believes not built for the pounding of the NFL. But if he can show Velcro hands during camp and preseason, Edwards has a real chance of making the practice squad. But he will need to do more to make the roster, by transcending his size and perform well on special teams.
Burke's best chances may lie in his return abilities. He has pretty good speed and athleticism, but is a bit unpolished. Lewis seems similar to Finneran in ability, which definitely gives him a legitimate shot to make the practice squad.
Salary Cap Sense
This could become a real issue when trying to decide which players make the roster as backups to Finneran and Price. Depending on the performances of the rookies and young wide receivers could determine the fates of Gaylor, Jenkins, and McCord. Cutting Gaylor would bring the most salary cap relief ($605,000), with Jenkins ($450,000), and McCord ($375,000) allowing subsequent relief. The low salaries of Farris ($300,000), Olinger ($262,000), and Dunbar ($245,000) make them real options if the team needs to save money.
Predictions