June 29, 2004
June 29, 2004
With training camp a month away as well as drafting new players and signing free agents, it's time to take an in-depth look at the roster and especially the battles that will ensue in camp. This year the competition should be fiercer and more spirited than ever before. So, without any further ado here's the offense:
Quarterback (4): Michael Vick, Ty Detmer, Matt Schaub, Bill Whittemore. There's no question in anyone's mind who the starter in Atlanta is. The only question entering the offseason was who the backup would be. As I suggested in the offseason outlook, the Falcons wanted to bring in a veteran familiar with the West Coast offense and they feel they've found their man in Ty Detmer. While experienced and knowledgable, I wouldn't be comfortable with the idea of relying on him to win games. Enter the third round draft choice of Matt Schaub from Virginia. Also having experience in the West Coast offense, it wouldn't shock me to see Schaub win the backup job and Detmer become designated clipboard holder/coach. So essentially, the Falcons will be in the same position they were in last year, a young, unproven QB backing up Vick. As for Bill Whittemore, an undrafted rookie free agent from Kansas, his best hope is to show enough in practices to warrant a spot on the practice squad as the Falcons will only carry 3 QB's. To his benefit, the squad size was enlarged from 5 to 8 this season.
Running Back (5): Warrick Dunn, T.J. Duckett, Quincy Wilson, James Fenderson, Zack Abron. This is another position that should be fairly cut and dry unless there's an unforeseen injury in the preseason. Dunn and Duckett are certain to be on the team and the only issue is who ends up the starter. I think both will see plenty of time as Dunn will be used quite a lot in passing formations and Duckett to be the workhorse. Newcomer Quincy Wilson, seventh round draft choice from West Virginia, should easily round out the running back corps. Free agents Fenderson and Abron will most likely battle for a spot on the practice squad.
Fullback (4): Justin Griffith, George Layne, Jeremy Allen, Tim Burrough. More than likely, 2 of the 4 will make the team. Justin Griffith is the obvious starter. The battle for backup will come down to special teams and of course, blocking. I expect that battle to be between the incumbent backup, George Layne, who is impressive on special teams, and Tim Burrough, an undrafted rookie free agent from Oklahoma State who's reputation as a very physical blocker will give him every shot to make this team.
Wide Receiver (10): Peerless Price, Dez White, Brian Finneran, Michael Jenkins, Jimmy Farris, Terrence Edwards, Willie Quinnie, Woodrow Dantzler, Chris Curd, Kendrick Mosley. After the mini-camps had ended, Dez White was moved ahead of Brian Finneran on the depth chart and Finneran was moved to backup behind Price. I don't see this change being temporary. Dez White was one of the lesser known receivers that stood out in free agency, in my opinion, and he's already shown why Rich McKay and company wanted him on the team. Some experts question his hands but I expect him to prove all doubters wrong this season. As for Finneran, he should see quite a bit of time in red zone situations as well as in the slot. However, the second first round draft choice of the Falcons, Michael Jenkins from Ohio State, will provide very strong competition for that slot position. Jenkins is much faster and just as physically imposing as Finneran. Coach Jim Mora has stated several times that the plan is to carry 5 WR's but has left the option of carrying a sixth WR open. The competition for the final 1 or 2 spots should be very compelling for fans to watch. Returning are Jimmy Farris (a special teams standout with very good speed), Terrence Edwards (who possesses return abilities), and Woodrow Dantzler (new to the position but possessing very good return skills). Willie Quinnie, who excelled in NFL Europe, also possesses strong return skills as well as receiving skills, and undrafted rooke free agents Chris Curd (who performed well in mini-camp) and Kendrick Mosely will also try to enter the mix. The final 1 or 2 spots will largely be determined by special teams ability and potential. If any of the 6 show extremely impressive returning skills and potential at WR, look for the Falcons to carry 6. If no one stands out then it will be a battle for one spot and it will come down to special teams. If this last scenario comes to fruition the battle will most likely come down to Dantzler and Farris. Look for a practice squad player to come from this group as well.
Tight End (6): Alge Crumpler, Hunter Goodwin, Sean Brewer, Derek Rackley, Spencer Nead, Jason Rader. Alge Crumpler will play a much larger role in the offense this year more than ever before. Although he was able to put up Pro Bowl numbers last season, look for Crumpler to emerge as one of the elite tight ends in the league. The biggest question will be how many tight ends will this new staff carry. Derek Rackley is almost assured a roster spot based on his superb long-snapping abilities. Goodwin has been rumored at hinting at retirement. If this is the case, then the Falcons may very well carry only three tight ends. Otherwise, conventional wisdom would say they go with four. Sean Brewer had a very dedicated offseason and has impressed the team. It would take a very strong effort from undrafted rookie free agents Spencer Nead and Jason Rader to make this a battle.
Offensive tackle (6): Todd Weiner, Kevin Shaffer, Bob Whitfield, Jason Jowers, Steve Stewart, Jared Peck. I am shocked that another tackle wasn't added either via free agency or the draft. This is another potential trouble spot for the Falcons should they get bitten by the injury bug. Weiner and Shaffer are the projected starters and I can't see that changing. Whitfield's skills are on the decline but he will be an adequate backup. The question here is whether the Falcons carry 3 tackles or 4. It's been standard practice to carry 4 in the past and if so, then Jason Jowers has the best shot of making the team. Jowers has experience in offensive coordinator Greg Knapp's system and would more than likely beat out undrafted rookies Stewart and Peck.
Guard (7): Eric Beverly, Kynan Forney, Martin Bibla, Steve Herndon, Rodney Reed, Michael Moore, William Henry. Although only listed at 7, there's actually 8 guards on the roster when Roberto Garza (C) is included. Eric Beverly, free agent acquisition from Detroit, is a highly underrated guard that will almost certainly start on the left side. The first battle is who will start at right guard. Currently, Kynan Forney has the upper hand and should be challenged by Garza and Martin Bibla, who gave management quite a showing of his abilities at the end of last season. Throw Steve Herndon, free agent acquisition from Denver, into the mix and the Falcons have the making of a very deep group of guards. Herndon has an edge in that he knows new offensive line coach Alex Gibbs' system to a tee. This will be one of the most hard-fought battles in camp and very interesting to watch develop.
Center (3): Todd McClure, Roberto Garza, David Ashkinaz. I don't expect much of a battle here. With the re-signing of McClure, management and Gibbs' are very high on what McClure brings to the table. If Garza can't find a way to beat out McClure for the starting job, he may not have a job at all in Atlanta. As discussed above, the guard battle will be very brutal and it wouldn't surprise me if one of the guards gets traded towards the end of the preseason.
Depending on just how well the new West Coast Offense sets in with the players and how well the new blocking schemes come along with the linemen, this offense has all the potential to be extremely lethal. There will be plenty of water cooler discussion material when cut days come and go and this is only half the battles...