The Falcons are now about two weeks into camp and have just gotten their first pre-season game under their belt. The Falcons lost 20-17 to the Jags in Jacksonville. The Falcons had a chance to tie it at the end of regulation, but HC Mike Smith decided to go for the win instead of a field goal and overtime….good choice, don’t need to play any extra time in pre-season and end of getting any one hurt.
Back in July, I posted a series of questions that the Falcons needed to answer prior to the beginning of the regular season. Let’s see how the answers to those questions are progressing.
- Who will be the starting QB? Its looking more and more likely that QB Matt Ryan will be the starting quarterback for the Falcons sooner rather than later….He was an efficient 9-15 for 113 yards and a score. Coincidentally, the scoring pass when to WR Roddy White, which is a very good sign as the duo needs to establish a good rapport. I think that White’s 2007 season will not be a fluke and that he will make a good WR3, especially in PPR leagues. The only downside was that Ryan was sacked twice and the Falcon quarterbacks were sacked a combined 5 times…..another reason to let QB Chris Redman start the season and take some lumps as the O-line works out the kinks.
- Will OT Sam Baker get signed an in camp in time to become an effective starting left tackle? What will the rest of the line look like? Well, the Falcons line gave up 5 sacks in the game….but the good news is that OT Sam Baker seemed to more than hold his own against the Jags pass rushers.
- Who will play defensive tackle? The Falcons have re-signed DT Grady Jackson. That’s about as exciting as this group gets….
- Who will be the starting cornerbacks? Second year man Chris Houston is banged up and undrafted free agent CB Brent Grimes currently has the other starting spot….who? Exactly…
- One other bright spot was RB Mike Turner who had 5 carries for 22 yards for a 4.4 yard average…..if he can keep that up, or close to it, for the season, the Falcons and fantasy owners would be very happy!
That’s it for early August. I’ll be back later with my news from Falcons headquarters!
