ATL Projections  •  ATL Depth Chart  •  ATL Stats  •  Latest ATL News

All team reports
AFC	BAL	BUF	CIN	CLE	DEN	HOU	IND	JAX	KC	MIA	NE	NYJ	OAK	PIT	SD	TEN
NFC	ARI	ATL	CAR	CHI	DAL	DET	GB	MIN	NO	NYG	PHI	SEA	SF	STL	TB	WAS

2007 Team Report: Atlanta Falcons

Quarterbacks

Starter: Joey Harrington
Backup(s): Chris Redman

Starting QB: The Michael Vick era is all but over with his decision to plead guilty to Federal charges. The Falcons will move forward with Joey Harrington under center, at least for this season until Petrino can draft Brian Brohm next year. In all seriousness, it's hard to believe that Harrington, a career 55% passer, will be the main man to implement new HC Bobby Petrino's dynamic passing attack but that appears to be the case. Harrington came into the league highly regarded, but has plenty of starting experience and seems ill-equipped make the aggressive, downfield throws that are the Petrino hallmark.

Backup QB: The Falcons QB situation has been decimated and with a few weeks until the regular season you can be sure they're not done making moves. D.J. Shockley was lost for the season in the 2nd preseason game and that leaves only Chris Redman and Casey Bramlet as Joey Harrington's backups.

Running Backs

Starter: Jerious Norwood
Backup(s): Warrick Dunn, Jason Snelling [R]
Fullback(s): Ovie Mughelli, Corey McIntyre

Starting RB: Warrick Dunn underwent surgery on a herniated disk but has returned after just three weeks of rehabilitation. He may resume his role as the nominal starter before long, but for now it's 2nd year Jerious Norwood listed atop the depth chart. Regardless of where Dunn sits on the Week One depth chart, he is expected to relinquish a large portion of his touches to Norwood, the electric second-year man from Mississippi State. The twosome combined for nearly 1,800 rushing yards a year ago and will look to build upon that total with Norwood having a year of experience under his belt. Bobby Petrino is implementing a new in-line blocking scheme this year, and it's unclear how that will impact the twosome, who both were well suited for the one-cut zone blocking scheme used last season.

Backup RBs: Jason Snelling has been the surprise of Falcons training camp, getting a ton of work with the 1st team while Norwood and Dunn nursed injuries. The rookie 7th rounder from Virginia weighs in at 235 pounds and runs with a straight line intensity that neither Norwood nor Dunn possess. Once thought to be a long shot to make the roster, Snelling now seems ready to not only make the team, but play a key role as potentially the short yardage back.

Fullback: Ovie Mughelli comes over from the Ravens with a reputation as a punishing blocker and a classic hard-nosed fullback. Mughelli is vitally important as the Falcons transition to the in-line blocking scheme. Although not expected to be a major fantasy contributor, he will play a key role in whether Dunn and Norwood live up to their lofty expectations.

Wide Receivers

Starters: Michael Jenkins, Joe Horn
Backups: Roddy White, Laurent Robinson [R}, Adam Jennings

Starting WRs: Joe Horn is the only surefire commodity on the Falcons receiving corps, as he will assuredly start and looks ready to provide on and off-field leadership. Can Horn recapture the form that made him a Pro Bowler while in New Orleans? Although he turned 35 years old and must adjust to a new offensive system, coaches, teammates and QB, he's looked good in training camp and is the clear WR1. For now, Michael Jenkins is lining up opposite of Horn. Jenkins has shown flashes of ability over his brief career, but nowhere near enough to sustain a reputation as a true number one option. In 46 combined games over three years, Jenkins has put up numbers that you'd like to see from a typical No. 1 guy in only one year.

Backup WRs: Roddy White has been a big disappointment thus far in his career, but might be turning the corner under the new coaching staff. While currently listed as a backup, it's conceivable he could end up starting alongside Horn with Michael Jenkins playing the slot. White has always had big play ability, but this preseason he's added consistency to the equation. White has a long way to go before fantasy owners should rely on him, but he's one to watch given his age and ability. Rookie Laurent Robinson has been a pleasant surprise, earning the praise of his coaches and locking down a role as either the 4th or 5th WR this year.

Tight Ends

Starters: Alge Crumpler
Backups: Dwayne Blakely, Martrez Milner [R]

Crumpler has established himself as one of the very elite options at the tight end spot in all of football. He followed up on several years of outstanding consistency with a spectacular campaign in 2006. Unfortunately he followed up the spectacular season with surgery in April. The news of the surgery came from almost nowhere, and leaves fantasy owners wondering whether it's worth the risk of drafting him as their TE1. Crumpler has been limited in training camp (as you would expect), but the Falcons haven't backed off on their claims that he'll be ready for the regular season opener. Blakely would only play a significant role if Crumpler's recovery time extends; but it's unreasonable to expect him to approximate Crumpler's numbers under any circumstance.

Place Kicker

Matt Prater, Michael Koenen : A week after the coaches commented that Michael Koenen would be focusing just on his punting, they had him handle kickoff duties against the Bills. HC Bobby Petrino discussed the switch, "We've got Michael Koenen, who can kick off and do a real good job of that. Billy has been concentrating mostly on his field goal kicking. We didn't kick the ball as well as we needed to for coverage [in the first game]. We also made a couple of mistakes and didn't get down the field as fast as we need to. I'm not really worried about how far we are going to kick because when Koenen is back there, that's going to happen. But for right now, what we are trying to do is have him concentrate on his punting and make sure his back stays healthy." A day after the Dolphins released Matt Prater, the Falcons signed him. A day after that he started in the final preseason game. A day after that the Falcons released Billy Cundiff.

Kick and Punt Returners

Kick Returners: Adam Jennings; Jerious Norwood; DeAngelo Hall

After battling injuries in 2005, and facing plenty of competition at cornerback last preseason, Allen Rossum was a question mark to make the final roster in 2006. He did remain on the team, and reconfirmed that he is their return specialist. He yet again led the Falcons in kickoff (46 returns, 23.5 avg.) and punt returns. WR Adam Jennings ranked 7th in kickoff return average (29.0 yards) as a senior at Fresno State, and served as a backup for the Falcons last year (7 returns, 17.6 avg.). RB Jerious Norwood saw the most work and success as a backup last year (13 returns, 24.6 avg.). Another possible backup is speedy CB DeAngelo Hall (16 returns, 22.4 avg. in 2005). Atlanta signed free agent WR Noriaki Kinoshita led NFL Europa in kickoff returns in 2006 and was fourth in 2007 while playing for the Amsterdam Admirals. CAMP UPDATE: On kickoff returns in the second preseason game, CB Allen Rossum had a 25 yarder and newly signed WR Otis Amey had a 20 yarder. Amey had some success on returns with San Francisco in 2005. Rossum was traded to Pittsburgh on September 1st.

Punt Returners: Adam Jennings; Jerious Norwood; DeAngelo Hall

Allen Rossum handled every punt return for the Falcons last year (37 returns, 7.8 avg., 13 fair catches). After an impressive 12.4 yard average in 2004, his numbers have declined the last two years. Adam Jennings ranked 17th in punt return average (12.4 yards) during his final year at Fresno State. Jerious Norwood occasionally returned punts during his career at Mississippi State. DeAngelo Hall served as the primary backup for Atlanta (8 returns, 10.3 avg.) in 2005. CAMP UPDATE: WR Adam Jennings had the most return work in the game, as may be the case in the regular season. He had a 48 yard kickoff return, an eight yard punt return, and a fair catch. HC Bobby Petrino noted, "I like what we saw from Adam. He has shown extreme toughness, not just as a returner, but on other parts of the special teams. I like the way he caught the ball on the punts in the wind. I know the kickoff returns were nice. It was set up and very well run, executed well by everybody. But the thing that he showed me was his ability to catch the ball when the wind was blowing."

Offensive Line

Projected Starters: LT Wayne Gandy, LG Justin Blalock [R], C Todd McClure, RG Kynan Forney, RT Todd Weiner
Key Backups: Tyson Clabo, Ben Wilkerson, Quinn Ojinnaka

The Falcons offensive line is on the decline. Alex Gibbs, considered one of the brightest OL coaches in the game, has moved on so there is a state of flux in Atlanta. Wayne Gandy is now 36 years old and entering his 14th season. He is beginning to show his age. The club lost starting guard Matt Lehr to the Buccaneers but filled the spot in a great way with the selection of big lineman Justin Blalock from Texas. The other starters, Todd McClure, Kynan Forney and Todd Weiner, aren't spectacular but get the job done. If Blaylock can come in and dominate right out of the gate, this unit could do well, but there is no replacement in sight for Gandy.

Team Defense

The Falcons team defense struggled through injuries to a number of vital members of the front seven again in 2006. John Abraham, Patrick Kerney, Rod Coleman and Ed Hartwell all missed significant snaps last year. Not surprisingly, the Falcons finished in the middle of the league in both total yards allowed, points allowed, sacks and takeaways. hey were a middle of the road fantasy defense as a result. After the season, Atlanta fired the entire coaching staff and new head coach Bobby Petrino, known as an offensive guru, hired Dallas defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer to take the same position in Atlanta and bring his aggressive, pursuing 4-3 scheme to the Falcon defense. There will also be significant turnover in the starting lineup. First round draftee DE Jamaal Anderson will replace Patrick Kerney would left for Seattle in free agency. The Ed Hartwell experience is officially over, leaving a full time job for Demorrio Williams. Second round draft pick is the favorite to take over Jason Webster's corner spot and Jimmy Williams will try to move into the FS position. That amount of turnover in a new scheme will almost certainly lead to some growing pains initially. If Abraham and Anderson can provide pass rush, there are some big play threats throughout the back seven. Expect an up and down season as a fantasy defense in 2007 but it wouldn't be shocking to see improvement in all counting categories if this team comes together in camp.

Defensive Line

Starters: RDE John Abraham, LDE Jamaal Anderson, UT Jonathan Babineaux, NT Grady Jackson
Backups: DE Chauncey Davis, DE Josh Mallard, UT Rod Coleman, DT Montavious Stanley, DT Trey Lewis

Starting DL: Entering camp last season, the Falcon DL looked like a strength. Instead, injuries to ends John Abraham and Patrick Kerney and tackle Rod Coleman robbed the group of most of its potential. Abraham is back and expected to be fully healthy for the 2007 season. If he can stay healthy, Abraham should again be a force off the edge in pass rush. Coleman is already a question mark for the 2007 season after having surgery in April to repair a ruptured quad muscle suffered in a boating accident. He may remain on the PUP list to begin the regular season. Jonathan Babineaux will take the majority of snaps at the under tackle spot until Coleman is able to return. The team had hoped to keep Kerney, only to see him sign with Seattle early in the 2007 free agent period. To address the gaping hole at strong side end left by Kerney's departure, the team drafted Jamaal Anderson with the eighth overall pick in the 2007 draft. Anderson is a very athletic 280 pounds and should anchor the left side of the line for years if he can play to a scouting report that suggests both solid run support and pass rush skill. Veteran Grady Jackson may have been the team's most consistent run defender last season and returns to the NT role after settling an offseason dispute with the team over the improper release of his medical records.

Backup DL: Chauncey Davis moves back to a rotational role with Jamaal Anderson in the fold. Davis has struggled whenever asked to assume a full time role but should be a more consistent contributor as a situational player. Unfortunately, with John Abraham an injury risk, he may still see significant time in a reserve role. Josh Mallard saw extended playing time last year when Abraham and Kerney missed time with injury. He is undersized and not particularly effective pass rushers or run defenders. Jonathan Babineaux showed some potential last year but isn't nearly the pass rusher Rod Coleman has been. He's first in line to assume starting UT snaps with Rod Coleman out indefinitely with a let injury. NT

Linebackers

Starters: WLB Demorrio Williams, MLB Keith Brooking, BLB Michael Boley
Backups: LB Stephen Nicholas, LB Jordan Beck, LB Marcus Wilkins, LB Tony Taylor

Starting LBs: The system to be installed by new Defensive Coordinator Mike Zimmer puts a premium on linebackers with speed and the ability to make plays in pursuit. It came as no surprise when former free agent signee Edgerton Hartwell, who has been robbed of much of his mobility by injury over the past two seasons, was released before free agency began. Keith Brooking will move to the middle permanently and his skill set fits the Zimmer mold perfectly. Undersized dynamo Demorrio Williams, who struggled to hold the point of attack in Ed Donatell's scheme, is a great fit at WLB. He has a chance to be an even better playmaker than Dexter Coakley was in Zimmer's early years as a DC in Dallas. Williams has made a very impressive recovery from an offseason torn pectoral muscle despite being expected to miss most of the preseason. Michael Boley will return as the Buck LB (strongside backer). He continued to improve in all phases of the game in 2006, even showing ability as a pass rushing end in nickel situations.

Backup LBs: Stephen Nicholas, the team's 2007 fourth round draft pick, was impressive filling in at WLB while Demorrio Williams recovered from a pectoral injury. He is undersized, but more physical and a better pass rusher than Williams. Jordan Beck will back up Keith Brooking. He is a quick, active, undersized middle linebacker who hasn't been able to claim a major role in the base defense yet. The previous coaching staff had high hopes for him before a foot injury ended his rookie season in 2005. If Nicholas can't hold up at WLB, the Falcons may have to move Brooking back outside and give Beck the break he needs. Marcus Wilkins is one of the best special teams players in the league and will provide deep depth.

Defensive Backs

Starters: CB Lewis Sanders, CB DeAngelo Hall, SS Lawyer Milloy, FS Chris Crocker
Backups: S Jimmy Williams, CB Chris Houston, CB David Irons, S Daren Stone, S Antoine Harris

Starting DBs: The Falcons completely overhauled the safety corps last season with mixed results. Lawyer Milloy, though no longer the intimidating physical presence he was in his younger days, is still an instinctive two-way player. Chris Crocker was expected to give way to Jimmy Williams, but Williams has been slow to take to the free safety role. Crocker is back with the first team. The team hopes that Chris Houston will excel in man coverage, a necessary requirement for the success of Mike Zimmer's aggressive scheme. He is competing with Lewis Sanders for a starting job after the Falcons released 2006 starter Jason Webster in early May. DeAngelo Hall had an up-and-down season in 2006; his gambling nature hurt the team as much as helped them. He has the tools to become a top cover man and will continue to be effective supporting the run.

Backup DBs: Jimmy Williams is back to a second team safety/potential nickel back role after beginning the offseason as a presumptive starter, first at CB, then at FS. Although only a sixth round pick, Daren Stone could be inline to take over as the starting strong safety when Lawyer Milloy moves on. David Irons will compete for snaps in nickel and dime packages.

Last modified: 2007-09-02 21:27:02