Falcons preseason record: 2-1
As the Falcons enter the
final game of the 2009 preseason, they are entering a final round of
roster cuts that must be completed by Saturday. Already gone are Von
Hutchins, who never got to show what he was capable of in Atlanta due
to his injury during the 2008 preseason, and Ben Hartsock, who was
made obsolete by the offseason trade for Tony Gonzalez. By Saturday
they will have to cut from the current roster size of 75 down to 53,
plus a third-string QB, plus 8 players for the practice squad, so the
coaches will be wanting to see the players in competition again
during a live game situation, and the players will be wanting to
demonstrate their value one last time. A few players are set in
their roster spots, including the names you all know, such as Matt
Ryan, Gonzalez, Michael Turner, John Abraham, Roddy White and Curtis
Lofton - virtually all of the starters on offense and most of the
starters on defense, so don't expect to see much of them in tonight's
match-up. Positions that are still up in the air, such as most of
the backups, and pretty much all of the defensive secondary, will all
be thrown in the mix tonight.
Tye Hill, former first
round draft pick acquired early this week from St. Louis, will be
making a bid for a starting job, though his very limited experience
with this team will likely move him to a late substitution tonight,
if he gets any game time at all. His position on this roster, though
nearly guaranteed in terms of making the squad, will become more set
as the final weeks of preseason practice draw to a close and even as
the first few weeks of the regular season commence, much like
Dominique Foxworth last season. And Thomas Dimitroff and Mike Smith
will be hoping to get Foxworth-like production from the young player.
His numbers in St. Louis aren't that impressive, due to, in part, to
injury, so I'm sure Hill will be looking to get off on the right foot
as a Falcon.
What you will see:
Some desperate play from some desperate players.
On both sides of the field, there will be 21 players that won't be
on the team (unless they are on the practice squad) come Sunday.
Many of these players have a realistic chance to make the team, so
they will be playing like mad, which will result in some aggressive,
and possibly some sloppy, play.
D.J. Shockley and John Parker Wilson.
It is pretty clear at this point that Chris Redman is the number 2
guy on the Falcons' QB roster, so it is up to Shockley and Wilson to
battle it out for the third and final spot. I'd expect to see Ryan
get a drive, and Redman to finish the first quarter and play a total
of maybe 3 drives. Then it will be up to Shockley and Wilson to
finish the game. Shockley is probably on his last shot to make his
game play live up to his practice play, where he is the favorite for
the third-string role. Based on his performance in the first two
games, however, Wilson is the likely front-runner.
A few Falcons' defensive secondary players trying to prove
something, namely that the
last game was the exception, not the rule. That is yet to be seen,
but look for some more aggressive play out of them, especially the
corners.
What
you will not see:
William
Moore or Jerious Norwood.
Both are out with injuries. Additionally, John Abraham and Todd
McClure will both be sitting out, more for precaution, as well as
both the DE and center positions are hotspots for roster battles.
Game
time: 7:30 (EST), 11Alive-TV, 92.9 DaveFM
Original Story:
http://mvn.com/flyinghigh/2009/09/pre...
Original Story:
http://mvn.com/flyinghigh/2009/09/pre...
