{"id":3624,"date":"2011-08-15T19:10:14","date_gmt":"2011-08-15T23:10:14","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.calvertgames.com\/cgblog\/?p=3624"},"modified":"2011-08-15T19:10:14","modified_gmt":"2011-08-15T23:10:14","slug":"random-falcons-news-and-notes-post-dolphins-observations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.calvertgames.com\/cgblog\/2011\/08\/15\/random-falcons-news-and-notes-post-dolphins-observations\/","title":{"rendered":"Random Falcons News and Notes (Post Dolphins Observations)"},"content":{"rendered":"

I wonder if the Falcons are going to attempt to call in some DB help. According to Pat Yasinskas (ESPN NFC South Blog<\/a>), the Falcons are keeping their fingers crossed that they can shore things up within their current roster.<\/p>\n

The other key battle is for the nickelback position. The Falcons aren\u2019t going to take the safe route and add a veteran later in the preseason. They\u2019re set on letting Christopher Owens and Dominique Franks battle it out in camp and the preseason. The Falcons like both young players and are hoping the competition forces one of them to really step forward.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Keeping your fingers crossed and hoping are never good fallback positions. Owens looked like crap against the Dolphins, getting beat multiple times. While I think Franks has plenty of upside, it may be time to pull a minor deal to land a dependable (i.e. experienced) nickleback.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Steve Wyche of NFL.com<\/a> thinks the Falcons safeties are beyond top notch.<\/p>\n

I will state this now: safeties William Moore and Thomas DeCoud could emerge as the top back-end tandem in the NFL within the next year. Both can run, have good size and have great instincts.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Good stuff. While I like DeCoud and Moore, I never thought they would (well, could) end up as one of the top tandems in the league. In the same article, Mr. Wyche raises some concerns about Jacquizz Rogers (the new Norwood).<\/p>\n

There was a lot of buzz about the former Oregon State running back when he was drafted in the fifth round, but he\u2019s deep on the depth chart and has an uphill climb. Antone Smith and Gartrell Johnson are currently behind Michael Turner and Jason Snelling. Rodgers, at 5-foot-6, has some scatback potential, but was physically overmatched in pass protection in the preseason opener against Miami.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

I didn\u2019t see much from Rogers, and while it is preseason, I would certainly like to see more than 3 yards a carry<\/a>. I don\u2019t remember if the Falcons even threw it to Rogers once out of the backfield; must be saving those screens and dump-offs for the regular season.<\/p>\n

JPW vs. The Salary Cap<\/strong>
\nI thought it was interesting that JPW got a good long look against the Dolphins before getting his bell rung into next week; Mr. Yasinskas<\/a> thinks this was all about cap maneuvering.<\/p>\n

Interesting that the Falcons went with John Parker Wilson as the second quarterback after Ryan. Chris Redman has been the backup. The Falcons already know what they have in Redman, but he\u2019s carrying a salary-cap figure that\u2019s more than $3 million. If Wilson (12-of-19 for 111 yards with an interception) shows he\u2019s ready to take a step up the ladder, Redman could be a cap casualty later in camp.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

My take \u2013 JPW was a 2009 undrafted FA. Normally you like to give these guys 3-4 years to see if they can land the backup spot. If they can\u2019t, you cut bait and move on (or move said bait to the practice squad). Seems a little early for that; besides Redman may be a $3 million cap hit, but Redman is a certifiable decent backup (i.e. insurance policy against a minor Ryan injury).<\/p>\n

Corey Peters<\/strong>
\nLet\u2019s hope Corey Peters\u2019 injury<\/a> proves just troublesome at best; a temporary setback on the way to regular season glory. It is certainly good news that Peters will not require surgery<\/a>, but still very disconcerting.<\/p>\n

Go Falcons!<\/p>\n

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