Can Roddy White save the Falcons?
by Michael Gill
This year sure has a different look for the Atlanta Falcons. Gone is Bobby Petrino, the former head coach bolted after just 13 games in 2007. Quarterback Mike Vick is no longer a distraction to the Falcons fan base, he is currently serving 23 months in the United States Penitentiary in Leavenworth, Kansas on federal dog fighting chargers. “It was a three-ring circus everyday here last year,” said Falcons play-by-play voice Wes Durham.
This season, things are different. Mike Smith is now the man in charge on the field, he brings over his defensive approach from Jacksonville. ”You can certainly tell he understands that side of the ball,” said Durham. Defense could be a strong suit for the Falcons if a few key things happen according to Durham. “John Abraham and Keith Brooking need to stay healthy, if they can remain on the field and help the defense hold the rope while the offense builds momentum, they have a chance.”
The offense is another story.
Coach Smith has yet to name a starting quarterback for the season opener, but the team did draft Matt Ryan with the first overall selection in this year’s draft. “They are walking him along slowly,” said Durham. “But he has shown he is prepared to handle this (the NFL). If he shows he can play during the preseason, that should be a good indication if he will be the starting QB.”
Ryan is competing with former third-round draft pick Chris Redman who signed a two-year deal during the off season. While playing in six games, four of them being starts, Redman had career highs in completion percentage (59.7), passing yards (1,079), touchdowns (10) and passer rating (90.4) and was named the NFC Offensive Player of the Week. In his very first start, Redmen copleted 17-of-27 passes for 251 yards with a career-high four touchdowns in the Falcons’ 44-41 victory over Seattle.
Another addition this off season was running back Michael Turner. the former Charger has never been the main ball carrier, but the Falcons signed Turner to a six-year, $34.5 million contract with $15 million guaranteed to be the main guy. “He is an every down guy,” said Durham. He can catch the ball well and he will be asked to do a lot.” Add in Jerious Norwood to the backfield mix and the Falcons think they have a nice backfield. “Norwood can really change gears,” Durham told me. “They (Norwood and Turner) might even be on the field a lot together this season.” The teams best weapon just might be former first-round pick Roddy White. “Roddy can be a guy you can count on, he can get to the Pro Bowl,” Durham said.
On the down-side, the team is very young, with a ton of youth across the offensive line, including rookie left tackle Sam Baker, who is going to be counted on to protect the quarterback.
The first few weeks of the season may dictate what kind of season the Falcons will have. “The first five weeks are big, they have got to get through some early hurdles,” said Durham. If they can get to the open date with a .500 record they might have a shot, but they have a lot of road games early in the division and that’s tough for a young team.”
Respectability…maybe. Playoffs, I say absolutely not.
This is a series called “2-A-Days” that will preview two teams per day every day this month, where Mike Gill will interview a beat writer or radio personality who covers the team on “The Mike Gill Show” on ESPN Radio 1450 , weekdays from 3-6pm.
Baker was a nice addition, but they lost DeAngelo Hall and Alge Crumpler. This will be a long rebuilding process and this team won’t even sniff the playoffs.