Atlanta Falcons 101: What players should I pay attention to at training camp?

Atlanta Falcons 101: What players should I pay attention to at training camp?
July 27, 2009
Daniel Cox
Examiner.com

There have been a handful of seasons in recent memory when Atlanta Falcons fans believed the first back-to-back winning seasons in franchise history would occur.

But the 2009 offseason has provided more opportunity than usual for fans to believe this could be the year.

The positive press has been well-documented, there has been no off field issues, and there were even a few award winners from 2008 performances.

Many believe this Falcons team has the makeup to end that distinction once and for all.

The first step toward another winning season in 2009 and a return trip to the playoffs is Training Camp, which begins on August 1.

They are not a team without questions marks, though. What happens at camp will go a long way toward answering those questions.

The offense doesn't appear to have many question marks or holes. Adding the seasoned veteran tight end Tony Gonzalez only gives second-year quarterback Matt Ryan another weapon. Receiver Roddy White and running back Michael Turner will likely have Pro Bowl-type seasons, but the secondary weapons of receivers Michael Jenkins and Harry Douglas and running back Jerious Norwood not only offer changes of pace and flexibility but styles that play off of and compliment one another's.

Big pictures aside, there are six players whose play could go a long way toward determining the outcome of the 2009 Atlanta Falcons and the end of their notorious achievement.

Sam Baker: The 2008 first-round draft selection chosen to protect the team's first-round quarterback investment didn't exactly have the rookie season he expected. Baker appeared in eight games, starting five last season. He was besieged with a variety of injuries but this offseason he says he's gotten healthy and is at 100%. If Matt Ryan is expected to stay upright and drive the offense the way he's capable, Baker will need to play like the franchise tackle he was drafted to be.

He also needs to stay on the field. Atlanta got some fortunate and gutsy play from now-retired tackle Todd Weiner in '08. Had any additional member of the offensive line missed significant time the franchise-best 17 sacks allowed would have likely been a much higher number.

The depth on the line isn't experienced, outside of free-agent signee Brett Romberg, and Baker needs to remain healthy and productive throughout camp to make sure the potentially high-flying offense can stay on track.

Jamaal Anderson: Defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux said this offseason third-year defensive end Anderson is in the best shape he's seen him in and that he'll be playing with some new tricks. Former Falcon and defensive line mentor Chuck Smith believes the 2007 first-round selection is ready to take a big step forward in his production in 2009.

The Falcons re-signed and drafted players ready in the wings to step in for Anderson should he continue to struggle to reach the quarterback in the backfield. Chauncey Davis and his four sacks was re-signed this offseason, second-year rusher Kroy Biermann contributed a solid rookie season with two sacks and 21 tackles, and Lawrence Sidbury is a talented rush end drafted in the fourth round in this year's NFL Draft.

31-year-old John Abraham's 16.5 sacks accounted for a little less than half the team's '08 sack totals. He accomplished that despite playing rotational minutes, a strategy the coaching staff employed to keep him fresher longer. His nine-year career has seen its share of injuries and a productive Anderson could not only help limit Abraham's double-teams but help offset the loss of him in an injury situation.

Peria Jerry: It's not uncommon for a rookie to make an impact on defense in the NFL and Atlanta could use its 2009 first-round selection Peria Jerry to do just that. The first place he can do that is in the run defense. If he can throw his 6'1", 299 pound body around in the middle of the line the Falcons can improve the 25th-worst run defense in 2008.

The Falcons appeared to have wanted Jerry all along in the draft, but perhaps didn't believe he'd fall to them at 24. General Manager Thomas Dimitroff described the value of Jerry that late in the first round as "off the charts."

Whether it's in the backfield stopping the running back or sacking the quarterback, the Falcons could use similar production that Jerry gave Ole Miss in 2008 when he produced 18 tackles for loss and seven sacks. A performance like that would help ease the pressure on Abraham to carry the defense.

Stephen Nicholas: On Father's Day, ESPN's Pat Yasinskas shared the story of Stephen Nicholas' 2008 season and the difficult circumstances in which he and his family found themselves. Nicholas' ninth-month-old son's fight with a heart condition and the subsequent heart transplant explained Nicholas' perceived lack of involvement in the game plan. Now with all of that behind him, the 26-year-old linebacker is ready to step into a starter's role.

Head Coach Mike Smith said early in the offseason that Nicholas will be given an opportunity to win the starting job, despite the presence of Coy Wire on the roster, last year's late-season starter at the strongside linebacker.

Nicholas has talent (he's the all-time USF sack leader) and deceptive speed. His play combined with second-year middle linebacker Curtis Lofton and veteran Mike Peterson (who is back with the system in which he flourished during coach Smith's time as a coordinator in Jacksonville) could mean Atlanta employs one of the better linebacker corps. in the NFC in 2009.

.Chevis Jackson: The names of Chris Owens, Von Hutchins, and Brent Grimes could all be here, but Jackson could possible emerge with a strong camp as the winner of the starting cornerback job opposite Chris Houston.

The 23-year-old Jackson played a valuable role in '08 as the team's nickel corner, finishing with five passes defensed and one interception, which he returned for a touchdown. He added another interception in the playoff loss to the Cardinals.

Any of the previous cornerbacks could realistically win the starting job. Hutchins was signed in 2008 to provide depth and compete for a starter's job before an injury ended his season in training camp. Grimes started the season as the starter before Domonique Foxworth (acquired via trade) took over the role in Week 8. 2009 third-round draft choice Owens is a player the team is pleased with and 2008 showed that Smith and his staff aren't afraid to let rookies start.

Thomas DeCoud: Second-year safety Thomas DeCoud may be concerned that the team spent a second-round draft pick in the recent draft on William Moore, but at minicamp he appeared to have the leg up in the starter's competition, spending much of his practice time with the first team.

DeCoud hasn't always shown the versatility that Smith has said he wants out his safeties (0 interceptions in college), but he can hit hard and is fluid, both characteristics traditionally believed necessary in a strong safety.

Moore does have that versatility and is perhaps the player the team wants at strong safety. Free safety is fine with veteran Erik Coleman. If DeCoud plays well in camp it could be the best thing for the entire secondary. With DeCoud filling the strong safety role, Moore could potentially step in as the free safety in a few years and provide depth until then.