Why Chris Redman Ain't #2 And Other Adventures

As a fan, I play favorites. I can't lie to you. My personal preference is to see D.J. Shockley succeed over Joey Harrington and Chris Redman. I'm not going to sit here and pretend that I don't think like that. But I will tell you that I'm also an Atlanta Falcons fan first, and I desperately want to see this team succeed. If Harrington is magnificent as a starter or Redman makes an inspiring comeback, I'll be the absolute last person to complain about it.

That aside, it seems a little unlikely that Chris Redman is going to be the #2 QB. This is a guy who always had suspect arm strength and battled injuries. To think he's going to go from selling insurance ("Hi ma'am, I'm Chris Redman with Prudential!" "Who?") to being one injury away from starting...well, that's a bit much for me. I admire the guy's confidence, but I have to pray he earns that job and doesn't just get it because Bobby Petrino has a soft spot for him. Then again, I don't really see our new Pet Rhino being that kind of guy, so it should work itself out. I hope you're successful, bud, but you'd better earn your way past Shock.

In this same article from Craig Custance, we see the Falcons signed Arena League star Ben Nelson to fill Fred Gibson's roster spot. Nelson's claim to fame is that he's big (6'3") and fast, and if he can catch at all he might stick. I'm not sold on him being much more than a camp body, but then again, the Falcons could use a little bit of help at receiver. So he's got that going for him. On top of that, Demorrio Williams should be ready for contact soon, Rod Coleman's on schedule, and Michael Koenen doesn't have to kick, punt, throw, and cook this year. As a result, I expect his net yardage and salmon recipes to rise this year.

Don't let anyone tell you that's not a good thing.