The Atlanta Falcon Football Should Be Filled With Youth

A big city visit and a flurry of assignments over the weekend kept me out of commission, so I apologize profusely. No tears, children, I'm back.

So today I advocate anew a very familiar position. Those of you who have been here for any length of time know that I almost always want to see the younger players on the field, particularly when our veterans look like they're running in quicksand. With a new general manager, a new coach and an overhauled roster, expecting the Falcons to even sniff the playoffs is exceedingly optimistic. It shouldn't come as much of a surprise to you that I'm looking for the Falcons to go young at nearly every position. Instead of running that down, let's look at the positions where I believe some veteran stability is actually needed.

• QB: It should go without saying that the Falcons don't want Matt Ryan mashed up and garnished with a nice rosemary butter sauce. The incredibly expensive third pick has the hopes of a bitter franchise pinned on him, and it would be foolish to watch him get pounded every Sunday because the new regime has a man-crush on him. No, this is a position where veterans are necessary through at least the first half of the season. Chris Redman not only gives this team a better chance to win right away, he does so without mortgaging a potentially bright future. Matt Ryan can sit and learn.
• RB: Not that Michael Turner is a geezer, but...he needs to start. The Falcons have sorely missed having a bruiser at tailback ever since T.J. Duckett was dealt. While I'm sure Jerious Norwood and Thomas Brown will get plenty of carries, Turner has the potential to do great harm to all who stand in his way. I expect he'll start all year, barring injury.
• OLB: This may sound counter-intuitive, but I have come around to the idea of moving Keith Brooking outside to assume the spot of Stephen Nicholas. There are many, many knocks against Brooking at this stage in his career, but his intelligence as a football player is not one of them. Nicholas is versatile enough to play the role of fourth linebacker, and Brooking can always be moved inside if promising rookie Curtis Lofton struggles there. Still, Lofton has the potential to do great things inside and Brooking's weaknesses tend to be hidden when he's not having to deal with runs up the middle. I think this is a sensible move for next year, but Brooking probably won't be starting for the Falcons after one more season.
• FS: As I see it, the Falcons are going to get slashed up in the secondary anyways. The tandem of Chris Houston and David Irons/Brent Grimes/Von Hutchins will likely be among the worst in the league as those players adjust to starting in the NFL. I'm also a huge advocate of Daren Stone or Thomas DeCoud at strong safety, which leaves exactly one starting position in the secondary which could have a veteran presence. Given that Jimmy Williams is one of the alternatives, it shouldn't surprise you that I'm heavily advocating Erik Coleman as the starting free safety this year. Coleman was never more than a guy who could be above average for the Jets, but the Falcons have literally nothing to lose and need a veteran who can organize the rookies. He's preferable to Lawyer Milloy, who is older, losing a step and would be blocking talented players at strong safety.

So that's my short list. Pretty much everywhere else, I'm ready to let the rookies and youngins get most of the time. This is a team that has the potential for only a one-year rebuilding process, so I'd like them to find out if that's feasible early in the season.

Are there any other positions you'd consider?