An Irresponsibly Early Look At The Atlanta Falcons 53 Man Roster

by Dave Choate on May 21, 2010 11:40 AM EDT in Editorial

These are the doldrums of the NFL off-season.

The sunshine seems gray and weak, the grass as scraggly as Kerry Meier's mustache, and the birds are all singing power ballads. It's a time when my admittedly rabid baseball fandom is the only thing keeping me from crawling along the ground, whimpering like a man lost in the desert. Woe and such!

So to keep my mind razor sharp, I insist on putting together exercises like this one. I have literally a one in a million shot of getting the final 53 man roster right, but it's fun to try and look ahead. Chances are you'll enjoy discussing it, too. Rather than bogging down further thanks to my verbose ways, jump to check out my first crack at a final roster. You'll be glad you did.

ROSTER

QB Matt Ryan
QB Chris Redman
QB John Parker Wilson
RB Michael Turner
RB Jerious Norwood
RB Jason Snelling
FB Ovie Mughelli
WR Roddy White
WR Michael Jenkins
WR Harry Douglas
WR Kerry Meier
WR Ryan Wolfe
TE Tony Gonzalez
TE Justin Peelle
TE Colin Peek
T Tyson Clabo
T Sam Baker
T Garrett Reynolds
T Will Svitek
~~T Quinn Ojinnaka~~
G Justin Blalock
G Harvey Dahl
G Mike Johnson
C Todd McClure
C Joe Hawley
C Brett Romberg
DE John Abraham
DE Kroy Biermann
DE Lawrence Sidbury
DE Chauncey Davis
DE/DT Jamaal Anderson
DT Peria Jerry
DT Jon Babineaux
DT Vance Walker
DT Corey Peters
DT Thomas Johnson
OLB Stephen Nicholas
OLB Sean Weatherspoon
OLB Mike Peterson
MLB Curtis Lofton
MLB Spencer Adkins
~~LB Robert James~~
LB Coy Wire
CB Dunta Robinson
CB Chris Owens
CB Brent Grimes
CB Dominique Franks
CB Chevis Jackson
FS Thomas DeCoud
SS Erik Coleman
SS William Moore
S Matt Giordano
K Steve Hauschka
P Michael Koenen
LS Joe Zelenka

PRACTICE SQUAD

S Rafael Bush
RB Antone Smith
WR Brandyn Harvey
LB Bear Woods
K Garrett Lindholm
S Shann Schillinger
QB Eric Ward
OL Rob Bruggeman

Poll

What do you think of Dave's prediction?

They should've sent a poet! So beautiful.

75 votes

That roster is only possible in an alternate universe

17 votes

Fun exercise, but really too early to predict this

178 votes

Who are these people?

41 votes

311 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

Some interesting decisions, tossed in with a lot of common sense

So you don’t think Weems is going to stick around as a return man? Who do you picture returning punts?

Also, do you think Jerry is going to be ready for the start of the season? If he starts out on IR, is Trey Lewis the replacement?

I also think I’d take Wire over Peterson at this point. Wire’s gotta be on the team somewhere, right? I can’t see leaving him off.

by Bronn on May 21, 2010 12:56 PM EDT reply actions

I think....

Franks will return punts. If not him, MAYBE Norwood, but I can’t really see them doing that.

Despite the setbacks, I do think Jerry will be ready. His replacement could be Lewis, but if he’s only going to miss a couple of weeks they might elect to keep Coy Wire around.

Wire was a tough omission, but I can’t picture them dropping a far more promising Adkins for the long-term.

by Dave Choate on May 21, 2010 1:52 PM EDT up reply actions

I agree Weems is in serious trouble

(And that Franks could handle Punt Returns). I think at best Weems is sitting at no. 6 right now, and they’re probably only keeping 5.

"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein

by orang3b on May 21, 2010 3:17 PM EDT up reply actions

I think he's more in trouble because of how limited his use in the offense was last year.

That’s in comparison to HD in ’08, though.

"Ryan, under center. Single receiver set, to either side. Ryan, gonna throw. First professional pass.....CAUGHT!! Jenkins! 30! 25! 20! 15! 10! 5! He lives in Atlanta!!!" -Wes Durham

by Zippo729 on May 21, 2010 4:40 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, I agree with you

If he can’t make a dent at WR when HD’s hurt, Finn’s hurt, etc (I mean… he couldn’t get playing time ahead of Marty Booker!!), then he’s going to get replaced. He was good as a Returner, but not so good to have a dedicated roster spot (IMO).

"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein

by orang3b on May 21, 2010 4:57 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm not happy with

the receiving corps as a whole. I guess that’ll either be a strength or weakness depending on the health of douglas and whether or not jenkins remembers how to catch. And no Special Weems? Although it make be telling that he never really broke into the rotation. We still used Booker and Finneran over Weems.
Its also sad to see FInn go. I’d rather have him over Wolfe (I can just tell I’m gonna eat those words).
I guess I was also expecting more numbers at LB, but your post makes sense

Its true. I'm a Falcoholic! I just can't live without Falcohol!

by phoenix falcoholic on May 21, 2010 1:10 PM EDT reply actions

*

may be telling

Its true. I'm a Falcoholic! I just can't live without Falcohol!

by phoenix falcoholic on May 21, 2010 1:28 PM EDT up reply actions

LB was extremely tough

And even now, looking back over, I’m not really happy about it. I just feel the team values having a ton of depth on the line and will almost certainly carry five corners, which makes it difficult to cut elsewhere.

by Dave Choate on May 21, 2010 1:55 PM EDT up reply actions

I know one always needs depth for the o-line....

But I can’t see them keeping more than 10 lineman. I forsee cutting Svitek or Quinn “Facebook Romeo” Ojinakka (sic), and keeping Wire. They need their warrior poet-linebacker-special teamer. If not a lineman than “the beast” James will get cut to make room for Wire, with similar size but experience favoring Wire. And I’m not being coy here guys.

by TheAreopagite on May 21, 2010 2:43 PM EDT up reply actions

They seem to really like James

Nothing more than a gut feeling there, as Wire’s downright elderly by backup linebacker standards.

I really had a hard time keeping Ojinnaka around, and a few short hours later, I might be tempted to cut him and bring on Wire instead. I just think this team places so much value on the lines that they won’t go shallow there.

by Dave Choate on May 21, 2010 2:45 PM EDT up reply actions

Very reasonable

One of the main reasons I’d go with Wire is because he can start in a pinch, like when Boley was benched in favor of Wire. I guess we haven’t seen enough of “the Beast” to know if he can hold down a starting spot in a pinch. I forgot to mention it earlier, but this is a great post, especially for this time of year.

by TheAreopagite on May 21, 2010 2:49 PM EDT up reply actions

I agree with TheAreopagite

They might keep 10, but I would be shocked if they kept 11 O-Linemen.

Also, you have a problem – you gotta cut somebody else to make room for a Long Snapper: Joe Zelenka or Justin Drescher.

"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein

by orang3b on May 21, 2010 3:01 PM EDT up reply actions

Gahhhh!

I knew I would have made a mistake in there somewhere. Hold on, I’ll fix this.

by Dave Choate on May 21, 2010 3:02 PM EDT up reply actions

Hawley should end up the long snapper if he's not the starting center.

Don’t touch anything. It’s all too beatiful.

How many more days, Lord, must I walk through the wilderness?

by AnOldBird on May 21, 2010 4:27 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Cut Ojinnaka and James in favor of Zelenka and Wire

The more I actually think about it, the less I’m able to convince myself that James will win out in this case. And less than a full day after posting this, I’m already amending it.

I’d be the worst GM in history, wouldn’t I?

by Dave Choate on May 21, 2010 3:05 PM EDT up reply actions

Nah

Go back through the Transactions on the Official Site… there’s plenty of back-and-forth with Released/Re-Signed for Haynes, Bergeron, etc.

"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein

by orang3b on May 21, 2010 3:14 PM EDT up reply actions

They probably do something like this every day up until final cuts.

And you only spent a few hours on it (I’m assuming.) so I wouldn’t go assuming you’d be worse than Matt Millen just yet.

"Ryan, under center. Single receiver set, to either side. Ryan, gonna throw. First professional pass.....CAUGHT!! Jenkins! 30! 25! 20! 15! 10! 5! He lives in Atlanta!!!" -Wes Durham

by Zippo729 on May 21, 2010 4:42 PM EDT up reply actions

Sho look good to me.

Rule #1: Double tap.

by Ball Hawk on May 21, 2010 1:26 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

Why thank you!

by Dave Choate on May 21, 2010 1:55 PM EDT up reply actions

looks pretty good

i think Shannwow will give Giordano some good competition at safety. it’s hard to think of Finn not being on the team. although, i heard that he had already picked up some commentator gigs.

Some people think football is a matter of life and death. I don't like that attitude. I can assure them it is much more serious than that. - Bill Shankly

by armchair quarterback on May 21, 2010 2:16 PM EDT reply actions

I just hope that if it's over for Finn and the Falcons...

It ends with class. Not with him showing his ass while playing for the cowboys…

by TheAreopagite on May 21, 2010 2:44 PM EDT up reply actions

I agree!

Smart people are blessed with having a stop sign between their brain and their mouth.

by HEYJUDE on May 26, 2010 1:21 AM EDT up reply actions

Generally agreed...

The two omissions that I noted at first glance were Brian Williams and Matt Bryant. I think Bryant will beat out Hauschka and Williams may beat out…well…maybe not. I see your point.

Any chance you want to edit the post and include a list of the cuts?

Great post, as always!

"It's called Thanksgiving for a reason. If I can give and people thank me for it, that's kind of the thing that makes me feel great inside." - Dunta

by TomQ on May 21, 2010 2:21 PM EDT reply actions

I might be able to pop some cuts on there, at least the significant ones

But to tide you over, it goes something like this:

WR Brian Finneran
WR Eric Weems
DT Trey Lewis
LB Coy Wire
CB Brian Williams
S Shann Schillinger
K Matt Bryant

I knew Hauschka would not be the most popular choice. All I can tell you is that I really, truly that he’s going to be a good NFL kicker for a long time. I just hope it’s with the Falcons.

by Dave Choate on May 21, 2010 2:27 PM EDT up reply actions

Really, truly believe*

Crap.

by Dave Choate on May 21, 2010 2:27 PM EDT up reply actions

harvey over wolfe

And dimitrii nance has gotta be on the practice squad

by DEMBIRDZCUZ! on May 21, 2010 2:40 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

I like Nance

And I like Harvey. I think Wolfe has a little more polish on him and has shown an insane level of production.

With Nance, I think it’s a legitimate question as to whether he can beat out Antone. The guy’s got the kind of fast, versatile skill set the Falcons really seem to value.

by Dave Choate on May 21, 2010 2:44 PM EDT up reply actions

Nance/Antone is gonna be a good camp battle, and I think one of them might make the active roster… they went with 5 RB’s all last season, right? Haynes was on the original 53, and Stecker showed up in the middle of the season when guys started getting hurt.

WR is going to be a tight one, too (I’m leaning Harvey right this second).

"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein

by orang3b on May 21, 2010 3:11 PM EDT up reply actions

that should be number 5 WR (not 1.)

"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein

by orang3b on May 21, 2010 3:12 PM EDT up reply actions

I could definitely see it

Again, I like Nance. And again, the Falcons may not choose to carry 10 on both the defensive and offensive line. I think it’s reasonable to assume they’re leery of their RB depth with Turner and Norwood so banged up last year.

by Dave Choate on May 21, 2010 3:13 PM EDT up reply actions

Do you or anyone feel that

Nance might be a name we hear and remember for a while?

by brotherbrown on May 23, 2010 4:20 PM EDT up reply actions

Wolfe looks the Deandra Cobb type

Explodes in the preseason, disappears int regular season.

by thisistherevolt on May 28, 2010 2:05 AM EDT up reply actions

*in the

Beer Pong, Great Friend, Terrible typist.

by thisistherevolt on May 28, 2010 2:06 AM EDT up reply actions

agreed

with all the hype i hope harvey turns out to be beating jenkins by the end of the year

Weatherspoon1stFalconsPick???

by JJWatt1stfalconspick on May 22, 2010 3:48 AM EDT up reply actions

Cuts

I’m right there with you on most of these guys (Weems/Lewis/Bryant).

But I’m worried that Coach Smith will have a hard time letting go of Brian Williams (unless he’s still hurt/ not 100%). Same story with Finneran, and actually even more so… Do you think Coach Smith would be OK starting the year with Roddy, Jenkins, a 2nd year guy coming off an ACL, and two Rookies?

"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein

by orang3b on May 21, 2010 3:57 PM EDT up reply actions

I think he ought to be

Brian Finneran couldn’t outrun most DBs for 20 yards if they gave him wheels. I love the guy, but Kerry Meier should be able to approximate the value of an aging, oft-injured Finneran immediately. Wolfe and Harvey are better receivers than Weems right off the bat.

I think Smith has a weakness as a coach for having a couple of “his guys” on the roster, and I hardly think that’s a unique issue for an NFL coach. That said, I would hope he would want the talent to triumph, and Meier/Wolfe/Harvey and Jackson/Owens/Franks are far more talented than Finneran and Williams right now. Period.

I would love to see both those guys considered for spots on the coaching staff, however.

by Dave Choate on May 21, 2010 4:05 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

I agree with everything you just said

Finneran should be replaced, I’m just not sure he will be (I’m figuring Meier at no. 4, and a battle for no. 5).

"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein

by orang3b on May 21, 2010 4:46 PM EDT up reply actions

Finneran would be a helluva coach.

The man managed to stay classy from the beginning of kciv era to the present day, I have only heard him complain once and that was during the Peerless Price era (loud sound of an ejecting spleen can be heard) when he said he felt he should start over the scrubs we had at the time.

by thisistherevolt on May 28, 2010 2:11 AM EDT up reply actions

is it common for NFL teams to have only 1 FB on their 53-man roster?

I know that Snelling is a backup RB and a backup FB, but do all teams keep only 1 “full time” fullback? Seems odd for a position of such high importance to a good running game. We all remember the slump in the running game when Ovie went down last year.

Atlanta Falcons fan in Moscow, Russia

by Gemini-RU on May 21, 2010 4:01 PM EDT reply actions

Varies by team, I think

When you’ve got an ultra-durable, excellent fullback like Mughelli, I think one is enough, as long as you have a list of guys who can fill in.

by Dave Choate on May 21, 2010 4:11 PM EDT up reply actions

lets just hope then he doesn't go down...

Atlanta Falcons fan in Moscow, Russia

by Gemini-RU on May 21, 2010 4:55 PM EDT up reply actions

In theory, we could line up Todd McClure at FB.

55% of the time Mughelli is a small guard who seals the lane. 40% of the time he’s in pass protection. Todd understands the playbook, he can passblock, and he would LOVE to smack some people at full tilt. Sounds like fun to me.

How many more days, Lord, must I walk through the wilderness?

by AnOldBird on May 21, 2010 4:35 PM EDT up reply actions

that's an interesting thought

especially if he can groom a heir apparent at center, and be Ovie’s backup when need arises

Atlanta Falcons fan in Moscow, Russia

by Gemini-RU on May 21, 2010 4:56 PM EDT up reply actions

That reminds me

Maybe Dan Klecko will get the nod over Thomas Johnson, since he has the versatility to play defensive tackle and fullback. He played both positions for the Pats (and has a ring or two to show for it). I know when we brought him in TD said he would be considered a DT, but snaps at minicamp at the FB position seem to show they are interested in his versatility. I wouldn’t mind a 275lb fullback clearing out linebackers, no sir I would not.

by TheAreopagite on May 21, 2010 8:21 PM EDT up reply actions

I didn't hear we signed Klecko.

I was a huge fan of his dad’s. I hope he can catch on!

How many more days, Lord, must I walk through the wilderness?

by AnOldBird on May 21, 2010 10:21 PM EDT up reply actions

I think you could sacrifice Romberg and put in a skill player (Harvey, Weems).

McClure is the embodiment of toughness/consistency, so it’s unlikely he’ll miss many/any games. In the event that he does, Hawley can step in.

Depending on just how good Bear Woods is, he could supplant (I think that’s the right word) Coy Wire on the active roster.

If you cut Romberg, he should be placed on the practice squad instead of Bruggeman. The rest of the practice squad looks good, and I think Romberg is a pretty good lineman anyway so in essence our practice squad is almost becoming an “extended bench”.

"Ryan, under center. Single receiver set, to either side. Ryan, gonna throw. First professional pass.....CAUGHT!! Jenkins! 30! 25! 20! 15! 10! 5! He lives in Atlanta!!!" -Wes Durham

by Zippo729 on May 21, 2010 4:39 PM EDT reply actions

Is Romberg eligible?

I thought he’s played at least a full year’s worth of games at the NFL level. I might be confused.

by Dave Choate on May 21, 2010 4:42 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, pretty sure Romberg is not eligible. I’ve got him on my cut list, though. I’d keep Ojinnaka. He was playing at RG ahead of Romberg when Dahl was hurt last year (and has played some Tackle, too), and I doubt they’re gonna keep 2 backup Centers.

"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein

by orang3b on May 21, 2010 4:53 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah Romberg's not eligible

And I don’t think Bear Woods can go from UFA to active roster this year. Smith and BVG’s system has a pretty steep learning curve for linebackers, so someone in the system for several years has a huge advantage. Remember even Lofton, a second-rounder and natural football player, started only on obvious running downs (which cut out about half the playbook for him to learn, the part about sub-packages). At the same time, if he plays well in pads, Woods would be a great player for the practice squad, since I think it’s unlikely any other time will steal him away to their active roster.

by TheAreopagite on May 21, 2010 8:26 PM EDT up reply actions

I didn't realize there was an eligibility to it. My mistake.

"Ryan, under center. Single receiver set, to either side. Ryan, gonna throw. First professional pass.....CAUGHT!! Jenkins! 30! 25! 20! 15! 10! 5! He lives in Atlanta!!!" -Wes Durham

by Zippo729 on May 21, 2010 11:51 PM EDT up reply actions

1. I love that SBN's autolinker saw fit to exclusively link to offensive linemen.

2. Can we PLEASE change our site tagline to “Where the birds sing power ballads?”
3. 10 OL does seem like 1 or 2 more than enough, even if they are all nicely autolinked. Yes, I’m just lobbying to get my man Brandyn Harvey on the final 53.

Longest Atlanta Falcons winning-seasons streak: 2008 - current
The Falcoholic · Blog · Twitter

by Jason Kirk on May 21, 2010 5:03 PM EDT reply actions

Your birds request will be done in moments

by Dave Choate on May 21, 2010 5:04 PM EDT up reply actions

My god it's beautiful

Longest Atlanta Falcons winning-seasons streak: 2008 - current
The Falcoholic · Blog · Twitter

by Jason Kirk on May 21, 2010 5:05 PM EDT up reply actions

2

I guess my time in the spotlight is over. I had a good run…

Its true. I'm a Falcoholic! I just can't live without Falcohol!

by phoenix falcoholic on May 21, 2010 10:39 PM EDT up reply actions

You'll be back!

Wherever there’s a motto that’s cold and hungry, you’ll be there.

by Dave Choate on May 21, 2010 10:54 PM EDT up reply actions

I don’t mind ur pick for roster spots. I do like Hauschka as kicker. I mean he really only got cut because of the missed kick against the vikes. He is young and has a strong leg. Give him a fair shake and I think he will produce for us for many years as a solid kicker. I agree with weems being cut especially after his dui or whatever last year, he’d really have to show something to bounce some of the undrafteds off the team. Norwood, HD and franks would be returners. I also think that Peterson might be gone this year to make room for some young-uns at LB. I know that may not go over well with you guys but I do think he may go. I also wonder, do you guys think that Chevis Jackson could get cross trained at safety possibly??? Just curious b/c I am not sure he is getting much time at CB this year.

by CRFalco13 on May 21, 2010 7:51 PM EDT reply actions

I think he took snaps at safety at LSU

In the “hurting the ones we love” sweepstakes, I think Williams will get cut before Peterson. Peterson will be an excellent backup, and won’t wear down like last season with fewer snaps. He played pretty well those first few games when he was fresh. Williams, on the other hand, didn’t do so hot, and is coming off an injury that is notoriously bad for top-end speed. Though a different injury, they did the same thing to von Hutchins; had him for camp then cut him for the final roster. I’m sure he’ll catch on though, lots of folks need corners.

by TheAreopagite on May 21, 2010 8:30 PM EDT up reply actions