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2012 Roster Predictions

August 30, 2012; Jacksonville FL, USA; This may have been enough to solidify Kevin Cone's spot on the 53-man roster.  Mandatory Credit: Phil Sears-US PRESSWIRE
August 30, 2012; Jacksonville FL, USA; This may have been enough to solidify Kevin Cone's spot on the 53-man roster. Mandatory Credit: Phil Sears-US PRESSWIRE

As I write this, at just after 1:00 a.m. on Friday morning, it’s the beginning of a difficult day around the NFL. By the time this posts at noon, who knows? The Falcons may already have begun making their final roster moves.

Offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter was on the radio during pre-game, and he said something that influenced my predictions. It was said in reference to Dominique Davis, but it really applies across the board. He said that fans see players in game situations on television and base their opinions on those performances, but the coaching staff see these players in action in practice day in and day out, so they have a lot more to go on when making these final decisions.

Hit the jump for my best guess at the 53 man roster for the 2012 season.

Offense:

QB Matt Ryan

QB Dominique Davis

QB Luke McCown

RB Michael Turner

RB Jason Snelling

RB Jacquizz Rodgers

RB Antone Smith

FB Lousaka Polite

WR Roddy White

WR Julio Jones

WR Harry Douglas

WR Kerry Meier

WR Kevin Cone

TE Tony Gonzalez

TE Michael Palmer

TE Tommy Gallarda

T Sam Baker

T Lamar Holmes

T Tyson Clabo

T Mike Johnson

G Justin Blalock

G Peter Konz

G Garrett Reynolds

C Todd McClure

C Joe Hawley

Defense:

DE John Abraham

DE Ray Edwards

DE Kroy Biermann

DE Lawrence Sidbury

DE Jonathan Massaquoi

DT Jonathan Babineaux

DT Peria Jerry

DT Vance Walker

DT Travian Robertson

DT Micanor Regis (will be waived when Corey Peters is cleared to return.)

OLB Sean Weatherspoon

OLB Stephen Nicholas

OLB Robert James

OLB/MLB Mike Peterson

MLB Akeem Dent

MLB Patrick Schiller

CB Brent Grimes

CB Asante Samuel

CB Dunta Robinson

CB Chris Owens

CB Dominique Franks

FS Thomas DeCoud

FS Chris Hope

SS William Moore

SS Shann Schillinger, unless he’s too injured. If Schillinger can't play, it will be Charles Mitchell.

K Matt Bryant

P Matt Bosher

LS Joe Zelenka


I could be wrong. Some players, like Tim Toone, have made an impression in preseason games, whereas some of the returning players I expect to make the roster have not necessarily done so. The Falcons have already shocked me by releasing both John Parker Wilson and Chris Redman, so it does not appear to be the same old approach this season, and anything could happen. What do you think?