Lets not be concerned about the 0-4 preseason record. As discussed in earlier posts, the preseason is not about wins and losses, it's about fielding the best 53 players on your team, and getting ready for the regular season. It' all about evaluating what is best for the team. Preseason is all about boring games. The starters hardly play, or don't play at all.
The starting O is showing promise, and is going to be better than the 2010 season. Rookie wideout Julio Jones is stepping into the fire game one, and starting on the other side of Pro Bowler WR Roddy White. Quarterback Matt Ryan adds another year on his resume, and in year four, has more responsibility in calling the plays, while being commander of the offense.
The defense is holding it's own. While being solid, they are not a dominant D. While giving up long touchdown passing of 77 and 44 yards to the Pittsburgh Steelers in preseason game 3, GM Thomas Dimitroff and Head Coach Mike Smith grew steadily concerned. Plays like that happened all too frequently last year, and that's what drpped the Falcons out of the playoff home loss 48-21 to Super Bowl Champs Green Bay Packers. Dimitroff and Smith went out and signed free agents James Sanders (Patriots) and Kelvin Hayden (Colts) to sure up the defensive back position. Both guys have Super Bowl rings, and Hayden has had health issues the past couple of years. But, new year, and good things can happen.
The roster for the 2011 season has to be trimmed down to 53 players by September 3. The Falcons cut the roster by 17 including verterans DE Chauncey Davis and LB and team rep Coy Wire. The Falcons will make more cuts today to get to the 53 number, including an 8 player practice squad.
No comments:
Post a Comment