Atlanta Falcons Positional Battles: Defense Dukes It Out

There's not a whole lot of controversy over the quarterback position in Atlanta. Something tells me Matt Ryan won the Falcons' confidence last season, and that Michael Turner is going to be given the nod as the featured runner once more.

Sure, one of the tackle spots is a tad bit open, but I personally think Tyson Clabo proved himself with maddening consistency last year. Maybe Harry Douglas makes Michael Jenkins feel a little uncomfortable in his No. 2 receiver role, but it's more likely Douglas will just continue to improve in return and three-plus-receiver sets.

But on the other side of the ball? Fight it out, gentlemen; it will amuse me.

Strong Safety

Before April 24, we Dirty Bird faithful were pretty sure Thomas DeCoud was the man for the SS job, and we were pretty OK with that. But a legitimate second option fell into the Falcons' laps via the draft.

A ton of folks are rightfully excited about the rookie out of Mizzou, William Moore; the general idea is that he's a bit more aggressive than DeCoud, and that his tendencies will lead to more big plays.

Of course, those same tendencies make Moore a bit more mistake prone than the wise-beyond-his-years DeCoud, and I doubt I need to tell you that a mistake-prone rookie is going to give up some big plays.

So where do I side after all the back-and-forth? I'll take the easy way out and state the obvious: We're going to see both guys in a platoon system, at least until one proves himself far superior.

But since that was so predictable, allow me throw you a curve before we move on...

You haven't seen the last of Eric Brock, who currently sits way back on the depth chart, but is still a specimen with a head for the game.

Defensive Tackle

Jonathan Babineaux will man one of these spots, but the Falcons must watch the duel between two youngsters to determine the best way to complement him.

Peria Jerry was the club's first-round selection this year, and rightly leads the new Atlanta class in hype; Trey Lewis, on the other hand, had humble sixth-round beginnings and has slipped into the shadows due to an injury in his rookie 2007 campaign.

Babineaux is a monster of a man, but believe it or not, Trey has two inches and 25 pounds on him. Jerry won't be slowed by the knee injury that has held him out of a few minicamp activities so far; I guess the question here might be how well Lewis can come back after sitting out all of '08.

Veteran end Kindal Moorehead could also be called into service here, even if only to push the newcomers, but Jerry is obviously the long-term solution and will likely be favored all season long.

Weakside Linebacker

In my past few Falcons preview articles, I've made a lot about the losses of Keith Brooking and Michael Boley. I'm not changing my tune here; replacing those faces is gonna be tough.

To this point, I've been assuming the WILL LB spot to remain in Coy Wire's hands, as he's made great strides in his transition from defensive back. But the more I hear, the more I'm thinking Stephen Nicholas is going to get the advantage.

No knocks for Wire here; he's a smart man on the gridiron, not the sort who screws up. It seems, though, that the staff likes Nicholas a little better. He's the attacking sort (picked up a sack in both '07 and '08 despite very limited playing time) and undeniably has the edge in sheer athleticism.

There have been whiffs of rookie end Lawrence Sidbury shifting positions and of Nicholas being the preferred backup for Mike Peterson, but neither seems like the best use of talent for the club. Bolster depth at end by keeping the "little" fella there (where he can learn from John Abraham and Jamaal Anderson) and give Nicholas the chance to beat out Wire if he's able.

I won't say that's it for fights for starting spots; plenty are fed up with waiting for Anderson and fully prepared for Chauncey Davis (who had four sacks last season to Jamaal's two) to take over.

But I will say that who wins these competitions will do a lot to define the Atlanta defense this year. Who steps up in the next couple months could determine the Falcons' December and January.