Atlanta Falcons Training Camp: Who Might Be Moving Up the Depth Chart

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga.—Sure, Tony Gonzalez adds a new dimension to the Atlanta Falcons.

But he's not necessarily the final piece to the puzzle. When asked how good the Falcons could be with his addition, the former Kansas City Chiefs star smiled and assured he wasn't the missing link.

"It remains to be seen, but we're going to be very good but not just because of me," Gonzalez said. "They were very good last year and right now, I'm not here trying to catch 100 balls and save the day. I'm going to come here and do what I always do. When they call on me, to call my play, I'm going to try to produce."

Gonzalez appears happy with his new team, one he hopes can take him farther than the Chiefs were able to do.

Gonzalez, as most of the offense, has locked up most of the positions on the depth chart. With that said, here's how I would list the depth chart (my opinion) before Falcons coach Mike Smith and his staff releases their version.

Quarterback: First team: Matt Ryan, second team: D.J. Shockley, third team: Chris Redman

The battle at quarterback is for the backup spot behind Ryan, and I think Shockley's made the best case. Shockley refrains from mistakes and is moving well outside the pocket.

Shockley's arm is stronger than Redman's and he's got more upside with his athleticism.

But Smith said the backup spot is still up for grabs.

"I think D.J.'s had a good first four or five days as well as the other guys," Smith said. "That to me is another area we will have a competitive situation throughout the entire camp. But I don't think there has been anybody that has cemented that backup quarterback spot."

Running back: First team: Michael Turner, second team: Jerious Norwood, third team: Jason Snelling, fourth team: Thomas Brown and/or Verron Haynes

This is as solid of a group as you will find. Turner is coming off a 1,799-yard season and is one of the best running backs in the NFL. Norwood has shown an extra burst during the preseason, and over time, could emerge as a top running back elsewhere in the league. 

Behind those two is Jason Snelling, who acts as a running back/fullback hybrid. Snelling is a solid blocker and can carry the ball as a power back.

Brown and Haynes round out the group, and could possibly both make the team contributing a lot on special teams. Haynes played for the Steelers for six seasons before sitting out last year. Haynes serves as a good short yardage option who can also block in the fullback position.

Brown's best chance at making the 53-man roster lies on special teams, as his spot isn't guaranteed with the running backs being pretty strong at the top.

"I know (getting cut is) realistic, but I always try to stay positive and keep negative things out of my mind," Brown said. "My way is focusing on getting better and sticking around for as long as I can."

Fullback: Ovie Mughelli

Mughelli is one of the best fullbacks in the NFL, and the only true fullback on Atlanta's roster. Mughelli is also someone the Falcons may try to get more involved in other aspects of the game.

Wide receiver: First string: Roddy White (assuming he returns to camp), second string: Michael Jenkins, third string: Brian Finneran, fourth string: a mixture of rookies and second-year free agent signees.

Assuming ESPN's Adam Schefter is correct, losing Harry Douglas is a huge blow to the Falcons receiving unit. Douglas was perfect as a slot receiver. He could work underneath routes while Roddy White and Michael Jenkins control the outside.

Without Douglas, Atlanta doesn't have a proven slot receiver and may try a few guys that would otherwise serve sparingly.

White is in the midst of contract talks with the Falcons, as he's asking for "Larry Fitzgerald-type money." As White continues to miss camp, Jenkins and Finneran will need to step up. For Finneran, who had only 21 receptions for 169 yards in 2008, this could be one of his last go-arounds as he enters his 11th season.

Some guys vying for spots in training camp are Troy Bergeron, Chandler Williams, Eric Weems, Aaron Kelly, Bradon Godfrey and Darren Mougey. The most suitable for the slot are Williams, Weems and Bergeron but a guy like Kelly could have value as he's 6'5" and possesses decent speed.

Tight end: First team: Tony Gonzalez, second team: Justin Peelle, third team: Ben Hartsock

This is a no-brainer as the Falcons now possess the best receiver in NFL history, a player that can still play with the best. With Douglas out, Gonzalez will carry a lot more of the load to control the middle of the field.

There's no doubt Gonzalez can do this. But Gonzalez is also a top blocking tight end and may not spend as much time doing so in shotgun formations. But the best part about Gonzalez in offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey's system is that there are lots of different ways to get him involved.

Ryan said Gonzalez has picked up on the playbook and continues to gel with the rest of the team.

"We're starting to get a better feel for each other than we had in the past and hopefully when the season starts we can get it all ironed out," Ryan said.

Offensive line: First team: Todd McClure, Justin Blalock, Harvey Dahl, Tyson Clabo and Sam Baker; second team: Michael Butterworth, Garrett Reynolds, Jose Valdez, Ryan Stanchek and Ben Wilkerson

There isn't much to report on the offensive line as there hasn't been anything of substance to grade them on during training camp. 

But the Falcons return four of their starting five, only losing 10-year veteran Todd Weiner to retirement.

That may leave the door open for rookie tackle Garrett Reynolds out of North Carolina, who was Atlanta's only offensive player drafted. With most of the line returning, simple reasoning may cause you to assume more of the same.

The Falcons will also be looking for Sam Baker to step up with Weiner gone, and he looks to be the best fit.

But if you look at the depth, you'll see there isn't any. If someone gets injured, the Falcons may be in trouble. But the jury is still out on the offensive line for the moment.

Defensive line: First team: DE John Abraham, DT Jonathan Babineaux, DT Peria Jerry and DE Chauncey Davis; second team: DE Jamaal Anderson, DT Jason Jefferson, DT Vance Walker, DE Kroy Biermann; third team: DE Lawrence Sidbury, DT Thomas Jefferson, DT Tywain Myles, DE Willie Evans

Abraham and Babineaux have one half of the defensive front locked up.

So which two will control the other side? Trey Lewis was receiving a lot of time with the first team, but he gets bumped down to second team after being sidelined with an injury. Rookie Peria Jerry has played well so far in camp and is starting to get a grasp on the defensive playbook.

But don't count out Lewis, as he very well could wind up the opening day starter.

At the other defensive end spot, Chauncey Davis gets the nod not necessarily with his play in camp. But it's with the continued struggles that accompany Jamaal Anderson. Anderson is still finding it hard to get off blocks and just may lose his starting spot.

Ovie Mughelli told me the other day that Kroy Biermann was his sleeper for a defensive player that will surprise a lot of people—since no one is talking about him. Biermann has been playing a lot in training camp, and has done well. I'm just not sure if he'll crack the first team (remember, all this depth chart talk is my opinion).

Linebackers: First team: SLB Mike Peterson, MLB Curtis Lofton, WLB Stephen Nicholas; second team: OLB spots Coy Wire, Edmond Miles, MLB Tony Gilbert

The Falcons may have lost Keith Brooking and Michael Boley in the offseason, but the new batch Atlanta will field fits Smith's scheme a little better.

This group is fast and reacts quick to the ball, especially in the running game.

Mike Peterson has been all over the field throughout the first few days of camp, and Stephen Nicholas has played fine. Curtis Lofton has been slowed down with a hamstring injury, but should be OK when the season starts.

But in Lofton's absence, Tony Gilbert has stepped up and done just fine.

"I'm just trying to do what I do and help the team out," Gilbert said. "Everybody has their responsibility and everyone has a job, and I'm just trying to do mine."

Cornerback: First team: Chris Houston, Brent Grimes; second team: Chevis Jackson, Christopher Owens; third team: Glenn Sharpe, William Middleton, Tony Tiller or Von Hutchins

Heading into camp Chris Houston had his corner position locked down. But Brent Grimes has emerged the guy to beat for the other corner position. For a small corner, generously listed at 5'10", Grimes just might be the most athletic player on the team.

He's produced jaw-dropping interceptions during training camp and is certainly someone the Falcons will need to step up.

Chevis Jackson is having a good camp and will likely serve as the nickel corner. Also off to a good start is rookie Christopher Owens out of San Jose State. Owens is a physical corner who's caused havoc against many of Atlanta's wide receivers. But he's also been burned a fair amount of times.

Safeties: First team: FS Erik Coleman, SS Thomas DeCoud; second team: FS Jamaal Fudge, SS William Moore

Coleman is the only seasoned veteran in Atlanta's secondary and he's already provided valuable leadership to some of the youngsters.

When asked who has shown the most guidance, William Moore was quick to point out Coleman.

"Erik Coleman for one, hats off to him," Moore said. "He's been in the league a long time and we look at him as one of the vets. He's awesome at taking guys under his wing on and off the field."

Moore will see a good bit of playing time this season, but will start out by backing up Thomas DeCoud in my opinion. DeCoud is off to a fast start and is playing with lots of confidence and swagger. 

Coming into camp, the strong safety spot was a question. But DeCoud may have quickly answered it with his performance so far.

Special teams: Kicker: Jason Elam, Kickoff returner: Jerious Norwood, Punt return: Jerious Norwood, Thomas Brown or Chandler Williams

With Douglas out, punt returner is a spot up for grabs. Along with Douglas, Norwood, Brown and Williams have all been practicing for the position. Norwood may be the first option to turn to, but don't sleep on Brown. He has good vision and holds on to the ball (a simple quality overlooked too often).

Brown could end up as the team's punt returner given he'll always have fresh legs. While Finneran may see more reps at wide receiver due to Douglas' injury, Brown may benefit more since he's still itching to prove he belongs in the NFL.

So how good will the Falcons be? Now that unfortunately remains to be seen. The Falcons' offense has potential to be one of the most balanced in the league, even without Douglas. 

The secondary is still the biggest question mark, especially at strong safety. While DeCoud is playing well in camp, he hasn't seen significant time in any games. At corner, Grimes played well against Arizona in the NFC Wild Card Round last season, and should suffice as a solid No. 2 corner for Atlanta.

While many Atlanta fans are anxious to see who steps up at certain positions, on Day One of training camp Smith said he was hoping for a simpler approach from his team.

"Most anxious to see? How our guys come out," he said. "Are they enthusiastic, reinvigorated? Are they energized? And I think I saw that."