25-year old WR Eric Weems will likely be the Falcons’ player getting most of the action on kickoff returns.  Weems played in 16 games last season with the Falcons and he returned 48 kickoffs for 1,214 yards (25.3 avg).  He has now played in 23 games in his NFL career and he has returned 49 kickoffs for 1,233 yards (25.2 avg).  Weems might be needed more on offense early this year with Michael Jenkins injured but I still see him getting his fair share of action on kickoff returns.

27-year old RB Jerious Norwood could also get some action returning kicks in 2010.   He played in 10 games for the Falcons last season and he only returned 1 kickoff but it went for 39 yards.  Norwood has now played in 55 games in his NFL career and he has returned 117 kickoffs for 2,987 yards (25.5 avg). 

No matter whether Weems or Norwood is returning kicks the Falcons’ offense will likely have a lot of solid field position when they trot onto the field in 2010.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE FALCONS KICKOFF RETURNERS in 2010:  B+

The Atlanta Falcons have finesse on the outside of the O-Line and nastiness on the inside.  Starting left tackle Sam Baker is a much better pass blocker than a run blocker but that’s exactly what you want guarding the QBs blind side.  LG Justin Blalock is a brawler on the inside as he loves to move piles in the running game.  Todd McClure is the senior member of the Falcons as he has played 11 years for them.  McClure makes the calls on the O-Line and he’s a solid technician.  Right guard Harvey Dahl likes to fight until the whistle blows and he’s an outstanding run blocker.  He in downright mean and that’s what you have to be when playing on the inside of the )-Line.  Tyson Clabo is more of a pass blocker than a run blocker.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE FALCONS O-LINE in 2010:  B

51-year old head coach Mike Smith took a rag tag roster with a rookie starting QB to the playoffs in his first year with the team.  Last year the Falcons were 9-7 (56.3%) during the regular season just missing the playoffs despite not having Matt Ryan for a chunk of the year.  Smith has a 20-12 (62.5%) in his two regular seasons for the Falcons and he’s 0-1 in the playoffs.  If the Falcons stay healthy in 2010 I think Coach Smith will get them back to the playoffs.

35-year old Matt Bryant will battle 25-year old Steve Hauschka to see who will be the Falcons’ kicker in 2010.  Matt Bryant will likely have a slight edge heading into training camp as he kicked for the Falcons some last year.  Bryant played in 5 games for the Falcons last season and he was 7 of 10 (70%) on field goals and 10 of 10 on extra points to finish with 31 points.  He has now played in 99 games in his NFL career and he has made 145 of 178 field goals (81.5%) and 191 of 195 extra points as he has scored 636 career points.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE FALCONS KICKERS in 2010:  C

UPDATE:  (8/16/2010) - The Falcons have released Steve Hauschka after he was 1 of 2 on field goals in the pre-season opener.  Matt Bryant will be the starting kicker in 2010.

28-year old Roddy White has been to 2 Pro Bowls in his five year career and the Falcons hope he makes it 3 of 6 in 2010.  White played in 16 games (all starts) for the Falcons last season and he caught 85 passes for 1,153 yards (13.6 avg) with 11 TD grabs.  He has now played in 80 games (59 starts) in his 5 years in the NFL and he has caught 315 passes for 4,689 yards (14.9 avg) with 27 TD grabs.  White is easily the Falcons’ #1 WR and Matt Ryan will be throwing to him a lot in 2010.

28-year old Michael Jenkins will be the #2 WR once again for the Falcons in 2010.  Jenkins played in 15 games (9 starts) for the Falcons last season and he caught 50 passes for 635 yards (12.7 avg) with 1 TD grab.  He has now played in 92 games (55 starts) in his six years in the NFL and he has caught 235 passes for 3,007 yards (12.8 avg) with 18 TD grabs.  The Falcons hope that this is the season that Jenkins steps up.

25-year old Harry Douglas missed all of last season due to injury.  But he has looked sharp in OTAs so the Falcons hope he can stay healthy and win the #3 WR job for 2010.  Douglas played in 16 games (0 starts) as a rookie in 2008 and he caught 23 passes for 320 yards (13.9 avg) with 1 TD grab.  He also carried the ball 12 times for 69 yards (5.8 ypc) with 1 TD run in his career.  Douglas has a huge upside.

34-year old Brian Finneran is back for another year for the Falcons.  He played in 10 games (2 starts) for the Falcons last season and he caught 11 passes for 111 yards (10.1 avg).  Finneran has now played in 112 games (37 starts) in his NFL career and he has caught 219 passes for 2,927 (13.4 avg) with 16 TD grabs.  Finneran is still a solid possession receiver when healthy.

25-year old Eric Weems comes to training camp #5 at WR.  Weems played in 16 games (0 starts) for the Falcons last season and he caught 6 passes for 50 yards (8.3 avg) with 2 TD grabs.  He also carried the ball 8 times for 53 yards (6.6 ypc) last season.  Weems has now played in 23 games (0 starts) in his NFL career and he has caught 7 passes for 54 yards (7.7 avg) with 2 TD grabs.  He has also carried the ball 8 times for 53 yards (6.6 ypc) in his NFL career.

Rookie Kerry Meier is a converted QB from Kansas.  The 5th round pick has nice size at 6′2″, 224 pounds and he likely projects as a possession type receiver.  He will need a strong training camp in order to move up the depth chart.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE FALCONS WRs in 2010:  B