What up Peerless, J-Web

By: T. Love

Our Atlanta Falcons hit the field for the second time in the Bobby Petrino era as the team heads to Buffalo to take on the Bills tonight. This is the first meeting between the two teams since 2005 when the Falcons took a 24-16 victory. We get a chance to see some old faces as well with Peerless “I Hate Y’all” Price and Jason “Toast” Webster suiting up for the home team.

The Falcons gave us a small taste of what the “power spread” offense will look like. Hopefully Coach Petrino installed a few more plays for Joey Harrington and the O to run and the defense will give a couple of different looks. The starters on both sides of the ball are expected to play into the second quarter so here is what I will be looking for in tonight’s game.

Jason Snelling totin’ the mail
It is still unknown at this time if running back Jerious Norwood will be able to go tonight after suffering from cramps earlier in the week and Warrick Dunn is still not game ready at this point, so rookie Jason Snelling gets the start for the Falcons in the backfield. Snelling was a load last week picking up 48 carries on 10 attempts. He is a strong runner between the tackles, but lets see if he can bounce outside and his pass blocking ability. Impressive last week, now it’s about continuity.

Joey Harrington
Joey did not look too bad in his first showing completing six of nine passes for 88 yards. He struggled big time on the deep ball. Quarterbacks coach Bill Musgrave hopefully helped Harrington with his timing so he can do better on those routes this week. Will Petrino even call for shots down the field since it isn’t one of Harrington’s strengths?

D.J. Shockley
You embarrassed me last week. I wrote a long post about how you deserve a shot. I’m eating crow right now so pick it up.

Stop the run
The Falcons front line gave up 146 rushing yards to the Jets last Friday. Granted Rod Coleman is out still rehabbing his thigh injury and big Grady Jackson, who led the league in tackles for loss a season ago, were out but these guys are older players anyways. They are going to need breaks during games. The young guys have got to step it up and hold the point of attack. Football is won in the trenches!

Former Falcons
I want to see plenty of shots taken downfield against Jason Webster. I use to hate watching him play D, but I bet it is real funny when he is not on your team. Also, jam Peerless at the line. If he makes more than two grabs I’ll be ticked.

Jimmy Williams
Just try and be somewhere around the ball tonight.