There is a fifty percent chance that the Falcons will see defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux return to the lineup this weekend against the Green Bay Packers, as he was listed as questionable on this week’s injury report. Babineaux suffered a sprained MCL in the season opener against the Bears and has missed the past four games. He participated on a limited basis in all three days of practice this week. Also listed as questionable is defensive end John Abraham. Abraham was added to the injury report on Friday due to a hip injury. If Abraham is unable to go, then it’s likely Kroy Biermann will make his first start of the season at right end. Peria Jerry has filled in admirably for Babineaux the past three games at left defensive tackle.

Fellow defensive end Cliff Matthews (knee) and center Todd McClure (knee) will be out this week. Neither practiced this week. McClure missed the first two games of the season with a knee injury, returning to the lineup against the Buccaneers in Week 3. But he re-injured his knee last week midway through the Falcons contest against the Seahawks. He will be replaced by Joe Hawley in the lineup, who has now logged two starts and extensive playing time in a third game so far this year.

Also returning the lineup should be linebacker Stephen Nicholas, who missed the past two games with a calf strain. He practiced on a limited basis this week and is listed as probable. Roddy White (thigh), Jason Snelling (concussion), William Moore (neck), Chris Owens (ankle), and tight end Michael Palmer (ankle) are also listed as probable, as all were able to fully participate in Friday’s practice.

For the Packers, right tackle Bryan Bulaga (knee), safety Nick Collins (neck), defensive Mike Neal (knee), and linebacker Frank Zombo (shoulder) are all out this weekend. Tight end Andrew Quarless (knee) is doubtful and linebacker Brad Jones (hamstring) is questionable.

Ryan and I share our thoughts on the Falcons disappoint loss to the Chicago Bears in Week 1. Which includes how we grade out the offensive line and Joe Hawley and Garrett Reynold’s first starts. We also discuss the loss of Jonathan Babineaux and which players step up to fill that void, including the possibility of whether that is Carlton Powell, Ryan’s new favorite player. We also break down our thoughts on how to beat the Eagles in Week 2. Coaching changes, Thomas DeCoud, Matt Bosher, and Kroy Biermann are also topics of discussion.

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It was a tough game for the Falcons. Things started off pretty well for them defensively, but the offense was unable to get much going. It was not vintage Falcon football, which featured a lot of mental errors, sloppy tackling, and penalties. Throw in two turnovers, and you get how the Falcons were so handily beat by the Bears in the season opener.

Upon initial viewing, I did not think particularly much of Matt Ryan’s performance, but upon reviewing the game, he was not nearly as bad as I thought. He missed on some throws and his two turnovers were boneheaded mistakes. But other than that, he really did not have a bad game. You can certainly say those two mistakes were enough to merit this being a bad performance, and you won’t see much argument from me. But if he can eliminate those mistakes, the Falcons should be better. He did not get a lot of help from the blocking up front or his receivers. I counted five dropped passes in this game, and the Bears had little issues pressuring Ryan particularly late in the game.

For all intents and purposes, I thought Sam Baker actually did a decent job against Julius Peppers. Peppers had a pretty quiet game until he got pressure that caused Ryan’s fumble that went back for a score. After that point, Baker started to have some trouble because the Bears were able to pin their ears back up front. But all in all, considering some of the past performances Baker has had, and given the level of competition, I think he did a decent job against Peppers.

It was Henry Melton that terrorized Ryan most of the game. Thanks to mistakes mainly made by Garrett Reynolds, who had a really poor game. Joe Hawley and Tyson Clabo also contributed, and that inexperience on the interior and Melton’s stunting inside contributed to a lot of his pressures. That was a strength of Dahl and Clabo last year, which was defending the stunts. There was really no cohesion on the right side of that line.

I was disappointed to see that the Falcons did not attack one of my matchups which was Tim Jennings at left corner. The Falcons barely threw at Jennings until the end of the game, instead going after Charles Tillman much more through the first three quarters. Now, they were able to get two big plays against Tillman, but nonetheless, I thought it would have been very smart of the Falcons to really challenge Jennings all game long.

On the ground, Turner had a nice game, his fumble withstanding. The team was forced to abandon the run by the end of the third quarter. Hawley and Blalock were the main contributors there. I think Hawley has real potential as a run blocker, if this game is any indicator. He’s definitely not there yet, and needs more polish, but he flashed some of the potential to be a significant upgrade over McClure down the road.

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Ryan and I recap our thoughts on the preseason finale against the Ravens. We also go in-depth on the team’s final cuts and the shape of the 53-man roster. Ryan shares how much confidence he has with Joe Hawley starting in the regular season opener against the Bears, which leads to more in-depth breakdown of what we expect to see in that game. Our conversation eventually ventures into discussion of whether the Falcons are a legit Super Bowl contender, fried chicken joints, and we get a little nostalgic over some past Falcon games and teams.

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Joe Hawley

Tonight against the Ravens in the preseason finale, here are five players you should keep your eyes on:

1. OC Joe Hawley

Hawley is set to start the regular season as the team’s starting center. While he may not get a ton of reps tonight as Mike Smith is expected to pull the starters fairly early, whatever reps he does earns will be important. He needs to have a good performance in order to inspire confidence that he can handle the starting position. Fortunately for Hawley, he won’t have to deal with Haloti Ngata tonight, as the Ravens plan to rest many of their key defensive starters.

2. OG Mike Johnson

The battle for the right guard position is not quite over, and Johnson should get ample opportunity to showcase his talents to night. He is in a position that a strong performance against the Ravens beefy 3-4 front could propel him past Reynolds, like a thief in the night.

3. MLB Akeem Dent

Dent has been limited somewhat by injuries this preseason and has yet to earn extensive minutes on regular defense. Tonight should be his opportunity with the Falcons starters only expected to make brief appearances. He should get at least a quarter or two of reps in the middle. With the Falcons strong depth at linebacker, this may be the last time we get an opportunity to see Dent play in 2011.

4. DT Trey Lewis

While the severity of Corey Peters injury has yet to be revealed, if he is set to miss the season opener, the Falcons will likely be forced to keep at least one extra defensive tackle on the roster. That spot would likely be Lewis’s to lose. Although the team might be better off turning to the waiver wire this weekend to fill any void here. Lewis has been unimpressive the past two years when he has gotten on the field, and hasn’t really turned heads this preseason. He needs a strong performance against the Ravens, or his Falcon and NFL career may be over soon.

5. RB Gartrell Johnson/Antone Smith

If the Falcons intend to keep a fifth back on the roster, neither Johnson or Smith have shown much this preseason to make either a strong candidate for that spot. Tonight’s game may be their last opportunity to definitively show the Falcons brass that they deserve a roster spot, rather than simply earning one by default. Johnson at this point is probably the front runner, but the gap between the two isn’t wide enough where Smith can’t overcome it.

The Falcons announced the release of six players today to get their roster number down to 79 players. Instead of that extra spot being filled by safety James Sanders, the team opted to sign center Brett Romberg in the wake of the news that starting center Todd McClure is out for at least the season opener.

Romberg has been out of football since being cut by the Falcons last September. Romberg joined the Falcons prior to the 2009 season and played in 9 games that year as the backup to McClure. His experience in the system allows him to provide valuable depth at the center position and another option if the Falcons deem Hawley incapable of replacing McClure.

Romberg originally entered the league as an undrafted free agent with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2003. There he was coached by current Falcons O-line coach Paul Boudreau. When Boudreau was hired by the St. Louis Rams in 2006, Romberg followed his coach there. With the Rams, Romberg started 18 of 33 games for the Rams at center over the next three years before following Boudreau to Atlanta in 2009.

Joe Hawley

Falcons head coach Mike Smith ruledthat center Todd McClure was out for the team’s regular season opener against the Chicago Bears today, following knee surgery on Monday. That likely means that the Falcons will turn to Joe Hawley as his replacement. Hawley is McClure’s top backup, and was drafted by the team last year in the fourth round as the heir apparent to McClure, who’s contract expires at the end of this season.

While the Falcons have not yet named Hawley the official starter, it is likely that he will earn the spot since he replaced him in past instances where McClure exited games due to injury, including last Saturday’s outing against the Pittsburgh Steelers. But with McClure out for at least the season opener, it also increases the chances that Rob Bruggeman makes the Falcons opening day roster for the second year in a row. Bruggeman has worked as the team’s third string center throughout camp and preseason. Last season, he made the team’s opening day roster, but was subsequently cut the following week and spent the remainder of the season on the practice squad. Bruggeman also spent time on the Falcons practice squad during the 2009 season.

Todd McClure

D. Orlando Ledbetter of the AJC reportsthat Falcons center Todd McClure underwent a minor surgical procedure on his knee on Monday according to head coach Mike Smith. Smith did not reveal a timetable for McClure’s return, although it appears likely that he could miss a week or two which would jeopardize his potential to start in the Falcons season opener against the Chicago Bears on September 11.

McClure started this past Saturday’s contest against the Pittsburgh Steelers, but exited the game fairly early presumably due to the knee issue. Joe Hawley resumed reps with the Falcons first team in his absence, and had his share of struggles going up against 5-time Pro Bowl Steelers nose tackle Casey Hampton.

If McClure is to miss the season opener that is two weeks away, Hawley would likely be his replacement. It would mark the former 2010 fourth round picks first career start. McClure has started every game for the Falcons at center for the past 9 seasons. The last game he missed was the season finale in 2001.

Like the running back position, this unit could be heavily influenced by free agency. The Falcons will have to make important decisions on three of their starters: Tyson Clabo, Harvey Dahl, and Justin Blalock.

Clabo is likely to be a high priority for the team to retain. And if they do so, it will go a long way to solidify their front line and maintain some continuity. It remains to be seen whether the Falcons will prefer to keep either Dahl or Blalock, although it seems likely at least one will remain. Dahl is probably the safer bet since he appears to be a favorite of position coach Paul Boudreau.

Ideally, the Falcons will be able to keep all three players. If they are successful in achieving that goal, then competition during camp at this position won’t be particularly compelling. The most interesting battle will likely then be between Jose Valdez and Will Svitek for the swing tackle position. Valdez’s practice squad eligibility is likely to expire this season, so if the Falcons want to continue to develop him, they will probably need to do so by giving him a regular roster spot.

However, if even one of those free agents depart, it will make things a lot more interesting. If all three depart, it’s likely to be a free-for-all.

The most likely candidate to replace Blalock at left guard is Mike Johnson. He got the majority of reps there last summer, and he’d be the front runner. Johnson didn’t have a great summer a year ago, but the team was high on him when they drafted him in the third round and will give him every opportunity to win the vacant position.

His most likely competition will come in the form of Garrett Reynolds, who is also the primary reserve at right guard behind Dahl. Reynolds also adds the value of playing right tackle as well, although his primary position in inside. His chances of earning a starting job will increase if Dahl is the one that departs, although Johnson would probably be the top candidate there as well for reasons mentioned previously.

If Clabo isn’t kept, then Svitek is likely to be the front runner to replace him and he’ll be pushed by both Reynolds and Valdez. Svitek is the more known commodity and proven run blocker, making him a good fit at right tackle. Valdez is an intriguing dark horse, showcasing his superior athleticism last summer.

Left tackle Sam Baker is unlikely to be pushed in camp, as the Falcons will likely want to retain as much continuity as possible. The same goes for veteran center Todd McClure. Second-year pro Joe Hawley is his heir apparent. Hawley also garnered reps at guard last season, but probably won’t be a serious contender to become a starter there unless Johnson and/or Reynolds struggle.

The Falcons drafted Andrew Jackson to bolster depth and competition. But he’ll be hard-pressed to make his way into the likely to be nine roster spots unless at least two of the Falcons free agents depart. He is most likely to be competing for a practice squad spot, although a solid summer may convince the team to keep ten blockers instead of the typical nine.

Also on the roster is Rob Bruggeman, although he remains a long shot unless there is an injury to one of the centers. The Falcons probably will sign a few undrafted or street free agents to fill out the roster here, with all just being camp bodies competing for a chance to make the practice squad.

Recapping news and headlines involving the Falcons from the week of June 26…

Stephen Nicholas

‘Big’ Chance Nicholas returns

The Florida Times-Union visited Falcons linebacker Stephen Nicholas at his youth football camp last weekend to discuss the possibility of what he might do this season. Nicholas is a prospective free agent. Nicholas indicated that he wants to test the market, but also said there is a “big” chance that he will return to Atlanta. The Falcons tagged Nicholas with a restricted free agent tender, which he did not sign. But if the Collective Bargaining Agreement is made before the start of the 2011 season, then Nicholas due to having four years of experience should become an unrestricted free agent. Nicholas was a regular attendee of the Falcons player-organized “Camp Exile” during the month of June. (Source: Tania Ganguli, Florida Times-Union)

Schillinger at around 85 percent

Writing up some observations from the Falcons player-organized “Camp Exile,” D. Orlando Ledbetter indicates that free safety Shann Schillinger, who is coming off a broken ankle he suffered in the penultimate game of last season is around 85 percent recovered. Schillinger indicated that he is making steady progress daily on his recovery and can participate in football-related drills, including 7-on-7 drills at Camp Exile. He appeared with a notable limp during the final practice. Schillinger is expected to have a bigger role this year on defense, as he will be tasked with replacing veteran Erik Coleman. (Source: D. Orlando Ledbetter, Atlanta-Journal Constitution)

Mularkey excited about the upcoming year

Falcons offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey was enjoying some vacationing time in Cherrokee County, North Carolina when the Andrews Journal caught up with him to discuss the upcoming season. Mularkey spoke on his desire to try and keep the Falcons offensive line intact, due to three of the team’s five starter being impending free agents.

We had five fantastic guys last season. They are a special group, and I wish we could keep them together forever. They are one of the most physical offensive lines in the league. If we don’t sign them back up, it will be disappointing … but that is just business in the NFL.

Mularkey also broached the topic of the Falcons incoming rookie class, praising wideout Julio Jones. He also expressed confidence that even without contact with the coaches, those rookies would be getting a lot of help from Matt Ryan during player-organized workouts, calling the team’s fourth-year quarterback a “coach on the field.” (Source: Robert Horne, Andrews Journal)

Falcons ‘not panicked’ about O-line

On the subject of the potential impending shakeup of the Falcons offensive line, Dan Pompei writes that the Falcons wont’ be too worried if they lose multiple starters via free agency. Offensive tackle Tyson Clabo, and guards Harvey Dahl and Justin Blalock are potential free agents. Per Pompei, the team is confident that three of the linemen they have drafted over the past three drafts: Garrett Reynolds, Mike Johnson, and Joe Hawley, can potentially fill the voids left by any of those players. Reynolds has worked primarily as a reserve at right guard behind Dahl, but played right tackle while in college, making him a possible candidate to replace Clabo. Johnson played left guard last season behind Blalock. Hawley has worked primarily as the backup center behind Todd McClure, but has also gotten reps at the guard spots as well. (Source: Dan Pompei, National Football Post)

Jackson working out on his own

Falcons took Fresno State guard Andrew Jackson in the seventh round of this year’s draft. And while he did not attend any of the team’s player-organized workouts since being drafted, or will be attending along with some of his other new teammates at the NFLPA-organized rookie symposium this week, Jackson has been keeping busy. He has been staying in shape and working out at facilities at his alma mater. He also has spent time visiting local high school football camps to talk to the kids about football. (Source: Anthony Barstow, Grass Valley Union)