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.

In this episode of the FalcFans podcast, Ryan and I talk about the Steelers preseason game as well as break down who we think will be on the Falcons final roster as cut day looms. Both of us draw lines in the sand over whether players such as Mike Johnson, Joe Hawley, Akeem Dent, Spencer Adkins, and Matt Bosher are going to make it. You’ll also hear Ryan’s reaction to the final revelation of what player Falcons radio man Beau Bock was describing as “icky balooky.” Ryan and I even get into a brief discussion of fantasy football and the Green Bay Packers in the end.

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I’m aware it is preseason. And if the Falcons begin the season with two impressive wins over the Chicago Bears and Philadelphia Eagles, all of these concerns and questions about the Falcons preseason will be long forgotten. But we have yet to reach those bridges, and until we do, we have to talk about something.

Most experts indicated that veteran teams like the Falcons would be least affected by the NFL lockout. And perhaps that is true, but it does seem like there has been some effect on the Falcons offense with some inconsistencies through three games.

The two positions on that side of the ball that probably would be most affected by the lockout would probably be the quarterback and offensive line, and it does appear that those two positions have had the majority of lapses for the Falcons so far this summer.

Matt Ryan has had his struggles with inaccuracy throughout the last two weeks, none more noticeable than when he missed a wide open Harry Douglas in the back of the endzone last night with a high throw. Trying to get into a rhythm can be tough in the preseason, especially when OTAs have been eliminated. Offenses typically are the slower to get going each year as opposed to defenses because everyone has to get on the same page, and particularly the page that Ryan is on.

Could it potentially take a bit more time than usual before those kinks can be worked out?

Up front, the Falcons have had a number of procedural penalties, and on a couple of times managed to kill drives. During the lockout, when players like Ryan organized team workouts, offensive linemen were the ones left out in the cold. Going through 7-on-7 drills really doesn’t help linemen, since they need contact to get ready for the season. And in those workouts, contact was minimal.

It also doesn’t help that the Falcons have been trying to break in a new starter after three years with the same unit. Obviously that is a significant disruption to continuity, and made worse when those starting candidates hardly have any real playing time.

Now that we’ve moved past the third preseason, starters aren’t expected to make prolonged appearances in the final game. Essentially they will now have two weeks off from any real game activity to work out these kinks, and one wonders if that is going to help when it does appear that many of these problems could go away with increased reps.

Ray Edwards

Here is another look at five players to keep your eyes on during tonight’s preseason matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers:

1. DE Ray Edwards

This will be the first action for the fans to get a look at the team’s lone free agent pickup in Edwards. He will have a chance to shine going up against the questionable pass protecting Steelers offensive line, although if he is facing Willie Colon, then he’ll see the team’s best pass protector for most of the night. A strong performance certainly can be a good launching point to a breakout 2011 season for Edwards, who is looking to prove he is legitimately one of the league’s premier pass rushers.

2. QB Matt Ryan

Little was made of Ryan’s mediocre at best performance against the Jaguars last week. Mainly because he is Matt Ryan, after all and has little to prove at this point in his career. With him set to earn his most extensive playing time against the Steelers tonight, having a bounce back game is not necessary, but certainly would be a positive. Ryan will be tasked with picking apart the league’s best defense for most of the night, and a strong performance will go a long with to instilling confidence in the cohesion of the offense as well as be a feather in Ryan’s cap as he gets some much needed revenge against a team that made him look mediocre in the 2010 regular season opener.

3. CB Darrin Walls

Walls will get a big opportunity tonight against the Steelers thanks in part to injuries to Dunta Robinson and Chris Owens. Walls will get opportunities in the Falcons nickel package with the starters where he will be tested with the explosive Steelers receivers such as Mike Wallace, Antonio Brown, and Jerricho Cotchery. Walls is likely to land a spot on the Falcons 53-man roster at this point, but a strong performance certainly will cement his status on the team as someone to look out for in the future as a solution to some of the Falcons secondary woes.

4. OG Garrett Reynolds

Reynolds seems to have sewn up the starting right guard position this summer, although it’s debatable whether he achieved that on his own merit or thanks to a timely injury to Mike Johnson. Reynolds could put such doubts to rest with a strong performance against the physical 3-4 front of the Steelers. The Falcons historically under Mike Smith have struggled to push the pile and run the ball against 3-4 teams. Reynolds can hopefully change that. He’s expected to be matched up with Steelers Pro Bowl left end Aaron Smith for much of the night, who is returning from a knee injury. He’ll also be tested as a pass protector, as the Steelers crave the blitz and potentially find himself on the other side of LaMarr Woodley and/or James Farrior’s onslaught.

5. CB Dominique Franks

Franks had a bad outing against the Jaguars last week, and really needs a strong performance against the Steelers to solidify his status as the team’s new nickel back. He’ll get an opportunity as he’ll start in place of an injured Dunta Robinson and Chris Owens. Unlike against the Jaguars unproven young receivers, he’ll be tested against Mike Wallace and Hines Ward, along with others like Antonio Brown, Jerricho Cotchery, and Arnaz Battle. Franks cannot really afford another lackluster performance, otherwise it could mean that the Falcons seek an outside option to address their nickel concerns.

It’s the “BS and Peria Jerry” episode.

Ryan and Aaron get together to discuss their thoughts on the Falcons preseason loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, albeit briefly. They also talk a bit more about Beau Bock’s “icky balooky” rumors, as well as what fallout Larry Fitzgerald’s ridiculous contract may cause in regards to that. They discuss Michael Turner and Tony Gonzalez, and whether they are due for a decline in production. They talk about our favorite AJC Falcons beat writer and have some differing views on Dominique Franks, Peria Jerry, Sam Baker, and Michael Palmer.

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Peria Jerry

Looking at five players that the spotlight will be on during the second preseason contest. I would also list DE Ray Edwards on here, but as of this writing, it has yet to be confirmed whether he will play against the Jaguars. Most signs seem to point that will not be the case at this point.

DT Peria Jerry

Jerry will get the start for the injured Corey Peters and will get his first real test in that role since the beginning of the ’09 season. Jerry did not have a noteworthy performance last week against the Dolphins, and showing some improvement against the Jaguars will go a long way to inspire more confidence in the coaching staff and the fan base.

RB Jacquizz Rodgers

Last week, I highlighted Rodgers against the Dolphins. Rodgers’ Falcon debut ended without much fanfare. While he’s sure of a roster spot this season, the better he plays in the preseason, the bigger his role is likely to be at the outset of the season. Getting some earlier reps with the first and second team offensive lines should potentially help.

OG Mike Johnson

Garrett Reynolds showed some things against the Dolphins last week at right guard. Johnson missed that game due to a concussion, and if he has any shot at usurping Reynolds for the starting job, he’s going to need a really strong performance against the Jaguars.

LB Robert James

James got opportunities last week in nickel situations. And with Akeem Dent out for this week’s action, he should get even more chances, particularly with the second unit defense. James is on the roster bubble since it’s no safe bet the Falcons will keep more than six linebackers, and needs a bit more consistent performance this week against the Jags.

CB Chris Owens

Who starts in place of Dunta Robinson will be quite telling about the way the nickel cornerback battle is going. Franks appears to be ahead after Owens gave up a touchdown last week on a blown coverage. Regardless of who fills out the starting lineup, Owens needs a good bounce back performance against the Jaguars.

Our second episode of our brand new podcast is now available! In this one, Ryan and I break down our reactions to the preseason action against the Dolphins. We also talk about some of our expectations for this week’s game against the Jaguars and give insight into our regular season opener against the Bears as well. Enjoy!

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WR Julio Jones

These are some of the names and positions you should keep your eye on during the Falcons preseason opener against the Miami Dolphins tonight:

WR Julio Jones

It is no doubt that all eyes will be on Jones tonight. With Ray Edwards being held out, he is by far the biggest new addition to the Falcons lineup. He has been tearing it up in camp so far by all accounts, and fans should be eager to see if that early success translates to the field tonight. Jones will get first team reps, but it will be interesting if the Falcons pull the plug on him with the rest of the first team members early in the game, or get him some more minutes and work with the second unit.

RB Jacquizz Rodgers

The other big name from this year’s rookie class, figures to get some extensive reps on the ground. Rodgers should get some touches in the first half of the game, and fans should be eager to see his quickness and explosion as a runner and hopefully in the passing game. If the Falcons are re-incorporating the screen pass back into their offense, it would be an opportune time to break it out tonight.

TE Michael Palmer

Palmer has a chance to move up the depth chart if he can have another strong performance this summer. A big key for Palmer will be how much progress he’s made as a blocker if he hopes to supplant Justin Peelle as the top reserve to Tony Gonzalez.

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Tomorrow the Falcons will kick off two days of joint practices with the Jacksonville Jaguars. On Monday and Tuesday, the two teams will hold morning and afternoon practices which are open to the public in Flowery Branch.

Combining practices makes sense for the two teams due to their regional proximity as well as giving both teams players a chance to redirect their aggression towards non-teammates. Both coaching staffs are very familiar with one another as Falcons head coach Mike Smith spent five seasons as the defensive coordinator in Jacksonville under Jack Del Rio.

There will be some familiar faces across the sidelines. Current Falcons Mike Peterson, Brett Romberg, Brian Williams, and Joe Zelenka all are former Jaguars that played under Del Rio. Also last year’s fifth round pick, cornerback William Middleton is currently a Jaguar. As is linebacker Tony Gilbert, who the team signed earlier today.

The Falcons will get another opportunity to see the Jaguars on their own turf this summer when they close out their preseason schedule on September 2 with a game in Jacksonville. The Falcons will use these two days of practices and scrimmages to gear up for their preseason opener later this week against the Kansas City Chiefs on Friday.

The Falcons will also have joint practices later in the month against the New England Patriots before their second preseason match up on August 19.