Put On the Pads Boys

by: Michael Steffes

Well, not quite yet. I think mini-camps are usually done in shells. But the point is that we have made it through the tough stretch, football starts tomorrow. In previous years, just so you know what to expect, the rookies arrive today and get their numbers. That doesn't mean they won't change again after the final 53 is set, so hold of on the jersey ordering for now.

Over the weekend, the full group will practice, usually two a days on Sat and Sun. Then, rookies leave. The team holds a voluntary veteran mini camp Mon-Thur. Expect their to be a high participation rate from this bunch. Camp closes on Thursday.

So as the players get together and start playing football, the next thing to look at is who is going to make the team. Position battles are the fun part. I though we would start by looking at where quality depth will creating some good competitions to watch. Check it out.....



As you can see, to start, I have created a chart looking at the number of players the Hawks kept, coming out of camp, over the last 5 years. Over the last two years the offense and defense have been evenly split at 25. In prior years the team kept more offense, only because that is where the talent was. This is a much more balanced team. One thing you notice, is that the team hasn't kept more than 3 specialists.

So that leads to the first big competition. The kicker. I made the assertion yesterday that the team might keep two kickers. However, with the number of quality players they have at other positions, I am sure they would prefer to only keep one. So lets find out who it is. Both of these players should be motivated. If Mare is cut he loses his payday, Coutu will want to make a name for himself in this league. Kicking updates all summer! Yes!

Another position that clearly has a spot is linebacker. The team has consistently kept 7 at the position. Once even 8. The team has 6 at best that should be on the roster, and that counts DD Lewis, which after last year is debatable. They signed career special teamer Wesley Mallard yesterday, he could have an edge. The UDFA rookie class at LB was nothing to write home about, so we will have to wait and see what the team thinks of these guys.

Running Back is an interesting case too. The team did once keep 6 running backs in opting to carry only 8 o-linemen back in 03'. Since the team opted not to draft a linemen, and assuming none of the practice squad guys from last year seems ready, it is a possibility they could go this route again. The team could easily stock the practice squad with undrafted linemen.

At WR, I would say the team seems poised to keep 5, with Branch on the PUP to start the season. That would keep all of the kids safe from the grasp of other teams, however, with depth all around, the team may choose to go with 4 again, at least until Branch returns. Lets see how they preform in camp, Kent may force Ruskell to keep him, especially with his speed.

Safety is an interesting position because we were privy to what the team told Jamar Adams. That all the back up jobs are open. The team obviously wants to add some youth at this position. Adams, Kelvin (UDFA GA), Wallace, and Green are all going to be battling hard. To confuse things, if a corner steps up, Babineaux make take one of the spots. Being a good special team like Wallace was last year will help the young guys.

Finally, I will mention D Line. Everybody's favorite positional group these days. It is a good thing the team has shown a willingness to carry 10 in recent years. An interesting battle to watch could be Babin and Atkins. While Atkins is a Ruskell pick, Babin is a former first rounder fighting for his career. At tackle, somebody with talent is going to go. Mebane, Bernard, Bryant, Terrill, Tripplett, and Tubbs would be 6. That leaves Chris Cooper and Howard Green on the outside, but don't count out Cooper, he has earned his way on to this team before. It is also possible that the someone will find their way to the injury list, complicating things.