The Falcoholic
We’re wrapping preseason on Friday night, blessedly, which means most of our battles for starting jobs and key reserve roles should be settled. Right?
Well, no. While kicker is all but declared, QB3 is done, and inside linebacker is extremely set, we’re either looking at heavy rotations or undeclared battles on this list in many other spots. That speaks to healthy competition and Raheem Morris’s desire to keep things close to the vest, but it does mean the third preseason game may have outsized importance for a handful of positions. Or Morris could tip his hand by sitting, say, Xavier Watts, which would give us a clue.
Either way, here’s a final look at the list of battles before a final preseason game and roster cuts tell the rest of the story.
Injury may well decide this one. DeMarcco Hellams didn’t appear in Week 2 and was in a yellow no-contact pinnie at Monday’s practice, so it’s possible he does not get into the third preseason game at all.
Hellams looked terrific in his one effort, so I’m not willing to rule him out for this just yet. But in a very close battle where Jordan Fuller and Xavier Watts have had their moments, I’ve got to give the edge to the rookie the Falcons have been enamored with since well before they drafted him.
Is that based on anything in particular? Watts got first team reps at safety on Monday at practice and a longer look than Jordan Fuller on Friday night, but that doesn’t tell us much. Fuller has probably been a little steadier overall in preseason action, but Watts is the future at the position and has held his own, and I have to think that’s enough to get him this job. I would not bet a large sum of money on any one man here, though, and as I said last week that’s a good problem for this Falcons defense to have.
Expected winner: Xavier Watts
Everything is pointing toward Alford being the starter at the moment, despite Billy Bowman getting some first team reps at Monday’s practice and a smattering of other times during the summer. He’s had a fine summer, he’s been the starting nickel each of these last two weeks in preseason, and Friday night was a strong effort on limited snaps.
This is Bowman’s job down the line—perhaps even before the season is over, given his playmaking ability—but Alford was keen to make his case that last year’s struggles were more about the defense he was playing in than Alford himself. Aside from a bad end zone coverage rep in the first preseason game, he’s largely showed that, and now has to carry that over to the regular season.
Expected winner: Dee Alford
Koo kicked Friday night and made everything, even if a couple of those kicks listed a little dangerously...
