There will be no surprise starters when the Falcons take the field on Thursday night for their first preseason game of the season at home vs. Baltimore. The starters on both defense and offense, including LT Sam Baker and FB Mike Cox, are the exact same as those listed on the Falcons’ first-string depth chart which was released earlier this week. Baker has battled Will Svitek for the starting position for the last two weeks while 27-year-veteran FB Mike Cox had thus far, withstood rookie Bradie Ewing’s attempt at the fullback spot.
Defensive tackle Peria Jerry will start in place of injured tackle Corey Peters (foot). Peters is expected to miss two more weeks. Injured cornerbacks Brent Grimes and Dunta Robinson are starting as well.
Coach Mike Smith said he'd like to see his starters play into the beginning of the second quarter. "A lot of it's gonna be dependent on how healthy the guys are as well," he said.
Offensive starters:
FB Mike Cox, LT Sam Baker, LG Justin Blalock, C Todd McClure, RG Garrett Reynolds, RT Tyson Clabo, TE Tony Gonzalez, WR Julio Jones, WR Roddy White, RB Michael Turner, QB Matt Ryan
Defensive Starters:
DE John Abraham, DT Peria Jerry, DT Jonathan Babineaux, DE Ray Edwards, LB Sean Weatherspoon, MLB Akeem Dent, LB Stephen Nicholas, CB Dunta Robinson, CB Brent Grimes, SS William Moore, FS Thomas DeCoud
Special Teams:
PK Matt Bryant, P Matt Bosher, KR Jacquizz Rodgers
The captains will be Ryan, Babineaux, McClure and Weatherspoon.
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