Atlanta Falcons: Seven Final Preseason Position Battles

Kick / Punt Returner

The Atlanta Falcons didn’t get many explosive plays out of the return game last season. Special Teams Coach Keith Armstrong, is looking to improve staring field position through the return game. There are many candidates for kick returner and punt returner, most who have been mentioned because they are competing at other positions too.

First round pick Calvin Ridley out of Alabama, has looked the best of all the return candidates thus far. He’s fast, elusive, and able to shed tackles. It’s unclear if the team would risk him being a return guy full-time, due to his value on offense. Punt returner is a lot less risky than kick returner, as Ridley can waive for a fair-catch if the blocking isn’t there. I suspect we will see Calvin as the starting punt returner, and also as the emergency kick returner. He would only return kickoffs when the Falcons need a big play to gain field position, in a crucial moment of a game.

Cornerback Isaiah Oliver, this year’s second round pick out of the University of Colorado, has gotten opportunities, but often failed to secure the catch on punt returns. The same can be said about previously mentioned Ito Smith, on kickoff returns. Wide Receivers Marvin Hall, Reggie Davis, and Justin Hardy have all gotten attempts to return punts and kicks. This job could certainly come down to tonight’s performance. For Hall, Hardy, and Davis, winning a return job, could be the deciding factor on if they make the squad or not.

Despite the starters all resting tonight, these position battles will provide plenty of intrigue for tonight’s game. Stay logged into ATL All Day for our projections on the Atlanta Falcons final 53 man roster. We will also be monitoring the waiver wire, to bring you all of the latest news on the Falcons and All Atlanta Sports. As always we thank you for reading.