The Atlanta Falcons and Jacksonville Jaguars practiced together in advance of their preseason matchup, as they also did last year. The 2010 edition, held in Flowery Branch, got famously scuffly and contrasted nicely with the more businesslike work the team put in while hosting the New England Patriots.
Alfie Crow from Big Cat Country observed this year's proceedings, finding them again heated and competitive. He's impressed with how good Atlanta looks, from its front lines to its depth. The cool thing about a joint practice is you get to hear about how your team's players did in addition to updates about some guys you've never heard of, and it sounds like WR Julio Jones, OT Tyson Clabo and the rest of the offensive line fared well.
A few Falcons players who could use a nice night Friday, based on this week's depth chart as broken down by Dave Choate: OG Garrett Reynolds, OG Mike Johnson, WR Tim Buckley, WR Brandyn Harvey, LB Robert James, LB Spencer Adkins and pretty much every running back besides Michael Turner, Jason Snelling and Ovie Mughelli.
The halfback chart is the most eye-catching, with Jacquizz Rodgers running fifth, but we know the team likes Rodgers. No worries here about him failing to make the roster.
Jacksonville has some position battles of its own, with former Georgia Tech safety Dawan Landry holding a starting spot in his first year as a Jag.
For more Falcons, head to The Falcoholic, and for more Jags, stop by Big Cat Country.