The Atlanta Falcons visit Jacksonville, Fla., for an NFL pre-season game with the Jaguars tonight at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium. For two teams with numerous question marks, this game will go a long way in answering some of those questions.
Oddsmakers at online sports wagering giant Sportsbook.com have installed the Jaguars as -3 ½ point favorites against the spread and a money line price of -180. The game total is holding at 34.
Falcons head coach Mike Smith announced Friday that Quarterback Chris Redman , who led the team for the final four games of 2007, will start Saturday’s game instead of the teams top draft pick Matt Ryan. Smith said the team will start all the quarterbacks during the pre-season so each can get a look with the first offensive unit. Also competing for playing time are quarterbacks D.J. Shockley and Joey Harrington.
Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio is expected to give his starting unit extensive playing time in tonight’s game. “I plan on playing our guys a good bit. A good bit more than we have in the past,” said Del Rio on Friday.
The Jaguars, hurting for wide-receivers, will give 2005 top draft pick Matt Jones a hard look who is trying to rebound from a disappointing 2007 and off-field problems. So far in camp, Jones has excelled.
“I think he’s been solid,” said Del Rio of Jones. “He’s had a really good start. We look forward to getting him into games. We want to see him sustain the effort.”
Quarterback Cleo Lemon , battling for a back up job behind starter David Garrard, will also get a good look. Other players Del Rio wants a good look at are receiver Mike Walker, offensive tackle Khalif Barnes, linebackers Justin Durant and Clint Ingram.
Lemon, whom came to Jacksonville in the off-season from Miami, will get the majority of playing time in the game.
