Shockley to Start, But Not Yet

Chris Redman will get the start in Atlanta's pre-season opener in Jacksonville on Saturday. No surprise there. Redman finished last season strong (as strong as you can be on a team that bad), so I was expecting that.

However, check this out from the AJC's Steve Wyche:

Smith did not disclose the rotation for the remaining three quarterbacks — Joey Harrington, D.J. Shockley and No. 3 overall draft pick Matt Ryan — who are in an open competition for the regular-season starter's job and two backup spots. In fact, Smith did not mention any of them by name.

He did say that each quarterback would start one of the four exhibition games.

Maybe this really is an open competition? I still think Shockley is competing for a roster spot with Joey Harrington, but who knows?

Also, if the Falcons have any marketing savvy at all, D.J. will start in a home pre-season game. That will sell tickets.