It’s almost official. BG coach Gregg Brandon has done everything but name Tyler Sheehan the starting quarterback.

“Sheehan has pretty much separated himself,” he said. “Tyler is throwing the ball better than any of [the other quarterbacks] right now.”

Sheehan will try to restore a once-lethal offense this season. In 2006, the Falcons averaged 19.5 points and 169 passing yards a game. That is down from 33.8 points and 284 yards a game in 2005 and 44.3 points and 338 yards a game in 2004.

The Falcons also attempted just 347 passes in 2006 compared to 411 in 2005 and 472 in 2004.

Brandon did not rule out a late change, though.

“We’re still installing things. As long as we’re still putting in plays then we’ve got to give everyone an equal opportunity to run the offense,” Brandon said.

The Falcons have their first game on Sept. 1 at Minnesota. On July 24 at MAC Media Day in Detroit, Brandon said he didn’t need to name a starter until game day.

Now that his team is another year older, Brandon is excited about seeing them apply the experience they got last year.

“Those guys have a year under their belts and hopefully that will pay off this fall,” he said.

The Falcons’ young core of players took its lumps last season.

“We got some big-time game experience and we got our noses bloodied,” Brandon said. “Some of those guys didn’t like it, they were pretty salty, especially the defensive guys.

“Having a year behind us, we’ve got to take advantage of that.”

Even though the Falcons have three or four solid options for running back, the offense will still thrive on the pass.

“I want to throw it about 80 times a game,” Brandon said with a laugh. “I’d love to throw it every down.”

The running game has also proven itself to the coaches whereas the passing game is still being worked on. The lack of consistent playmakers in 2006 has the coaching staff hoping their receivers step up.

“We just need to find another go-to guy besides Partridge,” Brandon said.

Partridge caught 55 of the 195 pass completions for BG last season and had 658 of the 2029 receiving yards in 10 games played.

A possible solution for that may be to use Chris Bullock and company as receiving weapons. Brandon acknowledged they have been lining the running backs up in the slot and having them catch passes out of the backfield, and it has gone well.

“They’ve really developed their receiving skills,” Brandon said. “I’m anxious to see that in a live game.”