Ryan debuts, Brooking among many changes
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Flowery Branch - The Falcons just finished the first of five mini-camp practices and there were a ton of interesting developments.
First off, there were hundreds - if not thousands - of fans on hands for the two-hour sessions and they were into it.
The part of practice that drew the biggest uproar were the one-one-on passing drills, which were very heated. Backup left cornerback Brent Grimes continues to show arguably the best man coverage ball skills and it appears the coaches are devising ways to get him on the field.
As for people being on the field, everyone was accounted for, including safety Jimmy Williams, who missed two of the three voluntary workouts at an April mini camp. Williams, once again worked as the third team free safety behind Erik Coleman and Antoine Harris, respectively.
I’ve made you wait long enough. Quarterback Matt Ryan made his debut and he made it as the third-team quarterback. This veteran coaching staff is going to make him earn his stripes. So, for now, he worked behind Chris Redman and Joey Harrington and rotated with D.J. Shockley. Shockley, who spent all last season on injured reserve after tearing the ACL in his left knee, participated in all drills and looked active and fairly sharp.
He did not wear any type of support brace on his knee unlike Ryan, who wore a brace on his left knee. Ryan said he wears the brace as a precaution. At Boston College, the coaches required the quarterbacks to wear a brace on their plant leg so Ryan said wearing the brace was out of habit.
Other players who were back from injury: WR Brian Finneran, OLB Michael Boley and TB Michael Turner. OT Todd Weiner and NT Trey Lewis, both recovering from knee operations, have not been medically cleared.
Coach Mike Smith said there were more positions open than at any point of his nine years in the NFL and some of the competition was already being staged. Rookie LT Sam Baker worked with the second unit behind Quinn Ojinnaka. Justin Blalock returned from right tackle to his natural spot at LG. Tyson Clabo worked as the starting right tackle, the position he held down for most of last season after Weiner got injured.
On defense, rookie Curtis Lofton and second-year Georgia product Tony Taylor rotated at middle linebacker. Keith Brooking returned to his natural spot at weakside linebacker. Coach Mike Smith said that a lot of the positions changes are experimental, although Brooking feels far more comfortable at weakside linebacker than inside.
Mandatory mini-camp opens
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Apparently the idea to open Coach Mike Smith’s first mandatory mini-camp is going to be big hit.
An hour before the team took the field, about 100 fans were already lined up alongside the practice field. The makeshift Falcons store had a line of about 20 people waiting to buy merchandise.
All of the kid toys were being inflated in the parking lot.
The whole scene has a little training camp feel to it.
Here are couple of things to look for when the team hits the field:
Will defensive back Jimmy Williams show up? (He scooted out a couple of days early from the optional mini-camp).
Who’s going to be on the offensive line? Will rookie Sam Baker go to left tackle with the No. 1 unit?
How far along are the injured players, Todd Weiner, Trey Lewis, Brian Finneran et al.
How will Matt Ryan do in the 7-on-7 drills?
Check back later as things progress.
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Ryan will determine if draft is solid
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Had some time to digest the draft and the post-draft interviews of Thomas Dimitroff and Michael Smith.
Here’s the bottom line: If Matt Ryan is a baller at quarterback, then this was a successful draft even though the Falcons virtually ignored the offensive and defensive lines.
Here’s some of the data the Falcons had on Ryan that swayed them to take him over LSU defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey.
• Of the Division I-A quarterbacks in the draft who started 24 or more games, Ryan won 76.5 percent of his 34 starts. Louisville’s Brian Brohm won 73.5 percent and Michigan’s Chan Henne won 72 percent of their starts.
• In “big games,” Ryan posted a 10-4 record (2-2 vs. Virginia Tech; 1-1 vs. Florida State; 3-0 vs. Clemson; 1-1 vs. Miami and 3-0 in Bowl Games).
• Before this draft, over his career Ryan only played with five players who were drafted by the NFL. USC’s John David Booty played with 19, Brohm played with 12 and Henne played with 12.
• In film review of Ryan’s play, the Falcons counted 54 dropped passes. Ryan completed 388 of 654 passes (59.3 percent). If his receivers had caught half (27) the drops, his completion percentage would have soared to 63 percent.
• Also, a friend who attended William Penn Charter High in Philadelphia told us to ask Ryan to sing the school’s fight song! It goes something like this, “Penn Charter, Penn Charter, Fight Harder, Fight Harder.”
• At least we know he’s going to “Fight Harder!!!”
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Falcons ignoring DL, OL needs
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Some themes are starting to develop as the Falcons move deep into their first draft under rookie general manager Thomas Dimitroff.
He’s picking major college players who were productive. It’s a strategy that Bill Polian, longtime president of the Indianapolis Colts has used throughout his career. It’s been successful with the Colts and in Buffalo.
The one disturbing thing about the Falcons draft thus far is that they have ignored their defensive tackle spot and after picking Sam Baker, haven’t addressed their offensive line issues.
Seems like they are confident that offensive line coach Paul Boudreau and defensive line coach Ray “Sugar Bear” Hamilton can whip their troops into shape. If all else fails on the defensive line, Big Grady Jackson is still available as a free agent. Maybe Rod Coleman will come back at a reduced rate when he gets healthy.
Maybe Sam Baker is good enough to block everybody.
Here’s a look at what they’ve done today:
Chevis Jackson, Louisiana State, CB, 5-11, 188 — Is a tough and rugged cornerback, but lacks top flight speed.
Harry Douglas, Louisville, WR, 5-11, 176 — A speed merchant from Jonesboro High with great running ability after the catch.
Thomas DeCoud, California FS, 6-1, 196 — Is considered hybrid safety. Has the range to play free safety and will come down into the box in run support.
Robert James, Arizona State, OLB, 5-10, 219 — The Sun Devils nation nicknamed him “The Beast” for his reckless style of play.
Kroy Biermann, DE, 6-3, 241—- Lone pick not from major conference. Played weakside linebacker at Hula Bowl.
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Dimitroff: Tough choice between Ryan and Dorsey
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff came out to address the selection of quarterback Matt Ryan with the No. 3 pick.
“We are definitely excited about Matt Ryan,” Dimitroff said. “Going forward, we’re excited about him being the quarterback of the future for the Atlanta Falcons.”
Dimitroff said the decision came down to Ryan or LSU defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey.
“We had options for sure and obviously as it has been written, Glenn Dorsey was a legitimate consideration,” Dimitroff said. “We respect the ability of both players. It came down to us, as far as a tipping point, us considering the value of that position and the need that we had. But most importantly we decided that the skill set that Matt Ryan possessed along with his intelligence and leadership ability, we were excited about going in that direction.”
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Go Finn, go Finn, go Finn!! I hope they truly give you a chance to show you can be back b/c you have the best hands & no one can run the fade in the end zone like you!! I am trying to back Ryan but it’s hard b/c I’m still so angry about... read the full comment by jeanE | Comment on Ryan debuts, Brooking among many changes Read Ryan debuts, Brooking among many changes
Connie We the fans dont care if the QB is BLACK or WHITE. We rallied behind CHRIS CHANDLER just the same as we did VICK. We just want a franchise that wins. I am not saying that MATT RYAN isn’t a good QB. I don’t follow college football... read the full comment by THE TRUTH HURTS | Comment on Ryan debuts, Brooking among many changes Read Ryan debuts, Brooking among many changes
Tron had it right Gold Standard. Buy yourself a jersey for K.C. and root those Chiefs on next year - We don’t need you as a Falcon fan. And take Truth Hurts with you. Hey Truth, you really need to work on that paranoia thing you got going on. Your... read the full comment by jim I | Comment on Ryan debuts, Brooking among many changes Read Ryan debuts, Brooking among many changes
Black & Gold: Eloquent. Truer words have never been spoken. I don’t know if keeping Kearney was possible with the cap and his age. Abraham and Anderson were the answer. I am not giving up on Jamal yet. I like our DT’s, but I... read the full comment by rmh | Comment on Ryan debuts, Brooking among many changes Read Ryan debuts, Brooking among many changes