AJC > Sports > Falcons > Training Camp Blog > Archives > 2007 > May
May 2007
Wrapping it up at The Branch
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Some sights, sounds, thoughts and fun items as minicamp winds down at The Branch:
Owner Arthur Blank was out for Sunday’s practice, and lined up close enough to some of the drills to prompt flashbacks of last-season’s training camp injury to mind. Remember, when he sustained a torn rotator cufff after getting slammed by Fred McCrary?
“This is where Mrs. Blank wanted to spend the first half of Mother’s Day,” Blank said later, toward the end of drills. “At practice.”
After that, Mrs. Blank was to be treated to brunch.
Without pads, it’s hard to get a feel for how the defensive line shapes up for the time being, especially first-round pick Jamaal Anderson.
Defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer said the 6-foot-6 ex-Razorback “shows flashes” of why they valued him so highly, but contact work in preseason camp will be needed to get the fuller picture. The same goes for the interior linemen, whose ranks are depleted by the absences of Rod Coleman and Grady Jackson.
As for last year’s top pick, Jimmy Williams, Zimmer said “he looks like the kind of guy we’re looking for at safety.” His strong suit is considered to be run coverage.
He’s moving there after the Falcons drafted Arkansas cornerback Chris Houston in the second round. Houston had some moments lining up with the first-team defense Sunday. But he’d probably rather forget biting and missing a try at a pick on a sideline route. Joe Horn danced quite a few yards with plenty of open field ahead of him.
D.J. Shockley’s got plenty of company in the quarterbacking corps behind Michael Vick, but the former UGA player is sporting some different technique throwing the ball. Instead of a wide arc-like windup out of the snap, he’s working on a more textbook football throwing motion.
Newly signed Joey Harrington and Chris Redman have the mechanics down, but showed some glimpses of their drawbacks. Harrington wasn’t consistent throwing the ball down the field, got intercepted by Allen Rossum after badly overthrowing Roddy White. Redman, who knows Petrino’s offensive schemes from Louisville, had a bullet pass easily picked off in short coverage.
Michael Vick still shows some tendencies to hold on to the ball for a long time, even when he’s got an open receiver. One one play he stayed in the pocket for a good while, then bounced a pass toward Laurent Robinson, who had come back for the ball.
Robinson’s been earning raves all weekend, but after messing up a route got the full treatment from Petrino. Before the coach could yank off his cap and get in the rookie’s grill, White quickly counseled him on his error.
The placekicking game is considered competitive between new signees Billy Cundiff and Aaron Elling. But Elling didn’t help himself by badly missing two close field goal attempts, wide right. If he were a golfer they’d be spectacular slices. He did nail his subsequent kick, an extra point that sailed over the netting and the camera crew filming up high.
This may have been mentioned in a previous entry of Blog That Kick, but rookie safety Daren Stone has some serious hops. While at the University of Maine, the sixth-round pick cultivated a hobby of leaping cars in a single bound.
Not the hoods of cars. The roofs — of sizable American sedans. Watch his technique here and here.
Doesn’t even need the Fosbury Flop. I don’t know if Stone will make the team, but that might be as nifty a display of physical skill as anything at minicamp this weekend.
Our own D. Orlando Ledbetter cornered Petrino after practice to get the former high school point guard’s all-time All-NBA team for the AJC’s daily newspaper featured Gimme 5.
I won’t spill all the beans here — check the top of page two of the sports section in the coming days for all the names — but one of Petrino’s faves is none other than Atlanta-born World B. Free.
Gotta love it! Anbody who thinks the halcyon days of pro basketball have been in more recent decades is missing the glory of the ’70s, when the NBA took the best of the rollicking ABA, including a more free-spirited flair, and laid the foundation for what’s come since.
Didn’t mean to get off-topic — or off-sport — but I couldn’t pass that one up.
Gibson trying to catch on
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Flowery Branch — Fred Gibson glided into the end zone on a downfield passing drill Sunday as easily as the ball thrown by D.J. Shockley dropped into his hands. Perfect timing, all around.
And Gibson held on. Defender beaten. Touchdown. No signs of Gators anywhere.
His motor couldn’t stop revving, though, as he scuttled up a small hill toward the observation bleachers before smoothly putting on the brakes inches from the metal.
“Woooooooooooooo!” Gibson blared out, just like it was old times in Athens.
Ever since he left the Georgia Bulldogs following the 2004 season, Gibson has been looking for a football home. After his play at the three day Falcons minicamp, he’s got some reason to believe he could find one here.
He’s been one of the more notable surprises coming out of the camp, although he’s vying for a roster spot at a crowded position. It’s a talented, speedy group of receivers (some of whom share his penchant for ill-timed drops) but he feels he’s as prepared as he has ever been for such a chance. His best shot, he believes, is to win a place on special teams.
“I just take every day very seriously,” said Gibson, who was released by the Miami Dolphins in February after spending two seasons there on the practice squad. “I’ve been making big plays.”
There’s quite an array of big-play talent already on hand, especially with the addition of veteran Joe Horn. Michael Jenkins, Roddy White and Adam Jennings return from last season, draftee Laurent Robinson is a keeper, and Brian Finneran is back after missing last season with a knee injury.
Gibson knows the numbers are against him at that position, so “I have to stand out on special teams. I’ve got to fit in wherever I can fit in. Just showing up every day, making plays, that’s what I’ve got to do.”
His situation is a big comedown after being drafted in the fourth round by the Steelers in 2005 and signed to a three-year contract as a possible replacement for Plaxico Burress. But Gibson was released in training camp as Pittsburgh — which would win the Super Bowl that season — was generally unimpressed.
He didn’t get on the field for the Dolphins in the two seasons he was there during the Nick Saban regime, but said staying in an NFL environment kept him sharp. And encouraged.
“There’s such a big difference between college and pro, no doubt about it,” he said. “It’s totally different. I think I understand that a lot better now.”
He’s one of seven former Bulldogs attending the minicamp, and getting to hook up with Shockley was sweet.”In the huddle, D.J. just gave me the eye,” Gibson said.
Even sweeter would be sticking around.
“I’m sure the fans would love to see number 82 again at the Georgia Dome.”
Petrino: ‘We got a lot done’
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Flowery Branch — The Falcons minicamp concluded rather uneventfully Sunday, a dramatic reversal from Friday’s circus atmosphere surrounding Michael Vick.
Instead of 60 or so newshounds at the start of the workouts, less than half dozen media looked on during a rather quiet Mother’s Day, including our Steve Wyche and D. Orlando Ledbetter. There were nearly as many Falcons media representatives holding out microcassettes during the interviews.
Even traffic to this reclusive patch of outer Gainesville was a breeze — less than an hour from Marietta. Only the meanderings of a frightened deer out onto I-985 near the I-85 split was cause for commuting alarm on a still Sunday morning.
There was just one practice today, which broke up around noon, and with no major casualties to report. The only player who didn’t look good coming off the field was free agent defensive end David Patterson, a rookie from Ohio State, who walked off very gingerly halfway through the session and didn’t return.
The only Grady Jackson sighting was on the other side of a thick window in the Falcons’ compound as he looked out on the proceedings, breaking into a big grin for a moment.
Warrick Dunn got a little more time in drills today, which head coach Bobby Petrino made note of that in his post-practice comments.
Five practices in three days, in which the coaches “threw a lot” at the players. Now comes a summer of detailed film breakdowns to analyze what everyone did as the staff sharpens its preparations for the start of training camp in August.
“We got a lot done,” Petrino said. “Defensively we had a good day today … they improved a lot from Saturday.
But …
“We’ve got a long way to go.” He was talking about the entire team.
That was the general theme echoed by his coordinators as a new staff has come in to usher the Falcons through a transition, with a new offensive scheme, a different philosophy on the offensive line, a lot of new personnel on the defensive side of the ball, among other things.
Once again this is a franchise in flux in terms of personnel, philosophy and approach to meeting owner Arthur Blank’s unchanging demands.
Asked to state his concerns, Petrino smiled and said: “I’m never going to tell you anything that’s not good.”
He found a lot to like after getting his first closeup look at his new team.
The offensive line, he said, “is getting a good feel.” The secondary “looks like it understands” the schemes being taught. “I’m happy with how we’re getting the ball down the field.”
As for the drafted newcomers, “I like our rookie group. They’re not intimidated. They’ve fit some of the needs we really have.”
A lot to take in, and a lot to absorb. Steve Wyche will have more in tomorrow’s paper (and which will be posted tonight on ajc.com) about “What We Learned.”
I’ll post later this afternoon on some specific areas the Falcons are addressing, toss out some more observations of today’s practice and relay my conversation with former UGA wide receiver Fred Gibson, who’s fighting for a place on the team.
Stay tuned.
Blank expressions
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
If he harbours any grave concerns about his team or its star quarterback, Mike Vick, Falcons owner Arthur Blank kept them concealed while visiting the team’s practice Saturday afternoon.
Dressed in sneakers, shorts and a clingy workout shirt, Blank played the role of casual observer over the proceedings that were moved to the stifling indoor practice barn due to inclement weather. He exchanged brief, cordial words with new head coach Bobby Petrino at midfield and monitored progress at the different stations where position players drilled before actual scrimmaging began.
He also devoted time for small talk with his current and prospective defensive standouts: DEs John Abraham, and Jamaal Anderson, and LBs Michael Boley and Keith Brooking. On the sidelines, he engaged GM Rich McKay in casual conversation as well.
With Vick snapping laser-guided passes to his receivers, and spirited bursts by the running back rotation, Blank looked like a man without a care in the world.
With the practice moved indoors, better glimpses were available. Take the on-field distance Petrino tends to keep from his players, and multiply that five-fold to know what it’s like trying to guage what’s going on under his rules. Whatever.
Some observations:
1) Pro Bowl cornerback DeAngelo Hall returned to practice Saturday afternoon after being helped off the field (looking a bit dazed) during the morning session. But Hall was not his normal, high-spirited self.
2) There must be something more to the disgruntled defensive tackle Grady Jackson _ who’s attending the mandatory mini-camp but not participating in drills or scrimmages _ than just his space-eating girth. Though he filed suit against the team for divulging medical information about him, Jackson hasn’t been cut dealt or released, yet. Someone of his size and run-stopping ability will be needed to keep blockers off of Brooking. Taking snaps in his place Saturday was the brutish Alabama product, Anthony Bryant. At 6-foot-3, 337 pounds, Bryant is just a few biggie-sized meals shy of Jackson’s (6-2, 345) wide body. And Bryant showed dancing bear-like nimbility of feet.
3) Anderson, the first-round draft pick out of Arkansas (6-6, 262) is one heck of a block-shedding corner presence. This, without pads and full contact, mind you.
4) The competition for the role of backup to Pro Bowl TE Alge Crumpler (who is recovering from corrective surgery and not practicing) will be fierce. Crumpler’s been the model pro, in a supportive sense, it bears mentioning. Meanwhile, the UGA product Martez Milner looks strong and sharp and relatively sure-handed. And onlookers are marveling at the speed, hands and muscle packed on by second-year Cal-Davis product Daniel Fells.
5) At this point, the Falcons are indeed practicing as if Vick will be there for them at the start of the season. He took the lion’s share of scrimmage snaps Saturday afternoon.
Storms brewing
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The assembled press _ basicly, me, our two esteemed Falcons beat writers Steve and D.Led and the photographer Ben _ has just been informed that a major weather system’s heading for Flowery Branch and the Saturday afternoon session will move into the unventilated indoor practice. Tempers could flare in there. Hardly the most comfy of confines.
And owner Arthur Blank’s custom SUV just pulled onto the premises. This could get interesting…
Quick reaction to some of your questions:
Chris Redman…the former Louisville quarterback brought into camp as a free agent doesn’t look to be a serious threat to D.J. Shockley’s position as the No. 3 QB. He may know more about how coach Petrino likes things done than the others, but no one is whispering about him being an up-and-comer.
Brian Finneran…was out on the field running 100-yard “sprints” at three-quarters speed Saturday. His recovery from a torn ligament can be summed up this way: His left calf muscle is about twice the size of his right.
Stephen Nicholas…the rookie linebacker from South Florida is being characterized as someone with excellent lateral speed and the ability to chase down the ball from sideline to sideline.
Joe Horn…the former New Orleans wide receiver is being treated as a true Falcons; a longtime Falcon even. Early on in practice Saturday morning, a coach was heard shouting, “Show some leadership out here, Joe Horn! Let’s get everybody going!”
Jamaal Anderson…the DE the Falcons used their first-round draft pick on looms large even though he’s currently running with the second-teamers. In agility drills, his quick feet and head-up running style were marvels to watch.
Jimmy Williams…best he’s being moved into a safety position because the fast and hungry receivers in camp are exposing his limited coverage skills.
Fred Gibson…is fairing well against perhaps the stiffest competition on the field for a roster spot. All the receivers - vets and rookies alike - are playing like their lives are at stake. Gibson’s catching just about everything thrown his way, but will that be enough?
Speed thrills
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Expect to read and hear more about the Falcons’ third-round WR draft pick Laurent Robinson. This kid out of Illinois State has the goods in terms of athleticism, quicks, hands and desire.
On Friday, the first day of mini-camp, Robinson had been matched up against players of lesser coverage skills. And he thoroughly abused them.
On Saturday, before Pro Bowl cornerback DeAngelo Hall went down with a head injury and had to be helped off the field, Robinson squared off with him and handled himself well.
Coach Bobby Petrino has described Robinson as a legitimate deep threat. And here’s part of the reason why: Robinson’s flashing the skills to quickly get separation and go long but, more importlantly, he goes up and GETS THE BALL. Consistently.
And it’s not a flukey kind of acrobatics that the 6-foot-2, 195-pounder’s displaying.
“He’s very fast,” Petrino said Saturday. “The thing I like is his body’s always under control.”
Speaking of thrillers: Scribes assigned here for mini-camp are killing some time during the three-hour breaks between sessions by watching and commenting on the highlight reel footage of backup running back Jerious Norwood and rookie safety Daren Stone that someone’s posted on the Web.
Norwood’s packed on some serious upper body muscle since last season and it hasn’t diminished his quickness. The key to his elusiveness (about 6 yards per carry last season) may this: It looks as if his feet scarcely leave the ground as he darts and cuts. A slight cause for concern, from this vantage point at least, is that when he does come into contact with defenders, Norwood usually takes the hit up high.
Stone, a chiseled 220-pound specimen out of Maine, has been both on and off the practice field during this camp for some reason. But the Internet footage showing him running and leaping over parked cars speaks to his potential.
D-Hall takes a fall
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
FLOWERY BRANCH - The Falcons haven’t worked out in full pads during this weekend mini-camp, but that hasn’t prevented an elite member of the defensive corps from getting his bell rung.
New head coach Bobby Petrino addressed the media following Saturday morning’s practice session and said he still hasn’t determined the seriousness of the injury to Pro Bowl cornerback DeAngelo Hall that sent him walking gingerly with assistance to the locker room.
During a scrimmage between the starting offense and defense, Hall went down in a heap after attempting to break up a pass. The initial contact between Hall and the intended receiver appeared minor at first, but the collision caused Hall to fall face forward awkwardly. The scrimmage resumed as Hall lay motionless on the turf. Attendants eventually went to his aid and took about five minutes before lifting him to his feet.
“I think he’s okay,” Petrino said. “He flipped on top of a receiver and landed on his head a little bit. I don’t know if it’s anything serious.”
It remains to be see if Hall will participate in Saturday afternoon’s practice session.
Two down, three to go
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Day 1 of the first Falcons mini-camp under head coach Bobby Petrino is finito.
A steady drizzle came as a relief to players over the last 30 minutes of Friday afternoon’s practice. Petrino was a hand-clapping machine to keep everyone upbeat and moving.
Roddy White finally took the scuba fins off his hands and made some decent catches.
Rookie wideout Laurent Robinson continued to outshine him, though, with a string of high-degree-of-difficulty catches over return specialist Allen Rossum.
Joe Horn beat DeAngelo’s coverage for a healthy gain at one point. And WR Fred Gibson made some catches of note as well.
In answer to some of your questions….
It’s hard to tell at this stage what to make of the defensive line. Players are rotating in and out in the absence of Grady Jackson. And the defense mainly drills on a distant section of turf that’s been made off-limits to the media. More will be evident once full-contact drills commece.
The Falcons are without a doubt trying to beef up on the offensive line. They have five linemen who weigh in at 320-plus pounds on the mini-camp roster, and just as many others who are at least 300 pounds.
Former UGA linebacker Tony Taylor looks good in drills and has a good chance of catching on as some sort of hybrid special teams players, if not a backup/substitute for the injured LB Demorrio Williams.
And if anyone’s coddling QB Mike Vick, it’s not Petrino. Petrino was quick to let Vick hear it if he wasn’t getting plays called and launched quick enough. And Vick also got an earful about tucking the ball away on the few times he did run.
Snap judgments
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Almost time to dash back out onto the field for the second round of practice today.
I wonder how the semi-sweltering heat out here at the Branch will affect the tempo.
In his press conference between sessions, Petrino mentioned the importance of players going fast, but protecting each other. There’s a fair amount of contact going on and it’d be a shame to see someone go down due to a fluke trip, slip or shove.
One rookie RB prospect was already carted off the field during the morning session. Not allowed to provide any further details, however.
Here’s the question for serious football fans: What are you aching to know about this team now that minicamp’s underway?
I may not have all the answers (thank goodness beat writers Steve Wyche and D. Orlando Ledbetter are here to offer guidance) but at least I’ll have a clue what to focus on.
You all have to hash out the topics addressed previously today on your own. No blogging allowed DURING practice under the Petrino regime. (What, does he have a Blackberry tucked into his sock, or something?)
Anyway, here are some snap judgments I’ve made in this very early stage of minicamp; free association style…
Michael Vick = Cool, collected, somewhat more muscular
Joey Harrington = Deliberate, mechanical
D.J. Shockley = A millisecond off track with his throws
Jerious Norwood = Jack rabbit quick, elusive
Jimmy Williams = A work in progress
Brian Finneran = Not fully recovered
Joe Horn = Fast and furious
Roddy White = Looking expendable
Laurent Robinson = A keeper
John Abraham = Imposing
DeAngelo Hall = Waiting for the spotlight
Chris Houston = Ball hawk
Coach is cornered
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
New Falcons head coach Bobby Petrino staged his obligatory post-practice press conference a few minutes ago.
He had to field questions from the three dozen or so media members crammed inside the press room; eight camera crews included.
With a forced smile, Petrino deftly deflected questions about a possible suspension or even potential action QB Mike Vick might face.
As far as Vick’s on-the-job performance goes, Petrino had no complaints.
“He’s worked very hard,” Petrino said. What Petrino said he’s looking for from Vick is “consistency”; not building up to one terrific practice as he did in a previous mini-camp, but nailing his tasks in every practice.
To summarize the swirl of speculation around Vick, Petrino said: “It’s motivated him more.”
(I think it bears mentioning here that no one bothered to ask a single question about Joey Harrington, the QB recently acquired to serve as Vick’s backup. It’s as if he doesn’t register on anyone’s radar, yet.)
Petrino also had complimentary things to say about several other players - rookies and veterans alike - after the first practice.
He likes, for instance, the looks of former UGA tight end, Martrez Milner. Petrino mentioned, “the size, the ability to run block…Today he showed no problems with his hands at all.”
Other rookies on Petrino’s early pat-on-the-back list: DE Jamaal Anderson, “the body, the movement”; CB Chris Houston, “speed and quickness”; OG Justin Blalock, “very smart”; and WR Laurent Robinson, “I think he helps us as far as a deep threat goes.”
Veteran wideout Joe Horn continues to impress Petrino as well.
“I like his leadership and his toughness,” Petrino said. “I have to keep my eye on him to make sure he doesn’t take too many reps. He’s that kind of competitor.”
“Action Jackson” ain’t his name
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
While he’s on the grounds (somewhere, “rehabbing”, according to Petrino) the big nose tackle Grady Jackson isn’t taking part in today’s practice sessions. Nor will he participate in any of the five practices scheduled for this weekend.
“He’s not ready,” is as much as Petrino had to say in that regard. Attendance here is mandatory for every player on the roster. Actual participation in drills (see: Alge Crumpler, Brian Finneran) is not.
But the big, disruptive defensive end John Abraham did practice this morning and he said he’s “100 percent” recovered from the injuries that curtailed what looked at first like a promising ‘06 season.
Abraham’s having the Falcons’ first-round draft choice, DE Jamaal Anderson, tote his gear on and off the field. But he’s also assumed something of a mentoring role for the pass rusher from Arkansas.
“(Anderson) just needs to adjust to the speed of professional game,” Abraham said.
Can you (not) repeat the question?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
It’s a good thing the Falcons have better things to do than post comments on blogs.
They’re not acting concerned about character issues. Their minds are set on football.
Keith Brooking said it best after a barrage of questions about Mike Vick that he fended off like so many blocking backs: “If y’all want to ask me about playing middle linebacker, I’ll stand here and talk all day long. “
Asked if Vick’s situation was a distraction, Brooking parroted what other teammates are saying: “It’s not. At all.”
The bargain bins at Blockbuster are full of evidence that athletes don’t make very good actors. You sensed the sincerity when players like Brooking, DeAngelo Hall and Joe Horn all gave Vick their vote of confidence.
“I ride or die with my quarterback,” Horn said.
Reflecting on the 10 years of controversy and conflict he’s seen in various NFL locker rooms, Horn said: “You just have to show you can play through turmoil. ‘I’ve been there and done that.”
“We’re behind (Vick) 100 percent,” Hall said succinctly.
Vick sticks to the script
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
First practice of Falcons mini-camp is now in the books.
Sorry for the delay between posts, but with the new Petrino regime in place comes new rules. For instance: no blogging during practice. So it goes.
Judging from the sweat pouring off players as they exited the field, they felt fully put through their paces. Not that the workout made all of them especially short-winded; especially not new wideout Joe Horn. More on that later.
What all the news crews came out here for was a chance to confront QB Mike Vick. After practice, he came out contrite and polite, but insistent against answering any questions related to the investigations surrounding him on the advice of his attorney.
With an ridiculous number of microphones and cameras in his face, Vick proclaimed in summary: “Don’t plan on talking about me anymore unless it’s about football.”“
Before that, Vick mentioned that Falcons owner Arthur Blank had been “really bold” in giving his honest feelings about the swirl of controversy. Oh, to have been a fly on a wall in that meeting room.
Petrino’s on his way in to meet the press. More later…
The “Mora” things change…
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
One difference between a Jim Mora-led practice and a Bobby Petrino practice is already evident.
Pads are popping from the outset and coaches are barking like they own the players’ fates. This is no feel-good scenario brewing.
There’s far more snap in players’ steps than there was in the pre-season sessions I attended last summer.
Another difference: Petrino keeps his distance during calisthenics. No meandering around the talent, slapping backsides with a rolled-up playbook. No smiles. No small talk.
You get the sense that a hungry, collegiate work ethic’s being instilled.
And, unlike the Mora practices I’ve seen, this version of the Falcons does some extensive stretching before practice. Perhaps that will cut down on the nagging sort of injuries that plagued the team last year.
So far, Mike Vick’s moving with the urgency of an underclassman just trying to make the traveling squad.
Maximum exposure
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
This may only be a mini-camp the Falcons are conducting over the weekend, but there’s no shortage of media interest in it.
With fifteen minutes to go before the first session starts, the pressroom here at Flowery Branch is crammed with camera crewmen (some making snide pitbull remarks) and a couple of comely talking heads. This for a press conference that may or may not take place three hours from now.
Weather’s warm and sunny here at the Branch. Ideal practice conditions you’d think.
Overheard something interesting at the Exxon outside the complex: A raven-haired lass who I wound up trailing here to the facility was speaking incessantly into her cell phone. Her last words before cashing out were in reference to a certain veteran kicker trying to earn a spot on the team. “The way (player to remain nameless) and I see it, if he doesn’t have a great season, then, okay, this Atlanta experiment’s over. Let’s move on.”
Services »
