Coleman assumes Falcons' strong safety spot

By D. ORLANDO LEDBETTER

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution


Flowery Branch -- Erik Coleman, the Falcons’ top returning tackler, has been moved over to Lawyer Milloy’s old strong safety spot on the defensive unit.

Thomas DeCoud, the second-year safety, is being groomed to assume Coleman’s old free safety spot.

This is a major shift for Coleman, who will now call most signals and play closer to the line of scrimmage in running situations.

“In the past, I’ve always been interchangeable,” Coleman said. “I’ve been able to play free and strong. Playing strong safety, you have to be in tune to all of the run fits.”

DeCoud has shown good range and will have over-the-top responsibility in some deep zone coverages.

Coleman was third on the team in tackles last season behind Milloy and former linebacker Keith Brooking. He will have an enforcer’s role and must also be “in the same communication chain” with the linebackers.

“I feel like its more responsibility and I’m excited about it,” Coleman said.

DeCoud, a third round pick from California in 2008, played mostly on special teams last season and was inactive for five games.

“He’s got all of the physical skills, the speed and ball skills,” Coleman said. “He’s been playing well.”


Lofton returns

Linebacker Curtis Lofton, who suffered a hamstring injury last week, returned to practice Monday.

“It was killing me over there on the sidelines,” Lofton said. “I’m glad I got back out there today.”

Lofton was cautious during his return.

“I just want to take it slow,” he said. “I don’t want to over-exert it.”

Also, defensive tackle Trey Lewis (knee) returned to practice.

Running back Jason Snelling was held out of the morning practice but took part in the afternoon special teams session.

“That was precautionary from the incident there in the scrimmage on Friday night,” Smith said.

Snelling took a big hit from safety Jamaal Fudge in the scrimmage at Brookwood High on Friday.


Booker arrives

Wide receiver Marty Booker, who signed with the team on Thursday, reported for his first practice.

“I’m just trying to get in and play catch-up,” Booker said.

He was added along with wide receiver Robert Ferguson last week. Both were signed the day after Harry Douglas was lost for the season with a torn knee ligament.

Booker, who was in the Pro Bowl in 2002 when he played for Chicago, was impressed with second-year quarterback Matt Ryan.

“It’s good to finally get to play with a pretty good quarterback,” Booker said. “If you look at my career and my stats, the 11 years that I’ve been in the NFL, I think I’ve had like 20 different starting quarterbacks.”

Ryan caught Booker’s attention last season when the Falcons beat the Bears.

“I saw it first-hand last year, when I was in Chicago, with the way these guys came back and beat us in the last second,” Booker said.