Falcons' DeCoud close to landing starting spot

By D. ORLANDO LEDBETTER

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Flowery Branch — Falcons safety Thomas DeCoud keeps his little green book locked up in the basement of his house.

He hopes it will come in handy later, after he lands a starting position with the Falcons and goes on to a long career in the NFL.

But for now, the California graduate who has a degree in business marketing will have to put his TV commercial-writing career on hold. DeCoud, a third-round pick in 2008, needs to perform well doing the preseason to earn that starting position.

Last season, was a watch-and-learn time for DeCoud. He didn’t take part in a play from scrimmage, but he played on special teams, making five tackles in 10 games. He was inactive for five games and did not play in the season opener.

“It was just one of those things that I had to persevere through,” DeCoud said. “I just came back, and when it was my turn to get back up, I tried to make the most of my opportunities.”

During the offseason, the Falcons did not re-sign veteran safety Lawyer Milloy, a decision that provided an opening in the secondary. Erik Coleman, last season’s free safety, was moved over to Milloy’s old strong safety spot, creating the opening for DeCoud. He was listed as the No. 1 player free safety on the depth chart released by the team Tuesday.

“I’ve got a larger grasp of the defense,” DeCoud said. “I’ve ironed out a lot of the intricacies in the defense. I really know what’s going on around me, and I’m able to line guys up when they are in the wrong place.”

However, DeCoud is going to need a strong preseason showing to hold onto the position.

The Falcons drafted William Moore in the second round this season. He’s out for two to three weeks with a knee injury and is listed No. 2 behind Coleman.

If DeCoud is not playing well and Moore is ready, the Falcons could slide Coleman back to his old job and insert Moore at strong safety.

The Falcons will take a good look at him in the preseason as they try to get him, and a few other young players, as much exposure as possible.

“We’re going to have to be smart with it and not overdo it, in terms of how many snaps they are going to get in the preseason,” coach Mike Smith said. “It’s very important for Thomas and a number of guys on [defense] to get significant playing time in the preseason.”

While DeCoud is chasing his football dreams, he’ll put his commercial writing on hold.

“I had an idea when Old Spice had the campaign, ‘the strongest scent is tied to memory,’” DeCoud said. “I had an idea where Lois Lane walks past Clark Kent at the [Daily Planet] and she gets a whiff of him. She flashes back and remembers all of the times she got saved by Superman. That’s how she discovers his identity.”

Catchy? Might work.

But we’ll have to wait to get the rest of what’s in DeCoud’s little green book. You know, he has to protect his ideas from copyright infringement.

“My little green notebook has all of my little secret ideas in it,” DeCoud said. “I’m going to keep those under wraps. I gave you that Superman one for free.”