10 things we learned from Falcons' rookie minicamp
FLOWERY BRANCH -- With the rookie minicamp over, coach Dan Quinn can return his focus to the offseason training program and the OTAs, which are set to start later this month.
The front office will get back to hammering out a new contract for wide receiver Julio Jones.
Here are 10 things we learned from rookie minicamp:
- Safety Terrell Floyd, who was dehydrated on Friday and taken to the hospital in a Hall County Ambulance, rejoined the team near the end of Friday's practice and will get looped back into the offseason program today.
- Even though the media wasn't allowed to watch the actual practice, several onlookers and players said the pace was fast and furious. Coach Quinn and his staff were trying to get the rookies used to a pro-styled practice.
- The play was shoddy on Friday with a lot of footballs on the ground. Even the center snaps were an adventure. Things improved from there. "The guys worked really hard," Quinn said.
- Jonathon Mincy, who played at Auburn and Southwest DeKalb High, and Mark Huffer, a tackle from South Dakota, were impressive enough to get signed after receiving tryouts. The Falcons waived defensive tackle Chris Brown (Tarleton State), cornerback Jordan Ozerities (Central Florida) and wide receiver Joshua Stangby (Ottawa).
- Rookie wide receiver Justin Hardy can't wait to start working with Roddy White and Julio Jones.
- Rookie running back Tevin Coleman ran hard and fast. Reports that he's a perfect fit for the outside-zone running system were not exaggerated. "You really felt his speed," Quinn said.
- The defense's speed picked up over the camp. "The speed to the ball was better (on the second day)," Quinn said. "We were really emphasizing that in our meetings."
- The Falcons signed five of their seven picks. First-round pick Vic Beasley and third-round pick Coleman are expected to sign soon. "The way that things are slotted with the new (collective bargaining agreement), it just makes it a lot easier to be expeditious with the whole thing," Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff said.
- Front office focus shifts to Julio Jones' contract situation. "That's where we'll continue to focus right now,' Dimitroff said. "He's an important part of making sure that we get things accomplished in the relatively near future." From that, you sense that the Falcons would like to have a deal done before training camp starts.
- Seventh-round pick Akeem King is pretty versatile and said he believes he can play corner, nickel or safety for the Falcons. Here's his take on the defensive scheme. "It's pretty basic," King said. "Just don't get beat deep. Cover three and man."
ROOKIE MINICAMP VIDEOS
VIDEO: Meet Falcons 2nd round pick CB Jalen Collins
VIDEO: Meet Falcons 5th round pick DT Grady Jarrett
About the Author
Honored by the Pro Football Hall of Fame in recognition of his "long and distinguished reporting in the field of pro football," D. Orlando Ledbetter, Esq. has covered the NFL 28 seasons. A graduate of Howard University, he's a winner of Georgia Sportswriter of the Year and three Associated Press Sports Editor awards.
