Falcons coach Dan Quinn addressed the media after the team’s open OTA practice on Tuesday.
Here’s what he had to say:
Opening Statement:
“It was particularly good for us coming off a long weekend. The guys totally came back with the right attitude and approach. I couldn’t have asked for more out of them on this day, the competition and battling for it. It was a terrific way to start the week. We had a new install again today and we’ll do that again tomorrow, and then work into some red zone again at the end of the week. We’re kind of following that format where we’re trying to emphasize some more things, some more third downs, and some more red zones. We felt like coming off the season that was some areas that we wanted to improve on, so we’ve definitely hit that hard.”
On how the end of game situations went:
“We made a big emphasis today on the end of the half. We did everything under a minute and it was an area we want to just keep continuing to work at. It happened almost 30 times, in terms of two minutes at the end of the half or end of the game. We’re going to continue to nail that and keep working opportunities to do that. We do it a lot. We showed some of the film when this could happen in the team meetings. We showed one today from Dallas and one from San Francisco at the half. We showed some other teams as well and then when we created the ones today. It came up great at the end of the game, no timeouts and had to work what we call sliders and had to work most out of bounds plays. Those are some of the most competitive parts of practice. One on one, let’s go for it.”
On putting the rookies out there a little more today:
“There’s a number of the guys that we wanted to find out let’s see what they have and how well they can learn and there were some busts for sure and that’s part of it. You have to kind of go through that frustration, ‘I missed the call or I missed where I’m supposed to be.’ We did some with De’Vondre Campbell and Deion Jones on defense. We did some with Wes Schweitzer and Keanu Neal, so we’re just still trying to find out. Then the other guys who although are veterans haven’t been part of this system that’s Alex Mack, Mohamed Sanu, Sean Weatherspoon are some guys we wanted to get some extra turns in as well. Where are they at with their development and picking up the system?”
On what he’s been seeing out of the linebacker core:
“The communication is the key to playing, especially in the way that we play where there’s a safety rotation down. ‘Where’s my gap and what’s my alerts that come up?’ Learning that communication, soft spoken by nature, but that doesn’t mean you have to be quiet on the field. I’ve been pleased with De’Vondre so far, in terms of his communication.”
On whether he sees there’s more to give in the run game this year:
“We certainly expect that running back room to develop even more. Certainly, Tevin Coleman was humble. He had some fumbles and still averaged over four yards a carry. We know the injuries were a factor, and I love it when a guy’s challenged and comes back on a mission and that’s certainly been the case with him. He’s fit, strong, and he’s been catching the ball well out of the backfield. He’s a man here with something to prove and he’s certainly off to that start.”
On Tevin Coleman returning kicks at practice:
“Possibly as kick-off return. That speed and making one cut is similar to playing running back so if he can add another value to the team that is certainly something we’ll look at.”
On Nick Rose showing off his strong leg today:
“He definitely has the strong leg, so we’re going to keep challenging from the long kicks to the short ones and then where every kick’s the same. Where he wants to show how long he can kick it, I want to see how consistent he can kick it so that’s been the message.”
On where they are injury wise:
“From an injury standpoint, there’s no update from last week so this week will be much the same. Some guys will be limited that will be Adrian Clayborn and Grady Jarrett will still be out with the tendonitis. For the other guys, there’s no change in the injury report from last week to this week.”
On what he hopes to get out of meeting with Dwight Freeney:
“Well, number one, just our connection to see if we would be a good fit for one another. I’ve certainly coached against him and watched tons of tape on him through the years and a huge amount of respect. For a chance for us to sit down and visit will be the most important thing for him and for us. He won’t work out on his visit here.”
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