FAIRHOPE, Ala. – Former Falcons defensive backs coach Alvin Reynolds, an original member of head coach Mike Smith's staff, was fired, the team announced on Monday.
The Falcons have been undergoing an intensive review of their football operations since they were blown out 24-2 by the New York Giants in the wild-card round of the NFL playoffs on Jan. 8.
Reynolds, who’s coached in the NFL for 18 seasons, became the fifth coach from last season’s staff to either be fired or leave for another job. He was responsible for coaching the safeties.
With Reynolds’ departure, the Falcons are looking for three assistant coaches for the quarterbacks, offensive line and safeties.
Reynolds has also coached with Jacksonville, Carolina and Baltimore.
Saban on Jones
Alabama coach Nick Saban attended the South's practice at Fairhope Municipal Stadium. He said he wasn't surprised that Falcons rookie wide receiver Julio Jones turned in a strong year and led the rookie class with eight touchdowns.
“He’s focused on what he wants to do,” said Saban, who coached Jones at Alabama. “He stays focused on the things that are going to affect his performance and he’s very mature about it. It doesn’t surprise me at all that he had a great year as a rookie. A lot of people criticized the Falcons for moving up to pick him. I think it was worthwhile for them and I think he proved them very much right.”
Saban on Paterno
Saban said that he considered former Penn State coach Joe Paterno a friend and that his death was a loss for college football.
“I can’t say enough about what he did for college football and his dedication to college football," Saban said. "I don’t think anybody can; for the success that he had and the impact that he had and how he affected other people.”
Boykin has strong practice
Georgia cornerback Brandon Boykin had a strong first practice for the South team. He drew praise for Redskins defensive back coach Raheem Morris after breaking up one pass.
“Nice job Boykin, way to get down hill,” Morris said.
Boykin has interviewed with seven teams already, including the Falcons, Carolina and Philadelphia.
He felt his first day of practice went well.
“I was kind of getting acclimated back in that football shape," Boykin said. "It was my first time putting the pads on in about a month.”
The tight end group
The Falcons are expected to play close attention to the tight end group. Future Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez signed a one-year extension and his heir-apparent doesn't appear to be on the roster.
All of the players went through the official measurements and weigh-in on Monday morning.
The tight ends for the North squad are Missouri's Michael Egnew (6-foot-5, 251 pounds), Massachusetts' Emil Igwenagu (6-1, 245) and Michigan State's Brian Linthicum (6-3, 249).
The tight ends for the South squad are LSU's DeAngelo Peterson (6-2, 230), Alabama's Brad Smelley (6-1, 233) and Louisiana-Lafayette's LaDarius Green (6-5, 237).
They also measured the players’ hands, arms and wingspan. Green had the biggest hands (size 10) of the tight ends and wingspan (81 ¾ inches). Igwenagu had the longest arms of the group (33 1/8 inches).
“I’m approaching [the Senior Bowl] with a physical mindset,” Green said. “I have got to be physical on the line. Everybody said they can see that I can run routes and can see that I can catch, but I’ve got to block.”
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