Falcons cornerback Desmond Trufant knows he’s walking into the fire in his first NFL game.
The first-round pick is set to start against Saints quarterback Drew Brees, one of the game’s prolific passers, and he has a firm grip on the situation.
“I’m a rookie,” Trufant said. “It’s my first game. It’s a big game. I’m excited. Whatever comes my way, I’m going to be prepared for it.”
Trufant, who had a strong exhibition season, takes a realistic approach to the game.
“He’s going to complete some passes,” Trufant said. “I can’t expect to win, even though I want to, I can’t expect to win every battle.”
He’s already preparing himself on how to battle through any rough patches.
“I just have to keep working and never get down on my myself, good or bad play,” Trufant said. “You can make an interception, but they can still come at you and you can get beat the next play. That just comes with the territory in being a corner. You just have to believe in yourself.”
Trufant has received some advice from his brother Marcus Trufant, who’s a free agent after playing 10 seasons in the NFL.
“Just don’t make the game bigger than yourself,” Trufant said was the advice he was given. “Obviously, it’s going to be new me.”
But he’s seen Brees, who threw five interceptions when the Falcons and Saints last met.
“I’ve been watching him for years dominate the game,” Trufant said. “Now, I’m in the heat of battle. I’m just going to continue to prepare. I’ve been watching film, trying to do whatever I can to get a leg up.”
