Quinn on highlights from first padded practice

Opening statement:

“Today was another transition for us, especially the rookies and not so much for the veterans. This is our first time training in pads and getting ready. I thought it was a good practice. We’ve been trying to put some more situations in today. I’m sure you saw we had a competition and wherever the play ended up we went into third down. At the end of the field we work in the red zone. That’s an area that we’re going to spend more time in and it’s an area that we identified in the offseason we wanted to spend more time in our preps. Good battling back and forth, so I was pleased with the effort like most practices. There were some wins and losses, and we tried to feature some guys in one-on-ones. I thought it would be a good chance to get an evaluation on that as well.”

On keeping the players controlled in their first padded practice:

“That was one of the topics this morning. It’s just another part of our practice. Don’t lose your mind and let’s go ball. Now we just get to play it at an even higher intensity. Rule number one, protect the team, still is in effect.

On Julio Jones doing individual work:

“We really wanted to see him explode, push off of it, and make him feel comfortable doing that. He was great doing that, so we anticipate him getting back in the mix pretty soon.”

On Jalen Collins:

“Jalen did make some plays on the ball. We really wanted to see him battle at both outside and at nickel. He’s really done a good job. The last two days what’s really jumped out to me is the finish at the end of the plays and the reach that he has to go poke. We’re going to keep looking for those matchups, but I’m pleased with what I’ve seen right now.”

On seeing more tenacity from Collins:

“Just through the evaluation from the offseason we said you have to go for it. We want to see you finish on plays and challenge. You’ve got the speed; you’ve got the length, and now allow all that stuff to come through. Last offseason, we didn’t go through this because he had a foot surgery, so we challenged him right from the beginning of the offseason about how good he can get his technique. It’s been nice to see him jump in here at training camp with a lot of urgency. He’s in a good place, and he’s really working at it hard.”

On the possibility of Alex Mack being injured:

“Not that I’m aware of. I guess normal battling especially with the world that he lives in. He really takes great care of his body, so I anticipate him being back there. If there’s anything there, I’ll be sure to report it.”

On the team’s edge pressure:

“It’s something that we evaluate each day. There will be highs and lows in all of the stuff that we’re doing, so the one-on-ones I’m looking at. It was our first day of pads. When we do it in a five on four group, that’s really what I want to see and dig in, because we’re not going to get near the quarterback. I was pleased with the get off that I saw. It’s something that we’re looking at hard every day. We’re going to keep getting on that.”

On when Julio Jones will be back at full:

“I’m not going to rush it, but I think it will be sooner than later. I don’t necessarily have a ‘he has to be by tomorrow or it has to be by Tuesday,’ but I’d be surprised if it wasn’t tomorrow or Tuesday. But I don’t have that date in mind to say it has to be by Tuesday.”

On his evaluation of Keanu Neal:

“I think he’s off to a good start. It was nice to see him in all the tight end matchups that we could get today. We know the physicality he brings. I think that part of his game will now come to light more, now that we’re in padded practices. More importantly, the learning is taking place for him and he’s working extremely hard at it.”

On which position is impressing with their fundamentals:

“The linebackers as a unit have really embraced the teaching. Coach Jeff Ulbrich, the linebacker coach, is one who I think is an expert teacher at it. I think that group between him and Marquand Manuel, the linebackers and defensive backs, they work at it every single day. The strike zone hits and the leverage tackling. I’d say those two groups have been gaining the most from it.”

On the comfort level of having Matt Schaub behind Matt Ryan:

“He’s really come through in a number of times in OTAs and minicamp, and then the throws that he makes. I think you saw an excellent one to Devonta Freeman on the first day of camp. He’s also got a real coolness about him. When the pressure’s on, he kind of looks at it and smiles and says alright here’s what we’re going to do, and that’s ensuring feeling know that that’s an important job for us. We couldn’t be more thrilled that Matt’s here with us.”

On Tevin Coleman:

“I don’t think I’ve seen the change just at training camp. I think it’s the energy he brought in for the entire offseason program. There’s a life about him when you’re around him and the energy he brings. The balance we have there is awesome. It’s that energy he brings each day. I’m sure the second time you go through it, myself included, there’s a lot of experience you gain so there’s some expectations.”

On Mohamed Sanu and the other receivers behind Julio Jones:

“Mohamed for sure had a nice day today with some good catches. Justin Hardy for sure. Alridrick Robinson is one that we’re certainly looking at, so he’s also in that spot. That competition between Hardy and Sanu behind Julio, they are digging very hard. Those would be a few that jumped out to me.”

On importance in trying to strip the ball:

“In that part of our practice, we’re very fortunate that when these two running backs get out on the perimeter they are a handful. They are going to test you in every single way, and that’s both Devonta and Tevin. More to that effect is that he can full speed cut, so that’s the kind of training that we need. We’ve got to go against guys who battle and play in space. So much of our game is that way now and when you play zone defense you’re going to be in space, so you better be able to close and do that with some demeanor. Now that our pads are here, that physicality and shoulder punch that we’ll put with it will make it all start come to life.”

On if he liked what he saw in the red zone drills:

“I did, and more than anything it was just an opportunity when it got close, let’s just see where it goes. There was a fourth-and-one opportunity. I was hoping that would script. Sometimes as a coach I can cheat a little bit and make it happen and other times those opportunities will come and get some pressure on. In the last one again, a third down-and-nine play and Schaub did a nice rip inside to [Devin] Fuller for a touchdown. So there’s good battle for it, and we’ll do a lot of work in the red zone.”

On limiting the physicality of practice: