During the various camps and team activities in the weeks since the Falcons selected three linebackers in the draft, coach Mike Smith mentioned more than once that the rookies are on a steep learning curve.
The water has gotten even deeper during training camp for Prince Shembo, Marquis Spruill and Yawin Smallwood.
“The young guys are going through the normal rookie learning curve,” linebackers coach Glenn Pires said. “It’s hard on those guys learning what they have to do when we put things together now that pads are coming on.”
The Falcons drafted Shembo (Notre Dame) in the fourth round, Spruill (Syracuse) in the fifth and Smallwood (Connecticut) in the seventh. The Falcons were looking for linebacker depth after parting ways with veterans Stephen Nicholas in the off season; they need it even more after trading Akeem Dent and losing Sean Weatherspoon to a season-ending injury in June.
Shembo has stood out during practices but Pires cautioned that he’s got a lot to learn.
“He’s going to play with a lot of energy, but right now, he’s going through the learning curve,” Pires said. “Yes, he’s doing some good things. But he’s going to show up that way because that is just who he is. He’s an active and physical guy. The mental part is where he’s fighting through right now, which is where all of the other rookies are.”
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