While fans are generally disinterested the Falcons’ fourth and final exhibition game, coach Dan Quinn is super stoked.
Yes, even more so than usual.
About one-third of the more than 70,000 fans who purchased tickets did not show up for the Falcons’ home exhibition game against Arizona on Saturday. With the starters unlikely to play in tonight’s game against Jacksonville, another sparse crowd is expected.
But Quinn is looking forward to evaluating the reserves before the team had to cut down from 91 players to 53 by 4 p.m. Saturday.
“For a young player or a first-year player in the system, there’s still some thinking,” Quinn said. “Okay, on this play … I’m half a count behind. Whereas a guy who has had a couple thousand reps in the system, they should be pretty comfortable with their assignment and can hit it full speed. Another chance to get full speed reps is going to be an important one, and that’s why I love these (exhibition) season games. I really do.”
The game is at 7 p.m. at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Here are five things Quinn wants to see from the Falcons against the Jaguars:
1. Who's competing. Quinn is not so much worried about mistakes or execution errors. He wants to see players competing at their respective positions.
“I think some players’ competitiveness can get even better and stronger,” Quinn said. “They didn’t know where they could go to and now they’re finding out there is a spot I can go to. If that’s one more game or more time, that’s worthwhile because some of the players didn’t play a lot in this last game.
“They may have played a good bit in one, a good bit in two, and their reps decreased in three. We’re anxious to see some take that jump again to get into four.”
2. Rookies to lead. Quinn believes that rookies class will serve as leaders for the undrafted players on the field.
They’ve been together since rookie minicamp and several will get extended playing time.
The first-team offense and defense were getting them prepared for the game during Wednesday’s 43-minute walk-through.
Quinn said the game plan is simple by design. He doesn’t want the reserves out on the field over-thinking their assignments.
He wants to see how fast they can play assignment-sure football.
3. Riley's load. The Falcons are putting more and more on rookie linebacker Duke Riley's plate.
“That is generally how it goes, and sometimes it takes a player maybe all the way through an entire year just to make sure,” Quinn said. “I’ve got my assignment down. I’ve got my technique down before I can take the next step to become a ball hawk. Some are equipped to do it right away and it’s part of their DNA so to speak.”
The Falcons are comparing how quickly Riley is coming along to Keanu Neal and Deion Jones, who were rookie starters last season.
“I think Keanu Neal had it in that way last year,” Quinn said. “I feel like with Deion Jones it took longer to get to that spot, and now he does. Duke is one who I think has an awareness for it right away.”
4. Safety watch. Backup safeties Quincy Mauger, Marcelis Branch and Daron Washington are expected to get extended playing time. The Falcons are looking for help behind Ricardo Allen, Keanu Neal and Damontae Kazee. Sharod Neasman also has played well.
“I think there is room for the big safety,” Quinn said of the style of play in today’s NFL. “There are big tight ends so you better have somebody that can matchup strength wise and length wise on tight ends. That’s why Neal and (De’Vondre) Campbell are such important players for us. They have the strength to get on them and play it where a tight end can’t push off a smaller guy or body him.”
Quinn will be looking for depth or for players to continue to develop on the practice squad.
5. No injuries. Quinn has said that some starters won't play at all. Others will play a few snaps and others, who he feels need to get ready for the regular season, will play more.
Free safety Damontae Kazee (ankle), defensive end Martin Ifedi (ankle), running back Brian HIll (ankle) and offensive tackle Austin Pasztor (pectoral muscle) have been declared out of the game.
ATLANTA FALCONS 2017 EXHIBITION SEASON
GAME THREE: CARDINALS 24, FALCONS 14
What the Falcons had to say after the 24-14 loss
What Dan Quinn had to say after the 24-14 loss
What Matt Ryan had to say after the 24-14 loss
Injury report: Three players declared out for Jacksonville game
GAME TWO: STEELERS 17, FALCONS 13
Report card: Steelers 17, Falcons 13
Mauger makes magical interception
McKinley gives Falcons' pass rush a boost
What Dan Quinn had to say after the 17-13 loss
Schweitzer went to battle against Tuitt
GAME ONE: DOLPHINS 23, FALCONS 20
Report card: Dolphins 23, Falcons 20
6 things we learned from the 23-20 loss to the Dolphins
