Falcons coach Mike Smith took another step toward putting the successful 2012 season behind him with the conclusion of OTAs on Friday.
After winning the NFC South title and reaching the NFC Championship game, the Falcons have tried to move on over the offseason through their strength-and-conditioning workouts, coaching sessions and the OTA non-contact practices.
The Falcons went through Friday’s practice in two hours, with 300 high school coaches on hand for a clinic. The team now will focus on getting ready for their mandatory minicamp, which will be held Tuesday through Thursday.
Veteran tight end Tony Gonzalez has been excused from the minicamp, but the remaining 89 players on the roster will be required to attend.
The team will then break and return for training camp July 25.
Here are five things that Smith learned about the team during OTAs:
1. He became more comfortable with Dominique Davis as the No. 2 quarterback.
The team didn’t re-sign Luke McCown in the offseason, and some contend the Falcons need a veteran signal-caller behind Matt Ryan.
Davis shined last season in exhibition games and made the team as an undrafted free agent.
“I feel very comfortable with Dom’s progression and with what he’s done,” Smith said. “The real indicator will be what he’s does in ballgames. He will be getting a lot of playing time in the preseason.”
2. He is pleased with the defense’s understanding of the read-option.
The Falcons struggled against the attack at times last season and will play five games against read-option teams in 2013.
The coaching staff spent extensive time working on stopping the attack and visited with Clemson and Vanderbilt coaches to get their perspective on the offense.
The defense worked against some read-option looks, and after one practice period a coach thanked Davis for running it well.
“We’ve done our due diligence,” Smith said. “We’ve had an opportunity to get it on tape and evaluate it. I like the understanding that our players have about how that offense works.”
3. He believes that exonerated linebacker Brian Banks is coming along just fine.
Banks, who spent more than five years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit and hasn’t played organized football in 10 years, received a lot of OTA action.
“I’ve been impressed with what he’s done,” Smith said. “He’s got an opportunity because Sean Weatherspoon and Stephen Nicholas have not been participating (because of offseason surgeries). He’s probably gotten more reps than a first-year player would get, and that’s to his advantage. Every rep that he gets is going to help in his quest to make this roster.”
4. The rebuilding of the group of defensive ends is progressing.
The Falcons concentrated on improving their pass rush after they had to cut Ray Edwards during last season and then released John Abraham in March.
The Falcons signed Osi Umenyiora in free agency and drafted Malliciah Goodman and Stansly Maponga. The latter will not recover from ankle surgery until the start of training camp.
“Osi has been a great addition to our roster,” Smith said. “He’s come in here and done the things that you would expect a veteran to do and that is to take young guys underneath his wing. He’s a very positive influence. He’s one of the first guys in the building, and he has a small group of guys that come in and work out with him. I think that’s positive.
“Jonathan Massaquoi continues to progress. I liked the work ethic of Malliciah Goodman here in the OTAs.”
5. The undrafted offensive linemen were the surprise of OTAs.
Alabama State’s Terren Jones and Valdosta State’s Ryan Schraeder stood out in OTAs. Jones is massive and played as the third-team right tackle. Schraeder worked as the second-team left tackle.
“There are a number of offensive linemen that have shown some promise,” Smith said. “I like the college free-agent class. I not only like the size, but their athleticism and their ability to learn the system. They’ve had a lot thrown at them, and they are handling it quite well.”
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