After five training-camp practices, the Falcons had a required day off.
A lot of the old players from the two-a-day era chuckle at the new practice schedule that was negotiated in the last collective bargaining agreement between the league and the NFLPA, the players’ union.
While two-a-day practices are a thing of the past, NFL coaches have adjusted. They attempt to do more teaching with less practice time.
Here are five things we’ve learned so far in camp:
Matthews is a keeper
Jake Matthews, the Falcons’ first-round pick, has opened camp strong. He’s pushing folks around and has learned the playbook.
He’s won over veterans with his singing and by staying quiet. Yeah, he had to sing Monday.
“He’s done it the way a rookie should do it,” quarterback Matt Ryan said. “He’s kept his mouth shut and handled his business the right way. He’s been pretty quiet.”
How was his singing?
“He was pretty good,” Ryan said. “… Probably the thing that has impressed me the most in the first week is his ability to sing. He’s not scared to get up there and show a little bit of his personality.”
Worrilow at the controls
Falcons coach Mike Smith believes that the defensive signals are in good hands with linebacker Paul Worrilow.
“Paul is a student of the game,” Smith said. “From Day 1 he was being cross-trained to play all three positions. He was able to pick it up and handle the workload we were giving him. It showed in his play. He’s not only a good physical player, but he has a great command and understanding of what he’s doing.”
Smith acknowledged that linebacker Sean Weatherspoon, who’s out after Achilles surgery, is helping Worrilow.
“Our group of linebackers is a very young group, so Paul has had to ascend up the ladder very quickly,” Smith said. “With Spoon not being out there on the field, he has to be the leader. But Spoon is around and still is going to help us win a lot of football games in terms helping the young linebackers.”
Jackson may be near the end
Running back Steven Jackson turned 31 three days before the start of training camp.
He didn’t make it to the second padded practice before he suffered a right hamstring injury.
Smith pointed out that it was not the hamstring that Jackson injured last season, when he suffered an injury to his left hamstring in the second game of the season. Smith said he expected Jackson to ready for the season opener against the Saints on Sept. 7.
In the meantime, running backs coach Gerald Brown must get Devonta Freeman ready just in case Jackson is not able to make it back.
“He catches the ball so well out of the backfield, I can see his role in future being one where he’s in there in passing situations,” Ryan said. “He’s got some things to learn when it comes to pass protection, but when you see him in space, he’s really, really talented.”
Screen game here to stay
The Falcons have been an excellent screen-passes team under offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter.
“I think that’ll continue,” Ryan said. “We have pretty athletic tackles. A really athletic center in Joe (Hawley) who can move pretty well, so I’m certain that our scheme will use their strengths, let them get out in space and make some plays.”
When he was with the Bears, new offensive line coach Mike Tice’s unit blocked well on screens. Bears running back Matt Forte broke one for a 56-yard touchdown against the Falcons in 2011 in Chicago’s season-opening 30-12 victory.
It appears that Tice will have his line on the move.
“What we do up front will be a little different with Mike Tice coming in with his experience and some of the schemes that he’s used in the past,” Ryan said. “Some of that stuff will be a little bit different. But I think you have to work with the guys that you have and we’ve got some athletic guys up front.”
Robertson’s shining
One of the early stars of training camp has been nose tackle Travian Robertson. He’s won several battles and is an incredible bull-rusher. He’s fighting for a spot in the defensive line rotation.
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