Back in 2013, Hall of Fame cornerback Deion Sanders was a visitor to the Falcons’ training camp.
He granted Desmond Trufant’s request to wear his No. 21 jersey and gave his general blessing to Trufant and Robert Alford, who were taken 22nd and 60th in the 2013 draft.
They were struggling that day, but Sanders contended that both would be just fine. He was right. Both have turned into solid pros, and Trufant has been voted to one Pro Bowl.
Fast forward to this season, both are struggling mightily at a time when the Falcons, because of an onslaught of injuries, need them to play at a higher level.
“As far as myself, I just have to get back to the basics,” Trufant said. “The fundamentals and techniques. The plays will come. I’ve got to be technically sound. That’s how the plays come to you.”
Alford was asked to describe his season thus far.
“I would say it’s been like a roller coaster,” Alford said. “It’s not how I want it, but things are going to get better. Playing cornerback you are always going to have some adversities. It’s just the way that you come up out of it.”
When asked directly how Trufant and Alford were playing, Falcons coach Dan Quinn did a Barry Sanders spin move away from the question. He wasn’t going to publicly truck-stick his two top cornerbacks.
“On areas of improvement, honestly it’s the whole defense,” Quinn said. “In terms of where we can improve and where can we go because it’s so much connected. When we’re really pass rushing well, our pass coverage looks better.”
The pass rush has been porous, too. The Falcon have 17 sacks, which ranks tied for 28th out of 32 teams.
Quinn kept going about the defense at-large and not the cornerbacks.
“When we’re really owning our gaps, our run fits look better,” Quinn said. “So, I generally make a big push on us as an entire group to know that when all of us are hitting our strides that’s when it looks our best. For all of the positions, them included, we’ve got certain things that we’re working on.”
Trufant, Alford and nickel Brian Poole all have struggled in coverage and are all slipping in play at the same time, according to profootballfocus.com. Trufant (60.8 grade), Alford (48.5) and Poole (60.4) all have career-low grades this season.
“I’ve dropped a lot of balls,” Trufant said. “If I’d caught them five balls or whatever, it’s a totally different season. ... I play corner. Sometimes things go good. Sometimes they go bad. I haven’t really given up too many (touchdowns).”
Trufant had an interception in his hands against Cincinnati that could sealed a victory. The Bengals later scored on the drive to pull out the 37-36 victory on Sept. 30.
“However they are rating it, it is what it is,” Trufant said. “Five catches on my end, and it’s a totally different story. I can’t be all that bad. At the end of the day, I’m judging myself harder than anybody else can.”
Alford has been slowed by an ankle injury and missed the Washington game Nov. 4.
“I’m good,” said Alford, when asked if he was healthy. “I don’t have (any) excuses. I’ve got to get to the ball at the end of the day.”
Despite the low grades on Trufant and Alford, that didn’t stop Dallas coach Jason Garrett from praising them.
“They have been good players for a long time,” Garrett said. “They are good man-to-man cover guys. They are good in zones. The fit well into the scheme and again, they’ll challenge every time the ball is snapped.”
Alford and Trufant had a role in Cleveland running back Nick Chubb’s 92-yard touchdown run after he broke away from missed tackles from Duke Riley and Damontae Kazee.
“Obviously, I could have did better,” Trufant acknowledged. “I could have did more. But, I mean, that’s all I can say to that.”
Defensive coordinator Marquand Manuel took a somber tone when asked about Alford, who didn’t appear to have his closing burst on a 28-yard touchdown pass to Cleveland’s Rashard Higgins. Also, on Chubb’s bust out run, Alford, who ran the 40-yard dash in 4.38 seconds, didn’t give chase. Trufant, who ran a 4.39, didn’t make up ground on Chubb, who ran the 40 in 4.52 seconds.
“It’s was a combination,” Manuel said. “We have to continue to finish plays across the board. The necessary plays to win the game. We’ve done that the last couple of weeks. This Sunday we didn’t. That was the disappointing part because we made those plays to win the games in the previous weeks.”
Alford was not happy with his effort on the play.
“Even when I (saw) that play up on film, I felt that I should have walked him down,” Alford said. “I should have just hustled. During that time, I felt like the guys were going to make the tackle. Next time … it’s always a learning experience.”
Manuel was asked how Cleveland wide receiver Antonio Callaway got so open on a 25-yard pass against Trufant in the second quarter. The Browns went on to score and take a 14-10 lead they wouldn’t surrender.
“One of things that we talk about is being able to challenge,” Manuel said. “He made a nice move at the line of scrimmage to get back to the receiver. Just something we have to continue to work on.”
The Falcons would have loved to have seen Trufant fight through a weak block attempt by Callaway and tackle Chubb.
“Effort and Intensity is always going to be key,” Manuel said. “It’s not always going to fundamentally sound. We have to finish it with our effort and intensity. That’s the part that always overcomes everything else.”
The Falcons sign Alford and Trufant to contact extensions. Alford received a four-year, $38 million deal Dec. 18, 2016. He deal runs through the 2020 season.
Trufant received a six-year, $70.3 million deal April 8, 2017. His deal runs through 2022.
“It’s the league,” Trufant said. “I’m in the spotlight. You know, I’m earning what I’m earning. It just comes with it.
“That’s how it goes. I’m in that position. I ain’t trippin’. I just keep working. Attack the issues. Stay humble. I’ve been here before in life. I ain’t trippin’. I’ll just keep working.”
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