FLOWERY BRANCH—Falcons offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter doesn't know what the players around the league were thinking when they left Atlanta quarterback Matt Ryan off the NFL Network's top 100 list.
"How he's won as a starter in the league, we think he's a top 10 quarterback," Koetter said. "His play backs that up."
Koetter, who has replaced the departed Mike Mularkey, clearly has been pleased with Ryan and the rest of the offensive unit.
"We have an excellent group of players on the offense," Koetter said. "Players, offensive staff and coach [Mike] Smith are fun guys to work with. We have a lot of talent and a lot of guys that can make explosive plays. I like how these guys are working."
Koetter spent the last five seasons as the offensive coordinator in Jacksonville.
Hit parade
Safety William Moore forgot about the no-hitting lecture that coaches gave the players on Saturday.
He leveled wide receiver Marcus Jackson with a big hit, causing Smith to remind his safety about the hitting rules.
"No, Will, no" Smith said.
Cornerback Asante Samuel chimed in, "We just wanted to let y'all know that we had on some pads over here."
Smith said he wants all players left standing after a play.
"Our No. 1 goal as a staff and football team is to get to the opener as healthy as we can," Smith said. "We know that is impossible to have everyone healthy, but we've got to limit those exposures and limit the chances of a guy getting hurt."
But he wasn't too upset about Moore's hit.
"There are some guys that you have to remind them," Smith said. "It's like your children. You have to stay on them. Guys get ramped up and they get going and that's a good thing."
Davis impressive
Quarterback Dominique Davis, who was overwhelmed during rookie minicamp, was singled out for some praise by Smith.
"He's done some nice things," Smith said. "He's got a strong arm. He's very athletic. He'll get an opportunity to play in the [exhibition] games. He's been a very pleasant surprise."
Gonzalez rested
Wide receiver Roddy White warmed up for Monday's afternoon practice with a spectator standing nearby. Tight end Tony Gonzalez was present but wore just a jersey and shorts to watch this workout.
Owner Arthur Blank approached White and asked why he wasn't wearing the white bucket hat with the Falcons logo that has become the fashion statement of the camp.
"Because I have to work today, unlike some of these old guys," White joked, motioning to Gonzalez.
Gonzalez was given the afternoon off, as has been Smith's plan with the older players.
"We've got a plan for a number of guys [to sit out]," Smith said. "Tony was the first one to take a day off. You'll see some of the older guys over the next couple of days [rested]."
Players such as center Todd McClure and Gonzalez will sit out practice periodically through camp and the season.
Nissley watch
Tight end Adam Nissley, an undrafted free agent from South Forsyth High and Central Florida, is off to a bumpy start.
On the first day of minicamp back in June, he got into a scuffle with defensive end John Abraham. During the kickoff coverage drill on Thursday, he drew the ire of the normally placid special teams coordinator Keith Armstrong and he jumped offsides.
Nissley redshirted at UCF in 2007 and went on to play four seasons for the Knights. He was used primarily as a blocking tight end, but caught 38 passes for 465 yards and two touchdowns.
After he was not selected in the NFL draft, he had calls from the New York Giants, New Orleans, Kansas City and the Falcons.
Konz corner
Sunday's first day of full pads was a chance for some real on-the-job training for rookie Peter Konz.
The offensive lineman, selected in the second round with the team's first pick, was admonished during live drills against the defensive line for anticipating the play.
"If I know what's going to happen in the drill, I shouldn't be thinking that," Konz said. "I should be looking at the indicators of the defense's movement. I should be trying to pick up any indicators and figure out for myself what the blitz is instead of thinking that this is a certain drill and that that's what I'm going to get.
"[Offensive line coach Pat Hill] really wants to me to be more independent in my thinking and be one step ahead of the defense instead of just trying to guess."
Staff writer Chris Vivlamore contributed to this article.
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