Atlanta Falcons Training Camp Observations, August 4 Edition

by Dave Choate on Aug 4, 2009 12:00 PM EDT in Falcons News

With so much training camp news out there and the season so close, I thought it was time to collect observations from beat writers, fellow bloggers and those closest to the team. As usual, I'll be offering my own analysis and generally snarky commentary. I just can't help myself, you know.

Let's jump in:

A really great observation buried a little bit in this story from Atlanta Falcons Examiner, who notes that the rapport between Matt Ryan and Harry Douglas is something special. Douglas is also showing great hands in the early going here in camp, according to writer Daniel Cox. Some readers and pundits have asked why Douglas can't slide into the starting lineup if Roddy White's holdout drags on, and I'm here to tell you that even with the great showing, the talent disparity at this point is still a little bit too wide. There's no doubt that Douglas has a bright future ahead of him, though.

John Abraham keeps a particularly hardy core-strengthening regiment going in the off-season, according to beat writer D. Orlando Ledbetter of the AJC. The ravenous sack monster has found that the exercises have eliminated his groin injuries, which have cost him significant time previously in his career. It's hard to say whether it's 100% those exericses or 50% that and 50% superstition, but whatever keeps Abe on the field is better than okay with me. He should be due for another double digit sack season with a little more help along the line.

Interesting quote from Mike Smith regarding Von Hutchins, who according to the Official Site is getting reps at safety:

"I think the defensive side of the ball has more position battles and more competition. I think the safety position is one where there is a good battle. We’ve moved Von in getting him more reps. Von is a very valuable guy for us because he can play corner, he can play nickel, and we’re working him at safety. He could be a utility player if he doesn’t win the starting position. William Moore is just learning our system, but he has the skill set we are looking for the safety position. Thomas DeCoud is coming back from his rookie year last year where he had the opportunity to compete and play on special teams. Of course, Erik Coleman is a returning starter. We are going to put a good eye on all players and the best 53 guys are going to be the guys who make our roster."

That sums up the safety battle without really giving you any hint of who is going to win, but the thought of Von Hutchins in a utility role is an intriguing one. The dude's a versatile defensive back who would seem less likely to win the strong safety job because William Moore is a better pure hitter and Thomas DeCoud is arguably a better coverage guy, but if he could jump in at nickel back or fill in at safety when needed, Hutchins could see a ton of snaps this year.

The AJC's Jeff Schultz has a short and very candid interview with Arthur Blank, where he talks about the close relationship between Mike Smith, Thomas Dimitroff and Rich McKay, and admits that ticket sales are still catching up after the Mike Vick and Bobby Petrino fiasco. Rather than go into this at length, I'll just note that I have never been happier with the owner, front office and coaching staff than I am right now. I hope this feeling lasts.

Probably nothing, but did anyone else notice that on the Official Site's roster matrix, John Parker Wilson is listed as a wide receiver? If this has any legs I expect we'll hear more about it in the days ahead, but JPW as a receiver is a very, very intriguing thought. If you've got any news on this, make sure you let me know. Strike that. J. Mike at the site says it's just an issue with the roster. Ah well.

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another intesting point I took from the last interview

When asked what kind of role Troy Bergeron might play, Coach Smitty stated,

"I think we are set as far as our number one punt returner and number one kick returner go at this point in time. I mentiond the other day that we’re going to have to find backups and Troy is one we would look at because he has very good speed."

It looks like Norwood will still be our kick returner… which of course has it’s positives, but I was hoping he would be used more as a RB to take a significant amount of run plays away from Turner. Like more of a 60/40 rotation.

Who knows though… maybe someone will prove themselves during the preseason and change his mind.

know what you believe in and why you believe in it

by MentallyMIA on Aug 4, 2009 12:13 PM EDT reply actions

no doubt this team is better with Roddy

I just think that he’s being unrealistic asking for $10m a year. $7 is fair. $8 is OK with me. $10? You are no Fitz and you definitely ain’t no Moss or Smith, Roddy. Get you a 4 yr $32 and get to camp ASAP.

by nathan rothschild on Aug 4, 2009 12:59 PM EDT reply actions

As for the JPW thing...

Wild Falcon formation could make a comeback with JPW, a known QB, in as WR throwing. But…that’d be kinda obvious to our opponents’ DCs…

You have opinions. Share them.

by Adam Schultz on Aug 4, 2009 1:19 PM EDT reply actions

I would think so

Smitty’s going to have to put on his serious face for months anyone to buy that one.

by Dave Choate on Aug 4, 2009 1:22 PM EDT up reply actions

w/r/t Abraham

I’m a firm believer in mental discipline and that the human brain has a much larger effect on things than people would normally believe. If it’s 100% the excercises or 50% excercises and 50% mental, then it’s probably all the same either way. Something along the lines of the old “mind over matter” adage: If you think positively, then positive things happen, but if you think negatively, then negative things will happen.

It’s why coaches always tell you to not think about getting hit, because when you compensate that’s when you get hurt the worst. So here’s to thinking positively and Abraham’s healthy groin, haha!

by Jesse28 on Aug 4, 2009 2:13 PM EDT reply actions

Wait, what?

You’ve been spending time thinking positively about Abraham’s groin?

by orang3b on Aug 5, 2009 10:02 AM EDT up reply actions

Ummm.....

…no?

by Jesse28 on Aug 5, 2009 1:46 PM EDT up reply actions

Restraining order, here we come!

by Dave Choate on Aug 5, 2009 1:56 PM EDT up reply actions

Any news on Darren Mougey would be appreciated

I doubt he has any chance of making the team but I’m a bit like Al Davis in the sense that I like size/speed guys. I’m not senile though lol

Also Aaron Kelly is my undrafted guy I’m pulling for to make the team

by FLA_Falcon on Aug 4, 2009 6:41 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

my bet on Kelly

is that he is going to be on the practice squad this season. He looked great during the first public minicamp, but I haven’t heard much about him since. The media and Smitty seem to be pulling for Fin for another year, so I can see Kelly stepping up and replacing him when the time arises.

know what you believe in and why you believe in it

by MentallyMIA on Aug 4, 2009 10:10 PM EDT up reply actions

Receiver notes from the Sunday afternoon practice

Saw the afternoon practice on Sunday. Paid a lot of attention to the receivers, who were running 1-on-1 drills with the secondary in front of the hill, and then switched to 7-on-7s (where the passes and catches are the only real action when there’s no tackling).

Chandler Williams and Aaron Kelly stood out to me. Kelly looked really confident tracking the ball in the air – didn’t see him drop anything, and he made his catches look easy and solid. He really glides too. Williams was also pretty sure-handed, and caught a couple close to the ground. Had a real acrobatic catch on a crossing route – I couldn’t believe it didn’t hit the ground.

Jenkins looked like he was in regular-season form. Just real reliable, and shielded the ball well. Harry Douglas looked absolutely fantastic – I’d heard that he was looking good, and now I believe it. Secondary had a time keeping up with him. Only really good play against him was a Chevis Jackson breakup on a long floating pass during 1-on-1’s.

On the John Parker Wilson-as-WR front (yeah, I saw that it got redacted) – he did play some CB during 7-on-7s (with the first string offense playing the second string offense-as-defense). Got smoked by Jenkins several times :).

by NeedATicketToTheGame on Aug 4, 2009 10:40 PM EDT reply actions 5 recs

Rec'd

Great observations, and thanks for sharing. Sounds like the whole group looked pretty good out there.

by Dave Choate on Aug 4, 2009 11:16 PM EDT up reply actions

Douglas for the win!

Thanks for this well written analysis.

Douglas, Jenkins and Kelly with Gonzo at tight end. That’s worst case scenario and I guarantee you Matty will thrive in that environment. I want Roddy but he is getting on my nerves.

by nathan rothschild on Aug 5, 2009 9:41 AM EDT up reply actions