The Atlanta Falcons Training Camp Open Thread, Day Eight

by Dave Choate on Aug 6, 2010 8:00 AM EDT in Events

I'll bet you can't guess what we're talking about today, kids!

What's that you say? You know it's training camp?

You always were precocious little bastards.

Entering what's technically our second full week of training camp, the biggest headline right now is that Dunta Robinson's nagging hamstring issues may keep him out of the first pre-season game. For obvious reasons, it's really nothing to freak about. The Falcons just aren't going to take the chance that Matt Cassel tackles Dunta after his third pick of the game and attempts to rip his leg off. Perfectly logical.

Other than that, Kerry Meier continues to win hearts with his steady pass-catching and bristly facial hair, Corey Peters is making a case to get heavy snaps in his rookie season and Harry Douglas and Peria Jerry keep right on improving. It's almost all sunshine (no, not you, Kerry) out of training camp, and I couldn't be happier.

Hopefully, all goes well again today. Use this as your all purpose discussion thread, and we'll chug right into the weekend.

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Apparently Sunshine is learning three positions, putting him one up on former Border War rival Spoon's two:

http://atlanta.sbnation.com/2010/8/5/1608330/kerry-meier-and-sean-weatherspoon

Excuse my language, ma'am, but that damn Dodd's gonna beat my butt today. -- Bear Bryant, November 1962

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by Jason Kirk on Aug 6, 2010 8:24 AM EDT reply actions

Dearest Dave...

You sound so endearing in those first few sentences. We do in fact appreciate you.

As far as training camp, all of these helpful little tidbits have all been good reads. Those of us who can’t make it to camp, for whatever reason, definitely feel as if we were there.

I’m happy with all of our 2010 draftees that are doing well. I’m just hoping that Bear Woods can step it up. If nothing else make the practice squad. I mean, how can you not pull for somebody with a name like that. Not to mention from what I hear, he’s a really good, likable type guy. You have to root for him.

I’d also like to see Troy Bergeron finally break out. Like I’ve said before, he and I graduated from the same school in 2002. He was always our top receiver. I suppose that’s the “Homer” in me.

by XBEARDX on Aug 6, 2010 9:02 AM EDT reply actions

You're too kind, sir!

by Dave Choate on Aug 6, 2010 6:25 PM EDT up reply actions

Brandyn Harvey

Can anybody update me on this kids progress?

Rule #1: Double tap.

by Ball Hawk on Aug 6, 2010 10:06 AM EDT via mobile reply actions

From what I've heard so far, his initial appearance was a one-trick pony.

A few of the fans on here have said he’s looked a bit lackluster and not giving full effort, which would seem silly to me (if he wasn’t giving full effort, that is.)

Who knows. I think roster spots are made or lost in the late stages of camp once some games get under the kids’ belts.

"Ryan, under center. Single receiver set, to either side. Ryan, gonna throw. First professional pass.....CAUGHT!! Jenkins! 30! 25! 20! 15! 10! 5! He lives in Atlanta!!!" -Wes Durham

by Zippo729 on Aug 6, 2010 4:52 PM EDT up reply actions

I think so too

But it’s disappointing to hear that, to say the least. Finn may actually hold on to his roster spot.

by Dave Choate on Aug 6, 2010 4:54 PM EDT up reply actions

I wouldn't complain if he did.

I find it hard to believe that Ryan Wolfe, who owns many, many college records (not sure if UNLV is D-1A or not) hasn’t shown up, and Brandyn Harvey, who was a freak in helmet and shorts hasn’t shown up either.

"Ryan, under center. Single receiver set, to either side. Ryan, gonna throw. First professional pass.....CAUGHT!! Jenkins! 30! 25! 20! 15! 10! 5! He lives in Atlanta!!!" -Wes Durham

by Zippo729 on Aug 6, 2010 6:09 PM EDT up reply actions

Kerry is def the stand out. At Friday night lights.

Here’s the deal from my limited assesment I believe he is super solid across the middle and underneath he even caught a few on the outside. That’s the good news. The bad news is this; if the fate of The Falcons offense tested in the hands of Jenks he would probably drop it. He also went down pretty hard and left the scrimmage. Another bright spot was JA98 in the interior line he broke through for a couple of sax and had some big stops. He may be a lot better than most people think but Jenks seems to be a little worse than some people think. Dimitri Nance and Antone Smith are beast but our backfield is full of beasts already. Good problem to have.

Rule #1: Double tap.

by Ball Hawk on Aug 6, 2010 10:42 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

Both Harvey and Wolfe

Had a pair of nice grabs.

Rule #1: Double tap.

by Ball Hawk on Aug 6, 2010 11:29 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Good news about JA98

maybe DT will be good for him.

by mwalex on Aug 6, 2010 11:51 PM EDT up reply actions

just wait til he plays against people who hate him.

you’ll rescind your statement and turn it into a frothing rage-induced one.

"Ryan, under center. Single receiver set, to either side. Ryan, gonna throw. First professional pass.....CAUGHT!! Jenkins! 30! 25! 20! 15! 10! 5! He lives in Atlanta!!!" -Wes Durham

by Zippo729 on Aug 7, 2010 12:26 AM EDT up reply actions

We need you to be wrong.

Because he’s a staple on first team D. Good news is he didn’t play DE all night. He really does look good at DT. He’s so damn big now he’s head and shoulders above the team but now he’s got the weight to clog the middle.

Rule #1: Double tap.

by Ball Hawk on Aug 7, 2010 8:41 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

You are spot on

JA98 is going to get snaps this year. In order for the D to play better than last year JA MUST play well.

by mwalex on Aug 7, 2010 3:34 PM EDT up reply actions

Cheers for the update Ball Hawk

Apparently NFL Films was there at training camp.

FalconsDCox: @jsgrayson nfl films was on hand with the team, there’ll b a nice piece coming soon..keep an eye on nfl.com

I am dissapointed to hear about Jenks case of the dropsy’s. But how is JPW doing, according to some he could challenge Redman for the number 2 spot in the near future, does he look that good?

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by Grayson on Aug 7, 2010 12:30 AM EDT up reply actions

Jenks.

Do you remember the feeling in your gut you had about our secondary last preseason? Well that’s how I feel when I see the ball going Jenks’ way. I hope MS and his mercy doesn’t get hung up with this. if by game 2 of preseason if Jenks has not corrected it he may need to let somebody else step in.

Rule #1: Double tap.

by Ball Hawk on Aug 7, 2010 8:53 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

The only logical fill-in

Currently on the roster is Meier. I’d be very, very wary of giving him such a huge chance in his rookie season, but it’s not like we have a plethora of options.

by Dave Choate on Aug 7, 2010 10:38 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Once again my gut is in knots.

Rule #1: Double tap.

by Ball Hawk on Aug 7, 2010 11:00 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Dave

why the concern over giving Meier the #2 spot instead of Jenkins? A dropped pass is a dropped pass rather it’s a rookie or a vetern. Put Jenkins at #3 and that might take some pressure off him and light a fire under his butt at the same time.

It’s less of a risk to start a rookie receiver than QB. Wait, we did that already.

by mwalex on Aug 7, 2010 3:32 PM EDT up reply actions

Rookie receivers have a steep learning curve

Meier’s a quality route-runner and he’s very sure-handed. which would obviously mitigate that to some degree.

At the same time, Meier’s still learning the offense. He looks great in practices and scrimmages, but that’s a very different situation than game-time. If he continues to play exceptionally well and show no jitters, then hell, let’s go for it. I just don’t want to make Jenkins even more useless by ruining his confidence if Meier’s going to get shook up on game day.

by Dave Choate on Aug 7, 2010 3:50 PM EDT up reply actions

I agree a bit with Dave.

Jenks is a vet and also a different type of reciever. Jenks is prototype wide out he’s built with all the atributes of Fitzgerald. He just acts scared to get hit or something. Kerry is a big slower up the middle third down Wes welker type with great hands. Not sure what’s best at tis point. We have more ? Than answers at this position I’m hoping for a miricle.

Rule #1: Double tap.

by Ball Hawk on Aug 7, 2010 4:46 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

I see your point

and it is a good one. You are right about Meier looking good in practice but the test being in a game. The problem right now is that Jenkins is dropping passes during practice.

Also, can’t ruin Meier’s confidence by rushing him into the starting slot too quicky.

Ball Hawk – I’m not to worried about Meier’s speed as that is what HD is for. Meier should be used as a possession receiver so hands and good route running will be more important than speed.

by mwalex on Aug 7, 2010 7:25 PM EDT up reply actions

Dang it I really wish I could go tommorrow

I’m coming to consensus that Wolfe and Harvey will be practice squad (they weren’t drafted and nothing to lose only bonus)
Like to see how good Nance and Antonie Smith is.
But I like to hear they are Beast’s Ball Hawks

My life is multiplied and then divided by zero.

by brotherbrown on Aug 7, 2010 12:33 AM EDT reply actions