FLOWERY BRANCH — The Atlanta Falcons wrapped up their mandatory three-day minicamp at the Falcons Complex Thursday with optimism riding high and expectations for the upcoming season following suit.
Thursday’s practice lasted just 80 minutes compared to nearly two hours on Tuesday and Wednesday. But the quick pace did not diminish them from getting in plenty of reps.
New head coach Dan Quinn and his staff have implemented an up-tempo pace from meetings to drills to live practice that has even the veterans like Matt Ryan, Roddy White, and Jacob Tamme ready to get training camp, slated to begin July 31, under way.
While minicamp does not conduct live hitting drills with pads, the three-day sessions, which were open to the public, offered coaches and players a chance to put into motion parts of the new offensive and defensive playbooks.
The new offense brought in by offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan figures to be heavy on the run and play-action passes to take advantage of one of the best receiving duos in the NFL in White and Julio Jones. Add in free agent signee Leonard Hankerson from the Washington Redskins, where he had a career year in 2012 under Shanahan, and free agent tight end Jacob Tamme, and the Falcons should be as explosive as ever in the passing game.
Speed permeates throughout the corps of running backs with second-year player Devonta Freeman and Indiana rookie Tevin Coleman expected to battle for the No. 1 spot. Veteran Antoine Smith, recovered from a broken leg last season, looks as quick and strong as ever. Oregon State rookie and free agent signee Terron Ward also bring speed.
The new defense implemented by Quinn and new defensive coordinator Richard Smith will feature quickness to the ball with an emphasis on tackling and striping ballcarriers. The defense showed glimpses of what could be in store for fans with four interceptions and three sacks in Wednesday’s practice.
No. 8 overall pick Vic Beasley (OLB) looked like a rookie at times and then also displayed the skills the Falcons hope will help them turn around one of the worst pass rushes in the league in 2014. In one set of downs Beasley sacked Ryan, recorded a tackle for loss, and then forced an incomplete pass with a quick inside rush on Ryan.
Here are some thoughts from some of the players and coach Quinn after the conclusion of Thursday’s session:
Free agent- signee Jacob Tamme (TE)
Thoughts on the offseason and minicamp
“I feel great. The guys have been working really hard in the offseason. We had a really good minicamp with a lot of energy. One of the best offseasons I’ve ever been around.”
On Kyle Shanahan’s offensive system
“I don’t know if it’s been an easy one to pick up. It’s been really good for me to learn some new concepts. As a tight end I’m able to move around and do multiple things, put my face in the run game, go out wide for passes. The tight ends are an important position in this offense and have the ability to do that in this offense. It’s fun.”
On the importance of an experienced quarterback like Matt Ryan as everyone learns a new system
“I’ve said it before it’s hard for me to go anywhere and not feel like I’m falling off a cliff after being around Peyton (Manning) my whole career. But this is one of the four or five places you can come and not feel like that. Matt can throw the ball and he has all the leadership characteristics that winning quarterbacks in this league have. That’s exciting for me.” [Tamme spent the first seven years of his career playing alongside Peyton Manning in Indianapolis and Denver.]
On the break before training camp
“We’ve all been working hard so it’ll be good to get away for a little mental break.But also we’ll keep working the craft and be ready to rock-and-roll when training camp starts.”
First round pick Vic Beasley (OLB/DE)
On his first professional minicamp
“It felt pretty good. I learned a lot and I’m looking forward to training camp now.”
What have you noticed about yourself in the film room as you break down your game now that you have some reps as a professional? Do you prefer the right or left side of the line to attack from?
“I feel like I’m adapting pretty well. I’m working on my pre-snap reads and getting a better jump off the ball. Predominantly I like the right side, I’m more comfortable on that side. But I’ll do whatever I can and need too to help the team.”
On the pace of practice to mimic the speed of the NFL
“I think that has been a big thing to help all the new guys get used to the speed of the NFL. It’s definitely much quicker than the college level.”
What advice have some of the veterans on defense given you about the upcoming break?
“They said to stay in shape and continue to work hard. I’m just going to try and do everything I can to be ready for training camp.”
On having Dan Quinn, a former defensive coordinator, be hands on with the defense
“It means a lot to all of us. He’s a defensive-oriented coach, primarily at my position, and it’s a real benefit for the team. He’s a great coach and has a lot to offer so we just try to listen and get better.”
Veteran safety William Moore
On the new up-tempo environment installed by Quinn and the coaches
“The guys have been fired up about it. I love it. The whole environment has been great.”
On the secondary as a whole
“Ricardo (Allen), Kemal (Ishmael), Desmond (Trufant), Robert (Alford) have all improved. And we brought in some good rookies and they’re learning the playbook. I like what I’ve seen so far.”
On Coach Quinn’s hands-on approach on the practice field
“It’s a big change from the last few years. He actually puts cleats on out there. It’s huge out there. Some of us need that. You can tell us things but then when you can show us, hands-on, it means a lot more, even for the older guys, and especially the rookies.”
On the potential for the defense to improve over the last couple of seasons
“It starts up front, and from what I can tell from watching film, those guys are firing off the ball. We’ve got some smaller and faster guys and they are a whole new breed. That’s going to be huge for the back end. I’m hoping we’ll go from the bottom of the league to the top 10.”
On playing safety or more on the line like a linebacker
“I could do either one but I love being in the box in the back. I feel that is my better position on the field. But we have to get guys coming off the ball up front, that’s No. 1.”
Has this been a learning experience for you this year?
“Absolutely. It’s a whole new defense. Everything is totally different but that’s what makes you great, how well can you adapt (to something new).”
How frustrating has it been not being to get in a lot of reps coming off an injury?
“I’ve been trying to ease in a little more in the film room but of course it’s frustrating not getting out on the field as much as I would like.”
Have you looked at what Coach Quinn and the Seahawks did last year on defense?
“That’s 100 percent of the film I watch. They had two of the best safeties in the NFL so I just try to see what they were doing. There has been a lot of emphasis on tackling, which we didn’t do well the last couple of years, and DQ is a defensive-minded coach and has us working on that a lot.”
Head coach Dan Quinn
On the challenge he gave to the players during the offseason
“I challenged them to have the best offseason they’ve ever had and a number of guys took that to heart. And now they understand the attitude and the mindset of what we want as we get ready for training camp.”
Do you have a better sense of a working depth chart after minicamp?
“It goes all the way back to the offseason and through minicamp and now as a staff we will sit down and evaluate. But we’re going to take some time off. I’m sure the players want to get away from us for a while and probably the coaches away from me as well. That will come together down the road.”
On advice for Vic Beasley and other rookies heading into the break before training camp
“Make sure you come back in in football shape so that you don’t get behind. The speed of the game will pick up and they need to be ready to go when they come back. As for Vic, his work ethic has been outstanding and he’s improving and listening to the coaches on how to get better.
On Quinn’s initial analysis of Beasley’s and fellow Clemson draft pick Grady Jarrett’s (5th round) games so far
“We tell (Vic) to feel the speed and feel the outside presence. But he’s got quickness off the ball and lateral quickness as well. He’s got quickness to beat guys outside and inside which is an important quality when rushing the quarterback.
“We knew Grady had potential to be good but we’ve been impressed with how athletic he is. That has been a pleasant surprise. He has not disappointed at all so far.”
How does having receivers like Julio Jones and Roddy White help your staff develop the corners and safeties?
“Having guys with the speed and length that they have allows us to play up on the line with how we would play other teams. You can’t do individual 1-on-1s yet but having a guy like Julio to cover on a daily basis helps our guys improve. It will be great to watch some of those battles when we get to training camp.”
Does having to cover speedy, long, tall receivers change your approach on defensive coverages?
“For us it’s really more about making teams adjust to what we will do. We’ll be able to teach that a little better once we get to training camp.”
On seeing the development of second-year RB Devonta Freeman in the passing game?
“We knew Devonta was smart and athletic and had good hands but what we didn’t know was what a good route-runner he is. He has great quickness to go with the good hands and he understands where he is supposed to be. A real pleasant surprise, which should work well with what Kyle wants to do on offense.”
How important will having a guy like Jacob Tamme be?
“Our offense uses the tight end a lot and he has a lot of experience and knows how to catch the ball. It will be important for Matt, who we’ve seen in the past use a tight end a lot.”
