FLOWERY BRANCH — Like David Banner turning into The Hulk, the transformation of C.J. Goodwin into an NFL-caliber cornerback is nearly complete.
“We don’t even look at him as a receiver anymore,” Atlanta Falcons coach Dan Quinn said Wednesday of Goodwin, a second-year player signed by the Falcons as a free agent receiver in 2015. “We’re really pleased with his improvement. I think he has shown the last couple of days what he can do.”
For the second consecutive minicamp practice at the Falcons Complex, the 6-foot-4, 220-pounder out of California (Pa.) picked off a pass during the 2-minute drill portion of the 90-minute session. He jumped a crossing route designed for Aldrick Robinson inside the red zone.
Quinn isn’t the only one to notice Goodwin’s rise up the depth chart.
“He’s an athletic guy. He’s fast in and out of his breaks and he has great ball skills because he played receiver,” said top Falcons cornerback Desmond Trufant. “He’s definitely progressed and I’m excited for him. He’s putting in the work and is only going to get better.”
Goodwin’s transformation has been quick. He was signed at the midpoint of the 2015 season to help a beleaguered receiving corp. By Week 16, he had been switched to defense.
“He’s been a quick study I think of the position but he also has natural instincts back there, which is one the reasons we moved him,” Quinn said.
“The coaches obviously know what they’re doing,” Trufant said of the decision to add Goodwin to the secondary. “The coaches are trying to find the right people in the right places and get the best they can out of them.”
Goodwin was quick to give credit to the coaches and help from Trufant and Julio Jones and the rest of the receivers.
“I feel I’m getting a better grasp of the system but I’m just trying to learn everyday,” Goodwin said. “I still feel like I have a long way to go. (Trufant and the other cornerbacks) are helping me a lot with learning better technique and any time you have guys like Julio and (Mohamed) Sanu you’re only going to get better trying to cover them.”
But it will be the little things that will be the ultimate test.
“Attention to detail is important each day and that’s what I’m trying to focus on,” Goodwin said. “Be in the right place, make the right read. I’m really just studying (the defensive) playbook.
“There’s no real depth chart. The coaches say the best players will play and I’m just trying to be one of those guys.”
In addition to the interception of the Matt Schaub pass, he broke up a fade pattern in the corner of the end zone on a Matt Ryan attempt to Robinson. However, Ryan and Robinson connected against Goodwin for a score on the next play on a slant pattern.
“Like I said, I still have a lot to improve on,” Goodwin said. “I had a good play on the fade but I was too deep on the slant. Hopefully I learned from that and won’t get beat the next time.”
Other observations from Wednesday’s minicamp session:
Redemption: After throwing an interception on Tuesday and one on his first series on Wednesday, Schaub responded with a touchdown throw on his next series to rookie tight end Austin Hooper, who beat two defenders on a crossing pattern and then waltzed in down the right sideline.
Whose returning? Tevin Coleman, Terron Ward, and rookie David Glidden all took turns returning kicks. All three showed speed and elusiveness. The Falcons may have to go without star returner Devin Hester, who is still recovering from injury, in the early part of the season.
Superman vs. Batman: Receiver Julio Jones and corner Jalen Collins went head-to-head several times throughout the early part of practice. Jones corralled a pair of short passes but Collins was stride-for-stride with Jones on a deep ball into the end zone that fell incomplete.
The Wall: On Tuesday, the defense was gashed several times by the run game of the offense, including one that would have been a long gainer and perhaps a touchdown under normal game conditions. On Wednesday, the defense forced three tackles for losses and allowed just one potential long run.
“We didn’t move the ball like we did (on Tuesday) but the defense made some plays and that was good to see,” Quinn said. “The lines of scrimmage have been a focus all offseason and I think we’re seeing both units step up and make plays. The O-lines and D-lines have been working together and I think it’s been good for everybody.”
Inside-out: When asked about 5th-year DE Derrick Shelby (Utah) being played inside and outside, Quinn said they’re looking to see who fits where.
“We’ve been working all of the D-line guys inside, outside, on the left and right, to see where we like everyone and who works well together out there,” he said. “Shelby has shown he can play several positions, as has a lot of the guys. We want to be as versatile as we can be.”
Red zone: Quinn said Thursday's final minicamp session will focus heavily on the offense's red zone attack.
Thursday's session will begin at 11:30 a.m. with the gates opening at 11:30. It is open to the public.
