Falcons still unsure who will start

Posted 6:00PM on Sunday 3rd August 2003 ( 21 years ago )

GREENVILLE, S.C. Running backs coach Ollie Wilson is uncertain who will start at fullback when Green Bay visits the Georgia Dome for the Atlanta Falcons' first preseason game Saturday night. George Layne continues to work with the first-team offense, but rookie Justin Griffith seems to be closing the gap. ``I think it'll go through the preseason to find out who's going to play most of the time,'' Wilson said last week. ``The good thing Justin has going for him is he plays tailback and fullback. The one thing I respect about George is that he didn't back down at all. He's trying to get better.'' As the Falcons begin their second full week of training camp Monday morning at Furman University, Wilson wants Layne to improve his blocking techniques between the tackles. ``He has to get after people and be physical, and I think he's done a good job of doing that so far,'' Wilson said. ``He'll miss every once in a while turn his shoulders, that type of thing but for the most part, he's doing a good job.'' Wilson hasn't noticed any hesitation from Layne, who was released last Sept. 1 after receiving an injury settlement that followed a terrible concussion in a preseason game againsts the New York Giants. Layne re-signed with the Falcons Nov. 12 and took over as the starting fullback when a concussion ended Bob Christian's season in Week 16. The former Texas Christian standout played well in to postseason games, but he lost a critical fumble in the regular-season finale at Cleveland, which ended with Atlanta losing 24-16 and nearly missing the playoffs. ``I've noticed that he's tried to compete and tried to keep his standards up,'' Wilson said. ``He's done nothing but try to get himself better.'' Wilson hopes Griffith can improve in the passing game, both as a receiver and in picking up blitzes. The fourth-round draft pick from Mississippi State played both tailback and fullback last year. ``He'll make a mistake, but he'll make it going 100 miles an hour,'' Wilson said. ``And you never fault that guy because eventually he'll get it and when he gets it, it's a done deal.'' KEEPING IT FRESH: Brady Smith was hesitant when he heard Wade Phillips would install a base 3-4 alignment when head coach Dan Reeves hired him as defensive coordinator 18 months ago. Smith, who starts at right end, had played a 4-3 front throughout his first five years in the NFL, but he never knew how much he'd enjoy a 3-4. ``The fun of the defense for me is I might be doing one thing on one play like running a stunt or something and then doing something totally different on the next play like rushing on a different guy,'' Smith said. ``Or maybe I'm on the guard one play, on the tackle the next, or the next I'm wrapping all the way around or doing something on the center. ``You get in a 4-3 and it's the same guy every time. You're responsible for the same gap every play. The 3-4 makes you think, and it's just refreshing.'' INJURY REPORT: Cory Hall believes he'll be ready to play against the Packers. The strong safety strained his groin in the afternoon session Friday. Gerald McBurrows, who started most of 2001 and all of '02 at the position, took Hall's place in practice Saturday. Defensive line coach Bill Johnson is in no hurry to play Travis Hall, who had an offseason hernia operation, at nose tackle. Hall has worked only at defensive end and at tackle when the Falcons drop into a four-man front. Linebacker Twan Russell reported no problems after returning Friday from a mid-week knee sprain.

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