FLOWERY BRANCH — It certainly didn’t appear scripted but Dan Quinn’s football giveaway Tuesday during the opening day of the Atlanta Falcons three-day minicamp was one of the main highlights of a spirited practice at the Falcons Complex.
Rookie kicker Nick Rose was in the middle of his daily routine of blasting field goals from a variety of distances when several balls reached up the hill behind the fields. After several drops by fans, Quinn offered the challenge that “if you catch it, you can keep it.”
Young John McGee of Dallas, Ga., in Paulding County was one of the lucky ones who left with a souvenir. “Cool,” was all he could come up with as he held on tight.
Quinn agreed.
“We love having our fans be able to come out and watch. They really turn up the energy for the team,” he said. “I don’t know if I’ll make it a habit (of giving away balls) but it was fun to do that.”
After finishing a three-week Organized Team Activity (OTA) session last week, the Falcons turned up the practice intensity with nearly half of the 90-minute session Tuesday devoted to running plays and working out the bugs on both the offensive and defensive sides.
There were plenty of positives to go around
Speed, or getting faster, has been a central theme since April’s draft and both units displayed some. Running back Devonta Freeman, back after missing last week’s OTAs with a slight muscle pull, looked quick running the ball and catching passes out the backfield, as did backups Tevin Coleman, Terron Ward, and Gus Johnson.
“I liked what I saw from all of them,” quarterback Matt Ryan said of the young stable of running backs. “It was good to see Devonta get back out here and Tevin really had some nice runs. I feel like we’re a quicker team than last year already.
“Devonta is one of the most fierce competitors and toughest guys we have on the team. He brings another level of energy that we need.”
During the 2-minute offense drills, Ryan and Julio Jones connected on several passes, including a touchdown to cap one 40-second drive from midfield.
But the defense also had its moments, especially when second-year cornerback C.J. Goodwin picked off a Matt Sims pass to end the day and Sean Weatherspoon picked off a deflected pass from Matt Schaub on another 2-minute drive.
“We have a lot of speed on defense,” Quinn said. “We’re really just now starting to see it though, because first everyone has to get familiar and comfortable with the system. I think we’re starting to see that guys know where to be and when that happens you start to see the speed become a factor. I like what I’m seeing right now.”
The Falcons will be back at it on Wednesday with the second open minicamp practice, which begins at 11 a.m. at the Falcons Complex. Gates will open at 11 a.m. for fans.
Here are some other observations during Tuesday’s session:
Beast mode: Jones was a beast on offense. He caught a half-dozen balls on two 2-minute drills and chewed up both veteran DeMarcus Van Dyke and rookie Devonte Johnson, leaving both cornerbacks shaking their heads. He had one over-the-shoulder catch and put a double move on Van Dyke that left him flat-footed inside the red zone on the TD catch.
Beast mode 2: The No. 1 offensive line unit of Jake Matthews, Andy Levitre, Alex Mack, Mike Person, and Ryan Schraeder blew open some huge holes during several play-calling sessions. Johnson broke two long runs and Freeman had another that may have resulted in a touchdown under normal game conditions.
“Those guys are really gelling together and playing well right now,” Ryan said. “I thought we ran the ball very well at times last year but having the same group together the whole time I think will make us even better this year.”
Rookie having some kicks: Rose, who sits behind Matt Bryant on the kicking depth chart, has been impressive so far. During the last two open practices, the Texas rookie has booted 14-of-17 field goals, including 2-of-3 from beyond 50 yards in game-like conditions. Most teams don’t carry two kickers but Rose is giving the Falcons brass something to think about for sure.
Wes Welker impersonator: Oklahoma State rookie receiver David Glidden, just 5-foot-8 and 185 pounds, has caught the attention of at least one key offensive starter. He had two catches across the middle during 2-minute drills.
“I like his game,” Ryan said. “He has done a nice job, has good hands, and runs good routes. He’s impressed me so far.”
Glidden looks the part of a Wes Welker-type receiver that can get open to keep possessions alive.
(Inside) the box: 8-year veteran Tyson Jackson (DL) has seen a lot of action inside so far and Quinn likes what he has seen.
“We’ve moved him to tackle some to see what he can give us and we’ve liked what he has shown,” Quinn said. “He gives us some size and quickness inside and allows us to get some more speed on the outside. When you are playing that spot we want a little more rush at that position. He has worked hard, his weight is down and he looks fit. That versatility is where we are heading with Tyson.”
Youth is served: Quinn said they are trying to work in some of the younger, newer linebackers into the lineup. 2nd round pick Deion Jones (LSU) and 4th round pick De’Vondre Campbell (Minnesota) both lined up with the first-team defense on Tuesday.
"We want to see what guys know and what they can do," Quinn said. "We're going to continue to do that all the way through camp."
New grad makes good first impression: Rookie tight end and third-round pick Austin Hooper made his first appearance since rookie camp after completing his studies at Stanford. He had one catch across the middle and looked comfortable in pass protection and run-blocking schemes.
“He’s got size and speed and he showed some good hands,” Ryan said.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2016/6/411358/falcons-minicamp