Post by Guvmintcheeze on Sept 18, 2015 15:59:55 GMT
Falcons CB Desmond Trufant has much respect for Giants' Odell Beckham Jr.
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- Atlanta Falcons cornerback Desmond Trufant has a checklist of things he looks for from a wide receiver, and Giants receiver Odell Beckham Jr. fits all the criteria.
"I look at how they release against press [coverage]; are they patient releases, do they just go, or do they try to shake a lot and get you off your spot," Trufant said. "I see if they use their hands to push off. Also, I look at where they try to feed them the ball. Each receiver has certain type of plays where they get the ball. Some guys are screen guys. Some guys are shot [down the field] guys. Some guys are possession guys.
"I think he fits all of it, really. They like to take shots with him. They'll throw screens to him. I've seen him in the backfield where they threw him a sweep play last year. They definitely are trying to feed him in the ball whenever they can, so you just have to be on your toes. He'll be in the slot. He'll be outside. You definitely have to be aware of where he's at."
Falcons coach Dan Quinn hinted at mixing up the coverages against Beckham and maybe matching Trufant against him, depending on down and distance. Trufant shadowed receivers such as Steve Smith, Kelvin Benjamin and Josh Gordon in the past. Beckham, in his second season, has developed into a primary target for Eli Manning, particularly with Victor Cruz sidelined with a calf injury. Beckham had 1,305 yards on 91 catches with 12 touchdowns last year as a rookie, and he played in just 12 games. His debut actually was against the Falcons in Week 5 of last season, when he caught four passes for 44 yards and his first NFL touchdown.
Trufant addressed the possibility of matching Beckham, who is known for his quickness.
"I'm fine with whatever," Trufant said. "Whatever we do, I'm with it. Whatever the coaches need me to do, I'm there to do. I'm just going to do whatever my part is; whatever my role. Whatever the ask me to do, I'm going to do it."
Trufant was asked if Beckham, who even threw a pass last season, has any weaknesses.
"Honestly, I just look at my strengths," he said. "He's well-rounded. I really can't say he has a glaring weakness. I just look at my strength and what separates me [speed, technique, confidence]."
From watching film, Trufant did pick up on some things other defenders did not do well against Beckhman.
"I think just playing the ball, because one of the great things that he does is playing the ball in the air," Trufant said of Beckham. "You just have to be in the right position and find the ball. You have to get up first because he can jump. You just have to get up first and go attack the ball."
Last week against the Cowboys, Beckham had just 44 receiving yards on five catches. Those were his lowest totals since Week 7 of last season. Dallas played two deep coverage and kept him in front of the as the Giants really never generated their offense.
Maybe Trufant can help the Falcons have similar type of success against Beckham come Sunday.
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- Atlanta Falcons cornerback Desmond Trufant has a checklist of things he looks for from a wide receiver, and Giants receiver Odell Beckham Jr. fits all the criteria.
"I look at how they release against press [coverage]; are they patient releases, do they just go, or do they try to shake a lot and get you off your spot," Trufant said. "I see if they use their hands to push off. Also, I look at where they try to feed them the ball. Each receiver has certain type of plays where they get the ball. Some guys are screen guys. Some guys are shot [down the field] guys. Some guys are possession guys.
"I think he fits all of it, really. They like to take shots with him. They'll throw screens to him. I've seen him in the backfield where they threw him a sweep play last year. They definitely are trying to feed him in the ball whenever they can, so you just have to be on your toes. He'll be in the slot. He'll be outside. You definitely have to be aware of where he's at."
Falcons coach Dan Quinn hinted at mixing up the coverages against Beckham and maybe matching Trufant against him, depending on down and distance. Trufant shadowed receivers such as Steve Smith, Kelvin Benjamin and Josh Gordon in the past. Beckham, in his second season, has developed into a primary target for Eli Manning, particularly with Victor Cruz sidelined with a calf injury. Beckham had 1,305 yards on 91 catches with 12 touchdowns last year as a rookie, and he played in just 12 games. His debut actually was against the Falcons in Week 5 of last season, when he caught four passes for 44 yards and his first NFL touchdown.
Trufant addressed the possibility of matching Beckham, who is known for his quickness.
"I'm fine with whatever," Trufant said. "Whatever we do, I'm with it. Whatever the coaches need me to do, I'm there to do. I'm just going to do whatever my part is; whatever my role. Whatever the ask me to do, I'm going to do it."
Trufant was asked if Beckham, who even threw a pass last season, has any weaknesses.
"Honestly, I just look at my strengths," he said. "He's well-rounded. I really can't say he has a glaring weakness. I just look at my strength and what separates me [speed, technique, confidence]."
From watching film, Trufant did pick up on some things other defenders did not do well against Beckhman.
"I think just playing the ball, because one of the great things that he does is playing the ball in the air," Trufant said of Beckham. "You just have to be in the right position and find the ball. You have to get up first because he can jump. You just have to get up first and go attack the ball."
Last week against the Cowboys, Beckham had just 44 receiving yards on five catches. Those were his lowest totals since Week 7 of last season. Dallas played two deep coverage and kept him in front of the as the Giants really never generated their offense.
Maybe Trufant can help the Falcons have similar type of success against Beckham come Sunday.