Post by Guvmintcheeze on May 11, 2015 13:27:07 GMT
Five thoughts after Falcons rookie minicamp
Vaughn McClure, ESPN Atlanta Falcons reporter
The Atlanta Falcons concluded rookie minicamp camp Sunday with a closed practice. Although not much was revealed during the 60 combined minutes available to the media on Friday and Saturday, here are five thoughts based on some observations:
Seventh-round pick Akeem King, a cornerback from San Jose State, is a player to keep an eye on. Just based on drills, he seems to have solid footwork and just looked like a legit NFL defensive back. Plus King, who played safety for the Spartans last season, is sure to get better when he's asked to go up against elite wide receiver Julio Jones in practice. King was recruited to college as a wide receiver himself, so that background could work to his advantage. Not to mention King should get plenty of opportunities to prove his value this offseason with second-round pick Jalen Collins still recovering from foot surgery.
King mentioned how much it helps to have a position coach who went through the NFL grind in Marquand Manuel, who played eight years in the league at safety before concluding his career in 2009. Manuel should help improve all the defensive backs, but he should particularly be beneficial to Robert Alford. The third-year player has all the ability in the world, but needs to improve his technique -- especially when it comes to his hands. Alford picked up his share of defensive penalties last season. Manuel is very hands-on with his coaching approach and surely will ride Alford until Alford gets it right. Alford already is getting an earful from one former NFL safety; close friend Ryan Clark, an ESPN analyst who has trained Alford this offseason.
Pass-rusher Vic Beasley's impact won't be just on Sundays for the Falcons. The rookie first-round draft pick's quick first step off the edge should help all the offensive tackles improve. Beasley probably didn't have much competition during rookie minicamp based on the marginal group of offensive linemen on the field. It should be at least a little tougher in organized activities and at mandatory minicamp (June 16-18) as he goes up against guys such as Lamar Holmes, Ryan Schraeder and perhaps Jake Matthews (if Matthews recovers from surgery to repair a Lisfranc ligament tear in his foot). Practicing against Beasley should help the tackles prepare for guys such as Connor Barwin (Eagles), Jason Pierre-Paul (Giants) and J.J. Watt (Texans) in the first four games of the season.
I have to agree with NFL.com analyst Bucky Brooks on this one: third-round pick Tevin Coleman's running style is ideal for offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan's outside-zone blocking scheme, which emphasizes a one-cut-and-go mentality for the running backs. Some folks tried to argue otherwise, but Coleman's explosive, big-play ability is an asset for any offensive scheme. Judging by watching Coleman closely during drills, he showed no signs of being limited by December surgery on his right big toe. Coleman and Devonta Freeman have the potential to be a dynamic duo. Time didn't allow media members to see how Coleman caught the ball at rookie camp.
The Falcons took every necessary precaution after undrafted safety Terell Floyd from Louisville fell on the field because of the extreme heat. He was taken to the hospital as a precaution and is expected to be back on the field sometime this week after suffering from dehydration. The extreme heat in Atlanta always is a concern, and you wonder how much time the Falcons will spend in their indoor practice facility this summer to help beat the heat.
Vaughn McClure, ESPN Atlanta Falcons reporter
The Atlanta Falcons concluded rookie minicamp camp Sunday with a closed practice. Although not much was revealed during the 60 combined minutes available to the media on Friday and Saturday, here are five thoughts based on some observations:
Seventh-round pick Akeem King, a cornerback from San Jose State, is a player to keep an eye on. Just based on drills, he seems to have solid footwork and just looked like a legit NFL defensive back. Plus King, who played safety for the Spartans last season, is sure to get better when he's asked to go up against elite wide receiver Julio Jones in practice. King was recruited to college as a wide receiver himself, so that background could work to his advantage. Not to mention King should get plenty of opportunities to prove his value this offseason with second-round pick Jalen Collins still recovering from foot surgery.
King mentioned how much it helps to have a position coach who went through the NFL grind in Marquand Manuel, who played eight years in the league at safety before concluding his career in 2009. Manuel should help improve all the defensive backs, but he should particularly be beneficial to Robert Alford. The third-year player has all the ability in the world, but needs to improve his technique -- especially when it comes to his hands. Alford picked up his share of defensive penalties last season. Manuel is very hands-on with his coaching approach and surely will ride Alford until Alford gets it right. Alford already is getting an earful from one former NFL safety; close friend Ryan Clark, an ESPN analyst who has trained Alford this offseason.
Pass-rusher Vic Beasley's impact won't be just on Sundays for the Falcons. The rookie first-round draft pick's quick first step off the edge should help all the offensive tackles improve. Beasley probably didn't have much competition during rookie minicamp based on the marginal group of offensive linemen on the field. It should be at least a little tougher in organized activities and at mandatory minicamp (June 16-18) as he goes up against guys such as Lamar Holmes, Ryan Schraeder and perhaps Jake Matthews (if Matthews recovers from surgery to repair a Lisfranc ligament tear in his foot). Practicing against Beasley should help the tackles prepare for guys such as Connor Barwin (Eagles), Jason Pierre-Paul (Giants) and J.J. Watt (Texans) in the first four games of the season.
I have to agree with NFL.com analyst Bucky Brooks on this one: third-round pick Tevin Coleman's running style is ideal for offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan's outside-zone blocking scheme, which emphasizes a one-cut-and-go mentality for the running backs. Some folks tried to argue otherwise, but Coleman's explosive, big-play ability is an asset for any offensive scheme. Judging by watching Coleman closely during drills, he showed no signs of being limited by December surgery on his right big toe. Coleman and Devonta Freeman have the potential to be a dynamic duo. Time didn't allow media members to see how Coleman caught the ball at rookie camp.
The Falcons took every necessary precaution after undrafted safety Terell Floyd from Louisville fell on the field because of the extreme heat. He was taken to the hospital as a precaution and is expected to be back on the field sometime this week after suffering from dehydration. The extreme heat in Atlanta always is a concern, and you wonder how much time the Falcons will spend in their indoor practice facility this summer to help beat the heat.