Born-a-Falcon Posted August 20, 2008 Share Posted August 20, 2008 Falcons find comfort at safety spotBy D. ORLANDO LEDBETTERThe Atlanta Journal-ConstitutionTuesday, August 19, 2008Flowery Branch — When Falcons backup safety Daren Stone enters the game, there are usually some bodies flying nearby.“He’s made some very nice hits on special teams,” Falcons coach Mike Smith said after Tuesday’s afternoon practice. “He’s done a very good job.”Stone, a sixth-round draft pick in 2007 from Maine, made the team last season and played in 12 games. The Falcons need to upgrade the safety position with Lawyer Milloy heading into his 13th season and the last year of his contract.The Falcons also signed free safety Erik Coleman in the offseason.Stone probably can’t crack the starting lineup, but he can be a force on special teams while still learning to play safety in the NFL.“In the first preseason game he had three outstanding tackles,” Smith said. “Of course he had a nice interception in the first game when he made a break on the football.”The Falcons also drafted safety Thomas DeCoud this year. Antoine Harris can play safety and cornerback. Deke Cooper, a free agent who played for Smith when he was an assistant in Jacksonville, was signed.“I’m in a position where I’m competing with a lot of good safeties,” Stone said. “There is a lot of good competition and it’s making me play better.”Stone has not backed down from the competition.“That’s part of football camp,” Stone said. “You’ve got to beat out people every year. You have to come in here and compete. I just came in with my hard hat and lunch pail. I’m going out there playing hard and hitting hard.”Stone knows his calling card is delivering the big hit.“I’m out there head-hunting,” Stone said. “I’m trying to hit people with everything that I’ve got. I’m out there going full speed and just competing.”Boley’s backLinebacker Michael Boley (back) returned to practice. He was kicked in the back in the second quarter against Indianapolis Saturday.“That’s good that he was only out for one day,” Smith said.Brown cutIsaac Brown, an undrafted free agent from Central Michigan, was waived. He’s been out of practice for two weeks with an undisclosed injury.Shockley’s motionLast season, head coach Bobby Petrino tried to change D.J. Shockley’s throwing motion before he went down with a season-ending knee injury.“This year the coaching staff, was like you got here for one reason and how you got here was good enough,” Shockley said. “They felt that nothing was wrong with my release and with the way I throw the ball.“That’s been one good thing that I don’t have to worry about with each and every throw. They just say ‘Hey, you’ve been a quarterback, you be a quarterback.’ “ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cwell1 Posted August 20, 2008 Share Posted August 20, 2008 I know Stone better make the team. Deke Cooper hasn't done anything to even have the #2 SS spot. Stone looks like a future starter out there and does nothing but make plays. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
falconsfan1987 Posted August 20, 2008 Share Posted August 20, 2008 Stone is looking good, He has made some good plays out there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajohnson1050 Posted August 20, 2008 Share Posted August 20, 2008 I like the 'hard hat and lunch pail' mentality. I like the kid. Also, the bit on Shockley's throwing motion. Not a Petrino fan, but he is a great qb coach. The change in the throwing motion may be needed especially since Shockley stands 6'0" in cleats and thick snow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roddyyoudaman Posted August 20, 2008 Share Posted August 20, 2008 i have always loved stone since we drafted him...i knew he ha dbig play ability and hes done nothing but show it this preseason...milloy's future backup for sure! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Don™ Posted August 20, 2008 Share Posted August 20, 2008 Brown cut I though THOMAS Brown was cut for a second. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Born-a-Falcon Posted August 20, 2008 Author Share Posted August 20, 2008 I though THOMAS Brown was cut for a second.Me too when i first read it.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockford Posted August 20, 2008 Share Posted August 20, 2008 i have always loved stone since we drafted him...i knew he ha dbig play ability and hes done nothing but show it this preseason...milloy's future backup for sure!Stone needs to watch Milloy like a hawk and learn learn learn. YOu instill the work ethic and smarts of Milloy into Stone's athleticism and. . I like the mental image. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norwood32 Posted August 20, 2008 Share Posted August 20, 2008 Stone is one of the hardest hitters on this team. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Romfal Posted August 20, 2008 Share Posted August 20, 2008 If he gets cut I'm gonna be pissed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R.U.N.n.G.U.N. Posted August 20, 2008 Share Posted August 20, 2008 stone's big and tall frame will be a compliment to grimes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miKevicK777 Posted August 20, 2008 Share Posted August 20, 2008 Last season i made a comparison of Stone to Sean Taylor (before he died, RIP brotha), altho Stone isnt as strong and obviously not as good as Taylor, they are similar in a few ways. They are both big guys, both with alot of speed, both with alot of athleticism, and they like to play physically. And although they play different positions, Stone could work his way to be alot like Taylor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RIfalcon Posted August 20, 2008 Share Posted August 20, 2008 i miss jimmy williams and his blown coverages.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norwood32 Posted August 20, 2008 Share Posted August 20, 2008 i miss jimmy williams and his blown coverages.... So do opposing teams WR's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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