birdz4i Posted June 9, 2015 Share Posted June 9, 2015 In Year 3, there are plenty of big expectations for cornerback Desmond Trufant, and he welcomes the challenge with a desire to be the best.Trufant evolving into a leader: Desmond Trufant has already established himself as one of the more promising young cornerbacks in the NFL. Now a veteran, expectations have been raised considerably — both in terms of what he’s capable of on the field and what he can offer his teammates. With this in mind, coaches are asking him to focus on improving himself rather than worry about the competition. It seems he’s taken their advice to heart.“I know I haven’t reached where I want to go, but at the same time, I know I’m a good player,” Trufant said. “I’m just working every day, trying to be the best. If they’re not saying I’m the best, I’m not really listening to them.”In addition to taking the next step as an individual, Trufant has started to embrace a leadership role. Among those who can benefit from his tutelage is rookie Jalen Collins.“I know when I first came in, I had guys like Robert McClain,” Trufant said, “guys that were helping me as a rookie. So it’s only right that I do that for (Collins).“He’s tall and long. He’s just willing to learn. He’s not 100 percent right now, but he’s getting better. We’re excited to see him; the coaches are excited to see him. He’s going to be a big help for us.”Cox happy with young D-linemen: Defensive line coach Bryan Cox likes what he’s seen from Vic Beasley and Grady Jarrett. Cox mentioned Beasley’s strengths that show up on tape — first step quickness, athleticism, closing speed — have been visible here at OTAs, even though pads have yet to be worn. In regards to Jarrett, who may have fallen in the draft because of his 6-foot frame, Cox doesn’t think size will be an issue.“I think the one thing about it that’s good for us is (Jarrett) gives us a different body type,” Cox said. “He’s small in stature in terms of height, but he has a big heart. He’s strong, he’s competitive, he’s well conditioned. And he’s different, so you come with Tyson Jackson and Paul Soliai, then you bring him into the game, you have a change of pace guy. I think at some point down the line, some point this season, he’ll pay huge dividends for us.”Ricardo Allen impressing: Quinn has been pleased with Ricardo Allen’s performance and gave the 23-year-old some first-team reps at free safety. The FS battle is shaping up to be an interesting one, as Allen, Charles Godfrey and Kemal Ishmael — who took first-team reps, as well — are all in the mix. Injury update: William Moore, Jalen Collins, Peter Konz, Jake Matthews and Brooks Reed returned to practice in limited capacities. Beasley was also among those who were limited. The first round pick has a strained shoulder and, although the damage is not believed to be serious, took it easy as a precaution. Jon Asamoah, who is working through an ankle injury, was one of the players kept indoors; Marquis Spruill, still recovering form the ACL tear that sidelined him for all of 2014, wasn’t on the field, either.Alumni look on: A number of former Falcons attended practice on Tuesday, including Tommy Nobis, Bob Whitfield and Brian Finneran, who Quinn at one time coached against.“It was nice to have so many of the alumni players out there today,” Quinn said. “To get connected with a guy like Tommy Nobis and Bob Whitfield and Brian Finneran … I really enjoyed talking to those guys.”http://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/blog/article-1/Five-Things-From-Week-3-of-OTAs/a5aaf081-c372-4eff-8c2f-66ae8757a1f0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drunken Minotaur Zebra Posted June 9, 2015 Share Posted June 9, 2015 I dig it. Really glad to see Trufant stepping up. It will be important to us to have a vocal leader like him ala what the Seachickens have w/ Sherman. I have high hopes for Allen - I think he could be a dangerous FS with his range and ball skills. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moist Words Posted June 10, 2015 Share Posted June 10, 2015 Coach Quinn has to be the most connected person I've ever heard of. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tuggle'2 Posted June 10, 2015 Share Posted June 10, 2015 Coach Quinn has to be the most connected person I've ever heard of.I know right? He seems to be affiliated with everyone in some way or another. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atljbo Posted June 10, 2015 Share Posted June 10, 2015 the guy plays like a safety ... When we drafted him i thought we had our future NB... But the guy is tough, has good instincts and good ball skills.I never thought about FS.. His one down fall as a CB on the outside was speed when playing on the islandNot comparing him to this guy but Jairus Byrd was a college CB that ran slower but he had good instincts and good ball skillsLets see what a bigger RC can do at FS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Osiruz Posted June 10, 2015 Share Posted June 10, 2015 I'm pumped for this season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest King Jigsaw Posted June 10, 2015 Share Posted June 10, 2015 Cox happyThat moment when you realize you're almost 24 years old but still have the humor of an 11-year-old.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tuggle'2 Posted June 10, 2015 Share Posted June 10, 2015 That moment when you realize you're almost 24 years old but still have the humor of an 11-year-old.. Those things never lose their humor man. I remember my 90 yr old grandfather making Dick Butkus jokes and my dad still cracks a Mike Cox joke here and there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atljbo Posted June 10, 2015 Share Posted June 10, 2015 and with Grady JarrettMayock: Phillip Dorsett, Tyler Lockett, Clive Walford, Grady Jarrett and Kevin White (TCU) made money this week. #SeniorBowlJosh Norris @JoshNorris Jan 24 Senior Bowl review will be posted this weekend, but I did not give Grady Jarrett enough praise this week. Not even close. Jarrett beating La'el Collinshttps://instagram.com/p/yK5CsTugDD/ Thankgod the Bengals decided to go with Hardy over Jarrett ... Grady will give us some good penetration as a sub guy his first year ... It feels good that the coaching staff sees a place for our young guys Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
k-train Posted June 10, 2015 Share Posted June 10, 2015 Coach Quinn has to be the most connected person I've ever heard of.Coach Quinn's theme song. He probably pumped this on his way to work the first day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BirdBrain53 Posted June 10, 2015 Share Posted June 10, 2015 It say's a lot to me when a Legend like Tommy Nobis show's up and check's out the team, I hope he talk's to our young guy'sand throw's a little knowledge around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheFatboi Posted June 10, 2015 Share Posted June 10, 2015 KOG has been saying that he likes Ricardo Allen at FS. I like hearing that the competition is fierce. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Califalcon0013 Posted June 10, 2015 Share Posted June 10, 2015 I know right? He seems to be affiliated with everyone in some way or another.Type of guy you root for Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FentayeJones Posted June 10, 2015 Share Posted June 10, 2015 KOG has been saying that he likes Ricardo Allen at FS. I like hearing that the competition is fierce.I like hearing it too. I thought Godfrey would have the inside track at starting FS but it looks like Allen is going to push hard. I love it. Competition will raise everyones game. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheFatboi Posted June 10, 2015 Share Posted June 10, 2015 I like hearing it too. I thought Godfrey would have the inside track at starting FS but it looks like Allen is going to push hard. I love it. Competition will raise everyones game.No doubt. We haven't had a culture of competition for a while now. Good to get back to that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirtybird56 Posted June 10, 2015 Share Posted June 10, 2015 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4tlLzBONZ_Athe guy plays like a safety ... When we drafted him i thought we had our future NB... But the guy is tough, has good instincts and good ball skills.I never thought about FS.. His one down fall as a CB on the outside was speed when playing on the islandNot comparing him to this guy but Jairus Byrd was a college CB that ran slower but he had good instincts and good ball skillsLets see what a bigger RC can do at FSHe really does play like a safety.. Great job reading the QB and breaking on the ball.. Natural instincts and good ball skills Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PrimitiveJN Posted June 10, 2015 Share Posted June 10, 2015 I wonder if Finn said anything to Hage in person Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FentayeJones Posted June 10, 2015 Share Posted June 10, 2015 Ricardo Allen - STRENGTHS: Excellent footwork to drive quickly on plays with very good closing burst...very physical and disciplined in run support - loves to throw his body around and displays a lot of toughness in run support...violent hitter and strikes low, never holding back...confident and feisty on-field demeanor - loves to talk and get in the head of WRs...reads and baits throws with plus ballskills - takes advantage of QB mistakes...excellent ability after the interception with a school-record four career returns for scores...active blitzer...hard-working competitor and is always giving full effort...extremely tough and battled tested with very good starting experience as a four-year starter (48 career starts) - finishes his college career with 13 interceptions, which is second in Purdue history. - CBS Sports Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndySG Posted June 10, 2015 Share Posted June 10, 2015 The word that I constantly associate with Allen is attitude. He plays as if he is a big man. Loves the game. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Herr Doktor Posted June 10, 2015 Share Posted June 10, 2015 I like this kid. He has the scrappy tude, and the feisty demeanor to play safety. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spiker Posted June 10, 2015 Share Posted June 10, 2015 Gotta pull for the underdog...plus he can tackle. Imagine that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madman88 Posted June 11, 2015 Share Posted June 11, 2015 He really does play like a safety.. Great job reading the QB and breaking on the ball.. Natural instincts and good ball skillsto be fair, some of thoes throws were just awful, hard to watch, but he made them pay so good for him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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