g-dawg Posted June 10, 2015 Share Posted June 10, 2015 TRUFANT'S SMARTS STANDING OUT TO NEW COACHESPosted 1 hour agoAndrew Hirshatlantafalcons.com One look at the tape and it's clear to see Desmond Trufant has the talent, but as his new coaches continue to get to know him, they're discovering Trufant's football intelligence It’s impossible to deny Desmond Trufant’s physical talent. In two professional seasons, the University of Washington alum has displayed the kind of quickness and coverage ability seldom found in the NFL—and by doing so has established himself as a true No. 1 cornerback. In addition to the athleticism, the ball skills, the speed, Trufant has proven to be one of the more cerebral guys in Atlanta’s locker room. And the new coaching staff has noticed. “I’m more impressed with Trufant above the neck than anything,” assistant head coach Raheem Morris said. “What he brings to the game, how smart he is, how detailed he is about his work, how good he wants to become. He has a great bloodline. I love being around the guy more than the actual player.” A high football I.Q. obviously helps when transitioning to a new system. Trufant will have to adjust to a heavy dose of press coverage — Atlanta’s CBs will press roughly 95 percent of the time, according to secondary coach Marquand Manuel — and being able to change styles is more of a mental exercise than anything. VIEW GALLERY | 63 PhotosFalcons Start Final Week of OTAsSo far, he seems to be up to the task. In fact, this defense may be a better fit for him than the one he learned upon joining the Falcons. “You could say that,” Trufant said. “I feel I can fit into any scheme, but I love what we’ve got going here. We play aggressive, get hands on guys. They always want us to go after the ball so I couldn’t ask for (anything) else. They just want us to stay on top, no seams, no posts, no big plays. Let them complete the checkdowns, but no explosive plays. Every call they want us to go after the ball, so that’s what we’re going to do.” “We’re asking him to play a brand new technique,” Manuel said. “From that standpoint (the question is), how do I get better? Daily question. I told him it’s about the competition with oneself. It’s not what the media says, it’s not what another player says — it’s about the inner competitiveness that makes you great. That’s my challenge.” Trufant is taking this challenge to heart. While plenty of fans, journalists and even players engage in heated cornerback debates, the 24-year-old is tuning out the noise and focusing on his own game. “I know I haven’t reached where I want to go, but at the same time, I know I’m a good player,” he added. “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.” No longer a little-known commodity, Trufant is in position to become a premier corner, one who can single-handily take Atlanta’s defense to the next level. Morris believes that will happen sooner than later. “I think he’s already in the process of doing it,” Morris said. “He’s locked in his work, he’s going about his business. He’s competing every single day. And that’s how you become great. You don’t become great all of the sudden when a big game shows up. You become great with your daily preparation, how you go out there and approach your work. “The genius is always in the simplicity of football. (Trufant) can understand it better than anybody else can.” Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
g-dawg Posted June 10, 2015 Author Share Posted June 10, 2015 I've been very critical of MetroSexBoy of late (2009-2013), but gotta give him props here, he did hit a homerun with the Desmond Trufant pick - even though he had to give up a 3rd rounder to move up to take him in early 20's - we got a likely multiple pro-bowler at the back-end of the 1st round in the draft. Great pick! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drunken Minotaur Zebra Posted June 10, 2015 Share Posted June 10, 2015 Yep Trufant alone will make the 2013 draft a success. If Alford and Goodman pan out too that's just icing on the cake. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirtybird56 Posted June 10, 2015 Share Posted June 10, 2015 Already one of the best in the league after his 2nd season, just wait til he has a pass rush Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
g-dawg Posted June 10, 2015 Author Share Posted June 10, 2015 Yep Trufant alone will make the 2013 draft a success. If Alford and Goodman pan out too that's just icing on the cake. Alford definitely needs to hit.....Kemal Ishmael looks like a player - Goodman/Maponga/Toilolo - we will likely have a verdict on those guys by year's end.If Trufant is an all-pro, Ismael develops into a solid starter and we get one more long-term significant contributor, then the 2013 draft will be a success - it takes more than one all-pro to say it was a good draft to me - even though Trufant is awesome.I believe you need 3 significant contributors (long-term) out of every draft - they don't all have to be stars, but significant contributors - not necessarily their rook or 2nd seasons - but by year 3 - we are in year 3 - We can render a verdict on this 2013 Falcons draft by year's end. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drunken Minotaur Zebra Posted June 10, 2015 Share Posted June 10, 2015 Alford definitely needs to hit.....Kemal Ishmael looks like a player - Goodman/Maponga/Toilolo - we will likely have a verdict on those guys by year's end.If Trufant is an all-pro, Ismael develops into a solid starter and we get one more long-term significant contributor, then the 2013 draft will be a success - it takes more than one all-pro to say it was a good draft to me - even though Trufant is awesome.Oops I forget Ish was in 2013. I love that guy. He is our replacement for WillyMo in a few years IMO. Maybe sooner if Willy keeps getting hurt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
g-dawg Posted June 10, 2015 Author Share Posted June 10, 2015 Oops I forget Ish was in 2013. I love that guy. He is our replacement for WillyMo in a few years IMO. Maybe sooner if Willy keeps getting hurt. 2013 Falcons NFL Draft:#1-022) Desmond Trufant, CB - future all-pro#2-060) Robert Alford, CB - has talent, needs to put it altogether, should be #2 or slot corner starter#4-127) Malliciah Goodman, DT/DE - intriguing physical tools, still don't know what we have#4-133) Levine Toilolo, TE - very disappointing so far, could be a bust - could be a redzone only effective weapon#5-153) Stansly Maponga, DE/OLB - two years and we know nothing on this guy - can he blossom under Quinn?#7-243) Kemal Ishmael, SS - looks like a future starter, maybe this year - best position SS and he is blocked by WillyMo#7-244) Zeke Motta, SS - bust/cut#7-249) Sean Renfree, QB - I like him more than TJ Yates and think he could be effective back-upRED = no brainer studBLUE = potential starter and significant contributor (not 100% sure thing)jury is out on all the other picks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peoriabird Posted June 10, 2015 Share Posted June 10, 2015 He must have been a Pioli pick! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Don™ Posted June 10, 2015 Share Posted June 10, 2015 95% of the time is press coverage. Breath of fresh air. I will never understand why our corners played 10 yards off and allowed easy slants and quick routes. This will disrupt those routes and throw off timing for a QB and WR if executed correctly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
g-dawg Posted June 10, 2015 Author Share Posted June 10, 2015 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1lPhlW8srI8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
g-dawg Posted June 10, 2015 Author Share Posted June 10, 2015 with more heat on the QB this year from Quinn's system and Trufant's ability to play press-man, he is going to get an opportunity to make a lot more plays on the ball - Tru's biggest weakness is probably his hands - he has very small hands which I think leads to drops when he has chance to convert to INT's - if he can improve on that, then I think the sky is the limit for his potential. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
g-dawg Posted June 10, 2015 Author Share Posted June 10, 2015 95% of the time is press coverage. Breath of fresh air. I will never understand why our corners played 10 yards off and allowed easy slants and quick routes.This will disrupt those routes and throw off timing for a QB and WR if executed correctly.this really is a breath of fresh air. Regardless of who has been the DC, the last 20+ years the Falcons have played this "off-man" coverage conceding the first down marker all the way down the field.good call, The Don! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
g-dawg Posted June 10, 2015 Author Share Posted June 10, 2015 The BOSS!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdawg4876 Posted June 10, 2015 Share Posted June 10, 2015 2013 Falcons NFL Draft:#1-022) Desmond Trufant, CB - future all-pro#2-060) Robert Alford, CB - has talent, needs to put it altogether, should be #2 or slot corner starter#4-127) Malliciah Goodman, DT/DE - intriguing physical tools, still don't know what we have#4-133) Levine Toilolo, TE - very disappointing so far, could be a bust - could be a redzone only effective weapon#5-153) Stansly Maponga, DE/OLB - two years and we know nothing on this guy - can he blossom under Quinn?#7-243) Kemal Ishmael, SS - looks like a future starter, maybe this year - best position SS and he is blocked by WillyMo#7-244) Zeke Motta, SS - bust/cut#7-249) Sean Renfree, QB - I like him more than TJ Yates and think he could be effective back-upRED = no brainer studBLUE = potential starter and significant contributor (not 100% sure thing)jury is out on all the other picks.I disagree with you on levine, maybe its bc I never expected him to be the next great explosive TE, one he does not have the speed and never has, but he is a great blocking TE and in this new offense that is going to be very important. it seems folks even forgot he filled in at RT and did a great job, he could also play fb, if he can make a couple of more catches and get 3 to 5 tds a yr I call that a solid contributor to the offense. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FentayeJones Posted June 10, 2015 Share Posted June 10, 2015 If Alford and Ishmael continue to develop as expected we would have locked up a 5-7 year secondary in one draft. We just need a FS to emerge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jigglypuff Posted June 10, 2015 Share Posted June 10, 2015 Troff'd again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
g-dawg Posted June 10, 2015 Author Share Posted June 10, 2015 I disagree with you on levine, maybe its bc I never expected him to be the next great explosive TE, one he does not have the speed and never has, but he is a great blocking TE and in this new offense that is going to be very important. it seems folks even forgot he filled in at RT and did a great job, he could also play fb, if he can make a couple of more catches and get 3 to 5 tds a yr I call that a solid contributor to the offense.I never expected Toilolo to be explosive - never thought he would just be "the next Tony G" - nobody thouht that jdawg.But I bet if you put a poll up, people would have thought we would have gotten 45 receptions for 400+ yds and 5 TDs when he took over for Gonzo.We got 238yds and 2 TDs. Sorry, that is barely "roster-worthy" when Matt Ryan is your QB and we know he is good at finding the Tight End - that is a FAIL. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jigglypuff Posted June 10, 2015 Share Posted June 10, 2015 did anyone else notice the misspelt " single-handily " Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdawg4876 Posted June 10, 2015 Share Posted June 10, 2015 I never expected Toilolo to be explosive - never thought he would just be "the next Tony G" - nobody thouht that jdawg.But I bet if you put a poll up, people would have thought we would have gotten 45 receptions for 400+ yds and 5 TDs when he took over for Gonzo.We got 238yds and 2 TDs. Sorry, that is barely "roster-worthy" when Matt Ryan is your QB and we know he is good at finding the Tight End - that is a FAIL.with the oline we had last yr and he being the 4th sometimes the 5th option it didnt suprise me, we were more concerned with trying to get hester to be a wr something he never has or never will truly be. plus levine had to stay in a lot of the time to help, he is a main reason Ryan RT looked so good, lets not forget we brought in bear pascoe to help the blocking and levine looked a 100 times better than him. and gdawg you said have a stat line of 45 catches well he was only thrown to 54 times the entire season, he was not a priority. as a late 4th rounder if he turns out to be a A1 blocker who can fill in at RT or FB in a pinch and can grab 3 to 6 tds a yr, I call that a solid contributor to a team especially in shannys new offense Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
g-dawg Posted June 10, 2015 Author Share Posted June 10, 2015 with the oline we had last yr and he being the 4th sometimes the 5th option it didnt suprise me, we were more concerned with trying to get hester to be a wr something he never has or never will truly be. plus levine had to stay in a lot of the time to help, he is a main reason Ryan RT looked so good, lets not forget we brought in bear pascoe to help the blocking and levine looked a 100 times better than him. and gdawg you said have a stat line of 45 catches well he was only thrown to 54 times the entire season, he was not a priority. as a late 4th rounder if he turns out to be a A1 blocker who can fill in at RT or FB in a pinch and can grab 3 to 6 tds a yr, I call that a solid contributor to a team especially in shannys new offensethis year will show what we have or don't have in Toilolo. If he is a blocking TE and not much more, then he was a wasted pick - blocking Tight Ends that are no threat in passing game are a dime a dozen #BenHartsock Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdawg4876 Posted June 10, 2015 Share Posted June 10, 2015 matt ryan is a great qb but other than TG he never targeted TEslook at Justun Peelle in 2008 he only had a total of 22 targets and in 09 and 10 his targets went down from there to 15 I believe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdawg4876 Posted June 10, 2015 Share Posted June 10, 2015 this year will show what we have or don't have in Toilolo. If he is a blocking TE and not much more, then he was a wasted pick - blocking Tight Ends that are no threat in passing game are a dime a dozen #BenHartsocksee I disagree there a good blocking TE is hard to find, Like I said bear pascoe was suppose to be a good blocking TE but he sucked bad, just like the myth of you can find a good FB anywhere, and yet we been searching for yrs now since OVie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
g-dawg Posted June 10, 2015 Author Share Posted June 10, 2015 matt ryan is a great qb but other than TG he never targeted TEslook at Justun Peelle in 2008 he only had a total of 22 targets and in 09 and 10 his targets went down from there to 15 I believeexactly. Where is Peele selling insurance now? maybe he will hire Toilolo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MD-FalconFan13 Posted June 10, 2015 Share Posted June 10, 2015 with the oline we had last yr and he being the 4th sometimes the 5th option it didnt suprise me, we were more concerned with trying to get hester to be a wr something he never has or never will truly be. plus levine had to stay in a lot of the time to help, he is a main reason Ryan RT looked so good, lets not forget we brought in bear pascoe to help the blocking and levine looked a 100 times better than him. and gdawg you said have a stat line of 45 catches well he was only thrown to 54 times the entire season, he was not a priority. as a late 4th rounder if he turns out to be a A1 blocker who can fill in at RT or FB in a pinch and can grab 3 to 6 tds a yr, I call that a solid contributor to a team especially in shannys new offenseThe throws you get are usually most affected by amount of times you get open. I don't think that Matt was the only reason that the Falcons tight end went from almost 90 catches to less than 30. That is likely due to the huge drop off in talent and amount of times you get open between Tony G and Toilolo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
g-dawg Posted June 10, 2015 Author Share Posted June 10, 2015 The throws you get are usually most affected by amount of times you get open. I don't think that Matt was the only reason that the Falcons tight end went from almost 90 catches to less than 30. That is likely due to the huge drop off in talent and amount of times you get open between Tony G and Toiloloagreed. hard to target a guy that cannot get open and then drops the pass when he does get targeted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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