OC Posted August 1, 2015 Share Posted August 1, 2015 http://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/blog/article-1/Camp-Report-5-Things-to-Know-From-Day-2/ab68dd68-be31-4687-ac04-2bb65406cd2fJake Matthews Looking Sharp: Prior to the start of camp, it was unclear how much time Jake Matthews would need to regain his form. While hes not 100 percent healed from a recent foot surgery, the former Texas A&M Aggie, now entering his second NFL campaign, looked solid and took plenty of first-team reps. His improved health was evident during one of the mornings first drills, when Atlantas offensive linemen were pinned against each other in one-on-one scenarios. Matthews displayed sound technique and attacked the line of scrimmage with great force a sign he isn't severely hampered by the lingering foot injury he suffered in 2014.Opportunities Abound: Fans in attendance may have noticed a lot of depth players receiving snaps alongside starting units. This was not an indication of how the hierarchy is forming, but rather a chance for coaches to see how everyone fares when surrounded by top-level talent.Early, we actually want to play guys with the first-team, said Quinn. Thats our chance to evaluate the guys. 'Can you handle it? So its really by design, how many guys can we put in that mix? In the first meeting, we told them, Youre going to play. Its part of the system to show you can do it. So I love that part of it too for the guys who like to get up and have that challenge.Robert Alford Finding Consistency: Third-year cornerback Robert Alford has built on his strong offseason with a productive start to camp. Hes still lining up opposite Desmond Trufant, and despite competition from rookie Jalen Collins, is on track to retain a starting job.Ricardo Allen Enjoying New Role: Like Alford, Ricardo Allen has created some momentum by following up a solid minicamp with a good weekend here at Flowery Branch.I always just look to learn anything I can, look to make myself more valuable any way I can, he said. Any way I can help this team out, any way I can help this team be great, Im here to do it.Allen, 23, is currently Atlantas top free safety, an indication that hes made a successful transition from cornerback. Trufant in particular likes what hes seen from Allen, and said his teammate is a natural fit at FS. Quinn expressed a similar opinion.(Allens) worked extremely hard at it, said the head coach. So hes taken to the principles of playing free safety. And I think more than that than anything its that communication that hes working on day in and day out. At that free safety spot, youre farthest from the ball, but you see the most. So that communication is key.Health Still In Tact: As was the case on Friday, Lamar Holmes, who is on the PUP list with a broken foot, was the only missing player. Ryan Schraeder left the first practice early with a muscle strain but was back in action; as previously mentioned, his ailment isn't believed to be serious. Quinn, who is still gaining familiarity with his roster, was pleased to see many injured players return.Its great to have some of the guys whove been injured (at camp), he said. Not necessarily a surprise, but its so nice to see Jake Matthews and Joe Hawley and Peter Konz and Brooks Reed and some of the guys who missed such a big portion of our OTAs I knew how good some of them were from watching tape, but I didnt get a chance to be out on the field with them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FentayeJones Posted August 1, 2015 Share Posted August 1, 2015 (edited) I think Jake is going to be a monster in this scheme. Im loving everything that I am hearing about Allen. Dude has gone from a cast off last season to potentially the starting FS. Edited August 1, 2015 by FentayeJones Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
papachaz Posted August 1, 2015 Share Posted August 1, 2015 wait wait...........so you mean playing everybody against everybody isn't just common sense? did we not do this before? I mean if 3rd stringers only get reps against other 3rd stringers, are they ever going to improve? Fastest way to improve at ANYTHING is go up against the person who's better than you areI have a feeling I may have just realized a big part of why the former staff never seemed to be able to develop talent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Atlfanstckndenver Posted August 1, 2015 Share Posted August 1, 2015 I want winners! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OC Posted August 1, 2015 Author Share Posted August 1, 2015 wait wait...........so you mean playing everybody against everybody isn't just common sense? did we not do this before? I mean if 3rd stringers only get reps against other 3rd stringers, are they ever going to improve? Fastest way to improve at ANYTHING is go up against the person who's better than you areI have a feeling I may have just realized a big part of why the former staff never seemed to be able to develop talent.Now that you mention it, this makes sense.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Atlfanstckndenver Posted August 1, 2015 Share Posted August 1, 2015 (edited) wait wait...........so you mean playing everybody against everybody isn't just common sense? did we not do this before? I mean if 3rd stringers only get reps against other 3rd stringers, are they ever going to improve? Fastest way to improve at ANYTHING is go up against the person who's better than you areI have a feeling I may have just realized a big part of why the former staff never seemed to be able to develop talent.Unfortunately it appears you are correct, and by no means do I like to bash Smitty. That said there was definitely something missing in the player development department with him. I remember being as excited as I've ever been with a falcons coach after that Redskins game where he proved to have his players backs after that late hit on Ryan. I had such high hopes. It just all plateaued shortly thereafter. Edited August 1, 2015 by Atlfanstckndenver Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheFatboi Posted August 1, 2015 Share Posted August 1, 2015 See THATS how you develop young guys. You pit them against starters. Not just 3rd team or 4th teamers. Every time I mentioned players didn't get developed most take it the wrong way. That's why the last 2 years was doo doo vs doo doo. Like I always say, it's football, not rocket science. You shake the roster up and no man is safe. The old regime let even the good players get too comfortable with an unspoken no competition rule. This is what I've been saying for years now. Change of philosophy and scheme specific players and we can be right back in the thick of things. I'm actually excited about this season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vel Posted August 1, 2015 Share Posted August 1, 2015 wait wait...........so you mean playing everybody against everybody isn't just common sense? did we not do this before? I mean if 3rd stringers only get reps against other 3rd stringers, are they ever going to improve? Fastest way to improve at ANYTHING is go up against the person who's better than you areI have a feeling I may have just realized a big part of why the former staff never seemed to be able to develop talent.The sad part is a number of us have said this for a while. It just took seeing something different for most to realize what this team is missing. It wasn't a lack of talent. It was a lack of talent development. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gazoo Posted August 1, 2015 Share Posted August 1, 2015 The sad part is a number of us have said this for a while. It just took seeing something different for most to realize what this team is missing. It wasn't a lack of talent. It was a lack of talent development. I also think it was misutilization of players. We were asking defenders to do things they simply were unable to do, actually putting them in position to fail. I think many of the offensive coordinators we faced saw this and simply schemed to exploit this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gazoo Posted August 1, 2015 Share Posted August 1, 2015 old regimesees Ricado Allen as a marginal CB who needs to be cutnew regimesees Ricardo Allen as an exceptional athlete who has what it takes to be a starting free saefty ballhawk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Domed Outter Posted August 2, 2015 Share Posted August 2, 2015 See THATS how you develop young guys. You pit them against starters. Not just 3rd team or 4th teamers. Every time I mentioned players didn't get developed most take it the wrong way. That's why the last 2 years was doo doo vs doo doo. Like I always say, it's football, not rocket science. You shake the roster up and no man is safe. The old regime let even the good players get too comfortable with an unspoken no competition rule. This is what I've been saying for years now. Change of philosophy and scheme specific players and we can be right back in the thick of things. I'm actually excited about this season.That's been the common theme running through training camps. Are there positions like wide receiver where maybe camp bodies/players who seem to be drawing praise (I'll use Reedy as an example) are less likely to get a chance because Ryan is usually only there for a short time in game 3? It grates on me how when I watch preseason games they never really have the opportunity to give it a go in a game situation. We know what Roddy and Julio can do, so it'd be nice to see if others can get a bit more game time with QB1. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doobs Posted August 2, 2015 Share Posted August 2, 2015 I hope Allen turns into the falcons new secret weapon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirtyBird8711 Posted August 2, 2015 Share Posted August 2, 2015 Overvaluation of talent and lack of player development was the achilles' heel for the falcons......Think about it.....When Ray Hamilton was our DL coach, Name one player (excluding #55) that became a pro-bowler under his tutelage????..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirtyBird8711 Posted August 2, 2015 Share Posted August 2, 2015 (edited) The Biggest Problem I had with the old coaching staff and TD is that they fell for the "Trap of the Winner".....Meaning they got too big for their britches and they got cute....thinking that they were still "10 yards from the super bowl"when in actuality, they weren't.... Edited August 2, 2015 by DirtyBird8711 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quotemokc Posted August 2, 2015 Share Posted August 2, 2015 Hey,old regimesees Ricado Allen as a marginal CB who needs to be cutnew regimesees Ricardo Allen as an exceptional athlete who has what it takes to be a starting free saefty ballhawkHey, at least the old regime didn't release him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Martyr Posted August 2, 2015 Share Posted August 2, 2015 Guys... I'm excited! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YoungHeezy Posted August 2, 2015 Share Posted August 2, 2015 Hey,Hey, at least the old regime didn't release him.Technically they did and re-signed him to the practice squad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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