FentayeJones Posted September 2, 2016 Share Posted September 2, 2016 Quote Falcons' rookie linebackers ready to get it started Vaughn McClure ESPN Staff Writer ATLANTA -- It was rather telling when Atlanta Falcons rookie linebacker De'Vondre Campbell played just three snaps Thursday night before exiting the field with the likes of Desmond Trufant, Robert Alford, Vic Beasley Jr., and Ricardo Allen. The starters weren't expected to play much in the final preseason game and didn't, with just one series against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Campbell obviously received the veteran treatment with his cameo appearance, just another sign that he has won the starting job at weakside linebacker heading into the regular season. The fourth-round draft pick from Minnesota is not taking anything for granted, however. "You can never say that you've done enough," Campbell said. "I make mistakes, just like everybody else. I think I've taken steps toward that starting job, but I haven't really been consistent enough, in my eyes. "I just have to stay in my playbook, like I've been doing. I've got to try and continue to play at a consistent level. I think I've been doing good, but you can never stop learning. I've just know I've have to keep growing and keep on the track that I'm on." Falcons coach Dan Quinn stopped short of declaring Campbell and rookie middle linebacker Deion Jones the starters for the Sept. 11 season opener against the Tampa Buccaneers. However, Quinn also said he's comfortable with Campbell and Jones in the roles they've played this preseason, which included three starts together in four games. Three-time leading tackler Paul Worrilow and veteran Sean Weatherspoon started the first preseason game at middle and weakside linebacker, respectively. "We had to get a lot of work put into these guys," Quinn said of his two rookie inside linebackers. "We knew in the preseason they needed a lot of work. Fortunately for us at linebacker, we've got some pretty good depth there. Between Dre, Deion, Spoon, Worrilow, LaRoy Reynolds, that's a very competitive and, in some cases, veteran group where they're there to lean on one another for experience and questions. "They're all going to see action. They're that good of a group. And they battle for it." Jones and Campbell were drafted, in large part, because of their speed and ability to cover up some of the coverage issues the Falcons have had in recent years. The biggest challenge for Jones, a second-round draft pick from LSU, is having the mental capacity to run the show from the middle linebacker spot. "I'm not going to lie, it took a minute," Jones said of playing the middle. "Worrilow is always going in early and drawing things up, going over plays with me. For me, it was processing everything that we were going over on the board and doing the same thing on the field." Jones appreciates the vote of confidence from Quinn. "It means a lot," Jones said. "It means that I've been doing the things that coach asks. For me, I really want to make him proud so he won't regret his decision. I want to hold myself accountable, hold up to a standard." http://www.espn.com/blog/atlanta-falcons/post/_/id/22234/falcons-rookie-linebackers-ready-to-get-it-started Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HEIST Posted September 2, 2016 Share Posted September 2, 2016 pun #1000 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YoungHeezy Posted September 2, 2016 Share Posted September 2, 2016 With the vet depth being what it is, I say let the youngins start. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KRUNKuno Posted September 2, 2016 Share Posted September 2, 2016 It's better for them to start early in the season anyway. Offenses aren't nearly at their full powers in the first few weeks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xfactor Posted September 2, 2016 Share Posted September 2, 2016 Let them start Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blkbigdog35 Posted September 2, 2016 Share Posted September 2, 2016 They are a definite upgrade over the vets!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toadfishtom Posted September 2, 2016 Share Posted September 2, 2016 Start the young ones Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slappywhite Posted September 2, 2016 Share Posted September 2, 2016 I love this kid, he's gonna be the steal of the draft, there will be mistakes, but let him and Deion start and grow together, they are the future. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HASHBROWN3 Posted September 2, 2016 Share Posted September 2, 2016 Reynolds looked like crap yesterday. Missed tackles. Shame on spoon for that horrible missed tackle too. Spoon should know how to use the inside out approach with the sideline has his friend. I just can't believe he didn't break down knowing the only way he gets beat is on a cut back! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
me4falcons Posted September 2, 2016 Share Posted September 2, 2016 It happens to all once awhile. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Califalcon0013 Posted September 2, 2016 Share Posted September 2, 2016 Hope they start and the competition is a real thing not like mike smith era where crappy vets get playing time over young players out performing them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDaveG Posted September 2, 2016 Share Posted September 2, 2016 Spoon had a couple of bad moments yesterday. I'd rather start Jones in the middle and let him take his lumps. Spoon and Worrilow are solid backups. Yeah, they make more than the rooks, but who cares? Start the best players. I'd wager, though, that Jones gets used more in nickel looks and Spoon or Worr get used in the middle on base looks. Which means, functionally speaking, Jones will get more snaps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryanadonis Posted September 2, 2016 Share Posted September 2, 2016 linebackers will be Beasley, Jones and Campbell. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
g-dawg Posted September 2, 2016 Share Posted September 2, 2016 26 minutes ago, JDaveG said: Spoon had a couple of bad moments yesterday. I'd rather start Jones in the middle and let him take his lumps. Spoon and Worrilow are solid backups. Yeah, they make more than the rooks, but who cares? Start the best players. I'd wager, though, that Jones gets used more in nickel looks and Spoon or Worr get used in the middle on base looks. Which means, functionally speaking, Jones will get more snaps. Spoon had a really bad missed tackle on a running play - he looked like a statue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheFatboi Posted September 2, 2016 Share Posted September 2, 2016 1 hour ago, JDaveG said: Spoon had a couple of bad moments yesterday. I'd rather start Jones in the middle and let him take his lumps. Spoon and Worrilow are solid backups. Yeah, they make more than the rooks, but who cares? Start the best players. I'd wager, though, that Jones gets used more in nickel looks and Spoon or Worr get used in the middle on base looks. Which means, functionally speaking, Jones will get more snaps. I think jones is gonna be a 3 down backer. Spoon will only come in when needed. The rooks speed will keep teams in 3rd and longs so might as well go with that. Just expect the occasional good run from over pursuit because they will make some mistakes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDaveG Posted September 2, 2016 Share Posted September 2, 2016 I hope so. I'll take the growing pains if I get his athletic ability on the field. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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