fuego Posted September 1, 2017 Share Posted September 1, 2017 This article was published after the game. ____________ Matt Winkeljohn 11:43 PM EDT The Atlanta Falcons went to training camp feeling good about their linebackers, and undrafted rookie Jermaine Grace may have given head coach Dan Quinn even more to be happy about. Grace had eight total tackles Thursday, when the Falcons fell to 0-4 in the preseason with a 13-7 loss to the Jaguars, and he added an interception, a pass breakup and a special-teams tackle. The 6-foot-1, 223-pound speedster from the University of Miami, whom the Hurricanes dismissed before his senior season in 2016, played inside as if he had a jet pack on his back, covering ground quickly time after time. "We were excited to see Grace," Quinn said of a player who missed one preseason game because of an injury. "We certainly have some tough decisions at that spot. ... Our linebackers can run; it shows up on tape." The Falcons are set at two linebacker positions with rising second-year players Deion Jones in the middle and De'Vondre Campbell on the strong side. Rookie Duke Riley from LSU may end up starting on the weakside in part because of a preseason injury to LaRoy Reynolds. Also, at times pass-rusher Vic Beasley Jr. will line up at outside linebacker when he's not playing defensive end. Converted safety Kemal Ishmael is a factor at linebacker as well, and he helps on special teams. Grace made his initial mark at Miami as a special-teamer. "He missed a year, but we were aware of his speed," Quinn said. "He fits into what we do at linebacker." http://www.espn.com/blog/atlanta-falcons/post/_/id/28546/dan-quinn-on-jermaine-grace-he-fits-into-what-we-do Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mid-Nite-Toker Posted September 1, 2017 Share Posted September 1, 2017 Didn't get to see alot of preseason, but I had Duke pegged as a starter anyway. Back on topic, glad we picked up Grace and hope he makes the team. Armstrong's evaluations on special teams will factor heavily. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkerFalcon8710 Posted September 1, 2017 Share Posted September 1, 2017 Very happy for grace, will be an absolute gem on this team Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
droopy1592 Posted September 1, 2017 Share Posted September 1, 2017 Grace has speed and agility and Ishmael has instincts of a savage. We have some menacing linebackers this year. I like our depth in LBs, top to bottom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoomGoesTheDynamite Posted September 1, 2017 Share Posted September 1, 2017 Grace has been really good this preseason. If he makes the roster, he's earned it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peyton Posted September 1, 2017 Share Posted September 1, 2017 I think it's obvious he is going to make the team. When you glow like that about a player, it makes it harder to hide him on your practice squad. Quinn knows that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krammmit Posted September 1, 2017 Share Posted September 1, 2017 He and Odom came to play. They were everywhere. Odom makes a team if not this one. Grace is beastly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flyin' In DC Posted September 1, 2017 Share Posted September 1, 2017 I hope LaRoy Reynolds is OK he was a ST monster last year and filled in well at LB when necessary. I think Grace will take his spot depending on what the Reynolds injury is Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peyton Posted September 1, 2017 Share Posted September 1, 2017 I think the Falcons should keep all the LBs they think can contribute and go thinner at some other positions if necessary. You never have too many good fast LBs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FentayeJones Posted September 1, 2017 Share Posted September 1, 2017 This is what a NFL scout told the Miami Herald about Grace pre draft: Quote • On linebacker Jermaine Grace, who was dismissed from UM last August but participated in Miami Pro Day: “Undersized linebacker and didn’t run well. I doubt he will get into an NFL camp.” Needless to say, Im glad the Falcons scouts had a different assessment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doctor Kildare Posted September 1, 2017 Share Posted September 1, 2017 1 hour ago, FentayeJones said: This is what a NFL scout told the Miami Herald about Grace pre draft: Needless to say, Im glad the Falcons scouts had a different assessment. I hope that scout is employed by the New Orleans Saints. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brewman Posted September 1, 2017 Share Posted September 1, 2017 Given that we are trending towards faster, but smaller, linebackers does it make sense to carry more then we normally would because of the increased likelihood of injury? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flying Falcon Posted September 1, 2017 Share Posted September 1, 2017 Him, Crawford, and Odums? They should be on unit 2 in rotations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ki46dinah Posted September 1, 2017 Share Posted September 1, 2017 1 hour ago, brewman said: Given that we are trending towards faster, but smaller, linebackers does it make sense to carry more then we normally would because of the increased likelihood of injury? There is no proven correlation between size of a player and injury history. Jessie Tuggle was undersized and was rarely injured enough to play. Julio is big for a WR, and is routinely injured. Gronkowski is a big boy, routinely injured. Warrick Dunn was small, and rarely injured. Drew Brees is small for an NFL QB, and rarely injured. ---------------- Etc, etc, etc. I get what you are saying, but there has never been a solid correlation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ovie_Lover Posted September 1, 2017 Share Posted September 1, 2017 23 minutes ago, ki46dinah said: There is no proven correlation between size of a player and injury history. Jessie Tuggle was undersized and was rarely injured enough to play. Julio is big for a WR, and is routinely injured. Gronkowski is a big boy, routinely injured. Warrick Dunn was small, and rarely injured. Drew Brees is small for an NFL QB, and rarely injured. ---------------- Etc, etc, etc. I get what you are saying, but there has never been a solid correlation. Stop that. You will confuse him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
citsalp Posted September 1, 2017 Share Posted September 1, 2017 2 hours ago, Doctor Kildare said: I hope that scout is employed by the New Orleans Saints. Apparently he is, ask LSU Dad about Duke Riley. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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