FALCONS FLIGHT: New players trying to find their niche, make the squad

Two-a-days can be brutal in the “dog days” of August. 100 degree heat is challenging some of the players at Falcons training camp to show that it’s not “the dog in the fight,” but the “fight in the dog,” that will earn a spot on this year’s squad.

In addition to free-agent acquisition Dunta Robinson, the team will welcome seven new draft picks and several undrafted free agents. All will face the rigors of training camp with one goal in mind: making the squad.

Head coach Mike Smith has the arduous task of cutting down the roster in time for the first game. It isn’t easy with the strong rookie class Atlanta boasts in 2010. “I’ve seen an entire rookie class that is definitely a lot more comfortable than they were when they first got here,” Smith said. “From Sean (Weatherspoon) all the way to down to Shan (Shillinger), they have shown a lot of improvement in their knowledge and the whole class I’m really excited about.”

Franks and Meier…

For the rookies taken late in the draft and as free agents, the pressure to execute plays and learn on the fly is tremendous. However, these young Falcons look like they belong on this team.

Cornerback Dominique Franks is a fifth-round draft pick out of Oklahoma. He is looking like a veteran in the early days of training camp. “He has shown very well for himself the first three days of training camp and it is going to be an up-and-down battle for that position,” said coach Smith. During a light scrimmage the corner batted away two passes and almost came up with an interception on another deflection.

Franks is also excelling on special teams by demonstrating his punt blocking skills. “You got to learn the technique when you block a punt to not run into the kicker and give the other team the ball back,” explained Franks after a punt-block drill. “Its just body control, being able to turn and get your body turned all the way in front of the kicker instead of running into him.”

Kerry Meier is another fifth-round draft pick at wide receiver from Kansas. He is confidently adjusting to life in the NFL. “What it’s all about at this level is proving yourself day-in and day-out,” said Meier. “Right now, I‘m just focused on learning stuff on special teams and learning my play book and getting things going.”

Klecko…

The fullback position is nearly a lost art in football, but for the Falcons’ Dan Klecko it is an opportunity to earn a job. The eight-year veteran is the owner of three Super Bowl rings (two with New England, one with Indianapolis), but all he’s trying to do now is earn a spot on Atlanta’s roster. “My first goal is just to make this team, they have a great nucleus of guys, my thing is to come in here and work just as hard as they are and try to help them win,” said Klecko.

Coming to a new team means learning a new offense, which is not an easy task for anyone. “It’s a complicated offense with all the shifts and motioning, but if you just get in the book and pay attention, you’ll be just fine,” Klecko said.

Defensive leaders…

One player who has no thoughts of being cut is cornerback Dunta Robinson. He is a potential leader of a secondary that ranked 28th against the pass in 2009.

Coach Smith likes what he has seen so far out of Robinson. “He’s done some really good things in terms of attacking the ball and feeling more comfortable in our scheme,” said Smith.

His leadership skills have also been impressive. “He was here the last three weeks prior to us coming back, working out. Where you see guys at his stature coming in here and working everyday it’s just going to rub off on all the other guys,” said Smith.

Robinson has a tight hamstring, something the entire Falcons staff is aware of. “He’s going to be just like all of our guys, Todd McClure, Tony Gonzalez, we’re going to manage those guys right now. We’ll see how it feels,” concluded Coach Smith.

First-round draft pick Sean Weatherspoon signed his contract just before camp started and he’s ready to compete for a starting job. “I don’t want to miss any part of this. I’m definitely happy that I got in on time,” he said.

Weatherspoon was an outstanding player at Missouri, but he knows the NFL is much tougher than college. “As a rookie things are moving fast and being thrown in there and expected to just pick it up, it’s tough.”

The young linebacker has already picked up on some important tips from the coaching staff. “Staying in that playbook and the little things like certain coverage’s for certain routes, and the coach’s telling me that’s how it works in the NFL, once I get that down I’ll be good,” said Weatherspoon.

Sean knows he is bound to make some mistakes as a rookie, but he has confidence in his teammates picking him up. “That’s one thing about defense is that when you make a mistake you know your teammates can make up for it by just running to the ball,” explained Weatherspoon. “What will make us a dominate defense is when we don’t make mistakes and we still fly to the ball.”

John Parker and Expectations…

Trying to earn a sport as a backup quarterback is former Alabama standout and second-year player John Parker Wilson. He is learning a lot from starting quarterback Matt Ryan. “Everyday you try to learn more and get better, watch Matt, see what he’s doing and take mental reps when he’s running plays,” said Wilson.

The sky is the limit with this team and the collection of talent is potentially scary for the rest of the league. Most, if not all of these players will make the 2010 Atlanta Falcons roster, and once they get to that point, the competition will turn quickly to the opposition.

Rookie wide-out Kerry Meier summed up the Falcons goal very well, “I can tell that this team is very hungry to get to where we want to go and that’s big. We’re not just here to make the playoffs, but move deeper into the playoffs in late January and February.”