Are you ready for some Mini-Camp football?
Falcons coach Mike Smith making a timeout call in the second quarter against Arizona in the playoffs. (CURTIS COMPTON/ccompton@ajc.com)
FLOWERY BRANCH — Falcons coach Mike Smith was fired up about hitting the practice fields today with his re-tooled team.
“We plan to introduce a lot of new things to our rookies and young guys,” Smith said. “Try to show them how we do things. How we work. How we practice. It will be an indoctrination this weekend into our tempo, our scheme and the pace of how we practice.
Loading ...Smith has a different philosophy in getting the rookies ready. He elects to throw everything, including the kitchen sink, at his young players. Another theory is to give them things piecemeal and then build on it, block by block.
“I’m a big believer in the whole-part-whole theory of teaching,” Smith said. “Throw all of it at them at once and then see what they can retain. Then you come back and refine it the second time. Then the third time when you throw the whole at them again. . . different people approach it different ways, but I really like this and have always done it that way.”
Tony and October Gonzalez. (CURTIS COMPTON/ccompton@ajc.com)
It’s going to be a little different with some of the mainstays like Keith Brooking, Lawyer Milloy and Grady Jackson no longer on the team. The Falcons elected to get younger this offseason, especially on defense.
“Right now we have 25 players on our roster with three years or less NFL experience,” Smith said. “We are also going to be a faster and more urgent football team with the infusion of the players we drafted. That was one of the things we set out to do. We wanted to increase or speed and urgency on our roster.”
Smith is looking forward to seeing his rookies.
“They have some very good measurable and numbers coming out,” Smith said. “We are excited as a coaching staff. We get to do the closest thing to playing football that we’ve done since the end of the season.”
All right now, time to go camping!!!
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191 comments Add your comment
Ken Strickland
May 8th, 2009
8:25 pm
Allow me to get in on the nickname game.
1-Lawrence “SACK” Sidbury
2-Peria “SCARRY” Jerry
3-William “MONSTER” Moore
4-Garrett “BUZZ SAW” Reynolds
5-Vance “BEAST” Walker
6-Christopher “ROCK” Owens
7-Toney “TILT” Tiller
8-Chavis ‘JET” Jackson
9-John “JP” Wilson
10-Robert “HIT MAN” James
falcon21
May 8th, 2009
8:38 pm
How about Jack Hammer James Ken?
Stirg d'Nahsif
May 8th, 2009
8:46 pm
Did I create some raucous in the Bird Cage this evening? Good! We need some activity up in here.
Falcon Devil, again (I cannot express this enough), I’m not trying to attract your respect for my opinions. Just like Thomas Dimitroff does not care what You, Stirg or anyone else thinks about his actions, your respect for my opinions is really irrelevant. You can save the negative comments and attacks for the Bucs, Saints and Panthers during regular season. I am merely blogging just to talk football. If you don’t agree with my comments (or anyone elses), simply enter your suggestions and wait for the next blog. Negative attacks and name calling is simply too juvenile for me.
…back to football. John Abraham is a good football player and a great defensive end. He does some things that most defensive ends cannot get away with. I agree with cutter…sixteen games against a man that fifty pounds heavier than you, does have its toll. Can we agree, however, that Abraham will not be a Falcon in two years (for whatever reason; retirement, free agency, release, injury)? If that is the case, why not get something for him while he’s still valuable? Do not let my opinion suggest that I don’t like Abraham. On the contrary, I think he’s one of the greatest defensive ends to ever dress in a Falcon uniform. This is a business, though; this is not flag football in your back yard. Davis and Anderson on the ends, backed by Biermann and Sidbury will suffice the philosophy and scheme that the Falcons are trying to achieve.
Stirg d'Nahsif
May 8th, 2009
8:48 pm
Ken, “Rock” Owens is a winner. I like that one.
Unca' Bob
May 8th, 2009
9:05 pm
Falcon21.
Having not been a guest of this site for months with out an “s” I have had a really good time. Having said that, some times the Devil comes out of me too.
cutter
May 8th, 2009
9:06 pm
Hey Stirg I’m with you on the name calling, no place for it here. Those types of things should never happen but if it does it should be done face to face. We can respectfully agree to disagree on the Abraham issue.
cutter
May 8th, 2009
9:09 pm
I heard Trey Lewis went down in camp and they were looking at his knee. Grimes practiced with the first team and TG was impressive as usual.
Stirg d'Nahsif
May 8th, 2009
9:11 pm
cutter, everything copasetic. I just lost it when Abraham didn’t show up today. To me, that’s not showing veteran leadership. Damn what the coaches are talking about, “we kept him out for precautionary reasons”. At least show up. Show some leadership.
I’m online now and I’ll see if I can dig up the piece I referenced earlier. I’ll get back with you…
Stirg d'Nahsif
May 8th, 2009
9:12 pm
OH NO; SAY IT ISNT SO!!! Trey Lewis went down, for real cutter?
cutter
May 8th, 2009
9:13 pm
Yea don’t know how serious
falcon21
May 8th, 2009
9:15 pm
Unca’Bob enjoy this site, it is fun. I have had my hand slapped a few times from some of these bloggers as I well deserved but most of them are good people that can talk some serious Falcon football.
cutter
May 8th, 2009
9:16 pm
Abraham was at practice he just did not participate.
Falcon Devil
May 8th, 2009
9:17 pm
Good call, I will save the negativity for the fans of the crappy NFC teams. I just feel very strongly on this issue so I can get carried away. A great pass rush end is the most coveted and expensive position in football next to QB. Abraham prob has 1-3 great seasons left in him. I am of the position we are Super Bowl contenders this year and next barring significant injuries. We had absolutley no pass rush last year from anyone but Abraham. While are stocked with young potential at DE no one (Davis excluded) has yet to perform at an elite level and NFL history is full of guys who had tons of potential and never reached it. Abraham’s trade value would not be close to the value in actual production this year and next he can provide. We are no longer “rebuilding” and we should not trade our most productive player for future potential. We drafted Abraham replacement (Sidbury) but he is still raw according to scouts. We have the pass rush of the future to develop, Abraham is the pass rush of now. I say we fufill his contract and in two years say good-bye thanks for being a Falcon.
Falcon Devil
May 8th, 2009
9:23 pm
Defensive tackle Trey Lewis, who is coming back from a knee injury, went down briefly and trainers looked at his knee. But Lewis was fine and returned to practice.
WHEW!!! I got scared, thats from ESPN NFC South blog
falcon21
May 8th, 2009
9:28 pm
Thanks Falcon Devil for the quick info on Lewis. That is a relief.
Unca' Bob
May 8th, 2009
9:30 pm
Falcon21,
Thank you. I have always enjoyed this site. I have to agree with you, they are all good people and most of them can talk Falcon football.
falcon21
May 8th, 2009
9:34 pm
Your welcome Unca’Bob, you are one of us. Enjoy the blog!!!
cutter
May 8th, 2009
9:37 pm
Falcon Devil- I got a little salty myself but we are all loyal Falcon Fans.
Stirg d'Nahsif
May 8th, 2009
9:47 pm
Okay, I may have to retract my suggestion. If Trey Lewis is unable to perform, then that makes Abraham’s presence more relevant. Two sacks a game and let Sid “bury the QB at wounded knee” come in at the fourth quarter, I can go for that.
Still, my thoughts remain the same. If the Falcons do as well as we are blogging about, that means we’ll pick low in next year’s draft. I’m sure Abraham’s value would command, at least, a first round pick. These are just my thoughts, before the Lewis’ scare. Now, I change my mind. We cannot afford to lose Abraham AND Lewis. Whew! That was a close call, heh birds?
JoeBrave
May 8th, 2009
9:49 pm
Oh!yesssss finally some action from a real winner in this Town!
Great to hear the band is cranking up, Gonzo,Turner,White,Jenkins,Douglas,Norwood,Mughelli,OMG,what are the NFC South defenses gonna do when Matty Ice lays the smack down on You????
Looking for real good things from C.Iceman Jackson,and M.jackhammer Peterson.
No more getting beat on them lame crossing patterns that Brooking used to get torched on!!!
al in all I am lovin on me some Falcons Football!!!
cutter
May 8th, 2009
10:02 pm
Grady Jackson’s brother, Javorris, is facing murder charges after allegedly killing his girlfriend last Saturday.
Javorris was invited to Lions camp for a tryout last weekend, but he failed a physical due to a wrist injury. The Savannah State star turned the gun on himself after shooting his girlfriend, and he’s currently hospitalized with a gunshot wound to the chest
Falcon Devil
May 8th, 2009
10:02 pm
Saints 4th rounder LB tore his achilles tendon. Feel bad for the man, feel good the Saints defense isn’t getting better.
Unca' Bob
May 8th, 2009
10:17 pm
Strig,
Funny how the worm can turn. LOL. Have always thought the world of you.
Nothings changed.
Scoot
May 8th, 2009
10:21 pm
How about “Want Moore”.
Ken Strickland
May 8th, 2009
10:36 pm
Don’t be too alarmed if DT TLewis initially has some issues with his knee. After having 2 knee surgeries so close together, he’ll have a lot of scar tissue. The sooner that scar tissue gives way, the sooner he can adjust and get his knee back to normal.
I made a post on the last blog thinking I was posting on this one. I mentioned how I did some additional research on both the backups and new hires that are competing for starting positions. Based on the information I found, I’ve revised my starting DEF lineup.
DE-JAbraham & CDavis(will change if JAnderson dominates during training camp and preseason).
DT-PJerry & TLewis(if his knee holds up and he can go all out)
LB-MPeterson, CLofton & SNicholas(has more versatility and range than
CWire and more experience than other competitors).
CB-CHouston & CJackson(is healthy and had an excellent rookie season as nickel back. BGrimes will be his biggest competitor).
SS-TDecoud(has more experience and fewer holes in his gm than WMoore at this point).
FS-EColeman.
Trini Falcon fan
May 8th, 2009
10:38 pm
Nookah
you are right Carib is from Trinidad
Stirg d'Nahsif
May 8th, 2009
10:39 pm
Nice piece on Gonzalez and the Falcons, on NFL.com. I remember, just a couple months ago, we were going at it about getting a blocking/catching tight end. I don’t know what tipped Dimitroff off about Pettigrew being gone before the 24th but it was a wise move to grab Gonzo before the draft. As Steve Wyche reported, I’ve been saying all alone that two-tight end sets (and sometimes three-tight end sets, as Wyche suggested) is going to to downright confuse defenses. They won’t know to either defend against the run or the pass. What a great acquisition. I guess I do know a little something about football, heh Falcon Devil?
Unca’ Bob, you alrgight with me.
Sarah B
May 8th, 2009
10:52 pm
Ya’ll calm down, Abraham isn’t going anywhere. So he may not want to give his all in the 4th qtr, thats what backups are for. Remember when stupid Jimmy Mora left him in the 4th qtr in the 4th qtr of the first game of the year 2007 when we where way ahead??? I do I was there and was thinking “what the hell is he still doing on the field?” 2 minutes later he took a cheap shoy from a Panther and went down for almost the whole year…. yeah we want that to happen again. Sorry Stirg, but you are wrong! This time but you still have my “benefit of the doubt” because you usually sound sane. BTW – I’m born and raised in the Motor City – is it looking any better lately???
Stirg d'Nahsif
May 8th, 2009
10:54 pm
Ken, your starting lineup mock resembles mine, except for a couple positions. Lets get this debate started.
C. Davis is a good end and is ready to start for some (not most) NFL teams. You were one of the first ones in this cage that acknowledge that piece I did on defensive ends and the time it takes them to mature. I really do believe that Davis has reached that level of maturity and is ready to enter a run for pro-bowl type numbers. I just don’t think we should give up on Anderson this early, however. He’s entering his, what, third year? This is the year, according to my research, that he is supposed to blow up. Let’s give him a chance, at least the first couple of regular season games; and I agree with you, start Davis if he doesn’t show us something in the first quarter of the season.
Thomas Decoud showed up last year and he’s going to be even more impressive this year. You can’t sit William Moore, though. The boy is hungry; the boy is thirsty. I wouldn’t normally suggest on the job training for a normal rookie; but in the case of William “No” Moore, he’s like a Matt Ryan of defense. In due time, I can see this kid quarterbacking the defense. I think the value of drafting him, is equated to the value of drafting Hip-Hip Peria or Matty Ice, if not more.
Sarah B
May 8th, 2009
10:55 pm
That was cheap shot from a Panther – like there is any other kind. Damn Pussycats! BTW – that is a great roadtrip…
Sarah B
May 8th, 2009
11:00 pm
what happened to my last comment? this blog is eating posts…
falcon21
May 8th, 2009
11:03 pm
I got it Sarah, 10:52.
Sarah B
May 8th, 2009
11:05 pm
What I sid was it was a cheap shot from a Panther, but then is there any other kind? But it is a great roadtrip me and my bud have made it 4 years in a row until last year when we went to Tampa instead, better because there is a beach.
Stirg d'Nahsif
May 8th, 2009
11:06 pm
Sarah B., Detroit is the most depressed city in the nation right now. If the United States ever declared a Depression, it would look very similar to how Detroit looks right now. I live downtown and in the neighborhoods south of Eight Mile, every third or fourth house is boarded up; and the ugliness of reality comes when you see families walking out of those houses. People are actually living in residences that would be considered condemned in most cities. I’ve traveled alot and I’ve been to a lot of major cities. Detroit is the most depressed and prejudiced city, I have ever lived.
Didn’t mean to talk about your city like that but I believe in being honest.
JohnWaynesworld
May 8th, 2009
11:06 pm
Stirg d’Nahsif, I seem to recall the Abraham quote in question. I believe he said it when celebrating a game clinching sack with fellow teammates that gave us the ball and the clock for the win. I remember it as a celebration not as a stupid spoiled brat remark. Beside I have heard interviews with John and interviews about him and I just don’t believe he is that kind of guy. Brittle? Maybe. Lazy and conceited? NO!
Sara B, hey girl!
Sarah B
May 8th, 2009
11:15 pm
Strig – when I was a child I remember the tanks rolling down Woodward because of the riots there. When I was in 2nd grade we moved to Grosse Isle because my dad had been transfered to the Ford Flat Rock plant. Oh, I just showed my age. I work with Willie Stroud cousin of Marcus Stroud and was shocked when he knew nothing about the race riots of the 60’s. But he was very interested when I told him. Went online to research. Stirg I knew it was bad – but not that bad I still have sisters in Pontiac & Brighton. I’m supposed to do a family thing in Grand Harbor this August. That’s why I get so mad there are sooooo many Hondas on the road here. Buy American!!! I have a Ford Mustang Conv. It’s fabulous.
Sarah B
May 8th, 2009
11:17 pm
Hey JWW – I agree he is definately not lazy but brittle – a good part because of Mora’s dumb azz move in Charlotte I mentioned above.
Sarah B
May 8th, 2009
11:29 pm
Oh and good luck to Seattle with that move.
Stirg d'Nahsif
May 8th, 2009
11:30 pm
I feel you on that, Sarah B. Before even coming to Detroit, I’ve always driven Ford. I wasn’t here for the race riots but I just did a paper for class (I’m a grad student at Wayne St.; that’s why I’m here) and I recall the “blind pig” fiasco. You’re right; it is some very interesting reading. Don’t be alarmed that people, especially from the south, are unaware of that riot. I just learned about it two years ago, since coming here.
Things are turning around, I think. There’s a new mayor, at least until November. The NBA great Dave Bing! City Council is shaking up a little bit…it looks positive.
What confuses me, though, is why draft Matthew Stafford for the number one pick? The city is depressed and you want fans to come to the stadium (Red Wings, Tigers and sometimes Pistons, sell out all the time). If I’m the Lions owner, I won’t attract people by sitting my number one draft pick. Fans want to see some positive action…at least some effort. Detroit Lions made some pretty good picks, however; their defense can be awesome. We’ll see. I plan to tailgate for the pre-season opener, vs. the Falcons. If you’re not there, I’ll tell You about it.
Stirg d'Nahsif
May 8th, 2009
11:33 pm
Can anyone come up with a logical reason why John Abraham wasn’t voted into the Pro Bowl, with the impressive numbers he produced last season? Anybody.
Sarah B
May 8th, 2009
11:33 pm
Stirg I will have just been to MI in Aug. for M&D 50th anniversy in Grand Haven or that would be a great roadtrip too. Is Ford Field as cool as it looks on TV?
Sarah B
May 8th, 2009
11:35 pm
All the Giants homers is the only reason I can think of Stirg. Hey I was born at Grace Harper Hospital. Is it still there?
Stirg d'Nahsif
May 8th, 2009
11:39 pm
You know, that’s one thing I got to give this city. They love their sports. Yes, Ford Field is awesome; and so is Comerica Park (baseball). There are plans to build a hockey arena, where the old Tiger Stadium was and it could be the best in the NHL.
The few good things thats keeping this city alive is Motown, the Casinos and professional sports (Pistons, Red Wings, Tigers, …)
Unca' Bob
May 8th, 2009
11:40 pm
K Strick,
In my minds eye you are THE geru of football. Nothing but respect. In my humble opinion, I feel William Moore will be a dominate force in the NFL for a very long time. DeCoud has a year on Mr Moore in the NFL. Having said that, in ten games played, Mr DeCoud had one tackle in ten games during the ‘08 season. Granted he was playing behind Milloy.
I truely believe Wm. Moore will turn a lot of heads. The disclaimer “at this point” understood completly.
WR
May 8th, 2009
11:41 pm
Wouldn’t you know it, theres a heated debate and I just happen to sign on at bedtime, well before I catch some Zzzz, how about a little catching up.
Stirg and Cutter, great arguments and remember there just arguments and that makes for some good football talk. Don’t lose respect for someones opinion, just disagree, if we all blog about the same thing with the same ideas I doubt this blog would have lasted this long, kind of like people complaining about D-Led bringing up the Lion’s, GA or GT, its Falcon territory but a football Nation. I actually thought about the same idea Stirg had for different reasons. I can care less about the mic’d up talk, but the age and value issue was something I thought about during the draft. On the one hand you have our most productive defensive player on the other you have a player who is getting long in the teeth. Solution, we just drafted his replacement,yes as his production decreases he will lose value but as of right now his value off the field is as important as it is on the field. If you look at Sidbury he is in the mode of a Abraham type and who better to learn from than Abraham, kind of like that commercial talking about people comparing a car to a camry, why not just buy a camry. Both of you guys make a good point but one of you just mentioned how smart of a move it was to get Gonzo,I agree, but consider although his production hasn’t decreased Gonzo too is on the downside of his career, so why get an offensive player with only a couple of years left in the tank and trade your best defensive player with a couple of years left in the tank. Stirg, the idea of value is a good point but consider the value the falcons get by having a mentor for a player in Sidbury who most if not all of us agree is a steal. If the birds were further away from being a contender I would agree with you stirg, but I feel as many on the blog feel, the birds are now a contender so lets see can Abe help bring a parade to peachtree over the next couple of years, and if not at least help mentor the DE who will.
Unca’Bob, sounded like you were going to break out the wiping stick for a second there,gotta get the fellas back in line right, if I haven’t said it enough once again, glad to have you abroad.
All is well from the cage, goodnight fellas
Sarah B
May 8th, 2009
11:43 pm
Strig – did the Lions get any DEF? They allowed like 571 pts last year. It was/wasn’t that hard to switch to the Falcons in ‘87 as I was used to rooting for the Lions all my life. My HS marching band marched for a pre-game when I was in HS in the SilverDome. I was thrilled! God no wonder I love football, grew up in the big 10, had the pitiful Lions to root for growing up, aaaah Football.
Stirg d'Nahsif
May 8th, 2009
11:50 pm
WR, we can kill my suggestion, now. That Trey Lewis report of him going down today, scared the hell out of me. We’ll need Abe. I agree with you, Abe would make a wonderful tutor for Sid “bury me a G”. We can stop that debate.
Sarah B
May 8th, 2009
11:50 pm
Stirg – down here in GA they think Stafford is the cat’s meow. Not like GA won anything major with him but their D did suck and he had a strong arm But……… I’m still a Mich State girl and was sad to give up the B’Ball title to UNC but wait until next year.
Big Ray
May 8th, 2009
11:51 pm
Greetings my Falcon Brethren!
Damn, I thought it was Harvey Dahl and Jason Jeffers that got tangled up, not Stirg, Cutter, and Falcon Devil! LOL!
On the real, I know what Stirg is talking about. That fire, urgency, and what not, that Mike Smith wants. That mic’ed up moment with John could easily be taken out of context, or it could be on target with what he thinks.
Still, I’m rolling with the coaching staff’s decision to hold Abe out, knowing that he knows what to do on the field and when, and that he’s banged and nicked up.
At the same time, we already have proof that Dimitroff and Smith have no problem cutting a guy loose once they feel he doesn’t have enough left to offer them, at the price they’re paying him. I say Abe stays for now, considering how talented he is. But if in the future, it appears that the pros do not outweigh the cons…watch the hatchet do it’s thing. Until then, may Abe get another Pro Bowl appointment.
On the flip side, the options are coming into play. Chauncey Davis was given the deal he got for a reason. Jamal Anderson will have a tough time getting a starting job anywhere on that line if he doesn’t “bring it.” And if he does “bring it,” as I suspect he will (he’ll have to), there’s another option…inside or outside. Peria Jerry will most likely give us a pass rush dynamic that we haven’t had at defensive tackle since Rod Coleman. Babineaux is already in place. And if I was a betting man, I wouldn’t bet against the speedy Sidbury making an impact this season.
Hate to see Trey Lewis starting up with the injury bug again, already. I know the article said he was up and on his feet again, but that doesn’t necessarily mean he was back up and PLAYING again, more specifically pain free. I sure hope he can get healthy and stay that way. We need him. If not, again, look for other options to come into play. Don’t sleep on Vance Walker, either…
Sarah B
May 8th, 2009
11:54 pm
Big Ray – I still blame Little Jimmy Mora as stated above for Abe’s “Im done in the 4th qtr” Even though sound bites don’t mean squat.