Countdown to Training Camp: DAY 8 — Cornerbacks
Atlanta Falcons cornerback # 20 Brent Grimes intercepts a Drew Brees pass intended for wide receiver # 17 Robert Meachem during 3rd quarter action at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2009. (Curtis Compton,ccompton@ajc.com)
Birdland – This is the third of 10 installments of “COUNTDOWN TO TRAINING CAMP 2010.”
Each morning for the next week, we’ll take a quick look at a position group before the players report on July 29. They will hit the field for their first practice on Friday, July 30.
The cornerbacks are up today.
THE REALLY BIG QUESTION: Who will start opposite of Dunta Robinson?
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Atlanta Falcons' Chris Owens, right, intercepts a pass intended for Buffalo Bills' Terrell Owens, left, in the second quarter of an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 27, 2009, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser)
The Falcons braintrust didn’t like the cornerback play last season after the team finished 28th against the pass.
So they went out and signed Dunta Robinson in free agency, traded Chris Houston and released Tye Hill.
In Robinson, the team hopes they have an anchor for the pass defense.
The battle to play opposite of Robinson will be a fiercely competitive.
Brian Williams, if he’s fully recovered from his knee injury, would figure to have the inside track. If Williams in not able to answer the bell, then Brent Grimes, Christopher Owens and Chevis Jackson will battle for the open spot. Rookie Dominique Franks doesn’t appear ready to compete for a starting spot, but he could help on special teams.
FIVE GOALS FOR THE CORNERBACKS IN 2010
- Cut down on the explosive plays. The Falcons gave up 54 completions of 20 yards or more last season.
- Get more interceptions. They had 15 last season which was 16th in the league. The Packers led the league with 30 interceptions. The heavily targetted Grimes lead the team with six interceptions.
- Play the ball better in the air.
- Shut down the opponent’s top receiver.
- Play better against the elite quarterbacks.
Here’s a look at the cornerbacks:
New Falcons cornerback Dunta Robinson on Monday, March 8, 2010. D. Orlando Ledbetter, dledbetter@ajc.com
Dunta Robinson: Lined up on the left side during the offseason. He’s played both sides after starting his career as a right cornerback. Last season, he shadowed the opponents’ top receiver for the Texans.
Brent Grimes: He led the team in interceptions with six. He seemed to settle down when he was moved over to the right side.
Christopher Owens: Played extremely well on the left side late last season. If he doesn’t land one of the starting spots, don’t be surprised if he ends up as the nickel back.
Brian Williams: Opened the season as a starter before injuring his knee.
Chevis Jackson: Played well as the nickel back.
Dominique Franks: He will have a shot to win the punt and kickoff return jobs.
Daylan Walker: Played at Arkansas State and tallied 152 career tackles (117 solo), three interceptions and 16 passes defensed. In 2009, he had 51 tackles, one interception and a seven passes defensed.
Date, Practice Times (public availability)
Friday, July 30 — Practice 8:30 – 10:10 a.m. (open to the public); practice 3:45 – 5:25 p.m. (open to the public).
Saturday, July 31 — Practice 8:30 – 10:10 a.m. (open to the public); practice 3:45 – 5:50 p.m. (open to the public).
Sunday, August 1 — Practice 9:35 – 10:30 a.m. (open to the public); practice 3:45 – 5:55 p.m. (open to the public).
Monday, August 2 — Practice 8:30 – 10:40 a.m. (open to the public); practice 3:45 – 5:25 p.m. (closed to the public).
Tuesday, August 3 — Practice 8:30 – 10:40 a.m. (open to the public); practice 3:45 – 4:40 p.m. (closed to the public).
Wednesday, August 4 — Practice 1:30 – 3:40 p.m. (open to the public).
Thursday, August 5 — Practice 8:30 – 10:40 a.m. (open to the public); practice 3:45 – 5:25 p.m. (closed to the public).
Friday, August 6 — Practice 10:15 – 11:55 a.m. (open to the public)
Falcons Allstate All-Access “Friday Night Lights”
Team Scrimmage at North Gwinnett High School – 7:30 p.m. (open to the public)
Saturday, August 7 — Mock Game at Flowery Branch – 12:00 p.m. (open to the public)
Sunday, August 8 — No Practice.
Monday, August 9 — Practice 8:30 – 10:40 a.m. (open to the public); practice 3:45 – 4:40 p.m. (open to the public). COMBINED PRACTICES WITH JACKSONVILLE.
Tuesday, August 10 — Practice 8:30 – 10:40 a.m. (open to the public); practice 3:45 – 5:50 p.m. (open to the public). COMBINED PRACTICES WITH JACKSONVILLE.
Wednesday, August 11 — Practice 8:30 – 10:40 a.m. (closed to the public); practice 3:45 – 4:40 p.m. (closed to the public).
Thursday, August 12 — Practice 8:50 – 10:55 a.m. (closed to the public); practice 5:15 – 6:15 p.m. (closed to the public).
Friday, August 13 — Preseason Week 1 vs. Kansas City 8 p.m.
Saturday, August 14 –No Practice.
Sunday, August 15 — Practice 9:30 – 11:35 a.m. (open to the public); practice 3:45 – 5:25 p.m. (open to the public).
Monday, August 16 — Practice 8:30 – 10:40 a.m. (closed to the public); practice 3:45 – 4:40 p.m. (closed to the public).
Tuesday, August 17 — Practice 8:30 – 10:55 a.m. (open to the public); practice 3:45 – 5:35 p.m. (open to the public). COMBINED PRACTICES WITH NEW ENGLAND.
Wednesday, August 18 — Practice 10:15 – 11:35 a.m. (closed to public).
Thursday, August 19 — Preseason Week 2 vs. New England 8 p.m.
Friday, August 20 — No Practice.
Saturday, August 21 — 9:30 a.m. – 11:35 a.m. (closed to the public); 3:45 p.m. – 5:25 p.m. (closed to the public).
Sunday, August 22 — 9:35 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. (closed to the public)
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138 comments Add your comment
Fish2774
July 22nd, 2010
12:33 pm
Well, actaully there’s only a 1 inch difference between the three. Grimes is 5′9, Owens 5′10, and Robinson 5′10. If you look at some of the greats allah Darrell Green and Champ Bailey in which I’ve seen those guy’s up front and personal at Redskins camp back in the days and they only measure out at a true 5′10. It’s about technique and positioning at the cornerback position. Chris Houston was always in position but couldn’t master the technique of getting his head around. Hey let’s put Grimes on the Jets or Ravens defense as a starter and I bet anyone he’ll be a pro bowler. Because these teams don’t give a QB a chance to set their feet which causes them to throw to a spot and if a reciever’s not in that spot before the blitz gets there the ball is up for grabs. Revis had 6 int’s on #1 defense and Grimes had 6 int’s on a 28th ranked defense so what’s the difference? Revis operated with a better pass rush and defensive scheme than Grimes but had the same int results. An Grimes had two taken away on bogus pass interference calls. So men lie and woman lie but the numbers don’t.
Jarrett
July 22nd, 2010
12:34 pm
DLed – The reason Williams came in and started last year was because
a.) he was completely healthy
b.) he knew the system better than the entire secondary
c.) Owens was a rookie
d.) Grimes wasn’t really in good standings with the coaching staff
Hill came in and started right away but that doesn’t mean he was the answer. I think Grimes has figured out how to play to his potential (even though I think he is best suited as a nickel) and Owens made the transition look easy. If Williams beats out 8 INTs worth of corners then either he deserves it or we should be worried.
Matt Ryan
July 22nd, 2010
12:42 pm
I did an article on SI about my situation in Atlanta…..thought you guys might want to check it out……..http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/matt_ryan/07/11/mmqb.matt.ryan/index.html#
Yurtle_the_turtle
July 22nd, 2010
12:44 pm
Nice article, but lacks some specifics.
What does it mean “play the ball better in the air”?
What do you mean “play better against elite quarterbacks”?
How do you “Shut down the opponents top receiver”? Does that mean allow him only 1 TD pass in a game? Fewer yards per completion as opposed to what we gave up last year?
Need specifics to know if we are meeting these goals.
Section 108
July 22nd, 2010
12:46 pm
Assuming all the key players stay healthy, CB performance along with increased pass rush is the key to our season, where the sky would be the limit!
Let’s Go FALCONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
truth
July 22nd, 2010
12:57 pm
DOL- What? If he was targeted that often and came up with good int numbers, why would he not be the starter. Thats like saying a QB threw alot of touchdowns because he threw the ball (targeted) more than anyone else.
truth
July 22nd, 2010
1:01 pm
I know Grimes struggled early on, but he stepped up to the plate and made improvement. Isn’t that what everyone wants improvement. I didn’t see anyone else step up like he did. Flame away.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
July 22nd, 2010
1:07 pm
truth — I guess we need to know how many of the 54, 20-yard gains were his. I know it was more than six. A lot more than 6. He stepped up. I want to see some consistency. Every time you hear DIMITROFF and SMITH say they need to be more consistent. ONE of the players they are talking about is the Lil’ GRIME-A-NATOR.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
July 22nd, 2010
1:10 pm
Yurtle_the_turtle — Most of who watched the games last year know what that means. Players had their heads turned when the ball was on the way. Slow reaction time to receivers. Mostly Houston was guilty of this and he’s gone.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
July 22nd, 2010
1:10 pm
It is easy to root for GRIMES. He’s a tough one. CONSISTENCY will make him a starter, though.
truth
July 22nd, 2010
1:17 pm
DOL- I agree with the CONSISTENCY. Consistency will come with consistently being on the field. I guess we’ll know more when pre-season starts. If that consistency is not there then yes, he shouldn’t start. I’m not ready to give up on himyet, I guess.
Sick & Tired Of Being Sick & Tired
July 22nd, 2010
1:29 pm
I must agree that “Rev Blake” was dead on with the comment about the 3rd and long situations last year. It was very painful to watch the team stop the opponent, week after week, on 1st and 2nd downs only to have them pick up 20+ yards on 3rd down.
Houston and Hill got burned more times that I want to mention…..so glad their gone….Wish there was some way that Grimes could play wearing stilts.
If the secondary can improve and everyone stays healthy, we have a shot at a very special season. GO FALCONS!!!!!
D. Orlando Ledbetter
July 22nd, 2010
1:39 pm
truth — We agree!
Kneehightoagrass Harper
July 22nd, 2010
1:46 pm
Whoever is the tallest wins.
DJ Sniper
July 22nd, 2010
2:20 pm
I will admit to being highly critical of Brent Grimes early in the season. I felt that he just didn’t match up physically against bigger receivers. Moving him from the left side to the right seems to have made all the difference in the world. True, he’s not the tallest CB in the league, but hell, there are plenty of CB’s who are only an inch or 2 taller than him who play well.
I agree with the consistency theme. If he can take his level of play in the last 3 games of 2009 and apply that to the entire 2010 season, the sky is the limit for him.
I do like Brian Williams, but being the age that he is and trying to come back from an ACL injury is definitely a cause for concern. I also liked the physical play of Chris Owens. He plays the ball, but he’s not afraid to lower his shoulder and deliver a shot either.
SeenThisB4
July 22nd, 2010
2:28 pm
Payton: Drew, can you hear me? They’re starting Williams and they got him on Meach, that’s the look we wanted, you know what to do.
26 seconds later:
Crowd Roars! Public Address Announcer: Touchdown Saints! 72 yard completion to Robert Meachum!
truth
July 22nd, 2010
2:47 pm
SeenThis B4: Hiram how does this Drew Brees t-shirt look on me.
Hiram: Looks great, but I’d rather have the real Drew drapped all over me!!
SeenThisB4: Oh don’t get me all worked up Himmie. Brees is such a HOTTIE!!
truth
July 22nd, 2010
2:47 pm
Birdword
July 22nd, 2010
2:51 pm
Do you refer you to the confused looking gentleman pictured at the top of this page?
By the way, I believe his name is spelled “MeachEm”, O Bandwagon Saints Fan.
Congratulations, you were able to fight your falcons fixation for a few hours.
But you aren’t worried about the Falcons, are you?
DW
July 22nd, 2010
2:52 pm
From the Sporting News. “Colts president Bill Polian says. “Generally speaking, tall people tend not to be real good knee benders and real quick in their movements. The axiom I’ve always followed is beware of too tall rather than beware of too short.”
One NFC team prescribes maximum heights for each position. If a prospect is taller than the second tallest productive player in the NFL at that position, he gets a red flag. The thinking is the tallest productive player in the NFL probably is an aberration”.
Revis, arguably the best CB in the game, is only 5′ 11″. Dunta Robinson is 5′ 10″. It’s more technique, experience, and aggressiveness that matters. Vertical leaping ability is a plus and nobody does that better than Grimes, the most athletic player on the team! Maybe we should move Finneran to CB to satisfy all you height obsessed experts.
SeenThisB4
July 22nd, 2010
2:54 pm
truth: Ah c’mon gurl, admit it, you actually fantasize about having D.O. Ledbetter draped all over you!
Whutzup sissy?! Have you accepted the fact that the Saints are going to kick your falcants in their beaks yet?
truth
July 22nd, 2010
2:57 pm
And a standing O for DW……good post. Now there’s some logic.
SeenThisB4
July 22nd, 2010
3:00 pm
Birdword, thanks for catching my typo!
The only worry I have about the falcants is that they will opt to not show up for the games!!
truth
July 22nd, 2010
3:00 pm
truth
July 22nd, 2010
3:05 pm
B4 if your team makes it past the Vikes wth a win then I will bow down and admit your team will win back to back superbowls. To bad it won’t happen.
SeenThisB4
July 22nd, 2010
3:14 pm
truth: And if your team beats the Saints in week three,….., hmmm it would be kind of early but my guess would be that Payton decided to rest his starters!
Minnesota is chomping at the bit to get even with the Saints in the season opener. I guess they plan on sending 13 into the huddle this year! What a bunch of dimwits. Drop the ball 5 times and lose it 3, and throw 2 interceptions, and then turn around and have the gall to blame it on the officials! And then, can’t stop the runner on special teams! Uh-huh, suuurre! What a bunch of spineless, classless, yellow bellies. At least the falcants took their a$$ whipping like the empty drones they are.
DrJ
July 22nd, 2010
3:15 pm
Since it only takes a couple of hamstrings to really screw things up, what is the new and improved conditioning staff doing differently to reduce the possibility of hammies? It would be interesting to know if they are doing things that will make them better than their predecessors, but I guess we will know soon enough. Have any info DOL?
truth
July 22nd, 2010
3:18 pm
This is how worried the Falcons are about the aints……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
truth
July 22nd, 2010
3:26 pm
What time does summer school let out, hadn’t heard from Ramhim…I mean Hiram.
RockyMtnFalcon
July 22nd, 2010
3:40 pm
We are getting closer folks!!! Football is right around the corner!!!! GO FALCONS!!!! 8-0 at home, 6-2 on the road!!! Atlanta will host its first NFC Championship at the end of this season!!! You heard it hear first!!!
SeenThisB4
July 22nd, 2010
3:40 pm
truth: I guess each dot represents one order of magnitude.
RockyMtnFalcon
July 22nd, 2010
3:43 pm
Sorry, I got too excited….You heard it HERE first!!
DJ Sniper
July 22nd, 2010
3:43 pm
For those of you wondering about Peria Jerry’s return from his injury, here’s an update.
http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcsouth
hiramsaint
July 22nd, 2010
3:47 pm
whoever you are – i’m remembering 35 pts. and your vikings loss comment but i don’t believe that minors can actually be held accountable for their whimsical remarks. sorry i wasn’t here earlier but K.S. typed another monologue and i fell asleep a quarter of the way thruogh it. what a longwinded jackwaggon. why can’t he just get to the point? probably ’cause he’s never got one
hiramsaint
July 22nd, 2010
3:50 pm
rockymtn oyster fan 14-2? no you’re not the first but it sure is funny each time one of you girls prints it though
hiramsaint
July 22nd, 2010
3:55 pm
a serious question-type it right out when you know the answer o.k. -who is gonna cover our new 6′8″ tight end?
SeenThisB4
July 22nd, 2010
3:56 pm
hiramsaint: They don’t have a clue for that one yet.
truth
July 22nd, 2010
3:59 pm
Jackwagon? You watch to much tv Hiram.
truth
July 22nd, 2010
4:03 pm
nope………………………………………………………………
hiramsaint
July 22nd, 2010
4:05 pm
not really whoever you are, i just like the gunny. B4- i don’t think they even know we have him
hiramsaint
July 22nd, 2010
4:06 pm
truth- and the question is will the con make the playoffs– kind of like jeopardy
hiramsaint
July 22nd, 2010
4:11 pm
i wonder if K.S. is working on his next senate bill to be posted on here later. you know , 1200 pages and no-one knows what it sais ?
truth
July 22nd, 2010
4:27 pm
WOW….you have a 6′8” tight end. WOW!!!! WE ALL BOW BEFORE YOU! WE’RE NOT WORTHY! WE’RE NOT WORTHY! “while rolling eyes”
hiramsaint
July 22nd, 2010
4:33 pm
you’re worthy. i just want to know who you believe will cover him… say in the red zone or on third and medium
truth
July 22nd, 2010
4:38 pm
Hey everyone the aints have a 6′8” TIGHT END!!!!
SeenThisB4
July 22nd, 2010
4:38 pm
hiramsaint: I remember when the falcants signed Tony Gonzalez, how riled up they were with their new 6′5″ all pro tight end, albeit at the tail end of his career. Now that the Saints have acquired Graham at the cusp of what undoubtly will be a stellar all pro career, they are, “rolling their eyes”. LOL!
truth
July 22nd, 2010
4:39 pm
Your slower than molasses TE can be covered by anyone on the Falcons team.
truth
July 22nd, 2010
4:41 pm
ROLL ROLL ROLL ROLL ROLL ROLL ROLL and will continue to until your “stellar” tight end proves he’s worth more than his height.
SeenThisB4
July 22nd, 2010
4:47 pm
truth: You are correct, everyone and anyone in a falcant uniform is gonna get a shot at covering him, but I think the real question is, who can actually shut him down? I look at that falcant defensive landscape, and it looks weak. Weak.
Let see, I guess tomorrow DOL will be covering the last line of defense for the falcants. That will be a good topic for the end of the week.
hiramsaint
July 22nd, 2010
4:47 pm
B4 , i already knew the answer and the answer was that none of the con’s fans would have an answer but they’re going to dallas LOL. they really do believe whatever is spoon fed to them by ajc SPORTS COLUMNIST.