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
hiramsaint
July 22nd, 2010
4:49 pm
i wonder if smitty will be watching the nfl network at 5 est to get some clues
SeenThisB4
July 22nd, 2010
4:53 pm
Well, rolling your eyes, or your collective eyes won’t stop him. We know he can catch the ball, and we know that Brees can deliver it to him. The question is, and the onus is on you and your friends, who haven’t even tried to touch the question, is who is gonna stop him from catching the ball? Especially as Hiramsaint indicated, in the red zone? and Shockey lining up too, with Colston and Henderson. LOL!
truth
July 22nd, 2010
4:54 pm
Your Herman Munster don’t belong in the same sentance as Gonzalez.
truth
July 22nd, 2010
4:57 pm
Oh well I guess the intire NFL should forfeit and give the superbowl to the aints again because they have a 6′8” tight end. Silly little kids need to quit commenting like your playing Madden.
hiramsaint
July 22nd, 2010
5:02 pm
why can’t you just answer ? a lb , a corner , de . it was a serious question but your turning it into a joke . do you even know ? i’m rolling my collective etes . i’m sure K.S. will have a novel written on how it will be done later if you just want to wait!
hiramsaint
July 22nd, 2010
5:03 pm
collective EYES..my bad.. asif you didn’t already know it was me –hehehehehe
hiramsaint
July 22nd, 2010
5:08 pm
you know this is just a microcosm of your saeason. your team will show up on sunday in their pretty black and red uniforms but when the whistle blows, they like you , won’t have an answer
truth
July 22nd, 2010
5:22 pm
I gave you an answer, what more do you want. It’s really strange that you think this 6′8” duffas is gonna be the “secret weapon” on your offense. It’s okay to talk trash and all be this is beneath you Hiram. You have other players on your offense to boast about, but you are going with an unproven 6′8” SLOW tightend. Anyone of our cb’s could cover the guy.
Jarrett
July 22nd, 2010
5:27 pm
I guess you know if he turns out to be as good as Leonard Pope (the last behometh TE = 6′8) you guys hit a homerun. But just to let you know Graham is 6′6 according to your own teams website so….
Yea and I didn’t think one year of football made you an automatic beast… He didn’t dominate college players. He only weighs 260. Let our LBs jack him up a few times and I bet he won’t make it passed second string.
/thread
truth
July 22nd, 2010
5:30 pm
I’m still in shocked you went this route Hiram. Come on man!!
Man if the aints think like that, then no they won’t be a TWODAT.
hiramsaint
July 22nd, 2010
5:36 pm
it was just a question that you couldn’t answer and today being a tribute day to your secondary , i thought it was appropriate. besides your qb, the secondary was your weakest link. dunta should be able to cover him
Great Falconi
July 22nd, 2010
5:45 pm
Getting Williams back helps. Grimes has a better idea of what to expect as a starter, and Owens got some good experience as well. I expect the secondary to be okay, but it can be better than that with a good pass rush. Let’s hope we get that.
hiramsaint
July 22nd, 2010
5:48 pm
good answer jarrett- you did in seconds what truth couldn’ t do in7 or 8 post. i’d also jack him up with a lb and see if he’s as enthusiastic to catch the ball again. who covers the back on the screen while a lb is tied up with a t.e.. remember now, the back usually has a number of blockers ahead of him
truth
July 22nd, 2010
5:53 pm
Don’t back peddle now Hiram. By the way, look again, I gave you several answers. You know how stupid you looked and now trying to appear you were in controll the whole time.
truth
July 22nd, 2010
5:55 pm
You and Seen should look back on your own posts, ya’ll were o the TE train from the beginning. BWAA HA HA!!!! EXPOSED!
hiramsaint
July 22nd, 2010
6:07 pm
hook line and sinker
hiramsaint
July 22nd, 2010
6:09 pm
maybe you should comment on the idol blog. i don’t think you are required to have any football knowledge there
SeenThisB4
July 22nd, 2010
6:52 pm
Jarret: You’re welcomed to come down next week to Saints Training facility to measure Graham for yourself. Just make sure your tape measure is at least 6′8″” A 6′6″ tape will be too short.
hiramsaint
July 22nd, 2010
6:56 pm
B4- they believe what they want to believe. thats why our sb feauxty feaux victory is a test in denial for them
jc_dawgs
July 22nd, 2010
6:58 pm
It’s not the secondary that is the problem anymore. The part of the defense that worries me is our DT situation….and our quality LB depth.
Sure Weatherspoon is going to be great. But you cannot or should not count on rookies to be a real positive in year 1. So…our depth at LB will be a real problem if injuries hit us.
DT is a problem…..Babineaux has to serve a 4 game suspension and PJ is recoevering from an injury and is still basically js just a rookie. Yes we have good experienced depth but we need that aggressive pass rush up the middle and honestly….without PJ and Babs we may not get it.
You dont think that Pittsburgh game is going to be huge? With out Ben….they are going to try to pound and smashmouth us all game long. Our DTs have me worried. Of course we could always plug Ja98 in at DT and are problems are solved. Yeah…right!
hiramsaint
July 22nd, 2010
6:59 pm
B4- is cooter browns still there on carrollton and claiborne?
hiramsaint
July 22nd, 2010
7:01 pm
dawgs- if your a falcons fan they’re gonna swarm you man. not with any solid facts like you’ve provided but they’ll swarm you with… stuff
SeenThisB4
July 22nd, 2010
7:24 pm
Hiramsaint: Yeah, it’s still there.
Ken Strickland
July 22nd, 2010
7:33 pm
SEENTHISB4-weren’t Peyton and Brees part of that same 08 AINTS team that went 8-8 and finished last in the division? How hard were they to stop? Like I’ve tried to get you delusional AINTS fans to understand, ONE ULTIMATE SEASON DOES NOT ERASE YOUR EMBARRASSING PAST.
You like to pretend the AINTS DEF isn’t a problem, but it will be the cause of your collapse, as well as your ultimate embarrassment. After your AINTS do the traditional Super Bowl collapse, I’m certain all of you will disappear back into the woodwork. DO YOU HAVE YOUR BAGS READY?
I want to ask all of you AINTS fans a question. Since you feel the AINTS are going to be so good this yr, WHY ARE MORE AND MORE EXPERTS PICKING YOUR DIVISION RIVAL FALCONS, WHO FINISHED LAST SEASON WITH A 9-7 RECORD, OVER YOUR 16-3 DEFENDING SUPER BOWL CHAMPION AINTS?
SeenThisB4
July 22nd, 2010
7:54 pm
That’s an easy question to answer Kenneth, because Atlanta has a much larger market base, besides the boys in Vegas, still have the Saints as the prohibitive NFC South Favorites. The boys in Vegas versus the flunkie pundits your citing? Emmmmm, Vegas.
And Kenneth, I already admitted we need to improve our defense, so you’re making things up..
And’ in ‘08, the current Champions were still missing some key pickups from last year, starting with Greg Williams, Darren Sharper, Malcolm Jenkins, Morstead, Hartley and getting Shockey and Bush back from injuries. They were all key to the Championship.
hiramsaint
July 22nd, 2010
7:59 pm
same thing happened last year and the media darling falcants disappointed them. why do you call them experts when they are wrong all the time . we base our hope on our talent , depth , and coaches . not on the experts. sadly with smitty & co. you can’t do the same so you’ll have to get yours from the experts and then come crashing back to reality just like every other year. and yes, anultimate season does erase the past but then you wouldn’t know that
SeenThisB4
July 22nd, 2010
8:07 pm
Ouch! Dat was cold Hiramsaint! LOL!
hiramsaint
July 22nd, 2010
8:12 pm
sometimes the sting of the truth is just that.
SeenThisB4
July 22nd, 2010
8:16 pm
LOL! Guys, he’s right, one ultimate season changes everything! How sweet it is!!!!
hiramsaint
July 22nd, 2010
8:17 pm
B4- why does ken keep arguing the D line thing when it’s already conceded and known that ours wasn’t to good against the run. why does he keep on like we’re claiming ti was a top 5 run D when i’ve heard you say 10 times it wasn’t and everyone knows it wasn’t . it’s really strange how fixated he gets on 1 certain thing but can’t see the whole picture
SeenThisB4
July 22nd, 2010
8:27 pm
I guess for the same reason that Custard split his force and ordered a charge at Little Big Horn, they need to believe they can win.
hiramsaint
July 22nd, 2010
8:34 pm
yeah but custard got slaughtered… oh , i gotcha–dat was cold B4…LOL
dawgfan0711
July 22nd, 2010
10:19 pm
C. Owens should start with Robinson. Let the other guys battle it out for nickel and dime duties. Owens really improved as the year went on, looks like a good fit in Smith’s and Van Gorder’s defense. B. Grimes played well toward the end of the year but gave up a ton of plays on 3rd down. Not sure why people are making a case for him to start, i don’t guess i was watching the same games as everyone who is calling for Grimes. Saying that, i also have to say he may be a good fit in the slot in nickel packages because the slot receivers are typically very quick and i believe Grimes has good change of direction. If Williams can come back and play at the level he did before injury then he should start. He was easily our best corner before the injury happened. I just don’t think he can, you have to look at his age and the injury sustained. No matter who starts, the defense should be greatly inproved and the Ryan, Turner, White, and Gonzalas should have the offense rolling. 11-5 at the very least. I would be disappointed if we don’t at least get to the NFC Championship Game. GO FALCONS!!!!
Flo-Ri-Duh!
July 23rd, 2010
1:08 am
The pass rush still sux… Falcs CB’s can’t cover their man the necessary 8 seconds it takes for their DE’s to get to the QB. That is why the pass defense was so weak (no pass rush) – not the CB’s fault.
Flo-Ri-Duh!
July 23rd, 2010
1:09 am
Van Gorder needs to get his act together and bring a top 10 pass defense or he is history.
Whopper Dawg
July 23rd, 2010
1:18 am
Biggest question – Is Robinson a no 1 shutdown corner as his contract suggests. The last years at Texas would suggest no.
BeefATL72
July 23rd, 2010
9:17 am
If you’re blanketly saying “the pass rush still sux” then you’re obviously ignorant & don’t understand what’s been done to solve that problem which plagued us _last year_.
1. Improved pass coverage takes away throwing options & forces QB’s to hold the ball longer. Robinson, Spoon, Moore & the fact Grimes & Owens were playing lights out in the last 3-4 games is going to equate to a much improved pass coverage.
2. Improved inside pressure from DT position collapses pockets & forces QB’s to move into unsafe territory or throw hurried passes into coverage or away. Jerry is a beast, watch his film, there’s a reason he was a 1st round pick. Peters dominated the SEC against players the same size as NFL players, he will be outstanding depth & a future center piece of this DL. Babs is already a top DT in the league. Walker played lights out towards end of the season, he was supposed to be a 1st or 2nd round pick if not for his big injury his senior year, we got a steal in getting him in late rounds, also outstanding depth. Johnson & Lewis got loads of playing time last year which is only going to make them better at their job of rotational 2nd string. Anderson, with gaining 15+ lbs, might actually surprise us at DT as well. DT is very solid for us as long as we stay healthy. It is significantly less of a concern than the ignorant negative-nancy’s think it is.
3. Sure we ranked 28th in sacks but we were top 5 in QB pressures. With better pass coverage & inside pressure, some of those DE pressures will turn into sacks. Biermann has emerged as the next Kerney & will start opposite Abe & they will both get double-digit sacks as a result of the other elements improving.
4. With improved pass rush will come even better pass coverage. They compound on each other’s effectiveness. Our defense as a whole is incredibly deep with quality talent. It’s going to be far improved compared to last year.
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