Dominique Franks shows versatility while filling in at safety

The Atlanta Falcons turned to an unlikely source when the team's depth at safety became perilously thin.

Starting strong safety William Moore missed his second game in a row against the New York Giants on Sunday with a rib injury, and Moore's backup Chris Hope was knocked out with a head injury. Shorthanded, the Falcons turned to cornerback Dominique Franks to replace Hope.

After starting four games last year, Franks has seen his playing time at cornerback diminish this year after the Falcons acquired Asante Samuel over the offseason. However, the third year player out of Oklahoma has embraced his role as a super-sub for the whole secondary according to Falcons head coach Mike Smith, telling the Atlanta Journal-Constitution's D. Orlando Ledbetter,

"Dominique is like our utility infielder, to use a baseball term. He's a guy that can play corner, nickel and safety for us."

Rookie reserve safety Charles Mitchell also saw time for the Falcons when Atlanta went into dime coverage before Hope was able to return from his injury later in the game.