SB Nation Atlanta - Falcons Mini-Camp 2012: Five Questions Heading Into Workoutshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/46601/atlanta-fave.png2012-06-22T08:00:40-04:00http://atlanta.sbnation.com/rss/stream/28582572012-06-22T08:00:40-04:002012-06-22T08:00:40-04:00Falcons Mini-Camp Update: Final Day
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<p>The three-day Atlanta mini camp wrapped on Thursday and gave fans some tantalizing glimpses into what the 2012 season holds, but nothing to really hold onto. New coordinators Dirk Koetter and Mike Nolan continue to preach change and adjustment, while the players are starting to get a better handle on what the two men like to see from their teams. </p>
<p>Mike Smith spoke of the need to solidify both sides of the line, and spoke about how there would be a need for competition in training camp to decide who would be the starters. The other big question was at middle linebacker, where both <span>Akeem Dent</span> and <span>Lofa Tatupu</span> took 1st team snaps. As it stands there are still a lot of jobs up for grabs, and those will get sorted out in time.</p>
<p>It may be more than a little contrived to give an MVP of training camp, but the Atlanta Journal Constitution awarded this to WR <span>Julio Jones</span>, who had an outstanding camp. The MVP nomeclature is irrelevant, what's important and can't be understated is just how good Jones looked this week. He already seems to be in mid-season form, but he wasn't the only receiver to have a good week. Today especially, <span>Kerry Meier</span> really stood out-- and as a player I thought could be on the roster bubble he's making waves quickly.</p>
<p>Now the players get a three week reprieve to break, rest, and prepare for training camp. Of note, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/atlanta-falcons">Falcons</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.musiccitymiracles.com/">Titans</a> will co-host a scrimmage in Dalton, GA on Monday, August 6th; this will be a good chance for local fans to see more of the team before the season.</p>
<p><i>For more on the Falcons head over the <a href="http://www.thefalcoholic.com/" target="_blank">The Falcoholic</a></i></p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/atlanta-falcons/2012/6/22/3109034/falcons-mini-camp-update-final-dayJames Dator2012-06-21T08:01:07-04:002012-06-21T08:01:07-04:00Falcons Mini-Camp Update: Day Two
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<p>It was only the second day of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/atlanta-falcons">Falcons</a>' mini-camp, but already we had some big questions answered. We heard just under a month ago that the plan would be to play Dunta Roninson at nickel, but now we're seeing that in practice-- the result is very good. What's more, it has allowed <span>Asante Samuel</span> to work almost exclusively against <span>Roddy White</span>, which <a href="https://twitter.com/Atlanta_Falcons/status/215555911647899648" target="_blank">White says has been fantastic</a>: </p>
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<p>"I love that guy (Samuel). He keeps the defense hot and brought that spark to the team."</p>
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<p>Meanwhile, White's opposing receiver <span>Julio Jones</span> continued looking great this early in the season. Though they were some light, non-contact 7-on-7 drills, he bested his man on several occasions, and continues to build a great rapport with Matt Ryan. While premature, there's little doubt Jones can become a #1 receiver in time, and he seems to be playing with a chip on his shoulder right now; understandable, given he was overlooked by so many in the effusive praise given to <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Bengals</a>' rookie <span>A.J. Green</span> last year.</p>
<p>Everything is going swimmingly to Dirk Koetter's offense, but on the other side of the ball Mike Nolan is being quite frank about what his defense needs, and where the deficiencies are. This from D. Orlando Ledbetter: </p>
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<p>Nolan is pleased with the play of safeties <span>Thomas DeCoud</span> and <span>William Moore</span>, but doesn't see much depth at the position.</p>
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<p>The DC is right, there is a need to cultivate more depth at the safety position. Thankfully the cadre of excellent cornerbacks should ameliorate the lack of depth at S, should the need arise. If you were wondering if Nolan, a traditional 3-4 guy would change the defensive focus, he had answers for that too:</p>
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<p>"We'll be 4-3 and we'll use 3-4 at times, but we'll be primarily a 4-3 because this team was built that way, you want to play to your players' strengths."</p>
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<p>Hybridization of NFL defenses is something we're seeing more, and more of in the NFL-- it ensures the best players are on the field at all times, and can compensate for issues. If nothing else the Falcons look to be exciting on both sides of the ball, and that is a very good thing.</p>
<p><i><b>For more on the Falcons please visit <a href="http://www.thefalcoholic.com/" target="_blank">The Falcoholic</a></b></i></p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/atlanta-falcons/2012/6/21/3104932/falcons-mini-camp-update-day-twoJames Dator2012-06-20T17:40:07-04:002012-06-20T17:40:07-04:00Atlanta Falcons Offensive Coodinator Dirk Koetter Looking For An Explosive Offense
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<p>Dirk Koetter isn't shy about what he's looking for out of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/atlanta-falcons">Atlanta Falcons</a> offense in 2012. <a href="http://blogs.ajc.com/mark-bradley-blog/2012/06/20/koetter-is-out-to-upgrade-the-falcons-one-explosion-at-a-time/" target="_blank">He wants Atlanta's offense, which has plenty of playmakers, to be explosive</a> -- and who can blame him?</p>
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<p>"We want explosive plays, whether they're runs or passes," Koetter said, and then he defined his terms. "When I think about explosive plays, I mean 12-yard runs or 16-yard passes. [Those yardage figures are minimums, please note.] Next to turnovers, 12-yard runs and 16-yard passes are the biggest factors in winning. If you have eight of those plays in a game, you'll have a great chance to win."</p>
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<p>Koetter's offense should be a bit different from what Falcons fans have seen in the recent past. Koetter said that his offense will have screen passes, which he believes should be "part of every offense." </p>
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<p>"I've been a big believer in screens my whole life. It's a way to slow down a pass rush, and it's a way to get the ball to your playmakers in space. I tell our guys, ‘Think of a screen pass as a punt return.' "</p>
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<p>Koetter is quite happy with his new quarterback, too:</p>
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<p>Five months on the job, Koetter already is crazy about Matt Ryan. Asked if the quarterback who has yet to engineer a postseason victory is cut from championship cloth, Koetter said: "Absolutely. Absolutely. The guy has everything you want and more.</p>
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<p>Certainly, Falcons fans have plenty to be excited about in the 2012 season, as Atlanta looks to translate regular season success into postseason success.</p>
<p><i>For more on the Falcons, be sure to check out <a target="_blank" href="http://www.thefalcoholic.com/">The Falcoholic and join the discussion.</a> </i></p>
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https://atlanta.sbnation.com/atlanta-falcons/2012/6/20/3104374/atlanta-falcons-offensive-coodinator-dirk-koetter-matt-ryanJP Starkey2012-06-20T08:00:55-04:002012-06-20T08:00:55-04:00Falcons Mini-Camp Update: Day One Concludes
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<p>The stage was set for the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/atlanta-falcons" class="sbn-auto-link">Falcons</a> to show off their latest defensive acquisition in <span>Asante Samuel</span>, but it was the wide receivers who stole the show on the first day in Flowery Branch. A welcome sight was <span>Julio Jones</span>, who looked like a man possessed for much of the day. Working against a variety of CBs he even turned around Samuel in coverage while he sprinted for a nice catch over the middle.</p>
<p>Jones set the tone for most of the day. Matt Ryan and the offense looked in mid-season form, which culminated with the biggest play of the day-- a 40 yard completion to <span>Harry Douglas</span>. Players reported that Ryan had more 'zip' on the ball, which is very encouraging. Ryan had made it a point to increase his arm strength this off-season, and that seems to be paying dividends already.</p>
<p>On the defensive side of the ball it was more about what players were saying, rather than anything stellar we saw on the field. <span>Sean Weatherspoon</span> looked to be taking more of a leadership role, as he comfortably pointed out assignments and motivated his teammates. It's of vital importance that a leader emerge in the linebacking corps following the departure of <span>Curtis Lofton</span>. It's encouraging to hear a young player take the next step.</p>
<p>If you're looking for an idea of how the defense will look in 2012 <a target="_blank" href="http://www.atlantafalcons.com/2012/06/falcons-first-practice-a-high-energy-one/?utm_term=nfl,+falcons&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter">Kroy Beirmann gave you a pretty good idea: </a></p>
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<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.atlantafalcons.com/2012/06/falcons-first-practice-a-high-energy-one/?utm_term=nfl,+falcons&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter"></a>"High-energy, high-octane, fast-paced defense. It's going to be exciting. The guys are picking it up quick. Once you know the defense, you can play fast. It should be an exciting year."</p>
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<p>With two more days of practice including one open to the public we'll get a much better sense over the next 48hrs of how the team will look.</p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/atlanta-falcons/2012/6/20/3098234/falcons-mini-camp-update-day-one-concludesJames Dator2012-06-18T08:00:40-04:002012-06-18T08:00:40-04:00Falcons Mini-Camp 2012: Five Questions Heading Into Workouts
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<p>After wrapping up OTAs the Atlanta Falcons will hold team mini-camp this week from Tuesday-Thursday. </p> <p>Starting on Tuesday the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/atlanta-falcons" class="sbn-auto-link">Atlanta Falcons</a> will begin their three day mini-camp. They are the last team in the NFC South to hold their workouts, with the <a href="https://www.catscratchreader.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Panthers</a>, <a href="https://www.canalstreetchronicles.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Saints</a> and <a href="https://www.bucsnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Buccaneers</a> all completing their camps over the last two weeks. On the surface it's easy to write off these camps as meaningless, but with the new CBA they mark the first time teams have been able to hold mandatory off-season activities this year.</p>
<p>The Falcons aren't an organization who need to make wide sweeping changes. They were close enough in 2011 that only a few tweaks are needed, but in an off-season of upheaval there are some questions entering this season, and we may start to get some of those answered on Tuesday.</p>
<p><b>What will happen at cornerback?</b></p>
<p>Atlanta pushed their chips to the center of the table when they made the splashy trade to bring in CB <span>Asante Samuel</span> from the <a href="https://www.bleedinggreennation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Philadelphia Eagles</a>. They got stunning value for one of the most productive corners in the NFL, but now they face a similar problem to what the Eagles dealt with in 2011- a glut of talent at one position.</p>
<p>Conventional wisdom put Samuel on the field with <span>Dunta Robinson</span>, but there have been recent murmurs that <span>Brent Grimes</span> may, in fact, be starting across from Asante. We'll get a much better sense for this over the mini-camp, and into training camp.</p>
<p><b>Can the veteran hold off the rook at center?</b></p>
<p><span>Todd McClure</span> has been reliable as the day is long, but with the fortune to land the best center in the 2012 draft in <span>Peter Konz</span> we'll get to see how that interior offensive line will shape up. Typically you'd easily hand the job to McClure, but with new OC Dirk Koetter there isn't a lot of allegiance to the old guard. If there's time for a change at C it would be now.</p>
<p><b>Will Jaquizz Rodgers get a bigger role?</b></p>
<p>One of the hardest things for teams is extending the life of a running back. More often than not it's far too tempting to go for broke and continue to rely on the workhorse, rather than rotate in a new player to take some of the load. In limited carrier Jaquizz Rodgers has looked like the kind of player who deserves a bigger role, but the temptation to rely on <span>Michael Turner</span> has been great. Here again, Koetter will play a large role after leaving a Jacksonville team that ran everything through <span>Maurice Jones-Drew</span>. This mini-camp will be a great way to see if Rodgers will get more touches in 2012.</p>
<p><b>Who will step up across from Abraham?</b></p>
<p><span>John Abraham</span> is still playing at an extremely high level for his age, as shown by his 9.5 sacks in 2011. However, he does need some help on the other side. Thus far the <span>Ray Edwards</span> experiment hasn't gone to plan, prompting some to already label Edwards as a decent pass rusher, who benefited greatly from the stellar play of <span>Jared Allen</span>. Kroy Beirmann, <span>Lawrence Sidbury</span> and rookie <span>Jonathan Massaquoi</span> are all looking for chances, and we'll see if they get any 1st team reps this week if Edwards fails to impress.</p>
<p><b>A fresh look at <span>Julio Jones</span></b></p>
<p>While not really a question, one area that I can't wait to see is the 2012 version of WR Julio Jones. By his own admission he was still struggling with injury last year, and despite this managed to put up one of the best seasons by a rookie WR in recent memory. It's too early to expect he'll challenge <span>Roddy White</span> as the featured pass-catcher, but with a full off-season to work with Matt Ryan we may finally get to see his potential.</p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/atlanta-falcons/2012/6/18/3093723/five-questions-entering-falcons-mini-campJames Dator