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****Atlanta Falcons**** And The NFL In General
- Thread starter Tony2X
- Start date
Five thoughts after Falcons rookie minicamp
Vaughn McClure, ESPN Atlanta Falcons reporter
The Atlanta Falcons concluded rookie minicamp camp Sunday with a closed practice. Although not much was revealed during the 60 combined minutes available to the media on Friday and Saturday, here are five thoughts based on some observations:
Vaughn McClure, ESPN Atlanta Falcons reporter
The Atlanta Falcons concluded rookie minicamp camp Sunday with a closed practice. Although not much was revealed during the 60 combined minutes available to the media on Friday and Saturday, here are five thoughts based on some observations:
- Seventh-round pick Akeem King, a cornerback from San Jose State, is a player to keep an eye on. Just based on drills, he seems to have solid footwork and just looked like a legit NFL defensive back. Plus King, who played safety for the Spartans last season, is sure to get better when he's asked to go up against elite wide receiver Julio Jones in practice. King was recruited to college as a wide receiver himself, so that background could work to his advantage. Not to mention King should get plenty of opportunities to prove his value this offseason with second-round pick Jalen Collins still recovering from foot surgery.
- King mentioned how much it helps to have a position coach who went through the NFL grind in Marquand Manuel, who played eight years in the league at safety before concluding his career in 2009. Manuel should help improve all the defensive backs, but he should particularly be beneficial to Robert Alford. The third-year player has all the ability in the world, but needs to improve his technique -- especially when it comes to his hands. Alford picked up his share of defensive penalties last season. Manuel is very hands-on with his coaching approach and surely will ride Alford until Alford gets it right. Alford already is getting an earful from one former NFL safety; close friend Ryan Clark, an ESPN analyst who has trained Alford this offseason.
- Pass-rusher Vic Beasley's impact won't be just on Sundays for the Falcons. The rookie first-round draft pick's quick first step off the edge should help all the offensive tackles improve. Beasley probably didn't have much competition during rookie minicamp based on the marginal group of offensive linemen on the field. It should be at least a little tougher in organized activities and at mandatory minicamp (June 16-18) as he goes up against guys such as Lamar Holmes, Ryan Schraeder and perhaps Jake Matthews (if Matthews recovers from surgery to repair a Lisfranc ligament tear in his foot). Practicing against Beasley should help the tackles prepare for guys such as Connor Barwin (Eagles), Jason Pierre-Paul (Giants) and J.J. Watt (Texans) in the first four games of the season.
- I have to agree with NFL.com analyst Bucky Brooks on this one: third-round pick Tevin Coleman's running style is ideal for offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan's outside-zone blocking scheme, which emphasizes a one-cut-and-go mentality for the running backs. Some folks tried to argue otherwise, but Coleman's explosive, big-play ability is an asset for any offensive scheme. Judging by watching Coleman closely during drills, he showed no signs of being limited by December surgery on his right big toe. Coleman and Devonta Freeman have the potential to be a dynamic duo. Time didn't allow media members to see how Coleman caught the ball at rookie camp.
- The Falcons took every necessary precaution after undrafted safety Terell Floyd from Louisville fell on the field because of the extreme heat. He was taken to the hospital as a precaution and is expected to be back on the field sometime this week after suffering from dehydration. The extreme heat in Atlanta always is a concern, and you wonder how much time the Falcons will spend in their indoor practice facility this summer to help beat the heat.
NFC South
Atlanta Falcons
• Signed DE Adrian Clayborn
• Signed LB Justin Durant
• Re-signed FS Charles Godfrey
• Signed DE O'Brien Schofield
• Signed DB Phillip Adams
• Re-signed FB Patrick DiMarco
• Signed WR Leonard Hankerson
• Signed OT Mike Person
• Signed LB Brooks Reed
• Re-signed RB Antone Smith
• Re-signed WR Eric Weems
• Re-signed QB T.J. Yates
• Re-signed LB Kroy Biermann
• Signed TE Tony Moeaki
• Signed TE Jacob Tamme
• Signed PK Matt Bryant
Atlanta Falcons
• Signed DE Adrian Clayborn
• Signed LB Justin Durant
• Re-signed FS Charles Godfrey
• Signed DE O'Brien Schofield
• Signed DB Phillip Adams
• Re-signed FB Patrick DiMarco
• Signed WR Leonard Hankerson
• Signed OT Mike Person
• Signed LB Brooks Reed
• Re-signed RB Antone Smith
• Re-signed WR Eric Weems
• Re-signed QB T.J. Yates
• Re-signed LB Kroy Biermann
• Signed TE Tony Moeaki
• Signed TE Jacob Tamme
• Signed PK Matt Bryant
Breakdown of Collin Mooney's Falcons contract
Mooney signed a two-year contract potentially worth $1,100,000 with no signing bonus. Here is how his contract breaks downs:
2015
Base salary: $510,000 (veteran minimum)
Cap number: $510,000
2016
Base salary: $600,000 (veteran minimum)
Cap number: $600,000
Vaughn McClure, ESPN Atlanta Falcons reporter
Mooney signed a two-year contract potentially worth $1,100,000 with no signing bonus. Here is how his contract breaks downs:
Base salary: $510,000 (veteran minimum)
Cap number: $510,000
2016
Base salary: $600,000 (veteran minimum)
Cap number: $600,000
*The following are the 2015 cap numbers for the free agents the Falcons signed from other teams this offseason:
Brooks Reed (Houston): $3,140,000
Justin Durant (Dallas): $2,210,416
Adrian Clayborn (Tampa Bay): $2,062,500
O'Brien Schofield (Seattle): $1,700,000
Jacob Tamme (Denver): $1,387,500
Leonard Hankerson (Washington): $1,000,000
Mike Person (St. Louis): $911,666
Allen Bradford (Seattle): $660,000
Phillip Adams (New York Jets): $585,000
Tony Moeaki (Seattle): $585,000
Collin Mooney (Tennessee): $510,000
Nick Williams (Washington): $510,000
Jared Smith (Seattle): $440,000
Brooks Reed (Houston): $3,140,000
Justin Durant (Dallas): $2,210,416
Adrian Clayborn (Tampa Bay): $2,062,500
O'Brien Schofield (Seattle): $1,700,000
Jacob Tamme (Denver): $1,387,500
Leonard Hankerson (Washington): $1,000,000
Mike Person (St. Louis): $911,666
Allen Bradford (Seattle): $660,000
Phillip Adams (New York Jets): $585,000
Tony Moeaki (Seattle): $585,000
Collin Mooney (Tennessee): $510,000
Nick Williams (Washington): $510,000
Jared Smith (Seattle): $440,000
Well, I got a call about coming down to the viewing center and club level seats. I don't care for the club level seats, can't afford them anyways...I did ask about PSL fees for where I am currently sitting, 45 yard line 12th row upper deck home side, and was told the PSL for those seats will run about $1000. Option to spread it out over 10 years. May do that since that $100 in 10 years is going to be worth less than it is now.
No surprise that the Falcons tried to claim D.J. Swearinger, as @FieldYates reported. Tampa Bay was first in line.
12:51 PM - 13 May 2015
