15 Burst results for "Jalen Hawkins"
Big Blue View
"jalen hawkins" Discussed on Big Blue View
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You can split <Speech_Male> the safety you can attack <Speech_Male> the seams <Speech_Male> in those zones <Speech_Male> and that is <Speech_Male> really what ingram <Speech_Male> was drafted <Speech_Male> to do said <Speech_Male> <Advertisement> this could set <Speech_Male> up to be a really good <Speech_Male> opportunity <SpeakerChange> for <Silence> his debut <Speech_Male> or <Speech_Male> two. I would really look <Speech_Male> forward to and honestly <Speech_Male> i mean. People don't <Speech_Male> like evan ingram <Speech_Male> all that much because <Speech_Male> of all the mistakes <Speech_Male> he's made but <Speech_Male> i've been saying this <Speech_Male> he could still <Speech_Male> be a valuable weapon <Speech_Male> and in a <Speech_Male> have a solid role <Speech_Male> in this offense <Speech_Male> despite the fact that there <Speech_Male> are so many other <Speech_Male> options because defense <Speech_Male> is half to respect <Speech_Male> his speed. They <Speech_Male> have to respect his vertical <Speech_Male> ability. Jason <Speech_Male> garrett decides to <Speech_Male> use him in that manner <Speech_Male> and if you <Speech_Male> watch kyle rudolph <Speech_Male> and i liked to the <Speech_Male> kyle rudolph signing <Speech_Male> from the standpoint that <Speech_Male> i believe he's a better <Speech_Male> fit <Speech_Male> in terms of <Speech_Male> his the <Speech_Male> way he catches the football <Speech_Male> his concentration <Speech_Male> his sure hands <Speech_Male> and his ability <Speech_Male> to run those quick <Speech_Male> stick options. <Speech_Male> He looks out <Speech_Male> there man. He <Speech_Male> does look slow. And i'm not <Speech_Male> advocating for <Speech_Male> ebony ingram to <Speech_Male> continue to run <Speech_Male> stick because i do <Speech_Male> feel like he really struggles <Speech_Male> to kind of turn <Speech_Male> his <Speech_Male> turn his body <Speech_Male> back towards the quarterback <Speech_Male> quickly focused on a football <Speech_Male> locating <Speech_Male> bringing in. But <Speech_Male> if you wanna use him up <Speech_Male> the seam in kind <Speech_Male> of unlocked the vertical <Speech_Male> aspect of <Speech_Male> jason. Garrett's offense <Speech_Male> that we expected <Speech_Male> to receive when he was <Speech_Male> the offense coordinator. <Speech_Male> There's not really <Speech_Male> many better <Speech_Male> tight ends to do <Speech_Male> that. Athletic <Speech_Male> standpoint than <Speech_Male> ingram. So let's <Speech_Male> see if we get to see that <Speech_Male> against this. Atlanta defense <Speech_Male> may be matched <Speech_Male> up against these safeties <Speech_Male> which he could definitely <Speech_Male> take advantage of <Speech_Male> jalen. Hawkins <Speech_Male> doron harman's getting <Speech_Male> a little bit long in the tooth. <Speech_Male> Eric harris was <Speech_Male> never an <Speech_Male> athletic type of safety <Speech_Male> indiana jones. He <Speech_Male> somebody who would do a solid <Speech_Male> job covering <Speech_Telephony_Male> ingram but even <Speech_Male> ingram on <Speech_Male> the right cut. You can get <Speech_Male> the best of an athletic <Silence> linebacker <SpeakerChange> like that. <Speech_Male> <Speech_Male> Yeah absolutely <Speech_Male> like the <Speech_Male> only question is <Speech_Male> will. <Speech_Male> Would the giants <Speech_Male> do that and <Speech_Male> so far <Speech_Male> except for <Speech_Male> you know really <Speech_Male> under. Ben mcadoo <Speech_Male> <Speech_Male> ingram's rookie <Speech_Male> season. <Speech_Male> The team just has <Silence> not <Speech_Male> wanted <Speech_Male> to use <Speech_Male> ingram as a vertical <Speech_Male> threat. You know <Speech_Male> you talk about stick routes <Speech_Male> but he was basically <Speech_Male> undefendable <Speech_Male> when he <Speech_Male> ran the stick nod <Speech_Male> where he <Speech_Male> get defenders to <Speech_Male> bite on the stick part <Speech_Male> of the route. And then just <Speech_Male> turn up field <Speech_Male> end. <Speech_Male> <Advertisement> <Speech_Male> <Advertisement> I believe <Speech_Male> <Advertisement> that resulted in. <Speech_Male> What four <Speech_Male> touchdowns six <Speech_Male> touchdowns off of that <Speech_Male> route in particular. <Speech_Music_Male> So <Speech_Male> <Advertisement> it'd be <SpeakerChange> great to <Speech_Male> <Advertisement> see the giants bring that <Speech_Music_Male> <Advertisement> back <Speech_Male> <Advertisement> the sticking nod <Speech_Music_Male> <Advertisement> one of the best place madden <Speech_Music_Male> <Advertisement> to run if you have a good <Speech_Music_Male> tight end <Speech_Music_Male> <SpeakerChange> <Speech_Music_Male> <Advertisement> <Speech_Music_Male> <Advertisement> and apparently <Speech_Music_Male> <Advertisement> also in the nfl. <Speech_Music_Male> <Advertisement> <Speech_Music_Male> <Advertisement> You're capable of running. <Speech_Music_Male> <Advertisement> <Speech_Music_Male> <Advertisement> So i think that's going <Speech_Music_Male> <Advertisement> to be it for this <Speech_Music_Male> <Advertisement> preview. For the <Speech_Music_Male> <Advertisement> atlanta falcons <Speech_Music_Male> <Advertisement> game in week. Three <Speech_Music_Male> <Advertisement> folks <Speech_Music_Male> <Advertisement> thank you for hopping <Speech_Music_Male> <Advertisement> on tuning and be sure <Speech_Music_Male> to hit the subscribe button. <Speech_Music_Male> Then also leave us a five <Speech_Music_Male> star
The Falcoholic
"jalen hawkins" Discussed on The Falcoholic
"Off their own super bowl that to me. It's not so much what it would mean for the record it would just mean just sending them on a trajectory that instill confidence the players. The coaches if what a young player like kyle pits has a big game or jalen. Hawkins has big pick. You know or something like that just to really kind of wash away. The stink of of last week Author smith would be allowed to stick out a little bit right. Yeah yeah first career win against the bucks. And i will say i'm not saying that like we're gonna. I'm still we're not. We're not gonna win this game however just hear me up. Just jeremy out. If it somehow does happen let me. Just read you off the quarterbacks that this team will be facing after this flux game so you know you're daniel jones and the giants next week with with say hold on. Just just hear me out say saquon barkley is not gonna be at one hundred percent. We already know they're going to ramp up You know then you have tyler. Heineke in washington ryan fitzpatrick is out free. Call that you know you. Zach wilson a rookie quarterback in the jets. Then you have a bye week and after the by you played and then sam darnold and then you know then you get the saints and then dan quinn's defense I'm just saying like evans. Litter win would be a nice little springboard where you know baby layoffs. You talking kevin stop. He's doing it again. He did it again. Yeah give me enough time. I i. I can like play out the scenarios in my head right now last year. Andrew when they were they were one of six and it went into. I think it was the broncos game won. They became to in six. The very next show ad was thinking about playoff scenarios. He picked with this one. Will we need content. This team loses their defense. The division was not looking great. Some context let me out. Some context then was talking about adding another wild card. Winter games out the falcons were like a half game out of that and you know we're playing tastes them. Hell twice drew brees was on. Ira and i was like are won't be taste hill twice you know. That's no issue. And beat the raiders to and then at least kevin second win of the year talking to play offs already. He was ready ready ready all they need to do is give me a crumb an i'm buying all the way back then but that's all i need. Look at the break this year. Yeah hey it's possible right possible. Yeah oh boy. Dark time and let's hope we don't have to get to one six where we're like trying to you know galaxy brain playoff scenarios this year article. Already he's guy it's already already typed up. It's in draft right now. I just need tweak a tweak yeah change some of the dates some of the teams but he's got it ready to go every season but now i mean. I think it's very unlikely. That the falcons win this game. But i think it's also likely that they will play better than people are sort of expecting. I don't think they're going to win. But i think if they came out and we're like competitive with the bucks through the whole game and it was like somewhat close at the end i. It wouldn't shock me. Would shock me i i. It's probably more likely that they play. I mean i think they're going to play better than week one if they don't. I think we have a lot a lot a lot. Or if they don't then next week it people thought this week was about on falcons twitter. They look that bad. It's going to be terrible next week. It'll be hilarious again. It'll be terrible for the players. By hilarious i mean you know crying in the corner hilarious but yeah it's gonna be a rough game. It's they definitely the schedule makers. Did the no favors in terms of having this one on the docket in week two. They're probably staring down to. But you know for those of us that predicted them to go around. Five hundred and i went to star. Isn't really moving the needle for me. If you were thinking that they were gonna win more than nine games. Probably want to adjust that lower if they started into. But we'll see. I don't i don't know why this like name just popped in my head. But if they like. What was saying about falcons twitter next week. I'm thinking of like you know the players to the new digital team that they have there. It's like it reminds me of that. Meam of the guy with the new surroundings neck. That's like first time or whatever like we're used to doing we're like oh yeah first time with this first time or stunt. They have no idea what they're getting themselves into. They'll get yeah. Yep yep yep art guys well any any final thoughts about the books game before we start wrapping this thing up. Look i wouldn't house take them straight up but i would pick them against the spread. What is this thirteen. yeah probably i think. I think i'd been on the kids to lose by less than thirteen. It's division game. So i mean i'm not actually putting money on it. Yeah oh yeah. Yeah i like adding. I would never put money on the falcons wi fi. Never never absolutely not If he was a gambler which he's not he wasn't i wouldn't bet on the falcons either just mart. I would bet on teams. I didn't care about. Because i know the emotion would play apartment. I don't even wanna make that pick on tally site. Get let them. We'll put some money down. I'm good. I'll stay away from yup. Yup all right well let me read off our final couple of donations here before we wrap things up before i get to. That guy's reminder please do like and subscribe to the channel. If you haven't done it already we really appreciate. Those metrics helps out a lot Check out the patriots page if you want a sports show on a monthly basis get access to some exclusive perks and content. That sort of stuff to that is patriots dot com..
The Falcoholic
"jalen hawkins" Discussed on The Falcoholic
"Then let me get to this legendary. One hundred dollar tip from ken ballard. Thank you so much man. That's very nice of you. I says i've been watching the falcons for over fifty years. The funniest line. I've ever heard live regarding. The falcons was when kevin knight said during one of the preseason games. I assume. now that's how you throw a catchable ball after franks through that interception and the predeceased. Yeah that was pretty good one. I'm glad someone enjoyed that because we didn't enjoy the games all that much. But we appreciate it hanging out with you guys and enjoy and what we could takes again so much for that. Can we really appreciate that man Yeah well let's let's do transition to some more of that defensive talk on andrew all let you kind of get your your two cents in here How did you feel about the defensive performance. I mean obviously allowing thirty two points not great. But when the falcons you know give them give the eagles the ball on their own territory on two consecutive fourth downs. That's probably not great either in terms of helping out the defense. So how do you. How do you feel about that side of the ball in this game. Yeah obviously disappointed by the lack of pressure fronts Aj trail looked great. Fame wrote Give up that big play at the beginning but but you know he. He really settled down. I think when you when you think about the kind of situation thought missouri or or in this past off season you wanna find. Those cost efficient veterans. You can slot in You want the kind of guy who can get you know. Be blamed for big touchdown early in a game at settle in and be solid for the rest And i mean for what he's being paid. That's pretty much where all you can ask for. At this point one one thing not directly related to what we saw i think. Get to snaps on defense. The entire game not great. I i don't. I don't know it's i was really on him coming out of the draft. I you know. And i was hoping that you know this season with password schemes. Such an issue in new new defense new coaches another year progression for him. It was disappointing to not see him out there. I'm sure there is a very good reason for that Over overall i would give it like a c. plus b. minus ted gray definitely not indicative of the score final score of the game But you know when you look at the way. The offense had to very predictable in the second half and then they were just getting pummeled. And this is something we see all the time. The falcons defense just gets exhausted. And there's no way to quantify how exhaustion plays into a team defensive performance but when you look over the last five plus years in these collapses the falcons have in the blow they have you just look at how gas the defense is by the fourth quarter. It's a very common theme and You know when it comes to that. That's another just kind of a ripple effect from the offensive line being as brutal as it was this game. And i thought i thought the defense looked very solid in the first half then as they got tired and as joan here's really really settled in Got a little rougher. But i was encouraged by law to what i saw considering the town on the fields and Definitely hope to see you know. I would love to see junk. Get more snaps. I'm excited to see some of these young guys jalen hawkins I thought he had some good place as they over. Its place yeah is basically he may have a couple of key tackles. He looked good and he was flying around on special teams to You know mike walker was Making some noise it at certain points as well. So you know for me. I'm going to be looking at these younger guys Lot as the season moves on a especially on defense and i was encouraged by lot of what i saw. I'm trying to think on the positive side here Yes we can get that front for moving the such a game changer end. It's it's a shame that Comiskey have been able up of be that guy. It's a shame that The draft picks have not have not panned out in that area specifically and. I think we're all as falcons fans watched this team for years. Were so tired of this issue. We're just exhausted every year of seeing the opposing quarterback having enough time to read warren piece in the backfield's before throws the ball. And we're tired of seeing these guys with so much promise Going back to even jamal anderson and ray edwards Is just been ever since. John abraham left man it's we we're spoiled for a while there and it will be. It's going to happen again. It'll be very refreshing. When the falcons have front for or can generate a really strong pass rush. But it's just not there right now. Yeah yeah i agree And it's it's like. I don't understand the junk kaminsky thing either to me. I i always thought it was. I always liked kaminsky at edge. Like i always thought. That's what he played in college. That's what i wanted to see. They were very insistent about bulking up a little bit and moving him to the interior. Wish if you look at his athletic testing makes a lotta sense. He's like a ninety nine th percentile athlete for a defensive tackle at that point. But i thought maybe this year with how weak they are on the edge that they would give him more chances there and it just never really panned out so you know. He's just he's he's going to be a small defensive tackle. It's going to be sort of a pass rusher. only there. And that's going to limit his opportunities. He's gotta play behind. Greg jarrett and marlon davidson. Who also only had twenty snaps in the game You know it's just a great I think really liked jonathan bullard in. They're playing him kind of wanted the interior spots to but i would like to see something out of those young defensive lineman at they invested in over the years Agree with you there yet Erico goodhew next on this. What what were some things that you liked or didn't like about the defense performance on sunday. I'll be honest which. I wasn't really a fan of it. All the fourth down stops for great see at least a gallon. Plays a part. I mean we see that every year we kinda sorta sort of used to it now. They're going to get a four thousand fourth down. Yeah they can just get it there more often. Replay before down and defensively i again. I think sunday really proved to me and may May maybe many others. How you know this. This defense is in need of some true talent man specimen a front seven especially on the deep line. You know they. They need some guys. Dnp's is gonna meet some horses in order to put this team together. Initially so much he can do as a play caller You know especially with this particular scheme and and you know if you know his past you know. He's played fairly well against tom. Brady in the past with this particular scheme. I don't know if he's going to have the guys to execute that you guys heard it here first. The falcons are shutting down the bucks on sunday according to eric. I don't know..
The Falcoholic
"jalen hawkins" Discussed on The Falcoholic
"Again. You know sample size is a little bit small but this is beginning to trend in the right direction for this guy. Young player Safety jalen hawkins so really excited to see What that means for his ongoing development in that safety role and number five Fabien moreau that he got burned on one touchdown and honestly you know he was the player on that play but it was a really good pick play. That took him out is hard to really come down. You know really negative on him for that play but he had overall very strong day so kudos to him. The bottom five on defense. Absolute worst of the worst was john kaminsky. He only had two snaps though. I thought he was going to play a lot more than that. Really surprising to see that from him. But twenty four point eight grade for this to snaps next above him free safety. Richie grant six total snaps again sample size. Don't come down too hard. On grant for this seventy five point two on the tackle so you actually showed to be a very good tackler again. Six snaps for those of you. Who are concerned about the rookie. Just calm down. It's it's one game at six naps. Let's not get too upset about the one just yet. Right above him. Jacob to not mariner who had twenty five snaps forty seven point three grade. I actually thought he was much better than this. So maybe we'll take that one a little bit grain of salt right above him tyler davidson forty snaps forty-nine point two overall grade and above him linebacker dion jones. Unfortunately who had a forty nine point seven grade but funny enough had an eighty four point. Six pass rushing grades. Dion apparently needs to rush the passer more he literally had our best score as a pass rusher and actually was fairly good as a tackler with seventy two point. Now where we're some of our key guys on defense. Greg jarrett was fourteenth uncharacteristic for him. And i again i feel like this is maybe not a hundred percent accurate but then again. Grady missed tackles. That really i think if you were at peak form with a pull down the quarterback so maybe where that's where some of that's coming from his great of fifty four point nine is definitely well below what we used to seeing from him. Aj terrell Was actually number ten. So neither another terrible outing for him. Fifty eight point seven overall grade. Decent coverage grade not really great in the tackling department. Which again is weird. Because he he made a really good open-field tackle early on the game. And then dante fowler was number eight with sixty point one grade and he actually did well in run defense tackling but as a pass rusher had a forty nine point two grade which will surprise absolutely. Nobody if you've been watching the falcons for any extended period of time. Hopefully this is not the beginning of a consistent trend for any of these players. Clearly i think gregg jarrett is gonna bounce back. I would love to see jalen. Hawkins continue to to high and be one of our top defenders as well as guys like michael walker. Tj green as well loved seeing some of these younger guys guys we brought in Have an impact on this defense early on but right now not a whole lot. Celebrate you know. These are the the majority of these scores are on the wrong side of good. And we've got tampa bay next Certainly we're gonna be talking about that this week at the alcoholic dot com and of course on the podcast. We will have a podcast very soon. Coming up with the numerous voicemails. You guys left us giving us your thoughts on the game. The podcast is purely gonna feature what you guys with our listeners or readers have to say about what happened on sunday. We want your voice to be heard and that's going to be happening here. This week's stay tuned to this podcast for that very special. Ezra guys foamy on twitter at alcoholic. D-w updates podcasts at alcoholic cod and of course articles daily alcoholic dot com. This is dave walker. Thank you guys for listening in talk to you next time. Okay this show is over. You're still listening for some reason which means that you must have already downloaded the prize. Pigs up because if you haven't gotten that yet why are you still here. Price picks is basically daily
The Falcoholic
"jalen hawkins" Discussed on The Falcoholic
"I'm joined by jay gordon. We're talking about the falcons. Defense our grades for them going into the twenty twenty one season. Obviously take all of this with grain of salt folks. We're talking about you know guys before. The games are even played But these are sort of initial impressions of the players the quality of the players. What we've seen from them. We've talked about the defensive line that linebackers. Let's talk about the back end of this defense. Because in the past especially in recent years this has been a unit that has been at times problematic. A lot of that has been due to injuries. We've we've seen guys like kiana. Neil ricardo allen demonte casey all go down with season ending injuries over the past several years so some of that is not just simply the nature of the nfl but some of it has been talented issues. I am of the mind that some of that is hopefully knock on wood in the past I want to start with the safeties. Because i wanna finish up with what we've got corner. They brought in to veterans to anchor the safety position for now. They're both on one. Year deals eric harris doron harmon and behind them are what i think are two really promising players. I think next year. Probably going to be our starters at safety second round. Pick richie grant and fourth round. Pick from last year. Jalen hawkins who. I think you could argue that one of the best pre-seasons of any defender on this roster. So let's start with the the two presumed starter for now. What do you feel about harrison in harmon and after that talk about the potential of hawkins grant. Yeah you know. I can catch a lot of las vegas raiders football because i tend to value my time. I but i know right but it you know. Hey of i think they know but you know you look at a guy like eric. Air from all accounts super high character. Guy You know solid run support. can step up in the box and make some plays there can get touched up in coverage a little bit That could be a product of the raiders secondary as a whole which is not exactly like he's coming over to the the twenty thirteen e hawks From the raiders. But i think it'd be decent and run support You may have to get him out of there on nickel and bringing a jalen hopkins or grant. But i think doron. And he's just he was made de defense. You know all the time you spent. I don't know if there was any overlap between these new england. But you know that's switch ability That ability to move around and by all accounts is another guy. he's just super high character. Guy observer You know very very Very much in a leader role which is which is good to have it out of a safety And so i like those guys. I think armand will earn a second contract. I don't know about harris But i think harmon. I think he's gonna fit right in. I think he's gonna make a lot of good places now. Think about can give them an extension. But that's putting the car before the horse so Yeah i it's on the two guys. I don't know if they're gonna be the savior for every single little problem that we have. But when you talk about going from ricardo allen and guys who have been there forever It's it's definitely a different look. It is and it's i'm with you. Eric harris i think is he's decent enough. He's got issues that we're going to have to work around You know when you're signing. You know veterans like this to be essentially stopgaps He's i think he's good as you get for sort of that price range. You know so when you're shopping at dollar tree you're not getting top notch target up flirts and we got the best of the dollar tree brand. I you know. I think harris is better than dollar trade. Let's be very clear But i'm with you drawn harmon has. He's he's thirty years old he's been league for wall. I think his mentorship of grant hawkins is very notable. As you mentioned he is someone who has taken both those guys Under his wing. In particular richie grant and that i think is going to pay dividends over long term and i really love. The falcons have brought guys like that. That are mentors. Now hawkins in grant again last year hawkins was able to play a little bit until he got injured in in sort of missed out on the last several games of the season when he was in there I thought he played fairly well. I did not anticipate sort of the jump that he would make from last year to what we saw this. Preseason his individual play preseason looked really a big leap forward. Richie grant i think fans need to understand. Dean pees asks a lot of the players in his second year. He expects all of these guys to know every position in the responsibilities of those positions. And that's gonna put a lot of pressure on those safeties on the linebackers and you know grant is probably gonna need some time to get used to all of those responsibilities. He can't just learn being a safety. He has to know what it's like to be a corner. He has to know what it's like to be linebacker. That is a big ask and for any rookie to come in. It's gonna take time and if he's not on the field up immediately that does not mean he's bust. The talent is there. I think he's going to be fine. I'm really bullish on what he is going to do. On the back half of this year and in the twenty twenty two. So what do you feel about hawkins grant in their long term potential. Yeah and you're totally right about the days. And i think that's why we saw the falcons make a lot of the choices. We did in the draft saying anything groundbreaking. It's been a hundred times a day. Targeted intelligent guys An older guy seniors captains guys who appeared to have their head on their shoulders. The defense is not easy to learn. There's a lot going on But that was that was one that was my that was my own hocken. Felt like hey you know. He looks like he's really developing. I think that's something. A lot of people were banking on to start season And that's very encouraging. Besides i gotta shot him out. When i was out and breakfast got absolutely lost. Our trust i mean i remember. I was like somebody's house. Because i didn't know parker has to. Whoever you to you know one of the fifty tight end behind had out there like somebody just got eight up august. You know he. We saw i make a couple of good plays during the free stephen shoring up that back in play in that centerfield role and i think he's i think he's gonna see a lot of wing-pong especially in nickel and i trust the. I think he's gonna be okay back there. I'm not really worried. About and Yeah richie granted. Didn't look spectacular. But the thing is he's a rookie. you'd like you said there's a lot to learn a decent and i think the guys ahead of him i will allow him to come on and spots and kind of get get some feel for the game. Get some of that game sets. He has great instincts he had things. Ucf that's obviously a big jump in competition. And and and i think he will grow into. I think by you the season we're going to be feeling a lot. Better about rich brent. Yeah hundred percents Do want to note. The falcons have tj green listed as a safety. He's probably going to be more of a quote unquote. Db where he is going to see. Time both at safety and a corner He's a bigger player. I think he's like six foot three but he's a player that i think is well is he's gonna be more of a backup anyways but he's going to be deployed by ps sort of all over the field when he does come in so another player that i'll just mention him. But how do you feel about the safeties and what. What kind of grade would you give this unit. You know this. This is one that. I wrestled with By the way shut off. Cj green good for many or that's body played really well.
The Falcoholic
"jalen hawkins" Discussed on The Falcoholic
"Whether or not the falcons would keep a fourth guy back there. And it's during ethridge. Who played a fantastic game in that first. Preseason ended up arguably being a little bit more consistent than some of the guys. He was competing with. He has made the initial fifty three man roster. I feel like this is a position that it's going to be relatively stable. Enroll thompson was one of the guys. That was in competition here. I could see him. Potentially going to the practice squad for this team really liked what he did as well in this preseason but right now during ethridge the only other undrafted free agent other than philippi. Franks to make the fifty three man roster. I think he's relatively safe. I think we can run with this now as we get into the defensive backfield. This is where things get interesting. The falcons are going to be running running with eleven total defensive backs now. I think most people thought the max number for the defensive backs it was going to be around ten. So they're they're running one heavier than what most people projected really with that being sort of four safeties five corners and in that that tenth player being sort of a hybrid player that can play both safety and corner. Let's start with the safeties obviously drawn harmon. Eric. harris or the to presumed starters the veteran starters the one year rentals at the safety position and then of course. You've got At the the the backups. For those guys Richie grant who our second round draft pick and then jalen hawkins arguably one of the most improved players from last year to this year Who we think also is going to see a lot of playing time now. The corner position. This is where. I think things are a little bit interesting obviously. Aj terrell fabien moreau or the to pencil in starters. They've looked good from what we've seen from them. In camp in limited playing time in the preseason and then behind them. you've got isaiah. Oliver who is the presumed nickel corner. Who has actually played pretty well. I think he played pretty well in the back. Half of last year in this revised position for him. And then darren hall and avery williams the to drafted corners. They have made the roster. Darren hall maybe a little bit more surprised but again. I don't think the team wants to walk away from any of their drafted rookies. The they wanna hang on to these guys whether they play him or not so hall could be someone that In the very similar way kept inactive on game days and they're keeping him to pull him into the twenty twenty two season unless injuries of course happened. The head of him every williams. Clearly i think is going to be the punt returner of choice for the team going forward. Tj green who. I feel like really had a very very strong season in the last couple of preseason games that last one may have played him onto the roster his player. It's got some size. He's one of the guys. I think that can sorta platoon. Between safety and corner. He has made the roster so kudos to him and kendall. Sheffield is currently on the roster. Here's a guy that i felt was on the bubble. He did not play at all in the preseason. He is barely practice in fact. I don't know that. He is practiced once many of us thought he would either be put on the pup list or put on injured reserve. This could be something where he could be returning in the very near future. And the falcons just are not willing to move on from him yet. But he has for now made the roster. I will say this. I do feel like this is a position. Where if they're going to add another offensive lineman or even potential another running back. I like one of these defensive backs could be the guy to go and honestly. I still think i'm going to continue to say that. I think kendall sheffield's going to be that guy simply because his second season was such a downturn of performance the injuries this year i could see them trying to stash him on the pup list and obviously that would be six weeks before you would be able to see him again. I feel like there's maybe an additional change coming for the defensive back so this is definitely wanted to keep an eye on but right now sheffield has made the roster and of course the the specialist. Josh harris long snapper young way coup. For the kicker and cameron is lack has made it as the punter The former holder or former teammate of young way coup is also now made the roster as well so kudos to those guys As i mentioned before this is and you're going to see a lot of people saying this and it bears repeating. This is the initial roster. I think we're going to see more moves made even possibly today or tomorrow as these other guys are cut. The falcons are pretty high in the the chain for claiming guys off waivers because of the record last year so if they go and claim a guy there's a good chance that they'll get him likewise if a veteran this cut a specially again i think on the offensive line because of the lack of depth there. I think that is a position. They can look to address. End some of the guys. I think even though right now they're on the roster who are are not necessarily on sure footing. If you asked me to put that down to a list i would say number one. Felipe a franks do think. They'll try to put him on the practice squad at some point. But i just don't see them trying to carry three quarterbacks all year long Josh rosen again. I think this is more about the team wanting to give him a longer. Look but i don't think he's unsure for either. I think the team could still look for another veteran quarterback to be the true. Backup to matt ryan this year. So the two quarterbacks behind matt ryan or on my list for a.
The Falcoholic
"jalen hawkins" Discussed on The Falcoholic
"Nice to see him. He's actually he's gonna carve out a role of this water. We're going to see we're going to see him on the field this season on in a rotational off it east. Someone that has a variety of Moves he someone that you know has has the length that you look for in a defensive end It's pretty shocking. That he fell all the way to the six around. But the falcons are better for it. And you know. Marlon davidson is someone. Who who. really whom. The falcons really really need to have a good year. If this of this defense is gonna do anything. He was the second rounder last year. But this is his defacto rookie year after going through kobe in going through injuries and never really never really having any sort of a chance out of the starting last year this year feels like it's his it's his actual rookie season and you know. He was outright dominant. When we saw him on the field up in first quarter he was taken out very quickly afterwards up. Because i think smith in peace had seen enough from him. But that's definitely someone whom we had high hopes for when when the falcons took him to be that standout next to grady jarrett and without player. Who will get that. Press shop the middle and make everything easier for the edge players and remember davidson. Wasn't wasn't even a late second round pick he was. It was pretty early. Second rounder as well like this. This is someone who was expected to contribute right away. Didn't work out because of Because of the circumstances last year but He's someone i i'm i'm doubling keeping my eye on the season and someone who who. I'm really really satisfied to see playing well right from the get-go yeah i agree Yeah i pretty much agree with everyone. You guys brought up. I mean i think dory ethridge is the headliner with his. Thirteen tackled three tackle for loss day. Which is crazy. know. I think he. He wasn't fantastic and coverage but when you're that explosive and powerful as a run defender and as as a playmaker you know it's going to cover up a lot of issues on that token errol thompson the other undrafted linebacker similarly had a great day. That is by far the most competitive battle on the roster. Right now between those two guys. And whoever doesn't make the falcons rodgers probably getting a call for another team. Because they've been that impressive so really just depends on who the falcons sort of wine for that last spot at bridge more of that traditional like more more versatile linebacker that can do a little bit more coverage to a little bit more but he's lighter athletic whereas errol thompson is old school thumper he is big. He is a big nasty physical inside linebacker. Three four you do not want to see him in coverage ever. but if they don't really have archetype out brandon copeland is another really big guy that can play inside linebacker. But if they're looking for a thumper someone they can bring in as a short yardage guy as a sort of plug in the middle of the defense for specific plays you know errol thompson is. That's player marlon. Davidson was dominant. Which is exactly what you want to see from your second round pick you want to see him dominate backups. And that's exactly what he did. I mean he was just taking their lunch money which was nice to see. The password has whole was productive. Jonathan bullard i think has has earned a roster spot. I think he's going to be on this roster he can play inside and out ogan. Dj he's gonna be part of the rotation. Does he start. I don't know probably not at least initially. But he someone who's who's made a name for himself and then to me. The kind of surprising one was actually avery. Williams late in the game after some impressive fraternise. He got out there on defense against thirteen guys and he was impressive. I mean he was aggressive. He was playing really tight coverage they went after him multiple times on on tobacco as he was having none of it he was fired up. He was getting pass breakups. So i think honestly every williams on defense is someone to watch because look if he can make a case. Like i'm the best returner. But i can also play corner if you need me. I mean that that's gonna sure his roster spot and i think of the depth corners. He was the most impressive so good game for him. Jalen hawkins is the other guy in the secondary that just really put on a show. Had a really strong game overall had a sack coming flying blitz. jalen hawkins I think he's pretty much locked up his roster spot at all if it was ever really in question but you know the defenses a whole much better overall performance despite being i mean giving them twenty three points when your offense manages just three and it's basically just leaving on three and outs every other play putting you and red zone situations constantly do turnovers. I mean allowing just three points. That's not bad. I mean that's a solid performance from a defense especially when their backs against the wall and they're on the field the whole game so good on them for for that game. And i definitely like dean pees preseason style a lot better than dan quayle says for damn sure so. Let's let's transition to the special teams conversation. Because i know evans itching the whole show evan. I'll let you take it away. What's your biggest special teams..
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"jalen hawkins" Discussed on The Falcoholic
"But no there's there's a reason why he's gone through four different teams and he. He truly looked terrible. I just don't get it with him. I don't get it. His his college tape is good. Like i just don't understand. He's like the anti josh allen. Like josh allens. College tape was terrible. Johnson quarterback josh rosen. Scholarship was good. terrible quarterback. just doesn't make sense. I think rose has zero confidence at this point. Yeah that's what that's what it is because when you see. There's a lot of quarterbacks who come into the league in there just in the wrong situation and they rarely recover from it There's been so many. Different scenarios for quarterbacks have done that it's the team chose the out they are. You know behind offense of line and usually goes bad. And that's what happened with roseanne. Sometimes they land in a good spot where they can kind of be not forced out of the gate and it works Specifically in that ryan situation they ran. Michael turner like into the ground. So that ryan wasn't constantly getting hit and stuff. The cardinals really had no plan. He was thrown out there. Unfortunate for the guy Replace quickly. And i think his confidence just shattered after that. Mercy's and you know josh Josh allen i think right now pat mahomes is the only quarterback i would. I would take over josh allen. If i'm building a franchise over the next decade. He's way better than i ever thought. I mean there's it's really never happened that a quarterback that played as poorly as he did in terms of statistics in college turned into a quality. Nfl stars so he's an uncharted territory. There so good. I really knew what they were doing. They had a plan when they dropped him. They had developed him very well. Bryan doble you know has done a fantastic job. And i think he'll be. It'll be the next head. coaching commodity. Come next off season. But josh rosen like no. No to to josh rosen. yeah. I don't think that moves the needle at all. He knows it's like what's the point It is surprising that they haven't brought in third quarterback without much other debt. Thank yous like right. Data not as concerned as else's. I don't think they are. I mean i think they're i think they kind of know that if they lose matt ryan. It's just there's no point we might as well right in the past years. I know who probably thinks you know obviously different but like impasse Always seemed like it was shaab banker and then like Matt simms or some other random quarterback who's kind of like where the kore- mark that area. Yeah right yeah literally into right. I mean we'll see how the secret to knowing if they're serious. Buffalo you pay for or not is they. Let him take with twos if they let them take ruptured. The twos in the preseason feel starts with the twos and is the second quarterback off. You know behind. Matt ryan that sort of thing. They actually give him that opportunity. That means there's a serious competition. If he never gets it. He's not making the roster. So just that's that's what we're looking for. We'll see if it actually happens. I think it could. I think they're serious about it. So we'll see but that's definitely want to monitor all right. Let's move onto the defense. Spend too much time on. The offense defense was much better by comparison to the offense. Let's let's touch on you. Know we sell some good things from the edge group the rookie hogan ogan. Daisy had a good game Jacob twenty mariner. Jonathan bullard who played so on the edge had a great game there as well the pass russia's a whole put together four sacks somewhere from blitzes but the pass rush. I think was pretty impressive. Which was shocking to me. And i think to a lot of other people so evan. What are your thoughts on the pass rush somehow being competent the depth that edge on the defensive line actually bringing pressure who. How do you explain this. I don't know it seemed like just about anybody on the field was gonna come in and make a sack I don't know i'm i found it. Refreshing overall found it hopeful The defense look good. There were a lot of young players. I think think that was my biggest overall take was how many young players kind of stepped up Obviously everyone's probably familiar with By now Just had a hell of a game are linebacker. Super super the death is so deep between him in errol thompson But yeah. I was excited. I love the change of pace Seem like dean pees was sent in raynham players. Auken said that or not jadeveon. That's going to be a big thing this year Jalen hawkins the safety came in in like blew up at quarterback and it was like almost like are you gonna flag that like because it seems like something. They do Because he he laid it to him But yeah overall. I mean i loved it. Yeah yeah. I agree definitely nice to see on on some standout players for you on defense from this game. I wanted to give a shout standout coach in the said you know it felt like the tennessee. Titans decided no answer at all for his scheme. And it's we're still running vanilla schemes on offense. Nobody's really gonna show their hand but you know they. They just look perplexed and they looked out of sorts and they looked like they had no idea what was coming. Next up piece was dialing up the blitz. he was a filling in the gaps. Which is which is pretty much as ammo. We know that but you know. He wasn't completely predictable with time in and timeout. Bad those those backup linebackers definitely doria nath ridge with someone who really really stood out Your old thompson is someone who also played very well. ogundipe.
The Falcoholic
"jalen hawkins" Discussed on The Falcoholic
"Yeah i mean. I thought it was several guys who really stood out In absolutely ethridge. I think was the top name as you mentioned. All this tackles three of those tackles for loss. So this wasn't like a paul were lows situation. Where he was tackling is ten yards. Past the line of scrimmage he had three for loss and as you said he was constantly around. The ball really really excited to see if he can keep this up again one game. Let's see if he can do this again. in the next couple of preseason games but he is someone that i think made a very strong case for one of those last roster spots as mentioned are linebacker depth are inside linebacker. Depth is actually pretty good so he's got an uphill climb but man. He made impression the other player. I felt like really helped his case. You mentioned him just second ago. Jalen hawkins sort of the like. It's funny he's sort of the forgotten draft pick from last year. In some way you know we talked about marlon davidson and in some of the rest. And hawkins is the only carryover safety from twenty twenty like we lost counter. Neil we cut ricardo allen. We didn't resign demonte. Casey gillan hawkins is the only one that carried over. And we've heard that he's had a strong camp and man. He looked solid in this game. Both in coverage and as you mentioned on that blitz where he was completely untouched and absolutely crushed quarterback So he's a guy that i'm really excited to see if he can build on that in. I want to be very clear. I don't think that this means that either of these guys are going to be starters sir. Okay but at minimum. These are guys who could be decent depth and you look towards the long-term where you've got to starting safeties right now in air cares and drawn harmon. Who were one year. Stopgap veteran signings can't jalen. Hawkins use this year to get some snaps in slowly developed into a potential starter And that is where i get excited about. Some of these young guys can ethridge become someone that makes an impact on special teams in becomes a good rotational depth. Flare as an undrafted. Free agent if you find guys like that as drafted free agents. That is a major win a so. Yeah i'm with these guys stood out. I would say the the only other name that really jumped out significantly was Our second round draft. Pick from last year marlon davidson. He came into and there's been a lot of stories about how he has sort of refocused. After the crazy bad season he had last year. Not not just purely. From a performance standpoint. I think with getting injured and getting coveted and getting injured again. He just had a horrible ricky season and he looked good. he was Absolutely you know what you would hope. He was blowing up that offensive line on the regular he was making. Plays at the line of scrimmage d- He was showing what you would expect to see from a second round. Pick this going up against backups. Now whether that translates into better performance Against starters is remains to be seen. But i felt like he was also a standout Some of the guys that was hoping to see more from at least in my eyes. They didn't really jump out enough for me to noticed. Significantly to quan graham Are i think what our fourth fourth-round fifth round pick this year and then Eddie organ deja I felt like he had half a sack but he seemed to be invisible for for periods of time So really want to see more from the two young guys that was there anyone else that you are sort of focused on. Maybe you felt like they didn't do enough or you wanted to see more of them I wanted to see more johnson bullard he had one of those sacks looked really good but again it's first preseason game if they're potential starter or anything close They're probably not going to get a whole lot of usage so not a big deal. We'll see more going forward. Yeah yeah and that's these first. Preseason games like as we're recording this just for reference. Justin fields is playing for the bears and has scored a touchdown. And we're already seeing the anointing of him as the next great quarterback and look i get. The bears have been starved for. Qb played for longtime but It is so easy and it happens every single year. You and i've seen this evan. From past several years people get so hyped up about what happens in the preseason game and it's just never translates and the police. Don't misunderstand me. I'm not saying justice fields is going to be a bust. I just find it. Funny when we get way over hyped or way invested into a preseason game on you know like we know we go through this every year. It's a it's kind of funny today so Anyhow the falcons in this game. I feel like they didn't assuage any concerns. Maybe on the defense they did. The defense made the fans feel better. About what dean pees is gonna do assault a lot of people going on about how great dean piece is going to be. And i certainly hope that holds up but what was your overarching takeaway from this game. Even if anything our defense like you said more boomer bust it'll be more exciting more hits and hopefully more sex were used to seeing. The offense debt needs some more work Offensive line is. Death is not great but aside. From that i mean this is pretty much what you expected. First preseason game People are going to overreact. That's fine happens literally every year except for last year because code but happens all the time It'll probably happen after the next game too like it's preseason um there's been teams who literally win no game in the preseason them wind up in the super bowl i think the lions that one year where they didn't have a regular season win i think they one other preseason games like it really does the niger. In fact yeah right so it literally does not matter as much as people think certain positions it gives you a better look at players. But that's what it's used for like like. I don't even care about the score. Because i wanted to see specific players in. I got to see specific players. And you just watch those battles as we go forward They have to make. I believe five Roster cuts by the next game so Not sure where that's gonna come from probably from receiver probably from maybe one of the backup tight ends will see but there's gonna be some moves made before they suit up again against miami. And that's i'm not expecting any big surprising cuts like josh andrews right but Yeah we have to lose five. And honestly i think were. It's going to be a blip on the radar but yes to echo your point. I think we're we're seeing a lot of people sort of freak out a little bit in. It's just not worth it it. These games are meaningless especially on the offense. Look at the individual performances. Look at what. These guys did In one on one situations. And i think that's where you'll find the most takeaways even at that it is still somewhat limited. I don't think we can say with certainty. That kaleb Is better than Jv and hawkins that's remains to be seen so we'll see how this plays out but like you and like most of the fans. I was excited to see a defense. That at minimum is not going to be what we've had in atlanta since two thousand fifteen which was very vanilla very boring rush three rush In hope and pray it looks like dnp's is going to give us a defense that they may not be great but the probably going to be fun and that's better than what we've had passed six years all right evan with that. Why don't you remind listeners can find you have going.
The Falcoholic
"jalen hawkins" Discussed on The Falcoholic
"Three sixty a more thoughtful laptop and. We're back on the faculty podcast. This is dave walker joined by my partner in crime. In burchfield as we recap the first. Preseason game falcons versus titans in atlanta. Where the falcons did lose. What was the score. Twenty six to three three two three twenty three to three. So that's how meaningless the score. It's like who care three points or three points. Whatever who cares art the running backs so we know at this point who the starter is. It's it's going to be. Mike davis quarter. O- patterson's gonna get some snaps. It looks like quadrille listen. Didn't play because he he was injured. And he was wearing the jersey all week. So it came down to dante foreman. Jv and hawkins and caleb huntley and right now between those three guys there's probably only one spot available and that is assuming the ellison is everything we've heard he has camp and is going to be sort of that Qb herbs sorry running back to in in conjunction with quarter. O- patterson what did you think of these three guys who stood out to you honestly. Caleb huntley did One of the undrafted free agent running bents. He just looked more explosive. Had pretty good run. That got called back due to fly. But i mean all of these guys kind of were hit like the quarterbacks were like the offensive line just was not doing them any favors. Davian hawkins who a lot of people were cited to see advised carries for two yards says average point four yards per carry And it was because a lot of the times he couldn't get out of the backfield Same huntley same with four men like it was really not a fair trial for them so obviously looking forward to seeing more the running backs going forward but right now i would say huntley. Yeah i would agree. I think going into this game. Every was expecting hawkins to be the front runner and i'm not again two more games to go. So let's not get ahead of ourselves. But i think huntley made a strong case for himself. And i will say when i was at the practice at mercedes benz stadium the one that was consistently flashing of the two players. So definitely something to keep an eye on because we all sort of thought that hawkins would be the front runner here and it looks like huntley making a strong push for that final spot in it ultimately these guys are it may come down to special teams as well and when they can do their so. We'll we'll see how this plays out a where One game in. I i give the nod to huntley all right. Anyone else on the offense outside the offensive line Let's just let's just go ahead. And they were terrible across the board do they jump out to you or Seemed to be a little bit of a surprise. Maybe weren't expecting a. I wanna say something honestly no The offense i mean the offensive line. Just kinda ruined everything for everyone. Just eat that mean. The top receiver was john rain. Who's tight. End fullback hybrid. He had two receptions for fifteen yards. That's pretty much all you need to know. That was right. Perceiving option on the day of so maybe. If you know against miami they have better off line play. We can get a better look at all of these guys running backs receivers and definitely the quarterback position but yeah. I'm just throwing this one under the table looking forward the next week. I'm with you. i did find it interesting. That rain did have three targets. we'll see. He was someone that i've Pegged as being dark horse candidate for that fourth tight end spot because he'd has versatility because he's been showing up in camp and in doing more than guys like parker has ryan becker. We'll see if that holds up. He's a name on paying attention to more more. So than maybe i should have. Because of the fact that the falcons lost jaden graham who was Our defacto tight end for improbably one of our special teams players as well So rain someone. I've got my eye on. And you know he didn't necessarily flash but he did lead. He did lead the team in receptions in yards which is sad sad statement on now. The rest of the offense looked all right. I want to talk about the defense. Because i feel like this is where navy. The most happiness happened for falcon spans. we all knew going in that the talk was okay. This defense is going to be different under veteran. Defensive coordinator dean pees. This is a guy that likes to use exotic blitzes. He likes to disguise coverages he will blitz anybody in everybody. That's on the field He'll send the blitz with the corner. He'll rush four but drop a defensive end into coverage and bringing a safety up the middle of the a gap And what. I was surprised by evan was We always expect vanilla game. Planning in the preseason with the offense is very boring but we saw from dean pees on friday night. A lot of those exotic looks. And i'll be blunt. It was exciting. It was fun to watch in my mind. This is going to be a boom or bust defense. Which means they're gonna be times. It's going to be third and five and dean pees is going to send eight and there are times. He's going to take down the quarterback and we're going to celebrate and there will be times that quarterback completes like a a fifty yard touchdown on that play by. That's the potential of this defense. It could be a lot of fun very frustrating at the same time but at minimum. This is not going to be a passive rush three defense. What did you think of the fact that dean piece sort of you came out of the gate showing fans what he's gonna do this season. It was fun like we finally saw players sitting a quarterback. I need to know who it was gonna be. I mean there was times where like errol thompson. just can't. He's a drafted free agent linebacker. Mike linebacker came through the middle literally. Just blew up the quarterback You know and then i remember. Jv hawkins not jvm jalen hawkins On one play coming through and getting us act like it was come from all sides. You didn't know who it was. And i found that very exciting wasn't just edge. Rushers or something. It was like the safety comes in nope. Maybe a linebackers coming through. But they were they were hit and i think we literally saw a safety a corner in the linebacker. All get a sack in this game and so very much to the point that we're discussing dean is sending them from every position and that to me. Is you know what was a lot of fun now as for the individual players. I've got a name in mind. But i want to hear what you think. As far as guys who really jumped out and you think made a strong case for themselves on the defense in that game play the number one name who stood our story unless ethridge linebacker undrafted had thirteen tackles. The next guy had the next guy with the most was fine Just an insane. Amount of number But he was constantly when he was in like it wasn't just the stats you know. Make him look like he was literally in every tackle weather was just because of him or it was him some other dude like when you were watching it you could not miss him I think number forty eight during the game. So if you're able to watch the miami game focused on number forty eight east quick. He hits hard. He's gonna be fun. And i i. Hopefully he makes the makes the roster linebacker depth. It's pretty good considering. Our starters are In was really excited with him. richie grain dotson action. Look good Michael walker who you know could start you know. But we'll see how he's actually going to be used look good Errol thompson as i mentioned. Jalen hawkins Yeah i mean. I thought it was several guys who really stood out In absolutely ethridge..
The Falcoholic
"jalen hawkins" Discussed on The Falcoholic
"You know the quote unquote official depth chart and my takeaway is. We're all the rookies are this is. This is a group of coaching staff. That you know is not just gonna hand Draft picks starting spots. They're going to earn it whether you know where they're at on. The depth chart is accurate. I mean how pisses the obvious example him with the second team. That's that's foolish to think that that's true but other than like audio daisy again. Not too far off the safeties but just to throw him out. As an example he's been running with the first team and he's at the fourth string string right outside linebacker again. Maybe that's not accurate but again they he's doing this for a purpose and i think in the long run. They're going to be that much better off. But they're definitely gonna lean on the veterans because they do wanna win right now. I mean whether people believe that or not they. They wanna win right now. They want to build up some goodwill with arthur blank and stack. Those ws because again. Nfl stance for not for long job. Security isn't promised danny of these coaches no matter what they did in their previous stops. You know with richie grant again. It's a long. It's a long term picture as well and they even noted as far as they're playing. They wanna win now. But it's also about the future. Richie grant is a big part of their future. So if he's not mixing in there right away all. I can say to those. Listen and is just you know. E patient trust the process. Richie will be a factor His college state pretty much said it. He's a very he's a very good player What he did in mobile at the senior bowl the versatility. He showed their even place the corner. I mean this guy's gonna get on the field It's just a matter of when and again this isn't an easy system. Just pick right up so I do. I do anticipate the at the end of the year. The snaps are going to be split. Where if it's not even you know. Maybe richie grants edge amount. But i do think the ideal year end plan is is to have a true platoon of richie grant drawn. Harmon air cares. And who knows. Maybe john hawkins supplants one of those veterans and you had the best veteran out there and then you have hawkins and grant That's probably true. Best case scenario yet. You mentioned hawkins. He's sort of the odd man out with The rookies from last year. That came into the league. You know we've talked about matt hennessy. And you know him being rookie last year and Sort of being functional rookie. This year with the crazy offseason. Those guys had Age israel and the remarkable season. He had michael walker Really having a decent rookie year given the challenges of not having a training camp for preseason jalen hawkins kind of gets forgotton in the mix of all this He was the only safety left after the three left in free agency or were cut and yet we're hearing reports from camp that he's actually holding up pretty well looking good out there Fourth pick from last year out of california. And he's a guy. I think we need to pay attention to as well. They have him To your point about the depth chart they have him with the second team along with tj green and again. I don't want to put too much on the depth chart. We all know that. Can change blah blah blah. We talk about that a lot But i do think. Hawkins also has a role on this team. What do you think about hawkins in what he can offer within the defense yeah. He flashed a little bit. He's he's certainly the forgotten man There's no question about that in that. Twenty twenty class a guy that went drafted. I was like who He definitely wasn't on my radar and certainly not on most draft pundits radars data early in the draft. But falcons certainly saw something in him Did did show a good amount of all production at cal in for gordon that circle and to the point earlier as far as you know i think he's a better fit in this defense because of his experience kind of playing you know both coasts. In the line of scrimmage in up top and you know he he had quite a bit of all production over the top that one play. I know that got pushed out there on social media against stanford where he made a ridiculous one handed grab who fallen backwards so he has that ability of being comfortable on the back end again. That's we talked about it all throughout the show. That's what dean pees looks for. Is that versatility to play ball spots whereas dan. Quinn didn't prioritize that so in this defense. I think there's a future for him And so far again. It's just practice a you know. There's there's no tackling so that'll be important because again As a safety tackling is of the utmost importance. Especially if you're that last man that last line of defense so We'll have to see in there but again You like the fact to east coast controlled. I think that part of it is why he was one of the three that was brought back. He was not a free agent or do not have a high cap. It so you know why not bring him and see what she got there and and hopefully you know he can carve out a role if nothing more special teams. He's going to have to the cut it there as that safety So so see where he's being played on on special teams when you watch you know. Fridays preseason game in addition the preseason games what again he flashed a little bit. I remember that green bay game where you know. Casey did tears achilles and monday night. Football game he. There wasn't many bright spots in that monday night football game. He stood out a little bit. So again Maybe he's doing the same now nearly portion of training camp and that's that's carrying through You know in his rise up the depth chart so again certainly an intriguing one to watch someone that any of us expected to do much but Right now at the season where start tomorrow. Hawkins i believe would be the third safety in three safety sets. Yeah Which is a great point. And i think the important thing is we do have the recording us on thursday We do have the preseason game on friday and more than likely we are going to see a lot of jalen hawkins and richie grant over the next several gains. So we're going to have you know some impressions of these young guys where they are in their development. I think we'll see air in drawn harmon of little bit. But i think the coaching staff knows what they have. Those guys so more likely. We're going to see a lot of young guys. And i'm gonna keep my eye on. Hawkins wanted to see what he can do with some extended playing time in the preseason can be critical since honestly he didn't get last year and as you mentioned some of his first snaps in the nfl game. We're in the regular season which is a hell of a way to throw young guy into into the throws at the nfl. All right so Safety group We all know there's question marks on his defense. The defensive line is obviously one of the big ones. How do you feel right now. Matt about the safety group as a whole the quality of the unit your trust in the unit going into the season. You feel comfortable. You still feel like it's a area weakness or do you feel like there's a lot of potential upside but it just seems to come through so as a whole and if i'm comparing him to other parts on the defensive debt roster i probably put safety third behind linebacker i think i trust the most. I like You know greg. Jarrett obviously carries more than his weight and the interior. But i do like interior defense align probably second and then i put safety third. I'd put cornerbacks fourth which there's a little bit of a gap there and then i put the edge rushers fifth but again a and a similar answer that after the russians that had with the safeties. I trust the scheme in the coaching. A lot when it comes to these positions. And you know what i mean by that. Is you know. I trust steam. Ps to put veterans like draw harmon. Air cares in the right place to have the most success in a again was. Was that a a fall. The previous coaching staff. I'd argue. probably yes that. They always use the talent in their best role. And i think again talking about safety. I think that had a lot to do with ricardo allen. A bit falling off. I mean especially when you have a debilitating injury like an achilles and your safety in your ass to play..
The Falcoholic
"jalen hawkins" Discussed on The Falcoholic
"Podcast dave walker. I'm joined by matt. Gourley of the talking birdie podcast and we are going over the safety for the falcons as it stands right now before we get into the season things can always change in the month that we have left before. The regular season kicks off. We've talked about the veterans. Let's talk about young guys and it you mentioned him in in the first half in I know all of our fans a listeners. Wanna know is richie grant gonna see field in twenty twenty one like he's a second round pick i think people will have somewhat lofty expectations for him But as we mentioned in the first half this dean pees defense is going to demand a lot of these guys and To be blood you know that is going to be a big big ask for a rookie And this is something where i think right now. Regret is probably tracking where he needs to which is to say his head is swimming. And it's unlikely that he is going to just leapfrog. You know a bunch of veterans who have experienced on day one. That's not to say that he can't get there eventually. i think he will But what's your take on rich grant in the. We talked about this as well. But you do you think that it is ultimately his role. Grab that he's just going to need a little bit more time. Yeah i think long term. He's the number one safety in atlanta. But i'm for me personally. I'm willing to practice patients on this. Because i think said it perfectly. His heads probably definitely swimming. I mean this isn't an easy defense to pick up. you know. We talked earlier in the show. You know dan queens defense was very simplistic easier to pick up. Dp's i don't think not so much. So bringing him along slowly where where they have him on the depth chart right now is probably accurate. I'd say i mean based on the practice reports He had been starting with the third team. In now mixing him his way into the second team especially with the injury to sheffield you. Not j. green has now played some quarterbacks. That's given him an opportunity to play alongside jalen. Hawkins the expectation. I think should have been all along. Eric harris stran- harmon are going. Start there the placeholder just and it all comes down to you. How quickly grant picks up his responsibilities. You know in his media session recently grant said he starting to pick that up in. You know he's been working with harmon harris in the dorm rooms. You after hours try. Try to pick up the defense. So i think fans just need to have some patients here again. I know early picks you wanna throw them out on the field right away. But that's not always the best thing for them and right now. You know the veterans are there They know what's expected of them. And that's why it's good to have them there because there is there is no rush to bring him along but ultimately i you know as as i said you know when we when you're on the talking berry podcast. This week i do think richie grant drawn harmon. Air cares are gonna make up the core three safety lineup and then On the flip side cornerbacks. You know you're gonna have terrell Moro and oliver. That's going to be the core sixty bs i do. Think grants gonna mix in and you know in a best case ideal scenario. You have a platoon. Sometimes you're going to go big nickel Sometimes you're not and you know when when they don't go big nickel. I think later in the season maybe you can expect grant to be alongside harmon or grant to be alongside harris You know because of his versatility. I think he can play both positions. It does appear though that right now. He's playing closer. To the line of scrimmage playing in that nickel role based on the latest practice reports. And dan hawkins is actually been the backup. You know deeper safety on the field. So that's kind of interesting something to watch but again i think that's the beauty of this group. Is there versatile and they all can play. You know the the the multiple spots that wants to Utilized safeties in and. I think what you pointed out. We're probably gonna get tired of this word. As we get into the arthur smith era in full force but the the idea versatile is going to be critical. Not just on the defensive side. Obviously he taught a lot about the need for that on the offensive side in particular the offensive line. It makes sense. But i think in particular with these safeties that's gonna hold up like you said the old adage of free safety versus strong safety. You know the guy. The center fielder versus the guy atlanta scrimmage. That really is an antiquated way of looking at safeties now especially with what pieces done. Dp's is going to use these guys as well to go after the passer you're going to see him using these corners in these safeties. You're gonna see instances where richie grant will be at line of scrimmage and he's going to go after the quarterback and you'll see someone like dion jones dropped back into that intermediate coverage to to fill that spot. That is how peace operates. He does not want that offense to the where the extra rusher is coming from. Where that fourth rushers coming from So all of these safeties aircar strong harmon. Richard grant jalen hawkins at some point or another during the season. You're going to see them going after the quarterback and again that also means that for the other guys on the field. They have to know where their assignments are. And they have to be capable of helping to fill those assignments that if you've got a quote unquote box safety. You can't be limited to just keeping him. At the line of scrimmage if you're going to send your quote free safety go after quarterback. He's going to have to be someone that you can count on at least marginally to be responsible for coverage and helping a corner around you know helping out over the top so these these positions now are incredibly fluid. And i think that you know you. You noted richie. Grant is currently behind eric harris. We could very much see that flip up between now and the second preseason game i think that's the important thing to remember here is that they're going to probably move these guys around and see how they handle each of the responsibilities because i i don't think we're going to have a traditional you know single responsibility player on the defense. Except for maybe like greg jarrett. Who's just gonna just you tell the hulk from the vendors say grady go smash. That's that's basically grady. But yeah i. I'm i'm still bullish grant even even if he's not turning into the day one starter. I think that he would be as you said. I think this is one of the positions for this kind of defense where we have to be patient well and the and the thing with that just more point to add i mean. I think we're starting to see stylistically. What type of coach. Arthur smith is each day. And and you see the depth chart..
The Falcoholic
"jalen hawkins" Discussed on The Falcoholic
"Help him learn as as the games are coming along makes a big difference So i like these signings. They're not again not flashy but they matter. I think i think they're smart. Football players to which right you know. I don't know if that was are always prioritised under the old regime. You know football. Iq smart players they always deferred to the athletic scores and getting athletes rather than getting football players. And i think with eric cares. He's a football player drawn harmon. I mean again is days in new england Soaking up that system and soon bill bell jack knowledge you know. He's a football player. Smart football player in having those guys in the building like you said passing the baton to the next generation of falcon safeties in richie grant and and potentially jalen hawkins. That's important and again. I liked that. We're seeing that more. And seeing arthur smith talk about football iq. Because i don't know if that was always prioritize as much as it should have been under the old regime the that's a fantastic point in. I mean when you think about what. Dan quinn emphasized like you said they emphasized running hit. You know i still have a falcons shirt that literally says running. Hit it thousand fifteen And like you said. It was all about the lettuces and dan quinn. Even bragged to his scheme was simple. He wanted just you know. High high testing athletic players up there to go out there running. Hit like literally. The only problem was the the scheme was so simple. That offensive coordinators have no problem planning around it now. Ford the script. And whether things that dean pees is known for is the way that he disguises coverages which means all of the players on the field have to be on the same page They have to know what their assignment is pre snap. They have to know what it is as you know. In the dean pees defense you will see these guys change position on the snap of the ball Which sounds crazy. But that's where he may show you cover one in completely change up. The play as the ball is being snapped. Tried to take away from the defense and that is critical it. I love that but the point you brought up having these high q. Players these veterans who have played in systems that demanded more of them. I think you're right. I think they're bringing in these smarter guys veteran guys in not just simply going for the athleticism not to say that the athletes isn't doesn't matter obviously you don't you don't wanna slow safety out there. Absolutely but having those guys that know their their responsibility they know where they're supposed to be on the field They know what they're the assignments of their teammates are so they could see if a blown coverage is on the way that is critical. I think this is where dean pees is going to demand more and is probably why some of these guys are yet sort of cracking into the quote unquote starting lineup. Lot of football left to go before we get to the first regular season game. So let's see seattle plays out but your point is i. Think an excellent one and one that is probably easy to forget about because you know five years. Six years of dan quinn Five years and grain in your brain doesn't it. Yeah the the whole thing of liberalism. Yeah and not only that too but as far as the archetypes go for the position you know. I think it's ingrained in a lot of fans and us. His analysts minds to you know what's expected of a free safety. What's expected of strong safety. Those those terms. I think you gotta throw them out the window. And it's it's almost the safety position now under these interchangeable and he brought up the point about Looking for safety's that You demand more from. And you know with richie grant. The versatility is the first thing that comes to mind in what he did at. Ucf a lot was demanded of them. He played you know that single high rally played over the top as a free safety but then he also played in the slot and down towards the box. So that's the type of safety that now is going to be prioritized as long as dean pieces in the building. Guys like that that you know. Even i'd say eric cares and drawn harmon. They don't necessarily fall into one or the other. i think they can do both. You certainly don't want air cares a single high safety. He'd rather see ron harmon. If if they're gonna play that Concept rather him there but both those guys. I think you're gonna see all over the place while they're on the field and that's the beauty of dean pisa's is him disguising coverages in and moving guys all over the place and yeah. I think that's very important as far as again. The type of safety now is completely different than the type safety in dan. Quinn defense hundred percent So we talked about the veterans. We've touched on the young guys. Don't want to focus on them Next but before we do that we're gonna take a quick break. We'll be right back. Support for this episode comes from adidas. We all know when you go on your daily.
The Falcoholic
"jalen hawkins" Discussed on The Falcoholic
"With him. When i was doing some research. I i was kinda surprised. I guess i shouldn't have been. But i was surprised. He's only been a sixteen game starter once in his career and now last year in detroit right. He's he's spent the duration of his career prior to that in a platoon in three Safety system with the new england. Patriots alongside patrick chung and devin mccourty. So it ideally. That's the role he's gonna play in atlanta like he'll start out as the defacto like free safety starter. But you know if all goes according to plan your mixing richie grant in their year. Even maybe mixing jalen hawkins in there. And he's continuing to thrive in the role that he's thrived his entire career. And that's a three safety looks. So that's kinda my outlook I guess to throw in one. More name You know it seems like this is a five person race Tj green has has been one of the surprise standouts. A guy that came over to the team last year former second round. Pick of the colts in two thousand sixteen has bounced around indianapolis seattle new orleans in in private atlanta. He spent some time in carolina Very good athletic. Testing a six two and a half two hundred nine pounds ran a four three four which is really impressive for guy that size Thirty nine and a half inch for ten foot nine inch broad so guy that has the athletic profile that you look for from db in there is a connection as well. The falcons on offense Outside linebacker coach ted monitor. Chino was defensive coordinator indianapolis. Oh i don't know if that has anything to do with You know him getting a real hard look and you know knowing what they have in the building in him. And then also terry fought. No you know. I mentioned he. Greenspan a season in new orleans dairy no ran the pro personnel department there. So i'm sure he had a huge hand and bringing him there for a season so he's wanting to watch he's been cross training. Not only at safety net. Cornerback owner those with kennel. Sheffield being out so certainly intriguing. Name that again depending on how the development of which grant goes which. I'm sure we'll get into in a little bit. You could see some significant time. Early on as richie acclimates and south to the nfl. Yeah absolutely. I think same pages you. Eric harris formerly undrafted. He's thirty one years old Obviously I think they're really hoping that one whether the young guys whether it's tj green or you know even preferably Richie grant ultimately leapfrogs harris. I think they would be pleased if that happened. But he fits the profile. He's a guy that you know. He's got the size He can move around well enough You know looking at this. Pf grades a his best. Year was a couple years ago when he was in the mid seventies which is not bad for a for a guy his draft capital just to say none and to add on that that mid seventies grade came when he was kind of a a rotational player. So again and you can. You can say the same thing about their on. Harman i you know. His best grades came when he was in that platoon. So that's that's where. I think the falcons wanna get. These guys is not playing significant snack. When they do things could maybe get a little bit dicey there back there. So that's where we see exactly. It's the right when they started getting more snaps their scores start dropping now in fairness that could be you know when i look at harmon in you. You realize okay you know. He was in there in the world. That's where he had his best grades. Or i'm sorry not new orleans new england and he finally did get Over a thousand snaps with detroit. He was still decent of his. You know we're looking at his. Pf grade who was in the mid sixties which sounds bad. But it's not like a high school grading score that's sort of an average. Nfl player by their by their metrics prior to that he had several seasons in the mid the high seventies. so harman's got the capability to be a good a part time starter and a guy like you said who is part of a platoon and not necessarily carrying every single snap at position In again for the fact that these two veterans they've been in the league for a while. I think the the intention here was instead of just turning over the safety position which is very important in. Dp's defense instead of turning it over to a bunch of young guys that are unproven. That have never started in the nfl before it made sense to bring these guys in in my feeling. Is the minute the minute. One of the young guys is ready to take on significant snaps. They will supplant eric harris or harmon or both at some point during the season if they are not ready. Then you've got these two veterans on your rental deals and no harm no foul so it. It was a smart move in my mind from tariff on note to bring these two guys on it. This is the kind of signing. it doesn't get you a lot of a fancy points with the fans. People they wanna see. Richie grant out there. Because he's the second round pick they wanna see him jalen hawkins because he was a draft pick from last year but really to stabilize the center of that defense Having news These guys out there. Even if they're not necessarily going to be top tier players. They should be decent enough. And i can already hear fans complaining about. Oh we should want decent players. Well honestly decent players are what you need to help you transition to the next tier of guys to bring up the young guys. These are the kind of guys that help you. Bring along richie grant at the proper speed instead of You know we talked about on your podcast this week. You throw richie grant to the wolves that could absolutely decimate his confidence You have those veterans walking him to the process the available to him to answer questions to.
The Falcoholic
"jalen hawkins" Discussed on The Falcoholic
"I had to bring on guests. Because we've had this conversation just recently. In fact he is. The host of the talking birdie podcast. I'm talking about matt corolla. Matt Dwi thanks again for having me talk. The last time i was on. We're talking. twenty. Twelve draft class probably As depressing as low as a topic darkens phantom over the last decade has it can. I don't think it'll be reached those levels with the safeties. But it's certainly not the strongest position. I'd say on the depth chart. Yeah this one is going to have i think. A lot of question marks Honestly probably one of the ones where it may be better than what. I think we anticipated. It would be going into the season So let's sort of set the backdrop last year with the twenty twenty season. We lost demonte. Akc to an achilles injury which was just absolutely dreadful. Luck because of the fact that both ricardo allen and kiani will also suffered the achilles injury and then of course count and they also had a tornado. Yells years back So devastating injury to casey in the year where they were running. A lot of three safety looks kiani. Looked like he was a little bit better than the at been. Ricardo fell off a cliff. And of course going to this off season we had. We started a defense with three starting safeties. None of them are returning. Ricardo allen was cut primarily for cap reasons. But i i would say his performance fell off a little bit as well On the they opted not to try to retain him Probably because of the injury history. Of course he ended up signing with dallas and then k z also signed with dallas both Chasing after former. Head coach of falcons dan quinn. Who is now the offensive coordinator with the cowboys So that has set up the team to where they basically had to restock the position Almost entirely the only real carryover to this point is a player. We'll talk about a little. Bit jalen hawkins but matt right now. We're looking at the depth chart. You and i talked a little bit earlier this week. I was on your podcast. Which was fun we did. We talked about safeties. We talked about Richard grant the player that draft in the second room. But what's interesting to me is right now. If we look at the depth chart the two names at the top are the two veterans air karras and doron harmon. These guys are obviously intended to be stopgaps. they're both on a one year deal Neither guy is is the kind of guy that you're planning to build the future the position around but there should be serviceable starters drawn harmony. Think is Had some good seasons as well So what are your thoughts on. Eric harris drawn harmon. What they offer to the falcons this year. And what you think. Their potential for starting the entire year is going to be. I think you hit the nail on the head when you said there stopgaps. That's what they were brought in for. You want veteran presences in the building. Because you knew you were gonna overhaul the position. You knew you're going to get younger there. Which is what they did. When they drafted reggie grant fortieth overall. And then you know as you mentioned they retained jalen hawkins who the twenty twenty draft pick so again not sure hawkins if he's a long-term answer there the early reports at a camper promising now that he's he's made an impact to he's made plays on the ball so i am intrigued to see what he can bring. And you know what. I would say that hawkins before i get into some of the others. I think he's a better fit in dean pees defense and he would have been had dan quinn in the long-term head coach in. And i say that. Because i think hawkins is a bit of a twitter like he didn't fall into that prototypical strong safety dan. Quinn looks for allah kiana neil. And he's not really you know the cover one rangy free safety that you look for in say you know the prototype narrow thomas. He's more of a guy that again can do both things ten play. Closer to the line of scrimmage but he can also drop deep. You don't want him playing that cover one has said Would rather be covered to split safety. Look which again fits right into. What ps two. He runs more covered to than you know. Cover warner covers three. So i think there could be something there with him You know we'll see what the future holds. But i am more intrigued and we're optimistic about his fit enroll in impedes off a defense long-term. Then i would have been in dan. Quayle now looking at the veterans again. Eric would have never guessed he'd be the first free agent signing in the arthur smith terry gano era. But you know here. We are A guy that they prioritized in you know. I guess terry did have a connection to Being that eric harris started his career in the nfl. With the new orleans saints so a guy that he knows a lot about and again someone that Is is a great locker room presence going to be a great mentor already has shown already to be a great mentor. Richie grant as those to train together in the off season even prior to grant even becoming a falcon. So i thought that was pretty interesting and again i i do. Expect him to get a lotta run. I mean he was. He was a two year starter. The last couple years With the raiders again. I consider him a competent level player. He is not someone you want long-term but certainly can get the job done And you know hopefully it's more in a limited role and they and they work in the younger guys now withdrawn harmon similar.