Williams as Brooking's backup. Hartwell at MLB and Boley as SLB.
link:
http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/teamReport?categoryId=67038
Even though he had just completed his second mini-camp, Jordan Beck felt like a rookie all over again.
That's understandable, considering that Beck missed all 16 games last season after suffering a small fracture and torn ligaments at the base of his left toes.
The Falcons' run defense and coverage units on special teams lost speed, power and smarts when Beck, a third-round draft pick from Cal Poly, landed on injured reserve. Beck lost a chance to impress the coaching staff because Atlanta projected him to back up Ed Hartwell at middle linebacker.
A torn Achilles' tendon ended Hartwell's season ended in Week 5, but Beck was well into rehab by then.
"Yeah, there were some slow days, though you learn to adapt and make the best of a situation," Beck said. "I actually still have a lot of rehab ahead of me, but it was nice to get out here and work with the first defense."
Injured veterans who talk about taking "mental reps" in a game can feign interest, but such luxuries aren't afforded rookies who miss the entire season.
"There's nothing you can do, in terms of speed of the game, to replicate the experience of playing in a game," Beck said. "For me, though, it's important to realize that there's also nothing I can do to get back what I lost last year. It's gone, so what I have to do is make the best of today."
With Beck working in the middle at mini-camp, Keith Brooking returned to his starting spot on the weak side. Michael Boley is projected to retain the strong-side job he inherited after Hartwell's injury caused the linebacker corps to shuffle personnel.
Beck knows that he will return to his role as Hartwell's backup once training camp begins July 27. Demorrio Williams, who started five games last year at strong-side linebacker and 11 on the weak side, will work behind Brooking. Ike Reese backs up Boley.
"We feel pretty good about the guys we have at linebacker," Beck said. "Now we just want to keep everybody healthy."
