With the Atlanta Falcons mini camp a wrap, looking back over the three days there seemed to be two themes that emerged.
First, the offense is clearly in sync and at times appeared to only be fine tuning what they feel they can accomplish in 2009. A few unexpected players sparked some excitement and make the offensive unit look all the more loaded.
Second, the ideas of confusion and synchronicity were prevalent over the weekend. That is, confuse the rookies and begin to get the new-look defense to gel.
Second-year wide receiver Harry Douglas looks comfortable in the third-receiver role. The offense lined up multiple times in three-receiver sets and Douglas appears capable of continuing the promise he showed as a rookie. Over the three days he caught the ball well in traffic as well as adjusting to some occasionally poorly thrown balls.
Second-year running back Thomas Brown made a case for his consideration for the third running back position. He ran with authority, speed, and elusiveness.
Undrafted rookie receiver Aaron Kelly seized his opportunity at mini camp and seemed to impress the coaches. The 6'5", 190 pound former Clemson receiver made numerous nice catches, including one diving grab in the end zone on the second day.
Pro Bowl wideout Roddy White was pleased with the performance of the receivers and gave a nod to Kelly as well.
"We had a couple of drops,” White told the Atlanta Journal Constitution. “Mike (Jenkins) made plays. Harry (Douglas) made plays. Brian Finneran was making plays. The little young rookie came in, Aaron Kelly, and he was making plays down the field."
While the offense doesn't feature too many new faces, the defense does, including a handful of bright-eyed rookies, who may be relied on to make an impact.
Head Coach Mike Smith expected them to be confused, but admitted it was intentional.
"We try to throw as much at them as we can. ...We've put the whole package out there," Smith said following the first day of practice. "...I think it's important we see how they handle that learning curve. ...They're going to be thoroughly confused."
Rookie defensive end Lawrence Sidbury confessed to his confusion as did many of the other rookies, but they all seemed to recognize that confusion notwithstanding they still had to go all out.
"Despite your head spinning out here at practice," the fourth-round end said, "you've still got to get it done."
One player whose head may have been spinning as well was rookie cornerback Chris Owens. The Falcons seem high on the third-round San Jose State product and the coaches spent extra time teaching him, especially defensive coordinator Brian Van Gorder.
General Manager Thomas Dimitroff was not shy about admitting Owens was a target in the third round of the draft when they planned to target cornerback.
"We were pretty dialed in on Chris Owens (after scouting him extensively for the 2007 draft)," Dimitroff said of Owens following the draft. "...In the end, this guy's ball skills, his speed, his athleticism, as well as his physicality is something that brought him over the top."
He's clearly got talent and while he at times made the mistakes expected of a rookie he routinely bounced back from his mistakes and took the coaching well.
Another new face on the defense is free-agent linebacker Mike Peterson. He lined up at the weak side linebacker spot (with Stephen Nicholas at the strong side) and didn't waste much time letting his voice be heard.
His familiarity with the system was evident as he was often seen helping his teammates get lined up in the right spot during 11-on-11 drills.
He's also assumed the role of the veteran leader on the team, despite being one of the new members to the unit. He hopes his style can not only provide influence, but also serve to create cohesion. He also knows, as an 11-year-veteran, that being successful on defense is about more than just one player playing well.
"That's a big thing. Becoming a family," Peterson said. "More than just playing next to a guy and being a teammate, but being a family member to them."
But even families have disagreements sometimes. One of them came on Saturday afternoon, when in the midst of an intense 11-on-11 drill defensive end Jamaal Anderson and guard Harvey Dahl squared off.
Thankfully there were no injuries and while Coach Smith may not like to see his team fighting, he probably appreciates the intensity.
That kind of intensity and hard work was evident throughout the mini camp weekend.
Coach Smith's message of a humble and hungry Falcons squad has resonated with the team and even though the rookies missed it the first time it was delivered, they've surely heard it and are expected to fall in line.
And if they're having trouble with anything at all every other member of the team is ready to lend a hand, starting with the franchise quarterback.
"It takes time to learn," quarterback Matt Ryan said on Friday. "But as long as the guys are working as hard as they possibly can and doing everything they can to improve day-to-day. You want to support that."
Working hard. Staying humble. Maintaining the hunger to follow-up last year's success with something even better. Those are all qualities Smith believes every player on his Falcons team (83 players this weekend) must have. But they still have to perform on the field to get to the final 53-man roster.
"They've earned the right to be here and be a professional football player," Smith said. "Now they've got to earn the right to be on a 53-man roster and that's what they're competing for right now."
