As the Atlanta Falcons report to training camp, the focus shifts from Matt Ryan's contract extension to two rookies expected to make an impact early. The Falcons drafted two cornerbacks right away in the NFL Draft, after depleting the position group in the offseason. With Asante Samuel a lock to start, both Desmond Trufant and Robert Alford are poised to compete against the likes of Dominique Franks and Robert McClain for time on the field. The two rookies are getting thrown right into the fire facing two of the best wide receivers in the game.
Head coach Mike Smith was very pleased with what he saw out of both rookies during offseason workouts. He told reports both Trufant and Alford look like the kind of cornerbacks the team was hoping to get when they drafted them. Going up against Julio Jones and Roddy White is the best preparation the two rookies can get and Smith knows it.
"Until I watch the tape it's going to be hard to give a really good assessment. I know they were out there competing," Smith said after training camp. "They're going to have a tough day every day. They're going against, in my mind, two of the best receivers in the NFL, and that's good for us. We've got to get these guys ready, and there's no two better to have to go out and work against. We had some one-on-one. We had some team pass, and we had some skelly's, so they got a lot of work."
Both Jones and White and taking advantage of pushing the rookies. The NFC South is staked with talent at the wide receivers position including the likes of Mike Williams, Marquise Colston and Steve Smith. Both Jones and White have liked what they have seen in the two rookies so far. Jones plans on making sure they have their work cut out for them.
"They don't give up. They give effort. They've got heart and that's one thing you can't teach," Jones said.
The veteran cornerbacks are doing their best to help mentor the younger players. Samuel has said he has spoken to both cornerbacks and likes what he sees in both. Trufant has named Samuel as an inspiration for his style of play and hopes to be as good as he is someday. The Falcons are certainly hoping that happens sooner rather than later.
