FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. – One of the most talked about positions thus far at Russell Falcons Training Camp is wide receiver. Head Coach Bobby Petrino has talked about depth, skill and Joe Horn’s veteran leadership.
One player in particular mentioned by the coach along with rookie Laurent Robinson and veterans Roddy White and Michael Jenkins, is Adam Jennings.
Jennings, a second-year pro out of Fresno State, has seen time at a variety of receiver slots in camp and has taken his share of reps in the return game.
“Adam Jennings is doing more than I anticipated up to this point and he runs well after he catches the ball,” Petrino said. “He is also a hard worker.”
The 5-foot-9, 181-pound receiver played in 15 games last season as a rookie but did not tally a catch. Instead he made an impact on special teams, recovering an on-side kick and registering seven returns for a 17.6-yard average.
But Jennings knows he still has to compete for playing time.
“I love the new offense,” he said. “There are so many different things going on and a lot of different plays. You have to learn all the different details of the plays in order to get on the field and not get yelled at. There’s a lot of competition out there. Joe Horn is leading the group. I’m trying to pick things up, trying to fit in out there. A lot of guys are doing a lot of great things and I’m just trying to earn a spot out here.”
ROLL CALL: Depth on the defensive line has been tested early and often during camp as Rod Coleman, Grady Jackson and now Darrell Shropshire have missed at least parts of practices due to injuries or conditioning.
That’s opened the door for players like Jonathan Babineaux, Tommy Jackson and rookie Trey Lewis to see more playing time.
They’re working hard as coaches have made adjustments to build stamina along the front.
“Actually, we’ve been trying not to rotate them in and out as much,” Petrino said. “We’ve been trying to keep them out on the field for six plays, stay out on the field for eight plays. We’re going to move the ball here pretty soon and make them stay out there for 10 plays.”
When it comes to a formal rotation Petrino said Jackson would see work on first and second down as a run-stopper and the team could make substitutions on passing downs.
The coach said Shropshire, who injured his groin in practice, could return to practice as soon as soon as Thursday.
CENTER OF ATTENTION: Petrino said P.J. Alexander and rookie Doug Datish have been moving between the second and third-team center spots.
Alexander is in the process of switching to center from guard.
“He’s been taking all the reps with the twos and then Datish has been taking them with the trees,” Petrino said. “They kind of trade off every now and then. Datish has been slowed a little bit by a finger – he broke a finger in (organized team activities) and has had it (in a cast) for every practice. I think that’s been bothering him a little bit.
“P.J. is understanding it and picking it up better. He’s got to continue to work on his quickness in getting through and getting to the second level.”
YOUTH WEEK GOES INTERNATIONAL: The Falcons rolled out the welcome mat at training camp Wednesday for the Panama Marlins – a youth football team from Panama.
The team traveled more than 1,800 miles to reach the team’s practice facility.
The Marlins and their host team, the Alpharetta Eagles, got an opportunity to run drills in the Falcons indoor practice facility.
The teams also used their visit to learn more about each other’s culture.
Players from each team partnered with each other in defensive drills as instructors barked directions in Spanish and English.
Eagles coach Joe Morris explained how Wednesday’s visit helped set expectations.
“Before today we weren’t quite sure what
