FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- A lasting image from most Falcons special teams plays this year is that of David Irons pushing himself up from the turf after delivering a bone-rattling hit, his head jiggling with excitement. The rookie then spins up field to welcome his teammates and accept chest bumps, hand slaps and various forms of approval.
He may be a rookie.
He may be just a bit taller than 5-foot-11 in a six-foot world.
But he's the Falcons leading special teams tackler this season (11) and he's the spark-providing player teammates adore and coaches vigorously applaud.
"He gives us a lot of energy," fellow rookie cornerback Chris Houston said. "On special teams, he's one of the people we look for at gunner to go down and make the play. He's going to go down there and play full speed no matter what. He's a big hitter -- probably one of the hardest hitters in our secondary. He's going to give us 100 percent every time and he enjoys the game."
The second of four sixth-round picks in the 2007 draft, Irons joined the Falcons as a polite and devoted rookie. But he's never been the quiet type.
As four-year starter at Butler County Community College (Kan.) and the University of Auburn, Irons made his presence known with numbing hits and constant jabber. He said he's always "talked a little trash," even as a high school player at Dacula High School (just 20 miles from the Falcons practice facility).
"Whatever I do I want to be the best at," Irons said Thursday. "I want to dominate on special teams and have everyone notice me."
Call it cocky.
Call it brash.
But neither word comes to mind when watching Irons' work ethic and game performance.
He's grateful for the opportunity to continue his football career in the NFL with his brother, Kenny, who was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals this season.
Fellow rookie Daren Stone, who works with Irons on various special teams units provides proof of the hitter's team play.
"He's had a lot of good hits this year, but it's no surprise," said Stone, a safety out of the University of Maine. "He and I double the gunner on the return team. When I'm holding them up, he'll come from the blind side and just take people out... That's the plan. He's real explosive and can get underneath people a lot better than I can. I just tie them up and he comes from the side and finishes the job."
Irons' job may change later in his career. It's not uncommon for rookies to develop their skills on special teams before moving into more defined roles on offense or defense. Irons led Auburn with 90 career tackles, two interceptions, 23 passes defensed and one forced fumble. He missed the 2004 season with a knee injury, but proved remarkably durable in his remaining four seasons -- 47 games played, 47 starts.
He draws inspiration from his brother, who tore an anterior cruciate ligament in the preseason and went on the Bengals injured reserve list.
"We were trying to compete this year; we always compete," David said when asked about his relationship with Kenny. "When he got injured I just wanted him to not worry about it. I told him I got injured and it wasn't a big deal. It was like a paper cut. I said: 'You're going to heal in six months and you're going to come back out there and run around like you were in the back yard.' Every Sunday he text (messages) me to tell me to go out and give it my all."
David seems to have embraced that fun-loving, opportunistic mentality. That's good news for the Falcons as the 2007 rookie class continues to grow.
"Once he learns the system he's going to be a great corner in this league because he likes to tackle," Houston said. "He's going to be one of those corners that comes in there and throws his body around and everything. He's going to be a great corner if he keeps studying."
Irons knows he has some work ahead of him to make an impact on defense, but he's not down playing his abilities on special teams nor the opportunity presented him in his home state.
Any doubts about his passion get erased with each cleat-lifting blow and bobble-head-like response.
"I'm happy with where I'm at," Irons said. "A lot of guys are sitting at home right now getting ready for tryouts. I'm just happy the Falcons gave me a chance."
FALCONS SPEAK ON TAYLOR: The death of Redskins safety Sean Taylor rocked the NFL Tuesday morning.
Falcons cornerback DeAngelo Hall, who played in the ACC with Taylor, commented Thursday.
"You lost a great one in Sean," Hall said in a statement to the Taylor family. "I was able to go against him all throughout college and the NFL. I was fortunate to play with him in the Pro Bowl last season. I tell you what, nobody did it better than him."
Defensive end John Abraham and quarterback Joey Harrington said Taylor's death is a tragedy for family, friends and the entire league.
"I'm still shocked on it," Abraham said Wednesday. "He was a good guy. He was a great player. When something like that happens to a guy like that it really hurts the whole league. I don't think anyone woke up and didn't think about it today. I'm still messed up about it a little bit."
"It hits everybody," added Harrington. "It definitely reminds you of what's important in your life and, you know, you just say a prayer for Sean and his family."
INJURY REPORT: The Falcons got good and bad news on the injury front Thursday. First, the bad.
Tackle Todd Weiner was placed on injured reserve after undergoing surgery to repair his ailing left knee. Head Coach Bobby Petrino said the veteran, who played on the right and left sides of the offensive lines this season, had surgery Thursday morning.
Hall missed practice time Wednesday after suffering a sprained ankle, but he was back on the field Thursday. As was Michael Boley, who took all the practice reps at outside linebacker with a protective brace on his elbow.
