Head Coach Mike Smith, July 28
Q: You practice today went roughly two and a half hours. Were you anxious to see how things went over that period of time?
A: “I thought it went well. I told the guys after practice that today was a man’s practice. By design in the mornings, we are going to work extremely hard. Then, in the afternoons, we will come out with no pads and be a little bit lighter. Today was a long one, but the guys worked through it very well.”
Q: Would you say you were really happy with the end of practice in the way the players wrapped it up?
A: “Yes, I think they overall did a nice job. The offense really did a good job. There was a blitz period so they were bringing pressure. I thought all four quarterbacks stood in there well and made some good throws. We had good catches on the other end.”
Q: Does Harry (Douglas) know that Lawyer (Milloy) is a 13-year veteran in the League?
A: “Harry is a confident young man. There’s no doubt about that. You like to see that in a rookie. Of course, at this time of the year, tempers get a little bit short, but it was all in good fun and fun to watch. I don’t know if it was the best thing to do to a guy who has been in this League for a very long time, but I was excited to see them get a little bit riled up.”
Q: How did you feel your pacing and tempos coming along?
A: “It went very well. If you watched the practice you can see it is by design that we are going to work a period and compete against each other. Then we are going to step back and have some teaching. Basically, this gives us more teaching periods. It gives the guys an opportunity to rest and it simulates what happens in a game. They are usually going to go out, play on the offense, defense or special teams, take a few snaps and then be back on the sidelines or sitting on the bench. It’s designed to help in their conditioning.”
Q: Todd McClure was carted off the field. Do you have a progress update with him?
A: “Well, I know that when we were warming up he felt a little twinge in his lower back. I believe it was more precautionary than anything. Todd has been in a lot of these camps. He knows what the pacing is and he knows his body. It was more preventative than anything.”
Q: I know you have seen guys in your years in the League who make a comeback after serious injuries. Brian Finneran is in that category and today was his first day in pads. What did you think?
A: “I think it will be a great story if Brian makes it all the way back. He has done a great job rehabilitating and having to miss two seasons. He is doing everything in his power and we are going to bring him along slowly. We had a talk last night about when they were going to let him get in two practices a day. That should be coming very soon. That will be the true test to see if he can take the pounding of two practices. He has made a lot of nice catches here for us at camp so far.”
Q: What is your impression of (Jason) Elam and how important will he be for the team?
A: “I think that you have to have a kicker in this League who when you can’t get the ball in the end zone, they are able to put it between the pipes. That is something that Jason has done for a long time. We are excited that we were able to acquire him and he was anxious to get back here to Atlanta. This is his home. He played at Brookwood High School. He kicks the ball extremely well and he knows his routine so you are not going to see him outside everyday kicking. He has been in this routine for the last three or four years. He has been to Pro Bowls and has done everything so we are just letting him set his schedule.”
Q: Where was Von (Hutchins) today?
A: “Von was in Charlotte, N.C., today getting his foot looked at. I would think we will have some kind of information on him before the day is out."
RELATED LINKS:
- COVERAGE: Click here for complete coverage of 2008 Russell Falcons Training Camp
- FALCONCAST: Running Back Michael Turner
- NOTEBOOK: Finneran showing now ill effects from injury
- TRANSCRIPT: Head Coach Mike Smith
- VIDEO: Head Coach Mike Smith | Brian Finneran | Chevis Jackson | Curtis Lofton
- BIRDSEED: J. Mike reviews and comments on Falcons news
- J. MIKE'S BLOG: Time to Bring the Pain | Falcons Agree to Terms with Jackson
- MOOKIE'S BLOG: Weather Report
