FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- The Falcons return five safeties from 2008, including six-year veteran Erik Coleman.
But there are positions to be won in 2009.
The battle to replace Lawyer Milloy in the defensive backfield has become one of the high-profile events in Russell Falcons Training Camp. The team drafted William Moore in the second round and second-year man Thomas DeCoud, a 2008 third-round selection, has taken reps on the first team with Coleman.
To add to the team's flexibility, the coaching staff is also giving cornerback Von Hutchins some snaps at the position.
Throw in Antoine Harris, Eric Brock and Jamaal Fudge and it gets crowded.
“I think the defensive side of the ball has more position battles and more competition," Head Coach Mike Smith said. "I think the safety position is one where there is a good battle... We are going to put a good eye on all players and the best 53 guys are going to be the guys who make our roster.”
Faced with lofty expectations, Falcons defensive backs could get overly aggressive.
But they've adopted a different approach.
"I think they're doing great," Coleman said of the younger players in the defensive backfield. "They've been asking a lot of questions in the class room. They've been working extremely hard trying to get better and, on the field, they're flying around. We're all trying to get better. That just helps the team. It brings out the best in all of us."
That friendly eagerness, according to Coleman, separates the simply talented from the professionals. DeCoud and Moore both racked up the stats in college but everyone in the meeting room knows learning doesn't stop outside campus gates.
"Obviously we all have the physical tools to be in here but it's all mental, especially in this game," said Moore, who left Missouri with 248 career tackles and 11 interceptions. "At my position, safety, we control the whole defense."
The rookie said DeCoud and others have stepped up their game in the early days of camp. Hutchins' move, though situational, also gives the group a dose of leadership, which is key for a defense that has just two players older than 30.
"The goal is not to have a drop off between the one's, two's and three's because you're only as good as your weakest link," Coleman said.
Of course, when the team takes the field for the season opener, just two players can start at safety. Finding that mix is a problem remaining to be solved. But the group will solve it on the field... the best way they can.
Competition.
"Everyone in our secondary is a competitor; it's an understood thing," DeCoud said. "There's really no animosity or anything. We don't talk about it, we just go out and do our best individually each day and it will sort itself out that way."
Day Four -- Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2009
8:30 a.m./3:45 p.m. Practice
@FalconsJMoore "Words of the Day"
- TRANSCRIPT: Head Coach Mike Smith talks after the morning workout
- FEATURE: DeCoud, Moore just two in the mix at safety
- RELEASE: Falcons sign wide receiver Dicky Lyons
- VIDEO: Head Coach Mike Smith | Sam Baker and Harvey Dahl
- NFL NETWORK: Rich Eisen talks with Tony Gonzalez
- BLOGS: J. Michael Moore's blog posts from Aug. 4, 2009
- PHOTOS: Images from Day No. 4 at camp (Flickr)
