Worrilow Helping Rookies Along: Paul Worrilow understands that when the Falcons drafted Deion Jones and De'Vondre Campbell this April, the battle for a starting linebacker role would intensify. The competition doesn't scare the veteran leader. In fact, Worrilow has gone out of his way to make sure his new teammates get up to speed as fast as possible.
"Worrilow was really big (for us) when we first got here," said Campbell. "He was here with me and Deion (Jones) every morning, writing up plays on the board, just teaching us different formations and going through it all."
Allen Growing into Leadership Role: Last June, Ricardo Allen was focused on earning a roster spot while learning a brand new position. Now that he's grown comfortable as a free safety, the 24 year-old has evolved as a leader, one who can take young players under his wing and orchestrate Atlanta's secondary.
"It was a brand new position for him," coach Quinn said about Allen's move to free safety in 2015. "He was really trying to get his own world in order. Now that he's got some guys that he can direct, he's shown and proven that he's capable for the job. I think you have to have some of those pelts on the wall so to speak to say, 'I can get the job done. You can count on me.' So now that he's gone through that and he's earned (his teammates') trust, now he's able to lead a little more."
Someone who can benefit from Allen's guidance is C.J. Goodwin: another intriguing prospect who's shifting to a new position. The wide receiver-turned-cornerback has raised a lot of eyebrows by tallying an interception in each of the last two practices—the latter of which was returned for a touchdown. He can certainly gain a lot of insight from Allen, who went through a position change last offseason.
"He's smart, and he's not afraid to compete with anybody," Allen said of Goodwin. "As a wide receiver, coming from the (offensive) side of the ball, he attacks the ball really well. He also sees routes early. So he comes with a lot of knowledge from being on the offense. Him transitioning, and him coming out of his breaks—he's been doing well.
"If you don't know anything, the only thing you can do is learn. So if he keeps learning from the coaches, the coaches aren't going to give you any bad techniques. So you really don't have any bad techniques. He played good."
Shelby Getting Comfortable:After a productive 2015, Derrick Shelby has come to Atlanta with a chance to become an integral piece of the Falcons' defense. The ex-Dolphin said he enjoys his new surroundings—especially the focused atmosphere. Although his role has yet to be solidified, Quinn has liked what he's seen thus far at various spots along the defensive front.
"Honestly we're just trying to find out as much you can about all the players," Quinn said. "Derrick being a new player, we know he can play inside in nickel. We know he's played lots of defensive end. So we're working him on the right side; we're working him outside.
"So all those things now, we're trying to challenge (him). That way, when he leaves here tomorrow, (he can say), 'These are a couple things I can take home with me so when I get to camp, I've got these little three or four things I want to get better at.'"
