1 00:00:00,720 --> 00:00:03,400 Speaker 1: Welcome back to another special edition of the Falcons Audible, 2 00:00:03,440 --> 00:00:06,760 Speaker 1: presented by AT and T. This is the initial fifty 3 00:00:06,840 --> 00:00:11,200 Speaker 1: three man roster special edition of the Falcons Audible. And 4 00:00:11,240 --> 00:00:13,560 Speaker 1: I am so happy to be back with my guys, 5 00:00:13,640 --> 00:00:16,200 Speaker 1: Dave Archer and DJ Shockley. And I know it might 6 00:00:16,239 --> 00:00:18,599 Speaker 1: look a little different because I'm not sitting right next 7 00:00:18,640 --> 00:00:20,240 Speaker 1: to them. Let me tell you, guys, we are really 8 00:00:20,280 --> 00:00:23,040 Speaker 1: close to all of us paying together. That will be 9 00:00:23,040 --> 00:00:25,520 Speaker 1: coming very soon. But before we dive into this, I 10 00:00:25,520 --> 00:00:28,440 Speaker 1: gotta say hello to my fellows Dave, DJ. Dave, won't 11 00:00:28,440 --> 00:00:30,600 Speaker 1: you tell us how we're doing? What's going on? And 12 00:00:30,640 --> 00:00:32,400 Speaker 1: I know you're excited that we're back to some Falcons, 13 00:00:32,479 --> 00:00:34,519 Speaker 1: do you kid me? Rack, I couldn't be more thrilled 14 00:00:34,560 --> 00:00:36,960 Speaker 1: to be through preseason. You guys know how I feel 15 00:00:37,000 --> 00:00:39,720 Speaker 1: about preseason football. So we're on the eve of playing 16 00:00:39,720 --> 00:00:41,680 Speaker 1: the Eagles here at a little bit further down the 17 00:00:41,720 --> 00:00:43,360 Speaker 1: road about a week and a half or so, but 18 00:00:43,520 --> 00:00:45,760 Speaker 1: so excited that we have a new team to talk about. 19 00:00:45,800 --> 00:00:47,680 Speaker 1: Excited to be able to chop it up with you guys, 20 00:00:47,680 --> 00:00:52,160 Speaker 1: looking forward to it. And DJ, I know you've taken 21 00:00:52,159 --> 00:00:54,960 Speaker 1: an on some additional responsibilities, but you're still here with 22 00:00:55,040 --> 00:00:57,080 Speaker 1: us on the podcast. Oh, there's no doubt about it. 23 00:00:57,120 --> 00:00:59,560 Speaker 1: I could not miss this, even though my man Dan 24 00:00:59,640 --> 00:01:01,240 Speaker 1: Gant had to get rid of it. Now I'm just playing. 25 00:01:01,800 --> 00:01:04,160 Speaker 1: He was awesome. He want to be back, which is awesome. 26 00:01:04,160 --> 00:01:05,880 Speaker 1: But yeah, I'm excited, of course be able to talk 27 00:01:05,959 --> 00:01:08,520 Speaker 1: ball with my man Arch. We speak the same language. Wreck. 28 00:01:08,840 --> 00:01:11,120 Speaker 1: You're always awesome, man, and to be a part of 29 00:01:11,120 --> 00:01:14,240 Speaker 1: this is pretty cool. And when traded for the world. 30 00:01:15,480 --> 00:01:17,520 Speaker 1: All right, guys, well let's without further Ado, let's just 31 00:01:17,560 --> 00:01:19,399 Speaker 1: dive right into it. As we all know, that the 32 00:01:19,440 --> 00:01:23,000 Speaker 1: Falcons released their initial fifty three man roster. And we 33 00:01:23,080 --> 00:01:25,840 Speaker 1: say initial because as we all know, a roster is 34 00:01:25,959 --> 00:01:27,959 Speaker 1: very fluid throughout the course of the season when it 35 00:01:27,959 --> 00:01:30,960 Speaker 1: comes to injuries, maybe playing time may maybe they find 36 00:01:31,000 --> 00:01:32,720 Speaker 1: a guy out on the street that's gonna help make 37 00:01:32,760 --> 00:01:35,480 Speaker 1: this roster better. But DJ, let me start right back 38 00:01:35,480 --> 00:01:37,840 Speaker 1: with you. Give me your initial takes on what you 39 00:01:37,880 --> 00:01:40,640 Speaker 1: saw when the Falcons released their fifty three man roster. 40 00:01:40,760 --> 00:01:43,400 Speaker 1: Today just kind of a more thirty thousand foot view here. 41 00:01:43,920 --> 00:01:46,920 Speaker 1: So the overall, obviously we are guys who watched this 42 00:01:47,000 --> 00:01:48,840 Speaker 1: team all the time. We washed him in camp, when 43 00:01:48,840 --> 00:01:52,760 Speaker 1: you washed him through preseason, and we had a really big, 44 00:01:52,920 --> 00:01:54,920 Speaker 1: really good feel of who would be on this ball club. 45 00:01:54,960 --> 00:01:58,080 Speaker 1: And I think overall, when you look from the top down, 46 00:01:58,360 --> 00:02:00,320 Speaker 1: you knew the core of this team. You knew exactly 47 00:02:00,400 --> 00:02:02,160 Speaker 1: what guys will be a part of this team. But 48 00:02:02,200 --> 00:02:04,320 Speaker 1: there were three or four guys that you saw through 49 00:02:04,320 --> 00:02:06,440 Speaker 1: our preseason said maybe this guy may have a chance, 50 00:02:06,480 --> 00:02:08,560 Speaker 1: Maybe this guy can you know, find a way onto 51 00:02:08,600 --> 00:02:11,640 Speaker 1: the team. And we know all aj mccarrion goes down 52 00:02:11,880 --> 00:02:14,440 Speaker 1: and Philippe Franks has to step in that second ball game, 53 00:02:14,680 --> 00:02:17,000 Speaker 1: and you're wondering, Okay, Philippe has done a good job. 54 00:02:17,080 --> 00:02:19,359 Speaker 1: It looks like they have invested a lot into Philippe 55 00:02:19,440 --> 00:02:21,520 Speaker 1: in his offseason. Can they find a way to get 56 00:02:21,600 --> 00:02:23,160 Speaker 1: him on his roster. Do you try to stick him 57 00:02:23,160 --> 00:02:26,280 Speaker 1: on that fifty on that practice squad and maybe he 58 00:02:26,320 --> 00:02:29,079 Speaker 1: gets through. I think the Falcons thought that Phelippe did 59 00:02:29,160 --> 00:02:31,840 Speaker 1: enough in the preseason where we can't put this guy 60 00:02:31,880 --> 00:02:34,079 Speaker 1: in the practice squad as a chance for him being 61 00:02:34,080 --> 00:02:37,200 Speaker 1: able to leave. One guy who I was really looking 62 00:02:37,200 --> 00:02:39,560 Speaker 1: forward to see where he would end up as Chris Roland. 63 00:02:39,600 --> 00:02:41,480 Speaker 1: Chris Roland end up being cut. He was a part 64 00:02:41,480 --> 00:02:44,560 Speaker 1: of that kind of return to you and kind of receiver. 65 00:02:44,720 --> 00:02:47,440 Speaker 1: Had some good things happened through throughout camp, and he 66 00:02:47,480 --> 00:02:49,040 Speaker 1: was one of those guys that did not make it. 67 00:02:49,200 --> 00:02:51,800 Speaker 1: And I comes from Abery Williams, who actually showed up 68 00:02:51,800 --> 00:02:53,880 Speaker 1: and really did well on the defensive side of the 69 00:02:53,880 --> 00:02:55,519 Speaker 1: ball here later in the last a couple of ball 70 00:02:55,560 --> 00:02:58,320 Speaker 1: games as well as in the return game. So those 71 00:02:58,320 --> 00:03:01,639 Speaker 1: are a couple of guys whom the mountaintop I look 72 00:03:01,639 --> 00:03:03,200 Speaker 1: down and said, Okay, these are guys I want to 73 00:03:03,240 --> 00:03:05,320 Speaker 1: see where they fail on the fifty three minion roster 74 00:03:05,639 --> 00:03:07,400 Speaker 1: and glad to see we were able to keep Phelipe 75 00:03:07,600 --> 00:03:12,000 Speaker 1: and also Avery Williams take over every turn spy. Yeah, Dave, 76 00:03:12,080 --> 00:03:14,240 Speaker 1: I know that when the preseason you don't get a 77 00:03:14,320 --> 00:03:17,040 Speaker 1: chance to see all of your starters and even more 78 00:03:17,080 --> 00:03:19,960 Speaker 1: abbreviated this year with just the three games. And then 79 00:03:19,960 --> 00:03:22,320 Speaker 1: I've also we don't know how the practice squad is 80 00:03:22,320 --> 00:03:24,640 Speaker 1: gonna shake up quite yet. That will be renounced after 81 00:03:24,680 --> 00:03:26,800 Speaker 1: the players end up clearing waivers. But let me go 82 00:03:26,800 --> 00:03:28,920 Speaker 1: to you and what was your take when you saw 83 00:03:28,919 --> 00:03:31,480 Speaker 1: the fifty three man roster again, Colin from a more 84 00:03:31,560 --> 00:03:34,639 Speaker 1: general sense, Well, I thought that Arthur Smith said right 85 00:03:34,680 --> 00:03:36,480 Speaker 1: off the top, he goes, I am going to try 86 00:03:36,480 --> 00:03:38,400 Speaker 1: to evaluate my players and try to put him in 87 00:03:38,400 --> 00:03:41,080 Speaker 1: an apples and apples scenario. I don't want a guy 88 00:03:41,160 --> 00:03:44,440 Speaker 1: competing at this group and then the other guys compete, 89 00:03:44,480 --> 00:03:46,920 Speaker 1: like going against Grady Jared on the offensive lines a 90 00:03:46,920 --> 00:03:49,160 Speaker 1: little bit different than going against the third team defensive 91 00:03:49,200 --> 00:03:51,839 Speaker 1: tackle from Cleveland or whoever. So I want to make 92 00:03:51,840 --> 00:03:54,680 Speaker 1: sure that I can compare these guys and then give 93 00:03:54,760 --> 00:03:57,000 Speaker 1: them the same opportunities. And I thought he held true 94 00:03:57,000 --> 00:03:59,800 Speaker 1: to that. We were very vanilla offensively, didn't do a 95 00:03:59,800 --> 00:04:02,040 Speaker 1: lot of stuff, a few wrinkles defensively, just to kind 96 00:04:02,080 --> 00:04:03,920 Speaker 1: of put some guys in some spots and see if 97 00:04:03,920 --> 00:04:05,880 Speaker 1: they could create pressure with some of the things that 98 00:04:05,920 --> 00:04:08,120 Speaker 1: Demps is going to do. But I thought that Arthur 99 00:04:08,120 --> 00:04:10,440 Speaker 1: Smith held very true to what he want to do. 100 00:04:10,640 --> 00:04:13,000 Speaker 1: I want to give these guys to compete, an opportunity 101 00:04:13,000 --> 00:04:16,080 Speaker 1: to compete and distinguish themselves. And I thought that's what happened. 102 00:04:16,279 --> 00:04:17,760 Speaker 1: I think when you when you began to look at it, 103 00:04:17,839 --> 00:04:20,159 Speaker 1: as I went into the list last preseason game, I 104 00:04:20,279 --> 00:04:22,400 Speaker 1: pretty much had the guys that you were probably trying 105 00:04:22,400 --> 00:04:24,960 Speaker 1: to decide to you know, a couple of bubble guys 106 00:04:25,000 --> 00:04:27,520 Speaker 1: here or there, but it looked like that guys stepped 107 00:04:27,560 --> 00:04:31,080 Speaker 1: forward and distinguished them. Every Williams, Dorian Ethridge. There were 108 00:04:31,080 --> 00:04:34,400 Speaker 1: a number of guys that stepped up and took the opportunity. 109 00:04:34,480 --> 00:04:36,840 Speaker 1: And you, guys, we all have heard this, all three 110 00:04:36,880 --> 00:04:39,599 Speaker 1: of us. Hey, make the decision for me. That's what 111 00:04:39,680 --> 00:04:42,440 Speaker 1: you were told by a coach comes in, Hey, Rack, 112 00:04:42,560 --> 00:04:44,880 Speaker 1: make the decision for you. Go out and perform. You're 113 00:04:44,880 --> 00:04:46,400 Speaker 1: going to be part of the fifty three. And I thought, 114 00:04:46,720 --> 00:04:50,240 Speaker 1: these guys, did you know? And I think what a 115 00:04:50,279 --> 00:04:52,400 Speaker 1: lot of the viewers, the people that are listening need 116 00:04:52,440 --> 00:04:55,880 Speaker 1: to understand. Two is sometimes your last three, four or 117 00:04:55,920 --> 00:04:59,240 Speaker 1: five guys on the roster. Those decisions end up getting 118 00:04:59,279 --> 00:05:02,640 Speaker 1: made bas basically more placed on special teams, like where 119 00:05:02,720 --> 00:05:04,560 Speaker 1: is this guy going to help me on kickoff coverage? 120 00:05:04,600 --> 00:05:07,599 Speaker 1: I need a specific guy on kickoff return. This guy 121 00:05:07,640 --> 00:05:09,839 Speaker 1: showed me some flashes on a pump block team that 122 00:05:09,960 --> 00:05:12,200 Speaker 1: maybe he's got a chance of getting there and tipping 123 00:05:12,200 --> 00:05:14,600 Speaker 1: a punt for us at some point during the season. 124 00:05:14,839 --> 00:05:18,080 Speaker 1: That can really end up changing the complexion of a game. 125 00:05:18,120 --> 00:05:20,240 Speaker 1: So it's not always like, oh, this guy was really 126 00:05:20,279 --> 00:05:22,039 Speaker 1: good in college, and I think he should be on 127 00:05:22,080 --> 00:05:25,480 Speaker 1: the team. Guys look at this and say, this guy 128 00:05:25,560 --> 00:05:27,760 Speaker 1: might help us a little bit more on special teams 129 00:05:27,800 --> 00:05:30,200 Speaker 1: from week one right when we get off the jump, 130 00:05:30,240 --> 00:05:32,280 Speaker 1: and that might be the reason why he ends up 131 00:05:32,279 --> 00:05:34,120 Speaker 1: making a roster. So, Dave, I'm gonna come right back 132 00:05:34,120 --> 00:05:36,040 Speaker 1: to you and again I want you to give a 133 00:05:36,080 --> 00:05:39,520 Speaker 1: grade on this fifty three man roster. Do your best 134 00:05:39,520 --> 00:05:41,760 Speaker 1: to try to take a step back from how the 135 00:05:41,839 --> 00:05:44,520 Speaker 1: guy's played in the preseason and what week one looks like. 136 00:05:44,600 --> 00:05:47,440 Speaker 1: Just give us a grade the ABCD. You can use 137 00:05:47,440 --> 00:05:49,840 Speaker 1: some minuses or pluses if you want DJ you might 138 00:05:49,839 --> 00:05:51,599 Speaker 1: need provide it down a little bit if that helps 139 00:05:53,320 --> 00:05:55,800 Speaker 1: on what you think this roster looks like. Archie, Yeah, 140 00:05:55,839 --> 00:05:59,039 Speaker 1: that's a really interesting question and evaluation. I think when 141 00:05:59,040 --> 00:06:01,320 Speaker 1: you begin to look at the twenty two, if you're 142 00:06:01,320 --> 00:06:04,440 Speaker 1: gonna just talk about the starting twenty two, I think 143 00:06:04,480 --> 00:06:07,200 Speaker 1: Atlanta matches up pretty well. I would say they're starting 144 00:06:07,200 --> 00:06:09,480 Speaker 1: twenty two is probably a B plus in my gat 145 00:06:09,760 --> 00:06:12,279 Speaker 1: In my opinion, I do think there are some depth 146 00:06:12,279 --> 00:06:15,719 Speaker 1: issues on this team, name lit corner to really young 147 00:06:15,760 --> 00:06:18,640 Speaker 1: in the secondary. There's some places along the offensive line, 148 00:06:18,640 --> 00:06:21,640 Speaker 1: you're not quite sure about yet, So I guess overall, 149 00:06:21,720 --> 00:06:25,040 Speaker 1: I would probably put the grade level will be somewhere 150 00:06:25,040 --> 00:06:27,520 Speaker 1: in that B minus area, maybe even a C plus 151 00:06:27,640 --> 00:06:31,440 Speaker 1: right now in my mind. All right, DJA, same question 152 00:06:31,440 --> 00:06:33,440 Speaker 1: to you, what great are you giving this fifty three 153 00:06:33,440 --> 00:06:36,320 Speaker 1: man roster as you see it today? You know, I 154 00:06:36,360 --> 00:06:38,080 Speaker 1: think it's kind of in a similar fashion of what 155 00:06:38,240 --> 00:06:41,159 Speaker 1: ARS talks about and when you think about a team. 156 00:06:41,279 --> 00:06:43,800 Speaker 1: Obviously the first twenty two, like AR mentioned our guys 157 00:06:44,000 --> 00:06:45,800 Speaker 1: that you could put up versus anybody in this league 158 00:06:45,800 --> 00:06:47,240 Speaker 1: and say, all right, let's go play ball and see 159 00:06:47,279 --> 00:06:49,560 Speaker 1: where you lie. But as we know, throughout the season, 160 00:06:50,160 --> 00:06:52,080 Speaker 1: it's a reason why you need fifty three guys. It's 161 00:06:52,080 --> 00:06:54,000 Speaker 1: a reason why you need the sixteen guys on practice 162 00:06:54,000 --> 00:06:57,120 Speaker 1: squad simply because throughout a year you're gonna get dinged up, 163 00:06:57,120 --> 00:06:59,040 Speaker 1: You're gonna have guys go down. That's why the emphasis 164 00:06:59,080 --> 00:07:01,440 Speaker 1: on the preseason was how are these second and third 165 00:07:01,440 --> 00:07:02,960 Speaker 1: team guys are playing? I know a lot of people 166 00:07:02,960 --> 00:07:05,440 Speaker 1: made a lot of emphasis on when we played the 167 00:07:05,480 --> 00:07:08,039 Speaker 1: Miami Dolphins and they had their first team in and 168 00:07:08,040 --> 00:07:09,920 Speaker 1: we had our second and third team in. But I 169 00:07:09,960 --> 00:07:12,440 Speaker 1: thought that was a prime opportunity for guys to show, Okay, 170 00:07:12,440 --> 00:07:14,840 Speaker 1: here's some guys who we expect to step up and 171 00:07:14,880 --> 00:07:16,840 Speaker 1: play if a couple of guys go down, So I 172 00:07:16,840 --> 00:07:19,800 Speaker 1: want to see how those guys fair. I would say 173 00:07:19,800 --> 00:07:21,800 Speaker 1: it's more of a B minus. I think the death 174 00:07:21,840 --> 00:07:23,800 Speaker 1: part of it is a huge thing. I think there's 175 00:07:23,800 --> 00:07:26,280 Speaker 1: still question marks about rushing the passer. I think that's 176 00:07:26,320 --> 00:07:28,440 Speaker 1: one thing that the fans will look at it and say, Okay, 177 00:07:28,480 --> 00:07:30,640 Speaker 1: who's our guy. We know we got Dante Fowler, we 178 00:07:30,720 --> 00:07:33,080 Speaker 1: know two he's coming off the edge. You know Stephen 179 00:07:33,080 --> 00:07:34,400 Speaker 1: Means is a guy who can do it. We know 180 00:07:34,440 --> 00:07:36,760 Speaker 1: Grady can push on the inside. But who are those 181 00:07:36,800 --> 00:07:39,200 Speaker 1: other guys other than those three or four guys that 182 00:07:39,240 --> 00:07:41,920 Speaker 1: we can count on on a weekly basis to get 183 00:07:42,080 --> 00:07:43,720 Speaker 1: you know, pressure on the quarterback. So those are a 184 00:07:43,760 --> 00:07:47,080 Speaker 1: question mark that you still ask. Arch talked about the 185 00:07:47,120 --> 00:07:49,600 Speaker 1: depth at the corner spot on the outside. You got 186 00:07:49,680 --> 00:07:51,080 Speaker 1: a lot of talent, but there are a lot of 187 00:07:51,080 --> 00:07:52,880 Speaker 1: young guys as well. You got a couple of guys 188 00:07:52,920 --> 00:07:54,720 Speaker 1: and Eric Harris and darn Harmon here on one of 189 00:07:54,760 --> 00:07:56,800 Speaker 1: year deals that you say, Okay, you want those guys 190 00:07:56,840 --> 00:07:59,200 Speaker 1: to come in and be productive. But you also got 191 00:07:59,240 --> 00:08:01,320 Speaker 1: some young guys who you're trying to build and development, 192 00:08:01,400 --> 00:08:04,040 Speaker 1: So how quickly can those guys come in and play 193 00:08:04,080 --> 00:08:06,200 Speaker 1: for you when you need them for this ball club? 194 00:08:06,280 --> 00:08:07,720 Speaker 1: So the debt part of it is something that's gonna 195 00:08:07,720 --> 00:08:09,480 Speaker 1: be a question mark and something that's gonna have to 196 00:08:09,480 --> 00:08:12,040 Speaker 1: come to fuition as the season goes on. But I 197 00:08:12,080 --> 00:08:13,840 Speaker 1: think if you lined up the first twenty two, like 198 00:08:13,920 --> 00:08:16,240 Speaker 1: Arstias mentioned, I think you feel good about where you 199 00:08:16,320 --> 00:08:21,000 Speaker 1: lie going into week one. Well, I appreciate your guys 200 00:08:21,040 --> 00:08:24,480 Speaker 1: as candor, and you say there's some questions, and so 201 00:08:24,600 --> 00:08:27,720 Speaker 1: we have grades anywhere from like the B to the 202 00:08:27,840 --> 00:08:30,960 Speaker 1: C plus areas. So I guess my question right back 203 00:08:30,960 --> 00:08:33,800 Speaker 1: to you, DJ, is if if I'm a Falcons fan 204 00:08:34,320 --> 00:08:36,200 Speaker 1: or if I'm just a football fan and I'm looking 205 00:08:36,200 --> 00:08:38,360 Speaker 1: at this division and I'm hearing two guys that know 206 00:08:38,440 --> 00:08:42,120 Speaker 1: this organization inside and out giving them anywhere from a 207 00:08:42,120 --> 00:08:45,240 Speaker 1: B to a C plus. So let's talk about strengths, DJ, 208 00:08:45,760 --> 00:08:49,520 Speaker 1: How does the Falcons this roster Arthur Smith Terry font know. 209 00:08:49,679 --> 00:08:51,880 Speaker 1: How do they make this roster go from a C 210 00:08:52,040 --> 00:08:54,080 Speaker 1: plus to a B to go up to a B 211 00:08:54,200 --> 00:08:57,400 Speaker 1: plus and a minus or maybe even an a talk 212 00:08:57,440 --> 00:08:59,680 Speaker 1: a little bit about the strengths that you see DJ 213 00:08:59,800 --> 00:09:01,560 Speaker 1: with this current roster and how they're gonna be able 214 00:09:01,600 --> 00:09:04,079 Speaker 1: to get this season started on a positive note. Well, Rack, 215 00:09:04,120 --> 00:09:06,040 Speaker 1: I think that's a great question because I think to 216 00:09:06,160 --> 00:09:08,320 Speaker 1: talk about strings for this team, you have to start 217 00:09:08,920 --> 00:09:12,160 Speaker 1: with at the top, where Terry comes from, where Arthur 218 00:09:12,200 --> 00:09:14,360 Speaker 1: comes from, where their lineage of how they want to 219 00:09:14,400 --> 00:09:16,480 Speaker 1: run this team to put it together, I think that's 220 00:09:16,480 --> 00:09:18,440 Speaker 1: where the strength starts. And when you're coming to this 221 00:09:18,800 --> 00:09:21,000 Speaker 1: this season, you're thinking about Arthur Smith coming in here 222 00:09:21,080 --> 00:09:23,800 Speaker 1: with the identity of being able to run the football. 223 00:09:24,040 --> 00:09:26,320 Speaker 1: Danps comes in here with the identity of they're gonna 224 00:09:26,360 --> 00:09:28,839 Speaker 1: put pressure on opposing teams, and it all comes down 225 00:09:28,920 --> 00:09:31,360 Speaker 1: how to use that personnel to your advantage. And I 226 00:09:31,400 --> 00:09:34,000 Speaker 1: think they have assembled a group of guys on this 227 00:09:34,040 --> 00:09:36,000 Speaker 1: team that they feel good about when it comes to 228 00:09:36,480 --> 00:09:38,839 Speaker 1: how they're going to run their particular scheme. You're bringing 229 00:09:38,920 --> 00:09:41,480 Speaker 1: Mike Davis, who is obviously not Derek Henry, but he's 230 00:09:41,480 --> 00:09:43,440 Speaker 1: a bruiser back of his own right. He's looking to 231 00:09:43,559 --> 00:09:46,280 Speaker 1: be the guy for the first time in a long time, 232 00:09:46,360 --> 00:09:48,360 Speaker 1: and he comes into this season as a healthy guy. 233 00:09:48,400 --> 00:09:51,720 Speaker 1: You have a Quardell Patterson behind him, who obviously in 234 00:09:51,720 --> 00:09:53,800 Speaker 1: the preseason we saw didn't get much time, so you 235 00:09:53,800 --> 00:09:55,600 Speaker 1: expect him to have a huge role on the offensive 236 00:09:55,640 --> 00:09:57,559 Speaker 1: side of the ball as well. But then you also 237 00:09:57,640 --> 00:10:00,199 Speaker 1: have the tight end play. You draft a number for 238 00:10:00,480 --> 00:10:03,360 Speaker 1: overall pick to fit what you do best, which is 239 00:10:03,400 --> 00:10:05,760 Speaker 1: get the football to the tight end and be creative. 240 00:10:05,800 --> 00:10:09,160 Speaker 1: There are things that Arthur Smith's gonna do throughout this 241 00:10:09,240 --> 00:10:11,640 Speaker 1: season that he didn't show in the preseason that me 242 00:10:11,679 --> 00:10:13,920 Speaker 1: and Arch of seeing out here during camp that a 243 00:10:13,920 --> 00:10:16,000 Speaker 1: lot of people are going to be excited about in 244 00:10:16,040 --> 00:10:18,480 Speaker 1: the ways that they get these guys to football. You 245 00:10:18,559 --> 00:10:21,520 Speaker 1: got a veteran quarterback in his fourteenth year who doesn't 246 00:10:21,520 --> 00:10:24,160 Speaker 1: turn the football over, he's a good distributed the ball, 247 00:10:24,400 --> 00:10:26,560 Speaker 1: and he's gonna have a guy like Calvin Ridley who 248 00:10:26,800 --> 00:10:29,440 Speaker 1: wants to prove to people that he is the number 249 00:10:29,440 --> 00:10:31,599 Speaker 1: one guy. Everybody wants to know how he's gonna do 250 00:10:31,640 --> 00:10:33,960 Speaker 1: without Julio Jones will, I think we all know in 251 00:10:34,000 --> 00:10:36,520 Speaker 1: this building that Calvin can beat that number one guy, 252 00:10:36,800 --> 00:10:38,320 Speaker 1: but now I think he's out of prove it. So 253 00:10:38,320 --> 00:10:39,720 Speaker 1: there are a lot of guys on the offensive side 254 00:10:39,720 --> 00:10:42,200 Speaker 1: of ball they're looking to prove themselves to be those 255 00:10:42,200 --> 00:10:44,760 Speaker 1: guys in this particular system, and they're on the defensive side. 256 00:10:44,920 --> 00:10:48,920 Speaker 1: It's all about blending those different talents together for Dean 257 00:10:49,040 --> 00:10:51,600 Speaker 1: P's to have the system that he wants. And let's 258 00:10:51,600 --> 00:10:54,480 Speaker 1: be honest, wherever he's been his defense has have been 259 00:10:54,480 --> 00:10:56,600 Speaker 1: a success. He's gonna find a way to get that 260 00:10:56,640 --> 00:10:58,880 Speaker 1: person there playing at a high level. And there are 261 00:10:58,920 --> 00:11:01,520 Speaker 1: guys on that defense who can rush the passer from 262 00:11:01,520 --> 00:11:04,800 Speaker 1: the linebacker spot. A guy who was really productive in 263 00:11:04,840 --> 00:11:07,640 Speaker 1: the preseason, Michael Walker, who would have a huge part 264 00:11:07,679 --> 00:11:10,360 Speaker 1: of this defense because of where you can line him up, 265 00:11:10,360 --> 00:11:13,040 Speaker 1: his athleticism. It's gonna be fun to watch how he 266 00:11:13,200 --> 00:11:16,080 Speaker 1: moles these guys into his scheme. And I think there 267 00:11:16,080 --> 00:11:17,760 Speaker 1: are a lot of things that I think fans can 268 00:11:17,840 --> 00:11:20,520 Speaker 1: be excited about when the season comes because of the 269 00:11:20,559 --> 00:11:23,440 Speaker 1: group of guys that are leading these players into this 270 00:11:23,520 --> 00:11:28,000 Speaker 1: season into that particular scheme. Okay, so Arch I'm just 271 00:11:28,040 --> 00:11:30,320 Speaker 1: summarizing a little bit of what DJ said. He talked 272 00:11:30,320 --> 00:11:33,840 Speaker 1: a little bit about the management from the top, Terry Fontaineau, 273 00:11:34,240 --> 00:11:37,480 Speaker 1: Arthur Smith, and then he touched on running back, wide receiver, 274 00:11:37,600 --> 00:11:39,200 Speaker 1: tight end, and a little bit of the defense. So 275 00:11:39,240 --> 00:11:41,520 Speaker 1: I'm gonna put the same question on you when you 276 00:11:41,559 --> 00:11:43,319 Speaker 1: look at this roster right now, Arch, I know you've 277 00:11:43,320 --> 00:11:45,000 Speaker 1: been chomping at the bit to get in here. Where 278 00:11:45,000 --> 00:11:47,840 Speaker 1: do you see the strength of this current team? Well, 279 00:11:47,840 --> 00:11:51,560 Speaker 1: the strength to me on the defensive side of the the linebackers. 280 00:11:51,559 --> 00:11:55,560 Speaker 1: The linebackers are the strongest room that if you want 281 00:11:55,559 --> 00:11:57,559 Speaker 1: to throw another room, and I think I think that 282 00:11:57,760 --> 00:12:00,320 Speaker 1: the safety's in the corners player in the same room. 283 00:12:00,679 --> 00:12:03,520 Speaker 1: But if there was a separation, I think you're locked 284 00:12:03,559 --> 00:12:05,679 Speaker 1: and loaded at safety as well. I think I think 285 00:12:05,760 --> 00:12:09,400 Speaker 1: Jalen Hawkins and Richie Grant they're the future of the 286 00:12:09,440 --> 00:12:12,719 Speaker 1: safety position in this team, and they that future might 287 00:12:12,800 --> 00:12:14,959 Speaker 1: be sooner rather than later. Even though you went and 288 00:12:15,040 --> 00:12:17,360 Speaker 1: got a couple of veteran guys, I think you're gonna 289 00:12:17,360 --> 00:12:19,640 Speaker 1: see those guys on the field a ton because they're versatile, 290 00:12:19,840 --> 00:12:23,120 Speaker 1: they can cover, they can tackle, they play special teams. 291 00:12:23,120 --> 00:12:26,120 Speaker 1: I mean every special team's tackle in preseason was Richie 292 00:12:26,120 --> 00:12:29,120 Speaker 1: grand or Jalen Hawkins was unbelievable. So they're going to 293 00:12:29,200 --> 00:12:31,200 Speaker 1: contribute in a myriad of ways. So I think the 294 00:12:31,280 --> 00:12:34,320 Speaker 1: strength I'm a little worried at the corner. I'm not 295 00:12:34,320 --> 00:12:36,600 Speaker 1: gonna worry. I'm not gonna kid you guys. I'm worried 296 00:12:36,600 --> 00:12:39,480 Speaker 1: about a j Terrell. I think solid. I think Capabian 297 00:12:39,559 --> 00:12:41,560 Speaker 1: Row has a chance to be a decent player there. 298 00:12:41,679 --> 00:12:44,040 Speaker 1: I think Isaiah Oliver's settled in at that nickel spot. 299 00:12:44,920 --> 00:12:46,600 Speaker 1: But I don't know about the rest of I mean, 300 00:12:46,600 --> 00:12:49,160 Speaker 1: you're gonna have to play more than than three corners 301 00:12:49,240 --> 00:12:51,520 Speaker 1: during the season, and I'm not sure, and there's gonna 302 00:12:51,520 --> 00:12:54,560 Speaker 1: be some developmental process to all of that. I love 303 00:12:54,559 --> 00:12:57,400 Speaker 1: the safeties, love the linebackers. Tight end. You gotta love 304 00:12:57,440 --> 00:13:00,160 Speaker 1: the tight end situation as well. And don't forget now, 305 00:13:00,160 --> 00:13:01,600 Speaker 1: a lot of people are talking about, well, who's the 306 00:13:01,600 --> 00:13:04,160 Speaker 1: third wide receiver, who's gonna be that other guy to 307 00:13:04,240 --> 00:13:07,920 Speaker 1: make plays with Russell Gage and Ridley. Don't forget now, 308 00:13:08,000 --> 00:13:11,040 Speaker 1: the big dude that the Shock was talking about, six 309 00:13:11,080 --> 00:13:14,559 Speaker 1: foot six, two hundred and fifty five pounds, that runs 310 00:13:14,600 --> 00:13:18,120 Speaker 1: four to four. He's gonna slide outside and he's gonna 311 00:13:18,120 --> 00:13:22,160 Speaker 1: play wide receiver. And Hayden Hurst is still your tight end. 312 00:13:22,480 --> 00:13:24,839 Speaker 1: So you're gonna be able to put and remember when 313 00:13:24,880 --> 00:13:26,880 Speaker 1: you do that and Rack, you can tell us you 314 00:13:26,960 --> 00:13:29,240 Speaker 1: got two tight ends on the field. More often than 315 00:13:29,360 --> 00:13:32,840 Speaker 1: if I'm a defense I'm staying base package. So is 316 00:13:32,840 --> 00:13:35,240 Speaker 1: that a corner gonna play him? Is that means who's 317 00:13:35,280 --> 00:13:37,480 Speaker 1: playing the guy in a slot? Who's playing on Ridley 318 00:13:37,480 --> 00:13:40,000 Speaker 1: in the slot. So you can create some matchup issues. 319 00:13:40,080 --> 00:13:42,839 Speaker 1: I'm excited about that part of it. There's no questions. 320 00:13:43,040 --> 00:13:45,640 Speaker 1: There's some question marks, and we knew that, and they're 321 00:13:45,679 --> 00:13:47,760 Speaker 1: probably not done, Rack, and I know we may talk 322 00:13:47,760 --> 00:13:50,440 Speaker 1: about that here in a few minutes. There's still gonna 323 00:13:50,480 --> 00:13:53,160 Speaker 1: be some guys available out there. And you said it, Rack, 324 00:13:53,240 --> 00:13:56,480 Speaker 1: that fifty third, fifty second, fifty first guy on the 325 00:13:57,000 --> 00:14:00,240 Speaker 1: don't get comfortable because that's one of those scenarios that 326 00:14:00,600 --> 00:14:02,400 Speaker 1: there may be some other guys slowed around there. That's 327 00:14:02,400 --> 00:14:05,400 Speaker 1: just the real part about it. Yeah, And that's the 328 00:14:05,800 --> 00:14:07,839 Speaker 1: nature of the Beast is there might be some guys 329 00:14:07,840 --> 00:14:10,959 Speaker 1: that got released today from other teams that the Falcons 330 00:14:11,360 --> 00:14:13,960 Speaker 1: feel like could help make their roster better. And so 331 00:14:14,120 --> 00:14:17,040 Speaker 1: that fifty third fifty second player might end up getting 332 00:14:17,080 --> 00:14:19,200 Speaker 1: released in the next twenty four to forty eight hours 333 00:14:19,280 --> 00:14:22,480 Speaker 1: in favor of somebody else across the league that they 334 00:14:22,520 --> 00:14:24,560 Speaker 1: feel is going to make them a better team, maybe 335 00:14:24,560 --> 00:14:27,080 Speaker 1: a more complete team. So Dave I'm gonna come right 336 00:14:27,120 --> 00:14:29,360 Speaker 1: back to you. We talked a little bit about the strengths, 337 00:14:29,440 --> 00:14:31,560 Speaker 1: but to be honest, I think and this is what 338 00:14:31,600 --> 00:14:33,760 Speaker 1: coaches do, this is what players have to do. They 339 00:14:33,800 --> 00:14:35,680 Speaker 1: have to look at the weaknesses and how can we 340 00:14:35,720 --> 00:14:38,520 Speaker 1: make a weakness of strength or how can we cover 341 00:14:38,680 --> 00:14:41,200 Speaker 1: up a weakness. So, Dave, you already talked about the 342 00:14:41,240 --> 00:14:43,280 Speaker 1: corner or position. I know you feel like that is 343 00:14:43,280 --> 00:14:45,680 Speaker 1: a weakness on the team. Is there anything else you 344 00:14:45,760 --> 00:14:48,680 Speaker 1: expand there or is there another position, group or element 345 00:14:48,760 --> 00:14:52,000 Speaker 1: to this roster that you feel like initially is a 346 00:14:52,000 --> 00:14:54,480 Speaker 1: weakness for Atlanta? Well, I think that the first thing 347 00:14:54,480 --> 00:14:56,680 Speaker 1: that jumps out is how quickly does the offensive line 348 00:14:56,720 --> 00:14:59,640 Speaker 1: come together? I mean, the only this team has been 349 00:14:59,720 --> 00:15:03,040 Speaker 1: base on offensive football. For the last several years since 350 00:15:03,040 --> 00:15:05,960 Speaker 1: Matt Ryan's been here, it's been an offensive football team. 351 00:15:06,160 --> 00:15:08,440 Speaker 1: We can count one season where Atlanta has had a 352 00:15:08,480 --> 00:15:10,360 Speaker 1: top ten defense here in Atlanta, and that was in 353 00:15:10,400 --> 00:15:13,960 Speaker 1: twenty seventeen. Okay, they've never had so Matt Ryan has 354 00:15:14,000 --> 00:15:17,480 Speaker 1: been the guy that had to go score points. Can 355 00:15:17,560 --> 00:15:20,040 Speaker 1: they go do that? Can they still go score points? 356 00:15:20,080 --> 00:15:22,200 Speaker 1: I think that's that's something and the only way you're 357 00:15:22,200 --> 00:15:23,840 Speaker 1: gonna be able to do that is to be able 358 00:15:23,840 --> 00:15:27,320 Speaker 1: to have solid offensive line play. Matt Ryan's been sacked 359 00:15:27,320 --> 00:15:29,520 Speaker 1: in the neighborhood of a one hundred and twenty times 360 00:15:29,520 --> 00:15:32,280 Speaker 1: the last three seasons combined. You've got to find a 361 00:15:32,280 --> 00:15:34,280 Speaker 1: way to keep him off of the ground because I 362 00:15:34,320 --> 00:15:37,720 Speaker 1: don't know if you've checked. The backup quarterback situation is interesting. 363 00:15:37,880 --> 00:15:39,960 Speaker 1: Josh Rosen looked pretty good the other night in his 364 00:15:40,040 --> 00:15:43,560 Speaker 1: opportunity Felipe Franks. I think he's got an unbelievable talent, 365 00:15:43,640 --> 00:15:47,200 Speaker 1: but he's nowhere narrated to play in the National Football League. 366 00:15:47,680 --> 00:15:49,640 Speaker 1: You got to keep number two on the field, and 367 00:15:49,720 --> 00:15:51,600 Speaker 1: that's always been the case, but it might even be 368 00:15:51,680 --> 00:15:54,760 Speaker 1: more paramount this year that offensive line. To me, the 369 00:15:54,800 --> 00:15:57,880 Speaker 1: corner spot and then have you figured out what you 370 00:15:57,920 --> 00:15:59,480 Speaker 1: want to do left guard? It looks like it's Josh 371 00:15:59,480 --> 00:16:02,440 Speaker 1: Andrews start the season there. Jalen Mayfield has had some 372 00:16:02,560 --> 00:16:04,920 Speaker 1: moments that have been kind of back and forth a 373 00:16:04,920 --> 00:16:08,480 Speaker 1: little bit, so to me, that has to be solidified 374 00:16:08,520 --> 00:16:10,600 Speaker 1: because you've got to be able to go score some points. 375 00:16:11,840 --> 00:16:15,360 Speaker 1: DJ there are any weaknesses that you feel are different 376 00:16:15,400 --> 00:16:17,880 Speaker 1: than arch or would you back up anything that you've 377 00:16:17,880 --> 00:16:20,640 Speaker 1: heard him say? So far. No, I love the fact 378 00:16:20,640 --> 00:16:24,040 Speaker 1: because offensive line is probably the biggest storyline that we've 379 00:16:24,040 --> 00:16:25,920 Speaker 1: talked about for the last three four years, and Art 380 00:16:26,040 --> 00:16:28,520 Speaker 1: mentioned the number of times mass been hit and obviously 381 00:16:28,600 --> 00:16:31,800 Speaker 1: keeping the franchise guy up and healthy, and when he is, 382 00:16:31,840 --> 00:16:34,360 Speaker 1: we know exactly what his offense can look like. So 383 00:16:34,440 --> 00:16:37,680 Speaker 1: I totally agree with ours talks about there. The one 384 00:16:37,720 --> 00:16:41,840 Speaker 1: thing that you know, don't I don't mind bringing up 385 00:16:41,960 --> 00:16:45,120 Speaker 1: is the running back spot. We know Mike Davis, Cordell 386 00:16:45,160 --> 00:16:47,600 Speaker 1: Patterson has always been kind of a guy who teams 387 00:16:47,600 --> 00:16:49,840 Speaker 1: have used in the gadgets, you know space. I mean, 388 00:16:49,880 --> 00:16:51,720 Speaker 1: we've seen him on reverses, We've seen him coming there, 389 00:16:51,800 --> 00:16:55,240 Speaker 1: have two or three carries. How much does Cordell actually 390 00:16:55,240 --> 00:16:57,680 Speaker 1: carry the football? How much do we give Mike Davids 391 00:16:57,720 --> 00:16:59,640 Speaker 1: the opportunity to have that lotus he come in here 392 00:16:59,640 --> 00:17:01,760 Speaker 1: and have three hundred carries like we had when Mike 393 00:17:01,800 --> 00:17:03,400 Speaker 1: Turnal first got here. I mean, is he gonna be 394 00:17:03,440 --> 00:17:06,280 Speaker 1: that guy for you? Because we understand and this Arthur 395 00:17:06,280 --> 00:17:09,920 Speaker 1: Smith style of offense, the play action game is critical. 396 00:17:10,080 --> 00:17:11,920 Speaker 1: We know you have to be able to run the football. 397 00:17:12,280 --> 00:17:14,320 Speaker 1: And if Mike Davis is a guy who comes in 398 00:17:14,359 --> 00:17:16,720 Speaker 1: and he plays that role and does it well, then okay, 399 00:17:16,720 --> 00:17:19,080 Speaker 1: everything's great. But what if there comes a time where 400 00:17:19,119 --> 00:17:21,359 Speaker 1: Mike Davis is dinged up a little bit and now 401 00:17:21,480 --> 00:17:24,240 Speaker 1: it's Quadreallis and your guy. We've seen him sparingly through 402 00:17:24,560 --> 00:17:27,119 Speaker 1: the last few years. Can't he handle that load? And 403 00:17:27,160 --> 00:17:28,720 Speaker 1: I think a lot of people are respecting him to 404 00:17:28,720 --> 00:17:31,600 Speaker 1: be that guy. But time will only tell us. So 405 00:17:31,880 --> 00:17:34,600 Speaker 1: if that running back position comes in and fulfills the 406 00:17:34,720 --> 00:17:37,600 Speaker 1: void and plays to the level that Arthur Smith needs 407 00:17:37,600 --> 00:17:40,080 Speaker 1: in this offense, then hey, we have a prositive. We 408 00:17:40,119 --> 00:17:42,840 Speaker 1: have a positive. But if it doesn't, here's a glaring 409 00:17:42,920 --> 00:17:45,440 Speaker 1: weakness right at the gate. Where here we go again, 410 00:17:45,520 --> 00:17:48,080 Speaker 1: where we're a team that depends on Matt Ryan to 411 00:17:48,080 --> 00:17:49,800 Speaker 1: throw the football forty times the game, and I don't 412 00:17:49,840 --> 00:17:53,879 Speaker 1: think that's what this offense wants to be. Well, And 413 00:17:54,480 --> 00:17:56,560 Speaker 1: I know guys were chomping at the bit to really 414 00:17:56,600 --> 00:17:59,040 Speaker 1: get into x's and o's and talk about football, because 415 00:17:59,080 --> 00:18:01,440 Speaker 1: as soon as you guys start talking about offensive line, 416 00:18:01,720 --> 00:18:04,120 Speaker 1: it makes me want to start talking about the actual game. 417 00:18:04,160 --> 00:18:07,640 Speaker 1: And I'm trying to keep this as a roster announcement 418 00:18:07,680 --> 00:18:11,320 Speaker 1: episode here, but you guys both pointed to like balance, 419 00:18:11,560 --> 00:18:13,960 Speaker 1: and you pointed to offensive line, and trust me, those 420 00:18:14,000 --> 00:18:17,320 Speaker 1: offensive lineman, these coaches coming onto this staff, they know 421 00:18:17,440 --> 00:18:19,800 Speaker 1: the numbers, they know how much Matt Ryan has been 422 00:18:19,880 --> 00:18:22,640 Speaker 1: under pressure, and if they're gonna be able to execute 423 00:18:22,720 --> 00:18:25,200 Speaker 1: Arthur Smith's style of offense, they've got to have balance, 424 00:18:25,320 --> 00:18:27,760 Speaker 1: which starts on the offensive line. So all those guys 425 00:18:27,760 --> 00:18:29,800 Speaker 1: have got to accept the challenge. They've got a work 426 00:18:29,880 --> 00:18:32,240 Speaker 1: hard they've got a coach harder, and they've got to 427 00:18:32,320 --> 00:18:35,440 Speaker 1: execute once they start playing regular season games against Philadelphia. 428 00:18:35,480 --> 00:18:37,760 Speaker 1: Once that comes around, go ahead, DJ. And one thing 429 00:18:37,800 --> 00:18:40,080 Speaker 1: to add to it that I think is a strength, 430 00:18:40,119 --> 00:18:42,560 Speaker 1: and we talked about offensive line so much, but there's 431 00:18:42,560 --> 00:18:44,240 Speaker 1: so many guys I think on his roster arts that 432 00:18:44,400 --> 00:18:47,399 Speaker 1: you could I think you'll agree is there are a 433 00:18:47,440 --> 00:18:49,880 Speaker 1: lot of guys who are versatile. They can play multiple roles, 434 00:18:49,920 --> 00:18:52,479 Speaker 1: can do multiple things. We saw in the preseason we 435 00:18:52,520 --> 00:18:55,880 Speaker 1: saw Jayleen Mayfield play guard for a half, go out 436 00:18:55,880 --> 00:18:58,920 Speaker 1: and play tackle. You've seen Dolman play center and see 437 00:18:58,960 --> 00:19:00,600 Speaker 1: him play guard. There are a lot of things that 438 00:19:00,680 --> 00:19:03,160 Speaker 1: on this offensive line as well as in the secondary, 439 00:19:03,200 --> 00:19:06,280 Speaker 1: where guys can play multiple spots. That brings the versatility 440 00:19:06,280 --> 00:19:08,160 Speaker 1: part into it. That's gonna help this team as well. 441 00:19:08,240 --> 00:19:11,199 Speaker 1: So if that's the case going forward, you like that 442 00:19:11,280 --> 00:19:13,200 Speaker 1: idea of having guys who can do multiple things because 443 00:19:13,240 --> 00:19:16,280 Speaker 1: that helps you. But we'll see if that's really something 444 00:19:16,280 --> 00:19:18,240 Speaker 1: that can help you. Yeah, I think that you make 445 00:19:18,280 --> 00:19:20,879 Speaker 1: a good point. Shock, But for me as a fan, 446 00:19:22,119 --> 00:19:24,880 Speaker 1: jack of all trades is great, master of none, I'm 447 00:19:24,920 --> 00:19:26,840 Speaker 1: not looking for that at all. I want guys that 448 00:19:26,880 --> 00:19:29,960 Speaker 1: are gonna lock down positions, right, So I love the 449 00:19:30,000 --> 00:19:31,800 Speaker 1: fact that you got guys a versatile. One of the 450 00:19:31,800 --> 00:19:34,560 Speaker 1: guys they kept in the secondary, t J. Green played 451 00:19:34,600 --> 00:19:37,040 Speaker 1: safety in college, played safety the first two weeks in camp. 452 00:19:37,160 --> 00:19:39,680 Speaker 1: They moved him to corner and he showed really well 453 00:19:39,720 --> 00:19:41,919 Speaker 1: in the game this last weekend, made two plays on 454 00:19:41,960 --> 00:19:44,520 Speaker 1: faded route. He's six foot three, two hundred and twenty 455 00:19:44,520 --> 00:19:48,000 Speaker 1: five pounds playing corner. Yeah, but he also has a versatility. 456 00:19:48,000 --> 00:19:50,080 Speaker 1: If you get dinged up, he could slide inside and 457 00:19:50,080 --> 00:19:51,960 Speaker 1: play safety. And oh, by the way, he's gonna be 458 00:19:51,960 --> 00:19:54,200 Speaker 1: all your all your special teams. I like an athlete 459 00:19:54,240 --> 00:19:55,879 Speaker 1: at six three, two twenty it can run up and 460 00:19:55,920 --> 00:19:58,720 Speaker 1: down the field. So that versatility I love that. But 461 00:19:58,840 --> 00:20:01,960 Speaker 1: he's in a support w role. Yeah, I don't need debt. 462 00:20:02,080 --> 00:20:04,400 Speaker 1: What I got a starter. I want a guy that's 463 00:20:04,440 --> 00:20:08,480 Speaker 1: locked that position down. That's what I'm looking for, all right, guys. 464 00:20:08,480 --> 00:20:11,000 Speaker 1: So we've talked a lot about different positions and groups, 465 00:20:11,000 --> 00:20:13,080 Speaker 1: strengths and weaknesses, and I just want to pose this 466 00:20:13,200 --> 00:20:15,400 Speaker 1: question back to you and have you, guys answered arch 467 00:20:15,400 --> 00:20:18,080 Speaker 1: I'm going to start back with you, is the Falcons 468 00:20:18,160 --> 00:20:22,040 Speaker 1: will win in twenty twenty one if dot dot dot. 469 00:20:22,080 --> 00:20:24,040 Speaker 1: And I'm just gonna let you go with wherever you 470 00:20:24,040 --> 00:20:26,640 Speaker 1: want on this one, but know that we're basically talking 471 00:20:26,640 --> 00:20:28,840 Speaker 1: about a roster here, but they're gonna win in twenty 472 00:20:28,920 --> 00:20:33,760 Speaker 1: twenty one if. Wow, that's It's a really interesting question. 473 00:20:33,800 --> 00:20:35,439 Speaker 1: And you could go a lot of different ways with you, 474 00:20:35,480 --> 00:20:37,520 Speaker 1: couldn't you. I'm gonna try to stay true to what 475 00:20:37,560 --> 00:20:39,720 Speaker 1: I've been talking about here. I think P's and the 476 00:20:39,760 --> 00:20:41,920 Speaker 1: defensive side are going to create some issues. I think 477 00:20:41,920 --> 00:20:44,640 Speaker 1: they're also gonna have some issues, but time to time 478 00:20:44,880 --> 00:20:47,440 Speaker 1: trying to fit a lot of the concepts. I'm gonna 479 00:20:47,480 --> 00:20:50,159 Speaker 1: go directly back to if you can run it with 480 00:20:50,200 --> 00:20:53,119 Speaker 1: some systs like Shock was talking about, and it's the backs, 481 00:20:53,160 --> 00:20:55,520 Speaker 1: but it's the offensive line. If you can create a 482 00:20:55,600 --> 00:20:57,359 Speaker 1: line of scrimmage on the other team side of the 483 00:20:57,359 --> 00:21:00,560 Speaker 1: line of scrimmage more often than not. I'm talking about 484 00:21:00,600 --> 00:21:03,160 Speaker 1: seventy sixty five seventy percent of the time I'm winning 485 00:21:03,200 --> 00:21:05,000 Speaker 1: the line of scrimmage. Because you're not gonna win it 486 00:21:05,040 --> 00:21:08,080 Speaker 1: every time, doesn't happen. But if you can product, you 487 00:21:08,119 --> 00:21:11,639 Speaker 1: can dictate up front and be able to get the 488 00:21:11,680 --> 00:21:15,920 Speaker 1: play caller Arthur Smith in second and six, third and four, 489 00:21:16,160 --> 00:21:19,240 Speaker 1: third and three, and you live in that zone, then 490 00:21:19,280 --> 00:21:21,680 Speaker 1: I think Atlanta could be a playoff team. But if 491 00:21:21,680 --> 00:21:25,040 Speaker 1: they don't do that, now all of a sudden, Ryan's 492 00:21:25,080 --> 00:21:27,600 Speaker 1: having to drop you mentioned forty plus times a game. 493 00:21:29,000 --> 00:21:30,560 Speaker 1: Is he going to be able to make enough plays? 494 00:21:30,640 --> 00:21:32,280 Speaker 1: And then you put a lot of stress on not 495 00:21:32,440 --> 00:21:35,240 Speaker 1: converting on third down, and if you don't win the 496 00:21:35,280 --> 00:21:38,920 Speaker 1: third down battle rack you guys know. Now my defense 497 00:21:39,000 --> 00:21:41,240 Speaker 1: is back on the field, and I give one of 498 00:21:41,240 --> 00:21:43,440 Speaker 1: these talented offenses that I'm gonna see, I'm gonna get 499 00:21:43,440 --> 00:21:45,560 Speaker 1: Tom Brady in week two. I'm gonna give him two 500 00:21:45,640 --> 00:21:48,400 Speaker 1: or more, two or three more series against my defense. 501 00:21:48,520 --> 00:21:50,240 Speaker 1: I'd prefer not to do that. I want to be 502 00:21:50,240 --> 00:21:53,760 Speaker 1: able to control the football, control the line of scrimmage. Yeah, 503 00:21:53,840 --> 00:21:56,600 Speaker 1: staying on schedule sounds like what I'm reading in between 504 00:21:56,640 --> 00:21:58,119 Speaker 1: the lines in their arch. And again, a lot of 505 00:21:58,119 --> 00:22:01,640 Speaker 1: that goes back to the offensive. Maybe the Falcons don't 506 00:22:01,640 --> 00:22:04,120 Speaker 1: have a Derrick Henry. We don't know until the season starts, 507 00:22:04,440 --> 00:22:06,600 Speaker 1: but I know that Derrick Henry also had an offensive 508 00:22:06,600 --> 00:22:09,359 Speaker 1: line in front of him that helped him have so 509 00:22:09,440 --> 00:22:13,120 Speaker 1: much success and keep that Tennessee Titans offense on schedule 510 00:22:13,160 --> 00:22:15,760 Speaker 1: with the chains and leaving Arthur Smith as a play 511 00:22:15,760 --> 00:22:18,800 Speaker 1: caller in some very favorable situation. So, DJ, same question 512 00:22:18,840 --> 00:22:22,960 Speaker 1: to you. The Falcons win in twenty twenty one, it right. 513 00:22:23,800 --> 00:22:26,960 Speaker 1: I got two things, and the first part of it 514 00:22:27,040 --> 00:22:31,560 Speaker 1: is it deals with developing our young talent, and I 515 00:22:31,560 --> 00:22:34,560 Speaker 1: think about young talent comes along sooner than we expect. 516 00:22:34,640 --> 00:22:37,520 Speaker 1: Art mentioned earlier about the Richie Grant and Jalen Hawkins. 517 00:22:37,520 --> 00:22:39,919 Speaker 1: Those guys coming on and being some roles on the 518 00:22:39,960 --> 00:22:42,840 Speaker 1: defense that we can use and not be a disadvantage 519 00:22:43,000 --> 00:22:45,480 Speaker 1: when they're on the field, be guys that people go after. 520 00:22:45,720 --> 00:22:47,800 Speaker 1: Those guys can develop early, even on both sides of 521 00:22:47,840 --> 00:22:50,000 Speaker 1: the ball. If you can get something from your third 522 00:22:50,080 --> 00:22:53,280 Speaker 1: or fourth receiver, whether it's Oz or whether it's Christian Blake. 523 00:22:53,359 --> 00:22:55,400 Speaker 1: Some of those guys appear in these ball games where 524 00:22:55,400 --> 00:22:57,000 Speaker 1: you go get a lot of one on one matchups. 525 00:22:57,119 --> 00:22:59,240 Speaker 1: If you can win those, you got a chance to 526 00:22:59,280 --> 00:23:01,080 Speaker 1: be good because you know your stars are gonna come 527 00:23:01,119 --> 00:23:02,760 Speaker 1: up and play. You know they're gonna show up and play. 528 00:23:02,880 --> 00:23:05,119 Speaker 1: But some of these younger guys in these other roles 529 00:23:05,440 --> 00:23:07,800 Speaker 1: show up and be some contributors. I think you got 530 00:23:07,840 --> 00:23:10,320 Speaker 1: a chance to do a really do some really good things. 531 00:23:10,359 --> 00:23:12,919 Speaker 1: The second part of it is it's your phase that 532 00:23:13,040 --> 00:23:16,160 Speaker 1: you love rack is that third phase that people forget about. 533 00:23:16,320 --> 00:23:18,520 Speaker 1: It's special team. If you can get something out of 534 00:23:18,560 --> 00:23:21,920 Speaker 1: your special team, if you can get some positive yards 535 00:23:21,960 --> 00:23:24,160 Speaker 1: in the return game, if you can do some really 536 00:23:24,160 --> 00:23:27,120 Speaker 1: good things pinning guys deep when you're punning the football 537 00:23:27,240 --> 00:23:29,520 Speaker 1: and you got to make the team go eighty ninety 538 00:23:29,600 --> 00:23:32,400 Speaker 1: yards to score touchdowns. If you can be efficient in 539 00:23:32,400 --> 00:23:35,119 Speaker 1: that third phase and not give up things in that 540 00:23:35,200 --> 00:23:37,359 Speaker 1: third phase, I think you got a really good chance 541 00:23:37,520 --> 00:23:39,880 Speaker 1: of doing some good things. So those are two things 542 00:23:39,880 --> 00:23:41,879 Speaker 1: that I think about when I say, Okay, can this 543 00:23:42,000 --> 00:23:45,520 Speaker 1: team be a little bit better than what people are expecting. 544 00:23:45,600 --> 00:23:51,119 Speaker 1: It's young secondary young talent become better sooner rather than later. 545 00:23:51,200 --> 00:23:54,440 Speaker 1: And then you get something really significant from that third 546 00:23:54,440 --> 00:23:56,720 Speaker 1: phase of the game where it's contributing to you and 547 00:23:56,760 --> 00:23:59,520 Speaker 1: not hurting you. Such a great point rack when you 548 00:23:59,520 --> 00:24:02,600 Speaker 1: start talking about the special teams, because you can cover 549 00:24:02,720 --> 00:24:04,119 Speaker 1: up a lot of warts if you can make it 550 00:24:04,200 --> 00:24:06,320 Speaker 1: plays on special teams. Right, if I can get a 551 00:24:06,359 --> 00:24:08,600 Speaker 1: first down or two on a kick return, meaning I 552 00:24:08,680 --> 00:24:11,639 Speaker 1: get a ten or twelve, fifteen twenty yard return, can 553 00:24:11,720 --> 00:24:15,119 Speaker 1: I create uh negative plays on the kick kick coverage 554 00:24:15,200 --> 00:24:17,600 Speaker 1: units where I tackle like I inside the twenty yard line. 555 00:24:17,640 --> 00:24:19,560 Speaker 1: That was something that you guys did such a great 556 00:24:19,640 --> 00:24:23,520 Speaker 1: job of and special teams. Get ready, Now, Avery Williams, 557 00:24:23,520 --> 00:24:25,920 Speaker 1: who's gonna handle the kicks? He had nine kick returns 558 00:24:25,920 --> 00:24:29,120 Speaker 1: for touchdowns in college. He shows a knack for it. 559 00:24:29,560 --> 00:24:31,359 Speaker 1: I've got to go back to one of your guys 560 00:24:31,359 --> 00:24:33,679 Speaker 1: back in, Alan Rossum, who had a little bit of 561 00:24:33,680 --> 00:24:36,320 Speaker 1: a swagger about him back there, and you you could 562 00:24:36,359 --> 00:24:38,440 Speaker 1: see he was froth at the mouth. Kick the ball 563 00:24:38,480 --> 00:24:42,520 Speaker 1: to me. That's what I see from Avery Williams. He's 564 00:24:42,560 --> 00:24:44,800 Speaker 1: got a knack for making some stuff happen. Get Ready, 565 00:24:44,840 --> 00:24:47,800 Speaker 1: it's gonna happen, Falcon fans, this kid's gonna take one back. Yeah, 566 00:24:48,480 --> 00:24:50,959 Speaker 1: or a couple. I love what you guys talked about. Um, 567 00:24:51,160 --> 00:24:53,919 Speaker 1: you know, DJ, I've loved you regardless, but now that 568 00:24:54,040 --> 00:25:03,359 Speaker 1: you talked about just one another place, no doubt. All right, guys, 569 00:25:03,400 --> 00:25:05,600 Speaker 1: Before we wrap up this podcast, I do want to 570 00:25:05,600 --> 00:25:08,960 Speaker 1: make one mention of some roster announcements from around the 571 00:25:09,000 --> 00:25:11,040 Speaker 1: league as they start to come out a little bit, 572 00:25:11,080 --> 00:25:13,640 Speaker 1: and there haven't been too many surprises. Maybe the biggest 573 00:25:13,640 --> 00:25:17,520 Speaker 1: one that probably hit everybody's smartphone earlier this morning was 574 00:25:17,600 --> 00:25:21,080 Speaker 1: the release of Cam Newton in New England. Maybe not 575 00:25:21,160 --> 00:25:23,879 Speaker 1: a surprise because of the draft pick of Mac Jones, 576 00:25:23,920 --> 00:25:26,040 Speaker 1: but DJ, let me just start with you. Is it 577 00:25:26,200 --> 00:25:28,560 Speaker 1: something that you saw coming with Cam Newton? Did you 578 00:25:28,640 --> 00:25:31,240 Speaker 1: see him in New England long term? Or was the 579 00:25:31,240 --> 00:25:33,480 Speaker 1: writing on the wall once Mac jones name was announced. 580 00:25:35,480 --> 00:25:37,679 Speaker 1: I'll be honest, I did not see this coming. I 581 00:25:37,720 --> 00:25:39,879 Speaker 1: would be lying if I sit here and say, yeah, 582 00:25:39,920 --> 00:25:41,840 Speaker 1: I thought Mac Jones be the guy that cut Cam 583 00:25:41,880 --> 00:25:44,160 Speaker 1: Newton and they'll move on. No. I thought Cam would 584 00:25:44,160 --> 00:25:46,800 Speaker 1: actually start the season just like everybody else. I thought 585 00:25:46,800 --> 00:25:48,560 Speaker 1: he would be a big part of what they do. 586 00:25:49,240 --> 00:25:51,159 Speaker 1: I thought he did really well in the preseason. I 587 00:25:51,160 --> 00:25:53,400 Speaker 1: thought he played, you know, better than he did last year. 588 00:25:53,400 --> 00:25:55,120 Speaker 1: I thought he got a whole off season to work 589 00:25:55,160 --> 00:25:58,240 Speaker 1: on what they like in that system, and I thought 590 00:25:58,600 --> 00:26:01,439 Speaker 1: he was moving in the right direction. Yeah, you drafted 591 00:26:01,440 --> 00:26:04,560 Speaker 1: a guy fifteen overall. Obviously they like him. But I 592 00:26:04,600 --> 00:26:07,639 Speaker 1: thought you did enough to hold him off. But obviously 593 00:26:07,760 --> 00:26:11,760 Speaker 1: not so. And the release of Cam Newton is something 594 00:26:11,800 --> 00:26:15,600 Speaker 1: that you didn't see coming, but you also can understand 595 00:26:15,640 --> 00:26:19,480 Speaker 1: it from a wide angle view of what they look 596 00:26:19,520 --> 00:26:21,679 Speaker 1: at and what they like in mac Jones and me 597 00:26:21,760 --> 00:26:24,040 Speaker 1: and Archers talking about this before we came on. And 598 00:26:24,080 --> 00:26:27,320 Speaker 1: there was three days last week where he missed practice. 599 00:26:27,960 --> 00:26:31,080 Speaker 1: In those three days they missed practice, I guarantee you 600 00:26:31,160 --> 00:26:34,280 Speaker 1: Mac Jones threw over three four hundred passes in that game. 601 00:26:34,560 --> 00:26:37,440 Speaker 1: And they obviously saw something that they like in those 602 00:26:37,480 --> 00:26:40,320 Speaker 1: three practices that said, Okay, this is what it would 603 00:26:40,359 --> 00:26:43,000 Speaker 1: look like if there was not a Cam Newton and 604 00:26:43,200 --> 00:26:47,120 Speaker 1: part of this process. And he came in ready, he 605 00:26:47,200 --> 00:26:49,119 Speaker 1: came in. I mean, this is a guy to you know, 606 00:26:49,160 --> 00:26:51,040 Speaker 1: graduated two and a half years. You know he's smart, 607 00:26:51,440 --> 00:26:54,080 Speaker 1: but he played well in the preseason. And the one 608 00:26:54,119 --> 00:26:57,639 Speaker 1: thing that I heard about Mac Jones is and for 609 00:26:57,760 --> 00:26:59,840 Speaker 1: a quarterback, this is this is rare, but this is 610 00:27:00,040 --> 00:27:03,120 Speaker 1: also something that if you can do this, it makes 611 00:27:03,119 --> 00:27:06,479 Speaker 1: you special. When he makes one error, he doesn't make 612 00:27:06,480 --> 00:27:09,000 Speaker 1: it again. And I know that's one thing that from 613 00:27:09,080 --> 00:27:11,679 Speaker 1: that position, you make more mistake, but you don't make 614 00:27:11,720 --> 00:27:13,840 Speaker 1: it again. You move on, you're able to grow. That's 615 00:27:13,840 --> 00:27:16,359 Speaker 1: a big part of the development process. And obviously they 616 00:27:16,400 --> 00:27:19,200 Speaker 1: saw enough in mac Jones to say that we don't 617 00:27:19,200 --> 00:27:20,840 Speaker 1: need Cam Newton on his team right now to be 618 00:27:20,880 --> 00:27:24,400 Speaker 1: our guy. Same thing for you, artist, Do you feel 619 00:27:24,440 --> 00:27:26,480 Speaker 1: like New England's in good hands with make Jones? Well, 620 00:27:26,480 --> 00:27:28,920 Speaker 1: I think it's what they wanted to be at some point. 621 00:27:29,040 --> 00:27:31,199 Speaker 1: So when do you make that decision. I think that 622 00:27:31,280 --> 00:27:34,040 Speaker 1: there's some more underlying things going on here. I don't 623 00:27:34,080 --> 00:27:37,320 Speaker 1: necessarily think that that Cam and Bill Belichick were necessarily 624 00:27:37,320 --> 00:27:39,200 Speaker 1: on the same page based on some of the comments 625 00:27:39,200 --> 00:27:40,800 Speaker 1: that were coming out of there over the last week. 626 00:27:40,880 --> 00:27:43,399 Speaker 1: Missing some time in practice, there was a lot of 627 00:27:43,520 --> 00:27:46,119 Speaker 1: smoothing the water over, and if you're having to do that, 628 00:27:46,160 --> 00:27:49,639 Speaker 1: then there's an issue. Certainly, remember this too, and you 629 00:27:49,720 --> 00:27:52,960 Speaker 1: and I both played the position shock. There's a mentality 630 00:27:53,000 --> 00:27:56,880 Speaker 1: it takes to be a backup quarterback or a nurturer. Yeah, 631 00:27:57,000 --> 00:27:59,600 Speaker 1: and that's the role Cam Newton was in. Cam was 632 00:27:59,640 --> 00:28:02,359 Speaker 1: the star, harder we thought, but he was supposed to 633 00:28:02,400 --> 00:28:04,479 Speaker 1: be a nurture. He's gonna nurture this guy, bring this 634 00:28:04,480 --> 00:28:06,760 Speaker 1: guy along. He's not interested in doing any of that. 635 00:28:07,200 --> 00:28:10,320 Speaker 1: And it's not just Cam Newton. Brett Farve didn't want 636 00:28:10,320 --> 00:28:12,720 Speaker 1: to have anything to do with Aaron Rodgers either. Okay, 637 00:28:12,800 --> 00:28:16,560 Speaker 1: So there's certain guys that can go gracefully from being 638 00:28:16,600 --> 00:28:19,920 Speaker 1: the guy to now being the nurturer and the backup guy, 639 00:28:19,960 --> 00:28:22,399 Speaker 1: and there's some guys that can't. Cam thinks he's a 640 00:28:22,440 --> 00:28:24,439 Speaker 1: former MVP of this league and he still thinks he 641 00:28:24,440 --> 00:28:26,680 Speaker 1: can run the show. And that doesn't mean I'm gonna 642 00:28:26,720 --> 00:28:28,760 Speaker 1: rap marhim around the young guy and help bring him along. 643 00:28:28,800 --> 00:28:31,920 Speaker 1: And I think that's part of it. Yeah, I agree 644 00:28:31,960 --> 00:28:34,480 Speaker 1: with you, Arch. I mean, is it surprising I get 645 00:28:34,520 --> 00:28:36,639 Speaker 1: where you're going with it. Shock a little bit just 646 00:28:36,680 --> 00:28:39,000 Speaker 1: because you think maybe they would go one year with 647 00:28:39,080 --> 00:28:41,680 Speaker 1: Cam Newton to let Mac Jones get up to speed. 648 00:28:41,960 --> 00:28:44,400 Speaker 1: But when I think about personalities and I think about 649 00:28:44,400 --> 00:28:48,080 Speaker 1: the Patriots organization, I just didn't see that lasting very long. 650 00:28:48,240 --> 00:28:52,920 Speaker 1: All to me, personality does not fit into New New England, 651 00:28:53,080 --> 00:28:55,480 Speaker 1: and they just decided that it wasn't gonna be longer. Well, 652 00:28:56,400 --> 00:28:59,160 Speaker 1: when you're winning games, the dancing and all that kind 653 00:28:59,160 --> 00:29:03,320 Speaker 1: of stuff, that's it's okay, But well you're not effectives 654 00:29:03,440 --> 00:29:06,760 Speaker 1: to people can do it out. I know that. Yeah, 655 00:29:06,800 --> 00:29:10,480 Speaker 1: And as we know, there are some extremely large shoes 656 00:29:10,520 --> 00:29:13,040 Speaker 1: to fill at that position in New England. So we'll 657 00:29:13,080 --> 00:29:14,640 Speaker 1: see if mac Jones has got it in him. Only 658 00:29:14,680 --> 00:29:16,760 Speaker 1: time we'll tell, and we'll have a first glimpse of 659 00:29:16,800 --> 00:29:18,680 Speaker 1: that here in a couple of weeks. Guys, I think 660 00:29:18,680 --> 00:29:21,560 Speaker 1: that's gonna be our time. We're getting to the end here, 661 00:29:21,600 --> 00:29:23,920 Speaker 1: so I just wanted to to say it's great to 662 00:29:23,920 --> 00:29:32,480 Speaker 1: see y'all again. You know, we're trying to make it happen, 663 00:29:32,480 --> 00:29:34,600 Speaker 1: and it's gonna happen because I'm beginning to think this 664 00:29:34,680 --> 00:29:36,160 Speaker 1: is more of a Muppet show. I don't even know 665 00:29:36,200 --> 00:29:37,960 Speaker 1: if you're real or not anymore. Are you just a 666 00:29:38,040 --> 00:29:46,600 Speaker 1: guy the guy with work in the mouth and I'm real? Okay? Well, yeah, 667 00:29:46,640 --> 00:29:49,680 Speaker 1: all right, guys. I appreciate if the honesty, the insight, 668 00:29:50,120 --> 00:29:53,760 Speaker 1: the football knowledge, and it'd be fun if we can 669 00:29:53,800 --> 00:29:56,160 Speaker 1: go back in eight weeks, maybe twelve weeks and kind 670 00:29:56,160 --> 00:29:58,160 Speaker 1: of revisit some of the comments that we made here 671 00:29:58,200 --> 00:30:01,120 Speaker 1: to see if the Falcon Sees has been successful, if 672 00:30:01,120 --> 00:30:04,680 Speaker 1: it's some of the things that you guys outlined here today. 673 00:30:04,760 --> 00:30:07,120 Speaker 1: So that's gonna wrap it up for The Falcons Audible 674 00:30:07,120 --> 00:30:09,960 Speaker 1: presented by AT and T, a special edition of the 675 00:30:10,000 --> 00:30:12,640 Speaker 1: initial Falcons fifty three man roster. As we know, this 676 00:30:12,760 --> 00:30:15,520 Speaker 1: roster is gonna change over quite a few times throughout 677 00:30:15,560 --> 00:30:17,720 Speaker 1: the course of the season. I'm Derek Rackley, I'm with 678 00:30:17,800 --> 00:30:19,960 Speaker 1: Dave Archer and DJ Shockley. We're gonna sign off for now, 679 00:30:19,960 --> 00:30:22,600 Speaker 1: but we will be back very shortly, very soon for 680 00:30:22,640 --> 00:30:25,760 Speaker 1: another episode of The Falcons Audible presented by AT and T. 681 00:30:25,920 --> 00:30:29,880 Speaker 1: Thanks so much, ever, everybody, take care you're listening to 682 00:30:30,040 --> 00:30:33,440 Speaker 1: Falcons Audible presented by AT and T.