Quote:Mike Smith pleased with play of Falcons rookies

By D. Orlando Ledbetter
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

FLOWERY BRANCH -- Before comfortably settling into their bye week, Falcons coach Mike Smith and his staff underwent a rigorous self-assessment of the team's first seven games.

On a young team, five of the team's 2010 draft choices have made contributions to the 5-2 record. Also, the top two picks from 2009 are seeing significant playing time after injuries cut their rookie season's short.

"Collectively, I think it's another strong class to backup what we did in ‘08 and ‘09," Smith said. "I think that bodes well for the rest of this season and moving forward."

In an exclusive interview with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Smith gave a bye-week update on the rookies and the two 2010 "honorary" rookies:

Sean Weatherspoon, linebacker

(First round, 19th)

Key stat: Seventh on the team with 32 tackles despite missing three games

Smith: "Sean has played very well for us. Unfortunately, he's had a couple of setbacks with injuries. When he's been out there, he's been everything that we anticipated that he would be. He's fast, he's urgent and he's explosive. That is what we are looking for in our linebackers, to be able to play in space and play in the box."

Corey Peters, defensive tackle

(Third round, 83rd)

Key stat: Has 18 tackles

Smith: "Corey has been in our rotation. He's averaging approximately 20 snaps a game. He has a very good understanding of leverage. ... He's learning the intricacies of playing defensive tackle in the NFL."

Mike Johnson, offensive guard

(Third round, 98th)

Key stat: He has been inactive for all seven games.

Smith: "He's a guy that's progressing very well in practice. He is being cross-trained to play multiple positions, and that is the important thing that we want to do with our young players, in practice situations is get them playing more than one position. He's one of our bigger offensive linemen."

Joe Hawley, center

(Fourth round, 117th)

Key stat: Has played on special teams in six games.

Smith: "We think this is a great learning situation for Joe to be behind Todd [McClure] at the center position and Harvey [Dahl] at the guard."

Dominique Franks, cornerback

(Fifth round, 135th)

Key stat: Has been active for three games and had an interception against Arizona.

Smith: "Dominique is a guy that has helped us on special teams through the first seven ballgames."

Kerry Meier, wide receiver

(Fifth round, 165th)

Key stat: Placed on injured reserve Aug. 20.

Smith: "He's getting a lot of classroom work. This is not a completely lost season for Kerry Meier. He is involved in our meetings. ... I believe that he's ahead of schedule. He's working very hard with [trainer] Marty [Lauzon] and his staff. "

Shann Schillinger, safety

(Sixth round, 171th)

Key stat: Leads the team with five special-teams tackles.

Smith: "Shann has been a core special-teams player. To have a guy that was drafted in that spot, to come in and contribute means that we are getting contributions throughout the draft class."

Peria Jerry, defensive tackle

(First round in 2009, 24th)

Key stat: Played a season-high 23 snaps against Cincinnati.

Smith: "He's a guy that is getting comfortable with the knee. He's been playing more in our pass-rush situations. He has one sack. He's been productive when he's been in there. To be 100 percent back from a major knee operation in less than 12 months is probably being overly optimistic, but he's been able to contribute to our rotation on our defensive line."

William Moore, safety

(Second round in 2009, 55th)

Key stat: Leads the team with three interceptions.

Smith: "He's been very productive against the run and the pass. He has the physical traits that we are looking for in a strong safety. He is a guy that will continue to get better with playing time."

(10-27-2010 11:07 PM)cnasty Wrote:  Our D has a lot of speed and plays super hard when everyone's healthy. We are so young and that's what excites me about it all. Outside of Mike P. and Abe who is over 30? You gotta love what the current regime has put together for future years.

(10-27-2010 11:12 PM)Joker Wrote:  Corey Peters has been a nice surprise..

(10-27-2010 11:37 PM)TonyGraziani Wrote:  Schill has to keep progressing and be our ST ace. Snelling and Beerman are both way more involved on their sides of the ball so we need a "star" STer to step it up.

(10-28-2010 08:58 AM)Birdbrain Wrote:  No love for Vance?He had a good game vs Cincy.