The Falcons are shifting into a big evaluation stretch this week, with joint practices against the Indianapolis Colts set for Wednesday and Thursday after Friday night’s preseason game against Denver.
Head coach Kevin Stefanski said the work against Indianapolis should give Atlanta a full dose of the kind of reps camp is built around.
“A lot of situational football will get accomplished,” Stefanski said. “We’ll get a lot of reps for our starters.
A lot of football to get practiced. You get to do one-on-ones against players who you don’t have a book on.
For the football team, just to be exposed to different schemes I think will be important.”
One of the biggest personnel stories surrounding camp is the rise of Cameron Sample, the new defensive end and Shiloh High School product who is now expected to take on a bigger role in the pass rush. That opportunity comes after Jalon Walker was ruled out for the year and James Pearce Jr. was suspended for the Falcons’ first eight games.
Sample didn’t sound interested in easing into the moment.
“It’s kill or be killed,” Sample said. “Y’all will get to know me.
I’m a good personality guy and joke around a lot, but between the white lines it’s war. My approach to the game isn’t different.
I prepare to be the starter every week. That’s my mindset, I want to learn the playbook.
I want the team to be able to count on me 15 snaps or 65.”
Atlanta is also dealing with Pearce’s absence after he led the team in pass rushing last year. Stefanski said the team is staying aligned with the league’s process as the suspension plays out.
“I’m very comfortable in us sticking to the process, including what the league is doing in this case,” Stefanski said. “I’ll make sure we’re in total compliance with those types of things. James, for his part on this football team, has done everything that I’ve asked him to do, everything his coaches have asked him to do, and we’ll just continue to follow the protocols and everything that’s in place from the league.”
There’s still no rush to settle the quarterback picture, either. Stefanski said Michael Penix Jr. will remain limited to 7-on-7 work in Indianapolis, while Falcons starters are expected to handle most of the practice snaps without taking part in the joint practice game.
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