The Falcons are mixing things up at 2019 training camp. Over the next couple practices, they’ll be holding a scrimmage to simulate game situations better. They just finished the first of them in Flowery Branch.
Here are eight takeaways from today’s half-scrimmage.
1. Team Red vs. Team White
Just like last year, head coach Dan Quinn broke the team up into two: a red squad and a white squad.
This year, the white team will consist of Atlanta’s first-team offense, led by quarterback Matt Ryan and QBs coach Greg Knapp. Meanwhile, the red team has backup Matt Schaub at QB, plus the defensive starters and assistant Bob Sutton calling the shots.
2. WR Calvin Ridley, LB Duke RIley still out
Before we get to the scrimmage there’s a couple of injury notes to share.
Second-year wideout Calvin Ridley is still dealing with the hamstring issue that kept him out of practice yesterday. Coach Dan Quinn told reporters he is considered day to day with the injury.
Linebacker Duke Riley is also still out with his groin/hip flexor injury.
There was one injury at practice. This time it’s backup cornerback Taveze Calhoun, who had to be helped off the field by the medical staff.
Calhoun is pretty far down the depth chart at corner, but enough injuries even to minor role players can have a cumulative effect on the defense, as we learned last year.
Already, defensive end Steven Means (Achilles) and safety J.J. Wilcox (ACL) are out for the season. Defensive tackle Michael Bennett is also on IR with a broken ankle.
3. Kaleb McGary runs with second-team offense
First-round pick OT Kaleb McGary is pushing Ty Sambrailo for the starting right tackle job, according to Quinn. McGary was still with the backups today, though.
Sambrailo signed a three-year contract extension this spring. At the time Quinn said he’d be the starter.
However, that was before they picked McGary in the first round. If McGary can beat him out for the starting job, Samrailo will probably play swing tackle this year.
4. UDFA WR Olamide Zaccheaus made a great catch
Perhaps the most hyped member of Atlanta’s undrafted free agent class this year is former Virginia wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus. Watch him make a great sideline catch on a pass from Matt Schaub.
Atlanta’s roster is deeper at wide receiver than anyone else in the league. Making the team will be tough, but Zaccheaus is a good candidate both to make the practice squad and get picked up by another team soon after.
5. Ricardo Allen and Desmond Trufant picked off Matt Ryan
Here’s a welcome sign that the team’s starting free safety is getting back to his old self. On the first play for the white team, Ricardo Allen picked off a pass from Matt Ryan.
Cornerback Desmond Trufant also picked Ryan off on what appeared to be a miscommunication.
On the other side, rookie cornerback Jordan Miller made a few plays, including breaking up a deep ball for Zaccheaus.
Miller should be Trufant’s main backup on the left side.
6. Team red got out to an early lead
Turnovers often lead to touchdowns and that’s exactly what happened after Rico’s pick. Running back Brian Hill scored on a sharp pass from Schaub shortly after, giving team red a 10-0 lead.
By the middle of the second quarter, it was almost a blowout.
Fans shouldn’t read too much into this.
7. Austin Hooper got team white on the scoreboard
Team white fought back, though.
Austin Hooper scored his squad’s first points of the game on a touchdown pass from Ryan after running a nice corner route in the end zone.
Given the way offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter has used his tight ends in the past, Hooper could be in for a huge year.
8. RB Qadree Ollison impresses as a receiver
Rookie running back Qadree Ollison drew praise for his ability to catch the ball and make defenders miss.
Ollison is a big, powerful runner (6-foot-2, 225 pounds) but he did get some experience as a receiver in college. He caught 50 total passes and produced 375 yards and three touchdowns. For now, Ollison projects as the No. 3 running back on the depth chart. He might be Devonta Freeman’s eventual successor, though.
At halftime, team red leads team white 23-7.
The Falcons will finish the second half of the scrimmage tomorrow morning then get two days off to prepare for Thursday night’s Hall of Fame game against the Broncos.
