FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Bralen Trice didn't sink. He swam.
The Atlanta Falcons threw their rookie outside linebacker into the deep end when they assigned him reps with the first-team defense during the opening practice of training camp. Since then, there have been another five sessions in which Trice has received elevated chances, including two with full pads.
"I just got thrown out there," Trice said. "I don't like to mentally drop myself or put myself at a lower level. I'm ready, whether they throw me with the 1s or the 4s. No matter what, I'm going to give it my all."
So much so that when the Falcons were still in their reacclimation period last week, head coach Raheem Morris had to remind Trice to pump the breaks a little bit. Contact was still prohibited.
The introduction of pads for the fifth camp practice gave Trice the green light for physicality against everyone but the quarterbacks. That includes the first-team offensive line.
"It was a confidence booster, for sure," Trice said. "I got out there and was like, 'Man, they really believe I can do this and play to the level of this game with these guys out here that are all the 1s.' Just coming off the edge against Kaleb (McGary) or Jake (Matthews), it was like these dudes are top-notch tackles. It's fun to go against them. It's like iron sharpens iron."
The Falcons have shown multiple defensive packages, and Trice has been involved in a few. For example, Trice was opposite of fellow outside linebacker Lorenzo Carter, with defensive tackles Grady Jarrett and David Onyemata in between during one series on Wednesday. Another rotation saw Trice on the end of a line that featured Onyemata, Jarrett, Ta'Quon Graham and James Smith-Williams.
Out of all the rookies, Trice has received the most first-team opportunities.
"The best guy is going to get opportunities," Morris said. "Trice is no different as a young draft pick that's coming in here and taking everything as far as he can take it.
"You get a chance to watch Hux (senior defensive assistant Dave Huxtable) absolutely rip his face off and get him going. You get to watch the young man go out there early, hit bags, go through the steps, go through the footwork and really learn what we try to do and what the rules of engagement are."
The transition from collegiate to professional football is a massive adjustment. From the full-time necessities like getting treatment, eating properly and watching film, to the on-field upgrades such as a more detailed playbook and an all-around faster game, everything is more intense and intentional. It didn't take long for Trice to realize this.
And it took even less time for him to embrace the change and look to improve.
"My get-off could be a lot better," Trice said. "I've been working on my mental aspect of the game – seeing backfield sets, seeing formations, knowing what's coming. I already knew how to do that stuff. But at this level, there's a lot more pictures and a lot more stuff that go on."
Considering how Trice has continued to run with the starters, it's safe to say he's picking things up quick enough for others to take notice.
At least one teammate has.
"He is a natural pass rusher," fellow outside linebacker Arnold Ebiketie said. "As a rusher, it's always good to have those skill sets. The game is kind of natural to him. I think that's what kind of impressed me with him."
Trice had perhaps his biggest moment – so far – on Wednesday when he was credited with a sack against quarterback Michael Penix Jr. They were both with their respective second-team units at the time, so it may not be considered as standout as a first-team play. But it was a sack nonetheless. There were six sacks from the defense on the day, but Trice was the only rookie in the mix.
If expectations are high, it's because Trice is setting them as such.
"Right now, my main role is to be the rookie: learn everything I can and also give everything I can," Trice said. "I can settle for just being a rookie. But I can try to be as great as possible."
