FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. – Desmond Trufant was drafted to be the Falcons' shutdown No. 1 cornerback and heading into his seventh year, he's more motivated than ever to prove it not only to the rest of the league, but to himself.
Trufant admits he needs to make more "game-changing" plays to be in the conversation surrounding who are the best cornerbacks in the league.
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In six seasons, Trufant has recorded 308 tackles, nine interceptions, seven fumble recoveries and three forced fumbles.
The former first-round pick isn't relying on anyone from the outside to give him motivation for the upcoming season.
He knows what's expected of him and is ready to quiet any doubt.
"I want to maximize my opportunity," Trufant said. "When the plays come to me, I want to make them. I want to lead, I want to lead by example. When I'm in position to make those big plays, I want to consistently make them. That's really the only thing that's set me apart from the other [defensive backs] in the league. I still feel like I'm one of the top tier guys out there but making those big, consistent, game-changing plays that's the only thing I haven't done. Once I do that, there's no stopping me."
At 28, Trufant is now the oldest and most-experienced player in the Falcons' secondary. He's grown as a leader and as player and now it's time to put it all together.
"If I make those game-changing plays, that's the only thing holding me out of those conversations," Trufant said.
