1. Ball-Hawking Mentality: During offseason press conferences, Falcons head coach Dan Quinn told reporters he likes players in his secondary who make plays by attacking the ball in the air. New Falcons cornerback Phillip Adams plays in such a way. Last season with the New York Jets, facing the San Diego Chargers, Adams intercepted a throw by Phillip Rivers, later describing his ball-hawking mentality.

"(Chargers WR Keenan Allen) he likes to go up for the ball," Adams said. "He is a ball-type receiver. He is aggressive when he gets up in the air. I had to snatch it from him, because he was going to grab it out of my hand."

2. Beating the Odds: Adams is among the many NFL players who entered the league as a seventh-round pick, selected by the San Francisco 49ers (224th overall) in the 2010 NFL Draft. The odds of making an NFL roster are difficult enough, perhaps more challenging for players selected so late in the draft. Not defined by draft position but instead by his resilient perseverance to remain in the league, Adams is ready to continue competing at a high level with the Falcons in 2015, his sixth team in the league.

3. Mastering Conflict: The NFL is sometimes referred to as "Not For Long" as players are unsure of how long each will be kept on any given roster. Adams has endured the reality of being cut by teams, including  in 2012, released by the Seattle Seahawks after training camp; he responded in strong fashion, shining for the Oakland Raiders. In two seasons (2012-13), including his best as a pro in 2012, he totaled 31 games, 45 tackles, six passes defensed and two interceptions.

4. College Effort: Adams stayed in his home state of South Carolina for college, playing 42 games in four years at South Carolina State. A 2009 first-team All-MEAC selection, Adams helped lead his team to a 10-2 record. He finished his senior season with 48 tackles and a team-high 11 passes defensed and led the team with five interceptions as a junior, also serving as a spot punt returner.

5. Pregame Playlist: NFL players are known for listening to their favorite music before each and every game, and Adams is no different. Early in 2014, playing for the Seattle Seahawks, he listed rap as his favorite music genre to listen to before the game begins.