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Practice report: Running backs active in receiving game, young corners emerge

Arthur Smith working Mike Davis, Qadree Ollison into passing game, Chris Williamson, Darren Hall flash in secondary

Aug 01, 2021 at 04:39 PM

Scott Bair

Falcons Digital Managing Editor

Atlanta Falcons running back Mike Davis #28 and cornerback Fabian Moreau #22 during AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Headquarters in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Saturday July 31, 2021. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. – The football gets spread around in Arthur Smith's offensive system.

We've talked extensively about how the Falcons will use a strong tight-end group. Calvin Ridley, Russell Gage and separation-creating receivers will have opportunities aplenty.

So might the running backs, who were auditioning for receiving roles during Sunday's practice.

In other words, the skill players must learn to share.

We're still in the experimentation phases regarding some play calls and how they're executed, but those on hand saw the running backs get a workout. And it wasn't just Cordarrelle Patterson, a former receiver turned running back who is always dangerous in the flat or any other open space.

Mike Davis and Qadree Ollison were also frequent targets, as they have been in recent days. Davis is expected to be a featured back, and Ollison could earn a significant role with a strong summer.

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Smith has liked practice efforts from those two early on.

"It's clear that both guys are very smart players. That's obvious about both of them," Smith said. "They have pretty good hands, and we're trying to push to see what they can do. That's part of our job. We need to make sure they can (do. We're trying to test them and be aggressive.

"We want to try certain things and see if we can make certain throws. If you don't take those chances in practice, it will never happen in a game. The easiest thing to do would be to check down all day and feel good and pad your stats. We're not going to do that. We're happy with both of those guys."

Smith also singled out undrafted free agents Javian Hawkins and Caleb Huntley for a solid start to camp. We'll learn more about these backs operating Smith's system when pads come on Tuesday morning.

"It's a long season, and we'll see who can carve out a role, who can take over on third down," Smith said. "The competition's good for the entire room."

Young cornerbacks emerging

A.J. Terrell had another standout performance Sunday that included an interception, but he wasn't the only impressive young cover man on the field.

Rookie Darren Hall always seems to be around the ball, including a pass break-up tipped into the air that Dwayne Johnson grabbed for an interception.

Smith praised Chris Williamson unprompted during his Sunday press conference.

"Chris keeps showing up," Smith said, "and did again today."

That's true. The first-year cornerback out of Minnesota is off to a strong start with a few flash plays to his credit. We didn't see Saturday's interception fest redux, but the defensive backs continued making nice plays.

Catch of the day

Sunday's award goes to…Chris Rowland. The Tennessee alum went completely horizontal diving for a moderately low liner that only he could grab and survived the ground to make a nice reception.

More practice notes

While pads weren't on to add intrigue, offensive and defensive linemen squared off in one-on-one and tandem pass-rushing drills. Those are always fun, especially between talents at the top of their game. Grady Jarrett and Chris Lindstrom faced off a few times. Lindstrom won most rounds, but they were battles on every occasion. …Kyle Pitts moves around the formation, which you already knew. You don't see other tight ends doing that, however, meaning Pitts has a special and unique role designed to accentuate his talents. Olamide Zaccheaus was mentioned yesterday and deserves to be again after another quality showing. He could well be the third receiver in the pattern alongside Ridley and Gage when that's required. It's definitely a role to watch as we move forward.

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Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts #8 listens to quarterback Matt Ryan #2 during AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Headquarters in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Sunday August 1, 2021. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts #8 during AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Headquarters in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Sunday August 1, 2021. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons defensive end Steven Means #55 during AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Headquarters in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Sunday August 1, 2021. (Photo by Matt Haley/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Frank Darby #88 during AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Headquarters in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Sunday August 1, 2021. (Photo by Matt Haley/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Grady Jarrett #97 during AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Headquarters in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Sunday August 1, 2021. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell #24 runs after making an interception during AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Headquarters in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Sunday August 1, 2021. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons linebacker Deion Jones #45 during AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Headquarters in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Sunday August 1, 2021. (Photo by Matt Haley/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons quarterback Feleipe Franks #15 works during AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Headquarters in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Sunday August 1, 2021. (Photo by Matt Haley/Atlanta Falcons)

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Defensive line drills during AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Headquarters in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Sunday August 1, 2021. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons free safety Erik Harris #23 during AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Headquarters in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Sunday August 1, 2021. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons quarterback AJ McCarron #5 during AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Headquarters in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Sunday August 1, 2021. (Photo by Matt Haley/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons defensive end John Cominsky #50 during AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Headquarters in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Sunday August 1, 2021. (Photo by Matt Haley/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Brandon Copeland #51 during AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Headquarters in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Sunday August 1, 2021. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons safety Duron Harmon #21 defends against tight end Hayden Hurst #81 during AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Headquarters in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Sunday August 1, 2021. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons defensive back Kendall Sheffield #20 during AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Headquarters in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Sunday August 1, 2021. (Photo by Matt Haley/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley #18 runs during AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Headquarters in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Sunday August 1, 2021. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons offensive tackle Jake Matthews #70 during AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Headquarters in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Sunday August 1, 2021. (Photo by Matt Haley/Atlanta Falcons)

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A outside linebacker Emmanuel Ellerbee #52 fan smiles during AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Headquarters in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Sunday August 1, 2021. (Photo by Matt Haley/Atlanta Falcons)

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Fans on the hill during AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Headquarters in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Sunday August 1, 2021. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons tight end Jaeden Graham #87 during AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Headquarters in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Sunday August 1, 2021. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)

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The offense runs during AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Headquarters in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Sunday August 1, 2021. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons running back Mike Davis #28 during AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Headquarters in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Sunday August 1, 2021. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson #84 during AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Headquarters in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Sunday August 1, 2021. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons running back Javian Hawkins #25 during AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Headquarters in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Sunday August 1, 2021. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith during AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Headquarters in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Sunday August 1, 2021. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons offensive guard Bryce Hargrove #62 during AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Headquarters in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Sunday August 1, 2021. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons fullback Keith Smith #40 during AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Headquarters in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Sunday August 1, 2021. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Christian Blake #13 during AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Headquarters in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Sunday August 1, 2021. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons kicker Younghoe Koo #7 during AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Headquarters in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Sunday August 1, 2021. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)

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Practice report: Running backs active in receiving game, young corners emerge