FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — In unsurprising news, competition continued with contact.
The Atlanta Falcons fully suited up for the first time Tuesday and did so again Wednesday. As expected, there was an obvious uptick in energy. So much so, the introduction of full pads has expedited this week's edition of "Battle Lines."
CAMP REPORTS: Tuesday, July 30 | Wednesday, July 31
Below is a closer look at ongoing position storylines in training camp.
DEFENSIVE LINE
This group wasn't touched in the previous "Battle Lines," at least not the defensive tackles. And it's because of Eddie Goldman that it has been added. Goldman spent time among the first team during padded practices. Of course, Grady Jarrett and David Onyemata are the starters. But Goldman has an interesting background that supports the notion that he would be a serious contender in a backup role. Last season did prove that anything can happen – i.e. a veteran like Jarrett sustaining a season-ending injury.
As Wednesday's camp report touched on, the Falcons have been circling Goldman since 2022, when they first signed him. Two weeks after they did, he retired. Well, then the Falcons reinstated Goldman from the reserve/retired list in 2023. Again, the transaction didn't pan out as planned. Four months later, Goldman was placed on the exempt-left squad list. Third time may be the charm, though. Goldman signed with the Falcons once again this past April. Since then, there has been nothing but high praise for the veteran, especially since he has whipped himself back into shape.
Goldman has nearly six full years of starting experience under his belt from his run with the Chicago Bears, where current Falcons defensive line coach Jay Rodgers actually overlapped with him. Goldman's best season came in 2015 when he made 4.5 sacks, along with 22 tackles. He has also proven he can be an asset in breaking up passes and recovering fumbles.
INSIDE LINEBACKER
Kaden Elliss appears to be one of the starters at this position, so the question becomes which linebackers will play alongside him. At this point, it could be either Nate Landman or Troy Andersen. And quite frankly, it'll likely be both regardless of how the reps shake out in the meantime. The Falcons have been sharing the love between the two.
Rightly so, considering both have had their standout moments. Landman had a strong Tuesday, disrupting the second-team offense's run and pass game. Andersen then had a big Wednesday, sacking quarterback Kirk Cousins. (So did Elliss, for what it's worth.)
The scale may currently be tipping in Andersen's favor because of his work against the first-team offense. But again, there's no clear-cut favor. Especially with the amount of rotation that has been happening between Andersen and Landman. Last week, Landman tended to get the initial nod. Andersen then replaced him within a couple of plays with the same unit, in the same series. This shuffling is likely to continue and may be a key part of Atlanta's plans this season.
Something that is a bummer: There still has not been a live Elliss-Landman-Andersen sighting. Because although all the talk has been about Elliss plus one, the Falcons brass have hinted at getting creative with this trio of talent. Don't rule it out.
Pads are officially back on! Check out the sights from today's practice during the 2024 AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp.
OUTSIDE LINEBACKER
The last "Battle Lines" teased Bralen Trice. This one is going to focus on him. Trice is making an early name for himself as a rookie. Of the Falcons' eight draft picks, Trice – the fourth-rounder – has received the most first-team opportunities.
As noted in Wednesday's camp report, Trice was credited with a sack on quarterback Michael Penix Jr. At the time, Trice was working with the second-team defense. Regardless, if he keeps it up with noteworthy plays, then he'll surely be given more chances with the starters.
"The best guy is going to get opportunities, and Trice is no different as a young draft pick that's coming here and taking everything as far as he can take it," Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said.
That's just a sampling of what Morris had to say about Trice. Stay tuned for more. A feature on Trice will go live Friday, featuring thoughts from the man himself on his play so far.
Otherwise, something that hasn't changed is James Smith-Williams and his continued first-team reps. The shock of his insertion has worn off, but he's still worth mentioning. The addition of pads automatically makes things more serious anyway, especially when it comes to the defense.
WIDE RECEIVER
Drake London and Darnell Mooney stand as the starters. The fight for the third spot has heated up between Ray-Ray McCloud III and Rondale Moore, though. McCloud seemed to be the main choice last week, though Moore did get a few chances with the first team. This week, it seems Moore is closing the gap.
From what was seen Wednesday, both McCloud and Moore were thrown two passes apiece from Cousins. McCloud's resulted in a pair of incompletions in different series. Cornerback Clark Phillips III broke one up with the second-team defense. McCloud dropped the other against the first-team defense. Moore, meanwhile, caught his back-to-back against the starting defense.
The main difference appears to be Moore is sharing his time with the second-team offense. He had two confirmed catches from Penix, split against the two defensive units. There was another pass to Moore, but it was either incomplete or fumbled; either way, the second-team defense celebrated afterward.
Each player boasts a unique skill set that could be used in a different manner, too. Regardless, they provide options.
SECONDARY
There's not much to update here on the safety front – the competition remains between Richie Grant and DeMarcco Hellams for Jessie Bates III's running mate – but the cornerback conversation has picked up after a slow first week.
Mike Hughes has shared the most field time opposite A.J. Terrell. As noted in Wednesday's camp report, defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake said Hughes "has earned the right" for the snaps he has been given. Hughes, a former first-round draft pick, has been in the NFL since 2018 and joined the Falcons in 2023. His main competition for the role is Phillips, who enters his second season after Atlanta selected him in the fourth round of last year's draft.
That doesn't mean Hughes is a shoo-in, though. Even as a rookie last year, Phillips did start five games for the Falcons. Hughes had four starts. Both of their opportunities were toward the end of the season. But that was with a different defensive coordinator and head coach, so it remains to be seen who Lake and Raheem Morris favor when all is said and done.
Day two of pads are in the books! Check out some images from the 2024 AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training in Flowery Branch, GA.
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins #18 in a huddle during the 2024 AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. on Wednesday, July 31, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins #18 and safety Jessie Bates III #3 during the 2024 AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. on Wednesday, July 31, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons safety Jessie Bates III #3 during the 2024 AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. on Wednesday, July 31, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson #7 during the 2024 AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. on Wednesday, July 31, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell #24 during the 2024 AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. on Wednesday, July 31, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive back Clark Phillips III #22 and wide receiver Darnell Mooney #1 during the 2024 AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. on Wednesday, July 31, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive back DeMarcco Hellams #23 during the 2024 AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. on Wednesday, July 31, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Bralen Trice #48 during the 2024 AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. on Wednesday, July 31, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell #24 and safety Jessie Bates III #3 during the 2024 AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. on Wednesday, July 31, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive back Clark Phillips III #22 during the 2024 AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. on Wednesday, July 31, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman David Onyemata #90 and defensive lineman Eddie Goldman #99 during the 2024 AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. on Wednesday, July 31, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney #1 during the 2024 AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. on Wednesday, July 31, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons inside linebacker JD Bertrand #40 during the 2024 AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. on Wednesday, July 31, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell #24 and wide receiver Rondale Moore #14 during the 2024 AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. on Wednesday, July 31, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons offensive lineman Ryan Neuzil #64 during the 2024 AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. on Wednesday, July 31, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Zach Harrison #96 and cornerback Natrone Brooks #35 during the 2024 AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. on Wednesday, July 31, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons offensive lineman Matthew Bergeron #65 during the 2024 AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. on Wednesday, July 31, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 during the 2024 AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. on Wednesday, July 31, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive back Clark Phillips III #22 defends wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud III #34 during the 2024 AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. on Wednesday, July 31, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney #1 during the 2024 AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. on Wednesday, July 31, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney #1 during the 2024 AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. on Wednesday, July 31, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Ta'Quon Graham #95 during the 2024 AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. on Wednesday, July 31, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Arnold Ebiketie #17 during the 2024 AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. on Wednesday, July 31, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Austin Mack #81 during the 2024 AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. on Wednesday, July 31, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell #24 and wide receiver Drake London #5 during the 2024 AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. on Wednesday, July 31, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris during the 2024 AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. on Wednesday, July 31, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons safety Jessie Bates III #3 during the 2024 AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. on Wednesday, July 31, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot during the 2024 AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. on Wednesday, July 31, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons inside linebacker Nate Landman #53, wide receiver Darnell Mooney #1, and safety Jessie Bates III #3 during the 2024 AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. on Wednesday, July 31, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins #18 during the 2024 AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. on Wednesday, July 31, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons offensive line coach Dwayne Ledford during the 2024 AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. on Wednesday, July 31, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Kentavius Street #93 during the 2024 AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. on Wednesday, July 31, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins #18 during the 2024 AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. on Wednesday, July 31, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons tight end John FitzPatrick #87 and tight end Charlie Woerner #89 during the 2024 AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. on Wednesday, July 31, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier #25 and running backs coach Michael Pitre during the 2024 AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. on Wednesday, July 31, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive line coach Jay Rodgers during the 2024 AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. on Wednesday, July 31, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier #25 is defended by linebacker Kaden Elliss #55 during the 2024 AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. on Wednesday, July 31, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Lorenzo Carter #0 during the 2024 AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. on Wednesday, July 31, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive end James Smith-Williams #50 during the 2024 AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. on Wednesday, July 31, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake during the 2024 AT&T Atlanta Falcons Training Camp at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga. on Wednesday, July 31, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
