The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Undrafted players will get a chance

‘We give them every opportunit­y to be at their best,’ says Quinn.

- Dledbetter@ajc.com By D. Orlando Ledbetter

FLOWERY BRANCH — As soon as the draft ended, the Falcons started to assemble their class of undrafted rookie free agents.

The team’s six draft picks, the 27 undrafted players and several players on tryouts will take part in the rookie minicamp today through Sunday.

“You want to talk about being hungry and determined, a number of these guys certainly are that,” Falcons coach Dan Quinn said. “I didn’t get picked. I didn’t get selected. I’ve got something to prove.”

Cornerback Chris Lammons started 37 games at South Carolina and was upset when he didn’t get invited to the combine.

Anthony Winbush amassed 25 sacks at Ball State and wasn’t drafted.

Former Alabama center J.C. Hassenauer bench pressed 225 pounds, 28 times and started in the national championsh­ip game

against Georgia.

Those are just some of the players who’ll be on hand trying to learn how the Falcons operate and secure spots on the 90-man training camp roster.

“Because we believe in competitio­n so much, because we believe in developmen­t of players, people know that coming here as a college free agent is an excellent route to go,” Quinn said. “We’re going to make sure they have every opportunit­y to battle against anybody.”

Cornerback Brian Poole and right tackle Ryan Schraeder were undrafted free agents on the current team. Historical­ly, Jessie Tuggle was undrafted out of Valdosta State and cornerback Brent Grimes has gone on to make millions in the NFL after being undrafted out of Shippensbu­rg.

“The best man’s going to play,” Quinn said. “We really believe in developing the guys. So, if you’re a college free agent, they know what’s here. They know... we’re going to look after them to make sure we give them every opportunit­y to be at their best.”

Most of the eyes will be on wide receiver Calvin Ridley, the Falcons’ first-round draft pick.

“I’m excited about it,” quarterbac­k Matt Ryan said. “I guess I’m an honorary Alabama quarterbac­k now. That state has been good to me. UAB was pretty good with Roddy White and Alabama has been very good, too. I’m very excited about Calvin coming here. I think he’ll be really good for our organizati­on.”

Georgia Tech defensive backs Lance and Lawrence Austin will participat­e as tryout players. The Falcons want to see Lawrence at safety and Lance at corner, according to Lawrence.

Last year, the Falcons brought in 27 tryout players to their rookie minicamp and signed two. Both, though, were put on the team’s practice squad and one (defensive tackle Taniela Tupou) was promoted to the active squad and played in one game.

Here’s a look at five undrafted players to watch at rookie minicamp:

■ Kurt Benkert, quarterbac­k, Virginia. He started his career at East Carolina before transferri­ng to Virginia. When the staff was replaced at ECU, he was not named the starter and transferre­d. He followed former ECU coach Ruffin McNeil to Virginia. He started 13 games as a senior and set a school-record with 3,207 yards passing and 298 completion­s. He completed 58.5 percent of his passes and tossed 25 touchdowns and nine intercepti­ons as a senior. Overall, he started 23 of 27 college games and completed 534 of 925 passes (57.7 percent) for 5,817 yards, 46 touchdowns and 21 intercepti­ons. He received $60,000 in guaranteed money from the Falcons.

■ Jacob Tuioti-Mariner, defensive end, UCLA. He played 41 games for the Bruins. He finished with 133 tackles, 18 tackles for loss and 12.5 sacks. He was paid $10,000 by the Falcons.

■ Matt Gono, offensive lineman, Wesley College. A Division III player from a small school in Delaware. Started at right tackle as a freshman. He shifted to left tackle as a junior. Started all 50 games of his college career. He projects as a guard in the NFL. He received a $7,500 bonus from the Falcons.

■ Luke McNitt, fullback, Nebraska. He played quarterbac­k and tight end at Nebraska-Kearney before transferri­ng. He played in 21 games for the Cornhusker­s and was primarily a blocking back. He lifted 225 pounds 26 times and runs the 40-yard dash in 4.86 seconds. He received a $4,000 bonus from the Falcons.

■ Anthony Winbush, defensive end, Ball State. He was one of the top pass rusher in the Mid-American Conference and finished his career with 99 tackles, 52.5 for losses and 25 sacks. He was an All-MAC selection last season, when he had 16.5 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks. Winbush could play rush defensive end in a nickel package, which Falcons’ use around 70 percent of the time. Winbush trained with defensive line guru Chuck Smith in Duluth. He’s worked on his functional football movement and change of direction. He was projected to be drafted in the fifth or sixth round. He received a $7,000 bonus from the Falcons.

 ??  ?? First-round pick Calvin Ridley, a wide receiver, will be at rookie minicamp this weekend.
First-round pick Calvin Ridley, a wide receiver, will be at rookie minicamp this weekend.

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