The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Saubert gains skill, confidence in Year 2
FLOWERY BRANCH — There’s something different about Eric Saubert these days, several things, actually, and it should be clear when watching the Falcons’ second-year tight end tonight against the Chiefs he’s not a rookie anymore.
You might think he’s faster. Perhaps he’ll look quicker off the ball. Chances are he’ll make a few nice blocks, some on running plays and others in pass protection.
These are payoffs for a young man growing into the game.
Saubert had more than the usual growing to do after being drafted in the fifth round in 2017 out of Drake University, an FCS program in Des Moines, Iowa, far from the SEC, the ACC or big-time college football.
He began drawing extra attention in the spring, during OTAs, and has continued flashing through training camp and into the first preseason game, where last Friday he caught two passes for 15 yards against the Jets.
This summer feels lightyears ahead of last because Saubert knows what he’s doing and better believes he can do it.
“Yeah, absolutely. The second year I just have way more confidence in knowing the system all the way around, and being able to look at not just your assignment but what the defense is doing,” he said of his knowledge acquired and applied. “(The game is) definitely slower this time around.
“It was definitely significant. Everybody here, it’s the best of the best, and we don’t have that in the FCS. You definitely have to adjust a little bit, and I think that’s behind me now. Now I’m just trying to hone my craft and do more for the Falcons.”
That sounds about right. The 6-foot-5, 245-pound native of Chicago figures to do quite a bit more this season. He stayed busy on special teams as a rookie, playing on kicking and punting units in 14 games, yet registered not a single reception. He logged just about three dozen snaps on offense.
Combine the Falcons’ release of backup tight end Levine Toilolo in the spring with Saubert’s development, and you may be about to get to know No. 85 a little better.
He’s been catching the attention of coaches and teammates all spring, and is in line — which was new to him last summer as he worked out of a spread offense at Drake and frequently was split out wide — for more playing time.
“We certainly see it growing,” coach Dan Quinn said. “Last year, he was really learning it, but he seemed more guarded, (like) ‘I just want to do it right, I just want to do it right ... . ’”
“What I’ve seen from him this year, his speed and athleticism have really jumped out. Yes, his role would be increased both offensively and on special teams. He’s definitely someone who’s made the jump from year one to year two. He’s not only impressed me in camp, but all the way back to the spring.”
Saubert has picked up on the nuances of his position.
Tight ends were a modest part of the offense last season, at least with the ball. Less than 18 percent of the team’s passes were thrown their way, as starter Austin Hooper caught 49 passes for 526 yards and three touchdowns, and Toilolo caught 12 balls for 122 yards and a score.
No other tight end caught a pass.
Saubert’s emerging athletic ability is helping in more than one way. He’s become more effective as a blocker, and tight ends coach Wade Harman is just as pleased by that.
There was, after all, plenty of evidence coming out of college that he could catch the ball. In four seasons at Drake, he caught 190 passes for 2,253 yards and 21 touchdowns, including a senior season where he had 56, 776 and 10 in 11 games.
“He’s working on his technique, his track, his hands. He’s definitely making a lot of progress on his footwork,” Harman said. “(Blocking) is one of the hardest things you have to do.