FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- Mike Smith learned plenty as a young NFL coach on a record-setting Ravens defense.
The Falcons head coach spent four seasons in Baltimore, including a Super Bowl season in 2000. That year the Ravens set a 16-game record by allowing just 165 points and led the team to a championship.
Smith sports his Super Bowl ring on special occasions or road trips. Ironically, his second trip with the Falcons is to M&T Bank Stadium for a preseason showdown against his former club.
He brings a wealth of knowledge and a pretty good Atlanta defense. The Falcons haven't allowed a touchdown in the last 10 quarters of preseason play and held the Tennessee Titans to a field goal in a victory last week. The unit has also surrendered only 3.7-yards per rushing attempt in three exhibition games.
The Falcons have done it with a mix of veterans and young players.
“Well, the fun part about coaching is when you are able to really accentuate what the players do well," Smith said earlier this week. "You don’t really want to talk about what they are doing wrong. We can look at that and then try to put those guys in the right positions. We know we are eventually going to get down to a 45-man roster. On game day, you have to have the ability to cross train the players so they are able to play multiple positions. You don’t want to get caught on Sunday when the game counts and not be prepared for the different situations that may arise."
Rookie players figure to play a vital role in defensive success and versatility. Smith and the Ravens staff coached players like Ray Lewis, Peter Boulware, Chris McAlister and Rod Woodson in 2000 -- a veteran team.
The Falcons have started two rookies (Curtis Lofton and Chevis Jackson) and a pair of cornerbacks with two years experience (Chris Houston and Brent Grimes) thus far in 2008. Rookie defensive end Kroy Biermann has rotated into games regularly. He has a forced fumble, fumble recovery and pass defensed.
Grimes (Shippensburg) and Biermann (Montana) are the rare contributors from smaller schools.
“I think it really comes from what is inside," Smith said. "It doesn’t really matter where they have come from. There are no real secret players anymore. The scouting departments do such a great job scouring the entire country. It doesn’t matter what school you have gone to. If you have talent, they will find you. It is a matter of what is in the heart and what is in the head. You have to instill the system in them. You have to make sure they have the right attitude and that they want to go out and compete every day. We have been talking about competing since day one."
System-instillation continues against a Ravens team also in the midst of a regime change.
John Harbaugh is 1-2 through three preseason games. The teams are also similar in starting rookie quarterbacks, though Joe Flacco may win the job in Baltimore because of injuries to Kyle Boller and Troy Smith.
POSITION BATTLES: Rookie quarterback Matt Ryan was named the team's Week 1 starter Sunday and will play briefly in Thursday's game. D.J. Shockley is expected to replace him and get some work against the Ravens first-string defense.
"He is going to have to go out, run the offense and move the chains," Smith said, noting the battle that continues for backup quarterback spots. "He is going to get the opportunity to do that with the first team this week. I think -- and hope -- it will be against Baltimore’s first group. They will be playing on Sunday when we get into October and November so we would like to see production and efficiency in our offense."
Another position battle is at tight end, where Martrez Milner is back from injury and looking to make a late push. The Falcons also signed veteran tight end Marcus Pollard earlier in the week.
"I didn't feel any pressure," Milner when asked about Pollard's signing. "I just want to prove to the coaches that I'm still dependable. I'm still one of the guys that can make plays for the team and make the team better."
Smith said Harvey Dahl continues to hold a lead at right guard as does Adam Jennings at punt returner. But coaches will keep an eye out for contributions at every position since the team must create a 53-man roster come Saturday evening.
“The first thing that we are looking for is execution," Smith said. "The next is guys who are able to win their individual matchups. They are going to be put in situations where they are going to have to fight the guys across from them. It is important that we evaluate how well they do that."
RELATED LINKS:
- NEWS: Falcons sign veteran tight end Pollard
- QUOTABLE: Matt Ryan | Mike Smith | Todd McClure | Keith Brooking
- RELEASE: Falcons name Ryan starter for Week 1
- TRANSACTIONS: Falcons get to 75-man limit
