FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- The Falcons will enter Russell Falcons Training Camp with one of the league's youngest rosters.
Most of that youth is on defense, where just three players are over the age 30. The majority of defensive players are 26 or younger. No where is this youth movement more obvious than in the secondary, where only three players have more than three years experience.
"I'm the old guy in the room," said safety Erik Coleman, who leads the secondary with six years experience. "I'm only 27 but I've played a lot of football and the guys trust me. I just try to help out the young guys as much as I can."
And it's in the Coleman-secondary relationship the Falcons look to personify the balance between veteran leadership and youthful exuberance.
Defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder must replace a starter at cornerback (Domonique Foxworth) and safety (Lawyer Milloy) before the start of the regular season. The team also drafted players at each position to add to the competition.
It's through the heat and countless reps of camp his decision will be made.
"I think we have to (see who rises to the top)," he said. "It will sort itself out in mini camp, OTAs and training camp... The competition will sort itself out and the guys that are deserving will earn it over that course of time. Competition is a healthy thing right now."
Brent Grimes, who opened 2008 as the starter opposite Chris Houston returns to the mix after missing time with an injury. Five-year veteran Von Hutchins also returns after a season on injured reserve.
Third-year pro David Irons, rookies William Middleton and Christopher Owens, second-year man Chevis Jackson, Tony Tiller and Glenn Sharpe will also get plenty of repetitions.
At safety, the team returns reserves Antoine Harris, Jamaal Fudge, Eric Brock and Thomas DeCoud. William Moore was drafted in the second round.
It's crowded.
But that's OK.
"Competition is good; it brings the best out of everybody," Grimes said earlier this year. "You don't want to come in and there's nobody here. You want to compete. That's what I think the coaches try to do -- to have a lot of competition at all the positions. It will help our team out and make us better in the long run.
Of course, helping the team also comes in the meeting room. The Falcons are looking for leaders to emerge in the secondary.
Hutchins said, while young, the group has some valuable experience. Houston started as a rookie and Jackson played a valuable role as the team's third -- or nickel -- cornerback last season.
But it's up to Hutchins and Coleman, who led the team with 82 solo tackles a season ago, to fill any immediate voids in leadership -- a vital component when looking to go younger while staying productive.
"Coming into this league, it's a lot different than playing college ball," Coleman said. "We have a lot of good students in our room. Whenever they have a question I'm there and (I) lead by example by going out there and practicing hard every day."
