'Huge Difference': Falcons GM Terry Fontenot on Value of Coaching Shrine Bowl
The Atlanta Falcons coaching staff is set for its final game of the season - the East-West Shrine Bowl, an annual draft showcase event featuring some of the top seniors around college football.
But this isn't just another game - it's a chance for the Falcons to evaluate these high-level players on a big stage, a process that's been ongoing since the first batch of players arrived last Thursday.
One week later, the Falcons-led East team is ready to take on the West team, which has been overseen by the New England Patriots. It's the final opportunity for prospects to take the lessons learned onto the field - and Atlanta will have a better understanding of this than just about anybody else.
As such, it's a valuable opportunity for the Falcons organization, and one that general manager Terry Fontenot believes can be critical throughout the rest of the process.
“It makes a huge difference," Fontenot said. "It's a touch point with the players. And again, the access that we have and the time that we get to spend with them here, you get really, really valuable information. So, it makes a huge difference.”
Fontenot pointed out that 50 percent of players at the Shrine Bowl will end up in the NFL and 25 percent will get drafted, making this a particularly important situation to learn not only about potential Falcons draftees but also players they could face for years to come.
But what exactly can Atlanta find out across just four practices and one game? According to Fontenot, a whole lot.
“Coaches are actually with the players in the meetings," Fontenot began. "And so, we can actually teach them in the (meetings), seeing how they take notes, seeing how they learn, you're seeing if they can take that to the field, and they can make adjustments. And the little subtle things that coaches are getting players through during practice - seeing how they adapt, how they pivot, how they compete and getting to see them in the cafeteria, just how they carry themselves. It's really valuable."
As a result, most of the learning is centered around the players' mental attributes - thanks in part to the fact that every other team gets access to the tape. Fontenot added there are "a lot of good football players in this game (and) scouts are watching," but only the Patriots have the same "access" as the Falcons.
It's a process that is likely to permeate inside the walls of Falcons headquarters all the way through April's draft, with Fontenot say that "we're going to evaluate this tape for a long time."
But beyond the prospects, Fontenot believes that the Shrine Bowl can have positive effects on Atlanta's coaching staff, as some, like special teams coordinator turned East head coach Marquice Williams, have been thrust into bigger roles.
Fontenot said that the chance to get coaches "different vantage points" and preparation for the next step will only make them better in their current roles.
And for that, Atlanta's third year general manager believes the week was a huge success.
“It's been great," said Fontenot. "I really appreciate the league giving us this opportunity. And it's really twofold - the opportunity to do some different things with the staff and people have different roles. And so the opportunity for us to grow and develop, and also having access to these players, and a lot of good football players out here (allows) us to get a different level of access than the other 30 teams are getting. So, it's been great."
Now, the aim is to end the "great" week with a victory - but above all else, the Falcons are simply pleased with the opportunity to learn more about some of the draft's top seniors.
The Shrine Bowl is set to kick off at 8:30 p.m. Thursday night inside Allegiant Stadium with coverage on NFL Network.
You can follow Daniel Flick on Twitter @DFlickDraft
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