FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- Cornerback Domonique Foxworth moved to the top of the depth chart at left cornerback this week after starting the past two games. The move comes a little more than two months after the Falcons acquired his services from the Denver Broncos in a Week 1 trade.
That left little time to learn the defense.
“He did not go through mini-camp, OTAs or training camp," Head Coach Mike Smith said earlier this week. "He lost about 3,500 opportunities for snaps and learning our system and being in our system. He is a pro and he has been in this league for four years. He knows how to play the game and I think he is doing a good job in getting up to speed.”
Foxworth said he's grown comfortable with learning quickly. The 25-year-old wowed college and pro scouts with his smarts for the game. But a permanent starting job has proven elusive during his four-year career.
He was thrown into action as a freshman at Maryland and started some games as a rookie in the NFL. By the time his second professional season rolled around he was starting games at safety.
Just when he started adapting to a new role, the Broncos traded him. He said he plans to stay in his new spot for a while, saying the bench "is not somewhere where football players feel comfortable."
Foxworth has five tackles and two passes defensed over the last two games. He has 171 stops and three interceptions in his career.
Despite the curve balls in his football journey, Foxworth insists he isn't shocked by the need to adapt.
"They've never been surprises to me," he said. "I think I answered the call and I think I've done it so far here in Atlanta..."
I liked Foxy while he was here, but if this is a 1 on 1 matchup (heck even if it's Foxy on Royal) I'll take it every time. Foxworth isn't terrible, but he's not a great corner. Our passing game should have a field day.