FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- Linebacker Curtis Lofton has been a hit with Falcons fans this preseason.
The rookie out of Oklahoma has nine tackles, a sack, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. And he hasn't played in a complete game.
It's not unusual for rookies to make early impacts in the preseason. A look at the Falcons exhibition stat sheet reveals several first-year players doing well -- from Matt Ryan's role as this weekend's starter, to Sam Baker's performance on the first-string offensive line, to Chevis Jackson's starts at cornerback in place of an injured Chris Houston.
But something about Lofton's style of play has the defense buzzing.
"I'm always going to be a hitter," the 248-pound linebacker said. "I love to hit and that's my style of football. I think I'm also going to be able to drop back in coverage and do some things there, too."
Lofton is currently locked in a position battle with second-year player Tony Taylor. Their combined efforts shine a bright light on the future of the position. Both have described the competition as "friendly." They also ask each other for help or act as an extra set of eyes when evaluating the others' game.
"I think I have a lot left to show," Lofton said. "Each day I'm learning something new about the defense and I don't want to stay complacent. Each day I come out here, work hard and follow the leaders like Keith Brooking and Michael Boley. Even Tony he helps me out there...We're both in there trying to help each other."
"I think he's making a lot of wonderful improvements," added Boley, who just missed a Pro Bowl invitation last year. "Starting out things were coming fast as they do for any rookie. This NFL game is a lot faster than it is at the college level. Things can be rough at first but seeing what he's done the past couple of weeks he's a whole lot better.
"He's one of those guys that's a play maker."
In college, Lofton was one of the highest-ranked players at his position thanks, in part, to two great years of versatility. In 2006 he appeared in 14 games (five starts) and finished with 20 solo tackles and 4.5 tackles for loss.
In 2007 he became a full-time starter at the strong side and started 10 straight games before moving to the middle. He put up career highs in tackles (94 solo) and moved into seventh place on the school's single-season list. His average of 11.2 tackles per game ranked seventh in the nation. He also had one sack, more than 10 tackles for loss and four forced fumbles. That was good enough to earn Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year honors.
Lofton says he's learning more about playing in an NFL defense each day. But nothing prepared him for his first snap as an NFL player. That's when he learned a little bit about keeping his cool when giving instructions.
"The first preseason game I went in and had to give all the calls and adjustments. I kind of got tongue-tied and got messed up on some of the calls," Lofton said with a chuckle. "I think that's when it really hit me."
He calmed down to hit some of his opponents, which is exactly what he was drafted to do.
"It's a plus to always come out and impact the game," he said. "That's what I always try to do."
WEINER TO WORK: Head Coach Mike Smith said tackle Todd Weiner will return to game action Friday night against the Titans. Weiner has missed time this preseason while he rehabs from knee surgery.
"It's our intention to get Todd some work this week," the coach said. "I think we'll get an opportunity to see that unit working together with the guys we think, possibly, could be our starters. I don't know how long he'll go but he'll definitely get a lot of work."
For more of Smith's press meeting, click here.
RELATED LINKS:
- FEATURE: Lofton having solid preseason
- J. MIKE'S BLOG: Weiner Likely to Play Friday Night
- TRANSCRIPT: Head Coach Mike Smith
- VIDEO: Head Coach Mike Smith | Jamaal Anderson | Todd McClure
- FALCONCAST: Matt Ryan stops by the Falconcast Studio
- FALCON AL'S BLOG: Matt Ryan on Falconcast (Video)
- TWIG'S BLOG: Props to Matt Ryan
- BIRDSEED: J. Mike reviews and comments on Falcons news
- NEWS: Falcons waive injured linebacker, release Horn
MORE ON LINEBACKER CURTIS LOFTON:
- VIDEO: Lofton Combine Interview | Highlights
- FEATURE: AF.com preview on Lofton, linebackers
- WIKIPEDIA: Curtis Lofton
- YOUTUBE: Curtis Lofton 2007 Highlights
- NFL.com: Curtis Lofton Profile
