Looking to Help… Wherever Possible

After one of the Falcons mini camp practices rookie cornerback Dominique Franks could be found with seven-year veteran — and prized free-agent acquisition — Dunta Robinson.

Their conversation didn’t debate lunch options or Atlanta living arrangements.

It was all business. Specifically Franks breaking from his backpedal too quickly after the snap.

“He’s just giving me a couple of pointers,” said Franks a fifth-round selection in the 2010 NFL Draft. “He’s a great corner so any questions I can ask and he’ll answer I’m all ears.”

Robinson is a No. 1 cornerback with 84 games experience (13 career picks). Franks left Oklahoma after his junior season with hopes of reuniting with former Sooner (current Falcon) Curtis Lofton.

The Birds traded up to pluck him off the board much later than some experts predicted.

Last season he had 47 tackles and two interceptions — one returned for a touchdown. For his career, Franks totaled 95 tackles, six picks (two for scores), 15 passes defensed and a fumble returned for a touchdown. He was an All-Big 12 performer in 2008 and 2009.

But he’s not letting a chip develop on his shoulder from a draft slide.

“No chip on my shoulder because, at the end of the day, having a chip on my shoulder is not going to prove anything,” Franks said.

“It’s (about) going out there and playing hard. Everybody plays hard. Just watch a lot of film. That’s what it boils down to, effort and being a better student in the classroom.”

Franks has already recorded an interception in mini camp practices but his immediate impact could come as a return man (he returned punts and kickoffs occasionally in college). The team hasn’t jumped full-speed into special teams work but, if asked, the rookie is confident he can do the job while continuing lessons with veteran cornerbacks.

“I feel like I can be a good return man for this team,” he said. “But, at the same time, this was a great unit before I got here. It’s really the other 10 that make the return man look good anyway. I’m sure whoever they plug in will go out there and do a great job.”

For additional comments from Falcons draft picks, may I suggest Niki Noto’s (@FalconsNNoto) feature from Saturday evening…

SATURDAY MAY 8, 2010

• NOTEBOOK: Secondary improved, more confident
• PHOTOS: Images from Falcons mini camp
• BLOGS: Chatting with Yasinskas
• INTERVIEWS: Head Coach Mike Smith
• INTERVIEWS: DeCoud | White | Sidbury
• VIDEO: A look at Falcons fans at mini camp

MORE ON MINI CAMP:

• ROSTERS: Click here for the updated Falcons roster
• PRINTABLE ROSTERS: Alphabetical (PDF) | Numerical (PDF) | Position (PDF)
• BLOG: J. Michael Moore’s updates on Falcons mini camp
• NEWS: News updates on Falcons mini camp
• PHOTOS: Images from Falcons mini camp
• DRAFT: Click here for 2010 Draft coverage from AF.com
• HOMEPAGE: Mini camp information and news archive
• FAQ: Common questions about attending Mini Camp
• DIRECTIONS: Info and directions to Flowery Branch
• TWITTER: Updates on weather if necessary during mini camp