Feleipe Franks ready to be Atlanta Falcons’ backup QB if needed: ‘I have full confidence in myself’
By Andrew Olson
Published:
If AJ McCarron’s injury is as serious as the Atlanta Falcons fear, Feleipe Franks could be the team’s new backup quarterback. The former Arkansas Razorback and Florida Gator says he is ready if that’s the case.
“I have full confidence in myself,” Franks said after Saturday’s preseason game, per the team website. “I feel like I’m starting to gain confidence in the group around me. I’m just going to put my head down and go to work. That’s all it’s about, learning from your mistakes. That’s mindset with just about anything. I do feel like I have the capability to do that job.”
Franks stepped in earlier than expected Saturday night after McCarron’s exit. Franks was just 4-of-9 passing for 49 yards and an interception against the Miami Dolphins. The undrafted free agent rookie said he is his harshest critic when it comes to passing miscues.
“I’m overcritical. I’m hard on myself and I try to be perfect in everything that I do in a practice or game,” Franks said. “When I throw a pick, I’m pissed. At the same time, I’m always continuing to learn and continuing to work hard. … I feel like I’m coming along. I’m getting more and more comfortable in the offense. I have a long way to go, and they’re doing a great job of coaching me. I’m trying to listen, be a sponge and soak it all up and perform when I’m called upon.”
Franks again impressed running the ball with 3 carries for 32 yards.
Feleipe Vick?
The QB scrambles for 20 yards!
📺: @Fox5Atlanta pic.twitter.com/AxX67YeQiP
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) August 22, 2021
Feleipe Franks making some big time plays with his feet. Makes something out of nothing on 4th & 2 pic.twitter.com/h4ewmp1sOg
— pinto (@pinto479) August 22, 2021
Falcons coach Arthur Smith likes what he has seen from Franks in two preseason games.
“Feleipe, to me, has had the biggest growth,” Smith told reporters. “For him to come into these last two games and play, you can’t replicate that in practice. To develop quarterbacks, you’ve got to play them. There’s no way around it. That was our philosophy going into these two games.”
Depending on McCarron’s MRI results, Franks’ development may be fast-tracked.
Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.
