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Flowery Branch, Ga – When the Atlanta Falcons traded up to get edge rusher James Pearce Jr. with the 26th overall pick in the draft, they hoped to get a disrupter on the line. That’s what he’s shown so far in training camp.
One thing that was missing from last year’s camp that is evident this year has been grit from the defense. The scuffles, trash talking and non-stop motor has been constant, and Pearce has been in the forefront of it all.
The rookie has been in the middle, if not the starter of most of the scuffles and veteran safety Jessie Bates III has been a fan of it while still taking time to coach him up.
“It’s a little bit of both, it’s like keep going, keep doing it,” jokes Bates. “But a little bit of don’t waste our time, we got to be out there, we got this set time with how many plays we can be out there for. It’s just got to be controlled, it can’t be chaotic.”
Most of his teammates sees it as being competitive and wanting to win his battle just as well as the teammate on the other side.
“It doesn’t matter about the scuffles and if I’m fighting with my brother or not,” stated Pearce. “It’s more so if we’re moving the needle in the right direction as a team.”
That energy is being used for good also as he made his presence felt in practice. He got a sack and blew up a play for a tackle for loss. As he continues to get praise from all his teammates, he just relishes the moment of playing a game he loves at the highest level.
“I’m having a lot of fun at the highest level playing a game with a whole bunch of great guys who make a lot of money too, thats fun,” said Pearce.
With all the attention that he is drawing from his team, tight end Kyle Pitts knows this story all too well. Pitts talked about the advice he would give the young player.
“Conditioned the mind. Camp is a long time, the season is a long time,” said Pitts. “It’s not like college where you’re wrapping it up in November; November, you’re in the heat of it. It’s longevity of each week of finding a routine that works for you.”
One thing for certain is he definitely has a village that is not only just looking out for him but is in awe of what he can do while mentoring and coaching him up at the same time.
