FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — In order to play in the secondary at the next level, there is one trait that often stands out amongst the best. It's confidence in one's self and abilities. Few positions are put on an island as much as defensive backs are. Even the best of the best win as much as they get burned in coverage. And yet, confidence must remain as play after play comes and goes.
This confidence shows up in different ways for defensive backs across the league. Some are loud, ruckus, the truest forms of smack talkers. Others are quiet, cool, laser focused. And after getting to know his newest defensive backs in the Falcons 2025 draft class, Jerry Gray believes he has both personalities manifesting out of the same confidence in Xavier Watts and Billy Bowman Jr.
The assistant head coach/defense broke the duo down like this:
Watts is ice. He's cool, calculated, calm.
"All he does is make plays," Gray said. "A solid guy who just understands what you're supposed to do."
Bowman is fire. He's feisty, passionate and, per Gray, "a little bit more aggressive." That's why he's already given the two newbies a moniker.
"I'm probably going to nickname them 'Fire and Ice' because they are the same," Gray said. "When you talk to them you can see the same thing, too."
And wouldn't you know it? Gray was right.
As the Falcons wrapped up rookie minicamp last week, both Watts and Bowman addressed the local media for the first time since draft weekend. They were both asked the same question to start their interviews: "What is a successful rookie minicamp for you? What goals do you have for the weekend?" Their individual answers couldn't have been more fire-and-ice coded.
Watts' goal? "Just to really get adjusted to the new system."
Bowman's? "To push myself to the limits, come out here and be uncomfortable."