Falcons coach Dan Quinn is in Arizona this week for the annual owners meetings. Here’s a few takeaways from what he had to say to the media this morning at the coaches breakfast.
1. More depth at three key positions
Atlanta’s depth on defense was exposed at several positions last season due to injuries and attrition. Coach Quinn says adding depth at strong safety, defensive end and cornerback is their focus right now.
The Falcons need somebody who can effectively backup Keanu Neal, or possibly offer an upgrade over Sharrod Neasman. At cornerback, they need depth replacements after losing two starers in Robert Alford and Brian Poole. Finally, they really need to upgrade their edge rotation after losing both Bruce Irvin and Brooks Reed.
2. Changes coming to edge rotation
Speaking of the edge rotation, expect some changes coming next season and they won’t all be personnel related. Quinn says the Falcons will change how they feature both starting defensive ends Takk McKinley and Vic Beasley.
Last year, the two combined for just 12 sacks and 23 QB hits. Improving those numbers should be a high priority for this coming season.
3. DE Vic Beasley has something to prove
The Falcons would probably be better off trading Beasley and his $12.81 million cap hit to another team. Since they seem determined to keep him, they might as well get the most they can out of No. 44.
Quinn admits Beasley’s only had one great year since coming into the NFL and they want to get him back into 2016 form.
If Beasley can get back to being among the league’s leaders in sacks and forced fumbles, it would provide a massive boost for Atlanta’s defense.
Don’t hold your breath, though.
4. More work for Jack Crawford
After all, there are other deserving defensive line players who should get a chance to show what they can do.
One of them that should see a larger role is hybrid end/tackle Jack Crawford, who had a quietly brilliant 2018 season. Quinn said he expects to see more out of Crawford next year.
Crawford’s versatility makes him an invaluable piece of the Falcons’ defensive line rotation.
5. The Falcons will tweak the run game
Moving over to the other side of the ball, Atlanta has made some significant changes at guard. The team’s top two free agent signings were bringing in new projected starters: Jamon Brown at right guard and James Carpenter at left guard.
Quinn says they can move well for big men, but they’ll also be tweaking the run game to suit their talents.
If the Falcons can also upgrade their size at right tackle in the draft, it will represent a bump at the three spots that needed it most.
6. Isaiah Oliver should start at CB
Finally, the Falcons have to fill a few positions that have been vacated by former players leaving for other teams.
In the case of outside cornerback Robert Alford, Quinn said he expects second-year corner Isaiah Oliver to take his place and start next season.
Like the rest of Atlatna’s corners, Oliver had a rough time during 2018. He is probably their best option to start opposite Desmond Trufant at the moment, though.
