Falcon Defensive Outlook

        Hello again Falcon fans, I am back after a short time off. Today I will be taking a look at the Falcon 4-3 under defense, how does it stack up with the free agents and draftees that the teams has brought aboard so far.  I have already done a small break down on both the draftees and free agents so I won't be going into the individual players. More of how they fit and how they may fare on our team.

4-3 Under defense is a hybrid defensive formation that lines up with 4 down linemen and 3 linebackers. The four down linemen are more like 3-4 with and extra rush linebacker as a defensive end. What I am trying to say is the down linemen are more akin to what you would find in a 3-4 team, with a nose tackle and 3 tech defensive ends playing tackle slash ends. Where it gets different is the LEO position, that is a tweener kinda player normally to light to be much help against the run, but fast man that dude needs to be fast. I know what you're thinking, "right on that's why we drafted Vic Beasley" and your right...kinda. See Vic Beasley is exactly what you're looking for in a LEO rusher, that's why we are moving him to SAM linebacker but more on that a little later. For now we are going to focus on the front four.

From left to right
LEO: Starter-Reed/Upshaw     Nickel package- Clayborn
3-Tech: Starter- Shelby       Nickel Package-UpShaw
Nose Tackle:  Starter-Jarrett  Nickel Package-???
5-Tech: Starter- Hageman     Nickel Package- ???

Ok so as you can see I am trying to give starter and sub guys cause lets face we live in a sub-package world. In this day and age it's really hard to peg who is a starter and who is not because Dan Quinn lover his line rotations. I think the like of Hageman, Jarrett, and Shelby will get the lion share of snaps with the other guys being put in when the offensive play calls for it. I see a mix of Reed and Clayborn at LEO. They both have the speed to get to the QB and the size to help in the run stopping game, and that's where Beasley with kinda of a problem. The 3-tech in this was built for a guy like Shelby. Shelby is a bigger DE how is a great run stopper with some pass rush ability which is what you want from your 3-tech. This offseason the Falcons let go of nose tackle Paul Soali and named Grady Jarrett to the same spot a few weeks later. That should tell you what the coaching staff thinks of this young man and his game. He is a great run stopper with more to his game. The shortest distance between two points is a straight line and that is what Jarrett brings to the table. Not only is he a great run stopper he also gives you some upfield penetration. That's good for TFL and sacks all day long. If Jarrett can push the pocket cutting off the QB's ability to step up (something Soali didn't do much of) the sacks will come.
    The 3-tech maned by Hageman should be an upgrade over Jackson last year. Hageman is coming into his third year hopefully that means he has it put together. Hageman has everything you want in a DE 3-tech strong, powerful, and fast. If all this comes together for him it could be a special year. All of these internal moves kinda show why the Falcons didn't draft a pass rusher. Hageman, Jarrett and Shelby give you that interior rush that keeps QB's up at night. Reed and Clayborn give you the edge rushe we need and that just leaves the head scratching move of Beasley.
     Linebackers in a 4-3 under are super important not only do they have to be fast they have to be agile and smart.

Weak-side linebacker: Wheeler/ Campbell
Middle linebacker: Deon Jones
Strong-side linebacker: Vic Beasley

Our linebackers are pretty straightforward. Philip Wheeler should start out as our starting weakside linebacker but my hope is by mid to late season Campbell will show himself ready and take over for him. Now you will notice that I didn't list any nickel players, that's because when the team goes into Nickel Packages Vic Beasley will move from his SAM linebacker spot and drop down to DE kinda like what Von Miller and Elvis Dumervil do for their teams.
     I am so glad that you asked me why our number 8 overall pick from a year ago is already moving spots(oh you didn't ask...well you should have). This move allows the team to make the most of number 44 athletic ability and pass rush skill. By moving Beasley we should get better at two spots, least that is the hope anyway. Beasley is going to be a solid if not great pass rusher, but he can also be a help on covering tight ends and running backs coming out of the back field. Reed on the other not that great in coverage but a good run stuffer and hopefully and better version of Beriman as far as getting after the QB.
      So that's the front 7 in a nutshell. It will be a shell game of players with the term stater used loosely. The package of player that are subbed in and out on a play by play basis will be enough to make your head spin but I am confident that Dan Quinn will put our guys in the best spot to succeed. That just leaves the back end of the D. Trufant and Alford are locked in in my mind at corner. Allen with another year at free safety should start to shine and Neal as our strong safety should be fun I highly recommend you looking him up on youtube just to see what kind of violence that kid plays with.
     Hopefully this help shine some light on how our defense unit will shape up, only time will truly tell. Now we turn our sites to OTA and training camp where the cream will rise to the top along with our hopes and dreams. Good night my fellow Falcon fans and as always #riseup