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Vic Beasley: “I would love to play in Atlanta”

By Kevin Knight

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Oct 4, 2014; Clemson, SC, USA; Clemson Tigers defensive end Vic Beasley (3) recovers a fumble and scores a touchdown during the third quarter against the North Carolina State Wolfpack at Clemson Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports

“I’m reliable, dependable, and I’ll be ready to go as soon as the first game comes around. I would love to play there (in Atlanta),”

As the days slowly wind down to the beginning of the NFL Draft, the Atlanta Falcons will be finalizing their draft board and solidifying their plans for the 2015 season.

Those plans are sure to include selecting an elite pass rusher with their eighth-overall pick, and one of the top prospects may have just given Atlanta even more reason to look his way.

On Tuesday, Vic Beasley, one of the 2015 NFL Draft’s most explosive edge rushers, was a guest on Atlanta’s 92.9 “The Game”.

During the interview, Beasley spoke about his personal goals for the NFL, the type of player he woud like to become, and how much he would love to be an Atlanta Falcon. As reported by AtlantaFalcons.com’s Reid Ferrin, Beasley said:

"“I just want to win Super Bowls. I just want to be the best player I can be. I’m going to try to be a Pro Bowler every year. I’m reliable, dependable, and I’ll be ready to go as soon as the first game comes around. I would love to play there (in Atlanta).”"

Vic Beasley is well known for being a Falcons fan, having grown up in Adairsville, GA. This also isn’t the first time that Beasley has mentioned his desire to wind up in a Falcons jersey.

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Beasley met personally with several members of the Falcons organization during the NFL Scouting Combine in February, but he came away most impressed with new head coach Dan Quinn.

According to ESPN’s Vaughn McClure, Beasley and Quinn had a chance to talk shop about his potential role with the Falcons. At Clemson’s pro day, Beasley revealed some of his thoughts on Coach Quinn:

"“Coach Quinn, just his whole demeanor, he’s a very influential coach,” Beasley said. “He pushes his players. I can tell that just by the way he speaks and the way he carries himself.”"

On Beasley’s potential role as the LEO linebacker in the Falcons new defense:

"“He (Quinn) just said that he had guys like Bruce Irvin and other similar guys to me that could play the LEO position…That’s kind of where we connected right there. I fit the LEO positon because a guy like Bruce Irvin, we’re similar body types. And we have similar games. We’re both great edge rushers.”"

Beasley was a star player at Clemson that racked up an unbelievable 33 sacks, 52.5 tackles for loss, 29 QB hurries, 11 pass deflections, 7 forced fumbles, and 2 defensive touchdowns in only 25 starts (48 total games played).

As if that wasn’t enough, Beasley put on a show at the combine, posting the fastest 40-yard dash (4.53-seconds) and most bench press reps (35) of all linebackers.

He’s regarded as one of the top pass rushers in the 2015 draft class, and the Atlanta Falcons would certainly be interested in acquiring his services if he were to fall to the #8 overall pick. Unfortunately, that is no guarantee.

Nov 2, 2013; Charlottesville, VA, USA; Clemson Tigers defensive end Vic Beasley (3) is blocked by Virginia Cavaliers offensive tackle Morgan Moses (78) at Scott Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Several teams in the picks before the Falcons, including the Tennessee Titans, Jacksonville Jaguars, Washington Redskins, and New York Jets, could be in the market for a pass rusher.

Beasley is a little on the small side to play 4-3 DE, which may turn off some of the interested parties, but his talent is undeniable.

With Randy Gregory’s stock tumbling due to a failed drug test at the combine, it’s looking more and more likely that Beasley could be one of the first pass rushers selected.

Could the Falcons trade up for Beasley?

Possibly, but it seems unlikely given the team’s multitude of needs, the presence of other elite pass rushers in the draft, and the fact that the Falcons are already losing a 2016 draft pick due to “Decibacle”.

If they did want to trade up, they might need to go all the way up to Oakland’s #4 pick, as Washington seems like the most likely landing spot for Beasley at this point.

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I love Vic Beasley’s talent, and his game tape is extremely impressive. Rarely do you find guys who show out on tape and blow up the combine, but when you do they are usually special players.

Beasley being a die-hard Falcons fan just makes this whole thing even better and you have to wonder if that could have some effect, however minor, on his play.

It’s hard to argue that there is a better pure pass rusher in the draft than Beasley, and it’s always great when a player can end up on his favorite team. Perhaps the football gods will smile upon both Beasley and the Falcons, and the two can be united.

While we’re at it, let’s get a Super Bowl or two.

What do you think about Beasley and the Falcons? Is he worth trading up for, or would the Falcons be better off with whichever prospect falls to them at #8?

Next: Atlanta Falcons Morning Report: Dante Fowler a perfect fit for Atlanta Falcons

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