Atlanta Falcons: 5 reasons why the defense will bounce back

Dec 23, 2013; San Francisco, CA, USA; Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Corey Peters (91) celebrates with defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux (95) and outside linebacker Joplo Bartu (59) after a sack against San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) during the first quarter of the final regular season game at Candlestick Park. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Defense, defense, defense.

This has truly been the Achilles heel for the Atlanta Falcons for too long, and the rebuild has started on this side of the football. The Falcons had the worst defense in the National Football League last season, ranking dead last overall and against the pass.

Out when Mike Smith and in came Dan Quinn, a man who knows a thing or two about defense. It’s now his job to turn the unit around and give the offense a break from carrying the team on its shoulders.

Atlanta couldn’t apply any pressure to opposing quarterbacks last term, and this had a domino effect on the rest of the unit. Addressing this was the biggest priority, and it’s no surprise to see so many personnel moves at linebacker and defensive end.

No, the Falcons defense won’t be elite this year, and it will almost certainly not rank in the top ten. But with the offense Atlanta has, it doesn’t need to. It just needs to get better.

And it will. But how? Here are five reasons.

Next: A star is born