Atlanta Falcons: Schofield, Alford top defensive second quarter grades
Vic Beasley Jr: Grade, 77
Previous Grade: 84
Oct 15, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints offensive tackle Andrus Peat (75) blocks Atlanta Falcons defensive end Vic Beasley (44) during the first half of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Vic Beasley has been a big disappointment thus far in 2015. Sure, he’s only played in eight games but those eight games haven’t been very good, especially his last four.
Against mediocre tackles in the last four games, Beasley has zero sacks and seven tackles. On top of that, Beasley has had several penalties called against him for lining up off sides and has shown a lack of hustle at times. Beasley continues to use a spin move on tackles that clearly isn’t working. He needs to find a better way of getting to the quarterback.
I need to see a big improvement in his next four games.
Kroy Biermann: Grade, 78
Previous Grade: 84
Dec 28, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Kroy Biermann (71) is introduced before a game against the Carolina Panthers at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Kroy Biermann has been of the most scrutinized players in recent years for the Atlanta Falcons. Many were calling for his head after last season and were surprised when he was retained after the year, but here he is.
Biermann got off to a great start. He basically wont the game for the Falcons in week 2 against the New York Giants with a huge sack and forced fumble and a big third down stop later in the game, but since then Biermann hasn’t done much of anything.
The tackles are decent for Biermann, but he hasn’t provided the Falcons with a good pass rush. At the end of the day, sacks are all that matters when it comes to Biermann and he isn’t getting the job done.
Jonathan Babineaux: Grade, 80
Previous Grade: 86
Oct 11, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux (95) and team owner Arthur Blank react after defeating the Washington Redskins in overtime at the Georgia Dome. The Falcons defeated the Redskins 25-19. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
I hate to drop the grade of Jonathan Babineaux, but he hasn’t really done anything on defense for the Atlanta Falcons in the last four games. Babineaux started off the year great. He was getting to the quarterback with ease, disrupting the run and making an overall big impact with solid playing time.
Since then, Babineaux has just four tackles in his last four games and played just 28 snaps against Tampa Bay last week. Dan Quinn has elected to use multiple players at the position so nobody at the tackle position is getting a ton of snaps per game.
Let’s see how big of an impact Babineaux makes in the Falcons’ next four games.
Tyson Jackson: Grade, 78
Previous Grade: 78
Oct 15, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints running back Mark Ingram (22) is tackled by Atlanta Falcons defensive end Tyson Jackson (94) and middle linebacker Paul Worrilow (55) during the fourth quarter of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Saints defeated the Falcons 31-21. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Tyson Jackson is a ghost on the Atlanta Falcons defense. You never hear his name called even though he plays roughly 60 percent of the snaps and gets little to no tackles. Jackson has zero sacks on the year and likely won’t have any on the year.
Oh well, we all knew this was how his season would go.
Paul Soliai: Grade, 78
Previous Grade: 78
Sep 14, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Paul Soliai (96) takes the field prior to facing the Philadelphia Eagles at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Paul Soliai is having yet another mediocre year for the Atlanta Falcons and because of that, he has lost some of his snaps to guys like Grady Jarrett. Soliai is the biggest defensive tackle the Falcons have and has anchored the Falcons’ dominant run defense but hasn’t done much of anything to help his own play.
Soliai will likely be on his way out of Atlanta after the season is over. Nothing against Soliai, but he just doesnt fit into what the Falcons want to do on defense.
Adrian Clayborn: Grade, 84
Previous Grade: 78
Nov 1, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn (L) greets defensive end Adrian Clayborn (99) in the first quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
After not doing a whole lot in the first four games, Adrian Clayborn has stepped it up as of late. Clayborn only playing roughly 40 percent of the snaps, but in that time he has two sacks and several quarterback hits. Clayborn is still being worked into the lineup slowly after coming off of an injury last year, but is doing a great job when he is in the game.
My challenge to him is to get two more sacks in the next four games. Lets see if he can hit that goal.
Ra’Shede Hageman: Grade, 82
Previous Grade: 84
Ra’Shede Hageman is still a work in progress, but thus far has had a solid 2015 season. Hageman is averaging roughly 45 percent of the defensive snaps and is doing a great job of stopping the run with his teammates. Hageman has one sack on the year, but hasn’t had one in the last four games.
Hageman is without a doubt in the Falcons’ long-term plans. Let’s see how strong he finishes the season.
Grady Jarrett: Grade, 84
Previous Grade: 82
Sep 3, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Grady Jarrett (97) reacts after a sack against the Baltimore Ravens in the fourth quarter at the Georgia Dome. The Ravens defeated the Falcons 20-19. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Rookie Grady Jarrett has impressed everyone in the Falcons’ organization with the power he has displayed while on the field. Jarrett is making the most of his playing time and seems to make at least on great play in every game he plays in.
Jarrett is playing in roughly 15 percent of the defensive snaps yet has eight tackles from the defensive tackle position. Jarrett played just 10 snaps against the Buccaneers but was able to rack up three tackles. That’s terrific! Keep it up!