Atlanta Falcons: Dan Quinn focuses on pass rush, speed (Video)

Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn is focused on improving the pass rush and adding speed to the roster this offseason.

Falcons head coach Dan Quinn is focused on adding speed to the roster this offseason, both in free agency and the draft.

It’s interesting to hear what Quinn has to say a couple months removed from the Falcons’ final game of the season. After a 5-0 start, Atlanta slumped to just three wins in 11 games, finishing with an average 8-8 record and out of the playoffs.

“The culture we’re building with Arthur, Thomas, myself, the coaches, the players — we want to add to that locker room,” Quinn told Don Banks of SI.com. “The guys that have the passion, the energy to play. And ultimately, the line of scrimmage and the speed is what we want to add to our team. Once we do those I think we’ll play up to our capability.”

How about the pass rush? The defense tallied just 19 sacks in 2015 – an NFL low.

“I know it doesn’t just come from the draft. It’s also improving the players we have, adding to that group whether in free agency or the draft,” Quinn said. “It’s clearly at the top of my list – affecting the quarterback. I want our dome to be rocking loud on third down with the guys flying off the edges. We’re going to work really hard to get that done.”

The combine is a crucial part of the evaluation process in what is shaping up to be a huge draft for the future of the Atlanta Falcons.

Next: A look at the Falcons' options at nose tackle

Hit a home run in the draft and free agency and the Falcons can compete for their first playoff berth since 2012. Miss, and the brutal schedule awaiting Quinn’s team could result in a third losing season in four years.

But Quinn means business, and under him the Falcons can get back to the postseason.