Atlanta Falcons: How Dan Quinn is building his defense
Defensive Line
The spotlight has been shining brightly on the unit and rightfully so. Atlanta has totaled 41 sacks the past two seasons which is awful. To put it in perspective, the reigning Super Bowl champs, Denver Broncos, racked up 52 sacks during the 2015 season alone. So yes, it is the elephant in the room.
Yet, here is where the quality trait of optimism comes into play. This offseason, the team has signed DE Derrick Shelby to a four year, $18 million dollar contract. A 6’3 280 lineman who started the last nine games for the Miami Dolphins in 2015 after starting the season as a reserve and totaled 37 tackles, four tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and four pass deflections. Having Shelby gives the team basically another Adrian Clayborn.
Although Clayborn didn’t have a shiny stat sheet, his presence was integral because of his versatility as DQ was able to utilize Clayborn as his strong-side defensive end plus kick him down inside on certain downs/situations. The signing of Courtney Upshaw in free agency this offseason was made to apply his ability at defensive end as well as, depending on game circumstance, some time at the 3-technique. His 272 pounds will come in handy as a very good run defender and ability to shrink the pocket and make things uncomfortable for QBs.
Once again, the coaching prowess of DQ and his defensive staff can continue to mold Shelby, who is 27 and still relatively fresh after being a reserve for his career. So now the team has two SDEs that can add strength to the defense.
Mix in what DQ has at the defensive tackle spot with the aggressive Ra’Shede Hageman, a speedy defensive tackle in Grady Jarrett (who ended 2015 as Pro Football Focus #1 ranked defensive tackle), Jonathan Babineaux, while also squeezing some production out of DE/DT Tyson Jackson, and you have a defensive line that is deep and also provides a blend of size, strength, and speed.
Who can forget about the ace in the hole that is Vic Beasley Jr. His 2015 was good, but of course you won’t see it by looking at the stat sheet. The 6’3 246 pound edge rusher played the entire 2015 season with a torn labrum but was still able to produce with 26 tackles, four sacks, two forced fumbles, one INT, and three pass deflections. No, it’s not Von Miller-like but if you expected the undersized edge rusher to come in and break the sack record in season one, you’re watching the wrong sport.
Below is a key sack by Beasley against Dallas in Week 3 that came in the midst of a comeback by the Falcons. On 3rd-and-3 in the 4th quarter against an All-Pro lineman in Tyron Smith, notice the speed, the bend around the edge, the strength to complete the play with the big lineman hanging on to produce one of the biggest plays of the game:
That’s talent folks. Being outweighed by over 70 pounds to get to the QB in a hurry with little pass-rushing maneuvers used. Scary. His production is key in 2016 and progress is expected as Beasley develops more hand techniques to combat offensive linemen. Again, the ability to coach players to their full ability will help Quinn develop Beasley as well as place Shelby and Clayborn in positions to prosper, get after the quarterback with pressures and sacks.
Next: Linebackers