Falcons bring on ex-Chiefs DC Bob Sutton as Senior Assistant

The Falcons have officially hired their coach tasked with helping head coach Dan Quinn with game and clock management. Enter Bob Sutton, the Chiefs defensive coordinator of the past 6 years.

This hire comes approximately 1 month after Atlanta promoted assistant offensive line coach, Kyle Flood to game management coach. Weeks after being promoted, Flood bolted for the University of Alabama to become the offensive line coach under, ex-Falcons and now current, Alabama offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian.

Before pitchforks are raised about the hire and his potential fingerprints on the defense, it’s been noted that Bob Sutton is here to help with game and clock management and assist with the duties on game day that Dan Quinn won’t have the time to do after taking over duties as defensive coordinator.

Sutton is a strong hire who has plenty of experience in the league and was recently an assistant head coach with the Jets before his stint with the Chiefs. While his Chiefs defense couldn’t stop much of anyone this past year, his defenses have been exceptional in taking the ball away, which is something Quinn stresses on a weekly basis.

To say Sutton will have no say in the defensive game planning would be a stretch in my opinion, as I think Quinn will value his expertise and longevity with coordinating defenses, even if the most recent units haven’t performed well.

Sutton, now the oldest staff member with defensive expertise, Quinn will definitely be reaching out for advice from time to time, if need be.

This off-season has shown that Quinn is serious about improving the coaching staff in order to accumulate as much coaching experience to use as resources for the next year in what can be considered a make or break year in some peoples’ eyes.

Expect fellow new hires Dirk Koetter and Mike Mularkey along with Sutton to help in some capacity in the game management department as both are former head coaches with valuable experience for Quinn.