Falcons offseason report: Defense a work in progress
Dan Quinn traded in his Seattle Seahawks riches for Atlanta Falcons rags.
The Falcons' new head coach left the league's most talented defense to take over its worst. And if his new team expects a quick turnaround for the 32nd-ranked unit, the 2015 season will likely mark a massive letdown.
Quinn's Seattle defenses, which allowed the fewest yards in the league in 2013 and 2014, were not overly exotic schematically. But the Seahawks' star-studded cast had perfected the system, allowing them to play a fast, attacking brand of football.
Quinn is hoping to build a similar monster in Atlanta.
"We want to play as fast and physical as we can," he said at his introductory news conference. "For us to play that style, we won't have a thousand different defenses. It's not what we play; it's how we play it."
The Falcons also will need talented players molded to Quinn's liking to play such a style. That will take time and, as in Seattle, a lot of roster turnover.
The makeover started in earnest this offseason. The Falcons used the eighth overall pick on dynamic pass rusher Vic Beasley and a second rounder on cornerback Jalen Collins, who should start alongside budding shutdown man Desmond Trufant.
The Falcons were active in free agency but did not make any splashy signings. Adrian Clayborn and O'Brien Schofield, who played under Quinn in Seattle, were brought into to help a punchless pass rush. Brooks Reed and Justin Durant signed on to upgrade the linebacking corps.
These small steps should improve the defense, but don't expect Atlanta to climb out of the basement just yet. The rookies face a learning curve, and the free agent pickups are nothing more than stopgaps.
But with Matt Ryan, Julio Jones, Roddy White and a couple of intriguing rookies on the other side of the ball, the defense doesn't have to be great for the Falcons to compete in the NFC South.
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Quarterback
Let's take a moment to appreciate what Ryan has done over the last few years, which gets overlooked because of the team's poor record during that time. He has thrown for more than 9,000 yards and 54 touchdowns behind a patchwork offensive line and with his top two receivers in and out of the lineup. Behind him is T.J. Yates, one of the few backups to have started and won a playoff game.
Running back
The Falcons have used Day 2 draft picks on running backs in consecutive years, taking Devonta Freeman last year and Tevin Coleman in May. The two will likely split carries, but a training camp competition will decide who gets to start. Having been picked by the new coaching staff, Coleman should be the favorite. He has top-end speed but could lack the patience to thrive in Atlanta's zone-based rushing attack.
Wide receiver
Jones commands safety help over the top, and White is still a top-level No. 2 option. But behind those two, the Falcons are short on targets for Ryan. Atlanta took Justin Hardy in the fourth round to replace Harry Douglas in the slot. While Hardy has the skill set to play the position, replacing one of the better slot weapons is a lot to ask of a rookie.
Tight end
This position was a strength for Atlanta just two years ago, but it has been one of the offense's biggest weak spots since the retirement of Tony Gonzalez. Levine Toilolo was a non-factor in 2014 and could lose the starting job to Jacob Tamme, who is a bigger threat in the passing game. The tight end plays a huge role in new offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan's West Coast offense, so the Falcons need to find an answer — and find it fast.
Offensive line
For as long as Ryan has been in a Falcons uniform, he never has had a chance to play behind a good front line. Last season, injuries ravaged this unit. By midseason, Atlanta had placed four starters on injured reserve. The lone survivor was rookie Jake Matthews, who has the look of a future star at left tackle. The other tackle position is a concern after the Falcons waited until the seventh round to take an offensive lineman. Ryan Schraeder will likely start on the right side, with Joe Hawley, Chris Chester and Jon Asamoah manning the interior.
Defensive line
The secondary was the star of the show for Quinn's defenses in Seattle, but a big key to the Seahawks' defensive success was its relentless pass rush. The Falcons will want to build a deep rotation, and they'll have to do so from scratch after finishing 2014 with only 22 sacks. Beasley is the only player on the line with real star potential, but Schofield and Clayborn are solid rotational pieces.
Linebacker
Even after bringing in Reed and Durant, the Falcons are still in dire need of talent at the second level. Paul Worrilow is a tough linebacker but lacks the athleticism to be a true three-down player. Quinn's system requires linebackers with movement ability, and Durant is the only backer on the roster who fits that bill.
Secondary
The Falcons have a promising group of cornerbacks in Trufant, Collins and 2013 second-round pick Robert Alford, but the safety position remains a weakness. Charles Godfrey is frequently exploited in coverage, and William Moore cannot stay healthy. Quinn might have his new Richard Sherman in Trufant, but there is no Earl Thomas on this roster.
Special teams
Atlanta had one of the better special-teams units in the league in 2014, and all of the key parts will return. Punter Matt Bosher finished 19th in net punting yards and 10th in kickoff touchbacks. Kicker Matt Bryant missed three field goal attempts all season, finishing 7-for-10 from beyond 50 yards. And Devin Hester remains a threat on kickoff and punt returns.
Coaching
Quinn brings a new philosophy and, more important, a new voice to the locker room after seven seasons of Mike Smith. He brings in Richard Smith to run an NFL defense for the first time in six seasons, but Quinn has said he will be hands-on with game-planning and possibly call the plays. Shanahan will run his third offense in as many seasons after rocky departures from the Washington Redskins and Cleveland Browns.