Three months have passed since Atlanta’s season-ending 34-3 loss to the NFC South champion Carolina Panthers and the roster has seen several major changes since the new coaching staff has stepped into place. Now, it’s time to revisit the roster moves and breakdown the motive behind each signing.
New head coach Dan Quinn led a Super Bowl defense in Seattle and his connection and familiarity with the incoming talent has been a common theme this offseason. Confidence between offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan and defensive passing game coordinator Raheem Morris and the new signings is also prevalent.
Linebacker O’Brien Schofield was added to the roster on March 16 and is the perfect rotating piece for Quinn to use for depth. After three years in Arizona, O’Brien was a member of the Super Bowl-winning Seahawks team two years ago and he played every position on the Seattle defensive line last season. Schofield also carries a mentality that Quinn hopes will reside in this year’s defense.
“I want to be a spark on this defense,” explained Schofield. “I want to show it with my work ethic and my effort on the field. I want to be disruptive and be a violent force that shows up on film.”
Offensive lineman Jared Smith is another Seattle product and was signed to the Falcons on March 19. Smith was a seventh round pick in 2013 and played defensive line at New Hampshire before switching to offense in the pros. Smith’s defensive background and quickness off the ball coined him the nickname “Fat Rabbit” while playing in Seattle.
March 19 also saw the Falcons add tight ends Tony Moeaki and Jacob Tamme. Moeaki was no longer needed in Seattle after the trade of former New Orleans Saints Pro Bowler Jimmy Graham and Tamme brought a level of experience that should translate well to working with an experienced quarterback like Matt Ryan. Moeaki’s nickname, “The Leaping Tongan” was given to the 6-foot-3, 245-pound former Iowa Hawkeye for his ability to make acrobatic catches and for his native Tonga, a Polynesian archipelago comprising of 177 islands in the south Pacific Ocean.
Tamme brings the experience of playing with Peyton Manning for three years in Indianapolis and three years in Denver. Tamme is highly skilled and his background as a defensive back and kick returner in high school saw him win four state titles with Boyle County (KY). Tamme’s versatility gave him success on special teams and while playing for the Kentucky Wildcats, he blocked punts against Florida and Louisville during his sophomore season. Atlanta currently has five tight ends, including Micky Shuler, Kyle Miller and last year’s starter Levine Toilolo.
OFFENSIVE BOOST….
The tight end position is expected to have a much bigger role this season and after Atlanta cut ties with wide receiver and slot connoisseur Harry Douglas, two new additions will also be asked to help fill the void. Atlanta brought in wideouts Nick Williams and Leonard Hankerson. Both targets spent time with Shanahan while he coordinated the Washington offense. Williams was a 2013 college free agent out of UConn where he set the school record for career return yards (2,045).. Hankerson played in just one game last season while recovering from a year-long ACL/LCL injury suffered on Nov. 21 of the 2013 season. Hankerson helped the Washington offense finish ninth in the NFL in 2012 with 369.7 yards per game and compiled 81 catches for 1,081 yards and six touchdowns in his time with the Redskins prior to his injury.
Atlanta’s young secondary will look much the same this year but journeyman Phillip Adams was added to compete for playing time. Adams has now spent time with five different teams during his six years in the pros, but it was the opportunity to reunite with Quinn that attracted him to the Falcons. “I like Quinn’s style and the energy that he brings to his squad,” expressed Adams. “That’s what really set me off in wanting to get back to Atlanta and be around that again.”
QUINN CONNECTION…
The Quinn connection was also seen on March 11 with the signing of offensive guard Mike Person. Person played for San Francisco and Indianapolis before his time with the St. Louis Rams last season and he spent the 2013 season with Quinn and the Seahawks. Person showed his durability at Montana State where he started 34 straight games and is familiar with new Falcons offensive line coach Chris Morgan, who served as an assistant offensive line coach in Seattle.
DEFENSIVE EMPHASIS…
On March 10, Atlanta added linebackers Justin Durant and Brooks Reed. This duo changes the middle of the Atlanta defense and adds experience and veteran leadership that should blend well with the young corps the Falcons have relied on the past two seasons. Durant is a “run-and-hit” style linebacker that brings a fast and physical style when he steps on the field.
“When I get to the football, I am going to try to make as much noise as possible,” said Durant.”
He spent the last two seasons with the Cowboys and enters his ninth season in the pros. Reed arrives in Atlanta after playing four seasons with the Houston Texans. Reed earned the game ball Week 1 last season after leading the Texans to a victory over the Redskins with five tackles, a sack, one tackle for loss and three quarterback hits. Reed learned from the best as he played, practiced and trained with 2014 NFL Defensive Player of the Year J.J. Watt.
Atlanta’s defensive line received a boost after the signing of Adrian Clayborn on March 16. Clayborn , the No. 20 overall pick of the 2011 draft spent four years with Tampa Bay. Clayborn was drafted by Morris, Atlanta’s new assistant head coach and defensive passing game coordinator while he served as the Bucs head coach in 2011 and is finally healthy after setbacks in 2012 (knee) and 2014 (biceps). Clayborn was a standout at Iowa and Georgia Tech fans saw his ability in 2010 when he recorded nine tackles and two sacks while earning FedEx Orange Bowl MVP as the Hawkeyes took a 24-14 victory.
With all the connections seen between the new staff and the new signees, it is clear that Quinn’s plan is in place.
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