I want nothing to do with Pryor, but definitely look forward to adding to both the OL and DL the next few months.
Will Brinson: 26. Atlanta Falcons Taven Bryan, DT, Florida: The Falcons have done a really nice job drafting and developing defensive players so far under Dan Quinn, who can dip into his old Florida pipeline and secure some depth for a defensive line that could lose Dontari Poe.
Fixing the Falcons: Offense is Quinn’s major offseason project D. Orlando Ledbetter The Atlanta Journal-Constitution 7:00 a.m. Friday, March 2, 2018 Atlanta Falcons Rich Schultz/Getty Images Head coach Dan Quinn of the Atlanta Falcons looks on during warmups before a game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field Nov. 13, 2016 in Philadelphia. Dan Quinn has reviewed all of the stats and film from the precipitous decline of his offense last season. The Falcons coach knows the rankings show that one of the most prolific scoring units in the history of game turned into a run of the mill unit that was basically a field goal making machine under first-year coordinator Steve Sarkisian. In the divisional playoff game, the Falcons once potent attack was held to 10 points and kept out of the end zone from the 2-yard line by Philadelphia, which went on to win Super Bowl LII. The Falcons’ major offseason project is to fix the offense. “Stats can be turned a lot of ways,” Quinn said this week from the NFL scouting combine. “They don’t always tell the whole story.” The offense averaged 33.8 points per game under coordinator Kyle Shanahan in 2016. It then dropped to 22.1 points last season, which ranked 15th and nearly out of the top half of the NFL. The 540 points scored in 2016 was tied with the 2000 Rams for the seventh-most in NFL history as the Falcons advanced to Super Bowl LI. “I think turnover margin tells a lot of the story,” Quinn said of the issues from year to year. “Explosive plays tell a lot of the story. How many you get. How many you give up. The scoring offense.” Quinn is counting on new quarterbacks coach Greg Knapp, a former NFL offensive coordinator who’s worked with Matt Schaub, Michael Vick and Peyton Manning, to help iron out the units’ problems. Knapp is already working on fixes. “He’s had fresh eyes on our seasons over the last couple of years,” Quinn said. “He’s watched all of the games, all of the tape. This part of the offseason, now is the time that we audit. What can we change around and whose responsibilities will be different in different parts of the game plan.” Quinn also believes that new running backs coach Bernie Parmalee will help increase the production of the rushing attack. “We really love to feature our running backs,” Quinn said. “Not just in the run game, but in the passing game. Bernie has experience both playing and coaching at the position and that was a real factor for us.” Quinn went through a long list of candidates before selecting Parmalee. “We met with him offensively, with the defensive (coaches) and even the special teams guys met with him,” Quinn said. “He’s been a terrific fit for us. We are excited about what he can bring to our offense. He’s got great diversity and (knows) different styles. We expect him to have a role on (special) teams as well. That was a big part of his career as well.” Knapp replaced Bush Hamdan, who was a rookie NFL coach last season and needed help with the quarterbacks. “Not only can Sark focus so much of his time on the offense, but last year he had to do double duty of coaching offense and quarterbacks,” Quinn said. “Having a guy with Greg’s experience to lean on is a great asset for us this year.” Knapp, 54, was the Falcons offensive coordinator from 2004-06. He helped the Falcons get to the NFC championship game with Vick at quarterback after the 2004 season. He has also coached at San Francisco, Oakland, Seattle, Houston and Denver. He coached with Quinn in San Francisco (2001-03) and Seattle (2009). He was Peyton Manning’s position coach when the Broncos won Super Bowl 50. “We were really challenged to find the best fit for us, the best fit for Matt (Ryan) and for Sark,” Quinn said. “Greg has a terrific background. He has a lot of experience in the system that we run. That came from Houston, with Gary (Kubiak) and Kyle (Shanahan) and into our system as well. So, some of that cross over has been really good for him.” While re-tooling the offense, the Falcons plan to add more power packages to the run game. They Falcons struggled in short-yardage situations under Shanahan and Sarkisian, who both tended to call finesse plays in an attempt to fool defenses. There was the infamous pass on third-and-1 and the Jet Sweep on the 1-yard against New England in Super Bowl LI. “When you count the third-and-1s, the fourth-and-1s some of the time, even in the low red zone in some areas, we are going to run it,” Quinn said. “They know we are going to run it and we are going to do it anyway.” The Falcons are considering a better lead-blocking fullback. They are also taking a long look at both guard positions, which were manned by Andy Levitre and Wes Schweitzer last season. “As we go through it, some of it is scheme, and we’ll for sure look into that and to add to the mix on some guys who would almost have a unique role just for that,” Quinn said. “We are looking into every option for that.” Quinn said he learned a lesson from legendary coach Bill Walsh to have some role players for specific situation. “He might be a short-yardage fullback,” Quinn said. “When you used the term ‘power,’ I know where you’re coming from. (Are) there other guys that we can put in unique spots to make plays?” In addition to limiting turnovers, creating more explosive plays and adding some power to the short-yardage package, the Falcons are counting on third-year tight end Austin Hooper to improve his play. The tight end can be another option for the offense. He caught 49 of 65 targets (75.3 percent) for 526 yards and three touchdowns last season as he moved into a starting role. “We are really pumped about what Austin can do,” Quinn said. “He’s got athleticism. He’s a good matchup getting onto safeties and (linebackers).” Hooper is not the first option on many plays, but if teams leave him in single coverage, he needs to make the play. “There are a number of guys who are real weapons,” Quinn said. “If you’re going to make sure that coverage goes to Julio (Jones) or you are going to try to put special coverage over to (Mohamed Sanu) on third down or on Devonta (Freeman) or Tevin (Coleman) as a running back. ... There is another player (Hooper) that you have to matchup with. That’s what we are hopeful that we help Hoop get to that spot.” This will be a big offseason for Hooper, 23, who was drafted in the third round of the 2016 draft and was a true junior coming out of Stanford. “We are very excited about what he can be,” Quinn said. “That will be a big challenge for him this offseason, to be the best player that and be the best version of himself.”
Sources: Falcons, Seahawks talk Bennett trade The Atlanta Falcons are one of multiple teams talking to the Seattle Seahawks about a trade for defensive lineman Michael Bennett, sources told ESPN on Sunday night. Nothing is imminent, one of the sources said. Bennett, 32, signed a three-year extension in December 2016. The contract has three years remaining, with base salaries of $1.65 million, $6 million and $7.5 million. ESPN's Brady Henderson reported last week that the Seahawks were open to trading Bennett. The Falcons need an established pass-rusher, especially on the interior of the defensive line, with Dontari Poe gone after one season and the team cutting Derrick Shelby. Also, Adrian Clayborn, who led the Falcons with 9.5 sacks last season, is bound for free agency and expected to sign elsewhere. Bennett had 8.5 sacks and 24 quarterback hits last season and has 54 career sacks. There is a natural tie between Bennett and the Falcons. Coach Dan Quinn used to be the defensive coordinator and defensive line coach in Seattle and has a close relationship with Bennett. Defensive coordinator Marquand Manuel used to be a defensive assistant in Seattle and has close ties to Bennett as well. The parameters involved in such a trade are unclear. The last time the Falcons traded for a veteran starter, they surrendered two sixth-round picks to Tennessee for left guard Andy Levitre. In a recent trade for a pass-rusher, the Dolphins acquired Robert Quinn by sending a midround pick to the Rams, likely a third- or fourth-rounder, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter. The Rams and Dolphins are also swapping late-round picks. The Falcons entered the offseason intent on bolstering their offensive and defensive lines. They have two exceptional young edge-rushers in 2016 sack champ Vic Beasley Jr. and Takk McKinley, plus a budding superstar in nose tackle Grady Jarrett. Bennett could help solidify an athletic, fast defense that ranked in the top 10 in both yards allowed and scoring last season. Bennett is known to be outspoken and took a stance against social injustice by sitting during the national anthem. Those who have played with him and coached him say he is a great teammate. Bennett is represented by Doug Hendrickson, the agent who represents Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff.
He's probably worth it, but I think we need to use the 1 pick on another position. He's probably a perfect guard for a zone blocking scheme.
Things I want badly 1. Sark do drink himself into being fired 2. Shoring up the OL(huge dropoff after Chester retired last season really hurt the offense and Ryan) 3. DL help 4. Another WR to help take pressure 5. Someone to compete with Alford and Allen
thats where I see his value too - if there arent options on the DL then I dont mind reaching with our 1st on the OL.
Fornelli: 26. Atlanta Falcons Carlton Davis, CB, Auburn: Carlton Davis has so many of the qualities that Dan Quinn has always looked for in his defensive backs. There are questions about his hands, but he's big, long, and covers.
He also has Harold Landry to the Panthers at 24, Taven Bryan to the Titans at 25, then Sam Hubbard to the Saints at 27... Don't want Carlton Davis....
Dude is good for at least a flag a game like clockwork, likely two in the NFL. Hope they change the PI rule back to straight 15 yards. I'd rather the Falcons go Wynn over Davis at 26. Protect Matty.
Didn’t really think we would consider a CB round 1, but if we do I’d grab Mike Hughes if he’s still available. Great CB, better return man, and also a proven winner. Dude hasn’t lost a football game in over 2 years.
Yea I really like Carlton but CB isn't where I'd go if I'm the Falcons. I'd rather go OL, DL, or Safety. Probably a WR/TE also. Carlton's hands do suck, though.
always laugh when I see this mentioned with a DB and I hear the commentator from my youth exclaiming, "And that's why he's on defense folks" as the ball bounces off the DB's hands and facemask.
Latest from Kiper Calvin Ridley drops to No. 26 for the Atlanta Falcons Ridley is Kiper’s first receiver off the board. In his last mock draft, he had Ridley going No. 15 to the Cardinals. In Kadar and Stites’ mock, that’s exactly where Ridley goes. Kiper wrote, “Ridley is still my top-ranked wideout, but he’s dropping a little bit. He didn’t test well athletically at the combine, and he didn’t show off the explosion I expected (a vertical jump of 31 inches was concerning). Still, the tape shows a player who consistently beats cornerbacks and is great after the catch. Ridley, Julio Jones, and Mohamed Sanu would form one of the most talented receiving corps in the league.” Kadar has the Falcons going with Michigan defensive tackle Maurice Hurst here. He cites the Falcons’ need for defensive line help, which, “was evident before Adrian Clayborn and Dontari Poe left in free agency” as he points out. He adds that if the Falcons are comfortable with Hurst’s heart situation, it’s an easy pick to make.