re: Falcons: NFL Draft Thread

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The 43 under is not a typical 43 defense. It is pretty much a hybrid 34.

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It's still technically a 4-3 base because there's 4 down and 3 up.

I'm not sure why you're trying so hard to sound contradictory when much of what you've said has been the same as me, but you just went into specific details about positions.

Here's Quinn's defense:


Cliff Avril is #56 in the 9-tech with his hand in the dirt (circled). He's 6'3 260, fast, and really strong.

Beasley is a 6'3 250 and runs a 4.53 and clocked the best 10-yard time of all DE/OLB's. He also had the best bench, long jump, 3-cone shuttle, and 2nd best vert. He also played at 265 lbs while at Clemson and dropped 20 lbs just for the combine. It's a pretty safe bet he could easily get back to 260.

I would take Dupree too, but he's not your Cliff Avril clone like Beasley is. Dupree is 6'4 270, which means he'll be at least 280 at playing weight. He's fast though and has hops and a quick 10-yard, so he's going to be good. Honestly you can't go wrong with either of these guys. Dupree was my 3rd choice behind Fowler and Beasley.

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-The left end plays the 5 technique, just like a end in the 34 defense. This is where Tyson Jackson made all his money in Kansas City.

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This is where we need a Michael Bennett clone. The guy's on our roster who have the potential of meeting this are Cliff Matthews, Malliciah Goodman, and Adrian Clayborn. Tyson Jackson is 300 lbs and needs to lose some weight if he's going to play LDE, or he needs to gain 10 lbs and play the 3-tech. I actually like Goodman here the best. The kid has freakishly long arms and the biggest hands on a human I've ever seen (36.5" arms and 11.5" hands). Just to give you a comparison, Eric Armstead, who's 6'7 (3" taller than Goodman) has 33" arms and 10.5" hands.

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-You then have the 1 tech, which is basically a 34 NT, and hey, thats exactly what Soliai is, and hopefully Dan Quinn wont play him wrong, like Nolan did.

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Except Soliai has about 50 lbs on Tony McDaniel and doesn't get near the inside pressure that McDaniel does. This guy is supposed to command 2 OL's, but unfortunately Soliai doesn't anymore. He was man-handled last year by single blockers all season. Babineaux or even Tyson Jackson with some added weight might be a better 1-tech fit. Or, we simply draft someone here.

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-Next is the 3 tech. Ive read that it is the most important position on the field, because this player must get pressure on the guard for the defense to work. This is the spot that Brandon Mebane has dominated for the past half decade.

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And this is where Hageman fits. He's a freak of nature athlete. 315 lbs and super quick with ridiculous vertical along with being 6'6 and having long arms (length). Once this kid learns WTF he's really supposed to be doing, he's going to be a beast. And I feel much better knowing that Quinn has ahold of this kid now. Babs and Jackson can play the 3-tech as well. Babineaux has been playing this all his career, but I think he might be more suited for the 1-tech in Quinn's defense.

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We can get to the SAM backer next. This is a hybrid type of role as well. He is known as the left standing pass rusher, but he also needs to be able to drop in coverage. This is the reason that Bruce Irvin has not really succeeded in Seattle. He is awful in coverage.

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And this is why we signed Brooks Reed. Biermann is also plenty athletic enough to play here too. Both can run and cover very well, and would match up well against TE's in the 2nd layer. Nolan was using the undersized WILL and MIKE backers to guard TE's and that was one of his biggest mistakes. Quinn should fix this with his man-press and bringing up the SS to help cover that second layer.

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-The WILL backer can honestly be the weakest link in this defense. Since the formation is mostly a 52, he needs to be able to be a sure tackler, but his wont have to be in coverage as much as a SAM

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And this is Justin Durant and Prince Shembo. We will get more pass rush out of these guys if they don't have to concentrate on coverage as much. Plus, they will greatly help stuff the run from the middle to the weak side. Nolan often left this exposed and teams tore us up as a result.

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-I believe that the MIKE is the second most important position of this defense. He is the last line of defense. He has to diagnose, and hit holes quickly, because if he doesnt, then big gains will be found in the running game. Also, the SAM will rusht the passer a lot, and the MIKE must be able to cover the tight end, or other backs coming out.

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Worrilow has been working his arse off this off-season from what has been said. But, like I already said too, he was rated very bad by PFF at this position. I agree it's a priority as well. But, if Quinn can get our DL and other LB's working properly and in the correct positions, plus utilizing more of a man-press will allow safeties to help more too, then Worrilow might just be fine here. He is a solid tackler and I'm sure he's getting better with experience. He actually reminds me a lot of Bobby Wagner. It's just Worrilow has been on an island in the middle in Nolan's defense with little help. Quinn should remedy this and Worrilow might just be the guy if that happens.