Flowery Branch — LSU defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey was there for the taking in last month's NFL draft. The Falcons passed on Dorsey — and every other defensive tackle. They chose not to bring in any undrafted free agent tackles.

The defensive linemen already on the roster — a group of unheralded role players except for end John Abraham — will have to suffice, for now. So, with new coaches and new schemes, can this unit be successful? "When you've got a coach that listens to his players, a guy who is trying to make us better by doing what he needs to do, be it with different schemes or rotations, who knows?" defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux said. "We're simply trying to be a better defensive line than we were last year."

The Falcons were ranked No. 29 in total defense last season (No. 26 against the run) and No. 30 in sacks.

As of now, the Falcons' starting front four will be the same quartet that ended last season: left end Jamaal Anderson, Babineaux, nose tackle Montavious Stanley and Abraham.

There will always be concerns about Abraham's durability, but at least with him the Falcons have one of the premier pass-rushing ends in the NFL. Other than him, it's anyone's guess what Atlanta will get from the rest of its defensive line.

"Right now everything looks pretty good," defensive line coach Ray Hamilton said. "But for us, minicamps are the farthest thing from reality because we're not hitting, so we'll see come training camp."

The success of the defense coach Mike Smith and defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder have installed is predicated on pressure from the front four. A committee of linemen will be used.

"From what I've seen so far, we have a good rotation of guys who could keep the offense guessing because everyone is different," said Hamilton, who coached a top defensive front in Jacksonville with Smith.

Then again, they had towering wrecking balls Marcus Stroud and John Henderson as defensive tackles with the Jaguars.

With no Dorsey, Rod Coleman gone (released) and Trey Lewis injured (knee), Atlanta is going to use a defensive tackle rotation that will include Babineaux, Stanley, Rashad Moore and Kindal Moorehead. Moore (6 feet 3, 325 pounds) could be used at nose tackle in run situations unless a veteran free agent, like Grady Jackson, is added.

Moorehead and Stanley could play either tackle spot.

Opposite Abraham is Anderson, the No. 8 overall pick in 2007, who started all 16 games as a rookie but failed to register a sack. Hamilton said Anderson has the tools to be a solid player, but some things will be adjusted.

Anderson will align more on the outside edge of the tight end or tackle instead of head up, as was the case last season. He also is learning to shorten his stride at the initial point of attack to help with his balance.

"It's exactly what I did in college," said Anderson, who has lost 10 pounds and weighed in for last weekend's minicamp at 278 pounds. "You're going to make mistakes, but in this scheme you can make mistakes but then make up for them by being able to go full speed."

In pass-rush situations, Anderson could be moved to tackle and another edge rusher, like outside linebacker Michael Boley or draft pick Kroy Biermann, will be deployed. University of Georgia rookie free agent end Brandon Miller was singled out as having a chance as a pass rusher. The New York Giants successfully used ends Justin Tuck, Osi Umenyiora and Michael Strahan the same way.

"If we can find other fast guys, good pass rushers, then we could move him," Hamilton said of Anderson. "We could use him as a first- and second-down defensive end and on third down move him inside where he could be like [Jacksonville's Stroud and Henderson] in there, beating guards upfield and batting balls down."

The adjusting of personnel — and occasional shift to a 3-4 front — fits the new ideology that the defensive line will attack any player in front of it, regardless of whether it's a lineman or running back. That should also allow linebackers to make plays.

"This staff, they're laid back; they're all about the players and what we can do in different schemes," Babineaux said. "They just want to let you play. After everything they teach us, they keep saying, 'When you get down to it, just play football.' "