FLOWERY BRANCH -- The position-by-position look continues in our countdown to training camp.
The players report on Thursday and take the field on Friday for their first practice.
Here's a look at the assistant coaching staff:
Richard Smith, defensive coordinator: Smith, 59, a long-time coaching veteran who got his start from Jerry
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
Glanville. He was Denver’s linebackers coach for the past four seasons and has a major revitalization project on his hands. The Falcons’ defense finished ranked last in the NFL in five key categories and 31st in another. They were last in yards per game (398.3), yards per play (6.14), passing yards per game (279.9), yards per pass play (7.91), first downs (22.4) and third-down percentage (46.8 percent). The defense was 31st in sacks per pass attempt (3.89 percent). All signs are pointing toward head coach Dan Quinn calling his own plays and that’s fine with Smith. Quinn, Smith and Raheem Morris shared those duties over the offseason. “I’m not an ego person,” Smith said. “You look at a lot of teams in the league, if it goes that way, him and I go way back. We’ve got a very good relationship not only as friends, but also as coaching partners.” This is Smith’s third-stint as a defensive coordinator. His best season as a coordinator was in 2005 with the Dolphins. They finished ranked 18th in yards allowed per game (317.4) and 15th in scoring defense (19.8 points per game). His Houston units from 2006-08 ranked 24th, 24th and 22nd in yards allowed and 25th, 22nd and 27th in scoring defense.
Raheem Morris, asst. head coach/defensive passing game coordinator: The former head coach of Tampa Bay from 2009-11, in very familiar with the NFC South. After Tampa Bay, Morris served a stint as Washington's defensive backs coach from 2012-14. He got his coaching start as a grad assistant at Hofstra when Quinn was their defensive line coach. Quinn left for the 49ers in 2001 and Morris left for Tampa Bay in 2002.
Bryan Cox, defensive line: Cox is set to enter his second year as the defensive coach. He was Quinn's assistant defensive line coach in 2007-08 with the New York Jets. He sent his son Bryan Cox Jr. to play for Quinn when he was at the University of Florida. Cox needs to get his pass rush improved. The Falcons have gone two full seasons without a double-digit sacker. Abraham had 10 in 2012. The last time the Falcons had two double-digit sackers was in 2004, when defensive end Patrick Kerney had 13 and defensive tackle Rod Coleman had 11.5 as the Falcons were on their way to the NFC Championship game. The Falcons finished with 22 sacks last season, which ranked tied for 31st in the league. Buffalo led the league with 54 sacks in 2014.
Jeff Ulbrich, linebackers: He comes to the Falcons after coaching linebackers for three seasons at UCLA with former Falcons head coach Jim Mora. He was involved in high-profile recruiting situation that led to highly touted linebacker Roquan Smith flipping from UCLA to Georgia. Ulbrich spent two seasons as a special teams assistant with the Seattle Seahawks (2010-11). He was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the third round (86th overall) of the 2000 NFL draft out of Hawaii. He played in 120 games and made 75 starters over his 10-year NFL career.
Chad Walker, assistant defensive backs: He spent the past two seasons as a quali
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
ty control assistant at the University of Oklahoma. The New Orleans native worked as a defensive quality control coach for three seasons with the Miami Dolphins (2005-07). Before moving to the NFL, Walker spent two seasons as a defensive assistant on Nick Saban's staff at LSU. He began his coaching career as a student assistant at LSU in 2000 after graduating with a degree in education.
Doug Mallory, assistant linebackers: The son of former college coaching great Bill Mallory, he played at Michigan under Bo Schembechler. Mallory, 50, he spent the last three seasons (2011-13) as the assistant head coach/defensive coordinator and safeties coach at Indiana University. He's coached in the college ranks for the past 25 years and is making his NFL debut.
Marquand Manuel, secondary/senior assistant: The former Florida star was a journeyman safety in the NFL, playing for six teams over his eight-year (2002-09) career. He played in 116 games and made 58 starts. He spent the past three seasons as a member of the Seattle Seahawks coaching staff. He served as a defensive assistant for the last two years under Quinn. He was a special teams assistant in 2012.
Kyle Shanahan, offensive coordinator: After a quiet start to his career in Houston as the youngest offensive coordinator in league history at 28, controversy has followed Shanahan around like a cloud during stops in Washington and Cleveland. He's getting a fresh start in Flowery Branch and has an established quarterback for the first time since he had Matt Schaub with the Texans in 2009. Shanahan replaces Dirk Koetter, who left to become the offensive coordinator with Tampa Bay. With the Falcons, he'll have two-time Pro Bowl quarterback Matt Ryan, who's gone 10-22 over the past two seasons playing behind injury-ravaged lines and without the benefit of a strong rushing attack.
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
Bobby Turner, running backs: He as been in the NFL since 1995 and has worked with former Georgia standout Terrell Davis, when he was named offensive player of the year in 1996 and 1998 in Denver. In the college ranks, he had Mike Alstott at Purdue, Scottie Graham, Robert Smith, Carlos Snow and Raymont Harris at Ohio State. Turner, who could go with rookie third-round draft pick Tevin Coleman this season, helped Washington running back Alfred Morris rush for 1,613 yards as a rookie in 2012. That total was the third most by a rookie in NFL history behind Eric Dickerson (1,808 in 1983) and George Rogers (1,674 in 1981). Turner likes his stable of backs which also includes Devonta Freeman. "They have the tools," Turner said. "They have the foot speed and the hands. It's just a matter of getting them to turn (around the corner) and getting them to believe and trust in us so that it's a win-win situation at the end."
Chris Morgan, offensive Line: He was the assistant offensive line coach for the Seattle Seahawks last season. Prior to arriving in Seattle, Morgan served as an assistant offensive line coach with the Washington Redskins (2011-13) and Oakland Raiders (2009-10). In 2012, Morgan helped direct a unit that rushed for a team-record 2,709 yards, marking the franchise's first team rushing crown since 1933.
Matt LaFleur, quarterbacks: He coached at Notre Dame last season. He spent the four previous seasons in the NFL as the quarterbacks coach for the Washington Redskins. Before joining the Redskins, LaFleur spent two seasons as an offensive assistant for the Houston Texans (2008-09) where he worked with the quarterbacks and wide receivers. LaFleur played quarterback at Saginaw Valley (Mich.) State where he guided the Cardinals to three straight NCAA Division II playoff appearances.
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
Wade Harman, tight ends: One of the holdovers from coach Mike Smith's staff. He was moved over from his assistant offensive line position to take over as tight ends coach in his second season with the team. He was the Ravens tight ends coach from 1999 to 2013 and has two Super Bowl rings. Harman's former players include Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe and two-time Pro Bowler Todd Heap.
Terry Robiskie, wide receivers: His experience in the NFL spans over three decades. Robiskie is one of the most respected wide receiver coaches in the League. Under his guidance in 2014, WR Julio Jones earned his second trip to the Pro Bowl after setting franchise records for receiving yards in a season (1,593) and receiving yards in a single game (259). Jones led the NFC with 104 receptions and 1,593 yards while finishing second in the NFL with 106.2 yards per game and fourth with 6.9 receptions per game. Robiskie has also made an impact on WR Roddy White, who is the franchise leader in receptions (765), receiving yards (10,357), and touchdowns (62). He'll have to develop a replacement for Harry Douglas, who was not re-signed.
Mike McDaniel, offensive assistant: He was the Cleveland Browns wide receivers coach last season. Prior to joining the staff in Cleveland, he spent three seasons with the Washington Redskins, starting as an offensive assistant (2011-12) before being promoted to wide receivers coach in 2013.
Mike LaFleur, offensive assistant: He was an offensive coaching intern with the Cleveland Browns last season. Prior to joining the Browns, LaFleur was the offensive coordinator/quarterbacks/wide receivers coach at Davidson College in 2013. LaFleur was a team captain and three-time letterwinner as a quarterback and safety at Elmhurst, where he earned a bachelor's degree in physical education in December 2009.
Keith Carter, assistant offensive line: He was the offensive line coach/running game coordinator at San Jose State University last season. Prior to arriving at San Jose State, Carter spent two seasons as an offensive quality control coach with the Seattle Seahawks. Carter played four seasons at UCLA as a tight end, H-back, and fullback. He is the grandson of Pro Football Hall of Famer, Gino Marchetti, who played for the Baltimore Colts in the 1950s and 1960s.
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
Rich Scangarello, offensive intern:
He was at Northern Arizona as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. He previously was a quality control/offense assistant with the Oakland Raiders in 2009.
Keith Armstrong, special teams coordinator: Armstrong and Quinn coached together in Miami during the 2005 and 2006 seasons. Armstrong was with the Dolphins from 2001-07 before joining the Falcons. Armstrong, who was interviewed for the head coaching job, was denied permission by the Falcons to interview with the New York Jets. He set to enter his eighth season as the club's special teams coordinator. His units have been among the most successful and consistent in the NFL during his tenure.
Eric Sutulovich, assistant special teams: He returns to the Falcons for his seventh season as the club's assistant special teams coach. Sutulovich came to Falcons after working for a season with the Detroit Lions as an offensive assistant in 2008. His original foray into the NFL came with the Houston Texans in its inaugural campaign in 2002. Sutulovich was the team's assistant special teams coach for four seasons (2002-05). He has a MBA from Louisiana Tech.
Lance Schulters, special teams intern: The former Pro Bowl safety with the San Francisco 49ers also played with Tennessee, Miami, Atlanta and New Orleans. He was a fourth-round pick out of Hofstra by the 49ers in 1998.
ATLANTA FALCONS 2015 COUNTDOWN TO CAMP: We started our countdown to training camp 11 days out of Monday with a position-by-position look at the team. Links are below if you missed one.
Here’s the schedule:
Thursday – Fullbacks/Tight ends
Tuesday – Safeties
Wednesday – Special teams
TODAY -- Assistant coaches (non coordinators)
Friday, July 31 – First day of practice.
TRAINING CAMP SCHEDULE: The Falcons will hold their training camp at the team's headquarters for the 11th consecutive year and will have select practices open to the public from July 31 – August 19.
On Friday, August 7, the Falcons will hold their “Friday Night Lights” controlled scrimmage at Buford High School.
Here’s the training camp schedule:
Friday, July 31 – Practice 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (open to the public)
Saturday, August 1 – Practice 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (open to the public)
Sunday, August 2 – Practice 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (open to the public)
Monday, August 3 – Practice 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (open to the public)
Tuesday, August 4 – Players’ Day Off (No Media Availability)
Wednesday, August 5 – Practice 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (open to the public)
Thursday, August 6 – Practice 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (open to the public)
Friday, August 7 – “Friday Night Lights” (Buford High School – open to the public)
Saturday, August 8 – Players’ Day Off (No Media Availability)
Sunday, August 9 – Practice 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. (open to the public)
Monday, August 10 – Practice 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (open to the public)
Tuesday, August 11 – Practice 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (open to the public)
Wednesday, August 12 – Practice 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (open to the public)
Thursday, August 13 – Practice 11:30 a.m. – 1:15 p.m. (open to the public)
Friday, August 14 – Falcons vs. Tennessee Titans, Georgia Dome, 7:00 p.m. ET
Saturday, August 15 – Players’ Day Off (No Media Availability)
Sunday, August 16 – Walkthrough (closed to the public)
Monday, August 17 – Practice 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (open to the public)
Tuesday, August 18 – Practice 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (open to the public)
Wednesday, August 19 – Practice 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (open to the public)
ROOKIE MINICAMP VIDEOS VIDEO:
Meet Falcons 2nd round pick CB Jalen Collins
VIDEO: Meet Falcons 3rd round pick RB Tevin Coleman
VIDEO: Meet Falcons 4th round pick WR Justin Hardy
VIDEO: Meet Falcons 5th round pick DT Grady Jarrett
VIDEO: Meet Falcons 7th round pick OT Jake Rodgers
VIDEO: Meet Falcons 7th round pick CB Akeem King
AJC's 2015 NFL DRAFT COVERAGE
Falcons pick Vic Beasley, pass on Todd Gurley
Scouting report: Vic Beasley the next DeMarcus Ware or a one-trick pony?
Grady Jarrett escapes fire before Falcons draft him
MARK BRADLEY COLUMN: Vic Beasley: The right pick at the right time
JEFF SCHULTZ COLUMN: Falcons' Quinn determined to fix pass rush in draft
STEVE HUMMER feature on first-round pick Vic Beasley
Falcons add CB Jalen Collins in the second round
Falcons add RB Tevin Coleman in the third round
Falcons' draft bios round 2 through 7
PHOTO GALLERY: Meet the Falcons draft class
VIDEO
Vic Beasley plans to be a double-digit sack guy
Thomas Dimitroff and Dan Quinn on the first round of the draft
Falcons coach Dan Quinn on 4th round pick WR Justin Hardy
Dimitroff and Quinn on 5th round pick DT Grady Jarrett
Quinn on 7th round pick OT Jake Rodgers
