FLOWERY BRANCH – While the Falcons went bargain basement shopping in free agency, they did pull out the credit card for a couple of veteran linebackers.
The Falcons are hoping linebackers Brooks Reed and Justin Durant can help put some teeth back in the defense.
Sean Weatherspoon bolted for Arizona after the Falcons tried to sign him to a incentive-laden contract based on the former first-round pick not getting injured. Arizona offered the same cash without the incentives and he was off to the desert.
Reed had his choices during free agency, but was attracted to the Falcons because of the need at his position and Quinn’s defensive mentality.
“For me, it’s a lot different,” Reed said. “For my whole career I’ve only had offensive-minded head coaches. This year, it’s different. He’s a defensive-minded head coach.”
Falcons defensive coordinator Richard Smith was pleased with Durant’s offseason.
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
“He’s got great leadership ability by his actions and by his words with the way he studies the game,” Smith said. “I’ve been very impressed with the way he’s approaching everything.”
The Falcons released linebacker Prince Shembo, who had a promising rookie season, after he was charged with animal cruelty in the death of a dog over the offseason.
Here's a look at the linebackers:
Derek Akunne, North Texas State, 6-0, 242: He served as a team captain and led the Mean Green and Conference USA with 108 tackles (65 solo) while adding 8.5 tackles for loss and three forced fumbles. He was an honorable mention all-conference selection after posting 90 tackles in 2013. Akunne is a native of Garland, Texas and attended North Garland High School.
Boris Anyama, Louisiana-Lafayette, 6-3, 232: He made 100 total tackles (68 solo), 10.5 tackles for loss, two sacks and three forced fumbles for the Ragin' Cajuns over his career. During his senior season in 2014, Anyama played in 13 games and tallied 43 total tackles (31 solo), 8.5 tackles for loss, two sacks and two forced fumbles.
Joplo Bartu, Texas State, 6-2, 230: He started 14 of 16 games last season, but was unable to distinguish himself on the league's worst defense. He made 82 tackles, had one sack and two fumble recoveries. He played 496 snaps last season. He was decent against the run, but sometimes got lost in coverage.
Allen Bradford, USC, 5-11, 235: He's a converted running back who was selected by Tampa Bay in the sixth-round of the 2011 draft. In the Pros, Bradford was moved to linebacker. He was signed to Seattle's practice squad in Oct. of 2011, where he was switched to linebacker. Bradford has also spent time with the New York Giants, Jacksonville Jaguars and Cleveland Browns. He has played in 13 NFL games. In college, he played in 52 games for the Trojans and rushed for 1,585 yards on 267 carries (5.9 yards per carry) and scored touchdowns. Bradford ran the 40-yard dash in 4.58 seconds at the combine back in 2011.
Justin Durant, Hampton, 6-1, 203: He was a second-round draft pick of the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2007. He signed a three-year, $10.8 million contract with the Falcons after playing for Dallas last season. He's battled injuries over his career and is projected to replace Sean Weatherspoon, who signed with Arizona in free agency, at weakside linebacker. Durant has started 80 of 95 games over eight seasons, in which he also played for the Lions and the Cowboys.
Stansly Maponga, TCU, 6-2, 264: He played in 12 games, mostly on special teams, and had three tackles.
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
Brooks Reed, Arizona, 6-3, 254: He played inside and outside linebacker with the Houston Texans for four seasons, signed a five-year, $22 million contract, with $9 million guaranteed. Reed, battled back from an offseason groin injury, worked at strongside linebacker in the offseason. Reed was drafted in the second round (42nd overall) in 2011 by the Texans, who selected J.J. Watt with the 11th pick of the first round. He started 52 of 60 games alongside Watt, who blossomed into one of the NFL's stars.
Marquis Spruill, Syracuse, 6-0, 224: He battling back from a season-ending knee surgery. His progress was slow over the offseason, but the Falcons don't appear ready to give up on the speedy prospect.
Nate Stupar, Penn State, 6-2, 240: He played in 15 games last season and made 10 tackles. He was a steady contributor on the special teams units.
Paul Worrilow, Delaware, 6-1, 232: He started all 16 games last season and had 142 tackles, according to the team. He had 108 tackles and was the 33rd ranked 3-4 inside linebacker amongst the group that played more than 50 percent of their team's snaps, according to profootballfocus.com.
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ATLANTA FALCONS 2015 COUNTDOWN TO CAMP: We started our countdown to training camp 11 days out of Monday. Links are below if you missed one.
Here’s the schedule:
Thursday – Fullbacks/Tight ends
Friday– Offensive line
TODAY – Linebackers
Mon., July 27 – Cornerbacks
Tue., July 28 – Safeties
Wed., July 29 – Special teams
Thur., July 30 -- 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
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