FLOWERY BRANCH – The Falcons have played nine defensive linemen in two of the three games.
Defensive end Malliciah Goodman didn’t play against the Giants because of a triceps injury.
“We are trying to roll them through,” defensive coordinator Richard Smith said. “You’re only as good as the people up front. We try to preach that all of the time. Those guys affect the quarterback. They are also the big men who control the line of scrimmage.”
When the Falcons play their 3-3-5 nickel package, left end Adrian Clayborn, nose tackle Jonathan Babineaux and right end Vic Beasley are on the field.
When the Falcons play their 4-3 base front, they have started left end Tyson Jackson, defensive tackle Ra’Shede Hageman, nose tackle Paul Soliai and right end Vic Beasley.
Here’s how the snaps have been distributed through the first three games:
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The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's D. Orlando Ledbetter and CineSport’s Noah Coslov discuss what's led to Julio Jones' big numbers, the Falcons’ first half struggles and the challenges ahead against the Texans on Sunday.
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