1. Not the Horoscope Leo: Falcons first-round draft pick Vic Beasley will get a chance to test out the LEO position in the team's 4-3 under defensive scheme at the rookie minicamp over the weekend.
Players report on Thursday and the camp will be held Friday, Saturday and Sunday. We’ll move along the times when we get them.
“He’s going to be one of the guys that plays into that spot,” said Falcons coach Dan Quinn when asked about the LEO position. “The versatility from our LEO to our SAM linebacker and the way that we’re going to try to attack, there’s going to be a number of guys that can get into that (LEO position). We’re thrilled that he’s going to be a part of it.”
So what’s the LEO position?
2. Seattle Homework: Our good pal Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times has already done this homework for us in an article titled: "Defense 101: Understanding how the Seahawks play."
Up front, the Seahawks try to get the best of both worlds.
While Seattle uses a base 4-3, it also incorporates many elements of the 3-4.
As Quinn puts it, "We happen to have lots of 3-4 looks, but we are a 4-3 team.''
The Seahawks use a smaller defensive end who is primarily a pass rusher, a position the Seahawks call LEO. (The term, by the way, doesn't really mean anything. When Carroll worked for the 49ers they had a similar position called Elephant and Carroll later changed it to LEO.)
The objective is to have three big players who can stuff the run, and faster players on the outside who can rush the passer, or at times drop back in coverage.
Quinn should change the name of the position to the "Dirty Bird." Old Michigan coach Bo Schembechler used to call his attack guy the "Wolfman."
3. The 4-3 under defense: Here's a diagram some sent along on twitter.
4. Beasley's pretty smart: Our pal Bob McGinn at The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel talked to 21 NFL personnel men for his pre-draft series on the linebackers.
By this group Beasley was not considered the best pass rusher in the draft. He was the best pass rusher with a clean record.
(Randy) Gregory, who had 17½ sacks in two seasons for the Cornhuskers, easily finished first with 10 votes compared to five for Vic Beasley, 2½ for Dante Fowler, two for Leonard Williams and 1½ for Shane Ray.
Beasley, who's Wonderlic was 29, was the safest pick of the best pass rushers.
Gregory was the runaway choice, drawing 11½ votes to 2½ for Ray, two for Beasley and one each for Arik Armstead, Carl Davis, Mario Edwards and Jordan Phillips.
Here’s our Falcons working two-deep depth chart:
OFFENSE
WR — Roddy White, Justin Hardy
TE — Levine Toilolo, Jacob Tamme
RT – Sam Baker, Ryan Schraeder
RG — Jon Asamoah, Peter Konz
C — Joe Hawley, James Stone
LG — Mike Person, Harland Gunn
LT — Jake Matthews, Lamar Holmes
WR — Julio Jones, Devin Hester,
FB — Patrick DiMarco, Collin Mooney
RB- — Tevin Coleman, Devonta Freeman
QB — Matt Ryan, T.J. Yates, Sean Renfree
DEFENSE
DE – Adrian Clayborn, Tyson Jackson
DT — Paul Soliai, Ricky Havili-Heimuli
DT — Jonathan Babineaux, Grady Jarrett
DE — Ra’Shede Hagemen, Vic Beasley/Kroy Biermann
SLB — Brooks Reed, Joplo Bartu
MLB — Paul Worrilow, Nate Stupar
WLB — Justin Durant, Prince Shembo
LCB — Desmond Trufant, Ricardo Allen
SS — William Moore, Kemal Ishmael
FS – Dezmen Southward, Charles Godfrey
RCB — Jalen Collins, Akeem King
NCB — Robert Alford, Ricardo Allen
SPECIAL TEAMS
PK — Matt Bryant
P — Matt Bosher
KR — Devin Hester, Eric Weems
PR — Devin Hester, Eric Weems
LS — Josh Harris
5. First-step very important: Quinn can't wait to get started working with Beasley, whom he thinks can be special.
“I think it’s his first step quickness,” said Quinn when asked about Beasley’s strengths as a rusher. “Usually for a rusher when you can really get off the spot. That’s one of the things you talk about as a rusher, how quick can a guy get off the spot.
“When we evaluated all the guys, that was the thing that really jumped out, his initial quickness. When you can beat a guy to the punch, that’s when you can have your most success as a rusher, and he certainly has the ability to do that.”
6. Balancing out the offense: The importance of balancing out the offense can't be over stressed this offseason as the Falcons implement the outside-zone perimeter blocking system.
Matt Ryan’s record when he’s attempted 40 or more passes is 13-26 (.333) percent:
2008 -- 0-2
2009 – 0-3
2010 – 2-2
2011 – 1-5
2012 – 4-3
2013 – 2-5
2014 – 4-6
Total: 13-26 Pct. 333
7. Cheerleaders Final Auditions tonight. The Falcons will hold their final cheerleader auditions at 6:30 p.m. tonight at the at the College Football Hall of Fame . Registration will begin at 5:30 p.m. Final auditions are open to "College Football Hall of Fame season ticket holders.
Here's a photo gallery from the tryouts on Sunday.
http://bcove.me/v7ul4mys
8.Combine count/Undrafted rookies. Getting an invite to the scouting combine doesn't guarantee that you're going to get drafted. Check on the numbers from @SeniorBowlPhil. (Former Browns GM Phil Savage, who now runs the Senior Bowl down in Mobile, Ala.)
Last season, the Falcons needed center James Stone, who was signed as an undrafted free agent. After Joe Hawley and Peter Konz were lost to knee injuries, Stone stepped in and started nine games.
Not sure what’s taking so long for the Falcons to release their list of undrafted rookie free agents (UDRFA) or college free agents (CFA), as general manager Thomas Dimitroff likes to call them. (Guess he doesn't like calling them "undrafted" or something).
The players -- draft picks, undrafted rookie signees and tryout players -- are due to report on Thursday and will practice Friday, Saturday and Sunday during the team's rookie minicamp.
One of the most interesting signees is Cincinnati left tackle Eric Lefeld, an all-conference left tackle.
All seven draft picks are scheduled to participate.
Here’s a partial list of “official” signings by the Falcons (when we get the full "official" list, we’ll update):
Derek Akunne, North Texas, LB, 6-0, 242: Led North Texas and Conference USA with 108 tackles (65 solo/43 assists), led North Texas with 8.5 tackles for losses and ranked among conference leaders with three forced fumbles. He was team captain and we how the Falcons like team captains.
Chris Brown, Tarleton State, DT 6-3, 333: Impressed scouts with his pro day performance clocking a 5.52 40-yard dash, a 26-1/2-inch vertical and 8'2" in the broad jump, as well as a 5.06 20-yard short shuttle and an 8.16 second mark in the the three-cone drill.
Marquez Clark, Central Oklahoma, 5-11, 190: Earned All-America honors in 2013 after setting school records with 82 receptions and 1,348 receiving yards. He earned Southwest Junior College Football Conference Player of the Year honors and was a first-team All-America selection as a sophomore at Navarro Junior College before transferring to UCO. Clark is a native of Texarkana, Texas and attended Liberty-Eylau High School.
Cody Clay, Azusa Pacific University, OL, 6-6, 305: He's from Fullerton, Calif. And played two seasons at Fullerton Community College where he was named to first-team all-conference as a sophomore. Clay helped clear the way for running back Terrell Watson, who led Division II in total rushing yards with 2,153.
Terell Floyd, Louisville, S, 5-10, 203: He played in 50 games over his career and made 143 tackles and eight interceptions. Last season he had 49 tackles and one interception. He played cornerback for his first three seasons before moving to safety last season.
Beau Gardner, Northern Arizona, TE, 6-4, 253: He went on a Mormon mission after high school. Started his career at Mesa Community College. He's 26 years old. Gardner ran the 40-yard dash in 4.74 seconds at the NAU Pro Day. His time would have been third among tight ends at the NFL combine. He had a 41 inch vertical jump, which would have been first place at the combine.
Warren Herring, Wisconsin, DT, 6-3, 294: Played in 44 games over his career with the Badgers and started in 28 games. He made 56 tackles and had 4.5 sacks and 10 tackles for losses. Was Wisconsin's Scout Team player of the year back in 2010. He suffered a knee injury early in the season against LSU, but came back to play in eight games.
Mike Lee, Fort Valley State, CB, 6-1, 185: He played at Eagles Landing High in McDonough before playing for the Wildcats. He had 41 tackles, three interceptions and eight pass breakups last season. He also caught two passes on offense.
Eric Lefeld, Cincinnati, OT, 6-6, 310: Converted from offensive line to
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
defensive line as a freshmen in 2011. Was named all-Big East first team as a left tackle in 2012. Was on the Outland Trophy watch list in 2013. He has to get stronger after lifting 225 pounds just 12 times at his Pro Day.
Derrick Malone, Oregon, LB, 6-2, 220: He was the Ducks second leading tackler in 2014 with 85 stops. He finished his career with 246 tackles (116 solo), seven tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, three quarterback hits, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and eight passes defensed.
Joey Mbu, Houston, DT, 6-3, 310: He started all 13 games for the Cougars in 2014, serving as a team captain and earning first team All-AAC honors. He posted 92 tackles (38 solo) with 10.5 tackles for loss, four sacks, two interceptions, and eight passes defensed in 50 career games.
Jordan Ozerities, Central Florida, CB, 5-10, 186: He startedall 13 games last season and had 69 tackles, 11 pass breakups and three interceptions. He played strong in big games against Penn State and Missouri.
Damian Parms, Florida Atlantic, S, 6-2, 210: He's a big-hitter and finished with 84 tackles, which was second on the team. He's a classic in the box safety who struggles in coverage. He was the 15th rated strong safety in the draft according to nfldraftscout.com.
Joshua Stangby, Ottawa University, WR, 5-9, 180: He's a tryout player. He finished last season with 56 catches for 1,046 yards and 14 touchdowns. Stangby averaged 18.7 yards per catch and 87.2 yards receiving per game. He finished the season ranked 17th in the NAIA in total receiving yards (1,046), 19th in total points scored (84), 20th in receiving yards per game (87.2), 28th in scoring per game (7), 32nd in total receptions (56), 36th in all-purpose yards (1,322), 41st in receptions per game (4.7), and 47th in all-purpose yards per game (110.2).
Robenson Therezie, Auburn, S, 5-9 5/8, 212: He made four tackles at the College Gridiron Showcase and returned punts. He interviewed with the Rams, Ravens, 49ers and Chiefs. He's part safety-linebacker and he could probably contribute on special teams while learning how to play nickel back in the NFL. Therezie ran the 40-yard dash in 4.37 seconds at Auburn's Pro Day. That time would have placed him third among all defensive backs at the NFL Combine. His 19 reps on the bench press would have tied for seventh.
Valerian Ume-Ezeoke, New Mexico State, C, 6-3, 295: He was a four-year starter at center for the Aggies and served as a team captain during his senior season in 2014. He was a first team All-Sun Belt selection last season.
Terron Ward, Oregon State, RB, 5-7, 201: He finished his career with 1,843 rushing yards and 22 rushing touchdowns. He also added 87 receptions for 664 receiving yards in his career and was a key player on the Beavers special teams units.
Kevin White, Texas Christian, CB, 5-10, 174: He finished his career with 146 total tackles (118 solo), 6.5 tackles for loss, one sack, six interceptions, three fumble recoveries, and 27 passes defensed. He was a second-team All-Big 12 selection by the conference's coaches in 2014, notching career highs with 51 tackles (44 solo), four tackles for loss, and 11 passes defensed.
Shane Wynn, Indiana, WR, 5-7, 167: He finished his career tied for second in receptions (189), third in kick return yardage (1,854), tied for third in receiving touchdowns (20), fourth in all-purpose yardage (4,429), seventh in receiving yardage (2,198), and tied for eighth in total touchdowns (25) on the Hoosiers career lists. He served as a team captain alongside Falcons third-round Draft choice Tevin Coleman in 2014 and was an honorable mention All-Big Ten selection. Wynn is a native of Cleveland, Ohio and attended Glenville High School.
9A. Beasley to wear No. 44: The Falcons rookies have their jersey numbers. Vic Beasley, the team's No. 1 draft pick, is wearing No. 44.
Jalen Collins, 32, Tevin Coleman 26, Justin Hardy 16, Grady Jarrett 97, Jake Rodgers 65 and Akeem King 28.
BTW, the Rams also received their jersey numbers. As it turns out, Rams general manager Les Snead had Todd Gurley rated as the No. 1 player in the draft.
9B. Dimitroff celebrates bike to work day. Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff will participate in National Bike to Work Day on Friday, May 15. Dimitroff will ride a loop beginning and ending at the Georgia Dome, covering approximately 17 miles through downtown Atlanta.
The ride will start at 7:30 a.m., at Falcons Landing between the Georgia Dome and Phillips Arena on Andrew Young International Boulevard. Dimitroff will lead the route along with members of the Falcons front office and the Atlanta Bicycle Coalition.
The route will feature several iconic Atlanta landmarks, including the historic West End neighborhood, Westside BeltLine Trail, Turner Field, Grant Park, and the Eastside BeltLine Trail. The ride is open to the public and riders are encouraged to join along on their commutes to work. The route can be viewed at http://bit.ly/1EAI3gO. It will be at a casual, social pace (10-15 mph) and end with music and snacks at the Dome. Registration is encouraged for planning purposes and riders can join Dimitroff by signing up at http://www.atlantafalcons.com/community/bike-to-work.html. Parking will be available in the Red Deck and parking passes will be emailed to participants that pre-register.
“As we recognize National Bike Month, I am looking forward to once again participating in Bike to Work Day in the City of Atlanta,” Dimitroff said in a release. “This is an exciting time for cycling in the city, with new bike lanes being constructed and a bike share on the horizon. This event gives us an opportunity to raise awareness for better biking in Atlanta, while highlighting some of the city’s best bike friendly areas. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to combine my passion for cycling with the city that we represent on the field.”
[cmg_cinesport url=http://cinesport.ajc.com/embed/ajc-atlanta-sports/d-led-regrets-falcons-draft/]
The AJC’s D. Orlando Ledbetter and CineSport’s Noah Coslov get into the Falcons regrets and surprises from the NFL Draft. Plus, they talk about the ceiling for LB Vic Beasley.
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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