Falcons coach Dan Quinn spoke to the media at the league meeting Tuesday in Phoenix.
Quinn answered questions we submitted to the team.
“We’re excited to get started and the reason why is that there are a number of guys that have some things to improve (upon),” Quinn said.
Here are five takeaways from the audio provided by the team:
1. Game management meetings. When Quinn went on the radio, he mentioned that the staff is having game management meetings twice a week on Sirius XM NFL Radio.
2. Beasley, McKinley. We asked for five players who need to step up. He gave us a long list that we'll share in a story later, but the first players mentioned were defensive ends Vic Beasley and Takk McKinley. He's going to move them around, inside and/or outside of the tight end, in order to create some pass-rush and stunting opportunities.
3. Guard lineup. Quinn said that James Carpenter will line up at left guard and Jamon Brown will battle Brandon Fusco at right guard. Quinn noted that while Carpenter and Brown are bigger guards at 321 and 340 pounds, they can move and fit the outside zone system.
4. Smith in the passing game. Quinn believes the Falcons can get more out of running back Ito Smith in the passing game.
5. Oliver named a starter. Quinn confirmed that Isaiah Oliver is slated to start opposite of Desmond Trufant at cornerback and Damontae Kazee will move to nickel back. The Falcons parted ways with cornerbacks Robert Alford, Brian Poole and Justin Bethel this offseason. Quinn is looking forward to Trufant and Oliver challenging wide receivers at the line of scrimmage.
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