Quinn was fired up to scout the pass-rushers today
INDIANAPOLIS – Falcons coach Dan Quinn was fired up about watching the big defenders go through their workouts at the scouting combine on Sunday.
"Jacked to watch these front seven guys get after it today! #Fast &Physical," Quinn tweeted on his way to Lucas Oil Stadium.
He was not disappointed as several of the big defenders turned in spectacular results. Quinn, who has final say over the roster, is looking to add some help for the defense in the draft.
The Falcons hold the eighth overall pick in the draft, which is set for April 30-May 2 in Chicago.
Florida defensive end Dante Fowler, who Quinn coached at Florida in 2012, ran the 40-yard sash in 4.6 seconds, with a blazing 10-yard split of 1.59 seconds.
Quinn studies the first steps of a player to determine if he has a quick take off.
NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock compared Fowler to former Georgia standout Justin Houston and Raiders linebacker Khalil Mack.
Clemson defensive end Vic Beasley ran the 40-yard dash in 4.53 seconds. He’ll be intriguing to 3-4 teams as an outside linebacker.
Nebraska defensive end Randy Gregory, who’s training in Duluth, weighed just 235 pounds and ran the 40-yard dash in 4.64 seconds.
Missouri’s Shane Ray, the SEC’s defensive player of the year, didn’t workout because of a toe injury.
Here's Mayock's ratings of the top five players heading into the combine.
YOU PICK THE ROSTER
THE INTERACTIVE POLL: Defense -- are you going to Keep 'im or Sack 'im?
THE INTERACTIVE POLL: Offense -- are you going to Keep 'im or Sack 'im?
THE LATEST ON THE FALCONS BEAT
COACHING STAFF: Quinn still has some holes on his coaching staff
MARK BRADLEY -- Quinn might win if his front office lets him
JEFF SCHULTZ -- Dan Quinn's ascent to head coach was years in the making
Sean Weatherspoon to be part of revival
VIDEO: Falcons, Quinn make it official
PHOTO GALLERY: Dan Quinn hired as 16th coach of the Atlanta Falcons
About the Author
Honored by the Pro Football Hall of Fame in recognition of his "long and distinguished reporting in the field of pro football," D. Orlando Ledbetter, Esq. has covered the NFL 28 seasons. A graduate of Howard University, he's a winner of Georgia Sportswriter of the Year and three Associated Press Sports Editor awards.
