Slightly older and more experienced after last season’s Super Bowl run, coach Dan Quinn’s defense is projected to be one of the best in the NFL next season.
On Monday, the panel on NFL Network’s “Good Morning Football” discussed if the Falcons’ front seven could be considered the best.
The front seven analyzed were defensive end Takkarist McKinley, defensive tackle Dontari Poe, defensive tackle Grady Jarrett, defensive end Ra'Shede Hageman and linebackers Vic Beasley, Deion Jones and De'Vondre Campbell.
GMFB’s Peter Schrager called the Falcons’ front seven “lethal” with the combination of Beasley, McKinley and Poe.
"I believe they're the best young, front seven in football,” Schrager said. “I believe (the Falcons have) the most explosive offense in football. I am wondering if they don't have that veteran presence in that front seven that can say, 'Okay, big spot. I'm Dwight Freeney, here's how it's done.' He's not with the team right now."
Currently a free agent, Freeney ranks 18th on the NFL’s all-time sack list with 122.5 career sacks and mentored Beasley last season.
With the return of veteran cornerback Desmond Trufant and the presence of hard-hitting safety Keanu Neal in the backfield, former NFL wide receiver Nate Burleson said he's not worried about the young defense moving past the Super Bowl collapse and becoming one of the League’s best defenses.
"When you look at Dan Quinn and what he did when he was in Seattle, there wasn't a question if they had veteran leadership. They had young guys that anchored the defensive line, young guys at the linebacker position and even the defensive backs, 'The Legion of Boom' was young when they were the top five defensive every single season. So I'm not worried about the age, it's more about the youth and excitement,” Burleson said.
The full discussion can be watched on NFL.com.
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