Falcons’ Isaiah Oliver impressive at nickel to new coaches

New Falcons secondary coach Jon Hoke noticed that cornerback Isaiah Oliver started to play better last season after he was moved to nickel back.

“Isaiah, I really thought when he moved inside you really saw the player that he definitely can be even more,” Hoke said. “With his instincts, he does have length and short-area quickness. He’s also instinctive and he’s physical in there. I thought when I saw him start playing inside, you could see his confidence grow. I thought he did a nice job.”

The nickel-back role is important in defensive coordinator Dean Pees’ attack.

“He’s asked to do multiple things,” Hoke said. “He’s part linebacker at times in the run game; he’s got have a skill set to cover.”

Oliver was drafted in the second round of the 2018 draft out of Colorado to replace right cornerback Robert Alford. He started 12 of 16 games last season and struggled outside until the move inside.

About the Author

What will the retooled Falcons offense with Kirk Cousins look like?

Cousins is set to take over for the injured Michael Penix Jr. when the Falcons face the Saints Sunday at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans.

1h ago

Michael Penix’s season is over before Falcons know if he’s the answer

Michael Penix hasn’t proved over 12 starts that he can be a consistently good NFL starter, much less the franchise QB, and now he will have to recover from ACL surgery.

What’s the plan for Falcons QB next season? AJC writers predict the answer.

The Falcons have a quarterback quandary. But it’s not the traditional situation where there’s a question about who the starter will be. AJC writers give their thoughts.

The Latest

Credit: AP

What will the retooled Falcons offense with Kirk Cousins look like?

1h ago

Falcons’ Deablo set to return from arm injury; Bowman out with Achilles

What’s the plan for Falcons QB next season? AJC writers predict the answer.

Featured

Credit: Miguel Martinez

‘Worst nightmares come true.’ Atlanta confronts shift in homelessness funding.

Trump’s overhaul threatens permanent housing for an estimated 600 Atlanta households and 170,000 people nationwide, advocates warn.

Microsoft’s newest AI ‘superfactory’ opens at sprawling Fayetteville campus

One of the largest data center campuses under construction in Georgia has its first operational tenant, and it’s one of the most recognizable names in technology.

Atlanta officials quietly rebrand city’s DEI office

The city of Atlanta office overseeing diversity, equity and inclusion is getting a rebrand amid assaults at the federal level on such initiatives.