FLOWERY BRANCH -- The Falcons rank last in the NFL in sacks, with 16.
The Falcons discuss the subject of increasing that number in their pass-rush meetings every Thursday.
“I know that after we get done with all our meetings, we always have a pass-rush meeting,” rookie defensive tackle Ta’Quon Graham said. “We talk about the plan. (Two-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle) Grady (Jarrett) actually runs it.”
It’s a collaborative effort.
“We talked about the plan,” Graham said. “What we are going to do. How we are going to attack offensive lines. We even watch the tape from the past week, and we look at low spots where we can get better and how we can put more pressure on the QB.”
Outside linebacker Dante Fowler, who’s going to miss out on making millions in incentives by falling short of his sacks goals, leads the team with 4.5 sacks. The Falcons have 47 hurries and 39 quarterback knockdowns. Fowler has seven hurries and four knockdowns. Jarrett has a sack, 10 knockdowns and six hurries.
Graham has a knockdown and a hurry. Fellow rookie outside linebacker Ade Ogundeji has a sack, a knockdown and four hurries.
The meetings have been helpful even though sacks have not flowed for the defensive front.
“I mean Grady just goes up and talks about the different pass rushers, about the tackles, the guards and the center that we play,” Ogundeji said. “We try to figure out you know, the weaknesses and strengths and try to go at them.”
Entering the season finale at 4 p.m. Sunday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium against the Saints, the Falcons players have four more quarters to show some results this season.
“I think it eventually will start paying off for us,” Ogundeji said. “I think we’ve all just have to rush together. One guy can’t just rush along. We all have to rush as a group.”
Again, this offseason, finding pass-rush help will be a priority.
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