Falcons earn 'C-plus' for adding linebacker Reed
The Falcons signed ex-Texans linebacker Brooks Reed to a five-year free agent contract on Tuesday and, this being the era of instant analysis, Pro Football Focus already is offering its take on the move.
Steve Palazzolo of PFF gives the Falcons a "C-plus" grade for signing Reed, a second-round draft pick for Houston in 2011. Palazzolo says Reed "never quite made the impact the Texans hoped as an edge-rusher" but praises Reed's run defense and versatility.
In four seasons Reed rushed the quarterback a total of 1,625 times and was officially credited with 14.5 sacks. PFF also counted 17 quarterback hits and 106 hurries for Reed.
“If the Falcons are looking for an impact pass-rusher, then Reed is not their guy, but as a player who provides some flexibility on the edge with the ability to play multiple linebacker spots, he should fit the bill,” Palazzolo wrote.
"Fit" has been the theme for the Falcons in their acquisitions and Palazzolo speculates that Reed will play the strong-side linebacker position in Dan Quinn's 4-3 "under" defense. The "Sam" linebacker usually stands next to the defensive end on the line of scrimmage. As this Seattle Times story on Quinn's scheme explains it:
The Sam backer has a key role in containing outside running plays while also being called on to rush the passer, or at times cover. "He has to be long enough to take on a tackle, a tight end or a back and turn the ball back and he could be a blitzer where he has enough rush skills so that he's closer to a defensive end,'' Quinn said.
Reed checks in at No. 69 on Pro Football Talk's free-agent rankings. Falcons on that list include defensive end Kroy Biermann (No. 71), linebacker Sean Weatherspoon (82), defensive tackle Corey Peters (84) and guard Justin Blalock (94).
CBSSports.com ranks Reed No. 68 among all free agents and has linebacker Justin Durant, also signed by the Falcons, at No. 87. The Falcons free agents on the CBSSports list are Peters (No. 60) and Weatherspoon (63), who both are headed to Arizona.
WalterFootball.com doesn't rank Reed among the top 75 free agents (actually 83, for some reason) but has Durant at No. 60. That list includes Blalock (No. 4), Weatherspoon (54), Biermann (62) and safety Dwight Lowery (68).
Titans free agent linebacker/end Derrick Morgan, who is set to visit the Falcons, makes all three free-agent rankings. Pro Football Talk has him No. 27, CBSSports ranks him No. 46 and WalterFootball puts him at No. 39.
About the Author
