Falcons cornerback Robert Alford is embracing his move to nickel back.
Alford, who is in his third year, will have to most embody the fast and physical style of play that Falcons coach Dan Quinn preaches when the Falcons face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at 1 p.m. Sunday at the Georgia Dome.
The nickel back position has evolved from when it was used to add a fifth defensive back in obvious passing situations.
In today’s NFL, the nickel back is considered a starter because offenses use so many three-receiver formations.
“That is a starter,” Falcons defensive coordinator Richard Smith said. “People don’t realize that you’re in nickel more than you are in base. When you look at it, you can have a person that only starts in nickel and he’s playing more snaps than people that are just base people.
“Now, it’s a great position where you have to normally cover their quickest and fastest receivers inside. Also, you’ve got the ability to blitz off the outside edge. Play man and play zone. It’s a really good spot for Robert.”
Alford has embraced the move.
“It’s just the whole mindset of things,” Alford said. “It’s very different from the outside. The receivers have two-way goes and sometimes the receivers run a lot of option routes, depending on the leverage of the defense that you’re playing.”
