Falcons linebacker Joplo Bartu is learning his third linebacker position and is in a fierce battle to lock down a starting position.
Last season, Bartu played mostly strongside linebacker and was outside in the Falcons’ 4-3 alignment. He played some inside linebacker in the team’s dime (six defensive backs) package.
His experience in the dime defense is helping him as he converts to an inside linebacker in the Falcons’ 3-4 defense.
“It’s going well,” Bartu said after the morning walk-through on Thursday. “As far as me, I’ve got the plays down. I’m just trying to execute on techniques and try to perfect my craft.”
Last season, Bartu made the team as an undrafted rookie from Texas State. He played 789 snaps at outside linebacker, had 12 missed tackles and was ranked 22nd in the league, according to profootballfocus.com.
With the season-ending Achilles injury to Sean Weatherspoon, Bartu has a shot to win a starting spot.
He’s working alongside Paul Worrilow with the first-team defense. He was one of the big hitters during the Oklahoma drill on Monday.
Veteran linebacker Tim Dobbins, an offseason pick-up, and rookie Prince Shembo are working with the second-team.
Dobbins, 6-1, 234 pounds, has played in 110 games with 22 starts while totaling 253 tackles (195 solo) with three interceptions, two sacks, and 12 passes defensed.
“The competition level is real high,” Bartu said. “Competition is always great. Coming into training camp it just makes everybody step their game up a couple of levels”
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