Beasley high on the defense’s prospects
Falcons outside linebacker Vic Beasley, who led the league in sacks last season with 15.5, is excited about the team’s defensive prospects.
The defense needs to make a major move under first-year defensive coordinator Marquand Manuel.
“The Falcons, playing seven first- or second-year players, last season ranked 26th in rushing yards per play (4.52 yards), 28th in passing yards (266.7), 26th in sacks per pass attempts (5.19), tied for 29th in first downs per game (22.4), 26th in third-down percentage (41.78), 32nd in red-zone percentage (72.73) and 27th in points allowed (25.4).
With the addition of defensive tackle Dontari Poe, defensive ends Jack Crawford and Takkarist McKinley and the return of Derrick Shelby from a rupture Achilles injury, Beasley likes the unit’s prospects.
“I’m looking forward to seeing what this team can do,” Beasley said.
Beasley, who was taken eighth overall in the 2015 draft, had four sacks as a rookie before busting out last season. He’s beaming with more confidence.
“It did a lot,” Beasley said when asked if last season boosted his confidence. “I feel like our defense can feed off each other, and we can be the best that we can be.”
He likes Manuel’s approach to running the defense.
“Oh, he’s a great coach,” Beasley said. “Having him last year as the defensive backfield coach, I knew that he would be a great defensive coordinator. Having him in that position has been great so far and I know he’s going to continue to do great things in the future.”
Beasley, not knowing how tough it was in the NFL trenches, predicted on draft night that he’d have double-digit sacks as a rookie. He’s keeping his goals for 2017 to himself.
“My personal goal is just being the best that I can be,” Beasley said.
About the Author
Honored by the Pro Football Hall of Fame in recognition of his "long and distinguished reporting in the field of pro football," D. Orlando Ledbetter, Esq. has covered the NFL 28 seasons. A graduate of Howard University, he's a winner of Georgia Sportswriter of the Year and three Associated Press Sports Editor awards.
