After his stellar career at Georgia, the Bengals drafted Geno Atkins in the fourth round of the 2010 draft.
He’s gone on to become one of the best defensive tackles of his generation. The Bengals rewarded him with a four-year, $65.2 million extension in the offseason.
Falcons left guard Wes Schweitzer will be the primary blocker on Atkins, but he’ll get plenty of help.
“I wouldn’t say its all on him, there are definitely times when there (will be) three or four sets of hands on him and there will be times when (Schweitzer’s) by himself,” Falcons coach Dan Quinn said. “He’ll own that challenge for sure. Let's make sure those are not as many as because (Atkins) will do a number if you let him.”
Atkins, who doesn’t speak to the media in apparent violation of the league’s media policy and his own contract, is a six-time Pro Bowler and two-time All Pro. He’s rebounded from a knee injury that caused him to miss the 2014 season.
“I think he’s 100 percent,” Quinn said. “The reason I say that is you watch him and he’s as capable in the run game, pass rush, he’s disruptive. I just studied him for a long time. I’ve got a pretty good sense because of that studying, what he looks like.”
Center Alex Mack will be assigned at times to help Schweitzer block Atkins, who played 70 percent of the snaps against the Panthers last week and had five tackles.
“He’s just a really powerful guy,” said Mack, who faced Atkins twice a year when he played in Cleveland. “He likes to bull rush and he’s able to move enough to where you can’t just sit down and get ready to push him. He’s going to avoid you and go around you. He plays with a high motor too. He’s always going to the ball.”
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