Linebacker Akeem Dent already has shown he can be a starter for the Falcons. The next step might be proving he’s an every-down player.
They are not the same thing anymore. The NFL’s emphasis on passing means linebackers have more coverage responsibilities against generally quicker opponents, and not all of them are up to the task.
Dent started at middle linebacker last season, but came off the field when coordinator Mike Nolan sent in an extra defensive back for the “nickel” alignment. But Dent is expected to get a chance to supplant Stephen Nicholas alongside Sean Weatherspoon in the nickel defense in 2013.
“I just have to go out here and not only stop the run and play the run, but also be able to cover these more athletic tight ends,” said Dent, the former Douglass High and University of Georgia star.
Tight ends were trouble for the Falcons last season, and they eventually burned the team in the playoffs
In the NFC divisional round, Seahawks tight end Zach Miller totaled 142 yards on eight catches and caught a 3-yard touchdown during Seattle’s comeback from 20 points behind in the fourth quarter. In the NFC Championship game, 49ers tight end Vernon Davis caught five passes for 106 yards and a touchdown.
Davis particularly hurt the Falcons during two touchdown drives in the second quarter after the Falcons raced to a 17-0 lead. Davis twice slipped behind Nicholas on the second drive, first for a 19-yard catch for a first down and then on a 4-yard touchdown reception.
The linebackers weren’t solely responsible for covering the tight ends, and the running ability of Seattle and San Francisco’s quarterbacks complicated things, but the nature of the position means more pass coverage against skilled players.
Weatherspoon said that’s especially true with the Falcons.
“With Mike Nolan, it takes being able to cover because we are going to run some man, we are going to run some blitzes,” Weatherspoon said. “You have to be able to hold your own on the back end. I think that’s the big thing about the NFL where it is today, is make sure you can cover.
“You don’t want to be a two-down player because you won’t be out there. The league is turning into a passing league. It’s tough if you can’t cover.”
The Falcons didn’t select a linebacker during the draft in April. They also haven’t signed any veteran free agents at the position during the offseason, so if the roster stays the same, the Falcons will have to get improved pass coverage from their holdover linebackers.
Dent is in line to take advantage of the opportunity. With Weatherspoon and Nicholas absent from OTAs, Dent played in the nickel and dime packages.
“He was the veteran guy,” Weatherspoon said. “He’s not ‘swimming’ anymore. He’s ready. He’s excited about it, and we like where he’s going. We look forward to seeing him ‘ball out’ this year.”
It took a while for Dent to get established as the starter last season. It was his biggest role since the Falcons selected him in the third round of the 2011 draft and he struggled early.
Dent said he’s glad he got to grow into the role, a process he described as “messing up a play (sometimes), but getting it right most of the time.”
“I feel like I’ve improved,” he said. “Right now I feel like I have a better understanding of the game going into my second year of playing a lot of defense. I made some strides, and now I have to keep working.”
The Falcons are optimistic Dent can be an every-down player if they need him to be.
“I really thought that his arrow, as the (2012) season was ending, was really going up,” Falcons linebacker coach Glenn Pires said. “Our quest with him right now is to keep the arrow going up. That’s how we finished the year.
“We’re not satisfied and he’s not satisfied, but we know that we can improve. He’s going in the right direction, and we just have to keep him going in the right direction.”
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