There’s no question that the Falcons’ defense improved immensely under first-year coach Dan Quinn.
But the franchise’s string of having an anemic pass rush stretched on for another season.
No Falcons player has reached double-digits in sacks since John Abraham finished with 10 in 2012. The franchise has not had two players with double-digit sack totals in one season since Patrick Kerney (13) and Rod Coleman (11.5) terrorized quarterbacks in 2004.
The Falcons finished with an NFL-low 19 sacks this regular season. The 2004 defense, which helped the Falcons advance to the NFC Championship game, finished with 49.
In Quinn’s first season, the Falcons spent a lot of resources on improving the pass rush, but received modest results. Quinn, like former coach Mike Smith, is quick to point out that sacks don’t define a pass rush and that defenders must get the passer out of his comfort zone.
“I don’t necessarily put all of pass rush just on sacks,” Quinn said. “I’m probably different that way. It’s knockdowns, off the spot, batted passes, and completion percentage, so it’s a factor of it, but it’s not my No. 1 factor.”
In the era of analytics, you can add quarterback hurries and quarterback hits with the sack numbers. When you do that, the Falcons’ pass rush looks a little better, but not elite.
Rookie Vic Beasley, who was taken with the No. 8 pick in the draft, led the team with four sacks, but had 20 quarterback hurries and five hits. He affected the quarterback on 29 plays. Adrian Clayborn had three sacks, nine hurries and 15 hits for 27 plays. O’Brien Schofield had two sacks, nine hurries and 13 hits.
Jonathan Babineaux and Kroy Biermann, who more limited roles, were the next best pass-rushers. Babineaux had 1.5 sacks, nine hurries and nine hits (19.5 plays). Biermann had 2.5 sacks, five hurries and six quarterback hits (13.5 plays).
On 561 pass dropbacks, the Falcons’ top five rushers affected the quarterback on 113 plays or 20.1 percent.
Quinn spent most of his coaching career as a defensive line coach before becoming a defensive coordinator and then a head coach. He worked with the team’s pass-rushers on a daily basis and spent time with some of them after practice.
The anemic pass rush troubles him.
“Anytime we’re not affecting the quarterback … for sure, it bothers me significantly,” Quinn said.
The Falcons must make contract decisions on Clayborn, Schofield and Biermann, who were signed to modest one-year deals. They also will look for help in free agency and the draft and by developing their own players.
Beasley predicted he’d have double-digit sacks his rookie season, but while playing with a torn labrum, he faced a string of talented tackles to open the season and was getting double- and sometimes triple-teamed as the season went on.
He called his rookie season a “great learning experience” and is contemplating surgery on the shoulder. He plans to get better from the learning experience.
“Get stronger,” Beasley said. “Being a more effective pass-rusher. Working on my main moves and better my craft and perfecting those moves I have.”
Babineaux, who was drafted in the second round in 2005, was still effective in a reduced role. He’s under contract for next season and wants to remain a part of the pass-rush rotation. He believes that Quinn can get the pass rush ramped up.
“Oh, no doubt,” he said. “It’s been a fun atmosphere since coach Quinn got here. He and his staff have basically made football fun again. I had a great time this year. I’m looking forward to it again next year.”
The overall defense improved from 32nd (398.2) to 17th (346.7) in the NFL in total yards and from 27th (26.1 points) to 16th (21.6 points) in scoring defense, even without an elite pass rush.
“We have something to build upon,” Babineaux said. “We have basically formed a foundation this year of how we want things done. Next year, we can go from there. We already have the foundation built. We are just building up.”
Clayborn, who started his career with Tampa Bay, played all 16 games. He play inside at tackle some, but didn’t have much success until he moved outside to his natural defensive end position.
“I showed that I can play both,” Clayborn said. “I would love to come back here. But it’s a business. Who knows where I’ll be. I hope I’ll be here.”
Clayborn also believes the pass rush will come under Quinn.
“It was great playing under Quinn,” Clayborn said. “He brings a totally different philosophy than I’ve ever played under and I like it. It makes you want to come to work every day.”
Schofield, who signed a one-year $1.7 million contract, also wants to return. Quinn was Schofield’s defensive coordinator with the Seahawks in 2013 and 2014.
“I think the most important thing is that chemistry,” Schofield said. “I think we were so focused on football we didn’t really get that time to spend together outside and away from the game. When you have that brotherly love, that chemistry that takes you a little bit further in the game.”
In the past, the Falcons’ desire to draft players with clean background checks has been cited for the lack of toughness on the team and that is rears itself in the pass rush.
Quinn addressed whether he felt if his players were nasty or mean enough to get to the quarterback.
“Well, I want us to make sure when the tape comes on we say, ‘Man do these guys play with some effort and toughness,’” Quinn said. “Some people call it the swag. We’re not there yet.”
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