FLOWERY BRANCH -- Since his second-round selection in the 2008 draft, Falcons middle linebacker Curtis Lofton has been a tackling machine. He led the team in tackles with 142 last season and has 410 tackles over his three years in the NFL.
In a Q&A with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s D. Orlando Ledbetter, Lofton discussed his outlook for the defense entering the 2011 season:
Q: When people say ‘Falcons defense’ what do you want them to think?
A: We want to be feared. We want to put out good images of everyone flying to the ball, with no one loafing. When it gets to be third down, we have our boys getting after the quarterback and the secondary picking off some passes.
Q: What are the goals and objectives for the defense this year?
A: We want to come out and be in the top 10 in every defensive category, but right now we are just focusing on getting better.
Q: How is the new linebacker unit working together?
A: It's going fine. This is the most athletic and fastest linebacking group that we've had since I've been here. We are physical and everyone is smart. We've been playing together on and off over the past two years. We are ready to get it going.
Q: What’s been the key to having a successful run defense?
A: It's discipline and trust. You have to be disciplined to stay in your gaps and you have to trust the guys will stay in their gaps. That allows you to play at full speed.
Q: How important is it for the defense to get off to a fast start this year?
A: It's very important. You want to go out and win your first game and that gives you momentum to start the season off right.
Q: You play most of the top quarterbacks in the league this season. What will be some of the keys against the elite quarterbacks?
A: I think the thing that sticks out is when you play top quarterbacks, you have to affect them. You don't necessarily have to get sacks, but you have to hit them. Bat the ball down. You have to play tight coverage behind that.
Q: The first-team defense has not played together yet; how will the players try to come together as quickly as possible?
A: It starts out here on the practice field. We have to start building that bond and start building that trust in each other and have that carry over on Sundays.
Q: What were some of the preseason highlights for the defense?
A: The No. 1 thing that stuck out, was that no one could run the ball against us. We were very pleased with that. There is still room for improvement. Then, I really felt like some young guys stepped up in the secondary. We have a lot of young guys that have another year in the system. They are starting to feel more comfortable. We were able to play some more man-to-man. We did a good job with that and we got after the passer.
Q: Can the defense turn in a big year?
A: Since I've been here this is the best defense that we've had. Our expectations are high and I'm sure that everyone else's are, too.
