With the start of the offseason program set to start April 15, Falcons coach Dan Quinn is starting to feel re-energized.
He’s moving on from last season, which saw the Falcons go from Super Bowl contenders to 7-9 draft-spot chasers after eight players who started the season opener missed 80 games because of injury.
Quinn is watching the injury reports closely, meeting with his revamped staff and devising plans that he hopes will lead to a quick turnaround in 2019.
With the organized team activities set to start on May 20, the meetings have included five things they are focusing on for the 2019 season.
The coaches are having twice-a-week game-management meetings. They are also plotting new ways to use Vic Beasley and Takk McKinley, securing the interior of the passing pocket for quarterback Matt Ryan, tweaking the rushing attack and retooling the secondary.
Here’s a look at the five areas:
1. Game management. With Quinn set to takeover the play-calling on defense, he decided to add a game-management coach to the staff. Bob Sutton's duties will include in-game strategy, clock management, time-out usage and replay review.
The staff is holding its meetings to figure out the logistics of how they are going to operate on the sidelines and to coordinate the team that will go upstairs.
Sutton spent the past six seasons with the Chiefs as their defensive coordinator.
2. Project pass rush. Quinn was asked at the NFL meetings in Phoenix, which players needed to step up in 2019. His list was detailed and long, but he mentioned defensive ends Beasley and McKinley first.
Beasley, who will play next season on his fifth-year rookie option at $12.8 million, had a monster season in 2016 with 15.5 sacks and was named All-Pro. He’s had three other seasons where he failed to record more than five sacks.
McKinley led the team with seven sacks last season.
“We’re excited to get started and the reason why, there is a number of guys that have things to improve in some areas where we want to get better,” Quinn said. to reporters in Phoenix. “We’ll start with both defensive ends, Beasley and McKinley. We are really going to feature these guys in a good way this year. We are excited about some changes that we’ll make with how we’ll play those two.”
The plan is to move Beasley and McKinley around more, play them inside of the tight end and sometimes flanked outside of the tight end.
“Using them on stunts and games,” Quinn said. “Just trying to feature them in the very best ways that we can.”
Beasley has relied on his speed rush, but will be forced to diversify his moves with this approach. At the combine Quinn said they can’t keep doing the same thing with Beasley and keep getting the same results.
Change is on the way for him.
The colorful McKinley took to social media to proclaim that if he doesn’t get double-digit sacks that he’ll cut off his dreads.
So, he’s on a mission, too.
3. Pocket protection. The Falcons signed guards James Carpenter and Jamon Brown in free agency. Carpenter is set to take over the left guard spot that was manned by Andy Levitre in the past four season openers.
Brown will battle with Brandon Fusco for the right guard spot, which has been a revolving door since the retirement of Chris Chester. Fusco suffered a broken ankle last season and is expected back for training camp.
The Falcons have had their best seasons when the interior of the pocket is secure and Ryan can step into his throws. When he’s trying to escape from oncoming defensive tackles, the attack has sabotaged.
The Falcons, who will also address the line in the draft, plan to have a stout interior.
“When you are really stout inside, obviously you are able to (move) up under your throws,” Quinn said. “Quite honestly in the NFL today, there a lot of throws that are quick throws, quick-game, almost 70 percent of the throws are 10 yards and under. It’s a lot. To have really stout, physical guys right in front is a big plus.”
4. Rushing attack. The Falcons are hoping that Devonta Freeman can return to Pro Bowl form after two shaky seasons that were marred by injuries (concussions in 2017 and groin/sports hernia in 2018).
Freeman will have to pick up the blitz better in new offensive Dirk Koetter scheme, which at times called for Jacquizz Rodgers to get across the formation to pick up blitzes back in his previous tenure with the Falcons (2012-14).
“How do we see him improve on some of the things we were looking to do,” Quinn said about Freeman.
The new guards are bigger at 321 (Carpenter) and 340 (Browns), but the Falcons plan to keep most of their outside-zone attack. Quinn has acknowledged they’ll add some inside zone, but with new tight ends coach Mike Mularkey on the staff, they likely will add some power schemes.
Mularkey was the Falcons’ coordinator from 2008-11 and featured the power runs of running back Michael Turner while Ryan was learning how to attack NFL defenses.
“Mike Mularkey has been a big factor as well,” Quinn said. “We’re still a zone team, but we’ve added some elements into our game.”
Look for the Falcons to run more power in short-yardage situations. The Falcons ranked 31st in the league in stuffed runs last season by Football Outsiders. “Stuffed runs” are runs for no gain or losses.
“Although they are bigger, these guys have really good movement,” Quinn said of Carpenter and Brown. “That’s what you are looking for from the athleticism (standpoint).”
Brown was drafted by the Rams and spent a season with Sean McVay in their version of the outside-zone system.
“It’s kind of the nice part about free agency, you can see the person do things that are exactly what you’ll be doing,” Quinn said. “Both guys are good system fits for us. Although they are bigger, we wanted to really establish the physicality and on tape both of those guys have that.”
5. Oliver on the spot. In the secondary, the Falcons hope that strong safety Keanu Neal (knee) and free safety Ricardo Allen (Achilles) can return to good health.
The Falcons have moved on from cornerbacks Robert Alford (Cardinals), Brian Poole (Jets) and Justin Bethel (Ravens). All three were signed by other teams.
Isaiah Oliver, a second-round pick (58th overall) in 2018, will start opposite Desmond Trufant, with Damontae Kazee sliding from free safety to nickel back. The Falcons will address depth at cornerback and strong safety in the draft.
“Isaiah Oliver and Trufant out on the edges again,” Quinn said. “We are excited to see these guys really challenge at the line of scrimmage.”
Oliver played 240 defensive snaps (22 percent) in 14 games. He finished with seven pass breakups and 23 tackles. He also played 143 snaps on special teams (32.5 percent).
He received a 70 grade from Pro Football Focus for his play.
“Oliver flashed at times in his rookie season, most notably down the stretch and against division foes,” according to Pro Football Focus. “Against Carolina in Week 16, he put forth his career-high game grade at 88.7, securing his first interception. With some more time in and a little more seasoning, Oliver has all the tools to be special.”
He misplayed a key pass against the Bengals when he let wide receiver A.J. Green get behind his zone for a game-winning touchdown catch.
“We were really pleased to see him get some on-the-job training,” Quinn said. “He’s got all of the speed and length to play outside and challenge guys in the league. So, I’m very excited to see his development take place.”
Kazee was tied for second in the league with seven interceptions last season while taking over for Allen. He’s shown the speed and agility to cover slot receivers.
“He really has ball-hawk principles to him,” Quinn said. “He has a relentless side that is fearless in a way as well.
“We are going to try and move him closer to the ball at times. He played corner in college. When he came here we moved him to safety. He really proved his worth, to say, hey man, I need a bigger role.”
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