During a break in the OTAs, the Falcons’
Defensive coaches were available to the media on Wednesday.
Here are five things we learned during the interview session:
1. In game logistics: Senior assistant coach Bob Sutton, who'll help with in-game decision-making, and head coach Dan Quinn have not decided if he'll be upstairs in the booth are on the sidelines. "We haven't gotten that far yet," Sutton said. "We are really just setting the parameters. Where ever he'd like me to be. Where ever he's most comfortable."
2. The return of Trufant: Defensive passing game coordinator Jerome Henderson believes that left cornerback Desmond Trufant is having a strong offseason. "He's in a great place, physically and mentally," Henderson said. "He's been locked in in camp. He's competed hard. I expect him to have a really good season. I expect him to be the player we all know that he is."
3. Oliver update: The Falcons are counting on Isaiah Oliver to take over for the departed Robert Alford. He's been working on the right and left side. "He's going to be a solid pro," Henderson said. "The sky is the limit. How high he can go?"
4. Senat getting action: The Falcons are hoping second-year defensive tackle Deadrin Senat can make a big leap in his second season.
“He’s a good ascending player,” defensive line coach Jess Simpson said. “He’s been in here every day doing extra. The guy really wants to get better. He’s really put the work in.”
5. DeVondre "The Eliminator" Campbell: Falcons linebacker coach Jeff Ulbrich went on a freestyle rant when asked how DeVondre Campbell was doing.
“He does the dirty work,” Ulbrich said. “He does the stuff that nobody talks about. He eliminates tight ends from games, but nobody wants to talk about that.
“We put him on Zach Ertz by himself for an entire game against Philly. The same year that Zach Ertz sets the tight end record for receptions and Zach does not catch a ball on him. He broke two balls up. He just eliminates guys from games.
“He does that extremely well. Solid run defender. The next part of his game to evolve is his anticipation. With the anticipation comes the special plays that I think he’s capable of.”
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