FLOWERY BRANCH -- In all likelihood, the starting defense that plays against the Chicago Bears on Sunday will share the field for the first time.
Defensive end Ray Edwards, the team’s major offseason acquisition on defense, played only in the final two exhibition games. Starters Dunta Robinson (hamstring) and Corey Peters (knee) missed those games with injuries.
On Thursday, the team added cornerback Kelvin Hayden and safety James Sanders. The team is force-feeding Hayden and Sanders the defensive scheme with hopes of getting them on the field as quickly as possible. Hayden will get a shot at nickel back and Sanders initially will back up safeties William Moore and Thomas DeCoud.
In addition to defensive end John Abraham, middle linebacker Curtis Lofton and defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux, left cornerback Brent Grimes, who had three interceptions in exhibition play, is one of the constants on the defensive unit, and someone to count on. Grimes likes what he sees of his unit post-lockout.
“It was tough coming in without the organized team activities and everything, but I feel like most everybody came in prepared and in shape,” Grimes said. “We did what we could with this training camp and we got some good work out of it.”
Last year, the defense finished ranked fifth in points scored (18), 10th in rushing defense (105.9) and 22nd against the pass (226.6) in the league. The offseason goal was to improve the pass defense and do a better job of stopping teams in third-and-long situations. The problem was the players brought in to help were late-arriving.
Grimes, who tied for the team lead with five interceptions, comes off a breakthrough season in which he went to the Pro Bowl. He’s looking for more this season.
“I’m just trying to get better, work on my fundamentals,” Grimes said.
Grimes, 28, who was signed as an undrafted free agent from Shippensburg University in 2006, has come a long way. He had a stint on the practice squad and some time with the Amsterdam Admirals in NFL Europa.
“You can never rest and think you’ve got it,” Grimes said.
Grimes believes the defense has improved, even with its limited practice time.
“We showed that we can make plays and that’s what we want to do as a secondary,” Grimes said.
Defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder would like a more aggressive unit, but concedes he must first know that his defensive backs will hold up in man-to-man coverage.
Grimes is ready for a steady dose of man-to-man or zone coverage.
“We are willing to do whatever it takes for the team to get better,” Grimes said. “If that’s what we want to do, be aggressive and get after the quarterback, then we have to cover on the back end. I feel as though we can do that with the guys we have out there.”
Grimes was a restricted free agent and signed a first-round tender contract that pays $2.61 million for this season. With another strong campaign, the Falcons will likely try to sign him to a contract extension during the season.
They could place the franchise tag on him, but they likely won’t let him reach unrestricted free agency status.
Grimes is keenly aware of his contract status, but is determined to focus on his play. Last November, the Packers signed cornerback Tramon Williams to a four-year $33.074 million extension, giving Grimes something for comparison.
Under general manager Thomas Dimitroff, the team generally has reached contract extension with key players before letting them test free agency.
“I approach it like any other year, to be completely honest with you; I just want to be the best football player that I can possibly be,” Grimes said. “If you do that, everything else will take care of itself. ... I plan to just focus on playing football. I will let my agent worry about all of those numbers.”
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