The newest Falcons assistant coaches, Mike Tice and Bryan Cox, have had a little time to ease into their position.
Tice, who was named the offensive line coach Jan. 8, replaces Pat Hill and Paul Dunn, who were fired after last season. Cox takes over the defensive line for Ray Hamilton, who also was terminated.
“Mike Tice has been an offensive line coach, a head coach and coordinator in the National Football League, so he brings a wealth of experience on the offensive side of the football,” said Falcons coach Mike Smith, who hadn’t commented on the recent hires. “He’s coached some very good running teams. He’s coached some very good passing teams.
“I think he’s going to be a very good addition to our offensive staff. It allows these offensive linemen to learn from a guy who’s not only coached the offensive line, but he’s seen it from a number of different perspectives.”
While Tice was out of football last season, Cox comes from Tampa Bay, where he helped develop defensive tackle Gerald McCoy.
“He’ll be working with the front,” Smith said. “He’s been a defensive line coach and a pass-rush specialist. This is a great addition to our staff.
“He has experience as a player. He brings a lot of value. He’s lined up in the trenches with those guys in the front seven. He did a very a very good job developing some pass rushers there in Tampa.”
Tice has evaluated the returning linemen.
“I was able to pretty much get through every guy on the Falcons roster enough to be able to have an opinion when I was asked,” Tice said. “Again, I like our core players, and I like where we can get to.”
His son, Nate Tice, played quarterback at Wisconsin with Falcons center Peter Konz, who struggled last season while making the transition to starting center.
“I’m looking forward to having Peter in his third year,” Tice said. “I find that most offensive linemen really start to flourish in their third year, so I came in at the right time.”
Cox has not evaluated the returning players yet.
“We are in the new year,” Cox said. “Whatever happened before I got here is not real important. I’m just looking to move forward and try to help the guys as much as I can.”
Cox has started to assess the players who will make up the free-agency class.
“I was trying to look at the guys that will be coming available and looking into the future to try and see how we can enhance and improve our football team,” Cox said. “I’m just moving forward.”
Tice and Cox showed some of their coaching styles at the Senior Bowl. Tice was calling his linemen over for individual instruction during the one-on-one drills. Cox critiqued every move by his defensive players, while also making statements to the group.
“None of you guys want to hit anybody,” bellowed Cox. “What’s wrong with y’all.”
After the next group went, Cox made some more demands.
“Let’s see some power,” Cox said. “We’ve got too many guys trying to go around people. Let’s see some power.”
Both are expected to instill toughness in their units.
“A lot of it is habits,” Tice said. “How you finish. How you are finishing your blocks. How are you finishing down the field? You can create that toughness.”
Cox plans to demand it.
“I’m not afraid of confrontation,” Cox said. “I’m not afraid to tell a guy when he’s not doing it right or that he’s not meeting expectations.”
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