NFC South presents passing challenge for Henderson, Falcons
Falcons passing game coordinator Jerome Henderson, the only new member of coach Dan Quinn’s coaching staff heading into his second season, has a daunting task.
With stable quarterback situations in the NFC South, Henderson must coordinate the pass defense to contend with New Orleans’ Drew Brees, Carolina’s Cam Newton and the emerging Jameis Winston in Tampa Bay.
“It is a big challenge,” Henderson said. “This is a very tough division. You look at what the Panthers did last year. You look at how Tampa is growing with the young quarterback and Brees in the wily veteran.
“It’s a tough, tough (division) when you look at defending the pass.”
The Falcons offseason focus was to improve the pass defense by revamping the linebackers corps, adding safety Kenau Neal in the draft and the continued development of Jalen Collins at right cornerback.
“That’s why you look at some of the picks and it was so that we can get better in coverage,” Henderson said. “Those young linebackers who can run and Keanu Neal the safety. We are trying to get better to defend the pass and get better skill-sets in here so that we can go out and we look at those guys in the eye and say, ‘Let’s go.’ ”
About the Author
Honored by the Pro Football Hall of Fame in recognition of his "long and distinguished reporting in the field of pro football," D. Orlando Ledbetter, Esq. has covered the NFL 28 seasons. A graduate of Howard University, he's a winner of Georgia Sportswriter of the Year and three Associated Press Sports Editor awards.
